“That crazy old man… ‘slight dizziness’ my ass.”
My thoughts were cut off by a groan from beside me.
“Ugh…”
I turned to see Maya clutching her stomach.
“Are you alright, Maya?”
“Hah… I’m fine, sir. Just give me a minute.”
While Maya recovered, I took the opportunity to look around.
We appeared to be in a room very similar to the portal chamber in Shenguang.
The architecture was nearly identical, though the colors were different.
Golden lanterns hung from the walls, casting a warm glow across polished stone floors etched with ancient runes.
Now that I thought about it…
Wasn’t someone supposed to be here to greet us?
I glanced around the empty room.
Nothing.
No welcoming committee.
No attendants.
No carriage.
Just us.
“Is everyone feeling better?” I asked after a few moments.
“If so, let’s leave this room. Maybe we can find someone who can point us in the right direction.”
The guards nodded.
Together, we stepped off the pedestal and headed toward the exit.
Just as we reached the door, it suddenly burst open.
Bang!
A young man stumbled inside, breathing heavily.
His brown hair was tied back messily, his glasses sat crooked on his face, and he looked as though he had run across the entire city.
“Your Highness!” he gasped.
“I’m so sorry! I was supposed to be here waiting, but something happened, and I had to take care of it, and then I thought I could make it back in time, but apparently I couldn’t, and now I’m late, which is entirely my fault, and you can punish me however you want!”
The room fell silent.
I stared.
The guards stared.
Even Maya stopped looking sick.
I wasn’t sure what impressed me more—the fact that he was late or the fact that he managed to say all of that in a single breath.
“Uh…”
I blinked.
“It’s alright.”
The young man looked ready to apologize again.
“We just need someone to lead us outside. No one is being punished… uh…”
“Kevin, Your Highness. My name is Kevin.”
Of course it is.
“Right. Kevin. No one is being punished. However, we are running behind schedule, so if you could show us the way outside, that would be appreciated.”
Kevin immediately straightened.
“Of course! Right this way!”
I already had a feeling this was going to be a long walk.
As we followed him through the hallways, Kevin immediately began talking.
“Right now we’re in the western wing of the Magic Hall. It’s basically the largest magical library in Synergos. Scholars come from every kingdom to study here. It stores thousands of spells, ancient records, magical research, and documents about the Magic Dimension. The Hall itself was founded nearly three hundred years ago after—”
And he kept going.
And going.
I learned more history in five minutes than I had during an entire month of lessons.
Thankfully, I soon spotted an exit ahead.
Thank the gods.
I don’t think I can survive another lecture.
“Ah!” Kevin exclaimed.
“Looks like we’ve arrived. Time really flies, doesn’t it?”
No.
No, it does not.
“At Sir Son’s request, we’ve prepared two carriages for your group.”
I blinked.
The man’s mouth was truly impressive.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
“No problem, Your Highness! Happy to help anytime!”
Soon we boarded the waiting carriages and departed.
The moment we entered the streets of Synergos, I understood why people called it the Land of Unity.
The city was alive.
Carriages traveled up and down the roads while crowds filled the sidewalks.
Students wearing different uniforms walked in groups, laughing and chatting.
Others traveled alone, carrying swords, staffs, spell books, or training equipment.
Everywhere I looked, there was something new.
Maybe Maya noticed the curiosity in my eyes because she suddenly began pointing things out.
“Sir, those students in the green and gold uniforms belong to the Celestine Arcanum.”
“The mage academy?”
“Yes. It’s one of the oldest magical institutions on the continent. It was founded long before Ash-Fall Academy existed.”
I watched as a group of students carrying thick books disappeared into a nearby street.
“And those?”
“The blue and gray uniforms belong to Blade Sanctum. They specialize in training magical swordsmen.”
I nodded.
“What about the dark blue uniforms?”
“That’s Tideborne Naval Academy. Most of their students come from coastal regions and specialize in naval warfare and water-based combat.”
“And the white and gold?”
Maya smiled.
“Saint Aureline Institute. They focus on healing arts, purification magic, divine studies, and prophecy.”
The more she spoke, the wider my eyes became.
I had known other schools existed.
But seeing them was completely different.
Back in the palace, I had only read about places like these in books.
Now they were right in front of me.
Students from every kingdom.
Every background.
Every race.
As our carriage continued through the city, I spotted elves with elegant features and pointed ears walking beside beastmen with animal traits.
Merchants from distant nations sold magical artifacts, enchanted jewelry, potions, weapons, and countless things I couldn’t even identify.
The streets buzzed with life.
Different languages.
Different cultures.
Different people.
It was overwhelming.
And wonderful. Get faster updates on g.com.
Without realizing it, I pressed closer to the window.
I wanted to see everything.
Every building.
Every person.
Every shop.
Everything.
Across from me, Maya watched quietly.
A small smile appeared on her face.
As the city slowly disappeared behind us, the buildings became less crowded.
The roads widened before eventually narrowing into a long stone path leading toward a massive gate in the distance.
Ahead of us, dozens of other carriages waited in line.
Students.
Nobles.
Commoners.
All heading toward the same destination.
A royal guard rode beside my carriage.
“Your Highness, we’ve arrived at the entrance to Ash-Fall Academy.”
“I see. Thank you.”
The guard nodded before riding ahead.
Soon it was our turn to approach the gate.
Two academy guards stepped forward.
“Royal seal and acceptance letter, please.”
I handed both over.
The guards quickly examined them before returning everything.
“Everything is in order.”
The older guard smiled.
“Welcome to Ash-Fall Academy, Your Highness Li Qiang.”
I nodded politely before sitting back.
The gates slowly opened.
And then—
I saw it.
For a moment, I forgot to breathe.
A massive white-stone campus stretched across the landscape before me.
Towering buildings rose toward the sky while banners bearing the colors of the four kingdoms fluttered in the wind.
Hundreds of students moved through enormous courtyards and pathways, appearing no larger than ants from this distance.
The academy was so large that parts of it disappeared beyond my field of vision.
And in the far distance—
Beyond the academy grounds—
I could just barely make out a faint shimmering line stretching across the horizon.
The Barrier.
The ancient seal surrounding Ash-Falls.
A reminder of the danger that slept beyond it.
I unconsciously swallowed.
Honestly…
I think this place might be bigger than our royal palace.
The carriage continued forward.
And for the first time since leaving home, I felt nervous.
Ash-Fall Academy stood before me.
Not gonna lie i really love kevin, hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as i did, probly my fav chapter written