chapter 15

Lith approached the towering city walls, each stone rising over 30 meters into the air, imposing and ancient, their sheer size a testament to the city's need for protection against creatures and demons. In front of the massive city gate, a small line of people waited for their identities to be checked. Many carried papers or trinkets as proof of identity—necessary precautions since monsters and demons often tried to disguise themselves as humans to infiltrate cities and wreak havoc.

Ignoring the line entirely, Lith walked confidently to the front. Murmurs immediately rose from the people waiting, their voices a mix of frustration and awe.

"Who does he think he is?" one man muttered, eyeing Lith's regal, dark attire.

"He's not even hiding those books… is he a mage?" whispered a woman, her gaze fixed on the eleven mysterious tomes hovering just behind Lith.

"Just look at him. No ordinary traveler would carry themselves like that," another added, intrigued but wary.

Lith paid them no mind, striding up to the guards standing by the gate. They were mid-check with another traveler when they noticed the ripple of commotion in the line and turned to face the source. Their initial stern expressions melted away the moment they took in Lith's presence—the imposing dark suit with crimson patterns, the living books spinning slowly around him, exuding a quiet but potent aura of magical power. Their reprimanding words died in their throats, replaced by a look of surprise and awe. It was clear to them that this was no ordinary mage, and they immediately shifted their approach.

"Good day, Master Mage," one guard greeted respectfully, straightening his posture. "Please, you may enter freely."

The other guard nodded, his eyes wide, and added, "Welcome to Ellengrad, sir. Do you need any assistance?"

Lith arched an eyebrow. It was evident the guards were nervous, but they chose to treat him with honor rather than reprimand him for skipping the line. He simply shrugged, brushing off his curiosity.

"Aaa, whatever," he muttered to himself and walked past the gates into the city.

The city opened up before him, sprawling and bustling, with cobbled streets winding around intricate buildings of wood and stone. Vendors filled the marketplace with their wares on display, while townsfolk mingled and laughed, giving the city a lively energy. Lith took a deep breath, noting the distinct aroma of spices and freshly baked bread, a reminder of the mundane but comforting life of a human city.

Spotting a passerby, Lith asked casually, "Where might I find a place to gather information?"

The man looked at him, eyes slightly wide at the sight of Lith's otherworldly attire, and pointed down the main street. "You'd want the Adventurer's Guild, sir. You can get all kinds of information there."

Following the directions, Lith soon reached a large, stately building. The Adventurer's Guild was a towering structure made from dark wood and stone, with carvings of mythical beasts along its beams and arches. A massive sign bearing the guild's crest—a sword entwined with vines and flames—hung above the main entrance, and there was a constant flow of adventurers of all kinds moving in and out of the building, some in armor, others in robes, and many looking battered from recent battles.

Lith stepped inside. The guild hall was grand, with high ceilings and a bustling atmosphere. Rows of tables and chairs filled the space, where adventurers shared stories, compared loot, and planned their next quests. Across the room, a massive bulletin board displayed job requests, each paper fluttering as though alive with magic. At the far end of the hall, the receptionist's desk was lined with neatly stacked forms and glowing maps, and behind it stood a middle-aged woman with a sharp but kindly gaze.

Lith approached her, and as the receptionist noticed him, her professional smile faded for a moment, replaced by a look of shock at his striking appearance—the living tomes hovering around him, the finely tailored suit marked with arcane symbols, and an aura that seemed to quiet the room around him. She quickly regained her composure, bowing her head slightly.

"Welcome to the Adventurer's Guild, sir," she greeted him, her voice polite but tinged with awe. "How may I assist you?"

Lith met her gaze, his expression calm. "I'm here for information on the admissions to the Star Academy."

Her brows furrowed slightly, a mix of curiosity and surprise crossing her face. "The Star Academy?" she echoed, then added, "You… may be cutting it close. Their entrance exams started two days ago and will be closing by the end of today."

Lith raised an eyebrow, looking unfazed. "And the cost for this information?"

The receptionist nodded, quickly shifting to a businesslike demeanor. "The general details of the Academy's entrance exams are 10 silver coins, as many people inquire about it. The coordinates to the central plains where the Academy is located will cost an additional 5 gold coins."

Lith, unfazed by the cost, accessed his system shop, procuring the necessary funds. A small, shimmering window opened in his vision: [You buy 10 gold coins]. He handed the woman the coins, and she blinked in surprise at the seamless transaction.

"Here you go," he said, tossing the coins onto the counter with a slight grin.

The receptionist quickly gathered the coins, her fingers almost trembling, and handed him a map with the coordinates marked. "Thank you, sir, for your… generous payment," she stammered, eyes widening further as Lith reached into his pouch again and placed an additional three gold coins and 90 silver coins on the counter.

"Consider this a tip for your fast service," he said with a faint smile. Her jaw dropped slightly, speechless at the generosity, as Lith turned to leave.

In the middle of the hall, Lith raised his hand, and with a flick of his wrist, summoned the Final Gate. The air shimmered, and a colossal stone door materialized, ancient runes glowing as the door anchored itself in reality. The adventurers around him gasped, all eyes fixed on the magnificent gate as it loomed over the hall. Whispers of amazement rippled through the crowd.

"What kind of power…?" one adventurer murmured, his voice filled with awe.

"He just… summoned a gate out of nowhere. Is he a high-ranking mage?" another whispered, stunned.

The receptionist and the adventurers around her could only watch, frozen in shock and disbelief, as Lith entered the gate, stepping through to the other side with a final nod toward the astonished crowd. In the next instant, both Lith and the door disappeared, leaving behind an empty space and a room full of people questioning what they had just witnessed. The receptionist clutched the coins he had left behind, her heart racing, and the adventurers exchanged glances, all silently realizing that they had just encountered someone beyond the realm of ordinary power.