Chapter 11: Arrival in the Empire

The city loomed ahead, grand and imposing, its towering walls casting long shadows over the winding roads leading up to the imperial gates. The capital of the Ardent Empire, Solara, was a sprawling metropolis—a place where wealth and poverty walked side by side, where nobles basked in luxury while the desperate fought for scraps in the underbelly of society. To Mira, it was nothing short of a battlefield waiting to be conquered.

She adjusted the hood of her cloak, concealing most of her features as she walked among the travelers approaching the city gates. Beside her, Nia mimicked her actions, keeping her feline ears tucked beneath her own hood. The nekomimi had grown quieter in the last few days, ever since their escape from the slave ring. Though they had made it out, the scars—both physical and mental—remained.

Mira glanced at her companion. "Nervous?"

Nia shook her head but didn't speak. Her golden eyes darted around, taking in the sights, the people, the sheer magnitude of the empire's heart.

The line to enter the city moved slowly. Two guards clad in silver and red imperial armor stood at the checkpoint, inspecting every traveler before allowing them entry. Mira tensed as their turn neared.

"Papers," one of the guards demanded, extending a hand.

Mira produced a set of forged identification documents, the result of a rushed yet effective deal she had brokered back in a nameless border town. She kept her expression neutral as the guard scrutinized them.

"A noble's crest?" The guard raised an eyebrow, looking between Mira and the document. "Lady Mira Aldren of House Aldren. Never heard of it."

Mira smiled faintly. "A minor house. We keep to ourselves."

The guard hummed but ultimately found nothing amiss. He returned the papers and gestured for her to pass. When he turned to Nia, however, his expression darkened. "And what's under the hood?"

Mira's hand twitched, resisting the urge to lash out. Instead, she stepped forward, feigning indignation. "She is my personal servant. Do you doubt the word of a noble?"

The guard hesitated. No noble would travel without at least one attendant, and her expensive-looking cloak supported the claim. Finally, with an annoyed grunt, he waved them through. "Move along."

Only when they were well past the gates did Mira allow herself to relax.

Nia let out a shaky breath. "That was… close."

Mira smirked. "Get used to it. We're playing a dangerous game now."

The city's inner districts were a stark contrast to the slums they had passed near the gates. Marble-paved roads, ornate street lamps, and elegant buildings lined the bustling streets. Merchants peddled exotic wares, street performers dazzled passersby, and well-dressed aristocrats rode in luxurious carriages, their embroidered coats shimmering in the sunlight.

Mira's gaze remained forward as she led Nia through the city, heading toward the academy district. The Solara Grand Academy, the empire's most prestigious institution for knights, mages, and scholars, was located on the northern end of the city, surrounded by high walls and guarded entrances.

Her plan was simple: infiltrate, excel, and rewrite fate.

By late afternoon, they arrived at the academy's outer district. A massive archway, carved with intricate runes, marked the entrance. Beyond it, the academy grounds stretched endlessly—vast courtyards, towering spires, and buildings that radiated magic.

Mira stopped at the admissions office, where a stern-looking official sat behind an enchanted desk that automatically recorded applicants' names.

"Name?" the official asked, quill poised over parchment.

Mira tilted her chin slightly. "Mira Aldren."

The quill moved on its own, etching her name onto the list.

"Magical aptitude?"

"Intermediate," she lied smoothly. She had little knowledge of her own limits yet, and revealing too much too soon was unwise.

The official nodded. "Combat experience?"

"Practical."

"Recommendation letter?"

Mira reached into her cloak, producing another forged document. The official scanned it, then stamped an approval seal onto her application. "You'll take the entrance exam in two days. Failure means immediate expulsion. Understand?"

Mira smirked. "Failure isn't an option."

The official barely spared her a glance before dismissing her.

As they left the office, Nia tugged at Mira's sleeve. "What now?"

"Now?" Mira's eyes gleamed. "We prepare."

She had two days to secure her place in this academy, and she had no intention of simply passing.

She would dominate.

She would carve her name into history.

She would make sure the so-called protagonist of this world never saw it coming.