The armored figure lowered his staff, his gaze fixed on Leo. "Who are you?" he demanded, his voice still carrying an edge of authority. "And what did you just do?"
The young man, his initial fear replaced by a cautious curiosity, also turned his attention to Leo. He was slightly shorter, with vibrant blue hair that defied gravity in several sharp angles, and his clothes looked like they had been hastily assembled from various scraps of leather and metal.
Leo hesitated, unsure how to explain himself in this strange world. He opted for a simple truth, hoping for understanding. "I... I sensed his distress, the uncontrolled energy. I tried to help stabilize it."
The armored figure scoffed. "Stabilize? That raw mana surge could have leveled a city block! Are you some kind of Artificer yourself?"
Before Leo could answer, the young man stepped forward, his blue eyes studying Leo intently. "No," he said, his voice surprisingly steady now. "He felt... different. Not like the flow of mana we use. It was calmer, like... smoothing rough edges."
The armored figure narrowed his eyes, suspicion evident in his stance. "Explain yourself, boy."
Leo took a deep breath. "My abilities... they involve manipulating the fundamental energies of reality, but in a different way than what seems to be common here. I focus on balance, on restoration." He subtly channeled a touch of his restorative energy, causing a nearby wilting flower in a window box to perk up visibly.
The crowd murmured again, their fear slowly giving way to fascination. The armored figure, however, remained wary. "Show me more," he commanded.
Leo hesitated. He didn't want to draw too much attention to himself, especially in this unknown world. But the young man's earlier distress resonated with him, a reminder of his own initial fear and confusion when his abilities first manifested.
He focused on a small, dented metal plate lying on the cobblestones. He visualized it smooth and whole, the damage undone. A faint golden light flickered around the plate, and the dent slowly vanished, the metal returning to its original form.
The crowd gasped. Even the armored figure seemed taken aback. "Incredible..." he muttered.
The young man stepped closer to Leo, his blue eyes filled with wonder. "You can... fix things? Not just with tools or enchantments, but with... with your own power?"
Leo nodded. "Something like that."
The armored figure finally lowered his staff completely. "I am Commander Valerius of the City Guard. This young man, Kaelen, has... volatile talents. His mana surges have caused considerable damage in the past. If you can truly stabilize his abilities, you might be more of a help than a hindrance."
Kaelen looked at Valerius with a mixture of resentment and understanding. "My control isn't always perfect," he admitted.
Valerius sighed. "That's putting it mildly, Kaelen. But this... stranger's intervention was undeniably effective." He turned back to Leo. "Where do you come from? We've never seen abilities like yours in Aethelburg."
Leo knew he couldn't reveal the truth about interdimensional travel. It would likely lead to more suspicion and potentially dangerous scrutiny. "I am... a traveler," he said vaguely. "I came here... unexpectedly."
Valerius studied him for a long moment, his expression unreadable. "Unexpectedly. Right. Well, traveler, you have demonstrated a unique talent. Perhaps you could assist Kaelen in controlling his mana surges. It would be beneficial to the city."
Kaelen's eyes lit up. "Really? You think he could help me?"
Valerius nodded slowly. "It appears so. Kaelen's uncontrolled mana is a danger. If this traveler can provide a solution... it's worth exploring." He looked back at Leo. "Would you be willing to help?"
Leo considered his options. He was stranded in a strange world, carrying the essence of another within him. Finding an ally, someone who understood the complexities of unusual abilities, could be crucial for his survival and his mission.
"Yes," Leo said. "I am willing to help."
Kaelen grinned, a flash of youthful enthusiasm on his face. "This is amazing! I've tried everything the Artificer's Guild suggested, but nothing really worked. Your... smoothing thing felt completely different."
Valerius nodded, a hint of relief in his voice. "Good. Then you will both come with me. We can discuss this further at the Guard Headquarters. Kaelen, try not to cause any more explosions."
As Valerius led them through the bustling streets of Aethelburg, Leo observed this new world with a mixture of fascination and apprehension. The blend of arcane energy and intricate technology was unlike anything he had encountered before. He had found another young man with abilities, a chaotic mirror to his own controlled harmony. Perhaps, in helping Kaelen, he could also learn more about this vibrant, energetic world and find a way to fulfill his promise to the Luminians. His journey through the multiverse had just presented him with an unexpected purpose and a potential ally in the most unlikely of circumstances.