Chapter 2: Magical city

Asgaphra, or "the city of Ginkgo" - the name that was to be loved and more familiar by the magic community here -gradually became quiet under the shadow of the sunset. By about October and November, this city would be shrouded in the brilliant yellow of ginkgo trees - the symbol of the Asgaphra. It was also one of Eden's favorite times of the year.

Eden Noldorasga and Balan Svartalf walked side by side, along with the warm yellow lights of the street. The ginkgo leaves on their top also gradually turn from glossy green to yellowish-green, and then golden yellow.

“Thank you, Balan. If it weren't for you, these things would be made me dirt poor." Eden took the canvas bag to his arm. This was a fortune, if he dropped it, half a month's cost of living of Eden would be lost.

Balan sighed and patted his head: "After all, what have you done to be so broke? Bonuses for passing the wizard-apprentice exam, the city's allowance for underage wizards, hold on, and even income from your strange herbs and spells, etc."

Eden hastily interrupted him: "Please, Balan, dinner is coming soon. I don't want to stop breathing before that." And as a result, Eden was hit on the head painfully by his brother.

Balan said nothing more. More than anyone else, he knew that if he didn't want to say it, no one would be able to get a word out of this kid's mouth. This little brother could be the absolute loyal friend and the secret keeper everyone dreams of, but there were times when he wanted to beat him up because of his stubbornness.

The two turned to the left, toward the light-spotted Nanye River that ran through the heart of the city. With people who did not have magic, this place had always been an unattractive area, with a bored little river and old gray buildings. Between the cracks of cracked paving bricks, weeds were overgrown. They even created a campaign that asked the city government to demolish and renovate the area "for better purposes."

But of course, that silly campaign went nowhere because the people who really held power in Asgaphra knew very well who this place belonged. And surely, the magic community of this city had no interest in moving anywhere. Yes, those in power have always known that there was magic and miracles in this world - literally.

The City of Asgaphra was divided into two main parts, south of the Nanye River - where the people call the Old Quarter and north - a place mocked by magical creatures as the Blind Gathering.

On one side were people who did not have magic. There are also some supernatural creatures mixed in, of course, but not many. Those supernatural creatures were always closely monitored by the City Council for fear that they would do something stupid and injure people in Blind Gathering who had no resistance. Because of fear their ridiculous things would reveal the secrets of the whole community, they were also to be watched by the Magic Council.

One other side was to be inhabited by witches, wizards, vampires, werewolves, and hybrids of all kinds of all races. Races were compatible, who tended to congregate in one area of course. No one had the spare time to deal with hordes of supernatural beings that were always ready to make trouble and capable of inflicting terrible damage if fought.

Eden and Balan walked along the Butterfly Fairy Road beside the Nanye River. On the paving stones engraved with magical symbols were a layer of shimmering fairy dust. Here and there were bushes of Fairy Bush - the ugly weed in the eyes of people in Blind Gathering - shining like small lanterns that gave directions for pedestrians.

Tiny butterfly fairies, only about the size of a palm's length, waved their beautiful transparent wings and fluttered over everyone's heads. The layer of fairy dust that looked like yellow dust under the road was caused by the wings of those fairies. If people who lived in Blind Gathering saw this scene, they would faint because it was beautiful. It completely defeated their so-called cinematography. Because, after all, it was the real thing.

But with some supernatural beings, these butterflies were quite annoying. They chirped in the ears of those passing by, regardless of whether they wanted to enter Asgaphra Square - the place people here called the River Market - or not. That was the problem. That's right, this bunch of people who looked like they only ate flowers and drank nectar were extremely stubborn marketing staff. They were hired to entice customers to buy by the shop owners in here.

“Hey, we want to go home! Did you hear that? Don't pretend to be deaf! Don't pull my hair! Is not... I said... Eden Noldorasga!” 

Balan gritted his teeth and brushed off the fairy powder that had covered the top of his neck. The fairy part of him did not have a difficulty with this - even reluctantly, they could be considered relatives (Shh! Don't let Balan hear this!). But the vampire part was different, not so harmful, but they made him itch as a caterpillar had fallen on him.

Eden stood beside him, laughed and laughed. Here was one of the reasons why Eden liked these butterfly fairies, except for how cute they looked. They had the ability to make his brother who was always shiny like a supermodel to be crazy and messy. They really deserved the Noldorasga family's custom-made crushed dried coriander powder.

But of course, there were limits to everything. When Eden saw the fangs and fingernails of his older brother begin to grow, he knew the fun times were over. The apprentice wizard quickly casts a buff on his brother, followed by the smoke of Aloe Essence - Balan would literally kill him and all the butterfly fairies in the city if he had any redness on his skin. And finally, the Cicada charm would keep the butterfly fairies away from Balan. They especially hate the sound of cicadas, so nobody knew why.

“Is this why you insisted on dragging me over to your house for dinner instead of staying at the store? Do you believe that I will rip off both your hair and their wings?” Balan smiled at his younger brother, who was looking at him with a curtsy. If this boy was not who he raised and cared for since he was a child...

(The butterfly fairies also quickly hid behind Eden. Everyone knew how much Balan Svartalf took care of his face and appearance, so some people even secretly called him Narcissus.)

Well... That was also a reason... But of course, Eden was not stupid to say it!

“No, of course not, but this side is much nicer and brighter, while the other side is boring. In addition...” When he saw Balan's eyebrows raised higher and higher, Eden quickly added: "I want to go to the market to get Dragon - Blood powder. Hisashi has been dealing with cheating trolls these days and nobody knows when he will return. Jin is more lost than me, and they trusted enough to deliver something that expensive for anyone.”

"Wait a minute!" Balan raised his hand to stop his younger brother, who was talking uninterruptedly: “Why do you buy that cost an arm and a leg thing? Damn it, Eden Noldorasga! You have been eating grass for a month because of this, do you? I intend...” His voice suddenly fell silent.

Eden shut his mouth tightly and looked at him with watery puppy ​​eyes. Balan sighed: "You know you don't have to do this, right?"

He lowered his head and stroked the wings of a butterfly fairy sitting in the palm of his hand: “I know, but I want to. I become an apprentice wizard, so everything is getting better, right? I wanted to mark it with something a little special, and then I think, traditionally, on this occasion, apprentice wizards will give family members a gift to thank them for their love and care. And I can also show that I am mature enough to be able to research and trade magical creations on my own."

Eden whispered: "And you are my brother, the only family I have."