Havrick: The capital city

Whoosh!

A strong gust of wind blew past Aren's ears making him uncomfortable on his journey to the capital city. Sitting on the back of flying mount, he appeared to have faced many difficulties trying to balance himself. Even though he had already become a rank 1, he still couldn't handle the speed at which the mountain raven was flying.

"Bear with it for three hours more Aren. Then we will reach Havrick city, the capital." Cowen, who was sitting before him, said this to Aren.

Aren didn't say anything as he was looking at the long river at a distance. While fying at fast speed, they would fly over some small villages scattered around the river bank from time to time.

It had been five days since they took off from lithuyrm village and they were finally about to reach the capital which was very far from Telnos city. From what Aren had heard while talking with adventurers, Havrick was located at the northern lands of Ashlar Kingdom. It was a huge city which was almost double the size of what Yunisse was. If Yunisse was a middle tier city, then it definitely had the qualifications to be called a high tier city.

Travelling for 5 days towards their destination, they had passed Olhen Mountain Range, two low tier cities, about hundred villages and the large Moonlight forest to reach where they were while resting from time to time.

During this journey, Aren asked Cowen various questions about the academy but didn't get any satisfactory answer. He was only told that he should tell others that he only had a green ring aptitude. Aren also found this reasonable because a kid with violet ring aptitude appearing without any background of mages families would be unbelievable. And if this was actually proved then that would spell more trouble for him.

After three hours of riding, an outline of a big city came into Aren's view. The city had tall walls made up of dark brown bricks protecting it from outside. At its vicinity, there were many villages around this city. Going straight through these villages was a wide road leading further north. Looking at this city from above, he could see lots of carriages entering and exiting the city from its four large city gates which were guarded tightly by city guards. If he had to make an estimate, Havrick was 3 to 4 times more tightly guarded than Yunisse.

Inside the city, there were four towering buildings. One had a huge bell at the top of it and other looked like a church's steeple. That steeple, however, didn't have a cross. Instead, it was a pointed structure with a small colorless ball like thing at the top which looked like a very precious gem to Aren. Other two buildings were an observation tower and a windmill.

This city was divided into 5 parts by white coloured inner walls. Its architectural style reminded him of 13th century Europe when the earth's continents weren't divided into only two. One being the Western Confederation and another being the Asian Alliance.

"So this is the capital." Looking at the large number of ant like small people below, Aren had an expression of amazement on his face.

"Lets land outside the southern gate." Cowen suggested, pointing at the gate right below them. Aren didn't object and quickly nooded in affirmation.

Seeing him nod, Cowen gave a spiritual command to the Raven and they started descending slowly.

The wind blown by flapping of wings discouraged people from getting close. When mountain raven landed, they hopped out from its back. Cowen then gave a small black ball to the raven which it quickly ate and flew away.

"Master what was that?" Aren asked.

"Its a flesh ball which which is a favourite of this familiar of headmaster. Now come, we're entering the city." Cowen gave a short answer and walked towards the city gate, beckoning him to follow him.

Surprisingly, the guards of this city let them pass easily when Cowen showed them a small badge. Not only that, they also readily brought a horse carriage for them to board.

Sitting on the soft seat of carriage and looking at the houses of various sizes pass by, Aren was thinking how his life will be from now on.

Cowen, who was sitting on the opposite seat, called him at this moment.

"Aren, you don't know much about this city, do you? As we are already here let me tell you some general information about Havrick then."

"Havrick, the capital of Ashlar kingdom is one of the 14 high tier city of Tanvr Continent. As you've seen earlier, it is divided into five different districts called Coppernoon district, Magicwoods district, The central district, Eastern slums district and lastly Northern district.

Generally, commoners and a little rich citizens live in coppernoon district. Nobles and rich merchants live in Northern district. That's the place where there are many villas and Mansions. Eastern slums district, as the name implies is a slum area. This place houses many criminals and cold blooded killers. I would recommend you not to go there unless its absolutely necessary.

The central district is the most important place of this city. It is the biggest district. The biggest market in Havrick is also there. This district is where the main branch for Adventurers guild in Ashlar kingdom is. There is also the holy light Cathedral, the Royal Palace, Mages' Association and so on."

"And the Magicwoods district?" Aren asked curiously.

"That's the place we are heading to. We have to get a runestone for you before we go to the academy. The market there sells magical materials needed for mages. It is also hidden from common folk. So most people don't know the existence of Magicwoods district unless they become a rank 2."

'Oh... So thats why one of the Area I saw was covered in white fog when I looked from above.'

Aren had a look of understanding on his face. He also understood why it was hidden. He didn't ask about what runestone was as he knew that Cowen would explain it to him when the right time comes.

Going on the horse carriage, they went to the central district first. Then, Cowen led him to the Mages association he spoke of. Using his identity as a rank 4 mage, Cowen and Aren were brought to the special room by a rank 2 mage. Inside the room there was only a large black cloth placed at the center. That rank 2 mage didn't enter the room and only waited at the entrance. Aren entered the room with Cowen who looked like he came in places like this often.

Standing on the center of the room over the black cloth, Aren saw that mage close the door. Aren then looked at Cowen who was writing something on the cloth. He wrote 8 unknown words and stood up. He then held hands with the confused Aren and chanted something.

Following his chant, the words written on the cloth glowed brightly. The next second, both disappeared from the room.

Just the Aren's vision blackened, it became clear again but what he saw was not the walls of a room but many people. They were selling various goods with other people. They were not regular people though, as they wearing black cloaks and other bizarre clothing. Most people had a book in their one hand and a staff or wand in another. There were some who only had a book.

Seeing them, Aren was momentarily stunned. He remembered that, in this magical world, many things which cannot be explained using common sense might be possible.

'It may be some kind of tradition here.' he thought looking at the cloaked people at a distance.

'Oh, that long-haired guy isn't carrying a book in his hand. Thank god!'

As Aren was thinking if he should also buy a cheap book to not stand out in this place; Cowen, who was beside him, put his hand on Aren's shoulder.

"Suprised? There are many things you haven't seen yet. First lets go to Patrick's place."

"Patrick? Is he your friend, master?" asked Aren.

"Well, something like that. His shop sells runestones. So going there first will be much better than going to other places." Saying that, he went towards a wider road. The crowd in that place was much dense than in a subway station. So not to get lost, Aren had no choice but to hold hands with Cowen like an obedient child.

About fifteen minutes later, they came before Patrick's shop. It wasn't big, only about two storey tall but it was packed with mages. 「Aren just assumed these people to be mages」

"As expected, this guy's business is going well." Cowen commented as soon as he saw the long line of people gathered there.

Most people here were rank 1 and rank 2 mages. There may have been rank 3s but Aren didn't have the ability to sense those mages as he was only a rank 1 fighter.

Unlike others who were queuing, Cowen took Aren straight to the door. There were some mages who looked angry about what Cowen did but because of the energy waves Cowen unknowingly emmited they kept their mouth shut. Even a rank 4 mage wouldnot want to antagonize Cowen for such a small thing let alone those of the lower ranks. Thus, Cowen and Aren entered the shop easily.

Entering inside, Aren saw something which he would most likely call a mini-library. A man of small stature was in the middle of this mini-library chatting with another person. When he saw them enter, he ended his conversation and went forward to welcome them.

"Welcome guests, to my shop. May I ask what you are lookin- Oh, If it isn't Cowen. You haven't come to my shop for a decade. So, what brings you here today?"

The man spoke as though he knew Cowen for a long time. He looked to be in his fifties judging by his hair which was half white. But his age seemed to make him much more shrewd. Those glint in his eyes when he saw Aren, who was behind Cowen further, proved him to be a successful businessman.

Cowen didn't reply to Patrick but pulled Aren from behind him. Pointing at Aren, he said "This is Aren. He needs a runestone."

Hearing what Cowen said Patrick adjusted his monocle and looked at Aren again, this time more seriously. He observed him for a while then turned around and started looking for something in his warehouse. A while later, he came before them and put the box in his hands on a table at a side. He then beckoned Aren, who was sitting on a chair, to come over.

"Hmm...your aptitude is excellent. Your spirit is also enough to engrave a powerful rune in your spiritual space. With this superior grade runestone it might be possible for that rune too." Patrick said looking at him.

Hearing his words, Aren was confused.

"Engraving? Spiritual space?" He asked Patrick.

"Huh, Cowen didn't tell you about that?"

Patrick was suprised. Normally, if someone was to be an apprentice they would already know about these things. It seem that Cowen didn't tell Aren purposely or had forgotten to tell him.

Patrick looked at Cowen for while then turned to Aren. Pulling a chair near the table, he sat on it and started describing slowly which Aren listened without asking any questions. After a while, he understood what Engraving runes on his spiritual space meant.

'So that space where I saw the purple light is called spiritual space. In this space I have to engrave the rune I have chosen with the help of runestone. That engraved rune will be the foundation in which I will forge my path as a mage. Also, these runes seem to be of different types having various attributes. I need to choose wisely if I want to become powerful. Only then I can venture to find the truth as to why I came to this world.'

After Patrick explained him everything, Cowen bought the runestone and gave it to him.

Exiting the shop, Aren saw that the crowd still hadn't thinned. Looking at this many people gathering here, Aren was curious why would so many customers be here.

When they separated from the crowd, Aren asked his master. "Sir, why are there so many mages lining up at grandp- I mean uncle Patrick's place."

Cowen didn't respond but boarded a horse carriage. The carriage started going towards a huge infrastructure which was fortified by tall walls. It was situated atop a small hill so Aren could see what it was. Coming in front of an entrance, he turned around and said to him who was following quietly.

"Because Patrick is one of the Grade 2 Alchemist in this city. Potions that he makes are always in great demand in this market."

"An Alchemist?"

"Mmm. You'll know later. Now, lets enter the Academy." as Cowen said this, Aren couldn't help but look at the huge building which was constructed in a Gothic style architecture.