Entering Parlon City

After a few hours of walking, they finally came across a few people. Most of them were hunters while some were just some people looking for herbs nearby. When they saw three kids walking in the forest without an adult accompanying them, they scolded the trio for being reckless and guided them back to the city.

The trio naturally listened to them and were grateful to them.

At this time, the trio arrived at the border of the city. In front of them is a huge wall made of gray stones with a wooden gate that was opened wide. Naturally, there were guards standing near the gates

"Halt!" a burly man wearing a metal plate and a wooden spear said as he approached the trio. Alongside the burly man is a skinny man wearing leather armor.

The trio halted and looked at the approaching guard with a somewhat wary look on their expressions. Rick then signaled Carla and Leon with a wink.

"What the hell are you kids doing outside the city? Where are your parents?" the guard said.

"Uhm.. I don't know. We were heading for the Golden Gate Academy with our parents but magical beasts surrounded our group. Our parents stayed behind to lure the beasts so that we can escape" Rick said as his face showed a terrified expression.

Carla supported Rick's explanation by crying while Leon tried to comfort her, at least on the surface.

The burly guard's gaze softened as he looked at the trio and felt sympathy for them. He had a soft spot for kids and easily believed them.

'Nice. He's buying it' Rick thought to himself when he noticed the change in the burly guard's gaze.

"What city or town did you come from?" the burly guard asked with a gentle voice.

"We came from Lamia City" Rick said as he lowered his head, trying to make himself as pitiful as possible but without exaggeration.

"Alright, were you trying to enroll in the Golden Gate Academy? You don't look like you're old enough to enroll" the burly guard said as the corners of his eyes narrowed with a hint of suspicion.

"Mister, do you know a woman named Lisa Ferlon? Our parents mentioned that we were supposed to look for her and she'll take care of us. They said that she's Carla's aunt" Rick said with an innocent tone.

'Lisa? I don't think I recall someone like that from the Academy' the burly guard thought to himself.

"What are your names? I'll ask around if someone else knows of this woman" the burly guard said. He decided to help the kids out, at least until they found Lisa.

"I'm Rick. She's Carla Ferlon and he's Leon" Rick said as he pointed towards Leon and Carla.

'Hold on, Ferlon? I think I recall someone with that last name' the burly guard thought to himself.

'Lisa Ferlon.. Ferlon..' the skinny guard thought to himself as he frowned. He then recalled a fearsome woman from the Academy. The corners of his eyes suddenly widened in shock as he looked at the trio.

"Lisa Ferlon!?" the skinny guard exclaimed and looked closely at Carla's figure with the corners of his eyes narrowed.

'Come to think of it, her face somewhat resembles Lisa's face. They also had the same hair color' the skinny guard thought to himself in realization.

"Oh, you recall someone like that? That would be for the best" the burly guard said.

"Don't you remember the Vice Headmaster of the Golden Gate Academy?" the skinny guard replied.

"The Vice Headmaster? Uh.. Right. Her name is... what was it again? Lina.. Linda.. no wait... LISA FERLON!?" the burly guard exclaimed as he looked at the trio in shock.

The trio just looked at them with a confused expression as they listened to their conversation.

'So she's the Vice Headmaster of the academy huh.. It makes it easier for us' Rick thought to himself.

"What's your relationship with Lisa Ferlon? Do you know what she looks like?" the skinny guard asked as he looked at Carla.

"I've never met her so I don't know what she looks like. I only know that she's supposed to be my aunt, my father's sister" Carla replied.

'To think that THAT Lisa Ferlon actually had a niece' the burly guard thought to himself.

"Very well, follow me. I'll take you to someone who knows the Vice Headmaster of the Golden Gate Academy" the burly guard said as he walked away while the trio followed him from behind as they entered the city.

"Have you really never met her?" Rick whispered at Carla's ear, to which Carla shook her head in denial.

They followed the burly guard as they looked around the city with amazement in their eyes. The road and the buildings were made of stones. They spotted a few people in blue robes.

'They must be mages' Rick thought to himself as he looked around the surroundings.

They then went to the outskirts of the city and stopped in front of a wooden house. The burly guard knocked on the door.

Shortly afterwards, the door opened and revealed the figure of a young man, who looked a little bit older than the trio. He had spiky black hair and pointed eyes.

He wore a white long-sleeved, button-up white shirt, a black robe, a red tie, and a black pants.

'This outfit.. Is he from the academy?' Rick said inwardly as he looked at the young man in front of him.

"Uncle, what brings you here so early?" the young man said as he looked at the burly guard. He then turned his gaze towards the trio as his eyes flashed with curiosity.

"Holdem, you see these kids? They said they're looking for the Vice Principal of the Golden Gate Academy and this girl right here is her niece" the burly guard said

"Say, WHAT NOW!?" Holdem exclaimed. He was dumbfounded in shock but he quickly composed himself with a cough.

"Ahem!.. Uncle, are you sure they really know the Vice Headmaster?" Holdem whispered at the burly guard's ear.

"I don't know but if you look closely at the girl, don't you think she somewhat resembles her?" the burly guard replied with a whisper.

Holdem stopped to look at the girl for a moment before he whispered "I know but if we get it wrong, you should know that I'm screwed"

"Hey, grow a spine, will you? They're just kids, why would they lie about something like that?" the burly guard replied.

Holdem couldn't help but sigh before he reluctantly nodded.