Chapter 98 A REASON TO WORRY

Chapter 98 A REASON TO WORRY
A genuine smile crossed Darren's face as he stood up. He felt a wave of relief knowing Xyra wasn’t staring at him out of horror or disgust. Usually, he dreaded letting anyone see him this way. While he took pride in his heritage, most people considered half-breeds the lowest scum of Dusthaven. In this world, the different races weren't supposed to mix. He was the living proof of that clash, but he refused to be ashamed of it. He loved his human side, and he loved his dragon side just as much.

"I'm glad you like them," he said with a playful grin. "But they can do a lot more than just help me fly."

To prove his point, he stretched one wing toward her. Before Xyra could react, he hooked it around her waist and pulled her flush against his chest. Her face instantly flushed bright red. Laughing, Darren let her scramble backward.

"That wasn't funny!" she snapped, crossing her arms and snapping her gaze away to hide her burning cheeks.

"The look on your face says otherwise," Darren chuckled, snickering at her reaction. "You blush way too easily."

He tried to ignore her furious glare, knowing that if he kept looking at her, he’d burst into laughter all over again. She looked adorable when she was mad, especially with her face still glowing crimson. With a soft smile, he folded his wings back against his spine. Slowly, the dark scales and feathers sank into his skin, vanishing entirely. He cringed slightly as the controlled transformation ended, a dull ache settling into his flesh.

"I always hate that part," he muttered, rubbing his sore lower back before picking up his discarded clothes. He slid his shirt and jacket back on, then walked over to Magnus.

The sorcerer was sitting on the ground, wearing a broad grin. He had found the whole prank hilarious, which meant he was now the target of Xyra's icy glare. Magnus had to agree with the dragon-kin; Xyra really was an open book.

Slowly, Magnus pushed himself up and stretched his stiff muscles. Even with his levitation spell easing the impact, falling from the sky still stung. But a good stretch was all he needed to feel as good as new. Once he finished, he started walking back toward their camp, with Xyra and Darren trailing closely behind. It was time to get some desperate sleep. They had a grueling few days ahead of them.

I wonder what's waiting for us in Drester, Magnus thought, staring into the dark. I just hope someone has news about the talismans.

The city of Drester was famous for its endless, chaotic energy, and today was no exception. Crowds flooded the cobblestone streets, rushing past stone buildings that were in perfect shape, showing only a few minor cracks in their walls. This was the richest, most thriving city in all of Dusthaven, boasting a population of well over five thousand. The density of the crowd made that number easy to believe, but a massive portion of the locals were bounty hunters — a detail Magnus wasn’t thrilled about as they stepped into the bustling streets.

Xyra and Darren stood right at Magnus's shoulders as they navigated the crowded lanes, steering toward the magic district. They were currently escorting their old companion, Gareth, back to his shop since they didn't have any pressing tasks. After that, they planned to find an inn, rest for the night, and head out the next morning. Darren had convinced them to return to the Andagon Valley afterward. If there was any news regarding the hidden talismans, a well-connected figure like Xerxes would definitely know.

As they walked, they noticed a shift in the air. Heads turned, and eyes followed them. Most of the onlookers were heavily armed bounty hunters, and their sharp stares were fixed squarely on Magnus. The sorcerer did his best to look straight ahead, ignoring the unwanted attention, but his friends couldn't help but feel tense. Darren leaned in close, lowering his head to keep his voice down.

"Don't let them get to you," the hunter murmured. "Even if they suspect who you are, they can't prove a thing."

"Like the league cares about proof," Magnus replied, his voice laced with bitterness. "They only hunt sorcerers to harvest them for spells. It’s sickening."

"Can't argue with you there." Darren felt a chill run down his spine. It was horrifying to think that people could be so depraved. If the everyday citizens who bought those magical items knew the gruesome ingredients required to make them, they would react just like Xyra had... with absolute horror. They would sever all ties with the league. Most people bought magic because they deeply admired sorcerers and wanted to be like them. Discovering that those same idolized figures were being tortured and killed for a product would make buyers walk away in droves. In a way, exposing the truth could starve the league of its funding and destroy it from the inside out.

Unfortunately, the real challenge was getting people to believe it. Denial is a powerful shield, and most people prefer comfort over an ugly truth. No one wanted to admit that their luxury was funded by evil. Faith and loyalty were double-edged swords; they could inspire great good, but they could also blind people to reality. If a population's faith in the league was strong enough, logic wouldn't matter. In fact, shouting the truth from the rooftops might just trigger a violent riot, and a massive civil war was the last thing the world needed right now.

Darren sighed, cutting his thoughts short. He was overthinking things, letting his mind wander down a dark rabbit hole just because a few armed thugs were giving his friend dirty looks. If the world actually knew the truth, Magnus wouldn’t have to live like a hunted animal every time he walked into a civilized city. Then again, if anyone actually tried to collect the bounty on him, it wouldn't last long. Magnus was Albus — the strongest human magic-user alive. And when it came to defending his own life, he was notoriously ruthless. No ordinary bounty hunter stood a chance.

"We're here," Magnus announced, stopping in front of a shop adorned with signs for magical goods.

Without a word of thanks, Gareth brushed past the sorcerer and grabbed the door handle. "Appreciate the bodyguard duty," the old man grunted, glancing back. "Now get out of my sight, stupid boy."

"Gladly, old man." Magnus crossed his arms, a small scowl forming on his lips. He turned on his heel and walked away without saying a proper goodbye. Xyra and Darren offered the shopkeeper a quick, polite farewell before jogging to catch up with their grumpy companion. They didn't tease him about his lack of manners; instead, they focused on finding a comfortable place to stay. Even though the sun was still high, they were staying in Drester for at least one night. There was no reason to rush, and even the legendary Albus needed a break now and then.

"Hey," Xyra called out, getting both boys to look at her. "Why don't we stay at the same inn we used last time? The rooms were really nice."

"Works for me," Magnus agreed. "We aren't staying long anyway. We just need a bed for the night." He glanced over at Darren. "Are you good with that?"

"Yeah, sounds fine to me. As long as the beds are soft, I don't care."

"It's settled then. Let's head over."

"In that case, do you mind if I go check out the market for a bit?" Xyra asked, stopping in her tracks. "I'll meet you guys at the inn later. I promise I won't be long."

Magnus hesitated for a second, then nodded. "Alright. Just keep your guard up."

"I will!" With a bright smile, she turned down a side street, leaving the two boys to finish the walk alone. They moved in comfortable silence until they reached the familiar inn. The building looked exactly as it had during their last visit, and the main lobby was just as packed. A long line of travelers stood near the counter, waiting to check out and leave. Seeing an open spot at the reception desk, Magnus and Darren bypassed the crowd and walked straight up to the clerk.

"Welcome," the woman behind the counter greeted them warmly.

"Hi," Magnus said. "We'd like to book three separate single rooms for the night."

The woman paused, staring at him with a mix of surprise and confusion, as if she couldn't believe his request. "...Are you certain you want to stay, sir?"

"Is there a problem?" Magnus asked, raising an eyebrow. Usually, innkeepers didn't cross-examine paying customers; profit was profit.

"The city isn't safe at the moment," she explained, lowering her voice. "Most of our guests are fleeing the area until the guard gets things under control."

"What kind of trouble are we talking about?" Darren asked, suddenly intrigued. Part of him hoped it was a demon outbreak — that would give him a good excuse to fight, and he could handle a demon easily. But deep down, he knew that was unlikely. The town was already packed with capable fighters, and even mediocre bounty hunters could handle basic monsters.

"We've had a massive influx of shady travelers lately," the clerk whispered. "Thefts have skyrocketed, people are going missing from the streets, and a few bodies have been found. It’s dangerous out there. We're telling everyone to stay indoors after dark, and the city council has hired local bounty hunters to patrol the streets."

Well, that explains the staring, Magnus thought, a realization washing over him. The hunters hadn't been glaring at him because they recognized him as a rogue sorcerer; they were suspicious of any outsider entering the gates. The thought offered a brief moment of relief, but it was quickly replaced by a cold knot of dread. Drester is dangerous right now — especially for anyone walking alone. His heart skipped a beat as the pieces clicked together.

"Darren," Magnus said sharply, turning to his friend. "Handle the rooms."

"We're still staying?"

"Yes." Magnus spun around and marched toward the exit.

"Where are you going?" Darren called after him.

"To find Xyra. She shouldn't be out there by herself."

Magnus burst through the front doors and took off down the street at a brisk pace. Panic nipped at his heels. If he had known the city was experiencing a crime wave, he never would have let her wander off alone. He would have sent Darren with her while he handled the lodging. But if she was heading into trouble, he wanted to be the one to protect her. Darren was a fierce warrior, no doubt, but magic was far more versatile in a crowded city. A solid defensive barrier could stop an ambush before it even started.

The sorcerer quickened his stride, his eyes scanning every alleyway and storefront. He needed to find her fast so he could play bodyguard, even if she was just window shopping. She hadn't received a chance to explore the city during their last trip, which meant she could be absolutely anywhere by now. He tried to calm his racing thoughts. Maybe I'm just being paranoid, he told himself. She’s probably perfectly fine. Still, he couldn't take that risk. It was better to expect the worst and look harder, just in case.

Meanwhile, Xyra was enjoying a leisurely stroll down the vibrant avenues of Drester, completely unaware of the danger. She marveled at the colorful storefronts and aromatic cafés lining the streets. Later, she mused, I’ll have to drag Magnus out and make him spend some of his fortune on a nice dinner. She absolutely loved trying new foods, especially when someone else was picking up the check. That was the ultimate perk of traveling with a wealthy nobleman — he had gold to burn, and she reaped the benefits.

Of course, that wasn't the only reason she liked having him around, though some of her other reasons were harder to admit to herself. He kept her safe, he was incredibly kind, and he possessed a genuine nobility that most men lacked. Plus, he was just mesmerizing to watch. She’d never say it out loud, but she loved watching him practice his magic or train. He was incredibly handsome, with a lean, athletic build that you didn't normally see in bookish sorcerers.

Xyra suddenly stopped, tempted to slap her own cheeks to snap herself out of it. What am I thinking? She scolded herself. Magnus was a legendary sorcerer and a high-ranking noble. He was completely out of her league. Not that it mattered anyway, she thought, her face heating up. He's just a guy... an incredibly gorgeous, brilliant guy... Ugh, stop it!

She shook her head vigorously to clear her mind, but her thoughts kept drifting right back to him. She couldn't forget what it felt like to hold him close the night he cast the Recutio spell. Even worse, she remembered what she had done right after he collapsed. She had kissed him. Granted, it was just a gentle, lingering press of her lips to his forehead, but it was still an incredibly bold move for her. Thank goodness he was unconscious, she thought, letting out a breath. I need to remember he’s carrying a heavy burden right now. Besides... he's clearly still heartbroken over Meryel.

With a small sigh, she reprimanded herself one last time. There was no way she was falling for Magnus. He was just a travel companion who happened to be powerful, wealthy, and breathtakingly handsome. Nothing more, nothing less. Though, truth be told, there wasn't much room for improvement. Aside from a bit of a short temper, he was absolutely perfect.