The Pillar

Arthur gathered all the coins in one spot, his fingers deftly sorting through the glimmering pile. The scene drew the attention of the man at the counter and the three patrons who were indulging in their meals, their expressions morphing into a mix of confusion and intrigue. 

This young man's pockets are bursting, the receptionist mused silently.

After a while, Arthur finished counting the coins. He lifted his gaze, locking eyes with the man at the counter. 

"This amounts to 65 Tenir, which makes it 5 Nerra and 5 Tenir," he declared confidently. He continued, "Please use 4 Nerra and 8 Tenir for the room fee. With the remainder, serve us the finest food you have, and help us procure some clothes. The rest is yours; I trust this will suffice."

"Indeed, this is ample," the man at the counter replied, his demeanor serious. "Please wait at your table; I will bring your food and then guide you to your rooms. Your clothes will follow shortly." 

"You can call me Piro," the muscular man added, striding toward the door that led to the kitchen.

Arthur, having placed his order, glanced at Lily, who still seemed taken aback by the earlier events. "Let's move to the table while we wait for our food," he encouraged. Lily followed him, settling into a seat at a table far from the three men they had encountered upon entering. 

Arthur chose this table not out of caution but because it offered a better view of the Isle through the window. He sat facing the glass, taking in the scenery. The Inn was perched on elevated ground, providing a sweeping vista of the Isle below. 

Tiny wooden houses dotted the landscape—some stood sturdy while others leaned precariously, their structures lacking proper planning. Dirt clung to every corner, painting a picture of a place both vibrant and desolate. The streets were alive with people, more numerous than the shelters that could be found, their hurried movements creating a paradox of gloom and vitality.

Turning his gaze, Arthur noticed Lily, still in a state of surprise. "I hope this counts as my bonus for guiding me around the Isle," he said with a playful smile.

"T…that is nothing; you can depend on me," Lily replied, still slightly dazed.

"Alright then, let's eat and rest. The place we stayed last night wasn't good enough," Arthur suggested, his smile brightening the room.

Lily was caught off guard by his warmth. His smile transformed his features, making him appear more handsome, and for some reason, he seemed to glow in her eyes. I will savor this moment, she thought to herself, returning his smile.

---

Inside a small room, barely four square meters in size, there was a single small window, an old table, a chair, and a bed dressed in clean sheets. Sunlight streamed through the window, the curtains fluttering gently in the breeze, revealing the freshness of the day. 

Arthur sat on the bed changed to a new clean clothes, meditating deeply, enveloped in silence. The stillness allowed his mind to drift, and he felt as if he were floating in the vastness of space. As time passed, he found clarity amidst the calm. 

The ability I possess is extraordinary, Arthur reflected during his meditation. 

Sculptor it sounds weak, confined to mere shaping of materials. Yet, that is not the case. Initially disappointed by his sculpting ability, he soon realized the vast potential it held. This gift allowed him to carve and shape various materials—wood, stone, and metal—using a force known as spiritual energy. 

The more spiritual energy he harnessed, the grander his creations could become. His intent while sculpting resonated within the final product, as he had demonstrated when crafting the coins to pay for their room, meals, and clothes. 

Before arriving at the Inn, he had asked Lily to show him the coins she had saved. With a single glance, he understood their structure and measurements. It was as if his vision had sharpened, allowing him to perceive the world with newfound clarity. 

In search of solitude, he found pebbles his only available material. He attempted to channel his spiritual energy, failing multiple times due to his inexperience. However, after several attempts, he grasped how to wield this energy. 

Using the knowledge that filled his mind, combined with the measurements of the coins, he transformed the pebbles into Tenir coins. As long as I have the right materials, I can sculpt my intentions into reality. One day, perhaps, I could even shape a dragon. 

Ah, but alas, living things elude me, he sighed. Yet, the objects I create can emit faint auras of their intended purpose, providing minor benefits, much like the coins.

At least he no longer needed to worry about money. But if my ability can grow, what wonders await me in the future? Can I truly craft a dragon? 

Let me focus on the present; the future will come in its own time.

After a long period of contemplation, Arthur opened his eyes, exhaling softly. I must grow stronger and uncover the truth of my circumstances how I ended up here. He clenched his fist, then relaxed it, gazing out the window. The wind tousled his hair before settling into stillness. 

Wrapping himself in a bed sheet, he surrendered to sleep. 

But just after closing his eyes he awoke, Arthur found himself back in the city he had first entered before reaching the Isle. 

Am I dreaming? he wondered, surveying the majestic chair where he had first sat upon his arrival. 

No, this doesn't feel like a dream—this is reality. I think I'm back again, but how? Confusion swirled within him. He had believed he would never return to this place, and yet, here he was, as if summoned by his own thoughts. 

Thoughts...? 

After pondering for a while, Arthur reached a conclusion. He recalled how, during his first visit, his thoughts had manifested, leading him to this very spot. 

Before sleeping, I was contemplating this place. Perhaps that's how I ended up here, he mused, looking around.

I think I can enter this realm by focusing on it and then resting either through meditation or sleep. 

It's an absurd method of entry, but perhaps there's another way. I will uncover that mystery.