The Blessings

Chapter 37: The City That Never Sleeps

The massive gates of Astraea stood open beneath the afternoon sun.

Unlike the quiet villages Echo had known all his life, the capital seemed to breathe with endless energy.

Merchants called out to passing travellers.

Carriages rolled over polished stone streets.

Children laughed as they chased glowing magical butterflies created by street performers.

Everywhere Echo looked...

Something incredible was happening.

He stopped walking for what felt like the tenth time in five minutes.

"...How many people actually live here?"

Edric chuckled.

"Nearly half a million."

Echo nearly stumbled.

"...Half..."

"...A million?"

Mira smiled at his expression.

"I think you've broken him."

"I don't think I'll recover."

Even Kodie looked around with quiet curiosity.

Unlike Echo, he wasn't distracted by the crowds.

He watched the rooftops.

The guards.

The alleyways.

The city's rhythm.

Everything had a pattern.

---

As they continued deeper into the capital, Echo noticed people wearing robes of every imaginable colour.

Some carried glowing staffs.

Others floated books beside them using magic.

One elderly woman calmly watered flowers without touching a single watering can.

The cans simply floated beside her.

Echo stared.

"...Did you see that?"

Dorothy smiled.

"Telekinesis."

"A simple spell."

Echo looked at her in disbelief.

"...Simple?"

Dorothy nodded.

"Every city has its specialties."

"Here..."

"...magic is part of everyday life."

Echo watched as a young blacksmith heated metal without a furnace, shaping it with controlled fire magic.

Across the street, another craftsman enchanted a ring with glowing runes before handing it to a customer.

Magic wasn't being used for combat.

It was being used to build.

To create.

To live.

For the first time...

Echo realised how small his understanding of magic truly was.

---

The streets gradually widened until they reached an enormous circular plaza.

At its centre stood a magnificent crystal fountain.

Instead of water...

Streams of coloured mana flowed through the crystal, changing colour every few seconds.

Children ran around it laughing.

Visitors stopped to admire its beauty.

Echo slowly approached.

"...It's beautiful."

Dorothy nodded.

"The Fountain of Origins."

"It symbolises that every branch of magic begins from the same source."

Echo quietly touched the cool stone surrounding the fountain.

"...So every mage..."

"...starts the same?"

Dorothy smiled.

"Exactly."

"What makes them different..."

"...is the path they choose afterwards."

---

Suddenly...

A familiar voice interrupted them.

"Young Master Edric!"

Several elegantly dressed attendants hurried across the plaza.

Each bowed respectfully.

"The Guild Master has been waiting."

Echo blinked.

"...Young Master?"

Edric sighed.

"I was hoping we'd arrive unnoticed."

One of the attendants looked surprised.

"Sir?"

Edric smiled awkwardly.

"...Please."

"Just Edric."

The attendants exchanged uncertain glances.

"As you wish..."

"...Young Master."

Echo struggled not to laugh.

Mira nudged him gently.

"Don't."

"I'm trying."

Kodie quietly looked away.

Though the slight movement of his shoulders suggested he was hiding a smile as well.

---

The group followed the attendants through the wealthier district of Astraea.

The buildings gradually became larger.

Gardens filled with magical flowers surrounded elegant estates.

Crystal lamps floated above the streets, glowing softly despite the daylight.

Finally...

They stopped before a breathtaking building built from white stone and emerald glass.

A giant silver emblem of a blooming herb adorned the entrance.

Echo stared upward.

"...This is a guild?"

Edric nodded.

"The Verdant Guild."

"My family's home."

The enormous doors slowly opened.

Inside...

Dozens of healers hurried between rooms carrying herbs, potions, and enchanted medical tools.

Some treated injured adventurers.

Others carefully organised shelves containing hundreds of rare ingredients.

Echo had never imagined a place like this.

"This isn't just a guild..."

Mira whispered.

"...It's practically a hospital."

Edric smiled proudly.

"My grandfather believed that knowledge should heal everyone."

"So the guild became both."

Dorothy nodded approvingly.

"A wise decision."

---

An elderly man descended the grand staircase.

Despite his age, his posture remained perfectly straight.

His sharp green eyes immediately found Edric.

"So..."

"...you've finally returned."

Edric bowed respectfully.

"Grandfather."

Echo's eyes widened.

"...That's the Guild Master?"

The old man smiled warmly.

"So these are Dorothy's students."

His gaze briefly rested on each of them.

Echo.

Mira.

Kodie.

Then...

He nodded with satisfaction.

"I can already see why she chose you."

Echo scratched his head awkwardly.

"...Really?"

Dorothy crossed her arms.

"Don't let compliments inflate his ego."

"Too late."

Echo answered proudly.

Everyone laughed.

Even the Guild Master.

---

As evening approached...

The Guild Master invited everyone onto a wide balcony overlooking Astraea.

The entire capital glowed beneath the setting sun.

Colourful banners fluttered from every tower.

Music drifted through the streets below.

Fireworks suddenly burst high above the skyline.

Echo looked up in amazement.

"...It's starting."

Edric nodded.

"The Annual Mage Festival."

Across the city, magical lights illuminated every district.

Street performers began gathering.

Arena banners unfurled from the largest stadium.

Travellers poured through the gates faster than ever before.

The entire city seemed to come alive.

Echo couldn't hide his excitement.

"...Can we go tomorrow?"

Dorothy smiled.

"We'll do more than that."

She looked toward the glowing city.

"You'll witness forms of magic you've never imagined."

"And perhaps..."

"...discover something about yourselves as well."

Echo looked back toward the festival lights.

Somewhere within that city...

New friends waited.

New rivals.

New mysteries.

And perhaps...

The first true clue to the strange magic sleeping quietly within him.

Far across Astraea...

A young girl carrying a stack of ancient books paused for just a moment.

One book slipped from the top.

Its title caught the fading sunlight.

Ancient Harmonic Magic

She adjusted the books with a quiet sigh.

"...I hope I'm not late."

Without another word...

She disappeared into the crowd.

Neither she...

Nor Echo...

Realised that destiny had already begun guiding their paths toward one another.

---

End of Chapter 37

«Every city holds countless stories.

Sometimes, the one that changes your life is already walking toward you... even if you've never met.»