BLUE SLIVER LOVE (Soul Land 1) •Rewrite•

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Chapter Eleven; Micax I.

Micax dismounted from his horse, his strikingly handsome face and delicate build drawing curious glances from passersby. His ginger hair shimmered in the late afternoon sun, adding to the mysterious air that seemed to cling to him like a second skin. The streets of Nuoding City bustled with life, but for Micax, the noise and activity were nothing but a blur. His thoughts were focused solely on his mission.

With a weary sigh, Micax guided his horse toward a nearby inn. The inn's sign, faded and weathered, creaked as it swayed gently in the breeze. The building looked modest, but its warm and welcoming exterior promised a much-needed respite for the weary traveler. As he approached, the innkeeper, a plump woman with kind eyes and a warm smile, greeted him.

"Good day, traveler. How can I help you?" she asked, her voice filled with genuine cheerfulness.

Micax inclined his head slightly, his exhaustion evident in his voice. "I'm looking for a place to rest and some directions. I need to find Nuoding Academy."

The innkeeper's eyes widened slightly at the mention of the academy, but she quickly composed herself. "Ah, Nuoding Academy. It's not far from here, just a short ride to the north. You should find it easily enough. But please, come inside and rest first. You look like you've been on the road for some time."

Grateful for the offer, Micax nodded and followed her into the inn. The interior was as cozy as the exterior suggested, with a warm hearth crackling in the corner and a few patrons scattered about, enjoying their meals and drinks. The atmosphere was peaceful, a stark contrast to the turmoil within Micax's mind.

"Just where are you, Yurina?" he muttered under his breath, the concern for his missing companion gnawing at him like a persistent ache. The journey had been long, filled with uncertainty and danger, but he was determined to find Yurina. There was no turning back now.

The innkeeper led Micax to a table near the fireplace, where he could feel the warmth of the flames chasing away the chill that had settled in his bones. "I'll bring you something to eat and drink. You need your strength," she said kindly before bustling off to the kitchen.

As Micax settled into his seat, he allowed himself a moment to relax, but his mind continued to race with thoughts of Yurina and the challenges that lay ahead. Nuoding Academy was known for its rigorous training and the formidable soul masters it produced. He would need all his wits and strength to navigate the path before him. But no matter the obstacles, he would not give up on Yurina. He had come too far to back down now.

The innkeeper returned with a plate of steaming food and a mug of ale, setting them down before him with a motherly smile. "Eat up, and rest well. You'll need it for whatever lies ahead."

Micax managed a small smile in return. "Thank you. Your kindness is greatly appreciated."

As he began to eat, the flavors of the simple meal did little to ease the tension in his heart. His thoughts remained fixed on Yurina and the mysterious disappearance that had led him here. What could have happened? Where was Yurina? And why did his instincts tell him that something far more sinister was at play?

Just as he was beginning to lose himself in these thoughts, the door to the inn burst open with a loud crash, startling everyone inside. Micax's hand instinctively moved to the hilt of the sword at his side as he turned to see a group of men storming into the inn. They were rough-looking, with unkempt beards and menacing glares. Their clothes were worn and dirty, and they carried an air of violence that put everyone in the room on edge.

"Alright, listen up!" barked the leader of the group, a tall man with a scar running down his face. "We're the collectors. You know what that means. Pay up, or we'll take it out of your hide!"