Shuffling footsteps and excited voices could be heard as the crowd cleared out of the courtroom. Soon it was only Torrin, Dane, and a few stragglers still making their way out of the room.

"Looks like you're free to go, Rin. A word of advice, though... Don't keep dead bodies in your storage pouch" Guard Captain Dane released the collar and manacles binding Torrin.

"Thank you, Dane, I was wondering--" Torrin's reply was cut short by the sound of approaching footsteps.

Neil Wesler approached the pair, a wide grin on his face.

"Well, Mr Gram, it seems as if our simple plan panned out, huh?" Neil spoke in a merry voice, his mustache coming alive as his lips twitched.

"That it did..." Torrin trailed off as he heard a familiar rhythmic clicking below the din of noise caused by the exiting people. He scanned the room behind Neil and spotted a stooped old woman walking towards the door, her pace marked by the tap, tap, tap of her cane as she moved. She had silver hair and wore a flowing robe that ran to the floor, black with flowing script across it faintly shimmering as the light hit it.

"Grams?!" Torrin shouted out, stunned to see the old woman.

The old woman turned, giving the boy a thumbs up and a smile.

Torrin's two companions began to turn as a sharp popping noise could be heard and they stared at an empty doorway.

"Rin? Are you alright? Who are you shouting at?" His companions talked over each other, each trying to figure out what had happened.

"It's... Nothing... Thought I saw someone I knew." Torrin replied with a shrug and a sheepish smile, scratching his once more tangled hair.

'That old hag! She knew I was here and she just sat back and watched?! Wretched old lady...'

"How about we head to the Playful Badger to celebrate," Dane smiled softly, "And you two can explain this simple plan of yours that worked."

The trip to the inn was swift, having had his possessions returned by Dane, he was in a good mood. His only issue was the hushed whispers and stares that once again accommodated his journey, just as they had his first walk through the town.

'At least I'm not covered in blood this time,' Torrin sighed wearily.

Upon entering the inn, a chorus of shouts and clapping of hands greeted the trio. Smiling faces sat at the various tables throughout the inn and people spoke congratulations to Torrin for winning the trial.

Bell greeted Torrin with a huge hug, wrapping the small boy up tightly. He felt warmth rise to his cheeks as he was pressed firmly in her bosom.

"I was so worried when you didn't return!" Bell stated, tears forming at the edge of her eyes, a caring smile gracing her lips.

Torrin stood scratching his head, "I hadn't really planned on sitting in prison for a week." A weak chuckle broke from his lips.

"You go get washed up, Rin! I'll make sure there's plenty of food for your celebration!" She announced, hurrying into the kitchen before he could reply.

Torrin looked to his two companions and they both smiled cheekily, nodding.

"What are you two smiling at?!" Torrin asked incredulously.

"Oh nothing, nothing... Go ahead and wash up, we'll find a table where we can talk." Neil replied, smile widening at Torrin's outburst.

"Old pervs..." Torrin mumbled, making his way to the bath.

His first bath in a week revitalized him, helping wash away the events of Bolin town, allowing him to look forward to the future once more.

'I wonder if Grams is still around... It'd be nice to talk with her about the last rune.'

Feeling clean with a fresh set of clothes on, he sat with the guard captain and his business partner. Watching the two chatting merrily, and knocking back drinks rapidly, a soft smile shone on Torrin's lips.

"So what was this plan you two came up with?" Dane asked curiously, slouched in his chair with a relaxed air about him.

"As Neil said, it was a simple plan. After my encounter with the three thugs, Neil explained to me that this is normal for Balder, sending his goons to intimidate and attack people," Dane nodded knowingly as Torrin continued, "He told me the Merchant Guild knew of his previous actions and wished to cut ties with Balder, but due to the contracts they had with him, they couldn't without proof of his crimes."

Dane's head continued bobbing up and down like a chicken pecking the ground for food, "I understand that... But what was the plan?"

Neil took up the story, "Mr Gram allowed me to analyze his ring after he told me what had happened," His voice lowered and all three heads nearly knocked together at the center of the table as they leaned in, "It is much more expensive than a Dimensional Storage Ring, leagues above anything I've ever appraised... I won't share the details for Mr Gram's privacy, of course," He said with a sly smile.

After a pause, Neil continued, "Skipping the details, ahem, I knew without a shadow of a doubt that Mr Gram's ring could not have come from Balder. Knowing of Balder's ways, I knew that a trial was more than likely coming. So, we came up with allowing Balder to use the ring in court. As he would have no idea what the ring was, assuming it to be only a storage ring, this would be able to prove it is not his."

Neil sat back and the other two followed, Dane looking between the two as if he'd missed something.

"That... Was your plan? Allow him to use the ring?"

"Simple, eh?" Torrin smiled, "Now, I won't lie to you, Dane... There was of course a few contingencies, such as me calling Neil forward as a witness... Or just blowing my way out of there."

Torrin shrugged seeing Dane's agape mouth.

"But the collar? You had no access to mana, so how would you have even escaped?" Dane sounded almost offended.

"Guard Captain, can you use mana sight on me? If so, please analyze my fluctuations and core." Torrin said, removing the ring from his hand.

Dane's face soured as he analyzed Torrin.

"I don't understand? There's no mana?" Dane asked quizzically as his eyes squinted, as if that would change anything.

Torrin donned the ring and began coursing mana throughout his intricate upgraded pathways and Dane's eyes widened comically.

"The-The ring? It's that strong? That someone without a core can be granted such power and control?" The captain whisper-shouted at Torrin.

"Exactly, Dane, I have no core. All my strength is from this here ring. Now... Do you think a master who gives their student such a gift, would sit idly by as some dickish toad tries to steal it and humiliate him in front of the entire town?" The smile on Torrin's face looked menacing and Dane visibly gulped, understanding the implication.

'Little does he know, I had no idea Grams would be there. He doesn't need to know I could keep mana cycling with his collar on...'

Torrin's face softened and he continued in a happy voice, "Luckily our first plan worked! Haha!"

Bell approached with dishes stacked high, using her entire upper body to bring the plethora of plates, she looked like a walking display stand. Uncle Roland trailed behind, carrying beers for the two adults and a juice for Torrin, greeting them loudly, giving his congratulations before scurrying back to tend the bar.

"Here you are! One celebratory feast!" Bell announced after covering the entire table with food.

The trio thanked the girl profusely before digging in, pride and decorum nowhere to be seen as they demolished the wonderful food.

'Now this is what I've been missing the most! This place's food is far too good!' Torrin thought as he lost himself in the meal.

The three didn't talk much, constantly shoveling food in their maws. Bell returned from time to time to ask if anyone needed anything, patting or ruffling Torrin's messy hair each time.

The night quickly drew to a close as people headed upstairs to their rooms, or into the night to stumble home. The tables were covered with snoring heads, and the floors supported other incapacitated patrons.

Dane gave his regards before leaving with Neil, claiming an early morning for the guards to raid Balder's wares.

Scanning the room once more, Torrin decided it was time for him to sleep as well.

"On nights like these, we just leave them be," Bell explained, seeing Torrin's curious gaze.

She led him back to his room and asked if he had any requests for his last night in town.

"Bell... I don't know how to say this, but... Can you please--And I don't want this to come out awkward or weird or anything--make me as much food as possible before I leave tomorrow? I have a storage pouch so I'll take everything you can make!" Torrin asked with puppy dog eyes.

"Rin!" Bell slapped his shoulder, giggling as her scrunched up face relaxed, "Why'd you lead up to your question like that!"

"Is that a yes?!" Torrin asked desperately.

"Of course, Rin." She said as she wrapped him in a warm embrace, "I'll make sure you have plenty of food for the road."

Torrin slept comfortably that night, the best sleep he'd had in months. The time in jail had allowed him to clear his mind on a few things and refocus himself towards his goals.

Bell woke Torrin like usual, knocking on the door and calling that breakfast was available.

He rubbed the sleep from his eyes with the heel of his hand. After a nice stretch and a trip to the wash room, he was ready to face his day. Since his shopping spree was interrupted, he had to once again venture the town before taking his banishment in stride.

"Thank you, Uncle Roland, and you as well, Bell, for everything you've done for me since I arrived. I should be back by lunch to say goodbye." Torrin felt sad having to leave these people behind. They were the first people since he was stuck in the woods to show him true kindness.

But he knew he had to leave the town, not only because he was banished, but because he needed to finish learning the runes to create his core, and he knew that required adventure, experience, and time studying the spells he had purchased.

Roland and Bell promised him they'd have plenty of dishes to take with him, waving him on to finish what he needed to in the town.

The first place Torrin visited was the same Mana Emporium he had visited before. Neil had advised him of a pill that would be useful for him in his travels, a mid-tier nourishment pill. It would allow one to not need to eat food for three days, many people purchased them as adventuring was dangerous and edible food wasn't always guaranteed.

The pills came in bottles providing 20 pills each, enough to sustain someone for two months if necessary. One bottle could be purchased for 50 gold, or a case of 12 bottles for 500 gold. One case could sustain a person for 2 years. Torrin naturally purchased 5 cases. Jerky was no longer on the menu, if he couldn't prepare or eat a delicious meal, he'd just take one of the pills.

Torrin spent some time purchasing clothes for various climates as well, visiting multiple stores, unsure of where his journey would take him and what type of weather he would face.

His favorite purchase was a fur lined cloak, with decorative and active runes woven into it. It had a warming enchantment, as well as a self-cleaning function that Torrin was highly interested in.

A few mediocre potions were purchased as well, the most interesting being the anti-poison he bought, the owner claiming it could cure almost anything, to which Torrin rolled his eyes and gave the man his money.

Noon had arrived, and Torrin was shoving crates worth of cooked food into his storage pouch, grinning madly as he took in the wonderful looks and smells of the food.

Dane arrived at the inn shortly after, leading Torrin towards the gate on the opposite side of the city he'd originally entered.

The two stood outside the gate, shaking each other's hands in farewell.

"Well, Rin, it's going to be a strange time in Bolin for a while, since Balder was arrested. We found a hoard of illegal alchemical substances as well as drugs in his warehouses. We were also able to recover lists of suppliers and distributors from his storage ring as well." A broad grin stood out on Dane's face as he spoke.

"That's wonderful, Dane. I'm glad some sort of good came from me being in the town, haha" he let out a slight chuckle, "Oh, by the way, I purchased a few things!"

Torrin removed a few items from his storage pouch, handing them to Dane.

"What is all this, Rin?"

"Just a few gifts I picked up to thank you for helping me while I was passing through, a bottle of wine that I was told came from Storrik Vineyard north of here, they said it is the best one around! The token is for a shop called the Chen Family's Smithy, allowing you a choice of any weapon in the shop, it's yours!" Dane's face was a myriad of emotions, tears welling in the corner of his eyes.

"And finally, a doll I found in a magic shop, it's nearly indestructible, hopefully your daughter likes it." Torrin finished with a smile, reaching up and patting Dane's shoulder.

Dane cleared his throat, trying to discretely dry his eyes. He wrapped an arm around Torrin saying, "Thank you, Rin. If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to ask for my help, any guard post around the walls can reach me. Though I don't agree with your methods of handling the people who attacked you, I believe you're a good kid, and will do great things in the future."

Torrin nodded solemnly at the remark, "I don't agree with it either, Dane... I was in a bad spot mentally, and didn't think about my actions. It's definitely not the way I was raised, and my own father would be ashamed of me... It's something I regret, and will think about for a long time to come..." Torrin shook his head, disappointed in his own actions, finally able to see how messed up he was.

"You're a good kid, Rin. Stay strong and stay safe. I hope we meet again!" Dane stepped back, smiling at Torrin brightly.

"I hope you enjoy the gifts, and here's the final one, for your uncle and Bell. They were wonderful hosts," Torrin fished out a small mana stone, smiling back at Dane.

Dane was speechless, just shaking his head and smiling as he received the stone worth 100 gold, more than they made in a year.

Torrin's smile was bright, his soul at rest, as he walked away from the city, studying the local map he'd purchased, trying to find his next destination.