"The first rule is that you can't use the name Blacklock while in school. Instead, you will go by Blackwell." Max's Grandfather said to Max who responded with a raised eyebrow.

"The reason is quite simple actually. Think it through by yourself later."

"The second rule is to request as little as possible from us, the Blacklock Family. It's to stop overreliance. Just like the change to the name."

"And finally the Third rule... this one is a little different than the other two," Grandfather said before pausing gently.

"Make at least 1000 gold per year while in Trink's school."

Max was thoroughly confused after listening to his grandfather.

'The first two make some sense but the last one... What the hell?!' Max thought to himself as he began to question his Grandfather.

"No But's. This is a requirement that has been passed down by tradition. Simply put, you need to be able to prove that you can thrive without the Blacklock family. If you can manage to do so you will be rewarded handsomely. Your siblings have already accomplished this task for their entire stay at the school. They paid in advance." He said curtly.

'It makes sense I guess but... Really?!' Max thought to himself as his shoulders slumped in response.

"Now, time for your shopping spree," Grandfather said before leading Max out of the house into an automobile that was waiting outside. It was decorated with blues and purples that outlined the car perfectly.

After entering the car it hummed to life and began gently coasting down the street. It was gentle at first but quickly became rocky as it picked up speed and reached 120 miles per hour at an astonishingly short amount of time.

"Grandfather, why so quick?!" He shouted in question but Max's Grandfather simply laughed in response.

After the car reached the peak of its speed a blinding flash of purple light filled the car and they were transported to a different place. It was a strange market of sorts. They were not even in the car anymore as they had seemingly disappeared from the car and the Blacklock Manor instantly.

After appearing Max's Grandfather led him through the small market with ease as he ignored Max's constant questions and protests.

The first shop they arrived at was a small stall made out of books. All the books were weathered and old but none had any damage to them despite their use as a building material. An old man sat inside the stall and nodded to them as they arrived.

"Another student of the Skyland?" He said with a chuckle as he saw Max's ruffled figure.

Max's Grandfather smiled and laughed in response and nodded.

'So the place where the school is located is called the Skyland. I can check that off my list of things to figure out I guess.' Max thought to himself as he turned into the conversation between his grandfather and the strange old man in front of him.

"Indeed, my young one here is in search of some books for his first year's study at the school and we have heard great things of your new place here Marvin." He said casually.

The old man rubbed his glasses a bit and looked at grandfather a little harder before something clicked in his head.

"Ah! Young Onyx! It has been quite the time since you have come down to the old Rolling Wagon. How long has it been... 20 or 30 years?" The old man said in a raspy voice, his gold-framed glasses bobbing along with his head as he spoke.

"It's been about 24 if I remember correctly. Had to go to a different Emporium for my two twins sadly, too much bad business here in Blue Sky Emporium." He said simply before taking his hands into his pocket and fetching a small handful of platinum coins and passing them to the old man.

"Fix him up with the better books would you?"

Marvin nodded and gave a small chuckle before snapping his fingers and a large number of books appeared in front of him.

"Would you like an expanding tome vault as well? It will hold almost any book inside of it and can be accessed with just a flip of a page or a word." Marvin questioned the small Max in front of him.

Max thought for a moment before nodding and looking at his Grandfather who only smiled in response.

"It's quite good for a beginner but I recommend you get an expanding space for your books later. It is rather expensive," He said with a wink towards Onyx before continuing "But it doesn't damage the books as much as this will." He said gesturing to a small leather-bound notebook he pulled out of the air.

Max nodded before asking a question he deemed a little stupid.

"Expanding Spaces? What are those exactly?"

Marvin smiled a little before answering.

"Something akin to that little envelope you have in your bag but a bit better. Not hard to get your hands on a good one just quite expensive though I doubt that matters." He said before winking.

Max turned his head towards his Grandfather who gave a short nod before realizing that Marvin had seen through his bag somehow and discovered that he had a storage item on him with seemingly no effort.

'People in the world can be pretty powerful I guess... but maybe this is just common and I'm out of the loop.' Max thought of the possibilities.

"Then I suppose I will have to refuse. Thank you for the offer though."

Marvin nodded before asking another question.

"Any other books you want to get your hands on? I procure rather rare books that are useful for almost anyone."

Max thought for a second before answering.

"Any books on Mutations and the lightning element?" He asked gently.

"Hmm... I have quite a few on the lightning element though they are all rather elementary sadly except for one. And mutations... I have one book on mutations of magical beasts and another for mutations in humans that occur during magical awakenings."

"And the price?"

"For all of them?" Marvin asked with a shocked expression.

"Yes, all except that book on mutations in magical beasts. I don't think that will be necessary."

"Then that should be..." Marvin thought for a second, doing high prow math formulas in his head. "Roughly Seven hundred and Sixty Gold coins in addition to what you have already given me."

Max's grandfather simply nodded before passing 8 more platinum coins to the man.

Marvin nodded and snapped his fingers once more, leaving a small stack of personal diaries and introductory lessons on the lightning element as well as two older tomes that seemed slightly damaged.

"Then that should do it. I recommend you go to Galin's shop next. He should have the expanding space that you want."

Grandfather nodded and thanked the man before heading off through the bustling crowds of people until they found themselves entering a small tent that opened up into a rather spacious interior.

It was filled to the brim with knick-knacks and various jewelry and other items.

There was everything from small glass beads to giant foldable contraptions that moved constantly. There was even a small horse that looked realistic until it started singing a carol of sorts.

'Man this place is weird...'

After browsing through the store for a few minutes something stood out to Max. It was a metallic boy that was about 5 feet tall in total. He sat gently on a wooden stump and hung lifelessly unlike the surrounding animated mechanical creations.

He had detailed hair and seemed to be the most advanced piece of technology in the entire store as thousands of parts went into making just the chassis alone.

'Quite interesting. I wonder why this one is lifeless.' Max thought as he moved his hand to inspect the robot before the robot suddenly thrust out and grasped his wrist with a death-like grip that threatened to break his bones.

"NO CONTACT" A metallic voice echoed through the shop before Max's grandfather hurriedly pulled Max back before sighing.

"Am I to presume that we are speaking to Galin?" He asked the robot before the robot curtly nodded.

"We are seeking a storage enhancement of some sort on an item or... whatever he wants," Grandfather said while motioning towards Max.

"INSOLENT BRAT WANTS A STORAGE DEVICE... CALCULATING PRICE... SIZE REQUIREMENTS NEED TO BE RECEIVED TO CALCULATE COST." The robot echoed out loudly before turning its head towards Max.

Max thought for a moment, his thoughts racing in as he rubbed his wrist gently. There was still a red mark where the robot had grasped him.

"I suppose the size of a large house?" Max said while looking at his Grandfather with a questioning look to which he nodded once more.

"Go all out Max. This is the last time you will be able to rely on me for the next 8 years or so." Onyx said to his grandson before looking at the robot once more.

"LARGE HOUSE... 10,000 GOLD REQUIRED. WHAT ITEM WOULD YOU LIKE ENCHANTED. I HAVE A WIDE SELECTION ALREADY HERE!" He said as he gestured wildly all around him.

Max gasped at the large price but his grandfather didn't stop for a second before dropping a pouch with a hundred platinum coins in front of the robot. The robot grabbed the bag and shook it gently before nodding and waiting for Max's answer.

Max thought for a moment before pulling out the envelope his siblings had given him and handing it to the robot. It was important to him and his first real gift from his siblings. It was something he wanted to have forever if he could.

The robot grabbed the envelope gently before measuring it in several ways with strange measuring tools coming out of his hands and head.

"10 MINUTES REQUIRED TO AMPLIFY DURABILITY AND EXPAND SPACIAL RUNES. BECAUSE OF PREVIOUS RUNE ETCHINGS, I SHALL PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL ADDON OF A PERSONAL EXPANSION PLAN IF DESIRED." He said while looking at Max once more.

Max turned to his grandfather and asked the obvious question.

"What exactly is personal expansion plan Gramps?"

"It allows you to personally build the inside of the envelope to a make of your choosing. For instance, you could make a large library and botany room with a single thought though the changes are permanent."

Max nodded towards the robot once more before answering.

"Yes, I do believe I will accept your offer, Galin."

"SPLENDID. 10 MINUTES. PLEASE WAIT HERE." The robot said before disappearing behind a counter in the back of the tent.

After ten minutes of waiting the robot came back covered in a bright red liquid that looked reminiscent of blood and handed him a blue envelope that glowed slightly when Max touched it.

"FINISHED. GET OUT NOW!" The robot said before ushering them out quickly which they happily obliged to.

After exiting the shop the Grandson - Grandfather Duo walked through the Blue Sky Emporium more casually than before. It was light outside though the sun was starting to set leaving everything in a crimson and orange tin that lit the cloud-like architecture around them with a truly sunset-like look. The hundreds of stalls were slowly cycled through by the duo. Though they went to many interesting shops and stalls the one that stood out the most to Max was the Tailor's Shop.

The building was small but seemed to utilize the space inside perfectly as the interior still seemed rather spacious. A large sign was hung above the door frame and seemed to shout the name of the tailor shop. "Helix Wares" Was all it said but the calligraphy was masterful in its own right. The decor inside the room was splendid with many clouds-like chairs and stools that glowed lightly of a lavender shade. The works that were on display were truly marvelous as well.

Max was enthralled by a robe that seemed to have a thousand pockets of varying sizes in it while still maintaining a beautiful feel and texture. It was as smooth as silk yet easy to move around in.

'These works are truly... majestical.' Max thought to himself as he looked at a more modern set of clothes that was a three-piece business suit that looked quite similar to the clothes his siblings were wearing when they headed off to the school he would soon be headed to.

The noise of someone clearing their throat could be heard as a small dwarf appeared seemingly out of nowhere.

"Greetings prospective customers, how may I help you on this fine evening?" He said with a thick accent that didn't sound familiar to Max. It was almost as if his voice was coming from the floor as there was so much rumbling in the accent.

Max's grandfather stepped forward towards the man and began to speak with enthusiasm.

"Liavard RIght?" He asked.

"Yes, and how do you know of me? Heard it from a recommendation perhaps?" He asked in a deep growling manner.

"No no no my dear child. You are the son of Rune Helix correct? I have gone to his stores ever since I was a young boy. I didn't think his son would have taken over the old business. How is the old man by the way?" Grandfather said with a certain nostalgic feeling to his words.

A look of anger appeared on Liavard's face as he acknowledged Onyx's statement.

"My father has retired Sir. He is now returned to our homelands and has begun working on his smith work. Trying to be an armorer rather than a tailor it seems."

Grandfather nodded to his statement before realizing that the room had turned tense with the star that the dwarf was giving him.

"Well then back to business I suppose, " He said, sounding a little defeated. "I need three Skyland Uniforms for my son over there and make sure they all have spacial pockets that are large enough to fit large coin pouches and books if needed."

Liavard nodded and the anger-filled stare he had moments before faded to one of seriousness.

"Please step up upon the measuring stool and we shall begin. It shouldn't take more than thirty minutes to have you fully outfitted." He said with a softer tone though still very guttural.

Max gently stepped up on one of the glowing clouds and felt his entire body being covered in a film that massaged and twisted around his body. After nearly a minute of twisting and turning he stepped down as he felt it disappear, expecting it to be over in which he was correct.

"Decent qualities... Auto fitting enchantments will be needed if you don't intend on buying more each year though." He said while looking at Grandfather to which he just simply nodded.

And after that, the Dwarf disappeared in thin air with a faint pop.

"G-Grandfather... What just happened?!" Max asked, slightly alarmed.

Max's Grandfather just laughed slightly before answering.

"It's what dwarves do. They can teleport through stone short distances." He said motioning towards the stone floor.

"They can carve it with precision and as a racial gift they have received the ability to... tunnel through it magically."

"Quite an interesting ability honestly. The Dryads have something similar with nature and plants."

After the short speech about the abilities of dwarves, Max pestered his Grandfather for more racial abilities that the other races might have to which he was simply brushed off.

"You will learn at Trink's school, Max. There is no need for me to teach you things that you will learn better at school after all. I'm not a history master or what each race has proficiency in doing so why teach you things that may be false?"

Max nodded in understatement and after a few short moments, a loud popping could be heard as Liavard appeared once more.

"Hmm... These shall do" He said before giving Max three sets of three-piece suits that were more casual for wear and looked similar to school uniforms. A heavy blue accent was on them as well as an undertone of purple.

'Why is everything blue and purple?' Max wondered as he received the clothes.

"Thank you Liavard and how much will that be?"

"Hmm... About 10 gold should do. Though since you are a long-time customer I will sell it to you for 7 gold and 50 silvers. Curtsey of my father of course."

Grandfather nodded and handed the man the money he required before heading out towards the street which had grown dark with their purusing.

Max's Grandfather let out a heavy sigh before looking at Max and placing a hand on his shoulder, gently massaging it.

"I believe it is time for you to leave now. You have all the equipment you could ever want and after spending about a dragon coin on all your supplies you should be prepared to excel in your studies."

Max felt sadness well within him as he looked at his surroundings. They had been walking for quite a while to where Max thought was another shop but instead, in front of him was a platform filled with massive birds that stared at people with gentle gazes.

"I guess this is goodbye for now I suppose," Max said with a small tear dropping onto the floor.

Max's grandfather gave him a large hug before readying him to leave.

Max prepared himself to leave mentally and physically as he noticed he had to ride these massive beasts.

'Here I come Skyland!' He thought as he mounted a large owl that gently bent to accommodate his weight.

And just like that, he set off to the school of Trink's magical machinations.