The merchant caravan, about to head down the mountain, was in a frantic rush. They didn't want to risk being caught in the heavy snow that would soon blanket the Avalon Range, leaving them stranded.
Traveling merchants, wary of their valuable goods getting damaged, always hired mercenaries and often contracted local magisters and aurors to escort them. For the Dune Sands Trading, a prestigious merchant guild from Nafisa Oasis in the South, this was especially important. Their success depended on safely transporting goods through difficult terrain, and today was no exception.
Zahir Karim, a tall and imposing figure with a commanding presence, organized the caravan with vigor and authority. His tan skin, sharp features, and piercing eyes added to his intimidating aura, making it clear he was not someone to be trifled with. As the caravan manager for the bazaar in Wyrmport City, Zahir's reputation preceded him, ensuring that his caravan was both respected and feared.
"Quickly! We can't keep the brave souls of Dragonheart waiting. Every minute counts!" he bellowed, using his Sand Magic to lift heavy crates with ease.
A proud Rank 4 Magister from the Karim Magister Family of the South, Zahir was well-known for his mastery of Sand Magic. In an age where power was highly prized, it was not unusual for a merchant of his standing to wield such strength.
He sorted the goods with meticulous care, placing the most valuable items into the spatial ring he wore. His hands moved with practiced efficiency, golden sand swirling around him as he lifted and organized.
"Amira, make sure the spices are secure!" he called out, his voice commanding even amid the chaos. Amira, a young magister with long dark hair and determined eyes, nodded quickly and set to work.
"Yes, Sir Zahir!" she replied, her voice a blend of respect and urgency. Using her wind magic, she efficiently secured the crates, her movements fluid and precise.
Amid the frenzied packing, a Silver-scaled knight approached Zahir with a measured grace, bowing his head slightly. The knight's polished armor gleamed in the dim light, a striking contrast to the dust and chaos surrounding them.
"Hello, good sir," Zahir greeted warmly, his stern features softening as he acknowledged the knight.
"I'm Lance Windsor, A Sergeant of Stormwing Division," the knight introduced himself, his voice steady and authoritative.
The Silver-scaled knights of Dragonheart were esteemed warriors, typically Rank 3 or 4 Magisters or Aurors. Lance, a Rank 4 Auror, stood on equal footing with Zahir.
"Thank you for accepting our request. I'm relieved to have such a capable knight escorting us," Zahir said, bowing respectfully. The weight of his gratitude was evident in his posture.
"Ah, you're just as capable as I am," Lance replied, a bit surprised by the unexpected respect from the man before him. He had heard of Zahir's reputation, recalling that Zahir was once an active knight who graduated from The Magic Federation Institute.
Zahir on the other hand has a very similar take on the situation, He knew the Windsors as a loyal vassal of Dragonheart, one of the families in the West largely contributing to its force aside from the family of Dragon Vessels.
"Ah, would it be possible for someone to accompany us? Don't worry, he will be under the knights' supervision," Lance asked, his tone careful but hopeful.
"Oh, certainly. May I inquire who it might be?" Zahir asked, his curiosity piqued.
"It's Ardiel Dragonheart," Lance said, leaning closer and speaking in a low volume, hinting that it was something that shouldn't be known publicly.
"The youngest, right?" Zahir's eyes gleamed with interest at the mention of such a prominent name.
"Due to this matter, Vice Captain Eliya Windsor will be accompanying us as well. This is a complimentary service, purely for the young master's safety. Is this arrangement acceptable?" Lance asked, his gaze steady. He knew that such an offer, given the circumstances, would be eagerly accepted.
"Who wouldn't welcome the presence of such an esteemed person?" Zahir said with a smile. "I believe Miss Eliya's presence alone will make this journey down the mountain not only smoother but far more secure."
As the caravan finished its preparations, Ardiel arrived with a red-haired female knight beside him. She was a newly promoted Golden-scaled Knight and Lance's older sister.
"Wow, that's a lot," Ardiel exclaimed as he saw dozens of wagons lined up just outside Wyrmport Gate.
"It's the Dune Sands Trading, one of the leading merchant guilds in the empire," Eliya said. Aside from escorting Ardiel to the Academy, she was also tasked with acting as his temporary tutor.
"That's the manager," she pointed to Zahir, who was about to board his own carriage. She briefed Ardiel on the important details of the caravan, from the person in charge to the few mercenaries who had tagged along.
"Anyway, we should get to the carriage as well. We're about to depart," she led Ardiel to a simple-looking carriage at the back of the line. It was deliberately understated to conceal the fact that Ardiel, someone of high profile, would be part of this descent. After all, Bandits still stubbornly lurked around the mountain range like rats in hiding, despite it being a powerhouse's territory.
She left Ardiel for a while as she went to the carriage where Zahir was staying for the majority of the journey to discuss some matters relating to the routes that they could take to make their journey considerably shorter.
Ardiel had packed lightly, bringing only a few sets of clothes, which were likely unnecessary since the academy provided uniforms for various purposes. He carried only a pendant from his mother and a spatial ring from his father as a reward for forming his first mana ring.
Spatial rings were rare and often found in auction houses or family treasuries. It was a prized possession, with even a modest ring like his, holding an area of 4 square meters, costing a little over a dozen gold coins.
To put it into perspective, considering a Silver-scaled knight received 20 gold coins as a monthly salary, one gold coin equaled ten silver coins, a spatial ring costs nearly a month's salary of someone like Lance Windsor.
As the caravan began its descent from Wyrmport at dawn, Ardiel felt a knot tighten in his stomach. This was his first time leaving the city, and the crisp morning air was filled with a mixture of excitement and trepidation.
The first light of day broke over the mountain range, painting the sky in hues of gold and pink, as the city slowly receded from view.
He glanced back at Wyrmport, its familiar silhouette bathed in the soft morning light. The city's warm glow was slowly dimming as the sun's rays touched the horizon, leaving behind a comforting memory. Ardiel's heart ached at the thought of leaving his parents, his stern mentor, and the wise Grand Elder.
But with a determined look, Ardiel turned his gaze to the winding path ahead. The caravan, now bathed in the golden light of dawn, began its trek down the mountain.
The world outside awaited him, vast and unfamiliar, and he was ready to step into it. The thrill of the unexpected beckoned, and he embraced the challenge with an open heart.
He remembered his mentor's jest about turning the academy upside down. Though meant in good humor, Ardiel took it to heart. As they journeyed down the mountain, he resolved to use this time to focus on forming his mana core.
He wasn't content to merely pass the admission test with a Rank 1 Mana Ring; he intended to make a formidable impression as an Auror and show everyone exactly who Ardiel Dragonheart was.