During the two days of traveling Maria tried to ask Gabriel about what happened but Gabriel only told her that when they got to the Imperial Capital they would talk. He spent all the time meditating trying to absorb more energy, but his body seemed like a bottomless pit, greedily absorbing all of it.
Finally after almost one and a half month's of journey they were only 2km (about 1.3 miles) away was the entrance to the Imperial Capital.
The Imperial City was grande and majestic, it had an noble and ancient aura it was so big that it was almost the size of a small province. It was made in a circular manner with an enormous tower in the middle that could be seen from very far away. The city was divided in different districts, like the living district, the noble district, the business district etc. The city was surrounded by an 12 meters tall with guards patrolling them.
When they got close to the entrance there was a squad of city guards collecting entrance fees.
Sam just drove the carriage, paying them no attention. One of the guards saw this and wanted to stop them but then the squad captain stopped him and said "Do you want to die, didn't you notice that the driver had an mythril bracelet, that driver was at least a one star Magi Knight."
Magi Knights were respected everywhere, they were the elits of every force, becoming one means that you were a genius. There were many benefits that Magi Knights enjoyed, like discount and merchant associations or not paying any entrance fees.
"A Magi Knight is a driver, what kind of background does the owner of the carriage has, thanks God I didn't do nothing to offend them" said the guard in a quivering voice.
After entering the city Sam found a inn for them stay for two days, as per Gabriel order.
At dinner time in a restaurant Gabriel, Maria and Sam were all seated at a table.
Maria and Sam were both looking at Gabriel with fear, amazement, and confusion in they're eyes.
Gabriel couldn't help but shake his head.
"You both don't have to be like this, just act normally" said Gabriel.
"Young Master how... How did you become so powerful, how..." but before he could finish Gabriel interrupted him.
"Forget about my powers, don't tell anyone about me, the less people know about it, the better do you understand." both of them nodded they heads.
"What did you found out Sam, how did they found us." Gabriel asked.
"This a small team, they're objective was to capture you to threaten the Duke, they want something but he didn't knew what it was. The information they got was that I was affected by poisen and my power dropped. The man said that there was a strange energy undulation and they decided to check it out and found traces of us, then they contacted the team that was closest to us. They didn't expect young Master to be this powerful or they would have waited for back up, but even with back up I don't think it would matter" said Sam jokingly.
Gabriel stayed silently for a while thinking about something, then he said "What were my father's plan's for me here" asked Gabriel.
"When the lord was younger, he saved the life of the current head of the Symians clan, Michael Symians. He has some influence over the Imperial Academy and the Lord thought that maybe he could help you get in, even if you just got in the weakest C class you would be safer than in the castle."
Gabriel thought for a while then said. "How much money did my father gave you on this trip?"
"Three bank notes worth one thousand gold each."
Gabriel was astonished, it must be known that an ordinary family only needs around 10 gold coins a year in order to live withou worrying about food. 1 gold coine was worth 10 silver and 1 silver was worth 10 copper coins (1 gold — 10 silver — 100 copper). "Why did my father gave you so much money?"
"Well, actually since we are asking for a favor, and the Lord though that you wouldn't be able to pass the entrance exame, we need to pay to open "back door"." Said Sam with an awkward expression on his face. If even Gabriel couldn't enter then who could.
"We will follow the original plan, we can't let anyone know about me, at least for now." then Gabriel said "Now Sam tell, who is after us, who is responsible for my mother dead?"
Sam expression changed and he said in a grave tone "The lord has been investigating this situation since 2 years ago, when the Lord children died, on the way back home from the Imperial Academy. We don't know who they are, but what we know is that this organization is extremely powerful. After that the Lord decided to send some one to bring you and your mother to the castle to protect you better, but we weren't expecting that Arnold was a traitor."
Then Gabriel said "We won't be staying another day at the inn then, tomorrow we will go to the Symians Clan, after we settle things here I and Maria will take care of ourselves, you should go back"
"Young Master I can't, the Lord said to stay with you, and even if I go back how do I explain him that I am cured."
"I don't know, think for yourself, when the time is ready I will contact you to bring father to the capital. We have to work in the shadow, our enemies are hard to deal and sneaky too."
After eating something they all came back to the inn.
Gabriel was in his room staring at the moon that was in the sky, when someone knocked at his door.
"Como in" It was Maria, she had a beautiful silver night dress. She went close to Gabriel looked at him in the eyes and hugged him.
"What a..." but before he could finish Maria said.
"It must be hard for you, gaining all this power after losing the thing that you wanted to protect" She hugged Gabriel even stronger.
Gabriel looked at her and said "Do you know what I promised to myself after losing her" Maria shook her head "I promised to change this world so that good people like her will never have to suffer" said Gabriel softly.
When Maria heard this she let go of him and looked at his eyes, then she kneeled on the floor and said "Young Master I also want to change this world, no matter what you want me to do I will do without complain, please let me help you!" Gabriel was startled, who knew that such a weak girl had such a strong heart.
"Stand up, I accept your feelings. Now go to sleep" with that Gabriel turned around to keep looking at the moon.
After Maria left Gabriel said to himself "I have to build my own organization, with people that I can trust. I shall start recruiting here in the Imperial City but only those worthy will meet me face to face, I also need a way to make money for the organization. I am here less then a day and have already so much to do haha! Life will be interesting from now on.
Then Gabriel sat down cross-legged and started meditating.