Leaving the noisy street and heavy scents behind, we entered the new region of the city. With each step the crowds thinned and the road widened. As the air grew thicker, I felt more and more uneasy. The vibe of this place couldn't have differed any more from the district behind us. With large roads, too large even, and houses with this time similar sizes, this place felt like, compared to the outskirts, a lot more logical. Even though the pathway is clearly too wide...Still, people of all races were walking beside these roads just like in the shopping district, yet here they seemed more serious. Showing either a frown face or an exhausted expression with bags under most eyes. Not knowing the reason for the vibes the area was exuding, I whispered.

"Why is everyone so...serious?"

"They are probably scared and tired of all the noise caused by burglars. Sure, the outskirts are their hiding spot, but this is the place crime happens" Ban said with no worry in his eyes.

"But you don't seem scared..."

"I kind of got used to it. People enter and leave this district oftenly. That's why there's a lot of new faces everyday. They get traumitised quickly"

That's not that surprising. Anyone would get scared of constant explosions, burglary and deaths. I guess him saying he got used to it means he lives in this district. Though I wonder how big this area is?

"You've mentioned districts before but how big is this place?" I asked.

"There are a few districts, but not that many. The outskirts, shopping and entertainment districts as well as this one...oh there's also a secluded area in which prison is built"

Prison huh... I hope I don't end up there.

"Woah careful!" Ban shouted while pulling me towards himself. Being confused I looked at him, but his face showed only a worried expression. At the same time I felt wind pass through my back together with something else. Curious, I looked back, but it was already gone. I right away glanced at my left hoping the thing that past me was still visible, and what I saw truly shocked me. It was a magical intervention. At least for me.

"What's that?"

"..."

"Is something wrong?"

It seems like my question confused him for some reason.

"Did you grow up in a forest or something?"

He said it in a truly rude tone. It probably wasn't intentional but... no need to be so mean. I thought to myself.

"Well, I kind of did. So that flying thing carrying others is news to me. How does that even work?”

With this comment of mine Ban went silent. It reminded me of the silence he gave me after I introduced myself.

I can genuinely see the gears spinning in this head. Though what he was thinking about so much, I didn't know.

"Hey, Li. Can we take a quick shortcut? There's something I want to ask you immediately but this isn't the right place"

"Sure" After eating the cake back in the market I was full of energy. The only thing I was lacking was sleep. Rushing somewhere wasn't a problem anymore.

I wonder what he is going to ask me though...

"Let's go" Without giving me a moment to even respond he dashed into a narrow alleyway.

Seriously, how many narrow alleyways does this city have???

After running for about an hour we arrived in front of a house. It wasn't as big as my house was then it still existed, but still was of pretty good size.

"We're here. My place! Let's go in"

Feeling dumbfounded for not realising all this time we were going towards his house, I went inside.