Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe

Chapter 1855 Boroughs of Davos

For a newcomer, the Free City of Davos was full of opportunities.

Of course, if one wished to prosper here, they had to strictly adhere to the laws. That meant obtaining the necessary permits and licenses.

Fortunately, the city made the process relatively straightforward. Whether one was a merchant, adventurer, craftsman, or scholar, there were offices dedicated to handling the required paperwork.

The Lords of Davos understood a simple truth: the easier it was for honest people to do business, the more prosperous the city would become.

And prosperity, above all else, was the foundation upon which the Free City had been built.

A week had passed since Adam returned from Marbleford.

As promised, the Adventurersʼ Guild had handled the paperwork for his citizenship. With great reluctance, he had paid twenty-five gold pieces for it, along with five gold pieces for the ceremony fees.

He had also received the reward for completing the initiation mission. Moreover, Esmond had come through with the bonus. Altogether, Adam earned around a hundred gold from the assignment.

After all the money he made and settling all his expenses, he was left with a little more than two hundred gold pieces — enough to rent a place and finally settle down in the city.

He had spent the past week working at the Rabbit Hole. It came with free food and lodging, so why not? The previous day, the staff had gathered to hold a small feast for him as he was officially stepping down from his duties.

Adam was genuinely touched by the gesture and magnanimously paid for the entire feast. Though afterward, he couldnʼt help but wonder if he had been a little too generous.

He sat on the upper deck of a two-floored carriage pulled by strange creatures that resembled a cross between horses and antler beasts. These public carriages were ubiquitous throughout the city. They followed fixed routes and were the cheapest means of transportation in Davos.

Over the past week, Adam had spent a great deal of time researching where he wanted to live. He sought recommendations from Hannibal and the tavernʼs regular patrons. He also browsed the housing advertisements in the Davos Daily, searching for a place to call home.

The Dock Borough was cheap and lively, but plagued by crime. The South Borough was affordable and welcoming to travelers, but crowded with caravans and constantly in motion.

Trade Borough was convenient and filled with shops, though the endless noise of commerce would make studying difficult. For it was the district that never slept.

Lordsʼ Borough was the heart of the cityʼs magical and governmental institutions, but one needed a strong network along with deep pockets to even consider living there.

Blue Borough was beautiful, prestigious, and… ridiculously beyond his budget.

Adam didnʼt even consider the Outer Borough, for it consisted of the cityʼs poorest living conditions. It was rife with crime and served as a home to the most destitute citizens. The slums, so to speak.

In the end, the choice was obvious.

The public carriage came to a stop at the intersection of Trade Road and Dutton Street. Adam jumped over the railing of the upper deck and gracefully landed on the ground. He gave three copper pieces to the driver, then turned and made his way to his destination.

Situated in the northeast section of Davos, North Borough was known as the quietest district in the city. It was dominated by townhouses that filled the spaces between villas of lesser nobles.

The borough was inhabited primarily by upper-middle-class Davosians, successful merchants, lesser noble families of the city, and civic officials. The average resident was wealthy enough to afford a few servants.

North Borough was admittedly a little beyond Adamʼs means. Of course, he wasnʼt renting an entire townhouse or villa. He couldnʼt afford anything close to that. Not now, anyway.

The primary reason he chose this neighborhood was simple: it was quiet. So the extra expense was worth it. He viewed it as an investment.

After walking for several minutes, he arrived at a three-story townhouse.

”7 Dutton Street,” he murmured as he cross-checked the address against the advertisement in the newspaper.

Adam inhaled deeply as he straightened the creases in his tunic. He folded the paper away, then ran a hand through his short, messy hair.

At last, he climbed the staircase and pulled the bell lever beside the entrance.

Cuckoo! Cuckoo!

A pleasant birdsong echoed by the wooden door, followed by the excited barking of a dog and the shuffling of footsteps.

A few seconds later, an elderly voice called out from inside.

”Who is it?”

Adam cleared his throat and said, ”Mistress Stafford, Iʼm here about the room you advertised in the Davos Daily.”

”What room? What advertisement?”

Bark! Bark!

The corner of Adamʼs lips twitched. He checked the address once again, wondering if heʼd come to the wrong place.

But no, he was precisely where he needed to be.

”It says 7 Dutton Street. Third floor and attic available for rent. Fifteen gold pieces per month. Furnished room. Access to the kitchen and washroom. Quiet neighborhood. Suitable for scholars, clerks, and young Magi…”

He lowered the newspaper slightly.

”Unless Iʼve come to the wrong address?” he added politely.

Bark! Bark!

”Shush!”

Bark! Bark!

The corner of Adamʼs lips twitched again.

An entire minute and several excited barks later, the door slowly creaked open, revealing an elderly woman wearing round glasses. Behind her, a dog with a thick golden coat excitedly wagged its tail.

The elderly woman scanned Adam from head to toe. Then she frowned and said, ”Show me the advertisement. I donʼt remember putting one in the newspaper.”

As Adam politely showed her the section, the elderly woman lightly scolded him.

”This better not be some kind of magic, young man! Iʼll have you know, my son serves in the Watch!”

Adam was speechless.

As the old woman carefully read through the advertisement, she grew even more puzzled. ”The information is all accurate. But I didnʼt…”

Adam softly interjected, ”Perhaps it was your son who put the advertisement?”

”Ah!” the woman exclaimed. ”That may very well be it. Hmm.”

She scanned Adam from head to toe once again.

”Very well, come inside. Iʼll confirm it with my son. You better not try some hanky-panky, young man. Dorothy here is as mean as they come.”

Bark! Bark!

The gold-furred dog, Dorothy, stuck out her tongue playfully.

”...Yes, Iʼm sure,” Adam replied with a forced smile.