Chapter 139: Meeting at the Wings
Arthur finished up his research session at the library feeling both enlightened and somewhat disillusioned by what he had discovered. The afternoon sun was streaming through the tall windows as he gathered his notes and made his way to the checkout counter, where he decided to borrow a comprehensive book on realm languages—one of the few resources that might actually prove useful. The thick volume felt heavy in his hands, promising hours of challenging study ahead.
After completing the checkout process, Arthur stepped out into the bustling city streets and made his way to a small restaurant he had spotted earlier. The casual dining establishment offered exactly the kind of simple, satisfying meal he craved after hours of intensive reading. He ordered a modest meal and ate quietly while reviewing his mental notes from the day’s research, processing the sobering information he had uncovered about District 3 and the true state of humanity’s struggle against the void creatures.
The walk back to his hotel was pleasant enough, giving him time to clear his head and prepare mentally for the important meeting that awaited him tomorrow. Once back in his room, Arthur settled into a comfortable routine of basic tasks—organizing his few possessions, taking care of personal hygiene, and catching up on current events through the television news broadcasts. The evening passed quietly, and he found himself drifting off to sleep earlier than expected, his body still recovering from the intense experiences of recent weeks.
When morning arrived, Arthur was quick to rise and begin his daily preparations. Brush his teeth, a simple breakfast, and then his essential training regimen.
He pushed himself through the familiar exercises that Aziel had taught him, feeling his muscles respond with increasing strength and coordination. The sword practice that concluded his workout felt especially smooth, his blade moving through the air with precision and confidence that spoke to his growing mastery of the weapon.
As Arthur prepared to leave for his meeting, he paused to consider his appearance. The simple tracksuit that the school had provided him with was comfortable and practical for training, but he seriously doubted it would be appropriate for a formal meeting with representatives of one of the biggest guilds. The Pure Wings commanded respect and commanded it absolutely—showing up dressed like he was heading to the gym would send entirely the wrong message about his professionalism and seriousness.
With this concern in mind, Arthur made his way to a clothing store he had noticed during his wanderings around the city. The shop was modest but well-stocked, offering a reasonable selection of business casual attire at prices that wouldn’t completely exhaust his limited funds. After some deliberation and assistance from a helpful sales associate, he managed to outfit himself with a crisp button-down shirt, dark slacks, and a simple but well-tailored jacket that made him look significantly more professional and mature.
The transformation was remarkable. Looking at himself in the store’s mirror, Arthur barely recognized the young man staring back at him. Gone was the desperate survivor who had emerged from the second realm just days ago. In his place stood someone who looked capable, confident, and ready.
After completing his shopping and making sure his appearance was as polished as possible, Arthur checked the time and realized it was finally approaching the hour for his crucial meeting. He pulled out his phone and quickly looked up the address of the Pure Wings guild building, plotting the most efficient route through the city streets. Fortunately, the building was located within the central business district, meaning he wouldn’t have to travel far from his current location.