Karim warned me that today is what they call "market day", a special occasiohe streets are packed and the traders are exceptionally loud. But nothing could’ve prepared me for the reality — it's overwhelming. I barely move without bumping into someone, and I've lost t of the times I've apologized for stepping on someone’s foot. Also, the sea of human faces is overstimuting for a solitary traveler like myself, and I feel a knot of ay f in my stomaeeding to escape, I duto an alleyway, where I end up spilling my dinner from the previous night on the ground. I feel bad for Karim, who kindly offered me these nutrients. After a few breaths of fresh air, I wahrough the quieter streets.

  In an alleyway shadowed by tall buildings blog out the m sun, I ast a shop window filled with all kinds of ons and decide to go in for a closer look. The fresh air and the st of metal are calming, and I marvel at a variety of ons I never ked.

  ～ I'd love to repce my rusty kh something more... striking?

  My attention is caught by a long-handled sword that looks familiar. Old Tak had a simir one hanging in his hut, though I've never seen him use it. I pick it up to exami more closely.

  – Hey! Put that back! Where do you think you are? These are top-quality ons, fed by the Hagan Geika. If you’re not buying, get out!

  Kicked out into the street, I gnce back at the shop o time.

  ～ How did he know I wasn’t gonna buy anything?

  I lower my gaze to my torn T-shirt, barely c me, and my old, muddy shoes with toes poking out.

  ～ I really o find new clothes.

  I tinue walking until I reach the end of the alleyway where a crowd is gathered, blog the path as they all seem to be staring at something. Curious, I climb onto an old barrel abandoned against a wall. It appears that all the attention is focused on a fident young man strutting dowreet, funting his charms and leaving a trail of smitten admirers behind him.

  – Look out! It's Jonathan from the Hivar Geika! You should have seen him win the final of the Geika tour — he was like a god!

  – I admit, he's not bad to look at. I wish he could be my son-in-w.

  – Do you really think he'd go out with a peasant girl? At best, you daughter could bee his mistress.

  ～ What’s all the fuss about? His face isn't unpleasant, but it hardly justifies this level of excitement… Oh screw it!

  – Excuse me!

  I’m not sure if it’s my outfit or the fact that I just leapt over their heads to nd in the middle of the street, but now everyone is staring at me as if they’ve seen a specter. As someone who hates being the ter of attention, I would have felt nauseous in such a crowd if I hadn’t already emptied my stomach. But I 't let su opportunity slip by, so I do my best to ehis awkward feeling and call out the young man.

  – I ask you something?

  – Who's this filthy guy daring to talk to him, murmurs a woman in the crowd.

  – Don't bee like him, son, adds another in an authoritative tone.

  ～ What's wrong with these people? I mean, it’s just clothes. I even take pride in my hygiene. During my journey, I used to bathe once a week, though I sometimes went a month without finding a proper water pce to wash.

  – May I ask what a peasant wants from me, he asks me with a haughty expression.

  ～ From his tone, you'd think the word "peasant" is the worst insult, although these ho workers are supposed to be the ones who keep everyone fed.

  The man looks irritated that I’ve drawn all the attention away from him, though he’s trying to maintain his posure.

  – You're part of the Hivar Geika, aren't you?

  – You mean you don't reize me? Hu-Hum, I mean… What does that have to do with a peasant like you, he retorts, once again emphasizing the word "peasant", visibly struggling more and more to keep his ile from slipping.

  – Actually, I’ve just arrived in town and I’m trying to learn about the different Geikas. Would you be willing to tell me about yours?

  – Are you some sort of spy from Tea?

  – A what?

  His face finally betrays his irritation.

  – I don't have time to waste on a nobody like you. Get out of my way, he orders, shovientionally before tinuing his parade through the streets.

  I hear people whispering around me while avoiding eye tact.

  ～ Pfff, this is gonna be more plicated than I thought.

  After hours of wandering through the sprawling maze of this enormous city, I decide to rest in the shadow of a t structure that stands out among the other buildings. The metal entrance door is so massive that I wonder how the inhabitants mao open it.

  ～ It must belong to very rich people.

  Suddenly, a man in a bck hood — probably not to shield himself from the sun — approaches the door. Summoning my ce, I step forward to speak to him.

  – Do you live here?

  The hooded figure extends a hand towards the doors, which immediately begin to open with a metallic squeal. Captivated by the show, I realize too te that they're already starting to close, engulfing the man in total darkness.

  ～ I’ll get used to being ignored if this keeps up.

  I approach the doors and noti inscription embedded ial: "Jiskar Geika"

  – Geika members are definitely all etrics.

  – You’ve got that right, a voice responds from behind me.

  I turn around, surprised, and discover an elderly woman whose back is as arched as a crest moon.

  – I swear, it’s ridiculous that the try relies on this bunch of idiots for prote. The kingdom of Historia has really hit ro.

  – Um, who am I speaking with?

  – Just a bitter old woman with no p today's world. Don't mind me, she replies before turning on her heels and beginning to walk away.

  With that, she turns on her heels and start going away.

  – No, wait! I’d really like to ask you some questions. Could you spare me five minutes?

  She stares at me for a moment — a treatment I'm beginning to get used to — then closes her eyes and ges hands with her e.

  – Well, if there’s ohing still w in this old body of mi’s my memory. What do you want to know, kid?

  – I'd like you to tell me about the Geikas.

  – They're a bunch of good-for-nothings. End of expnation, she says sharply before resuming her walk.

  Her small legs move surprisingly fast, making me have to put in effort to catch up with her.

  – Why do you hate Geikas so much?

  – Ba the day, the Geikas were much closer to the people. Their members used to help citizens for a modest fee and weren’t as arrogant as they are now. Nowadays, even the smallest favor from a Geika costs a fortune, and they lock themselves away iowers, pletely indifferent to the needs of the people.

  ～ That’s sistent with the impression I’ve gotten so far.

  – And why is a brat like you ied in Geikas?

  – If possible, I'd like to find a teacher to help me perfect my training.

  – Hmph... I wouldn’t reend dealing with the Geikas, but I know that at ye, you don't listen to the advices of your elders.

  – Hahaha, sorry. I’m really determio see this through to the end.

  – Well, if it's that important to you, I show you the way to the Geika in exge for a small favor.

  – Would you do that? Thank you so much!

  – Don’t thank me! If old folks like me don’t guide the young, who will?

  Despite her rough manner, I’m vinced she has a warm heart i’s clear that something serious must have happened with a Geika in her past, but I decide not to ask.

  Arriving in front of the Medras Geika building, I part ways with the old dy and step inside, donning my best smile. The entrance hall is quite pin, g any decorations. A young man behind the ter greets me with a friendly smile.

  – Wele! What’s the purpose of your visit?

  – I’d like to learn more about the Geikas.

  – Why’s that? Are you ied in joining one?

  – Well, I’m not sure yet. I'd like to see if it's the kind of pce I'm looking for.

  – I see... If you’d like, I take you to meet our boss so that you ask him your questions.

  – Would you really do that?

  – Of course! It’s the least I do for a traveler who’s e all this way. Follow me.

  ～ Goes to show that my status as a traveler be useful from time to time.

  I follow him until we reach a dimly lit corridor.

  – Go this way and open the door at the far end. Behind it, you’ll find the ao all your questions, he says, indig the dire with the same fixed smile still stretg across his lips as if it had been carved onto his face.

  I thank him politely and follow his instrus. When I reach the end of the corridor, I open the door abruptly, eager for answers. After a few moments of gre caused by the sudden light, I find myself ba the shopping street I arrived from. I turn around, but the door has vanished, repced by a fishmorying to sell me fish apparently fresh from this m.

  – What exactly just happened?

  – You, my boy, just got royally screwed, the familiar voice of the old dy responds behind me, while I am still uhe shock of what just happened. You've been tricked by an illusion. That's the Medras Geika’s specialty. But don't worry, it happens to everyone who tries to get something out of those egoists. Anyway, don't say I didn't warn you. e on, close y mouth before a bird makes a in it and help me carry my groceries.

  – So, are you going to buy the fish or not, yells the fishmonger as we walk away.

  When we arrive at her house, I thank the old dy and watch the su over the horizon.

  – Already twilight...

  – What’s your pn now, kid?

  – I'm gonrying for a bit. I came all this way to find a master, after all.

  – Ah, youth… Just as beautiful as foolish, she says in a weary voice.

  As I squint, I catch sight of a shape being swallowed up by the gigantic celestial fireball at the top of a hill.

  – What's that over there?

  – Oh, that! It's the Izar Geika estate. They moved up there to make the most of the sunlight, from what I heard.

  – In that case, I’ll try my luck there to end the day. Thanks again for everything!

  I bow respectfully before running off.

  ～ I o get there before the sun pletely disappears behind the horizon.

  – I swear, what a carefree kid. Reminds me of another o his age…

  Turning bae st time to say goodbye, I think I catch a faint smile on her wrinkled face, but she quickly looks away.

  ～ How many steps has it been?

  I lost t when my lungs started burning, desperately trying to escape from my ribcage. After a final, seemingly endless effort, I finally colpse at the top of the stairs, gasping for breath. From here, the sun is still high in the sky.

  – Oh? It's not ofte visitors, surprise me a voiy right.

  I stand up to face my interlocutor: a young man in his twenties, draped in white cloth and wearing sandals. I'd never seen such a handsome face before. His long, silky gray hair and light eyes, framed by long silver shes, give him a ahereal appearance, very different from ordinary city dwellers. His figure is slim, but his muscles are certainly not just decoration.

  ～ Living at the top of such a staircase certainly requires a certain level of fitness. Or maybe it's from livihat he’s sculpted his body? Either way, he must have all the women under his spell.

  – You're very brave to have e all this way. What's your name?

  – Ishizora.

  – What an unusual name. You're not from the capital, that's for sure. A traveler maybe?

  – Yes, a traveler.

  – And what I do for you, Ishizora the traveler?

  – I'd like to know how to join a Geika.

  – You want to join one? Hmm, since you've e this far, I take you to see my brother. But if I were you, I'd turn back. My brother's criteria are a bit... selective, he admits to me with passion.

  – Oh don’t worry, I'm already used to etrics.

  – Haha, I like you. Follow me; I'll take you to him.

  ～ After everything I've been through today, it 't get any worse.

  I am first dazzled by the pristine whiteness of the Geika Izar building. It is entirely made of white marble, supported by majestic, finely carved ns. All the members are dressed in white tunid radiate an aura of prestige. Their sculpted bodies firm my suspis about the staircase.

  – Big brother! Here's a traveler who'd like to ask you a few questions.

  – A traveler? Is that really the case, asks the older brother with a suspicious look.

  The so-called big brother is barely taller than a child, but the opulent marble thros on makes it clear that he is ihe authority here. The sunlight streaming in from behind him reflects off the marble ns, creating a blinding gre that forces me to lower my gaze. He scrutinizes me from head to toe, but this time, it's not to try to uand ecies I belong to. No, he seems to be analyzing every detail of my form, like a painter who’d have only five seds to memorize my body before recreating it with his eyes closed. His gaze now fixes on my eyes, and I feel as if he’s probing directly into my mind. I eventually look away, unfortable.

  – You are not shining, he suddenly says.

  ～ My tanned skin and bck hair must stand out against all this blinding whiteness.

  – Please excuse my appearance. I’ve just returned from a long journey and haven’t had the means to buy new clothes yet.

  – There’s that, but I was referring more to your posture, your attitude. You look like one of those limp bugs that crawl on the ground. You know? Slugs.

  ～ What?!

  His acolytes ugh silently, c their mouths with their hands, while the good-looking man who guided me here looks at me with passion.

  – But let’s set appearances aside. May I ask why you’ve e all this way?

  – I'm looking for information on—

  – No, not that! I'm talking about your real purpose, he specifies imperiously, striking his marble armrest.

  – Well... As my previous master passed away before I could plete my training, I'm searg for a new oo help me grow stronger.

  – Ooh? And why do you seek strength?

  I recall a familiar voice urgio bee strong, strong enough to never lose to anyone. I've heard this voice many times in my dreams, but I’ve never known whose voice it is or why it speaks to me.

  – To be ho... I don't know.

  My answer causes a stir among the assembly, and murmurs begin to be heard.

  – What do you mean by that, Ishizora, asks the silver shes man with a worried face.

  – I have a reason, but... it’s plicated, I 't remember what it is.

  The whispers among the assembly grow louder until their leader silehem with a wave of his hand.

  – Of all the stupidities I've ever heard, gratutions, that takes the cake. Walking the path of power requires unwaveriermination. We all have our own reasons, and you cim to want strength without knowing why? Don’t make me ugh! Those who seek power merely for self-satisfa are always first to die!

  I remain silent, uo respond to these legitimate accusations, and a heavy silence fills the room as the little man’s words tio echo.

  – This is absurd. I don’t have time to waste on this nonsense. Get him out of my sight!