Axis made his way towards his home while thinking about the extraordinary experience he just had. Axis also contemplated the abilities he had gained and was curious about their effects.

Axis stealthily entered his home when he saw his father awake with their downstairs neighbor playing a game of poker. Mr. Bytmuk was an elderly gentleman of around mid-60s and had recently moved into the building. He was of mixed Volrukian and Sagic descent. He had bright blue eyes and was bald. He was also tall standing around 185 cm. He was also built well for his age and looked healthy. He and Axis’s father became friends over their past military service.

Bertand looked at Axis and said. “Long day at work Axis ?”

Axis replied, “ I had some other stuff to do after work and lost track of time. Seems like you are having a fun game.” While nodding at Mr. Bytmuk in a form of greeting.

He then said, “Father, I have been promoted to Senior Apprentice today and also got a nice commission from a project. I think we should move to a more comfortable place.”

Mr. Bytmuk interjected and said, “Axis don’t get hasty with such stuff and first save some money for your future and then think about moving to a new place.”

Bertand acknowledged Mr. Bytmuk’s suggestion and with a faint smile said, “I’m happy for you Axis but your mother and I have been living here for a long time and we have a lot of fond memories attached to this place. I also want you to have good enough savings that you can buy a house for yourself.”

Axis wanted to refute his father but was tired enough to not argue about this. Axis had started to hate this place for a long time now. The building owner was a crook and Axis had a suspicion he tampered with the billing receptacles. The building was usually filled with chaotic noises and the surroundings were not that clean. Axis had grown up in this house but he had come to hate it.

Even the lack of proper heating was uncomfortable, not to mention the complete lack of fresh air around. He was worried about his parent's health and wanted to shift to somewhere near the Western District.

Axis went first towards his parent's room and seeing his mother sleeping he went to his room, washed downed and sat on his bed. Axis thought about the series of events he had experienced today, from almost getting caught to promotion to discovering something mystical. All in all, it was an eventful day. Axis meditated on his bed about his abilities, but out of all of them, he could vaguely understand what Dream Physique meant as it allowed his body to be compatible with Dreamform energy and something about invoking it in the world.

The ability he could understand completely was Spectral Jester. It allowed him to create spectral tricks and illusions, playing with what he wanted others to see, hear or smell. It was like supernaturally enhancing the tricks of a street magician but most of the skills he had to practice himself.

To further improve on Spectral Jester, Axis decided to learn the magical principles in his free time. Axis also realized that after awakening his Tower he felt physically stronger. The strength he felt was nothing out of the ordinary rather he felt a significant increase in his physical capabilities.

After testing his abilities Axis felt tired and went to sleep.

Stella was sitting in her private study when she heard a light knock on the door. She simply replied, “Enter.” And a man wearing a Black uniform with a top hat entered and bowed.

Stella didn’t look up from the book she was reading and said, “What does the Watch Tower need from me?”

“ We have been searching for a felon for 2 years now. He is a Mind Tower Master of the 2nd domain. He is also the major perpetrator of the Cult related killing in the capital. We have reason to believe that he has allied with the Obsidian Order and is currently hiding in Ettic.” Replied the man.

Stella looked solemn for a moment and then replied with a hint of chill in her voice, “And you are here asking me to help you in this manhunt? You should know that I am still not in the 2nd domain yet.”

The man replied quickly, “But we also have intel regarding your capabilities Miss Stella and with us working alongside you we have the confidence to catch or even execute this criminal.”

“We just want you to return to Ettic and create enough buzz in the Veiled Market to draw him out. We have even prepared a page from the Misty Collection to act as bait. We just want you to be the one selling it to prevent anyone from noticing us.”

Stella was shocked this time and laughed a bit and said, “You people must be desperate to potentially lose a page from Misty Collection to catch him. I agree to this deal, but I have one condition. You must provide with a 2nd grade material for my domain.”

The man winced a little at Stella’s ruthlessness and while biting his lip agreed to her demand. He then transformed into a wisp of smoke and disappeared from her study.

Stella closed the book and thought, “It seems I will be returning to Ettic. That city has never been so enticing before. I look forward to this interesting game unfolding.”

Stella then rang a small bell on her study and a maid entered. Stella told her with a smile, “Claire please tell father that I am preparing to go back to Ettic as I have found something interesting there. Tell him that I will be leaving the Capital early. Please also remind him to arrange a place for me to stay there.”

Stella then also left the study to prepare and went to her room.

Axis woke up at 6 in the morning today as it was Sunday. He contemplated at first to sleep for an extra hour but eventually changed his mind.

It was a cold morning and the rain had finally stopped. Sunrise was still quite some later, as it was almost November. Axis wore exercise trousers and long-sleeved shirt. He wore his black jacket and went outside for a run.

Axis usually ran along the canal and trained at a local Gymnasium. After an hour of running Axis entered the gymnasium which was usually filled with people from the Police or Military and some fitness enthusiasts. It was a rather popular place among this crowd because of its underground shooting range.

Axis went through his regular exercise and trained his marksmanship on the range when the Owner entered through the backdoor and greeted Axis.

The Owner was called Talsim and looked more like a gangster with his gruff attitude and demeanor. He was carrying a package and when he saw there was no one around he signaled at Axis to come and opened the package.

Axis was visibly excited when he saw the contents. It was a Twin Shot Anti-Armour Revolver. It was popularly known as the Drill as it could directly Drill through 10 inches of metal. It was the military’s latest creation and Axis had worked alongside Benson on the gun during its initial stages. Its research was done at Cyclops and then produced in the Capital.

Axis held the gun and checked its sight and balance. It was great. Talsim looked at Axis and said, “You will not believe how expensive this gun is. Even on the black market, it was selling for nothing less than 120 Aur. I had to exhaust all my owed favors to snatch it at 100.”

Axis was not surprised to hear the cost. He then helped Talsim by assembling it and told him how to properly maintain it. In the current Era revolvers and guns had also evolved by Steam augments. This helped increase their general firepower and reduced the cost of Bullets and maintenance. Most weapons now shot highly compressed air bullets.

Axis thanked him for showing the revolver and went back home. On the way back he bought bread from Marekly Bakery, one of the top bakeries in the city, and some eggs.

He came back home at around 10 and prepared breakfast and tea for his parents. The bread was soft and fluffy and was even slightly sweet. His mother had got a can of Szing Tea leaves and loved drinking this tea. He prepared everything and had breakfast with his family.

The topic of moving was brought up by Axis but his parents squashed it down.

After getting ready he had nothing much to do until his lunch with Benson and started reading the newspaper to pass some time.

On the front cover of Ettic Daily was the Headline about a disease outbreak in the slums of Ettic. It told about how their living conditions were deteriorating and people had resorted to crime.

The second news was a bit terrifying. A group of young scions from prominent families were caught after they went on a murder spree. Apparently, they had killed 15 people before they were caught. Most of the victims were from the Eastern District.

Axis then thanked for the opportunity to gain the power to better protect himself and his family.

In the afternoon he went to a rather well-known establishment in the city called La Galleria Hog, a place for fine dining and drinks.

He met Benson waiting for him near the entrance. A lady was standing alongside him holding his hand. “She must be his fiancée.” thought Axis.

Benson introduced Micaela to Axis. She worked as a doctor at the Central Hospital. Axis greeted her and then all three of them entered the establishment for a meal.

To Axis’s astonishment, Miss Stella was also at the Establishment with a gentleman.

She looked up from her table and greeted Axis.