The skies of Avaloria shimred with hues of orange and gold as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the majestic capital.
Floating towers humd with mana-infused energy, and streams of anti-gravity vehicles zipped through the sky like glowing fish in an endless sea of light.
But amidst all the grandeur and beauty, Alex Dragonheart walked with a simple goal in mind: convert his gold into credits.
He looked around, noting the change in atmosphere compared to the outer sectors. This district was far busier and filled with the hum of comrce.
Neon signs pulsed in rhythm with background magical lodies, and augnted reality advertisents danced in the air.
After checking his EtherPad, Alex arrived at a high-security exchange center known as "Aurum Nexus" — a luxurious credit conversion facility that specialized in rare materials and precious tals.
It looked like a cross between a high-end bank and a magic relic store, with armored walls, floating security drones, and clerks in enchanted suits.
A sleek, bespectacled clerk with glowing holo-lenses greeted him. "Welco to Aurum Nexus. What may I assist you with today?"
Alex casually pulled out a pouch and placed it on the counter with a heavy thunk. "I'd like to convert these."
The clerk opened the pouch and almost gasped. Inside glead 111 pristine gold coins, each stamped with the seal of the ancient ruins.
"Sir... These are high-purity Etherium Gold. We'll need to appraise them individually. This may take a few minutes."
"Take your ti," Alex said, leaning back casually, but inside he was calculating.
Each coin... 1000 credits. That's 444,000 credits. Not bad. That's enough to pay hospital fees, rent a proper apartnt, and maybe even treat Lily to sothing nice.
The clerk returned shortly. "Sir, everything checks out. 444,000 credits have been deposited into your temporary Nexus account. You can now transfer them to your main EtherWallet."
Alex smirked. "Pleasure doing business with you."
As he stepped outside, he couldn't help but laugh softly. "Rich. I'm finally rich... Well, kinda."
---
He returned to his small, dusty ho located in the outskirts of the city. The walls were still cracked, the light flickered occasionally, but for now, it was still ho.
Alex threw his bag aside, let out a long sigh, and took a refreshing bath — one of the few luxuries he still had access to. Warm steam clouded the air as he soaked, letting the fatigue lt away.
He stared at his reflection in the bathroom mirror. His previously ssy hair was now tied back, his features sharper, eyes glowing faintly with power. His new silk-black shirt and sleek trousers fit him well. It was a look of soone rising... slowly.
After resting for a few hours on his creaky bed, he finally stood up.
"Alright. Ti to see Lily."
---
Avaloria's public transport was nothing short of a marvel. Hover pods shaped like lotus petals glided above rails of light, their interiors filled with ambient soundscapes and comfortable gravity-cushioned seating.
Alex boarded one, flashing his EtherPad at the scanner.
As the pod took off, the city passed by in a blur. He could see magic-fusion parks, floating billboards, and even mana-thed cafes. But his mind was elsewhere — on Lily.
---
The hospital stood tall and proud in Sector 7: Avaloria Central dical Institute. A massive glass tower surrounded by floating mana rings and guarded by dical drones.
He entered the lobby, the scent of sterilized air and faint mana mist hitting his senses.
"Excuse . I'm here to visit Lily Dragonheart."
The receptionist tapped on her terminal. "Ah, yes. She's on the 13th floor, Sector C. Doctor Emma is overseeing her treatnt. Please wait while I notify her."
A few monts later, a tall woman in a white lab coat approached. Her black hair was tied in a neat bun, and her piercing grey eyes held both kindness and weariness.
"You must be Alex. I'm Doctor Emma. Co with ."
They walked down a corridor illuminated with soft blue lights. Holographic charts floated next to each room, showing patient stats in real-ti.
"Lily's condition... it's stable. But the Abyssal Corruption has embedded itself into her mana core. Our tech is suppressing its spread, but it's only temporary."
Alex's heart clenched. "Can you cure her?"
Emma paused. "As of now the whole world is researching to find a cure for the corruption but sadly no concrete results has been found ".
He lowered his head. His fists clenched. Not now... Not when I just started changing things.
looks like I have to take things into my own hands.
Emma placed a hand on his shoulder. "She's been asking about you. She's strong. Braver than many adults I've treated."
Alex managed a weak smile. "She always is."
They reached the door to her room.
His hand hovered over the doorknob. His heart pounded.
Why am I hesitating?
He took a deep breath... before opening the door.
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