Chapter 31: Blade Manifestation

Chapter 31: Blade Manifestation

[Congratulations, you have received Common Ranked Card: Blade Manifestation and a Common Ranked Deck Holder]

Tom blinked in surprise as he felt a gentle weight press down against his palm, instinctively finding himself wrapping his left hand around the rectangular object. Surreptitiously gazing at his surroundings, he noticed a throng of unfamiliar faces dressed in colourful outfits, the men sporting liveries in well over a dozen different hues with family crests boldly emblazoned on coat pockets and shirts, symbolic cufflinks and the occasional distinctive epaulette further driving home the message. The women fashioned a more reductive version of the same livery, limiting themselves to an embroidered tunic and leggings ensemble, with an occasional light sweater shielding the chest.

In the Academic City, Renovia, most, if not all, seemed to have their allegiances pledged it was an observation that Tom didnt have much of an opportunity to mull over in Zenakris memories, mostly because Zenakris thoughts didnt dwell upon the matter for him it was only natural. Tom noticed the salutes the civilians in navy blue livery offered him before they continued on their way, while the others limited themselves to respectful glances it seemed that the Nobles were respected but not revered, their privacy respected.

Tom supposed that if an Academic City had to be somewhat progressive after all, considering, for a mediaeval society archetype, none of the civilians seemed to particularly fear him whilst he was in Zenakris guise.

Picking a direction at random, Tom began to walk, going along with the general flow of the crowd whilst he felt the surface of the Deck Holders engraved surface, able to sense the card lying dormant within.

The other citizens of Renovia seemed to want to keep their distance it seemed that with his academy uniform and card gauntlet, Zenakris appearance was too easily recognizable for him to have any hope of blending in.

He kept his ears open, hoping to overhear as many conversations as he could, now that he had the ability to understand the local language. The citizens around him kept chatter down to hushed whispers, but with his improvement to the physical stat came a welcome improvement in hearing.

Forcing himself to tear away his gaze, Tom turned his attention to the colourful array storefronts that boxed in the plaza, each one beckoning his patronage with magically imbued signboards; some matter of glittering dust glued onto the boards surface in the outline of individual letters, resulting in rather mesmerising displays.

Cygnars Herblore Emporium, he muttered under his breath, sight locked onto a particular signboard that was painted over in a vivid, pulsating green. The storefront itself was a sprawling two storey construction, easily the second largest building in the entire plaza when judged by width. Tom keenly noticed the generally youthful, yet reasonably well armoured citizens or perhaps, dungeon explorers, streamed in and out of the shops entrance, pocketing crystalline vials and distributing it to their comrades while making small talk.

Interesting.

Tom knew that he didnt have long before he had to abandon this disguise, but there was still time to do something well, foolish risky enough that there was a definite chance of things going off course, yet risking an even greater reward.

Adjusting his gait, he began to walk towards the emporium.

Gaze stern. Gait confident, yet not arrogant. Card Gauntlet lowered. Expression.

Tom struggled to fight off the smile from making its way to his visage.