Following the incident, the candidates only left the carriages when absolutely necessary. However, the cramped carriages and large number of people inside made the smell unbearable.
After displaying some of his ability and proving that he was close to the level of a low-level mage, Noah offered to help the mage escorts drive the carriage. As a result, Noah finally got the chance to remain outside and breathe some fresh air.
Even if sitting outside the carriage seemed more dangerous, having a mixed-blood Mage guard beside him made him safer than those inside. His personal strength also gave him some confidence; technically, Noah had the highest mana level of anyone in the caravan.
A voice rose from the front of the caravan:
"Darkness is beginning to fall! Stop the carriages and prepare to rest!"
The carriages stopped one after another.
Traveling at night was not only dangerous, but it would also prevent the horses from getting any rest. If the horses died, the caravan would face far greater problems.
The mixed-blood escort looked at Noah and said:
"Your skill at driving the carriage is good."
"Thank you."
The escort showed no special interest in Noah’s noble origin or status.To people like him, strength was more important than a person’s name.
Due to a lack of manpower, the Academy placed some value on those of mixed blood, granting them a status similar to nobles. This did not apply within the nobles’ province itself, however, only within the Academy’s lands and the neutral territories. Nevertheless, the Academy was still led by nobles. Differences in blood purity and talent prevented anyone of mixed blood from assuming leadership.
Noah returned inside the carriage. As soon as he opened the door, a powerful smell struck his nose, causing him to furrow his brows.
He looked at the candidates’ listless faces, then sat down silently.
From the moment of the first death, smiles disappeared from most of their faces. An atmosphere of heavy sadness and fear replaced them. This was another reason why Noah preferred to stay outside the carriage. As pampered nobles, when had any of them ever faced danger before?
A young noble whose face was covered with freckles said, trying to force himself to smile:
"Noah, you’re back."
"And you are...?"
Noah did not know the freckled person, but it seemed that everyone in the caravan knew Noah after the Averitt incident.
Noah sat down and looked around, then took a piece of flatbread and began nibbling on it. For a moment, after enduring such conditions following several years of luxury, Noah truly wondered why all these nobles had joined the Academy and what opportunities could make them give up their luxury and servants.
Since entering the Mountains of Death, obtaining supplies had become difficult. The candidates possessed many gold coins, but there were no merchants from whom they could buy anything. In this situation, the coins were no better than stones.
After Noah finished eating, the freckled noble asked him:
"N-Noah, how does the situation look? How much longer until we leave these cursed Mountains ?"
It was the question everyone wanted answered. The gazes of those inside the carriage turned toward Noah.
He said:
"I spoke with the escort while driving the carriage. We have covered half the distance through the mountains. If everything goes well, we will leave them after another half month, and then the caravan will continue toward the Academy."
The freckled noble’s eyes widened.
"We still have another half month ahead of us?! These days are horrifying! I don’t think I can endure another day in this place!"
He began pulling at his hair with both hands as he complained.
One of the youths tried to encourage him:
"Hold on. If you endure the next fifteen days, we will leave these Mountains . Then we will find fresh fruit, soft bread, comfortable beds, and warm baths."
However, his words sounded as though he were trying to encourage himself more than the freckled noble.
Knock! Knock!
A steady knocking sounded against the carriage door before it opened and Charles appeared.
He wore protective clothing and carried a simple magical artifact, making him look like one of the combat mages.
"Gentlemen! Ladies! It is time for the break. Anyone who needs to get out should do so now, and anyone who does not should remain inside the carriage. It is dangerous outside."
Those inside the carriage stirred uneasily. Several girls exchanged glances with reddened faces, then stepped outside one after another.
Noah stood up.
"Let’s go."
As one of the nobles assigned to guard duty, he had to accompany the girls and protect them. However, his task was not to fight any danger alone, but to keep an eye out and summon the mage escorts if a problem appeared. At least, this was a price he had to pay for some fresh air.
The freckled noble said while trembling:
"I... I won’t go outside this time."
Noah looked disdainfully at the cowardly noble, then motioned for the others to follow him out of the carriage.
Noah stepped down onto the grass and stretched his body with relief.
The Mountains extended before him farther than his eyes could see. If they had not been filled with danger, the view would have been worthy of admiration.
Charles said as he watched the sunset:
"How beautiful."
"Danger exists everywhere. Disease, famine, and war the world is filled with such dangers. But we, as nobles, have never experienced any of them. These Mountains threaten our lives, but to stronger mages, they are no different from the gardens of their homes. This is the difference between an ordinary noble and a real powerhouse."
Noah looked at him.
"That is one way of looking at it..."
"Take a look at that freckled noble. He has already lost his courage. Someone who lacks the spirit to face danger will never get far on the path of power. Even if he safely makes it to the Magical Academy, he will likely never become a true powerhouse. Studying magic is a hundred times more difficult than crossing these mountains."
Charles piced up a stone and threw it far into the Mountains .
"It is time to protect our beauties."
Noah watched him walk away.
"Interesting. He has already sensed it."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"It seems that I am not the only mage here or is it merely a magical treasure?"
Noah closed his eyes, expanding his mana perception, and reminded himself to be cautious.
Nearby sources of mana appeared as faint signals within his awareness. The candidates’ signals were weak and unstable, while the energy of the mixed-blood escorts was clearer and stronger.
From the rear carriages, he observed the noble mages standing vigil for the caravan. Without hesitation, he ceased his attempt to sense them, in case one of them happened to be observing him.
After conducting a brief scan of the carriages, he found no indication of mana disturbances that would alert him to the presence of hidden threats.
The immediate area appeared to be secure for the time being, but this was clearly not a permanent situation.
He was not willing to risk his own safety, so he enlisted in the nobles’ guard. His most significant asset for monitoring his surroundings and avoiding danger was his mana perception.
Noah opened his eyes and surveyed the tranquil Mountains .
The grass stretching beneath the setting sun appeared motionless.