Chapter 2

    The Cursed Furnace 1

    Amidst the bustling crowd surrounding the central square, Las felt an overwhelming emptiness. The people's mocking stares, some laughing outright without any regard, left him feeling exposed and standing stiff on the stage. The stairs, merely a few steps away, seemed impossible to reach. Without Ceren's hand on his shoulder, he might have collapsed right there. It was Ceren who supported him off the stage, allowing the ceremony to continue.

    "Are you alright, Las?" Ceren asked with concern. Las, still in a daze and unable to think clearly, just shook his head without a word.

    "Ceren, how long will you keep consoling him?" The cheerful voice and smile of the rotund figure came from afar. Las turned towards the voice; it was Belz, his former rival until just moments ago.

    "Merchant boy, shut your mouth unless you want me to make you lie flat on the ground right here." Ceren declared menacingly, his foot stomping the ground as silver flames erupted, his blue eyes suddenly turned fierce.

    "Ceren!" The elder on the stage shouted so loudly that everyone nearby jumped. The children participants turned pale. Ceren looked back to see the officials standing, staring at them, including the armored general who seemed to warn that further actions would not be tolerated.

    "Tsk!." Ceren clicked his tongue, clearly dissatisfied. The flames at his feet were then extinguished. This was an unusual occurrence in such a long-standing ritual.

    "Ah, just a threat in the end." Belz smirked mockingly. "Keep busying yourself with that farmer, and I might surpass you one day."

    "You...!" Ceren was furious, ready to confront Belz, but Las, sensing an impending brawl, quickly grabbed Ceren's arm. With the strength of a laborer, there was no way the pampered palace boy could shake free. "Las, aren't you upset at being insulted like this?"

    Las sighed... He was angry, but more than that...

    "I'm angry, but I also acknowledge his effort. That's something I can't do like him..." Las admitted honestly, softening Ceren's anger immediately, and turning it into sympathy.

    "Right, I'm a genius. Next time, don't you dare come competing with me, you farmer." Belz said before scurrying back to his parents waiting on the eastern side of the square, leaving Ceren still seething but unable to do anything. After Belz was gone, Las then released Ceren's arm.

    "Ceren, I should go help my parents with the shop." Las said, trying to smile, but it did little to ease Ceren's worry. Not wanting to speak more, Las turned away and started walking towards the southern road, leaving Ceren looking from a distance.

    "Las, you know it's not over! Once you unleash your elemental power, Arthuria still offers a chance for those who can advance to the Intermediate tier, level 7 within a month. You haven't forgotten, have you?"

    Las chuckled quietly and nodded in acknowledgment.

    Water, Low tier, level 2, advancing to Intermediate tier, level 7 within one month. In the six years since the reserve round was held, no one had achieved it. The highest record was from a Common tier, level 9, who barely managed to reach the Intermediate tier, level 7 in time, and that was it...

    "Las! If you're still determined, meet me at Uncle George's shop tomorrow morning"

    Las heard it but didn't respond, and that was the last thing he heard from Ceren before breaking away from the crowd. He sneaked through a small gap left by the crowd, still hearing laughter and mockery directed at him. Once past the dense crowd, he rushed into a small alley despite the musty smell and the muddy ground. He went deeper until the noise outside was gone.

    His small frame stood still as he clenched his trembling fist… then slammed it against the wall with all his might. For the first time, he allowed his true feelings to surface, not deceiving himself or finding excuses to evade responsibility. His expression was grim, filled with disappointment.

    "Damn it!" he shouted, tears blurring his vision, but he didn't stop his fist from hitting the wall, mumbling "Damn it" repeatedly until his small hand was bloodied and bruised.

    "Ugh!" Las sobbed, exhausted from all the emotions pouring out. He didn't know how haggard he looked, but his hand was in pain and stinging. Fortunately, this foul-smelling nook was deserted, or else he would have faced another round of embarrassment. After ensuring no one was around, he wrapped his hand with a handkerchief to avoid drawing attention and started walking towards the main road, blending into the crowd.

    His well-trained feet carried him past the street and back to the market. But as he neared his family's shop, he slowed down and peeked around the corner. He saw nothing. It seemed they had sold out early or had gone to witness the elemental power awakening event. And if that was the case, his family already knew of his situation.

    Bracing himself up, Las looked around one last time before heading out of the southern city gate. Along the dirt road with fields on both sides, his gaze wandered, taking in the lively scenes around him and slowing his pace to match the peaceful surroundings. People around here seemed full of life, shepherds herded sheep and goats, while others took their cows for a walk. Near the forest, a group of hunters gathered to hunt or track down a low-level beast, judging by their weak tools and equipment.

    The sights greatly cooled him down.

    Las glanced at a small wooden rest house bustling with travelers exchanging news, and trading materials or even exotic seeds. Normally, he would enjoy sitting there to listen to various stories, but not for today. He wasn't ready for questions about his element or power level. His heart was still hurting from the day's events.

    Beyond the rest house stood a stone courtyard and a legendary figure's statue, hands outstretched forward with a flame spell, gazing southward towards the 'Nameless Demon Forest.' Despite living nearby all his life, Las had never encountered any demons there.

    Yes... the small village that was visible just before entering the large tree tunnel, followed by the gorge.

    Upon reaching the small house on the outskirts, he saw the family's cart parked beside the fire pit as usual, but no one was in sight. Glancing towards the vegetable garden showing the budding shoots at the back, the moist soil indicated that his father had just watered it. His father was the person he dreaded facing the most, unsure of what to do.

    "Ah, now I have returned home but dare not enter" Las sighed softly.

    "My dear son, don’t say something like that. Everyone's been waiting for you, you know." a gentle voice from behind made him jump.

    "Mo-mother?" he blurted out, startled, but his mother seemed unconcerned. Her expression turned grave instantly upon seeing the blood seeping through the bandage on his right hand.

    "My goodness, what have you done?" She sat down to examine his hand, her face paling immediately, tears welling up in her honey-colored eyes. Seeing his mother like this made him feel even more guilty. "Never do this again, Las. Let's go inside and treat your wound."

    Unable to meet her gaze, Las averted his face and followed her lead. Inside the small house, everyone was gathered in the dining room as his mother treated his wound, no one could utter a single word. His father sat sternly with his arms crossed, eyes shut, while his grandmother looked at him with a mix of concerns and worries.

    Bracing himself up, Las looked down at the table.

    "Father... Mother... Grandmother, I apologize,." he said with difficulty, peeking up to gauge their reactions. "About the elemental power awakening... I..."

    "What element did you get?" his father asked curtly, still not looking at him. His face paled, but he answered truthfully.

    "I possess the water element... Low tier, level two."

    As his words hung in the air, a sigh of disappointment came from the two women in the room. Looking up now, even his father's brow was furrowed in anger though his eyes remained closed. Las was sure he was seething.

    "You know how bad that is..." a stern voice broke the silence.

    "I do." Las replied.

    "Do you know how disappointed we are in you?"

    "Garion! You shouldn't say such things to the child!" His grandmother couldn't bear the scornful tone. Garion opened his eyes to glare at his son, who was trembling with fear, before sighing.

    "What will you do now?"

    Garion's question seemed to test Las's determinations. He nodded firmly.

    "Father, I've decided. From tomorrow onwards, I'll join the training center with Ceren. It might be hard, but I want to try for the reserve selection test in the next month."

    The room fell silent at his words, knowing well the daunting and nearly impossible path he chose. But seeing the plump boy's effort, Las was convinced that determination could indeed create miracles.

    Even If there was a slight chance, he didn't want to give up anymore.

    Garion stood abruptly, pushing back his chair, and marched towards his son. His eyes were still fierce.

    "Dear, don't you dare do anything rash!" His mother stood quickly to intervene, but Garion walked past her, stopped by the bookcase, he pulled open the bottom drawer all the way... and pulled out a small, expensive-looking blue velvet box from the bottom drawer, surprising everyone with its existence.

    Garion handed the box over to him, who was still in a daze without saying a word. He felt the softness of the cloth that covered the box. He knew at that moment that this was a high-level item that he had never touched before. Las saw his father's expectation and hastily opened the lid with some force.

    "This is...!" As the box clicked open, Gathia gasped in shock, while Las and his mother remained confused. Inside was a spherical object resembling an emerald with gold and orange patterns, looking like a precious gem.

    "Where did you get this, Garion!" Gathia exclaimed. Garion smiled slightly, satisfied with the shock on everyone's faces.

    "I prepared for the worst-case scenario. I didn't want my son to struggle like I did, Mother." Garion explained calmly, looking back at his son and wife, who were still puzzled. and demanding an explanation.

    "This is a potion that can help enhance magical power. It's one of the rare potions that only a few can concoct."

    His words startled the mother and son, sending a chill down his spine as a thought struck him.

    "And the price..." Las's voice trailed off, echoing his mother's concern.

    "It could roughly build another small house like this." Gathia concluded as she walked over to take a look at the pill. Las handed it over readily, though his head was still spinning. His mother was already turned stiff with shock, likely appalled by the price of the pill.

    "Father, aren't you angry with me?" Las asked straightforwardly. His father then shook his head in denial.

    "You haven't done anything wrong. You have always been diligent in your training, even if you often run off to listen to Grandma's stories." Garion joked, albeit flatly, but still managed to crack a wide smile on his face for the first time after enduring the most challenging period of his life. It was then that Gathia coughed lightly, drawing attention to herself.

    "Garion... you went to the auction, didn't you?" Grandma inquired with a serious tone.

    "Yes, Grandma." Garion replied calmly, raising his eyebrows slightly in surprise.

    "You've been scammed."

    "What!?" The three exclaimed in unison, turning sharply towards the elderly woman who was examining the pill intently.

    "This is indeed a potion to enhance elemental power, but it's specifically for those with the fire element. It's priced lower than a non-specific elemental potion. I'm sure this wasn't mentioned at the auction." Gathia finished speaking, then put the pill back in the box and placed it on the table while sighing deeply. Las glanced at his father, who stood still, eyes wide open in shock staring at grandmother Gathia. Although he didn't show a clear expression of shock, sweat soon began streaming down his face, his back drenched. Seemed like a new disaster was creeping towards the family once again... a financial disaster.