The moment has finally come for the party to reach the capital city, Testroria, commonly referred to as city of four colors - based on the shape of square, it was composed of four blocks, of which each was known for a specific color of buildings' walls.
North-western block had majority of blue walls, north-eastern was red, south-western yellow and south-eastern green. Each of the blocks was connected to a central part of the city, a round-shaped area where the palace and white tower were located.
When the party's carriage passed through the woods on the eastern side of Testroria, everyone could see the white tower from about ten kilometers away. This peculiar building was a home to the Mage's Academy, erected by the mages of old, the tallest building in the country, supposedly capable of reaching such height due to magical energy.
"Nine, is the rumor true about how the tower was made?" Mattheia asked his main teacher the very moment white tower appeared in front of his eyes "I mean the one saying how it was made. Was it really all done with magic?"
Nine smiled.
"During my time as Aukkleia, I was actually interested in this story too" she started talking, while everyone was looking at the tower "First time I had a chance to stand by its base, I felt that it was impossible that something like that could have been built without magic, and with what I've seen inside, this initial feeling became even stronger. I could literally feel the magical energy emanate from the walls, as if these were filled with it. Back then, there was no way for me to imagine any other possibility for such a building to ever exist. However, owing to my teacher's approach, I had a lot of freedom to study different texts, so I did some research on old texts about origins of the tower. It may feel as a disappointment, but the truth is magic was only acting as a support for transport and placement of the materials the building was made of. Apparently, the fact the tower survived for so long despite of all the catastrophes that happened through centuries, is owing to the skill of architect who created the project. Magic, as in spells used by people, is not supporting this building - rather than that, it makes use of natural forces that are keeping it intact."
"So it's basically physics?" the boy heard Ardbolg's voice in his head.
Mattheia immediately replied to his sword within his thoughts:
"What kind of thing is this?"
"Actually, I cannot explain. Yet again, this word came to me naturally, even though I have no idea what it means..."
"I really feel we will need to visit this blacksmith once we reach the city."
This whole conversation between Mattheia and Ardbolg was being done without the use of words, therefore others could not hear what they talked about. However, the boy felt weird chills coming down his spine when his and Catleia's eyes met once this short talk with sword was concluded.
"Then, you are saying this no magic, but - how do you call it - science?" Mattheia found a word he learned about during his daily lessons "I heard it's growing more and more popular nowadays."
"You are right" Nine nodded "Magic can interfere with natural forces, bend them or make them follow individual's will, but science simply uses these forces as they already are. It requires a deep understaning of how the world functions. It seems that, over the years of history, we've lost quite a lot of wisdom, hence we struggle to understand the origin of some objects from ancient times."
"Shouldn't the grounders' scholars keep a record of such important inventions?" Kashia asked that, and then continued talking "From what I recall, this one actually reaches to one of the cities of my kin. Not that I ever been there since it is a completely different area, but I remember being taught that."
"What about the Sky People, then?" Junie started wondering "Your kin is known for longevity, so there should be possibly those who remember the times when the white tower was built. We could as well ask them."
"That makes sense" angel girl agreed "Though I know that the grounders were always wary of us, so I doubt they would know anything about the technique used for erecting the tower. Either way, I can try and get this info when we get to a place where I can get in touch with other Sky People."
"Shortly speaking, there's meow chance for you to find out as it is" Catleia summed up the conversation until now "Instead of going blind, how about reviewing the writings that are still kept, and investigate the tower?"
"I was merely curious" said Mattheia "Maybe sometime, when I have all the matters sorted out, I will be able to work on this topic."
Nine and Junie laughed.
"I also hope you are going to grow into a real scholar" Nine told him "Most of intelligent species in this world speak about strength and power, but what really matter is what you have here" she put a finger on the boy's forehead "Knowledge and experience are the most important things. Of course, muscles also help" she looked at Junie while saying that "However, the point is even the biggest power with no control matters nothing."
They continued driving towards the city, and about five kilometers farther they finally started seeing the walls of Testroria's eastern side - red and green.
"What's about these colors?" Kashia was looking at the walls with eyes wide open "Couldn't they keep the same color everywhere? It seems so weird when I compare to my hometown and the towns we've been to so far."
"It's because of the building materials available in the area, according to historians of course" Mattheia looked really happy, being able to provide the explanation "The main material used to build the city walls was jasper stone, which comes in a variety of colors. Those who were building the city in the old times separated the colors and created four different blocks out of them. Obviously, there was not enough material to also make all of the buildings within, but it became a tradition to use the colors of the block you live in when building a house, and that's why the colors can be easily distinguished depending on the area of the city."
"I see someone prepared quite well" Nine ruffled Mattheia's her "I hope you will be doing as well in the city."
"Wait, but since the walls are like this, what about he white tower?" angel girl asked another question "We don't really learn much about grounders, so it's something I don't know about."
"It's simple, tower was meowde before the rest of the city was built" Catleia explained, yawning "Though it's weird where did they get the material from. Even with magic, it would've been kilometers away."
Nine looked at Catleia, squinting her eyes while doing so - she was pretty sure this creature knew much more about this world than anyone in their party. However, since she agreed to cooperate, she decided to wait with all the questions for another time.
As they continued towards the city, the route was becoming wider and more carriages were passing by - there was a high number of different ones carried by horses and dragon lizards, coming both from and towards the capital.
With the amount of traffic, checkpoints were located several hundred meters away from the gates. Mattheia was wondering about this setup, and he was told it is to both ease the traffic and make the travelling smoother, but also to give guards enough space to react in case of fighting.
Being at the checkpoint, they had to go through similar story as previously in Passcalle once Nine was recognized as Aukkleia of the Nine Magics. Same as before, they were led to a separate room, but there the similarity ended. Instead of going through additional checks, they were greeted by a person wearing high-class mage robes.
"Aukkleia, my dear, long time no see" the woman, who greeted Nine, had long flame-colored hair, looking unusual combined with a wrinkled face "Are you finally coming back to face the past?"
The woman was smiling widely, but Nine was not replying with the same behavior. Quite contrary, she was quite cold towards the elderly mage.
"Lady Livia, good day to you, but I cannot say it's pleasure. Is there any reason for you to come here and greet us?"
Despite the tone from Aukkleia, Livia kept wearing the smile.
"You don't have to continue being distrustful towards Mages of Testroria" she said to Nine "What happened back then is an old story. You should return, and take one of the seats."
Nine laughed after hearing that.
"Please, don't jest. I didn't come here to reap some laurels. I have a completely different reason for coming back to Testroria. I don't care about position."
Now, Livia stopped smiling, and was eyeing Aukkleia's companions.
"What other business could you possibly have here? Don't tell me you became some kind of adventurer, or a mistress of some lord..."
"Don't be ridiculous. I came here with my student as his parents requested he moves to the capital for his final studies."
Livia continued eyeing the party, and stayed focused on the boy for a longer while.
"Wait, from what you are saying, is that lad over there Mattheia Matos del Ros Kabanos perhaps?"
Nine tried to stop the boy from speaking by using a gesture, but he confirmed before she managed to act.
"It's pleasure to meet you, boy" Livia smiled at him, but instead of feeling warmly welcomed, Mattheia felt a cold chill, as if there was something sinister in this elderly woman "I hope we'll get along in future." then, she turned to guards "Let them pass, they are welcomed in the city."
After saying that, Livia left, waving her hand as a goodbye.
"Phew, I've never expected that the one to welcome us will be Livia the Dreadful" Junie looked relieved "She's an old hag, but what a presence she has."
Nine looked irritated.
"There's nothing to brag about. Livia got her nickname for being merciless in combat many years ago, but she only got five skills in total through her whole life. Her powers are not such a concern as her scheming. Be really careful around her."
Others nodded and started following the guards towards the door. Once they got outside and were granted entrance into the city with their carriage, Kashia talked to Nine:
"I've noticed there is a tension between the two of you, but it didn't seem it was only about not liking each other. Did something happen between you two?"
Nine sighed.
"I think you would learn by yourselves either way" she spoke, her voice seemed tired and sad "Livia was competing with my master for a chair in the council. Soon after, my master was killed, and I suspect she might have something to do with what happened to master."