The heavy sound of metal clashing echoes throughout the street…
"Ahhhh, put up the barrier, my precious cocktail dress. You're going to reimburse me!" said Lady Madeline, a 187 cm chubby female.
"Sr. Vektor what are you doing, people are being injured' Shouts and screams came from inside and out. The crowded storefront hurriedly retreated.
"Activate the barrier, Now!" Vektor shouted at his attendance, these fools were dumbfounded by what they were witnessing, so they forgot to activate the barrier.
The barrier resembles a translucent bubble, also buildings are always width apart, not many are generous to cover their neighbor's property.
It's lawfully required that every business must purchase a medium-grade barrier, it must be able to withstand an attack up to 330-400 degrees, failure to do so is on the owner. A fine of 50,000 Ducats will be issued to the establishment.
The pressure from the cloak Lady's attacks causes the pavement to cave inward and the Aura-infused clashes of their weapons colliding shattered the windows.
The City of Bervin rarely has an incident like now, Acolytes and Aura practitioners would normally stop here for a period of time, some would use this opportunity to convert their Ducats to participate in the annual Golden Gate Auction House, or simply purchase a potion and depart for the Archipelago.
This region is home to all practitioners, it's a month's journey, from Bervin City to the Southern Islands.
There are two means of reaching the Archipelago: an Air-ship, or the Shanty, a tame Levithan that carries over 200 travelers for a small fee. A 1,000 Aether per passenger compared to the 4,000 Aether required to board the airship.
It's best to stockpile food, and potions while boarding the Shanty cause none will be provided, the security of all passengers depends solely on themself.
The prosperity of Bervin City is due to Nylah. Her visionary dream of turning a once impoverished land into a hub of commerce became a reality.
The idea of creating a haven for practitioners and mortals isn't new, but implementing the project was a real hassle. Nylah spent many sleepless nights brainstorming ways to get over this hurdle, and she finally saw a loophole within Khan Dynasty's law on Practitioner and land.
It took years to develop a solid plan. Her second hurdle is her status, a commoner. The startup revenue of 73,000 Ducats was used to establish connections with traveling merchants.
Through intense negotiation, she was able to convince them to establish a few businesses within Bervin, a city with less than 60,000 people.
It still wasn't enough, so she presented her ideas to a few fallen noble families, hoping they could invest. The only person that agreed was Francis William.
A man that later became the Baron of a prosperous border town, 4 days away from Bervin City. This was all possible because he followed Nylah's plan of opening a passage to the Archipelago.
His investment returned with interest; Francis' ancestral Coat of Arm was returned, and through political maneuvering, he might have the chance of being promoted once more.
Nylah had to bear the responsibility of any failures, but to the ignorant masses, it's all Viscount Maverik's achievement. Those who know the truth are very few.
The current population of Bervin City is 1,300,000 with 65 percent being mortals; they cannot harness Mana like Acolytes and Aura Practitioners.
These mortals are the workforce that keeps the nation running. The people of Planet Yargo are twice as strong and agile compared to native Earthlings; their average natives can be comparable to an Olympic athlete.
Because of the prosperity of Bervin City, the Khan Dynasty enacted new laws.
[Acolytes and Aura Practitioners must restrain their power to the bare minimum when entering any City or Town.
Refrain from wantonly killing mortals within the City. Failure to comply means you're challenging the ruling Dynasty.
Fights between practitioners must be held inside the colosseum or outside the city wall.
A fine of 2 million Ducats will be issued if there's a casualty. However, if no one is injured then the amount may be reduced to half.
The penalty for such violation will be enforced by the City Lord, punishment can include and is not limited to flogging, the walk of atonement, imprisonment, and the worst-case scenario of mass casualty, 10 years of slavery!]
*Huff*
*Huff*
"You're tired, little man?" The curvaceous lady under the cloak said those words even though she was surprised to come across such a fierce fellow.
"Bah! You dare, go another round…" Phi stood there with a bloody cut on his exposed chest, his right arm could barely hold onto his War Hammer.
"Come, let's dance! My Yura likes the taste of your blood!" a bright smile hid under the veil. The sunlight glistens off the tip, as the streak of blood soaks the rapier.
Just as they were about to attack again.
"I have seen enough, who started this mess?" A booming voice shook the area when the dust cleared, a ruggedly handsome man with messy shoulder-length hair, and a chiseled jawline, stood in their midst, dwarfing both parties.
"Aaaah, it Lord Nuu, please look this way" shouted the cocktail dress maiden
" So, dreamy…does he have a lover?" These young maidens and a few elderly women in the area couldn't help gulping a mouthful, as their men glared towards Nuu.
"Bastard, get out of her way. The dwarf and his bitch dared to slander my good name, so I taught her a good lesson." A young lad, still going through puberty, brought everyone out of their stupor.
The surrounding people couldn't help but facepalm.
"Sr. that's not true, My wife was talking to Master Vektor and this lad shoved his way past her…" Phi hurriedly bowed his head as he pointed to the twat.
"Hold on! Brat, what did you just call me?" Nuu's gaze locked onto the lavender hair 189cm youth.
"A basta…"
Before anyone could blink three consecutive slaps rang out.
*PA*
*PA*
*PA*
"Insolence! Do you believe I won't kill you? I dare you to open that filthy mouth of yours. A child shouldn't mouth off to an adult!" Nuu grabs the lad by his hair, hanging mid-air like a hangman.
The sound of coughing up blood fills the quiet street.
*Ghluh*
*Ghluh*
"..."
The lady in the cloak couldn't help suck in a breath of cold air as well, 'When did he move? could he be a Grand Knight?'
"What are you doing to my young master, men attack!"
"Grel, Silence! lest your head is detached from your body. Sr. may I know your name?" among the people in Cloak an elderly man steps out, removing his hood.
The rest of them did the same, reviewing that beautiful complexion: the tinge of dark-blue, light blue, and grey in their skin added with the white hair and long ears made them very desirable.
They look nothing like the native of the Khan Dynasty, known for their olive skin tone.
If Oga was here he would immediately realize these people were dark elves.
Yargo has a diversity of race and species, discrimination on a person's race doesn't exist only strength is respected!
When the crowd saw these people, they were stunned.
The woman that fought with the dwarf stood out the most among this group.
The Khan's Native only had one thought in mind: A Nation-Level Beauty
"Those childbearing hips, I don't mind selling my soul. I won't complain, please step on me!" Vektor couldn't help but vocalize his thoughts to all his employees and those around him.
'Shit, why did I say that out loud!'
"..."
" I would raise you one better. Madam, do you need an obedient slave to warm your bed? I can also cook and clean!" A few men in the back couldn't help but nod to the depravity of the youth.
The MILF in question, only smiles at the antics of these fellows, but her brother being held in the air couldn't help but scowl while uttering gibberish "l et go yo u bas tar d, i'll ki ll u,'' no one even cares to look at the pufferfish.
Nuu wasn't impervious to the charm of the brat's sister.
If it was only the brat and her. He would definitely capture them, but 'this old geezer is giving me a bad feeling, also those behind him are no pushover.
If Oga was here then we might have a 90% chance of capturing them all. Brother always told me if my chance of victory isn't over 50 percent it's not worth it!'
'Sigh, there goes free labor and a potential wife. At least, I still have a dwarf, and his wife looks quite tasty, does he have more? Hehe, Also my Architect problem is solved. I just need to rope him into our household.' If Phi was aware of Nuu 's plan for his future. He definitely wouldn't be as grateful and might just risk it all to kill the fiend.
"I'm Nuu of House Thornbrick, but I must ask why are people of the One Eye Raven roaming these parts?" Although Nuu didn't pay much attention to Baba's lecture, he wasn't all that clueless, he knew basic geography, the indigenous people of different nations, and the deity they served.
"I'm Iga, the Elder of the Wandering Naga Clan. I would like to formally apologize for Edgar's behavior. We're here to enroll him in an Academy, we meant no harm, just passing through. Sr. Phi, our clan will reimburse you for your trouble.
Lyla, pay the fine to Sr. Nuu, we're behind schedule! I'll deal with the twat later." After Iga introduced himself to Nuu, he left along with the three people behind, only leaving Lyla and Edgar to clean up their mess.
"I'll take him off your hand. Aaa, you're such a brute, to chastise a child to this extent. You could have spanked his bottom…Sr. Phi, sorry about your wife, let's finish our duel another time!" Those were the parting words she left. A small pouch was placed in Nuu's hand and a potion bottle was tossed over to Phi as an apology.
___________________________________
Bervin City, near the 4-meter Basto gate.
"Elder Iga, why did you apologize to that fellow, although Edgar was wrong. He's the pride of our clan and the future Patriarch. That overgrown gorilla dares to slap our prestige. Why are we taking this lying down?"
" Grel, who are you to question Elder Iga? Do you believe I won't pull out your tongue if you dare open your mouth again? Let me give you this warning, That man isn't someone to provoke.
Although I no longer have eyes, if we were to fight that person, we would waste resources and time. There's no benefit. This is a good lesson for Edgar, the sooner he learns to behave himself, the longer his lifespan."
Yimi couldn't help but let out a breath of cold air as he clutched onto his cane. Among those in his group, he could sense the terror of Nuu.
"Aren't you just a coward, Yimi? I agree with Grel." a feisty lass walking bedside Elder Iga couldn't help looking behind with discontent. The last person in the group kept his silence and said nothing awaiting the Elder's response.
"Hmm, a bunch of ignorant dogs, if you're tired of living, turn back…The Thornbrick still has a lineage in this world, could it be that old monster still breathes, I really hope not, our clan is indebted to that fellow. Please be dead!" Iga mumbled to himself but his words were still heard by those near him.
"..."
"They're here, let's move out," said Yimi, as Lyla and the twat approached.
10 minutes later, the Wandering Naga Clan had departed, and a grand carriage pulled into the city gate.
The cheering of the commoners as red petals liter the cobblestone floor. The coachmen holding onto the reins of galloping steeds.
" Modor, who are they?" an innocent lass standing among the crowd
"Shuss, lower your head, Bertha. That carriage belongs to Viscount Maverik, he's the hero of Bervin!" The woman quickly placed her hand over the child's head, prostrating themself, and so did the others.
The dark-red armor guardsmen were enough of a deterrent to keep the beggars and pickpockets away, the procession passed through the outer district of Bervin making its way into the inner sanctuary. The rich historical structure marveling that of the renaissance architect stood on top of the hill, the home of City Lord Nylah.
" A beautiful City, how much do you pay them to cheer like that?" A smirk could be seen on the handsome face of Jard. The second son of Viscount Maverik.
"The same amount you pay for your whores." A quick reply came from a lady with a white satin shirt and black leather pants, as she gazed out the window. Not caring the least about Jard's facial twitch.
" I hope you keep that same energy, cause I plan to marry you off to Baron Radhale, You seem to have forgotten your place!" a wicked grin plastered onto Jard's face.
'Stupid bitch, because Luca dotes on you, She really thinks I can't touch her. Ha, Just you wait! Once I get rid of that fool. I want to see who's thigh you're going to hug!'
Within the Maverik Household, the person closest to becoming Master of the House is Luca, the firstborn of Nathan Maverik.
"Both of you behave, this isn't the time for such nonsense, Our goal right now is to deal with that wench Nylah!" The gorgeous Madame Caterina's hands continue to feed her husband his grape as he reads through the pile of documents.
"Hmm, Myra!" said Nathan
"Yes, Fader" the maiden looking out the window turned her gaze to the grey-haired gentleman.
"You need to get along with Nylah, I need you to learn everything from her, don't disappoint me. Jard, don't speak to your sister like that, Her marriage will be decided by the next Master of the House. What you need to worry about is securing Count Vinci's daughter's hand in marriage!" After saying these words he when back to reading
Myra followed up with a nod and kept looking out the window, the displeasure from Jard couldn't be hidden.
"Fader, she's ugl.."
"Shut your mouth, Do you hear me? Those whores you bring into my house, aren't any better! You will do as I have told you. You're already 54. I have tolerated your nonsense. Once we're done with Nylah, I will personally escort you to Vinci's Household!" a vicious glare was sent toward Jard.
'Fuck, just die already! Who the hell wants to marry that ugly wench. The least you can do is introduce me to a beautiful woman.' The discontent was written on Jard's face but he swallowed everything and bowed respectfully.
Because of the long lifespan of humans, at the age of 54 even without being a Practitioner, they resemble someone just entering their 30s.
The carriage finally came to a stop.
"Lord Maverik has arrived!"