The horse was pulling the carriage, moving at a decent speed, because the horse he was riding was a high-class horse "Calm". The wind that blew hit Hastora's face, carrying the scent of soil and grass that had just been trampled. Calm's movement felt so smooth, strong and sure, like a boat sailing on the vast ocean.
Calm is a very rare horse, they live in areas that have stable magical energy. The morning sun shone on Calm's shimmering fur, like silk interwoven with golden thread. Hastora felt the power emanating from him; a calm yet powerful energy, bathing his body like a warm stream of water.
Finding an area with stable magical energy was a bit difficult, because it was very far away. The shadows of the distant mountains stretched out on the horizon.
Areas with stable magical energy are usually located in the Starfall Kingdom and the Nirrelia Kingdom, both of these kingdoms are thousands of meters away from the Eldoria Empire. Hastora closed his eyes, imagining the two kingdoms stretched out at the end of the world.
It's a long distance.
Fatigue felt like it was biting into his muscles. He felt the weight of the journey he had been through all this time.
The reason for the many areas with unstable magical energy is because the soil contains a very high amount of pure magic crystals. These crystals continuously absorb and release mana randomly due to fluctuations in temperature and pressure.
Not only that. There is one more reason why many areas have unstable magical energy.
The cause is the magical wind in the high regions creating a difference in magical atmospheric pressure—a kind of arcanic jet stream that disrupts the stability of local mana.
However, the instability of magical energy in some areas is not destructive. The effect is more towards unique micro-climate changes.
Take the Eldoria Kingdom for example. This area is traversed by a high-altitude magical wind current that creates fluctuations in magical energy in the atmosphere. This current is invisible to the eye, but results in small changes in the density of magical energy in the air.
This change creates an effect similar to a "weather pressure zone", only the density of mana in the air changes. The impact varies with each season. In winter, the air feels 2-4 degrees colder than the surrounding area. While in summer, even though the sun is hot, the air feels heavier and more humid, making the body tire faster.
It's no wonder that Calm is a high-class horse, the area where they are located is very far away. Hastora stroked Calm's fur, feeling the power emanating from the horse's body.
Calm has five times more energy than an ordinary horse. That's due to the effect of stable mana resonance. Hastora felt the gentle vibration from Calm's body, like a strong and regular heartbeat.
In the Starfall and Nirrelia kingdoms. The layers of soil, water, and atmosphere are in perfect magical energy balance. This is not an area with high energy, but an area with stable, consistent, and pure mana density. This creates a natural resonance between living organisms and the surrounding mana.
Animals—especially horses that are sensitive to the rhythm of the soil and air—slowly undergo micro-evolution.
Their cells absorb and store mana passively efficiently without causing overcharge or mutation.
This results in increased muscle strength, stamina, and muscle regeneration speed that is much higher. Hastora imagined Calm's strong and flexible muscles, the strength that allowed him to run without stopping.
The circulatory system of horses in this area develops minor ether pathways, similar to energy pathways in humans (but non-conscious).
This pathway helps circulate mana passively along with nutrients, drastically increasing natural metabolism and physical capacity. Hastora felt the incredible resilience and strength that Calm possessed.
Because magical pressure and climate do not change drastically, the horse's body never experiences "mana shock" like in other wild areas.
This creates a stable physical and mental foundation, allowing for much more efficient growth and training.
The end effect on the horse is that it can run continuously for 12 hours without rest. Can carry a load 3-5 times heavier than an ordinary horse.
More resistant to basic elemental magic such as fire, ice, and wind. And more sensitive to magic pathways, can feel mana fluctuations from a distance.
Horses from Equinoverus, one of the areas in the Starfall kingdom are known as "Stellar Steeds". And horses from the Nirrelia Kingdom are known as "Calm". Hastora imagined two different types of horses, but both are equally extraordinary.
If moved to an unstable energy area, they need adaptation time or they can become weak.
Some nobles and magic academies make them elite war horses or symbols of prestige. Hastora imagined how valuable Calm would be to those who own it.
...
After arriving in the capital, Hastora intended to sell this horse, he needed money to survive.
Both of his parents disappeared, he would have a little trouble.
Hastora raised his eyebrows, "if the driver could have a high-class horse like this... Maybe he's actually a rich person?" he thought. Hastora narrowed his eyes, his mind keenly observing his surroundings.
Hastora got off the horse, and went to the carriage trunk to look for valuables that he could sell. His movements were agile and fast, like a cat looking for prey.
He found two bags of gold in the trunk, he felt a little relieved to have money to survive in the capital. The weight of the gold bag felt like a burden that slightly eased the burden of his life.
Hastora walked away from the place carrying the horse he had stolen earlier. Hastora's footsteps were steady and firm, like a soldier ready to face the battlefield.
Hastora stopped for a moment, "wait, where can I sell this horse for a high price?" he said to himself. Hastora bit his lip, looking for a way out of his complicated problem.
He held his chin while thinking for a moment, selling a high-class horse like this in the open is not the right choice. Hastora shook his head, rejecting this too easy and risky option.
They will buy at a slightly cheaper price.
Hastora frowned, trying to find the best way to get a decent price for Calm.
He has to sell this horse in a hidden place, like a black market and illegal places, or other secret places. The shadows of dark and dangerous places filled his mind.
The horse will sell for a lot.
But, there's one problem. Where can he find places like that?. Hastora sighed, trying to find a solution to this riddle.
Hastora tried asking the adventurers he met, but they didn't know places like that. Hastora looked at the adventurers who were passing by, seeing disappointment and failure in their eyes.
He also asked people who looked a little suspicious, they might be people who had been to places like that. However, the result was the same... Hastora looked at the suspicious people, seeing denial and suspicion in their eyes.
They don't know. That disappointment was like a very hard blow.
Hastora sighed, "it's useless... They're all useless" he muttered.
Then, he continued his journey. But, this time it wasn't to find illegal and secret places. Hastora shook his head weakly, giving up his initial plan.
He wants to go to a bar. A new idea popped into his mind.
Hastora immediately walked towards the nearest bar. His steps felt heavy, but he kept walking with determination.
Upon arriving there, he tied his horse using a dark rope. He entered the bar and ordered a glass of alcohol. The smell of alcohol and cigarette smoke filled his nose, a suffocating atmosphere.
"Give me a glass of beer" he said. His voice was a little flat.
Then, he walked to a table in the corner of the room. Hastora chose the darkest and most hidden corner.
He sat down and leaned back in his chair, trying to relieve his fatigue. His body felt crushed, the desire to rest was so great.
"The capital is much more complicated than I thought" he said, "they don't even know illegal places". Hastora felt great annoyance and disappointment.
Hastora held his hair with the palm of his hand, trying to think of an idea to find illegal places and black markets. Hastora wiped his face, trying to find inspiration.
He closed his eyes, aiming to make the thinking process easier. Darkness enveloped his eyes, and his mind began to spin.
Hastora heard whispers that were talking about him. He opened his eyes slightly, trying to figure out the source of the sound. The whisper was faint, but it was clearly directed at him.
"Look at him?"
"I could go crazy if I kept looking at him"
"Why don't you just approach him?"
"That's a good idea, let's approach him"
"You're right, if you're lucky, he could be mine"
"Stop your dream, he's mine"
Hastora realized something, the whispers came from a few young women who were at the bar. Hastora narrowed his eyes, glancing at the few young women.
He felt like leaving. Hastora's mind was spinning, wanting to leave this place full of disturbances.
But, he didn't do that. He stayed seated, trying to ignore them.
He just realized that his order hadn't been delivered. Hastora immediately turned to the woman who was in charge of taking orders. Hastora straightened his body, showing his displeasure.
"What is she doing?" Hastora said curiously. Hastora furrowed his brow slightly.
The woman who was in charge of taking orders hadn't prepared Hastora's order. The woman was lost in her own thoughts.
The woman just stood there daydreaming while holding her order book, her face flushed. A harmless smile spread on one corner of the woman's lips.
"Who was that man?... He's so handsome" the woman muttered. The woman's eyes still seemed to sparkle.
Seeing the woman's strange attitude, Hastora immediately approached her. Hastora was a little curious.
"Excuse me... Why hasn't my order been delivered?" he asked. Hastora's voice sounded flat.
"!!!"
The woman was startled, she was flustered, Hastora's sudden appearance startled her. The woman was nervous, realizing her mistake.
"S—Sorry! I was daydreaming earlier, I'll prepare your order right away" she replied. Her voice was stammering and nervous.
The woman lowered her head then ran and immediately prepared Hastora's order. Her movements were like a frightened deer wanting to escape from the reach of its predator's eyes.
"H—Here's your order sir" the woman said, stammering slightly as she handed Hastora his order. The woman gave him his order with trembling hands.
"Thank you" Hastora replied, his voice very flat. Hastora took his order without expression.
He took his order and walked back to his table. Hastora returned to his seat with firm steps.
Hastora drank the beer, he felt a little better than before. The coldness of the beer felt refreshing.
"Not bad" he said. The words came out calmly.
He immediately finished the beer then paid for it at the cashier. Hastora put some gold coins on the cashier's table.
"Five silver coins" said the cashier. The cashier looked surprised.
Hastora didn't give silver coins, but gold coins, it surprised the cashier. The cashier almost dropped the money.
"T—This is too much sir" said the cashier, stammering slightly. The cashier looked panicked and nervous.
Hastora sighed, "I don't have silver coins... I only have gold coins, so just take it" he said, then walked towards the exit. Hastora left without waiting for an answer.
Hastora's attitude just now made the visitors at the bar have a positive view of him. Some of the bar visitors whispered to their friends.
Especially for women. The women there were fascinated by Hastora.
"Not only handsome, he's also rich".
"He looks cold, but he's so kind".
"He's totally my type".
The whispers of all the women in the bar could be heard, the women were adventurers and also workers at the bar. The voices sounded faint.
Hastora could hear their voices, but Hastora didn't care about them, he didn't even turn his head. Hastora kept walking calmly, without diverting his attention.
He stepped out of the bar and immediately got on his horse to look for information about the black market and illegal places. Hastora got on the horse, ready to continue his journey.
To be continued in the next chapter…