"What do you an?" he asked while shifting his attention from the cape to her. She looked at him like she could see through his lies.
"I know you aren't from the edge like you claid," she said. "I asked Erebus to find out where you ca from… but he found nothing."
"Probably swallowed by the crawling edge."
"That's a good possibility I'd happily believe," she said before taking a seat on the edge of the bed. "But you know nothing about anything. Sotis it feels like I'm talking to soone who lost all their mories and common knowledge."
"I told you already — just assu I know nothing."
"And why would I do that?" she asked. "Where did you co from that you don't even know things a child would know? And yet, just like a clueless child, you walk around without fearing the consequences."
"I'm brave?"
"I think you're just ignorant. That man you offended, my soon-to-be fiancé, is an Aetherial. Here in the Fringes, he can be an absolute king and no one would question it. In the Midworld, he is a recognized powerhouse."
"And your point is…?"
"My point is that you offended him multiple tis without fearing the consequences."
"Why would a man who hates himself fear death?"
"You might hate yourself, but no one wishes to die — they just wish for a different outco in life," she said with a shake of her head. "I think you felt fear in that instance, regardless of your wishes, but still chose to offend him."
"I'm brave?"
"Bravery is understanding the consequences, and diving straight in anyway," she said while rolling her eyes at him. "You are ignorant."
"Thanks," Aiden said and thought for a second. "It doesn't matter where I ca from, what matters is what I will do here. You should have a pretty good grasp of who I am."
"I feel like I'm peeling one layer of façade after another," she said with a sigh. "I know that you don't want to reveal this now, but think how it would feel to trust soone you know nothing about."
"Does that an you trust ?" Aiden asked with a grin. "I wouldn't recomnd it."
"I trust you more than I trust the n lusting over ," she said. "At the very least, I can walk in front of you without feeling your gaze on my curves. That's great restraint."
"A true gentleman never looks from behind, only from the front," Aiden said with a little bow. "Now may I get back to studying this cape?"
"Go ahead."
Aiden turned with a smile and touched the fabric.
[Cape of Shadows (Unique): a stealth item created from the leather of Shadow Bats, granting its abilities to hide presence and sound.]
"Sweet," Aiden said. "This reminds … I need so items to start crafting. I can't let my ability go to waste, can I?"
"That would require a visit to the Craftsn Union," Genevieve said while rising from the bed. "Let's see if there's anyone still there."
[---]
The Craftsn Union was another feat of architecture, because the building looked like a giant hamr, seeking to bend the world into shape. The two stood admiring its magnificent appearance.
"The union's building is divided into several floors. Each floor focuses on a different aspect of craftsmanship. We need to find a craftsman who specializes in stealth items. Avoid ntioning that you aren't a seeker yet."
"Does that hurt my chances?"
"It eliminates them," she warned him. "Stealth items are considered to be a sensitive subject. Most assassins have to be high-tier seekers to purchase them or study their craftsmanship."
"How are we going to do it, then?"
"I have a few connections with the void craftsn. Follow , and for the love of Aevur, don't talk."
"I can't make any promises," Aiden said as he followed after her into the giant building.
The doors were open, which was a good sign to them. As they walked into the large reception hall, they found a single staff mber sleeping on the desk. Genevieve knocked on his table.
"Huh?! What is it?" the staff mber jumped awake. "What are you doing in my house?!"
"This is the union," she said with a frown. "I'm here to purchase so crafting items. Please open a portal to the fifth floor."
"The union?" the staff mber asked with confusion as he looked around, looking like he was making sure of it. "Ah, yes, of course."
The man pulled a giant box from underneath his desk and began fiddling with the chanics on it. A mont later, a portal opened on the side.
"Please head through the portal, where you will find the vendor. Prepare your craftsn license in order to be verified."
"Thank you," Genevieve said as she led Aiden through the portal.
The feeling of being teleported was never pleasant, but it seed less impactful on Aiden than Genevieve. She was a little woozy and had to stop walking for a few seconds.
"Is this the store?" Aiden asked as he looked around.
This ti, he was in the middle of a small room barely illuminated by candles. Shelves lined the walls around them, with each having doors to many vaults. On the far end of the room was a window with iron bars, and a man sitting behind it.
"We won't be able to purchase the items you need to practice without a license, but maybe we can use the circumstances to coax the staff," Genevieve said while using her aura to create a silence barrier around them. "Act like a spoiled noble for now."
"That… I do best," Aiden said with a grin.
Genevieve approached the window, and the staff turned toward her with an unimpressed face. For the first ti, Aiden saw no desire in a man's eyes while looking at the Guild Master.
"License please," he said.
"Greetings," she said. "I'm here to accompany the young master to purchase items for his training. Unfortunately, our family's craftsn left with the lord. Can you make an exception?"
"No license, no purchase. Please leave," the man said.
"Woah there, friend," Aiden interjected while placing an elbow on the stone window. "No need to be so hasty in turning us down. Please et my friend here, first," Aiden said while pulling out a bronze coin.
Genevieve looked like she wanted to slap him aside.
"Are you trying to bribe with a re bronze coin?" the staff mber asked.
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