Chapter Ten - The Amusement Park
They came out of the room, meeting the attendant Mary waiting outside the doors. Ryker hesitantly asked, "How long have we been here?"
"Five hours," responded the attendant Mary.
"Have you been waiting here the whole time we've been in there?"
"No, young master. I went to take care of other tasks and finished just a few moments ago."
Ryker breathed a sigh of relief as he didn't want to have someone wait for him that long. He asked her to take the lead, and again she led them to the first floor, and like the way they came, they used a private elevator.
When they got to the counter, Ryker attempted to pay, but both the clerk and the attendant vehemently refused to accept the payment. They informed him that the establishment belonged to the Phoenix family and was one of their many businesses. Ryker understood but still felt a little guilty leaving without paying, so he asked Mathias to secretly give a few mana crystals to the attendant when he left so that she wouldn't feel obligated to refuse. Ryker then headed back to the hover cars, and before long, the convoy sped away, going towards the new place of interest.
The sun hung high in the sky, casting golden hues over Searing Flame City as Ryker's convoy departed from the Bluemoon Arcade. The excitement from his virtual adventure still thrummed in his veins, but there was no time to dwell on it. His day was far from over.
As the hover cars wove through the streets, Ryker leaned forward, his small hands gripping the edge of his seat. "Mathias, where are we going next?"
The veteran guard chuckled. "The amusement park, young master. The largest one in the city. Your parents wanted you to enjoy a full day out."
Ryker's golden eyes gleamed with anticipation. He had read about amusement parks in books and seen holographic projections, but this would be his first time experiencing one in person.
Moments later, the convoy arrived at the grand entrance of Phoenix Crest Amusement Park. Towering gates adorned with phoenix motifs stood before them, gleaming under the sunlight. The sounds of joyful laughter, upbeat music, and the distant whoosh of high-speed rides filled the air. Vibrant banners fluttered in the breeze, advertising attractions ranging from gravity-defying roller coasters to magical illusion shows.
As Ryker stepped out of the vehicle, he found himself momentarily overwhelmed. The sheer scale of the park was unlike anything he had imagined. It was a vast wonderland of adventure, stretching as far as the eye could see.
Mathias and the other guards followed closely as Ryker made his way inside. His small figure stood in stark contrast to the towering rides and bustling crowds, yet his presence commanded attention. People stopped and whispered, recognizing the emblem embroidered on his fine garments. However, unlike at the arcade, the crowd here was more diverse—travelers, commoners, and aristocrats alike, all mingling in the shared joy of entertainment.
Ryker inhaled deeply, taking in the mingling scents of caramelized treats, roasted meats, and mana-infused delicacies. His excitement only grew.
"Where should we start?" he mused aloud, glancing around.
Mathias, ever the responsible guardian, pulled out a neatly organized itinerary. "There's the carousel, the bumper cars, the water slides, and the sky coaster. The commercial district is also nearby if you'd like to shop."
Ryker's gaze darted between the many attractions, struggling to decide. Finally, he pointed at a beautifully crafted golden carousel adorned with glowing phoenixes. "That one first!"
Mathias nodded. "Very well, young master."
As they approached, Ryker's eagerness only grew. The intricately designed ride sparkled under the sunlight, each phoenix-shaped mount pulsing softly with stored mana. He climbed onto one of the phoenixes, his small hands gripping the gilded reins.
The ride began to move, slowly at first, then faster, the mana-infused mechanics allowing the phoenixes to lift slightly off the ground. Ryker felt weightless as he soared in circles, the wind rushing through his hair. For the first time in a long while, he laughed freely, letting himself enjoy the pure, childlike delight of the moment.
When the ride ended, he hopped down, cheeks flushed with exhilaration. "That was fun!"
Mathias smirked. "Shall we move on to something more thrilling, then?"
Ryker nodded eagerly. "Bumper cars next!"
The transition from the elegance of the carousel to the chaos of the bumper cars was a drastic one. Ryker was strapped into a sleek, miniature hover car, his feet barely reaching the pedals. Mathias took the car next to him, much to the amusement of the guards.
As the countdown began, Ryker grinned mischievously. "Get ready, Mathias!"
The moment the buzzer rang, he slammed his foot on the pedal, the car jerking forward. He maneuvered through the crowd of other participants, giggling as he expertly avoided an oncoming collision—only for Mathias to crash into him from the side.
"Unfair!" Ryker yelped, laughing as his car spun slightly from the impact.
Mathias smirked. "All's fair in battle, young master."
Determined to win, Ryker retaliated, steering his car and ramming into Mathias' vehicle at full speed. The resulting jolt sent both of them bouncing slightly in their seats, laughter ringing between them. The game continued in a flurry of crashes and playful banter until the timer ran out.
As they exited the ride, Ryker panted slightly, exhilarated. "That was the best! But now… I want to try the sky coaster!"
Mathias hesitated. "Are you sure? That one is a bit more… extreme."
Ryker's eyes shone with determination. "I have to experience it at least once!"
Mathias sighed but relented. "Very well. But I'm riding with you."
The sky coaster was the park's main attraction, a towering ride that shot its passengers high into the sky before dropping them in a thrilling descent. As they were strapped in, Ryker could feel his pulse quicken. The platform beneath them trembled, the mana-powered engines revving up.
Then, with a sudden burst of energy, they shot upward.
Ryker gasped as the ground rapidly disappeared beneath him. The wind roared past his ears, and for a brief moment, he felt like he was truly flying. The city below became a breathtaking blur of color and movement.
Then came the drop.
His stomach flipped as they plummeted back down, the sensation both terrifying and exhilarating. He gripped the safety bar tightly, his heart hammering in his chest—yet he couldn't stop the wide grin spreading across his face.
When the ride finally ended, Ryker stumbled out, his legs shaky but his spirit soaring. "That… was… incredible!"
Mathias, on the other hand, looked slightly pale. "I'm glad you enjoyed it, young master."
Ryker giggled. "You were scared, weren't you?"
Mathias cleared his throat. "Of course not. I was merely… assessing the structural integrity of the ride."
Ryker laughed. "Sure you were."
As the day continued, Ryker explored more of the park, indulging in sweet treats and watching mesmerizing performances. Every moment was filled with laughter, excitement, and new experiences. For the first time in his young life, he felt a sense of freedom—one unburdened by expectations, duty.
Sometime after, Ryker and Mathias could be seen sitting on a bench, just enjoying the scenery and observing the people. Both individuals and families scuttled along within the park.
"Mathias, you have a lot of experience, don't you?"
"I'm not sure what you mean, young master."
"I mean, you have seen much of the current world and experienced what it has to offer, both the good and the bad."
"What makes you think so, young master?"
"For one, you are old, and secondly, the look in your eyes speaks a thousand words. You have the look of someone who has truly been through a lot."
Mathias remained silent for a while. "You are wise beyond your years, young master. But why the sudden interest in my experiences? Is there something you would like to ask me?"
"Actually, there is. What is your opinion of me?"
"I don't understand in what sense."
"I mean, what do you think about me as a person, as well as the heir to my family? Feel free to air your honest thoughts and please hold nothing back."
"Well, young master, to be totally honest with you, before today I thought you were a snobby brat with your nose up your ass, as is normally the case with geniuses from noble families like yours. But you surprised me with your actions today, especially with how you seem to treat everybody like a fellow human and not behave as if everyone is beneath you.
I commend that behavior and actually like it, but as a loyal subordinate to the family, I must caution you, young master. The world is not a nice place; it is a place with more tragedy than there are happy moments, especially for us humans. If you want to survive and go far in the world, one must steel their heart and be ruthless to their enemies, never giving them a chance. Your heart is like gold, pure as it is, because you have been within your walls, shown love and care by your family, but that is not the case for everybody. Just by virtue of who you are, people will hate you, they will seek to destroy you, to bring you to their level. I advise that young master quickly learns how to be ruthless to such people, and don't be needlessly kind or else even someone of your talent and advantages will not go far."
Ryker listened attentively to Mathias' long rant as he knew the man was speaking from personal experience. After all, the man was not from a low-class upbringing but was from a vassal of the Phoenix family known as the Flamehaven clan. They were one of the most important pieces the Phoenix clan had at their disposal, and Mathias was or used to be a very important member of the family until a certain incident.
As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the amusement park, Mathias checked the time. "Young master, we should get going."
Ryker sighed, glancing around wistfully. "I don't want the day to end…"
Mathias smiled. "There will be other days, young master."
With one last glance at the vibrant park, Ryker nodded. "Alright. Let's go."
As they made their way back to the convoy, Ryker took a deep breath, cherishing the memories he had made. Today had been unlike anything he had ever known. And deep down, he knew it was only the beginning.