Within the Royal Capital

A lot of minutes have passed since I entered the royal capital. But since this place is very crowded and huge, it will be difficult for me to find that place in time. Not to mention, this place is like a maze. Maybe it wouldn't hurt a bit if I ask some people around here. Wait, I should check what time it is already.

He proceeds to look at the clock tower from a far distance. He was shocked as soon as he saw that the shorter hand is pointed at X while the longer hand is pointing at VIII.

"What the heck, is this for real? It's only 10:41?"

"Eh? You can see that far? Amazing!"

He was suddenly startled by the voice of a cheerful tone behind him and immediately glanced at that person. It appears to be the same person he passed by earlier with concealed appearance.

"O- oh me? Not really much. Even though the clock tower is very far, it's big enough to be seen clearly even from here."

"Hmm, fair point. By the way, you don't seem to be from this country and you also don't seem to be those typical travelers whose purpose is to enjoy and relax here. May I ask what you came here for?"

I was shocked and speechless by what this guy said. This guy asked me as he tapped my shoulder for a moment. But it made me tense up for some reason. As if he can see through me. But I think I don't need to hide it. I sense no hostility or malice behind this person after all. I'll just give this guy an honest but short answer.

"Oh, Just for the entrance exam, that's all."

"I see. Then why are you here then?"

"Huh, didn't I say that I'm here for the entrance exam just now?"

"Then why go here in this direction?"

"What do you mean?.."

"You made yourself further from the academy by going in the opposite direction bud."

"..."

I remained silent as I just realized that I wandered for minutes for nothing. What a pain in the ass. I should have asked gramps for the map.

"Seems like you're lost, aren't you?"

"Yes…"

I agreed in discouragement as he said that energetically.

"Then you're in luck! I know the way and I can guide you on your way there!"

I felt encouraged when I heard that.

"Really?"

"Not for free though."

"Oh.."

My discouragement went back when I realized that this guy won't do it for free.

"No thanks, I'll just search for directions myself."

"Aww man, alright then. But will you make it in time though?"

"Yeah, I still have more than an hour left after all-"

His eyes suddenly widened and was shocked as he looked at the clock tower again and saw that the smaller hand is pointed at XI while the longer hand is pointed at III.

"W-what… You gotta be kidding me… How is it possible…?"

My eyes must be deceiving me. I'm certain that only a few minutes have passed since I started talking to this guy. But it seems that a lot of minutes have passed already. I don't know how it happened but it freaks me out.

"I'll let you know since you haven't realized it yet. You seem so tired that your sense of time has dulled so much that you haven't realized how much time has passed."

Huh, what? Well maybe he's not wrong when he said I look tired. When I sprinted nonstop to travel to another country without a break. But to think I'll be this tired that my sense of time has dulled puts me in a bad shape to take the entrance exam. This is bad.

"Shall I help you with that? I have some recovery potions with me right now."

"But I'll bet you won't give it for free are you?"

"Of course. I need to make money too, you know."

Well he's got a point. Looks like I have no choice but to buy one from this guy.

"Fine, I'll buy one. How much does it cost?"

"Yay! That would be 10 silver!"

10 silver?! Is this guy trying to make me go broke?

"Hey, isn't that too expensive?"

"I mean you can buy from other markets if you want, but it'll cost you some time. Besides, this isn't an ordinary recovery potion."

I hate to admit that he's right. Looks like I'm in a situation with no choice.

*Sigh*

"Alright then, give me that potion."

I handed him 10 silver coins while at the same time he handed me a recovery potion which was bigger than a regular potion. Without delay, I immediately drink the potion.

"Seems you aren't wrong when you said that wasn't an ordinary potion."

The recovery immediately started taking effect in my body less than a second after I drank it. I can feel my energy being replenished at a rapid rate.

"Thank you for the potion. Now I'll get going now and-"

Seriously… I'm certain only 2 minutes have passed since I looked at the clock tower yet when I looked at it just now 10 minutes had passed already. I'm glad I finally get to regain my energy back, but at this rate I won't make it in time.

"Would you want me to guide you to the shortest path towards there?"

I'm slowly getting annoyed that every bit of my money is being gouged out by this guy. But I have no choice I guess.

"How much for that?"

"That would be 2 silver."

"Fine…"

I gave him another 2 silver coins out of discouragement as he accepted it with joy.

"Alright, follow me."

A lot of minutes had passed since we started walking. While this guy guides me on my way, he also tells me some new things I didn't know before which is quite nice.We also talked for a while and he also gave me some information and useful tips about the entrance exam.

"Is this really the shortest route? This seems like a long walk for me."

"Yup. But don't worry though, we're halfway through already so we should make-"

Before the cloak person could finish his sentence, he froze in shock as he gazed at the tower clock from a distance.

"Hey... is there something wrong?"

"Hmm, not at all. Just change of plans though, we're gonna run for it."

"Hey wait-"

This guy started running before I could finish my words so I decided to run as well to catch up to him. While I'm following this guy, I looked at the clock tower once again only to find out I only had 8 minutes left.

"Okay bud, make a run for your life. I'll definitely gouge you out for gouging out my money."

I started chasing that guy down as I ran out of temper and it didn't take long for that guy to notice my bloodlust.

"Whoops, looks like somebody's agitated."

The cloak-covered person decided to add more speed as he realizes that he's being chased down.

What the heck? Is this guy for real? Did he just get faster?

"Tsk"

I kept chasing him and didn't care about my surroundings. My eyes were fixated on that guy. I didn't realize how long I'd been chasing him until he finally stopped moving. As my bloodlusted hand is about to reach his neck-

"We're finally here."

My bloodlust was suddenly interrupted by his words.

"Huh?"

I froze in silence as I saw a huge castle in front of me.

"What… is this place..?"

"Novaria Royal Magic Academy. A school structured like a palace, reserved for nobles and royals only."

"So this is the place?"

"Yep, you came here to take the entrance exam because you're invited right?"

"Wait- how do you know-"

"Oh, I found out from your letter."

I was surprised when he showed the letter only to realize that it's the same letter that was missing from my pocket.

"YOU LITTLE SHIT-"

As I exclaimed, he suddenly tossed something towards me causing me to catch it by instinct. It's a recovery potion, the same potion that I bought for him earlier.

"Sorry but I ain't buying this."

"Just consider it a good luck gift for your entrance exam."

"Eh?"

I was dumbfounded by what this guy said. So he's just giving me this for free?

"Oh yeah, I have one more thing to say."

"What is it?"

Before I knew it, he suddenly appeared behind me. He whispered and gave me another warnings and advice and after that I nodded in agreement.

"Then, I'll get going now. I wish you the best, Markus."

I was shocked when he mentioned my name. I tried to ask him but he had already disappeared while the letter fell down to my hand.

"Just who the hell is he?"