Seeing the confidence in Winifred's eyes, Elise smiled. "Okay, then it's confirmed. You're becoming a mage. Training starts from today," Elise replied, understanding that Winifred was ready.
Winifred and Elise landed at the mountain's slope where they had landed the last time. Seeing the beautiful view of the city from above, Winifred felt happy again. The sun had not fully risen in the west, but its rays were already warming the city gates. People were still waiting outside the gate to enter the city.
Elise and Winifred continued walking downwards, descending the slope towards the carriage spot where they had boarded the carriage last time. Looking towards the city, Winifred noticed a larger number of carriages compared to the other day. There were also carriages coming from the south and heading towards the east city gate—the carriages Elise and Winifred needed to board.
"Why are there so many carriages today compared to the other day?" Winifred asked, recalling how few carriages there had been the last time.
"The day before today was a holiday; that's why there were only a few carriages," Elise replied.
Hearing it was a holiday, Winifred understood. So, there will be more carriages and people today, Winifred thought.
There was already a carriage at the spot where Winifred and Elise had boarded last time. Looking at us, he might stop there, I guess, Winifred thought.
"Is he waiting for us?" Winifred asked, confirming her thought.
"No, look backward," Elise replied, glancing behind them.
There were also several carriages coming from the north side. Winifred hadn't noticed them because her whole focus was on the city view. On the north side, some carriages were heading directly to the city through the north gate, while others were coming in Winifred's direction, heading south and east. Winifred also spotted some carriages attached to horses and small dragons similar to the one she had seen with Noah and his carriage.
Winifred and Elise stopped at the road leading to the city gate—the spot where they had boarded the carriage last time. How does she know this carriage isn't for us? There's no people behind us, Winifred thought.
Another carriage stopped near Winifred and Elise. "Let's go; we can board this one," Elise said, pointing to the newly arrived carriage. Winifred and Elise got inside. There was no one else inside the carriage. After they sat down, the carriage started moving towards the east city gate.
"We'll also buy some books for you. The books I have are advanced magic knowledge, and I don't have any beginner magic books. We should buy them too. Don't worry—you can read them because of the Fate Circle's power," Elise said.
"Oh, okay," Winifred replied, excitement visible in her eyes.
After climbing down from the carriage, Elise and Winifred joined the line where guards were conducting checks. After passing through, they entered the city.
Winifred was shocked to see the diversity of people—some short, some tall like giants, some resembling animals, and others who were simply human.
Elise and Winifred headed straight through the city, crossing the hotel area. Seeing the variety of buildings, Winifred was amazed. The buildings had different shapes and sizes, and they all looked beautiful. After passing through the hotel area, they entered a crowded marketplace.
The market was a mix of street stalls and shops inside buildings. "Grab my hand," Elise said, offering her hand to Winifred. Winifred grabbed Elise's hand, remembering that Elise had warned her about getting lost in the city.
Looking at the different kinds of stores, Winifred's curiosity grew. Some sold materials, others food, and some even old rusty swords. The larger stores were cleaning the fronts of their shops since it was still early, and only a few people were inside. The further they went into the city, the more roadside stalls appeared, selling vegetables and food ingredients.
Many people carried weapons. Most wore similar outfits, making it easy to distinguish merchants, adventurers, and those dressed in high-class, beautiful clothing.
"Let's eat here," Elise suggested.
"Oh, okay," Winifred replied.
Elise and Winifred headed to a small, clean restaurant on the ground floor of a nearby building. What kind of food do they serve here? Winifred wondered as she looked at the restaurant.
As they entered, a girl around Winifred's age greeted them. "Welcome! Please sit wherever you'd like." The girl had cat-like ears and a tail. She wore a maid uniform. Seeing the girl, Winifred was briefly shocked but continued walking with Elise. Just like in anime, Winifred thought. How can both worlds have the same-looking maid uniform?
"Should I make two this time?" a man asked, approaching Elise. The man was slightly fat and older, not wearing a chef's uniform.
Is he the waiter? Winifred wondered.
"Yes, please make two this time," Elise replied with a smile.
"Okay, I'll make two," the man said, heading into another room.
"You're going to like it," Elise said with a smile, looking at Winifred. Winifred felt excited to see what dish Elise had ordered.
"I want you to think about which element you want to advance in and which weapon you want to learn. Not now, but I'm excited to know what you'll pick," Elise said, sitting down.
"Element and weapon, huh," Winifred replied, thinking a little.
"Don't worry. I'll buy some books. After reading them, you'll understand what you want to choose," Elise said with a smile.
"Okay… Are there people who fight without weapons? I mean, hand-to-hand combat?" Winifred asked curiously.
"Yes, there's a class that fights using only their bodies, like hand-to-hand combat," Elise replied, sharing Winifred's curiosity.
"Can I choose that class as my weapon?" Winifred asked eagerly.
Hearing that Winifred didn't want a weapon and only wanted to fight using magic and her body, Elise was surprised. "That means I'll need to teach you hand-to-hand combat because my class and weapon are also the same," Elise said, shocking Winifred.
"Wait, you fight with hand-to-hand combat too?" Winifred asked, astonished.
"Yes, I don't use weapons either. My weapon is hand-to-hand combat," Elise replied with a smile.
Hearing this, Winifred felt happy.
"We'll talk more about this after eating, okay?" Elise said with a smile.
"Oh, okay," Winifred replied, smiling with excitement.
After waiting for a while, the girl who greeted them earlier brought two round bowls on a large plate. The bowls were covered with small plates, and hot steam was coming from them. The girl placed the bowls in front of Winifred and Elise and also provided spoons and water.
Elise uncovered her bowl.