Noble

As the bloody battle concluded, the guard leader approached Sir Elias and Oasis, his eyes scanning them cautiously.

"I don't sense any ill intent from you," the guard leader stated, his tone measured.

"I am Lancelot Bloodstone from the BlueMoon family. We are heading to the capital."

"Elias Hawthorne from Riverbend, and this lad here is my disciple, Oasis," Sir Elias replied calmly.

Lancelot's gaze shifted to Sir Elias, appraising him. "Oh, fascinating. Peak Tabula-Rasa realm," he remarked with a nod.

Then, turning his attention to Oasis, his eyes widened in surprise.

"What? This young kid is at the fourth layer of the Foetal realm? From the looks of it, he's only eight years old. Is he noble?"

As this conversation unfolded, a young man inside the carriage was eavesdropping.

His curiosity piqued, he stepped outside, his movements brisk.

One of the guards immediately spoke up, concern evident in his voice. "Young master BlueMoon, please go inside."

The young master ignored the guard's plea, his thoughts swirling with a mix of awe and frustration.

"I am two years older than him, yet he is already above my level. I thought I was a genius. Pathetic,"

he mused silently, his pride stung by Oasis's evident prowess.

His expression was a mixture of disbelief and determination, his eyes reflecting the inner turmoil of witnessing someone younger surpassing his own achievements.

Stepping out from the ornate, rune-etched caravan, the young master was dressed in fine, tailored clothes that spoke of his noble status.

His dark hair was neatly kept, and his piercing blue eyes scanned the newcomers.

The scene was tense yet respectful, the aftermath of the battle still evident with the fallen bandits lying around, and the air thick with the residual scent of blood and magic.

"Oh, they are from one of the Eight Great Families. This must be the third son of the BlueMoon family," Sir Elias thought to himself, recognizing the young master.

"Lancelot, let them travel with us. I'm sure they are heading to the capital as well," the young master spoke, his voice carrying the authority of his lineage.

Lancelot nodded in agreement, respecting the young master's wishes.

"Very well. Sir Elias, Oasis, you are welcome to join our carriage. It seems we share the same destination."

Sir Elias inclined his head in gratitude. "Thank you, young master. Your kindness is appreciated."

The group prepared to continue their journey, the tension from the recent battle gradually dissipating.

The young master of the BlueMoon family, despite his earlier frustration, resolved to use this opportunity to learn more about Oasis.

As the carriage resumed its path toward the capital, the Equinores trotted steadily, their mystical energy creating an almost ethereal atmosphere.

The carriage moved with a speed and grace that far surpassed the pace Oasis and Sir Elias had maintained thus far.

At this rate, they would reach the capital in about a day's time.

Outside, at the front of the carriage, Lancelot and one of the guards were stationed, expertly controlling the movements of the Equinores.

Their eyes were vigilant, scanning the road ahead for any potential threats.

At the rear, the rest of the guards maintained a watchful presence, ensuring the carriage's safety from any dangers that might arise from behind.

Inside the carriage, the atmosphere was markedly different.

The interior was luxurious, a testament to the high-tier artifact's craftsmanship. Plush seats lined the walls, providing comfort for its passengers.

The walls were adorned with intricate carvings and shimmering runes that pulsed faintly with magical energy.

Large, clear windows offered a panoramic view of the forest as it blurred past them, the dense trees and occasional clearings creating a mesmerizing backdrop.

Oasis, seated next to Sir Elias, was wide-eyed as he took in the splendor of the carriage's interior.

It was his first time inside such an artifact, and the experience was awe-inspiring.

The smoothness of the ride and the ambient magical energy were unlike anything he had ever encountered.

The silence inside the caravan was broken by the young master, his voice cutting through the quiet.

"My name is Zane BlueMoon, the third son of the BlueMoon family," he introduced himself, his tone polite but carrying the weight of his noble status.

He turned his gaze to Oasis.

"Oasis, right?" he asked, a hint of curiosity in his eyes. "Which noble family are you from?"

Oasis responded calmly, his demeanor relaxed despite the opulent surroundings.

"Yeah, I'm Oasis from Mossy Hollow. I'm not noble," he replied, offering a small smile. "Thanks for allowing us to go with you in your ride."

Zane's eyebrows raised slightly in surprise. "Not noble?" he repeated, more to himself than anyone else.

He studied Oasis for a moment, processing the information.

"You must be quite remarkable, then, to have achieved such a level at your age without noble resources."

"I thought his simple clothing was just to hide his noble status."

"To think he is just a commoner and already this strong. I'm still on the 2nd layer of the Foetal Stage," Zane mused silently, looking at Oasis.

"When did you start training?" Zane continued, curiosity evident in his voice.

Oasis sensed the underlying implications of the question and replied calmly, "My master started training me when I was three."

"Oh, we started around the same time," Zane thought to himself, comparing their progress.

"So, I presume that you are going for the preliminary exam, right?" Zane asked aloud.

"Yes," Oasis replied, his tone steady.

As the carriage continued its swift journey toward the capital, Zane's explanation about the privileges of great families set the stage for their conversation.

While they spoke, the landscape outside the caravan began to change dramatically.

From a few minutes away, Lancelot and the guards at the front of the carriage caught sight of the capital.

Sylvaneth, the capital of Verdantia, loomed in the distance, a magnificent sight to behold.