The Capital

After the Orc invasion, Neo immersed himself in training every single day, with a burning desire to become stronger. It had been almost three years since then, and he was just a week away from turning twelve - the minimum age requirement to enter the Emerald Academy. Neo had already made a name for himself among his peers, as he had become a low second-rank knight and a mid first-heart mage, making him one of the most talented humans in the world.

Under the guidance of his grandmother, Neo had gained much more knowledge about his wind and fire affinity. Although he couldn't fly with his wind yet, he had managed to enhance his running and sword-swinging speed with its help. His fire affinity had also improved, as he could now create fireballs that could kill an average human and even hurt a first-rank knight.

However, Neo had refrained from learning too many spells on his own, as he knew that it was better to learn them in the academy. He didn't want to develop any bad habits that might hinder his growth as a mage. With his abilities and potential, Neo was sure to become a force to be reckoned with in the Emerald Academy, which was known as the best academy in the human realm, catering to both knights and mages.

Despite his impressive skills, Neo was aware of the fact that he still had much to learn. His grandmother had advised him to avoid learning too many spells before he entered the academy, as it could lead to bad habits that would be difficult to break. Instead, Neo had focused on perfecting his current abilities and learning to think strategically in battle.

The journey towards the capital began a week before Neo's twelfth birthday. Neo, his grandparents, and their small entourage consisting of a few guards and servants, set out early in the morning, traveling in a carriage pulled by two sturdy horses. They followed the main road that connected their town to the capital, passing through fields, forests, and small villages along the way.

Neo was silent for most of the journey, lost in his own thoughts and plans for the future. He was excited about going to the academy but also a bit nervous. He knew that he was talented, but he also knew that the academy was full of talented students from all over the human realm. He wondered how he would fare against them, and what kind of challenges and adventures he would face.

His grandparents, on the other hand, were more talkative and cheerful. They chatted with the guards and the driver, commenting on the scenery, the weather, and the news they had heard from the capital. They also told Neo stories from their own youth, about their adventures as knights and mages, and about their love and loyalty for each other and their family.

As they were passing through a dense forest, they heard a loud noise that sounded like a tree falling. The driver stopped the carriage, and the guards got off, drawing their swords and looking around. Neo's grandparents told him to stay inside the carriage and not to worry, but he was curious and wanted to see what was happening.

He peeked through the window and saw a large tree lying across the road, blocking the way. He also saw a group of bandits emerging from the trees, armed with swords, bows, and axes. They were rough-looking men, with scars, tattoos, and dirty clothes. They were laughing and shouting, and one of them was kicking the fallen tree, as if mocking the travelers.

Neo's heart raced as he realized that they were in danger. He instinctively reached for his sword, but later thought that his magic would be enough.

Neo closed his eyes and focused his mind. He felt the familiar energy flowing through him, the wind and fire elements responding to his will. He whispered a spell that he had learned from his grandmother, a spell that created a gust of wind and a burst of flames at the same time.

The bandits were caught off guard as the spell hit them. Some of them were blown away by the wind, others were burned by the fire. One of them, the leader, tried to charge at the carriage, but he was stopped by a wall of wind that Neo had summoned. The other bandits panicked and ran away, shouting curses and threats. The fallen tree was cleared away by the guards, and the carriage resumed its journey.

The capital city was nothing short of breathtaking. The moment Neo and his grandparents entered, they were greeted by towering buildings that seemed to touch the sky. The city was so vast that Neo couldn't see the end of it from where he was standing. The streets were lined with glittering lights, the air was crisp and the sky was an endless blue.

But what truly made the capital stand out were the magical and mystical aspects that surrounded it. The buildings seemed to be infused with magic, each one glowing with a unique energy. Neo saw fountains that sprayed water in different colors, street performers who could levitate or disappear before the audience's eyes, and even animals that seemed to have their own magical abilities.

As they made their way deeper into the city, Neo and his grandparents saw towering monuments dedicated to ancient heroes, and beautiful gardens filled with exotic plants that glowed in the moonlight. There were even rumors of secret underground tunnels that could transport people to different parts of the city in a matter of minutes.

Neo couldn't help but be in awe of the capital's size and beauty. He could see that there was no other city on Earth that could compare to it. The capital was not only the political and cultural center of the human realm, but it was also a hub of magical knowledge and innovation.