Asiel stepped out of the inn, adjusting the clasp of his cloak as the morning breeze brushed past him. He scanned the street, and there — leaning casually against a wooden post — Yrion stood with a half-eaten loaf of bread in hand.
"Hey, Yrion! Good morning. Sorry for being late."
Yrion swallowed the last bite and waved it off. "It's alright. I've seen mages sleep for days after overdoing it. Reconnecting their threads with the elemental energy takes a toll." He smirked. "You waking up in a single night? That's impressive."
"Asiel chuckled softly. "You mean the connection, right? Yeah… it felt strange this morning. But let's talk while walking."
The two began strolling through the slowly awakening streets of Lagunica. Market stalls were opening, children ran past with wooden toys, and the smell of baked bread drifted from a nearby shop.
Yrion glanced sideways. "You must've been through a lot, Asiel."
Asiel blinked. "Why do you think that?"
"I've heard the stories," Yrion said quietly, eyes forward. "Most strong mages go through some serious mental burdens. Breakdowns. Nightmares. Depression. It's… not easy to carry that kind of power."
Asiel smiled gently at his concern. "Thank you for worrying, Yrion. But I'm fine. Really." Then he nudged him lightly. "What about you? You were the one in the thick of the fight. Any injuries? You must've taken some hits."
Yrion snorted proudly. "Of course not. Those weaklings were nothing compared to the training I've gone through over the years." He stretched his arms casually, as if to prove he was completely unhurt. "Now come on. Let's continue this at breakfast. I'm starving."
The two headed toward a small roadside food stall, the morning sun rising behind them, casting long shadows that followed their steady steps — two adventurers beginning another day in a world that was slowly changing around them.
The streets near the river shimmered with morning light as Asiel and Yrion stopped before the Dawn's Hearth, a sturdy two-storied tavern built from weathered stone and warm cedar beams. The river ran just behind it, its soft current adding a gentle calm to the early hour.
As they stepped inside, the scent of fresh broth and polished wood greeted them. A catfolk waitress was wiping down the tables, her tail swaying lazily behind her — it seemed the tavern had only just opened.
Asiel lifted a hand. "Hey, Nerina. It's been a long time."
The catfolk's ears perked up instantly. "Asiel! Welcome back — you did take your time." Then her amber eyes shifted to the swordsman beside him. "And who is this— wait." Her pupils widened. "Are you the Flame Swordsman Yrion?" She bowed lightly. "Welcome, sir!"
Yrion scratched his cheek a little awkwardly. "Uh… yeah. Morning."
They took a table and ordered beef stew. The warmth, the soft chatter, and the scent of spices made the place feel unusually cozy — a nice contrast to yesterday's bloodshed.
After a short while, they finished their meals and paid. Then they shifted to a corner table where the morning sunlight pooled softly through the windows.
Yrion placed the earnings bag on the table and opened it. "Alright — let's split yesterday's payout."
They divided the coins evenly, each ending up with a considerable weight of bronze and silver.
Asiel then pulled out the crimson-gem ring from his pocket, letting it gleam under the light. "So… Yrion, got any clues about this thing?"
Yrion shook his head. "Nope. Nothing. I've never seen this kind of ring before." He stood and dusted off his cloak. "So our next stop should be the library. Maybe there's something in the old records."
"Agreed. Let's try our luck over there."
With that, the two stepped out of the lively Dawn's Hearth, leaving behind the warmth of its hearth and the chatter of its early patrons.
The river glinted beside them as they walked the road toward the Lagunica Grand Library, where the old walls and older books might finally reveal the secrets behind the mysterious red ring.