The journey on the way was rather dull.
No words were exchanged, and Salvador uncomfortably napped most of the travel.
Yves also slept while Eleanor enjoyed the view outside. It wasn't every day that they traveled outside the village, so seeing new parts of the Locha Continent was a pleasure to her and the two older brothers.
William was gazing out the window and eventually dozed off, leaving just Eleanor and Nico.
"So, are you nervous?" She asked in a silvery voice.
Nico continued staring out the window, looking at the stars which dazzlingly glistened on their carriage
"I guess. It's just... This is boring as hell." He replied with a sigh, averting his gaze to his napping brothers and father.
Eleanor chuckled and continued to gently stroke Salvador's head.
"It's calm, Nico. That's why it's good for you. Although you don't express it, I know you're nervous. Having such a peaceful environment surrounding you helps with it. I can't have you making mistakes in the assessment now can I?"
The both of them shared a chuckle.
Nico looked at his mother. 'I guess this is a perfect time.'
He pointed at Salvador, gesturing with his hands to cover his ears which his mother followed.
She shot a questioning glance toward her son, seemingly confused as to why he wouldn't only want Salvador hearing.
He sat up straight and cleared his throat before speaking.
"This morning, I found him snooping around in the drawers," Eleanor's eyes slightly widened, a frown forming on her face. "I'll deal-"
Nico reached his hand out, shaking his head. "It's not that.
When I asked him why, he told me it was cause he thought he was adopted."
Eleanor's face was deadpan for the upcoming seconds.
Her thoughts were running rampant, all questioning herself.
'Should I tell him now?'
'When he's older and understands what this means?'
'Should I protect him from the truth?'
'I don't want him living a lie.'
'I love him.'
She went to speak, but she could only open her mouth, only a breath coming out.
"I-I'll figure it out." Was all she could say in a croaky voice. Nico nodded in response and returned to looking out the carriage window.
Eleanor continued to stroke Salvador's head, releasing her cupped hand from his ear.
'I'm sorry, Salvador.'
***
After a near week of voyaging through small villages and forest paths, the Alor family finally arrived at the capital of Locha where the Knight Academy resides.
Feeling light taps on his back, Salvador awoke under his mother.
"We're here, Salvador."
He noticed she had a sort of solemn depression painted onto her face, but he disregarded it. Thinking of it as apprehension for Nico who could potentially get hurt.
He leaned up and rubbed his eyes, peering over to the white wall that stood in front of him.
To his surprise, this wall was nearly two hundred meters high.
It towered over him, and he could barely see the top from where he was, which was nearly right next to the wall. "H-Holy shit!" He couldn't help but curse in English in response. 'IT'S HUGE!' He inwardly exclaimed.
To his left, a long, wooden gate that stood nearly fifty meters was opened, and the carriage that he and his family traveled through entered.
"Come on! Salvador!"
A disembodied voice called out to him and he followed.
The sheer height of the walls paled in comparison to the beauty of the city.
Salvador was star-struck, he had trouble mustering up words after seeing the city.
It was large. Stupidly large.
Salvador even thought if he were to stand on the highest point in the middle of this city, he wouldn't even be able to see the end of it, even with mana-enhanced eyes.
Even though he just entered, he could see countless residents walking through the hectic streets, countless stands of food making insane amounts of profits.
This wasn't the end of it.
In the far distance, he could see a gigantic building with three more branching off of it it, bearing an enormous emblem on the upper middle of it which was unquestionably visible even from the gate.
And even behind that he could see huge buildings, he couldn't even muster words to describe the sheer size of them.
Despite the walkways being nearly thirty meters wide, it was still slightly cramped as a lot of people would brush shoulders with each other.
Luckily, there was a separate walkway for carriages to travel through.
When Salvador heard they were going to the capital, he did expect it to be big and good-looking, but on this scale was simply unfathomable.
Stretching far into the distance, buildings nearly great as the Eiffel Tower on average stood, multiple windows displaying the stories it held.
"Come on!"
Salvador began following his mother who followed Nico.
Luckily, the assessment wouldn't begin for another two to three days, so they would be able to explore a small portion of the city.
'Even with a full day of travel, you wouldn't be able to get to the other side of the city. Is city even the right word? This is like a goddamn state itself back on Earth!'
He could barely contain his excitement as he started laughing in excitement.
"We gotta try the food!" Eleanor exclaimed, practically dragging Yves along.
Their sons followed suit.
"How good do you think the steak is here...?" Nico tremulously asked, nearly drooling at the sight of steak being freshly cooked in front of him.
If the steak back at his village was good to where he wouldn't mind eating it his entire life, just how incredible would it be here?
Eleanor brought out 25 copper coins which would cover the expenses of getting a steak for all five of them.
The three brothers instantly chomped down on the steak, unmannerly eating it.
"I-It's so good!" He yelled, swallowing another bite of the steak.
Nico pulled out a small strip and presented it to the shop owner.
"Sorry, but may I please get another piece of steak for my family!" He kindly, but impatiently asked.
Immediately, the owner started cooking another five steaks.
Unfortunately, the people in line were not excited as they were as they had to wait again.
"Hey! Hurry up!" A random man called out, blatantly dissatisfied with the time took to cook the steaks.
Nico mouthed an apology to the man, receiving another steak.
"Let's go! We'll be at the Hollam Hotel!" He yelled at Yves and Eleanor.
The trio of brothers ran off, eventually disappearing into the crowd, leaving their parents alone.
"Well, I guess we'll have some us time," Yves said in a smoky voice, pecking Eleanor's neck. "Of course we would." She softly responded back, smooching with Yves.
***
"Where are we going?" Salvador asked, eventually finishing up his steak.
"Well, there are other things to do here other than eat and mingle with girls," William said with a smirk.
"There are also shops that I would like to visit.
And there... I can finally get a new sword!" Nico seriously said.
"How much would that cost?"
The atmosphere seemed to dwindle as a spooked look emerged on Nico's face.
"Probably a few silver coins..."
Salvador turned around and yelled at him. "A FEW?"