Cire stood transfixed at the edge of the bustling street, his gaze lifted to take in the awe-inspiring cityscape of Xaishen. This place was unlike anything he'd ever seen, a dazzling fusion of tradition and technology. Towering pagodas with curved jade roofs stood proudly beside sleek skyscrapers of glass and metal, their surfaces reflecting the warm glow of holographic billboards advertising the latest chi-enhancing technology and medical marvels. Hovering vehicles zipped by in the air, a far cry from the mountain roads of the Chakran tundra, and vendors filled the streets, calling out to passersby in animated tones.
"Overwhelming, isn't it?" A voice cut through his wonder, and Cire blinked, finding a tall, silver-haired young man with a wry smile standing beside him.
Cire took in the newcomer, whose long, dark coat was cut in a way that combined style with ease. The man looked him over, eyes bright with an energy that matched the city around them.
"Yes," Cire replied, a bit taken aback. "It's...a lot to take in."
The stranger chuckled, offering a hand. "Voltic. You look like a first-timer here, with that wide-eyed look. I used to look just like that when I first arrived."
Cire shook his hand, nodding. "I'm Cire. Came down from the Chakran Mountains."
"Oh, the mountains, huh?" Voltic grinned, eyebrows raised. "So, did you roll down the hills, or do they give you special training to avoid rockslides?"
Cire tilted his head, momentarily unsure if Voltic was serious. "Er… neither?"
Voltic laughed. "Lighten up, mountain man. I was joking." He adjusted his collar with a small smile. "Xaishen can be a bit... intense, especially for newcomers. But don't let all this glitter and glamor fool you. Xaishen has a shadowy side too. You'll find that out soon enough."
Cire absorbed the words, letting his eyes drift back to the surreal sights of the city. This was his first time stepping into a world so far removed from the quiet life he'd known. The complexity of it all, from the dazzling lights to the energy pulsing through the air, left him both fascinated and unsettled. His mother had come here once, seeking a cure for a genetic illness—an illness that might affect him too. But now, Cire realized there was so much more here than just medical wonders. This was a world he'd need to understand deeply if he was ever going to find answers.
As they walked down the wide, chi-lit streets, a thin blue glow pulsed beneath their feet, running like veins through the transparent pavement. People from all walks of life brushed past them, some dressed in the traditional Xaishen robes, others in sleek, modern clothing, all moving with purpose. To Cire, it was both mesmerizing and intimidating.
"People here hold onto the past even as they rush toward the future," another voice joined in, smooth yet edged with authority. Cire turned to see a young woman with dark eyes observing him and Voltic. Her expression was guarded, and yet her gaze had a weight, as though she understood this place better than anyone.
"Ah, and here's the ever-watchful Lady Ruby," Voltic said, a teasing lilt in his tone. "Always with the wisdom and the shadows."
Ruby didn't respond to Voltic's playful tone, keeping her gaze steady on Cire. "You'll learn quickly that Xaishen has a duality, Cire. This place—my family's history—is a balance of both. But it's a fragile balance, and one that's often hard to maintain."
Cire found himself intrigued by her words, sensing the complexity beneath her composed exterior. Ruby seemed to embody the city in her own way, both strong and enigmatic. There was a confidence to her, but also a caution, a burden she carried that she wasn't ready to share with just anyone.
"You seem to know this place well," Cire commented.
Ruby's gaze flickered with something deeper, a fleeting tension. "Xaishen's roots run deep," she said, her tone softening just a touch. "The Nguyen family has been here for generations, as healers, at first. But things... changed over time."
"Ah, and such changes," Voltic interjected, a smirk playing on his lips. "It's like watching a tragedy unfold with you and your grandfather constantly at each other's throats."
Ruby shot Voltic a sharp look, but her words were steady as she replied, "Family disagreements aren't exactly newsworthy."
Cire watched the exchange, amused by the subtle tug-of-war between them. It was as if they'd known each other forever and were locked in a constant dance of bickering and mutual respect. He couldn't help but wonder what kind of history they shared, though it was clear that this was not the time to pry.
They continued walking through the marketplace, where the vendors were selling a mix of ancient remedies and modern gadgets. The air was rich with the scent of spices and herbs, and the sound of haggling blended with the hum of floating drones delivering packages above them. Cire's attention was caught by a stall displaying an array of acupuncture needles, their fine craftsmanship evident even from a distance.
An elderly man with a flowing white beard caught Cire's eye and beckoned him closer. "Ah, a connoisseur, are you?" he asked, his voice filled with a grandfatherly warmth. "These are no ordinary needles. They're crafted from spirit beast bones—each one infused with natural chi. Perfect for a skilled practitioner."
Cire picked up one of the needles, feeling its weight and balance. There was a faint energy thrumming through it, a reminder of home and his own work as a healer. "How much?"
"Five silver coins for the set," the old man said with a gleam in his eye.
Cire hesitated, calculating the limited coins he had. But before he could decide, Ruby stepped forward, her voice cutting through the exchange. "He'll take it for three silver coins."
The vendor's eyes narrowed, recognizing her with a mix of suspicion and respect. "Three? My lady, these are—"
"I know exactly what they are," Ruby interrupted smoothly. "And I know you've had them here for weeks, unmoved. Three silver, or you can wait another week."
The vendor sighed, clearly defeated. "Three silver it is, then, Lady Ruby."
As they walked away, Cire looked at Ruby in mild awe. "How did you do that?"
Ruby gave a slight smile. "You just have to know how to talk to people here, and make them listen. And it doesn't hurt to have a family name they respect. Or fear." She shrugged nonchalantly, but there was a flicker of pride in her eyes.
Voltic laughed, nudging Cire with his elbow. "Don't let her fool you—she's a master negotiator. Can get a miser to pay double and still make him feel like he got a good deal."
"Just as you get people to believe in your innocent charms, Voltic?" Ruby countered with a raised eyebrow.
"Oh, absolutely," Voltic grinned, shameless. "People just can't resist a face like this." He turned to Cire, giving him a mock-serious look. "And you, Cire, should take notes. Out here, knowing how to talk—or not talk—can be more useful than any amount of chi."
Cire couldn't help but laugh at their banter, finding a sense of camaraderie he hadn't expected. The two of them, so different yet somehow fitting together like pieces of a puzzle, brought a lightness to the city's overwhelming energy. As they moved deeper into Xaishen, the streets shifted from crowded stalls to elegant, high-tech buildings with sleek, metallic facades and glowing holographic signs.
They entered a district called Silver Reef, known for its high-end chi technology. The air had a faint metallic scent from the nanodroid factories that dominated the skyline. Holographic billboards floated above, flashing images of the latest chi-powered gadgets and devices, each ad a reminder of Xaishen's prowess in innovation. Here, Voltic gestured toward a particularly tall, glowing building.
"This is where the real fun begins," he said with a grin. "Chi-tech central. Moni family owns a bunch of these operations—think everything from your basic chi-drones to the latest in mech technology. They're the best in the empire, hands down."
Ruby added quietly, "They're also the ones keeping most of Xaishen's secrets. The chi they harvest and refine isn't just for show. It powers nearly every aspect of this city, and without it, Xaishen wouldn't be half of what it is today."
Cire felt a new layer of intrigue settle over him. He hadn't realized the extent of the Moni family's influence, or how much his own family might have been tied to the city's intricate systems.
As they approached the academy, the grand building loomed before them—a mix of traditional Xaishen architecture and ultra-modern design. It was as if the building was alive, pulsing with an energy that made Cire's skin tingle. Large holographic banners bearing the academy's insignia—a phoenix rising from a field of stars—hung proudly from the entrance, a symbol of rebirth and power.
Voltic stretched his arms behind his head, giving Cire a friendly nudge. "Well, this is it. Welcome to Sanio Constable Academy, where we'll either become the empire's top protectors or, you know... breakfast for whatever monstrous training device they have waiting for us."
"Good to know," Cire replied dryly, though he couldn't help but smile at Voltic's enthusiasm.
As they made their way inside, the halls buzzed with activity. Students dressed in uniforms lined the corridors, chatting in excited voices, some practicing their chi manipulation techniques in small groups. Cire couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement—and maybe a little nervousness—as he realized that this was just the beginning.
"Get used to it," Ruby said, her tone more sincere than before. "Xaishen isn't just a city. It's a living thing, full of history and change. And it won't hesitate to test you, to see if you're worthy."
Voltic raised an eyebrow, his grin unfazed. "Ah, our Lady Ruby, always so serious. Don't scare him off before he even starts."
"I'm not scaring him," Ruby replied, rolling her eyes. "I'm giving him a head start. Something you'd know little about, Voltic."
The banter between them continued as they navigated the academy's halls, each playful jab easing Cire's nerves. He felt, for the first time, a strange sense of belonging, even amidst the alien sights and sounds. Xaishen was a world apart from the Chakran Mountains, but with Voltic's lightheartedness and Ruby's steady resolve, it didn't feel quite so foreign anymore.
They came to a training room where a group of students practiced sparring. Ruby and Voltic turned to Cire, their expressions shifting slightly—more serious, yet tinged with a hidden excitement.
"Well, Cire," Voltic said, clapping him on the back, "ready to get your feet wet? Because the real journey starts here."
Ruby nodded, her gaze steady. "Just remember, Xaishen isn't easy on anyone. But with the right allies..." She glanced at Voltic with a small smirk. "... even a mountain man might make it out in one piece."
Cire smiled, feeling both the thrill of the challenge and the comfort of newfound friendships. He stepped forward, his heart pounding with anticipation, ready to face whatever lay ahead in the city of Xaishen.
And in that moment, with the academy's emblem looming above him, he felt something awaken inside—a quiet, fierce determination that he hadn't known existed. For the first time, he realized that his journey wasn't just about answers—it was about becoming part of this new, unpredictable world. And maybe, just maybe, finding his place in it.