Acquiring an enchanted firearm took priority over everything else, but Ezra knew he could not just waltz into any store and ask for a weapon. Here in the capital, even the most affluent merchants and most respected Gunners needed special permission from the Central Council to purchase enchanted firearms and bullets.Despite having a Gunsmithing system at his disposal, Ezra did not possess the necessary skills to craft new firearms from scratch. In order to create a new weapon, he still needed to get his hands on their blueprints.Marlin’s advice about participating in the duels held throughout the capital was a quick and easy way for Ezra to acquire a firearm and even get his shot at earning some extra coin. However, there was one small problem: he still needed a gun to challenge his opponent in the duel.“I need to acquire a gun to take part in any duel. But they took my coin purse before throwing me in the dungeon, and now I am nothing more than a pauper,” Ezra said to Marlin.The o
Ezra followed the shopkeeper to the spacious corner with the mirror, and the man took his measurements with two silver threads. “You have a good physique, and your hands do not have any calluses or bruises,” he said, scrutinizing Ezra. “I think your family must be quite well off. Perhaps you are the son of a famous merchant from your town.”“I am just an orphan. I joined the guild at an early age, and the Elders were kind enough to let me stay,” Ezra replied.But the shop owner did not seem too convinced. As he was measuring Ezra’s calves and ankles, he became a little suspicious about the whole thing. “So…why did you decide to take part in this tournament if this is against the rules of your clan?”“I love my clan a lot, but I have always dreamed of meeting the king and being allowed to enter his court. I wish to become one of his Elite Gunners and serve the country,” Ezra replied, doing his best to make it sound genuine.“And you are sure you can defeat your rivals?” the man asked.
The gray-haired woman welcomed Ezra inside a run-down tavern with squeaky wooden floorboards and damp, dilapidated walls covered in cobwebs. One look was enough for anyone to tell that the place had seen better days. But the people sitting on those old wooden chairs and chattering away their cares did not seem to mind their sordid surroundings.A plump barmaid with a bountiful bosom was shuffling plates across the tables and scooping up empty flasks reeking of cheap liquor.As Ezra stepped into the light, the people around him started talking in hushed whispers. Some looked at him suspiciously while others regarded him with utter disinterest and continued munching on their unsalted peanuts and soggy pretzels.The gray-haired woman guided Ezra to the bar counter and walked in through a flimsy wooden gate to stand opposite to him.“I take it you are new in town, boy. So…where are you from? And what brings you to these parts?” she asked, regarding Ezra with curiosity.“I am from a town t
The people in the tavern immediately stopped chattering, and Madam Moonfrey became alert and defensive. She quickly closed the potions cabinet and ordered her helping hands to get busy.Ezra turned toward the door as an enchanting female voice called out to the owner. “Good evening, my dearest Moony. It has been a while. How are things in your secret shop?”There was hardly a soul in Ashton Alley to call Madam Moonfrey by her childhood nickname, but the woman who had just entered the tavern seemed to have a certain power over her.The lady who had just stepped into the tavern was dressed in a dazzling red cloak draped over fine silk robes. Her eyes were fiery red, and her curly tresses the shade of burnt amber. She looked older than thirty, but her skin was dewy and smooth, and her cheeks rosy and devoid of any wrinkles or fine lines.Some of the younger men blushed as they laid eyes on the beautiful woman in red while others looked away in fear.“Welcome, Esme. It has been a while,” M
The gray storm clouds brewing overhead cast a shadow over Magaravia. And as thunder rumbled in the skies above, Ezra realized it was about to rain. The little boys playing in the streets flocked to their homes, and the cats and dogs sniffing through the refuse scampered off and hid under the tarpaulins spread across the slums.Everyone seemed to be in a hurry to seek shelter even though it looked like it was going to be a light shower. Ezra stopped near the bridge leading out of the slums and looked up. It was unusual for it to rain at this time of the year, but the clouds looked different. Each time there was a flash, they glowed in the somber darkness, scattering sparks of blue lightning that arced across the skies.As Ezra kept staring in awe, the storm clouds turned a shade darker, and a swirling blue vortex appeared in the middle of the cloud formation. It crackled with lightning and gradually expanded, covering the entirety of Ashton Alley and bathing the area in pale blue ligh
Enamored by the enchantress’ wild beauty and wily charms, Ezra walked toward her like a fool drunk in love. Although he treasured another beauty in his heart, Esmeralda’s seductive voice cast a spell on him, taking hold of his already weakened mind.Just like all other enchantresses, Esmeralda drew power by seducing young men and draining their vigor and magic. And since Ezra was one of the youngest D-level magic users in Magaravia, he was an excellent prey for her.Pointing her supple white fingers at Ezra, she looked him in the eye and smiled seductively. “I am going to take you home, my dainty darling. And I promise I shall keep you forever. I hope no one will miss you, my juicy lamb.”Ezra was barely a few feet away from Esmeralda when she tried to wrap her arms around him and suck him into a draining kiss. But just as she was about to pounce on her prey, a swarm of vampire bats rushed at her, making her shriek and step away.“Eek! Get away from me, you disgusting vermin!” she shri
Ezra felt like his heart would burst out of his chest as he tried to fight the urge to lash out at those who were trying to help him. Even though he was still in his senses it was as if his body refused to obey his mind. “I…can’t stay here. It’s killing me!” Ezra grunted as his lips darkened and blood pooled in the corners of his eyes, making him look like a creature from beyond the grave. The more he tried to resist the urge to unleash his skills, the more it hurt him.Count Gressil’s guards held Ezra by his arms and dragged him as Tanya did her best to comfort him.“It is going to be alright, Lord Ezra. I am going to help you. Please try to fight the regression. You need to be conscious for this to work,” she said while holding a rose-shaped pendant in her hand and praying to Ishani. If it were anyone else Count Gressil would have ordered to have him shot by now, but since he had a soft corner for Ezra, he allowed Tanya to attempt her healing ritual despite sensing the danger.With
Five hours later, Ezra opened his eyes to the bright glow of white power crystals illuminating his new room. He was still in bed, and a maid was washing his burning forehead with a damp cotton cloth soaked in healing waters from the Fountain of Erelor.“Wh…what happened?” Ezra tried to get up, but the pain in his head was so unbearable that he could not sit up straight. “Argh…my head!”“My Lord, you should not try to get up. Your body needs time to heal. Rest for now, and let me take care of you,’’ the maid replied. “Where is everyone? How’s Lady Tanya? Did she get hurt?”Before the maid could answer, there was a knock on the door. She got up and opened it.Tanya Gressil stepped into the room and immediately inquired about Ezra’s health. “How is he doing? Still feverish?”“He is doing a lot better, my Lady,” the maid replied, stepping aside to allow her to take a look at Ezra. “Lord Ezra is still weak, but the fever has gone down. He should recover with rest and some good warm meals.”