Ragon: So you learnt to make grimoires from just theory? Good god.
Asta: 'I can't tell him I was staring and imagining techniques and runes in the void for centuries.' My dad had me learn everything he had before he passed away.
Ragon: That reminds me, what is your father's name?
Asta: Govus, Govus Staria.
Ragon: *his expression blanks out for a second* Staria? Kid do you know what Staria surname means?
Asta: Ehh? Isn't that just a surname?
Ragon grabs asta and looks around to see if anybody is nearby. His voice lowers to a mere whisper.
Ragon: kiddo, surnames are something only nobilities are supposed to have.. Staria is the name of a noble family in Golden moon kingdom.
Asta: Eh? Seriously?
Ragon: Now you understand.. Don't go around adding that fake surname to yours again.
Asta: But it is my real name.
Ragon: *gives a small disappointed stare* Kiddo.
Asta: I am not lying, my dad did say we were hunted down when I was born.
Ragon: huh? How old are you?
Asta: turning 11 next month.
Ragon: .... HOLY S*** .. *takes a bottle of wine from the side and chugs it down* Calm down calm down... Kid don't ever say about this to anyone okay?
Asta: what do you mean? What is the problem?
Ragon: You father may have been one of heirs, apparently they had a internal conflict years ago... Let's forget about that for now, here take this.
Ragon passed Asta a book with knowledge of the runes and asked questions non-stop for a hour.
Ragon: A perfect score!! You really memorized the entire thing?
Asta: Pretty much.
Ragon: 'I can't lose him, I have never seen someone so young learn the whole intermediate rune archive.' I have decided, I am gonna make you my pupil.
Asta: *confused* But you barely know me.
Ragon: I just see potential in you kid.
The entire 4 day journey slowly passed by without anymore accidents, atlast they reach the giant walls of the city of shine wheel city.
Ragon: This is your new hometown kid, take a good look.
Asta: quite the giant walls they have. 'i didn't know they needed such walls, most people in previous world were mages and flying brooms were a common commodity.' hum are checking the carriages?
The group was suddenly stopped by a bunch of soldiers with spears and somewhat decent Armor.
Soldier: State your purpose. We had recently recieved news of illegal smuggling.
Gill: Hey liton, it's me buddy.
Liton: Gill? Why the hell you look so messed up? I couldn't even find a single similarity in that face of yours.
Gill: We got ambushed by bandits, I got roughed up pretty bad to say the least.
Liton: I see, let them pass. By the way is mr.Ragon safe? The higher ups will skin me alive if I report that anything happened to the best runesmith in the city.
Gill: He had a few arrows hit in his arm but he lives, he even found himself a student.
Liton: Phew *wipes away imaginary sweat* I Guess I won't be dying today
The group passes through the gates and enters the city. The streets are bustling with life and gives off the vibe of a peaceful city but in the eyes of asta, the dark side of shady businesses and human exploitation is nothing new.
???: What do you think of it?
Asta: Ah slio, I was just about to start questioning why I didn't see you today.
The child elf with light brown hair walks side by side the carriage.
Asta: How have you been today?
Slio: Same old nothing, just slept a little more because of these boring check-ups. What about you?
Asta: watching the streets, I need to learn it if I wanna live here.
Slio: Honestly I am envious of you, we are the same age but you became the decipline of the top runesmith in the city.
Asta: as if the guy who became a spirit contractor can say that. Healers are valued everywhere.
Slio: hehe *sticks his tongue out in a embarrassed smile* mind making helping me with the grimoire spells again?
Ragon: *comes out from the inside* Maybe next time brat, Asta we are here.
The cart stops and Asta gets off, gill and ragon share a few pleasentaries and bid farewell to each other. Asta follows Ragon into a big workshop with smoke coming out of its chimney. The interior resembles a weapon shop with a bunch of weapons hanging by the walls, some in glass cases and some in shelves. There is a cash counter and a door leading to the backside.
Asta: 'it makes me remember the blackbulls base.'
Ragon: Okay kid this is your new home and I am not gonna sugarcoat it, you will have to work your share if you want any salary. 'I am lying my *** off, money is the least of my concerns.'
Asta gives a bland okay with a expressionless face and goes in, Ragon shows him around the house, there is a small bedroom, a bathroom, a kitchen, a dining room, a underground smithy and a small tool room with bunch of items that break regularly. Ragon then drags Asta along as hey visits his favourite restaurant while buying some clothes for him.
Ragon: I can't let you wear those shabby fur coats in this place, I can't have you melting before we even reach the forge.
Asta couldn't talk his way out and had to again experiance the difficult of again and again trying different clothes while ragon decides to pick the best suiting one. The process reminds asta of Vanessa who would go crazy while shopping and drinking when in the base. Ultimately Asta managed to convince Ragon together him a pair of clothes similar to the clothes he wore on his journey to capital of clover kingdom but just more darker in colour and without shirt sleeves.
Ragon: *looks amazed at the muscular build of asta* You have quite a lot of muscle kid, I have seen mages with more scrawny builds then yours.
Asta: I used to work out a lot, most of kids in the village played by swinging around wooden weapons.
Ragon: Oh really? Then did you get like this by playing with them?
Asta: No.. I trained in ki sense and weapon techniques.
Ragon: *looks at him in a playful expression* Oh really? What level you reached then?
Asta: Stage 3, I can lift and throw you if I enhance myself.
Ragon stare at him for several seconds without a change in reaction before his eyes open wide in shock.
Ragon: WHAT!!!?