(VOL.1) Good morning , Purple city

Lux casually tossed the newly earned blue silver coin into the air, caught it, and then clutched it tightly in her palm.

She could even make the coin spin on her fingertips, nimbly leaping and twirling between her fingers as if it had a life of its own, like a tiny blue silver coin performing a graceful dance.

This was a girl with short hair, but she was dressed very much like a man; long sleeves and a cloak almost completely concealed any distinguishing feminine features, making her look almost indistinguishable from the young men around.

"Sam, good morning!" a voice called out.

It was a yellow-haired kid whose hair was as messy as a bird's nest, looking no older than fifteen, filthy from head to toe, his face still smeared with dirt, as if he had just crawled out of the ground.

Sam was her alias, or rather, her name when posing as a 'man'.

"Morning, Reed," Lux replied, pocketing the coin.

"I really envy you, Sam, always having so many ways to make money. Unlike me, I can't even be a decent pickpocket; I can only beg or do other dirty work." Reed's voice was faint, tinged with a certain resentment and numbness towards life.
"People in the city are getting smarter lately, they rarely keep money in their pockets. Stealing alone won't cut it; I have to do other things too…" Lux paused. "Speaking of which, why are you wearing the triangular emblem of the Holy Light Cult around your neck?"

She had noticed the triangular necklace around Reed's neck.

"Oh, this…" Reed touched the necklace, looking a bit uneasy. "The missionaries from outside the city gave it to me. Sam, to tell you the truth, even though our city believes in the God of Wealth… well… the God of Wealth and Fortune seems to only favor adventurers and merchants. Look at me, I'm neither brave nor smart. But the God of Light is different. They say the God of Light is equal, is just, and even someone worthless like me can receive His blessings. Besides, other faiths are allowed here too, right? So, so it should be… alright, shouldn't it…" Reed seemed nervous and uneasy, stammering yet babbling on as if a floodgate had opened.

"Wait," Lux frowned. "I remember those priests only entered the city a couple of days ago, right? You joined their faith so quickly?"

"This is the god's guidance for a lost lamb like me… Besides, you know, my father, he's racked up a load of gambling debts again. I need help, I need guidance. Those priests took pity on me, even lent me some money, and performed a Holy Light spell on my sick mother… I feel like my mom really has gotten a bit better." Reed lowered his head, his voice tinged with a barely perceptible sob.

"I really… can't do anything. Now I can only wait for my mom… wait until she gets better, then leave that man. I hate my father so much, but… but…" His voice grew softer. "I just want to save some money, become a shoemaker's apprentice, earn a living by sewing boots in the future, maybe even have my own shop…" The last few words were almost an incoherent mumble."Reed, hold out your hand," Lux said, taking out two silver coins and dropping them into Reed's outstretched palm.

"Pay me back when you're alive and working as a bootmaker," Lux said with a wave, turning to leave.

"This… I can't take this!" Reed hurriedly refused. "I know, Sam, you never bother with people who don't pay back their debts… But I really don't know when I'll be able to repay you… Please, take it back."

"Then consider it a gift. You can pay me back with boots you make in the future; I'll make a killing then." A decent pair of leather boots was worth at least a dozen blue silver coins; even poorly made ones could sell for four or five. This indeed sounded like a good deal—provided, of course, that Reed could actually become a bootmaker.

"Alright. Thank you, Sam. I'll pray for you; you're a good person." Reed accepted the coins, perhaps a faint glimmer of hope still lingering in his heart, believing he could one day become a bootmaker.

"I'm no good person," Lux blurted out, then quickly corrected herself, "But I'll accept your blessings." She almost wanted to say: Save your blessings, you unlucky sod, just take your mom and run, get far away from that deadbeat gambler father of yours! But the words, on the tip of her tongue, were ultimately swallowed back.

After parting with Reed, Lux expertly navigated the narrow alleys, like a ghost merging with the shadows.

She returned to the street, beginning to roam, searching for her next target.

Local residents indeed rarely carried money on them; targeting them was too difficult.Therefore, Lux's targets were usually unsuspecting newcomers to the city.

[Found them.] Lux's gaze locked onto several figures gathered and talking in front of a cargo cart.

They were all wearing linen-colored cloaks, men and women, neatly dressed, with a refined air, clearly not poor.

Lux, like a lynx waiting for an opportunity, silently hid in the shadows of a street corner, her eyes seemingly scanning the surroundings aimlessly, but in reality, patiently waiting for the perfect moment.

[Now!] Seeing a carriage about to pass, Lux shot out from the side like an arrow loosed from a bow, nimbly darting past the horse's head across the street, and collided squarely with the group in cloaks.

"Sorry! Sorry!" Lux cried out in feigned panic, but her heart jolted—she felt she hadn't bumped into flesh and blood, but a hard stone wall.

The person hadn't moved an inch, merely glancing at her coldly after being bumped.This was an unusually tall person, their pale blue skin faintly shimmering in the sunlight, their red pupils as sharp as bloodstained daggers.

Not only were they tall, but also exceptionally burly.

Up close, Lux could even smell a faint sea-like odor emanating from them.

"You damned little brat, are you looking for death?! Even if you die, I won't pay you a single cent!" the coachman yelled, reining in his horse and berating Lux.

Lux quickly apologized a few more times and took the opportunity to slip away swiftly."Hoo… hoo…" Lux dived into a nearby alley, disappearing into its depths like an arrow that could turn corners.

After repeatedly confirming no one was following, she eagerly opened the cloth bag she had just pilfered.

"Yeah!" Lux let out an excited whisper.

The bag was heavy, containing several dazzling purple coins, more than ten blue silver coins, and even two gleaming gold coins!

Besides these, there was also a bead engraved with strange symbols.

She had felt the bag was quite heavy when she snatched it.

Although she had also slipped a bag of stones into the big fellow's pocket as "compensation," she reckoned they would soon realize something was amiss.

[But, once I'm here, no one can catch me.] Lux felt certain, like a gambler holding a royal flush."Sorry about that," she said softly, her tone carrying a hint of genuine apology, or perhaps it was just a habitual ritual.

However, just then, a strange scent wafted into her nostrils—it was the scent of one of the cloaked figures from before!

"Hi, cute little sister… or should I call you handsome little brother?" a voice suddenly sounded from behind her, a voice full of a mature woman's magnetic charm, yet carrying a power that seemed to pierce through one's soul.

Lux froze, spun around sharply, and simultaneously leaped backward, instantly creating distance.

Too strange! Not only had the other person seen through her gender at a glance, but what was more terrifying was this woman… she felt as if she had appeared out of thin air right behind her!

Only then did Lux get a clear look at the other person's appearance.

She had a cascade of purplish-red long hair, its color rich and luscious, like a ripe peach, as if a gentle touch would cause its vibrant color and sweet juice to burst forth.

Her skin was fair, yet it had a strange, cold texture, and her body seemed to be enveloped in a hazy halo, like the faint light of dawn.

Her orange eyes had an astonishing "vividness," like freshly picked oranges.

However, beneath this breathtaking beauty, Lux smelled an intensely strong aura of danger."Hmm?" The woman let out a soft, questioning sound, the doubt on her face quickly turning into an amused smile. "Interesting."

"Here, take this back! Goodbye!" Lux made a quick decision, swiftly throwing the money bag behind the woman, then turned and ran, her speed astonishing.

But just as she rounded a corner, the woman, like a phantom, was already standing calmly in front of her.

"Now, now, I don't recall Menjeff being fond of collecting stones," the woman said teasingly, shaking the bag in her hand. She turned it upside down, and a pile of stones tumbled out with a clatter.

"Er… I surrender. Very sorry," Lux said resignedly, raising one hand with an open palm, while her other hand obediently presented the coins and the bead she had just stolen.

"There, there, don't be nervous," the lady said, extending a slender finger, her movements as elegant as an orchid quietly blooming or a rose slowly unfurling its petals. "You can keep this money. However, the passage bead must be returned to us," the woman said with a smile, seemingly indifferent to the shiny gold and dazzling purple coins. "But, you have to agree to one condition of mine."

"Madam, please speak," Lux replied cautiously.

"First, let me ask, do you want to learn magic?" If Lux wasn't mistaken, a faint glint seemed to flash in the woman's eyes when she mentioned the word "magic." "I can teach you some very practical magic, and some that will allow you to protect yourself a little. Of course, there's also a… very special kind of magic."

"Hmm… you think I'm capable? Also, is this your condition? You want me to be your apprentice?" Lux asked doubtfully.

"Not exactly, this is just to gauge your interest; we can discuss it slowly later." The woman smiled, but her expression suddenly turned serious, and her previously amiable tone became heavy. "My demand is that you must find a way to leave this place immediately. Before nightfall, leave this city, the farther the better."

The woman looked directly into Lux's eyes, her gaze clearly telling Lux that she was definitely not joking.

"As for the matter of magic," the woman's tone softened a bit, "you can go to the City of Theater in the north. There's a place there called 'Jennie's Tea Shop'. I quite enjoy having tea at that shop; you can try their passionflower honey tea, I highly recommend it. If I happen to be there as well, I usually go for tea in the afternoon… That way, perhaps we might meet again by fate. We can talk in detail then."

The woman extended her index finger, wagged it gently, and finally instructed, "My name is Nalala. So, until we meet again—if we both live to see that day. Also, leave this place quickly."Lux watched as Nalala took the bead and tossed the heavy money bag back to her, then nonchalantly turned and walked out of the dark alley.

The gold coins in her hand felt cold and real.

Lux squeezed the money bag hard, reconfirming its reassuring weight, but her mind was still replaying the strange conversation from moments ago.

[Strange woman… magic… feels like something big is about to happen… don't know if it's true or not…] Lux carefully put away the money bag.

She always felt as if that woman had seen through everything about her.

But why did Nalala have such expectations for her?

[Could it be… because of the power of that curse?]

Lux decided that the immediate priority was to verify the authenticity of these coins.

After returning home, boiling a pot of water and finding a hammer would do.Dazzling gold coins would emit a soft glow in hot water, and shining purple coins, if struck hard with a hammer, would burst forth with purple sparks—both these characteristics were extremely difficult to counterfeit.

As for becoming a magic apprentice or anything like that, Lux didn't take it to heart at all.Compared to that ethereal, mysterious power, she had more important things, things she cared more about.

So important that she barely even considered whether she should really go to that so-called City of Theater.

That was her younger sister, Mitty.

"Nalala, you sure took your time," the blue-skinned giant said in a booming voice, leaning against the carriage with his arms crossed. "What about that little thief?"

"She's quite a fine girl," Nalala said with a smile, gently touching her cheek with a finger. "Although her face is caked with mud, making her look rather unsightly, I can see from her bone structure that if she were cleaned up, she'd definitely be a beauty. Her skills are also quite remarkable; truly a rare and promising talent."

"Hmm, that's alright then. So, can I have my money bag back now?"

"Of course, here you go." Nalala handed over the empty money bag. "Oh, by the way, I gave all the money from your bag to that little girl just now. Don't worry, I'll pay you back later. Menjeff, you're so nice, you'll surely agree, right?"

"Huh?!" The blue-skinned giant Menjeff took the money bag, weighed its almost negligible heft, and was momentarily stunned. Hearing Nalala's subsequent words, he blurted out, "Wait! Why did you give so much money to that little brat?! And, don't think I don't know how many people you owe money to, you bankrupt woman!"

"Alright, alright, my dear Menjeff, I promise to put you at the very top of my repayment list, please forgive me." Nalala clasped her hands together and winked playfully at Menjeff. "Besides, that child is a natural-born Esper. Just consider it a long-term investment for our organization. This is for the development of our common cause, you know."

"What?! An Esper?" Menjeff was taken aback. "No wonder that brat was so fast just now… Wait!" He glanced suspiciously at Nalala. "Espers are naturally excellent magic adapters… Does this mean you're trying to peddle that broken…"

"Menjeff," Nalala's gaze instantly turned sharp, a look so intense it made Menjeff feel as if non-existent hairs on his body were standing on end. "If you dare say 'Arrogant Gamble' is broken magic again, I guarantee I'll scrape every single scale off your body!"

"Your attitude towards your creditors is really quite atrocious," Menjeff said.

"Well, well, that's already putting it mildly. Otherwise, I'd probably say I'd skin you and make you into a carpet." Nalala unclasped her hands, tilted her head to look at Menjeff, her face once again adorned with that harmless smile.

"Are you ready? We're heading into the inner city," another man, also clad in a linen-colored cloak, said in a deep voice from the side. This man was not tall but was powerfully built, with a full, bristly beard, and a hideous scar that ran from his forehead all the way to his chin, as if his entire face had been pieced together.

"Is it about to begin? Then… everyone should be careful," Nalala said softly.

"Of course I'll come out alive. If I died, wouldn't that just be convenient for you?" Menjeff retorted irritably, pulling his cloak tighter around himself, then followed the group towards the deeper parts of the city.