On the next day, Lucca asked his mother to show him the city.
But before that, Lucca wanted to blend in. He never liked drawing attention in public; he always preferred to pass as a normal person. So he asked his mother to pick an outfit that common peasants typically wore.
Sophie chose a cotton shirt and loose linen shorts, cinched at the waist with a cord, along with leather boots.
They left the castle early in the morning, and as soon as they passed through the castle gate, Lucca noticed a road. It was a well-kept one, and he remembered traveling on this road in a carriage when he returned to live in the castle.
However, to Lucca's surprise, they didn't follow the main road but instead entered the city. Sophie explained, "Didn't you want to see the city? We're going to see the less affluent part of town, not where the wealthy live."
They entered the city's alleys, and Lucca noticed that between the houses, the roads were narrow and winding, following the organic growth pattern of the city.
'It's quite disorganized and lacks urban planning,' Lucca thought to himself.
After exploring the city's most important parts, they returned to the castle. But upon arrival, there was an archer shouting at the guards. Lucca noticed that it was William.
"William!" Lucca shouted.
William looked back and asked, "Who are you? Wait, you don't look unfamiliar!" He gazed at Sophie and said, "Lucca!"
"Glad you remembered in time!"
It's been ten years since he last saw you, and you were just a baby then! said sophie
"I know, I'm only joking, Mom. But what's going on?"
"These guards here," he pointed at them, "don't let me through. They claimed they've never seen me at the castle and that the Duke's son never walks around with security!"
The guards appeared fearful when they realized that what William had told them was indeed true. They were afraid of being punished for not believing one of the Duke's sons' bodyguards.
But with us here, we can prove your story, and they will let you pass, right?
The guards nodded, and then Lucca said, "let's go inside. We're drawing too much attention, and more people are arriving, some of whom we'd rather avoid!" William said this as he glanced at the system map.
As they entered the castle gate, the guards breathed a sigh of relief for not being punished by Lucca!
Why didn't you do anything to the guards? Regardless, they disrespected your security!
You're right, Mom, but William has only stepped into the castle once, ten years ago. There's no way every guard could know William, and another thing, I have no way of knowing if those guards were working on the day William appeared at the castle!
You're being too lenient!
I know, Mom! Oh, congratulations on reaching Rank 2!
Thank you, Lucca.
"How do you know he's Rank 2?" his mother asked.
"Because I only told him to arrive earlier if he reached Rank 2. If he's here six days before heading to the academy, it means he achieved Rank 2."
William caught on to what Lucca was trying to do and said, "That's right."
"That makes sense," she replied, still a bit suspicious.
Six days later, it was the day William would head to the academy.
"Son!" James called out.
"Yes, Dad?"
"How would you prefer to go to the academy?"
"Give me a horse. William, you already have your horse, right?"
"That's right," William replied from behind Lucca.
"Don't you prefer to go by carriage? Both your brothers went with it."
"Carriages attract too much attention."
"Do you even know where you're going?" James asked, curious.
"I don't, but William should, right? After all, he attended the same academy!" Lucca said, looking at William.
"Haha," James and William laughed.
"I didn't attend the same academy you're going to. I studied at the Silvermoon Kingdom's academy. You're headed to the Human Kingdom's capital. But don't worry; I know the way."
"Why didn't anyone tell me it was the capital?"
"It's somewhat common knowledge," they both replied at the same time.
"How long will it take to get there?"
"At most two days."
"They arrived at the castle's courtyard, and the servants retrieved Lucca's and William's horses."
"Are you nervous, William?" a voice from behind asked.
"A little, Mother."
"Just relax, my son. Remember what your father taught you. The academy will be the easiest part of your life, haha."
In the midst of it all, the horses arrived.
"It looks like it's time to say goodbye."
"Take care. Return safely."
"I hope you come back to the duchy as at least a Mortal 2, do you hear me?" his father shouted.
"Yes, Dad! Goodbye, Mom and Dad!"
His mother waved her hand, saying goodbye to her son, and tears welled up in her eyes. But James had a smile on his face, knowing that his son had finally started his journey.
"Don't start crying, Lucca," William laughed when he noticed Lucca was on the verge of tears.
"Go to hell, William!" Lucca shouted.
And he continued to laugh at Lucca.
After two days of travel, they finally saw a city in the distance.
"I'm finally going to eat something other than bread, I couldn't stand it anymore!" Lucca said when he saw the city in the distance.
"To be honest, I was getting a bit fed up with just eating bread too."
"So, that's the famous ancient capital of the human kingdom!" Lucca said with a smile on his face.
"For God's sake, do you know anything about the human kingdom?"
"What do you mean?" He was puzzled.
"This isn't the capital of the human kingdom; it's the capital of the Silvermoon Kingdom!"
"Ahhh! But you said you knew the way?"
"Haha, you really don't know anything, do you? In the capital cities of the kingdoms, there's a portal that connects all the capital cities in the human world."
"A teleportation portal?" Lucca asked enthusiastically.
"That's right."
"That must cost a lot of money."
"It does, but since you're going to the academy, it's free. You have the academy coin, right?"
"Yes, my mother gave it to me the day before we left. The coin was silver with the academy symbol in a circular design, and it read 'Academy of Olympus.'"
"That's the proof that you're a student of the academy, so the pass is free."
"Can you come with me to the capital?"
"I can."
They entered the city without many problems, simply showed the coin, and they were allowed to pass. When they reached the portal, there was a line of at least 10 groups of people, and in every group, there was a person who appeared to be Lucca's age.
"Do you know anyone?" Lucca asked quietly.
"I don't know the person, but I know that crest belongs to a Duke from our kingdom, one of the four strongest."
After saying that, the person was called and entered the portal. After about 15 minutes, it was Lucca and William's turn.
"Academy?" asked a middle-aged person with a clipboard in hand.
"Yes, here's the coin." He showed the coin.
"Name?"
"Lucca Mason."
He asked a few more basic questions and allowed them to enter the portal.
Lucca seemed confident, but in reality, he was quite nervous about having to enter a portal. He was worried that if he failed or was transported to another capital, he thought to himself, 'Science is much safer than this magic shit; I have no doubts!'
He mustered up the courage and entered the portal. When he opened his eyes, he was left speechless by the sight of the ancient capital of the human kingdom!