"Every year the Clover Academy holds an entrance examination to recruit prospective Magi from the neighboring kingdoms." Alex began explaining patiently.
"There are three tests in total that one must pass. The first is a comprehensive aptitude test, the second is an analytical test, and the final one is the combat test."
"There's even a combat test?" Adam was slightly surprised.
Alex nodded. "Yes, and if you perform well in the entrance examination, you'll be rewarded by the academy."
"Oh!" Adam's eyes lit up. He wanted to ask more about the tests but decided against it. He didn't want to bother the Magus too much.
He then sincerely said, "Thank you very much for sharing this information with me, Sir Magus."
"Don't worry about it." Alex waved his hand nonchalantly. Suddenly, he thought of something and added. "Oh and one more thing. Killing is prohibited on school campus, and even within Moon City such crimes are highly punishable."
Adam was stunned. He then heard Alex add, "However, it's a different thing if you choose to settle scores with someone outside the city."
Alex already knew of the dispute between Adam and Jeffrey. Since he had a good impression of Adam, he decided to advise him.
"I understand, sir, thank you," Adam replied after a few moments and then turned around and went back to the campsite.
On the way back, he coldly stared at Jeffrey who was chatting with a few kids. In the end, he walked past him without saying a word.
Jeffrey saw him walk by and his eyes flashed coldly. He gritted his teeth and thought to himself, You got lucky the last time. Wait till I've become a Magus. I'll deal with you then.
After the indirect warning from Magus Alex the last time, Jeffrey didn't dare to make a move on Adam. Both the boys wanted nothing more than to kill each other, but they couldn't.
Not yet, anyway.
…
In the blink of an eye, another week had passed and the traveling party was almost at the end of its journey. In the distance, the silhouette of Moon City could be seen. The party had been traveling from the southeast, so they'd be entering the city from the South Ward.
"Whoa! Is that Moon City?!"
"Heavens! It's so big!"
"The buildings look so tall even from this distance!"
"Wahh! And there are so many tall trees in the city as well!"
The children stuck their heads out from the carriage windows and looked into the distance. Their eyes were shining with curiosity and they couldn't hide their excitement.
This was the most famous city in the southern part of the continent, known as the Jewel of the South! And they'd be living here for the foreseeable future. How could they not be enthusiastic?
Adam also looked out of the window and couldn't help but smile brightly. Amazing! Just the South Ward of the city is many times bigger than my hometown. I wonder how big the entire city is.
Within an hour, the traveling party had already arrived near one of the two main gates of the South Ward. Everyone could now clearly see the tall boundary walls that guarded the city.
It consisted of three layers of thick sturdy walls. The outermost wall was the shortest, and each subsequent wall increased in height. The walls were patrolled by knights in silver armor. Under the light of the sun, they looked very heroic.
"Halt! State your purpose!" One of the silver-armored guards at the gate stopped right in front of the leading carriage and blocked the way.
The leader of the mercenary group got off the horse and took out a scroll from underneath his leather armor.
He handed the scroll to the guard and respectfully said, "We are the Crescent Mercenary Company and we're escorting children who are going to take the entrance exam for the Clover Academy."
The guard removed his silver visor and read the scroll. He then signaled to his men. "Check all the carriages."
Although he was already aware of this local mercenary company, he still had to carry out his duties diligently.
"Just let us through already." Ivan looked out of the carriage and grumbled.
The guard saw the clover insignia on Ivan's clothes and bowed respectfully. "Apologies, Lord Magus. These are the rules of the city."
Alex who was sitting in the same carriage as Ivan, patted his shoulder. "They're just doing their jobs. Let it be."
Ivan harrumphed at the guard but did not say anything further.
The guards checked the carriages one by one and finally allowed the traveling party to enter the city. Adam was in a carriage that was towards the back of the traveling party, so he was one of the last ones to enter the city.
When the carriage passed through the eighteen-foot-high adamantine gate, Adam was wide-eyed as he marveled. Whoa! This is the biggest gate I've seen in my life!
As soon as the carriage passed through the gate, a cacophony of sounds entered Adam's ears. The sidewalks were full of people from different kinds of races. Besides humans, there were the fair and beautiful elves, the stout and hardy dwarves, and the small and cheerful gnomes.
This was the first time that Adam had seen so many people from different races in one place. Before this, he'd only heard about them from wandering bards. This was an eye-opening experience for him.
The road they were currently traveling on was called South Lunar Avenue, and it connected the South Ward to the Lunar Bridge, which in turn connected to the North Lunar Avenue in the North Ward.
All the roads in the city were made of cobblestones, and the sidewalks were completely packed with people and stalls. Here, one could see people of different races mingling with one another.
One thing Adam noticed was the abundance of trees in the city. An earthy scent permeated the city, making one feel refreshed. There was vegetation flourishing almost everywhere he looked. Some trees were taller than buildings, some buildings were taller than trees, and there were even buildings that were actually trees.
Adam stuck his neck out and saw a bridge made of tree branches right above the street. The buildings and houses were made up of stone and wooden beams. In the distance, Adam could see a tall tree with many windows. Clearly, people were living in it.
Seeing the number of brick-and-mortar stores and the temporary roadside stalls, one could tell that trade was flourishing in Moon City. And it indeed was. Moon City was the greatest mercantile city in the Southern Federation.
After about twenty minutes, the traveling party stopped in front of a large archway made of marble. At the center of the archway, above the entrance, was a four-leaf clover symbol.
Adam looked at the symbol and was incomparably excited. "We're here!"