Saleen took the gold coins and put on the robe that Jason had prepared for him. This robe was not tailor-made. Although Saleen had been eating well, he was still just a 12-year-old lad and not that tall. Even if the hem were cut off, it would still not fit Saleen well.
The six gold coins that he had was a large sum of money. In the past, he would not have even spent this much in an entire year.
There was no change in Ceylon City. The lazy soldiers guarding the city gate did not even bat an eyelid at Saleen. Even though he had not visited in the last six months, the soldiers were still able to recognize him. Collect an entry tax from a beggar? They would be the laughing stock if other cities got wind of this.
Saleen walked along the road and stopped at a restaurant. Since it was still early, he was not in a hurry to go to the grain store. Even when he was penniless, he had always wanted to dine here. With the six gold coins with him, his dream could finally come true.
It was not a small restaurant. On its right, there was a courtyard for horse carriages to dock at. Although Ceylon City was no longer in its prime, there were still a few noblemen and businessmen left. Sikeqinya was an empire of trade; its four main trades could be found throughout Myers Mainland. Ceylon City, being a port city, did not diminish completely. Even though it was declining, it still had life left in it.
The restaurant enjoyed high patronage, as the rich in the Ceylon City would choose it as the venue for entertaining.
Saleen was no longer illiterate. He looked up at the inscribed board above him. Written on the board above the main door was a sentence in the Myers language - The Whale of Ceylon.
When Ceylon City was flourishing, the signature dish in this restaurant was whale meat. Now that few fishermen were willing to fish for whales, the restaurant had hired a chef from Qin Empire to hold the fort. However, this board had not been replaced for hundreds of years. If one were willing to fork out the sufficient number of gold coins, there would be fishermen willing to risk their lives at sea.
Saleen could not afford the whale meat, but it would not cost him more than two silver coins for two dishes on the first floor.
He walked into The Whale of Ceylon, found himself an empty seat and sat down. To his surprise, the server saw him, hurried to his table, and hollered at him loudly, "Beggar, get out of here quickly, there is nothing for you to eat."
Saleen fumed, his whole face turning red. He was previously a beggar, but now he was an apprentice learning magic. Even an apprentice had dignity. He fished out a gold coin from his pocket and slammed it hard on the table. He looked at the server from the side of his eye and asked, "Who were you calling a beggar?"
The server was astounded, and quickly put on a smiling face. He bowed as he nodded his head, and said, "Oh, young master, I must have mistaken you for someone else. There was a young boy that did not pay for his food yesterday. That definitely was not you. Please pardon me, I shall get you the menu now."
He turned and walked off, fearful of hearing Saleen's reply. Saleen did not feel appeased, but since the server had apologized, it would be uncivilized of him to continue to rant.
Saleen did not notice that a few patrons had come down from the second floor. Leading the way was that one plump businessman, and next to him was the servant who had previously nearly killed him with his kick.
The businessman was surprised at the sight of Saleen, especially the gleaming gold coin on his table. At one glance, he could tell that it was a genuine Sikeqinya Empire oak gold coin.
The businessman maintained his composure and left The Whale of Ceylon. After he had stepped out of the door, he said to the servant next to him, "That lad looked like he was that jinx of the Metatrin Clan, how is he still alive?"
"Master, I am puzzled too. If no one had helped him, he should have starved to death by now. I thought I saw a gold coin with him just now," replied the servant, his brows furrowed.
"Strange. He is a beggar; where did he get the gold coin?"
"Master, I heard that there has been a gang of bandits in the city recently, and they adopted some children. Do you think that…"
"So what if he is. Worm, go to the City Guard Department and call for a few soldiers. Inform them that we have lost money, and get this lad arrested and killed off. Take this gold coin with you, and do as I told you…" the businessman told him carefully. Then with a few other servants, he returned to The Whale of Ceylon.
Saleen had no idea of the catastrophe that was before him. He ordered two inexpensive dishes costing less than two silver coins. As he was still underage, he did not dare to consume alcohol. Hence, he ordered a pot of tea, and enjoyed it immensely. Then, he realized that his attire was not all that suitable for The Whale of Ceylon, as he saw that the other diners were well-dressed. Some were even dressed in clothes tailored-made with the silk from the Qin Empire.
His robe looked like it had been picked up from somewhere. It was no wonder that the server had wanted to chase him out. He decided that he would buy himself proper attire once he had the money, so that he would not be so looked down upon.
The first dish that Saleen ordered was served. Before he managed to pick up his cutlery, four soldiers dashed in through the door and held him down at once. Without a word, they chained him up.
"What are you all doing?!" Unable to fight back, Saleen was both terrified and livid.
"What? Lad, you committed a crime and still have the nerve to dine here. Bring him back!" The soldiers who seized him were behaving savagely like wild tigers and wolves. They were from the City Guard Department, and responsible for maintaining the security of Ceylon City. As there was rarely such additional revenue to be made, and that someone had lodged a report today, they had kept the gold coin, regardless of the truth. They had not had such an unusual transaction in the last two years.
"Bullsh*t!" Saleen's face was pinned to the hard table top, and he began to lose his sanity. He had done nothing, and struggled to resist. A City Guard soldier lifted his leg and gave Saleen a kick at his ribs.
"Ouch!"
Saleen made a sound that did not sound human. This kick was so harsh that the bone had cracked. That kick brought back memories of his days as a beggar. Back then, he felt nothing when he was hurt by such random kicking. But now, Saleen felt humiliated. He turned his face to the side, and spat hard at the other soldier's face.
The soldiers retaliated with a series of punches and kicks. The vicious soldiers resorted to using the iron chain to bridle Saleen's mouth. The four soldiers then dragged Saleen out. The businessman sneakily followed behind them. The server pursued after them, shouting, "Master, that person has not paid."
The soldier laughed, "His money was stolen. Do you want stolen money?"
"I would not dare to," the server replied submissively, feeling unlucky. He should not have attended to this lad, looking at his improper attire. The cost of his meal would be deducted from his salary. Damn! He had done half a month of work for nothing! He hurriedly turned around and brought the dish on the table back to the kitchen. He was hoping that the second order hadn't been prepared yet, saving him from paying for it.
Saleen was brought to the City Guard Department. Without interrogation, he was thrown straight into the dungeon.
Saleen recovered some of his energy, and used all his might to knock on the metal bar, shouting, "Why did you arrest me?!"
The four soldiers turned around and grinned. "If not for your mention, I almost forget that we have not searched for the stolen money on your body!"
"The money is mine!" Saleen's six gold coins were removed from his body; it was futile to resist.
"Now it is ours." The soldier locked up the metal gate, ignoring Saleen's cries. They did not even hear the critical information shouted by Saleen in his hoarse voice, "My teacher is a mage!" In fact, even if they had heard it, the few soldiers would not believe it. What kind of mage would take this beggar as an apprentice? Not even the Lord had the opportunity to invite a mage home.
Saleen was beginning to feel frightened, and even a little despondent. He had absolutely no idea what was happening. Jason usually did not venture out, perhaps only once every two weeks or so, and did not even eat the weekly meal he had prepared for him.
It was pitch dark in the dungeon, and in Saleen's heart, his fears escalated. He opened his mouth, but did not know what to shout anymore. There was a pain in his face, especially his jaw. The bone there could be broken. His lips were swollen. Although Saleen could feel tears welling in his eyes, he resisted them.
I am an apprentice of magic now, no more crying, not now, not ever!
As night fell, Ceylon City quieted down, and the city gate had been locked. Under the moonlight, a shadow quickly approached the city gate, with a speed fast as lightning. This man came to the outside of the gate, his eyebrows wrinkled. With a lift of his arms, a pair of wing-like attachments opened up on his back. He flew into the air, over the city wall and into the city.