After a good breakfast Luzbel and Roland walked the dirt streets, their footsteps echoing in harmony with the awakening of the day. As guardians of the town, their duty was to patrol and make sure all was in order, protecting the inhabitants from any threats that might lurk in the shadows.
The air was infused with the fragrance of the wildflowers growing in the gardens and the animated voices of the locals filled the air. The sun's rays filtered through the trees, creating a beautiful play of light and shadow on the path they walked.
Roland, with his imposing figure and watchful gaze, led the way, his experience and wisdom radiating from every gesture. At his side, Luzbel followed in his footsteps with determination, his gaze eager for knowledge and his spirit full of youthful enthusiasm.
As they moved forward, the residents of the village greeted them with respect and gratitude, aware of the vital role they played in their protection. Some offered words of encouragement and thanks, while others simply gave them a smile of recognition.
On their tour, Roland took every opportunity to teach Luzbel about the history and traditions of the village. They would stop in front of the old stone church that had awkward carvings of angels and other angelic symbols, and Roland would narrate the legends that had been passed down from generation to generation.
They walked through the central square, where merchants were beginning to display their wares, offering a variety of products, from fresh fruit to elaborate handicrafts. Roland pointed out the stalls, and spoke the stories of the inhabitants, from the lady selling cabbages to the bearded blacksmith. They all had a backstory, and Roland told it with a chuckle.
As they made their way through the village, they encountered the local youth, some training in the art of swordsmanship and others simply playing various games. Roland and Luzbel offered words of encouragement and advice, sharing their experience and encouraging a passion for growth and self-improvement.
As the sun reached its highest point in the sky, Luzbel continued to accompany Roland in his daily chores, learning and soaking up knowledge like a thirsty sponge. The old knight, always ready to guide and evaluate the progress of his young apprentice, decided to test his knowledge of general culture.
Walking through the forest, Roland threw a series of questions at Luzbel, challenging him to recall the most important details about the various races and kingdoms of the vast world in which they lived.
"Tell me, Luzbel, how many races are there and what are their kingdoms and capitals?" asked Roland, watching the young warrior intently.
Luzbel, feeling confident in his answer, replied confidently, "The races and their respective kingdoms and capitals are as follows: the Humans belong to the Empire, with their capital at Urbs Potentiae; the Dwarves live in the oligarchy of Brannheim, with their capital at Ignuskar; the Elves are organized in a council, and their capital is Everbloom in Arcanleaf ; the Orcs are under a dictatorship, with their capital at Al-Qadimah, which belongs to the territory of Al-Rakkad; the Demihumans, on the other hand, form clans and reside in Cumbres Tormentosas, with their capital at Dracoforte; finally, the Sirens have a theocracy in Thalassia, and their capital is Maragora."
Impressed by Luzbel's accuracy and knowledge, Roland smiled and continued with the questions to further test his understanding.
"Now, Luzbel, tell me, how is our empire divided?" questioned Roland, curious to see if the young warrior had paid attention to the intricacies of his own society.
Confidently, Luzbel replied, "Our empire is divided into three main cities, each with a specific focus. We have Arx Regni, which is the military center of the empire, Agrisventus Urbs, which is primarily devoted to agriculture, and Auri Habitat, where economic activity is concentrated."
Roland nodded with satisfaction, admiring his apprentice's progress. He decided to delve deeper into the subject of mana, a mystical force vital to the world of magic and fighting.
"What are the paths that can be followed in the handling of mana, and what levels exist?" asked Roland, eager to gauge Luzbel's understanding of this crucial aspect.
Luzbel answered without hesitation: "There are two main ways to use mana: the mage's way, where mana is used to create items and cast spells, and the warrior's way, where mana is used to empower physical abilities. As for power levels, in the mage's path we have: Apprentice, Acolyte, Sorcerer, Wizard, Master Wizard, Archmage and Grand Wizard. While in the warrior's path, the levels are: Apprentice, Squire, Warrior, Knight, Runic Knight, Paladin and Grand Master," Luzbel replied, demonstrating his detailed knowledge of the mana paths and the associated power levels
Roland nodded with satisfaction "that's it boy, you make it worthwhile to teach you."
Luzbel watched Roland with curious eyes, his mind filled with questions and admiration for the ancient knight. Finally, he couldn't contain his curiosity and decided to pose a crucial question:
"Grandfather Roland, what was your power when you were a knight?" inquired Luzbel, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
Roland smiled at the young apprentice's question, a glint of nostalgia in his eyes. In a steady voice full of pride, he began to recount his past exploits.
"There was a time when I was a Knight, Luzbel. My ability lay in fusing mana with my martial skills, allowing me to fight with superhuman dexterity and strength. I was able to summon the power of the wind to increase my speed and dodge attacks, as well as conjure strong currents to annihilate my enemies. My sword became an extension of my being, channeling the power of mana and wind through each strike."
Luzbel's eyes lit up as he listened to Roland's story, imagining his mentor's prowess on the battlefield. He admired the bravery and skill with which the former knight had defended the kingdom.
As the sun sank below the horizon, the group set out on their journey home, accompanied by the warm glow of dusk. Arriving at the cozy abode, Lilith, Luzbel's mother, greeted them with a loving smile.
As they sat around the dinner table, Lilith made sure that everyone was well taken care of. Her gentleness and tenderness showed in every gesture, from serving the food to listening attentively to Roland and Luzbel's stories.
Luzbel, in particular, felt lucky to have such a loving mother. Every time he looked at Lilith, he could see the unconditional love she had for him. She had always been there for him, protecting and guiding him with wisdom and patience. That made the young boy unable to blame her for her refusals to let him learn about mana.
As they enjoyed dinner, laughter and conversation filled the air. The home was filled with a feeling of warmth and unity, a reminder that, despite the adversities and frustrations of the outside world, the family bond was a safe and comforting haven.