Sky Mechanical City was as prosperous as ever.
In the busiest commercial district, at the heart of the crowd, a melodious tune suddenly began to play. The melody was gentle and elegant, making people unable to resist slowing their steps to listen closely.
The noisy streets became somewhat quiet because of this single piece of music.
The music was so enchanting that everyone could not help following its source.
There, at the edge of an elegant three-tiered fountain amid the sea of people, stood a young man with slightly long, curly hair. His eyes were closed, and he held a saxophone in his hands, playing with utter concentration.
The young man gave off an unruly, carefree, and dissolute air.
Paired with his elegant music, it made people want to delve into the story behind this unrestrained wanderer.
Once the piece ended, the crowd had not had their fill and repeatedly asked the young man to play another. However, his next action left them dumbfounded.
He lazily took a basin from the pack on his back, then placed it before someone nearby with a broad smile. His meaning could not have been clearer.
—He was asking for money.
The person being solicited twitched at the corners of his mouth and silently cursed his bad luck. With everyone around him watching, he was too embarrassed to give nothing, so he could only rub his nose and, with a pained heart, toss a cut magic crystal to the young wanderer.
Yet the begging youth was not satisfied. Carrying the basin, he went around to the people nearby, asking each of them for money.
This drew angry glares from the crowd, but the young man was remarkably thick-skinned. Smiling brightly, he said, "Since I'm participating in the New Star Tournament, I don't have a