Realmshift: Triad Ascendancy.

Longdale.

[SILVER]

The wind blows through my hair as I descend from the sky, landing softly atop a towering building. I look down at the city below, and for a moment, I can only stare. I had read about Longdale—about its neat, intricate design, its blend of beauty and magic—but I never imagined it would be this breathtaking.

The city stretches out in perfect harmony. Stone roads wind gracefully between towering structures, each one built with precision and enchanted carvings that softly glow under the sun. Runes etched into walls shimmer faintly, reacting to the mana that flows unseen through the city's heart. Bridges made of wood and light arch over wide streets, connecting rooftops and towers as though stitched together by spells.

Tiled roofs glint in the light, their colors varied but arranged in pleasing patterns that give the city a vibrant, living texture. Small gardens bloom along balconies, filled with flowers that shift hues with the time of day. Market squares open up like jewels within the stonework, each one bustling with color, sound, and motion.

"This place looks promising for learning," I whisper, leaping lightly from one rooftop to the next. "Its elegant design is living proof of the knowledge these people hold—to craft such breathtaking structures."

My mana is nearly drained, the long journey from Eldergrove having taken more out of me than I expected. Each breath comes heavier than the last, and I know I can't keep going like this.

I need to find a place to rest for the night. But before that, I'll have to find some proper clothes. If I'm going to study in Longdale's libraries, I'll need to at least look like I belong here.

Only now do I truly notice what I'm wearing—tattered travel-worn cloth that wouldn't pass for anything more than rags in a place like this.

"Man, it'd be embarrassing to end up in one of those grand stories wearing these rags," I mutter, glancing down at the sorry state of my clothes. "Should I just go invisible?"

As I scan the street below, my eyes catch on a smaller, slightly aged building tucked between two polished towers. It doesn't look too fancy—worn wooden sign, faded paint—but it has a certain charm. More importantly, it doesn't look like I'll be tossed out for the way I'm dressed.

"Perfect. I'm saved," I sigh in relief, then drop soundlessly from the rooftop, landing in a shadowed corner before slipping through the front door.

A small bell chimes above me as I enter. "Hello, sir. How can I help you today?" comes a warm, slightly raspy voice.

The man behind the counter looks to be in his sixties. His hair is mostly white, with streaks of black hanging stubbornly at the sides. His face is weathered with wrinkles and a scattering of old scars—faint, but telling. He's no stranger to danger. An adventurer once, at the very least.

I glance around. The inside of the shop is a surprise. Fine suits hang neatly from carved wooden racks, their fabric shimmering faintly with enchantments. Shelves are stocked with grooming tools, polished buckles, embroidered gloves, and more—this place caters to nobles, not common travelers.

"And here I thought this place was on the poorer side... never judge a book by its cover," I murmur, offering a small smile to the man at the counter.

"Could you pick me out a couple of those suits?" I ask.

He raises an eyebrow at me, eyeing my tattered clothes. "You sure you can handle the price, sir? These aren't exactly travel cloaks."

I chuckle, maybe a bit too quickly. "Don't be fooled by my looks. There's nothing here I can't afford."

It comes out a lot more arrogant than I meant it to, but I roll with it, pretending I didn't just sound like a pompous noble brat.

The shopkeeper squints at me for a second longer, then chuckles softly and nods. "Very well then, sir. Let's see what suits your taste."