"Journey"

At last, they reached the cradle of commerce—Calustia's capital, the Sleepless City.
Bustling streets thronged with crowds, shops hawking wares from wizard's staves to household furniture. Cobblestones paved every road, all leading to the Central Square facing the Royal Palace.
The clatter of carriages and laughter of playing children drifted from every corner, weaving the city's vibrant tapestry.

After the Great Peace, the four races began living side by side. Across the city, figures with luminous skin, elongated ears, or stony, scaled hides moved through the crowds—a mosaic of peoples once divided.
«Wow, it’s huge! Master, what’s that? Wait—no, what’s this? And that one?! Oh, why’s that man so pale? It kinda hurts to look at… Ooh, Master! Can I buy this? Please?»

«Stop darting about, Arian! Stand still—what is it you’re grabbing?»
«Look! Magic eggs! Maybe a strange creature’ll hatch!»
The shopkeeper chuckled, polishing a speckled egg. «Oh, kind sir, don’t break the boy’s heart! These are straight from Zylandra—could be a Phoenix, a Demon, even a Direwolf! Who knows? Try your luck, lad. Pray for a Phoenix.»
«Pleeease, Master?» Arian tugged Zinarphil’s sleeve.
«Fine! Those puppy eyes won’t work on—... How much?»
«For this handsome lad? Ten Rant.»
«Done.» Zinarphil tossed the coins. «Pick one, Arian.»
«Umm... give me the black one!»
«Here you go, little flame. Do visit again!»

After purchasing the egg, Zinarphil headed to an information broker’s den—a place where anything could be bought... if one paid enough. He bought a map of Calustia and its outskirts, then wandered the streets with Arian (who couldn’t tear his eyes off the egg) until they found a cheap inn.

«Master, what creature d’you think’s inside?»
«Honestly? Probably a chicken.» Zinarphil snorted. «Ten Rant? A real magic egg’d cost seventy. Now eat—lessons await. Chop chop! But if you insist... try channeling mana into it, like you did with the Orb.»

They finished supper and sat cross-legged in their cramped rented room, prepared for the night’s lesson.

«This will be your final theoretical lesson, Arian. The rest, you’ll learn at the Academy.»
«Mmm... alright, Master. But what’s the last lesson?»
Zinarphil raised his slender hands, the moonlight caressing his iridescent scales. «We classify Mana Users by physical traits—and you must know where you stand.» Mana began swirling around his palms, coalescing into shimmering threads.

«Master! That’s just channeling mana—like you taught me when our journey began!»

Zinarphil’s posture stiffened. The air crackled—pressure spiking like a storm about to break.
«Focus, Arian. Look deeper. Don’t just see—feel it.»

Arian poured every shred of concentration into Zinarphil’s palms. Wrinkles furrowed his brow—deeper, deeper—until he jolted up, shouting:
«Master! You’re only drawing mana from specific points! Not like me—I absorb it through my entire skin!»

«Precisely.» A ghost of pride flickered in Zinarphil’s eyes. «But this isn’t skill. It’s an innate trait—carved into us since childhood. Rare? No. Many like me are Mages—precision conduits. Those like you? Amplifiers—living mana sieves.»

«So...» Arian’s voice trembled, equal parts awe and dread. «Mana Users... split into two types?!»

«Correct. Two types of Mana Users exist: Amplifiers and Mages. Amplifiers excel in close combat; Mages, in ranged assaults. That’s all you need to know.»
Arian’s face twisted in confusion, but Zinarphil’s lips stayed sealed—tighter than a dragon’s hoard.

«So you’re an Amplifier wielding all four elements! Does that make you invincible?»
«Mmm... no, Master. Thousands outmatch me in power and experience. But not for long—soon, I’ll be king.»
Pride swelled in Zinarphil’s chest, yet icy dread clawed at his heart—what storms awaited this boy?

«I’ve nothing left to teach you. Thus, I decree your final trial.»
«Trial?! What is it? Tell me!»
«Tomorrow, we journey to the Amorana Desert... the legendary Desert of No Return.»