Once I finally found the door for my new dorm room, I was already very suspicious about it. The dorm room was at the far end of the top floor. Thankfully, I didn't have to carry the four traveling trucks up here.

The first thing I noticed was all the dust in the room. Then the dusty smell hit me, nearly causing me to sneeze. Nothing had been cleaned in here in ages. It looked like a small storage room because of the disturbances in the dust on the floor. Due to the number of footprints and drag marks, it was clear that recently several items were taken out. An empty bed frame, a broken stool, and a broken desk were all that remained.

More bullying. No surprise there. "So…"

As I thought about my options, I quickly remembered that the dean told me that living off-campus was an option. After willing the 'Floating Carriages' spell to place the four trunks on the dusty floor, I locked up the room and set off to explore the city.

Taking the scenic route past the library, I looked for the closest campus entrance and exit. Between the library and a side entrance was another dorm building, one of the girls' dorms. I walked out through the side exit to see what I could find.

The street surrounding the campus was more extensive than most of the other avenues I had seen. Across from the 'Campus Circle' was a busy street leading away from the school. The buildings there were four and five stories tall for the most part. I believed that the upper levels served as residences. The lower levels were for various stores and workshops.

The first and most significant building, right on the corner, had its main doors facing the intersection. The sign above its door read 'Magical Emporium,' that got my attention immediately. For the first time in my life, outside the controlled school store, I was able to shop on my own. All thoughts of finding a place to live disappeared from my mind.

When I reached the entrance of the very enticing shop, I was surprised. A pair of guards were standing outside each door, and it was their greeting that made me jump.

"Welcome, Instructor Honored Mage, to the Magical Emporium," said the rightmost guard while opening one of the doors for me.

I was taken aback at the formal greeting from a man I had not even noticed as I fantasied about the shop.

"Ah! Thank you. I’m sorry, you surprised me." A blush heated my face as I stumbled over my words. "Thank you for welcoming me, sir." I nodded to him and went inside, where I was mesmerized again at all the fantastic things I could see within.

Embarrassed again by being rooted to the floor, I moved through the aisles slowly, looking at everything offered. Nothing the festival merchants provided so long ago ever came close to what was on display here.

I was not the only new shopper here either. A group of young mages looking into the glass cases were talking loudly about the beautiful things they could see within.

When I got to the shelves filled with tomes, I was in heaven. Looking closely at each one, I lost track of time. These were texts on a wide variety of magical subjects. I was only able to find one small book on Runes on a bottom shelf. It had been there for some time, I guessed, not that it mattered, it was going to be mine now.

The other young mages seemed to have left some time ago, so I made my way to the glass cases they were so interested in before. The cases held various components for casting spells, each seeming more expensive than the last. There were potions and scrolls for nearly any need. When I reached the magical rings, I was not interested in any until one description caught my eye. I had to reread it to be sure I understood its powers correctly.

My love of reading and learning new things had one unrelenting enemy, sleep. It was the bane of my existence in the library while I was trying to read and take notes for assignments or personal research. This ring promised to reduce the hours needed for sleeping by seventy-five percent! It would grant me several more hours each day to study, learn, and experiment. Requiring only one meal each day and reducing the time wasted further.

Someone asked, "Did you find something of interest, sir?"

Looking up, I found the shopkeeper looking at me from behind the counter. I responded, "Yes, I have, this ring that reduces sleeping and eating. Is it real?"

The shopkeeper's smile grew. "Yes, it is. Here let me get it out for you." So, saying, he removed the ring from the case and offered it to me to examine.

The ring was of some silver metal with a single round black gem. I couldn't see any runes or other markings on it, but I could feel the energy within it. "I'm curious, can a person waer two of these rings?"

The shopkeeper nodded, "I understand that you would only need a couple of hours of sleep and a meal every fourth day. I've never spoken to anyone that has worn two, so there may be issues that I am not aware of."

A quick check in the case showed no copies of this ring. I had to ask, "Would you be able to get another ring like this?"

"Yes, sir," he nodded. "It would take quite some time. Perhaps six months or longer. Would you want that one now?"

I had looked at the price before, it was quite high, but I did have the funds for two. If I did get both, I would only need to stop to rest and eat for a few hours every four days. Meanwhile, I would have so much more time to learn. There was always the option of making my own after figuring out how to.

Looking at the shopkeeper, I told him, "I will take this one. If you get another, I may buy it as well. I'm just not certain at this time."

The shopkeeper was looking quite happy with my willingness to buy this first one. "And you found a book that you would like to buy as well?"

"Yes, I am interested in runes and rituals. Do you think you might be able to get more such books?"

Looking at the book I had placed on the counter, he nodded. "I can keep an eye out for them and let you know if I get any other books like that one or another ring in if you like?"

I was happy to hear this. "That would be wonderful. Please do."

The shopkeeper wrote out a receipt and showed it to me. "Sir, this is the price of the ring and book today."

Nodding, I said, "It is possible to transfer funds from the school account as I understand it. One moment please."

I dug into my bag to find the authorizing slip for funds. It had cost one gold to get each copy of the magical document, but it was far more comfortable than carrying around a large bag of heavy coins.

I wrote the amount due on the slip and signed it. The magic of the transfer glowed for a moment, without falling into ashes, thus confirming the value was valid for the given amount. I handed it to the man with all eagerness.

The shopkeeper took the slip with a smile. He wrapped my new book in some paper with the receipt inside. Pushing the book to me and handing the ring over, he said, "Thank you for shopping here today. If there is anything else you might need, please come see me again."

I slipped the ring on and felt the magic slowly building in my body.

"I will, sir, thank you." I was about to turn and go when I remembered what I was supposed to be doing today.

"Excuse me, sir, but I am looking for a room to rent. Do you know where I might find one near here?"

Shaking his head, no, he replied. "The few rooms I have upstairs are taken. It will be difficult to find someplace close to the school, but I wish you the best of luck."

"I understand." Remembering something he said, I had to ask another question. "You said that you didn't have any rooms available upstairs. Does that mean you have something else that might be available?"

Scratching his head with a frown, he said, "Not really. I had thought about partitioning off some of the basement to rent, just because the demand is so high, but I haven't ever had it done."

I had to ask, "Might I see it, and perhaps we could make an arrangement?"

He shrugged and told one of his helpers he would be out for a few minutes. He led me down into the basement. On the left side were shelves filled with many things. The right side was a mostly open space of a dark basement without windows. That open area was at least four times the size of my student dorm room.

"If I were to pay for the partition you spoke about, would you rent it to me?"

He shrugged, "Possibly, but the cost is not the issue."

"That is okay, I am a mage, so I would be able to wall it off and brighten it to make it comfortable enough for me.

He scratched his head again, "How much space do you want?"

"As much as you would allow."

He nodded, "Let me talk to my wife tonight. Stop by again tomorrow, and I'll let you know."

"Thank you. I will be back tomorrow."