As summer gradually made its presence known in the capital city of Ethereon, the heart of Dreamroot began to embrace the warmth and vibrancy of the season. Just beyond the Innermost ring of the city, the grand and majestic Astralhold estate of the Valthoren family stood as a testament to their influence and power. The estate's opulent architecture and lush, verdant grounds were a sight to behold, a fitting symbol of the family's prominence within Ethereon's high society.
In the early morning hours, as the first light of dawn gently illuminated Ethereon, Elysar and his newly formed entourage of bodyguards from his mother's merchant organization gathered before the giant, majestic gates of the Innermost ring. The gates were adorned with the Valthoren family's heraldry: a silver rift on a deep blue field, symbolizing their mastery of spatial magic, and a golden key placed within the rift, representing their power to unlock the secrets of space. The emblem added an air of prestige and authority to the scene, as Elysar and his companions prepared to venture toward the other rings of the city.
"Are you ready, Lord Valthoren?", Asked Garrick. Standing tall at 6'2", he was a well-built man with broad shoulders and a muscular frame. His short-cropped, dark brown hair and neatly trimmed beard framed a pair of piercing blue eyes that seemed to take in everything around him. He usually wore a suit of functional, yet stylish armor adorned with the insignia of Elysar's mother's merchant organization. Today, however, like the rest of the group accompanying Elysar, he donned a dark coat with a hood that covered his entire body and head. He was the leader of the current bodyguard group of 20 different warriors tasked with accompanying and protecting Elysar by his mother.
"I'm ready, Garrick. Let's go. Today we're heading to the Outer Ring, so be extra cautious," Elysar said seriously. He had lost track of how many times he had passed through those gates since he transmigrated into this world two months ago, but today marked his first venture into the peculiar Outer Ring. He carefully climbed onto his horse, signaling the rest to do the same.
In a deliberate attempt to blend in, Elysar opted for the most inconspicuous mana-enhanced horse breed for himself and his bodyguards. The choice ensured that their mounts would not stand out in any significant way, minimizing the risk of drawing unwanted attention. Additionally, Elysar decided against using any ordinary or luxurious mana-powered carriages, high ranking nobles usually had in their possessions, further solidifying their discreet appearance during their journey.
The bodyguards accompanying Elysar were a diverse group, handpicked from his mother's merchant organization for their skills and loyalty. Each of them was an expert in their respective fields, ranging from swordsmanship and archery to stealth and tracking. Despite their different backgrounds, they were all united in their commitment to protect Elysar on his journey.
Garrick, the leader of the bodyguards, approached Elysar, his piercing blue eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger, "We've prepared the Aethersteeds, my lord, and we're ready to depart," he reported, his voice steady and confident. He then turned to address the other bodyguards, instructing them to mount their horses.
One by one, the bodyguards swung themselves up onto the backs of their Aethersteeds, adjusting their positions and checking their equipment before giving Garrick a nod to indicate their readiness. Once everyone was settled, Garrick mounted his own horse and positioned himself at the front of the group, just behind Elysar.
As the gates to the Innermost ring slowly opened, Elysar led the way, his Aethersteed carrying him gracefully toward the outer areas of the city. The bodyguards followed closely behind, their horses moving in perfect sync with one another. Their dark coats billowed gently in the breeze as they rode, a symbol of their unity and determination to protect Elysar at all costs.
As they rode, Elysar glanced at Garrick, who rode alongside him. The tall, well-built man had come a long way since his humble beginnings in a small village. Born into a commoner family, Garrick had shown great potential as a warrior from a young age. His combat prowess caught the attention of Ravenna's merchant organization during a chance encounter, and he was swiftly recruited.
Over the years, Garrick had climbed the ranks within the organization, eventually becoming the leader of one of its elite units responsible for protecting their business interests. Loyal, disciplined, and dedicated, Garrick took his duties very seriously. His unwavering loyalty to Ravenna was deeply rooted in the opportunities and resources she had provided him, a rare privilege for a commoner in their world.
A man of few words and a calm demeanor, Garrick preferred to let his actions speak for themselves. As a Knight Captain, he possessed exceptional combat skills and a deep understanding of various mana-based techniques. The mana resources granted to him by Ravenna allowed him to perform powerful abilities typically reserved for those of higher social standing. Furthermore, he was an excellent tactician and leader, capable of effectively commanding his group of 20 Knight Vanguards in any situation.
As they rode through the First Ring territory, the Greater Noble District, Elysar couldn't help but marvel at the opulence surrounding them. This area was reserved for the more prominent noble families, from outside the Valthoren territory, which nearly all had some kind of a presence, in the form of extravagant estates and palaces, here, as this was still a symbolical capital city. The area was though mostly deserted as all of them lived outside.
However, the facilities were all still properly maintained with various in-house servants to properly showcase their wealth and power at all times. The streets were wide and immaculate, with statues and monuments honoring the noble families' achievements scattered throughout the district. The Fifth Ring also contained prestigious academies, art galleries, and other cultural and scientific institutions.
'Today is the last day I'll search for those 'protagonists' within this city....', Elysar thought as they rode speedily toward other parts of Ethereon, 'It's hard to believe, but I haven't encountered a single one of them in this vast metropolis. I've already mastered partial mana enchantment and even the 'illusion' trick, now possessing strength comparable to these Knight Vanguard bodyguards. But I feel like I've hit a bottleneck due to my low fate levels. In the future, I'll either venture beyond the capital city to seek them out or devise another plan...'