Inside the carriage, in the passenger compartment, Derek sat on the side of the coach, his eyes fixed at the window, marveled by the view outside. It was a shared ride, and there were three other passengers inside.
The compartment was a cramped wooden cabin with two bench seats facing each other. Derek was seated at the left side of the compartment. Facing him was a young lady in yellow dress, their knees almost touching in the tight middle space.
Looking outside the window with a straight face, Derek fell into deep thought... I was excited about going to the capital city. But I never expected the ride to be like this. The old man had said that I would have to take a carriage since walking could take several days which was impossible because the exam would have already concluded by then.
It is a long distance I will admit. But who would have thought it would be this expensive? In the last few days, I got a good understanding of how the currency system works in this world and I know making money is no joke. But one silver and two copper for a five hour journey. That’s just criminalism in broad daylight.
Derek’s heart was full of distress but yet did not show it out on his face. He kept a calm and silent expression so the others wouldn’t notice or feel uncomfortable. It was a silent ride and he was going to keep it that way.
The currency context in this world deals with copper, silver and gold. Twelve copper equals one silver, twenty silver equals one gold and fifty gold equals... I think it’s a mana crystal or mana core? I’m not sure. But it’s something really valuable. Not everyone could get their hands on it.
I had thought the old man was really wealthy with the house and manor but he only gave me three silvers and five coppers. I have already paid for my journey with one silver and two copper. Now, all I’m left with is two silver and three copper. Damn, I heard the capital is very expensive.
Derek’s heart arched because of this.
Expenses in major cities were expensive compared to small towns and villages. Among all the major cities, the capital city was the most expensive because it was where the royal family and other royal houses reside.
The truth was bitter and it was the young man’s pocket that was suffering.
That’s right, the old man said the royal academy students were given stipends. That means I wouldn’t have to worry about money. I have to get in at all costs... With pure determination he proclaimed his heart.
While lost in thought, Derek felt a prickle of unease as though someone were watching him. He tore his gaze away from the window and locked eyes with the lady seated across from him.
The lady had piercing dark brown eyes that nearly sent his heart flying, both of them filled with the sense of curiosity. She didn’t look like someone heading to the capital for the royal academy exam. Instead, she seemed to be traveling for an entirely different reason.
Goodness... did she hear my thought? And what’s with that look?... Not daring to find out, Derek glanced at the other two passengers. Seeing their eyes fixed outside the window, he decided following their lead was the best option.
He turned toward his own window and stared out at the passing landscape, completely ignoring the lady seated across from him.
...
Hours passed until the carriage finally pulled into the capital city’s vehicle depot.
Derek stepped down from the carriage, rendered speechless by the sheer scale of the city compared to the town he had just left behind.
The city was teeming with people. Storefronts lined the streets, open for business as merchants traded their goods. Unlike the modest stalls in Valley Town, the shops were sturdy block buildings, packed to the brim with a far wider variety of wares.
The vibrant city carried a warm, lively atmosphere. Every building boasted a unique design, and every shop offered something completely different.
The people here moved with an air of refined comfort. Dressed in fine silk and expensive clothes, their attire left no doubt about the city’s wealth.
"Wow."
Derek walked into the busy street where the carriage had stopped. He was stunned by the completely different structure of the city.
"I have never seen anything like this before. Valley Town can’t even compare. Are all major cities like this?"
The young man was filled with amazement. He had only seen places like this in games and movies, but had never actually felt the experience of being in one.
Among everything that caught Derek’s eyes, there were two that stood out the most.
"This is very beautiful. There are even people that are exchanging goods with their magic. I never expected that."
He was definitely a stranger to this world and had yet to learn many things.
Using magic for sales and business was very common in the capital as long as it was used for the right purpose. This was the city with the most amount of mana in the entire of Aldridge kingdom. It was daily life.
This was one of the two things that amazed him and the second was at the heart of the city.
"What is that?"
From the distance he was, there was a statue of an individual in a robe standing at the heart of the city. This individual was holding a book in his left hand while the other held a staff.
Derek walked up close and inspected the statue. "He looked flashy, who is he?
He was standing across the statue which was surrounded by blocks of stone.
"That is the first Magus King. The one who created the very city you are standing in. How wouldn’t you know that?" A sharp yet hoarse voice proclaimed.
Derek turned around to see a short man in his late years looking up at him, his hands clasped behind his back.
"Ah, of course. How could I not have known?" Derek replied as though he knew who the statue was.
The short man who didn’t seem convinced sighed. "Sigh, well I can’t say I am surprised. This is your first time in the capital city right?"
Derek slowly nodded.
"That’s why. Not many people know of the statue because they have never been to the capital city." The short man sized Derek up, then asked. "You are likely from a small town or village. Are you here for work?"
Derek shook his head. "No I am not. Actually, I came for the royal academy exam. Do you happen to know where it’s being held?"
"The royal academy, huh?" The short man’s eyes widened. "You are hoping to become a mage? Well, good luck." He turned around and pointed at a shop a couple steps away. "There... that’s why they are registering."
Registering? I have already registered. I thought the period for resignation had ended a couple days back?... Derek didn’t bother asking any further questions.
He thanked the short man and walked towards the shop.
"Greetings. Are you here for registration?" A young man behind the counter of the shop asked upon Derek’s arrival.
"Um... actually I have already registered." Derek replied.
"Oh, I see. Then you must want to confirm then."
"Confirm?"
"Yes. If you have registered for the royal academy entrance exam then you must be here for the exam, right? But before that you have to get your candidate number. Without it you wouldn’t know when you’re being referred to in the exam."
So there was something left to do in before taking the exam? I didn’t know. If I hadn’t met that man... Derek glanced at the distance where he met the short man but wasn’t there anymore.
"Alright."
The young man behind the counter smiled and asked. "Can you tell me your full name please?"
"It’s Derek. Derek Jones."
As he heard the name, the young man’s eyes twitched but didn’t press on. "Please give me a moment."
He went down behind the desk in search of something.
By asking for my name does he mean he must have it? I see now. They may not have computers in this world but within the past few days, every name that had registered would have been gathered and assigned a number... With a single glance of the man’s actions Derek analyzed.
The young man came back up and looked at Derek with a smile. "You are, candidate seven hundred and sixty seven. If you go down the next street and turn right you’ll see a colosseum. That’s where the exam would take place. Good luck."
Derek bade the young man farewell and left the shop.
"Candidate seven hundred and sixty seven. That’s quite a high number. Are there up to a thousand candidate?"
Derek turned to the next street and followed the directions just as the young man directed.