The tragedy that befell our village and my family brought us together in our quest to migrate to a new home. We were not alone on this journey, and the company of our fellow survivors was a comfort to me.
As we made our way through unfamiliar lands, I marvelled at the vibrant and lively environment around us. The forest was teeming with life, and the mana flame of the camouflaged Inzaghi burned bright in the distance. It was a relief to see that he had not lost his touch, as his ability to blend into his surroundings was a valuable asset on our journey.
As we continued on, I noticed that Inzaghi was also learning to shapeshift. He had recently taken the form of a fox and seemed to be enjoying his newfound ability. It was a reminder that even in the midst of tragedy, there was still wonder and beauty to be found in the world.
Hours later, we arrived at the gates of Crown City, the main branch of the sovereign king's kingdom. The sheer size and liveliness of the city were overwhelming, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. Our village had been small and poor, and I feared that we would be looked down upon by the wealthy and powerful residents of Crown City.
Thankfully, I had the foresight to have my dragon companion, Inzaghi, transform into a fox to avoid drawing unwanted attention. As I cradled the little creature in my arms, I felt a sense of relief that he was disguised and safe.
"Stay like this for a while, Inzaghi, and make sure you don't let anyone know that you're a dragon," I instructed him.
As I looked down at his new form, I couldn't help but smile at his cuteness. His dark, shining scales had been replaced with soft, black fur, and his golden eyes remained the same.
My mother turned to me, noticing the new addition to our group. "Where did you find that little fox, Jin?"
Thinking quickly, I made up a story to keep Inzaghi's true identity a secret. "I found him drowning in a lake in the forest, ma, and I really want to keep him because he makes me feel at peace."
My mother seemed satisfied with the answer and allowed us to keep the fox. With that settled, the knights who had escorted us to the city dropped us off at an inn located in the heart of Crown City.
The knight in silver and gold armour nodded his head in gratitude before striding purposefully toward the castle of the Crown Kingdom. I couldn't help but admire his imposing presence and the regality that he exuded, even as I tried to take in the news he had just delivered.
"Well, this is the end of our service," he had said. "Since the sovereignty, Nhasier is all loving and caring, he's paying for all the villagers' stay at Murbanks Inn until they can earn a stable income enough to pay for the living expenses within the city. Oh, and since your father had contributed so much to the investigation of the cultist, your family has been awarded. Now, I'll be going. Farewell."
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Reward:
Gold: 5
Silver: 75
Copper: 85
(100 bronze = 1 silver coin, 100 silver coins = 1 gold, 100 gold = 1 platinum coin)
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The knight's words still echoed in my head as he strode away. The Sovereignty's benevolence was a rare sight in these times, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for the roof over our heads and the chance to survive in this city. But as I looked to the future, a sense of unease crept over me. We were dependent on their goodwill, and I didn't want to be beholden to anyone.
Lost in thought, I didn't realize my mother was speaking to me until she interrupted my musings. "Jin, are you okay there? Your grin is a bit scary..."
I shook my head, snapping out of my thoughts. "Oh, Mother! Here, the guard gave this to me. You should handle this since I'm bad at withholding money." I handed her the bag of coins the knight had given us, feeling a sense of relief wash over me as the weight lifted from my shoulders.
My mother's eyes widened in shock as she peered inside the bag, taking in the staggering sum that we had been awarded. "Your father made enough so that I couldn't work, but this is basically the equivalent of a life savings worth of money," she said, awe and disbelief written all over her face.
As I looked at the gleaming pile of coins, I couldn't help but feel a sense of triumph. It seemed that our luck had finally turned around, and we had been given a chance to start anew. But as my mother suggested that we use the money to enrol me in an academy, I couldn't help but feel a sense of apprehension. The cost of an education was no small sum, and I wasn't sure if this windfall would be enough to sustain us in the long run.
"Why does it cost so much?" I asked, hoping for a better answer.
"We are not nobles, sadly," she replied bluntly.
A deep thorn hit my side. Of course, academies were run by selfish nobles who only wanted to milk other nobles for money. I clenched my fist, imagining all the devious things I'd do to those who were corrupt.
"Jin, let's go inside our accommodation that the Sovereignty has provided us," my mother said, interrupting my thoughts.
To my surprise, the place was amazing. From the outside, the inn looked shabby and dodgy, but inside the room, there was a kitchen with standard equipment, two bedrooms, and a living room. The furniture was ornate, and the decor was elegant, with tapestries and paintings adorning the walls. I couldn't comprehend the actual price to stay here.
s I carefully unpacked my leather bag, I couldn't help but let my thoughts wander to my mother and the weight of responsibility that rested upon my shoulders. The letter and necklace from Ezekiel served as a reminder that enrollment season for all academies, including The Imperial Grand Academy of Nhasier, where he was currently enrolled, was in full swing. As a commoner, the idea of getting accepted into such an esteemed academy seemed like a distant dream, but I knew that I had to at least try.
Once I had finished setting up my cramped room, I turned to Inzaghi, my loyal companion, and lovingly placed his customized inflatable pet bed next to the closet door. He eagerly jumped onto it and made himself comfortable, his tail wagging in contentment. The room was dimly lit, with faded wallpaper peeling at the corners and a small window that barely let in any light. It was a far cry from the luxurious accommodations I had imagined at the academy.
In the mirror, I caught a glimpse of my unkempt appearance and knew that I needed a haircut. My messy, wavy hair was fine on top, but the back and sides were overgrown. Still, overall, I looked presentable enough.
As I stepped out of my room and headed towards the living room to check on my mother, I felt a knot form in my stomach. The weight of her expectations hung heavily on me, and I couldn't bear the thought of letting her down.
"Jin, I believe it would be best for you to attend the Imperial Grand Academy," my mother said, her eyes glued to the newspaper in her hand.
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "What? Isn't that school an exclusive academy for nobles and royals?" I asked, incredulous.
My mother looked up from the paper and met my gaze. "Well, an article was published stating that the new principal, 'Galahad,' has implemented a change in the eligibility criteria. The academy will now allow commoners with proficiency in certain areas of magic and academic excellence in theory," she explained.
I was stunned. The thought of being given a chance to attend such a prestigious academy, renowned for producing top-class talents, was exhilarating. But the reality of the situation hit me like a ton of bricks. I would be competing against monstrous students who were likely greater than me in all aspects. The anxiety of the challenge ahead weighed heavy on me, but I knew that I had to focus on studying. Thankfully, Crown City had numerous libraries scattered throughout the area, providing me with the perfect environment to study without distraction.
As dusk settled, I waited until my mother succumbed to sleep before venturing out to explore the city at night. Carefully, I donned the brown cloak that I had liberated from a bandit's possession and secured my handcrafted silver and wooden dagger.
The crisp night air was a refreshing change from the oppressive heat of my hometown. The bustling streets were illuminated with the vibrant hues of a multitude of flickering lights, and the sounds of open shops and boisterous laughter filled the air. As I made my way towards the city's hub, the cheers of drunken men from the local taverns could be heard echoing through the streets, accompanied by the heady scent of potent spirits.
Upon reaching the heart of the city, I was met with a throng of people bustling about their business, each with a purpose or destination in mind. Though my original intent was to visit the blacksmiths, merchants, and cathedral, I decided to meander through the labyrinthine streets, absorbing the city's vitality under the cover of night.
Unexpectedly, I was approached by an unfamiliar woman. Her penetrating gaze and compelling allure were undeniable. "Excuse me," she purred, "might you happen to know where the nearest tavern is?"
I gestured towards the direction I had just come from, indicating that the Ole's Saloon lay to the right. As she sauntered away, I coughed up a gracious "you're welcome," still spellbound by her captivating presence.
As I continued looking around the area, I stumbled upon a dodgy shack reeking of rotten food, with a sign above it that read "library." Despite my intentions to visit the blacksmiths, I felt inexplicably drawn to this mysterious place. I sneezed as I pushed open the door, revealing an elegant interior.
Entering this so-called 'library,' I was met with a warm, comforting light that seemed to emanate from the walls themselves. The room was dimly lit, but the flickering torches on the walls provided just enough illumination to reveal the vast structure of the building. Looking from the bottom to the top, it seemed there were no ceilings to be found.
The place was towering with bookshelves stretching up to almost infinity, filled with books of all shapes and sizes, and there were many titles written in languages that I'd never seen before. The smell of the whole area itself oozed with scents of fresh, old paper and knowledge, and I could feel my heart race with excitement and wonder.
In the very center of the room, there was a massive ornate desk made of a shimmering otherworldly material that seemed to glow with its own inner light. The whole place was empty, and there was no one inside except for a strange figure, garbed in valiant attire with an aura of mystery. Her face was hidden behind a veil, and her white silk dress glimmered with an undeniable purity.
"My oh my… how did you get here, little boy?" she asked in a cryptic manner, and her voice echoed throughout the room, sending shivers down my spine.
Unsettled by her otherworldly presence, I replied that I had simply stumbled upon a wooden door. She seemed shaken by my response but quickly regained her composure.
"You're an interesting one indeed, but I can't allow you to see all that is here yet," she said, looking at me sophisticatedly as if she saw through me.
"Come back here once again until you find out who you are."
She opened another wooden door from the ground itself and placed her whole hand on my chest, revealing half of her veil. I gasped as I recognized her face. But before I could say anything, I was blasted out of the library by a powerful gust of wind. It felt as if I was falling out of the sky itself, but there was wind to save my fall, and from above, I could see her just watching as she closed the door.
As I landed on the ground, my heart racing with confusion and frustration, I couldn't help but feel like the whole experience had been a dream. I turned around to try to open the door to the library once more, only to find it with a sign saying "permanently closed." With a sense of disappointment, I decided to abandon my plans for today and just go home.