Gaius wondered about the effect of the ring… if only they had to use it, it meant that the people of the city were resistant to it. He could only imagine the reason was their experience or because of their parameters.

  In any case, they crossed the barrier without problems and Gaius didn’t notice anything happening to the horses, so it seemed that the problems were only for humans.

  They crossed the walls as well and soon were noticed by the population. They seemed a bit curious at first, but soon they lost interest. Mages were rare, but those who aren’t mages are easy to find everywhere, after all.

  Gaius looked around and confirmed that the everyday clothes here were pretty light since the weather inside the barrier wasn’t hot or cold. Still, everyone looked a bit shiny… Gaius realized that the cause of it was the fact that everyone had some jewels with them, be it on rings, amulets, or staves… pretty much everyone had at least one of those.

  “I guess these must be magic items.” Gaius rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Even if they can use magic, some support should make their skills a lot more useful.”

  Now that Gaius thought about it, the guards weren’t with them… the guards of the wall. They didn’t receive orders to escort them, nor did they say where they should go. Still, that would be easy to spot. They sure were being unconcerted about them, though. Most likely, because Gaius and the others were surrounded by people who could use magic and developed and protected their lands with that power for who knows how long.

  As Gaius approached the central plaza, he soon came upon a sight that got his immediate attention: the Magic Academy. Dominating the cityscape, it was unmistakably the most impressive feature of the area. The academy was a sprawling complex, occupying a vast area in the heart of the city, clearly showing its importance to the state’s structure and culture.

  The buildings of the academy were grand and imposing, their architecture a blend of elegant spires, intricate stonework, and design. Tall, polished towers pointing high into the sky, adorned with glowing runes that glowed faintly in the daylight, showing the enchantments within. The main structure had a central dome.

  Large courtyards and lush gardens surrounded the academy, their meticulously maintained greenery offering a serene contrast to the majestic stonework of the buildings. A series of ornate bridges and stone pathways connected the different sections of the complex, while water features, like reflecting pools and cascading fountains, added a touch of tranquility to the environment. The air was filled with a soft hum of magical energy, creating an atmosphere that was both vibrant and serene.

  The academy’s frog was adorned with magnificent sculptures and carvings, probably made out of magic. Large, arched windows, fitted with crystalline panes, allowed natural light to flood the interior, making the academy appear even more ethereal. The entrance was marked by grand gates, intricately forged with magical symbols.

  “We were told that only those with business with the magic academy can enter,” one of the guards said while looking at Gaius. “The scholar year should have already started, but it will be better to go to the place once you are well-rested with the proper clothes.”

  Gaius wanted to sigh… he couldn’t stand people that worried about that kind of stuff. The people around the city weren’t that fancy-looking, but the guards worked for those who wanted to behave like nobles or saw themselves as such. He was fine letting people see him as he was, but there was the girl… she was the only daughter and future head of an important family. She had to worry about that kind of stuff.

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  “... All right,” Gaius replied after a long sigh.

  Despite the grandeur of the Magic Academy and the bustling activity around the central plaza, Gaius and his group faced a surprising challenge: finding an inn. The city, while vibrant and full of magical wonders, was not used to hosting many visitors.

  It quickly became obvious that the accommodations for outsiders were few. The city’s population largely comprised locals who had established their own networks and rarely needed external lodging. Most of the people who traveled to the city from the surrounding villages did so to visit relatives or friends already residing there. As a result, many stayed with family or acquaintances, leaving little demand for traditional inns or guesthouses.

  Gaius and his companions searched through various neighborhoods, encountering a number of closed or abandoned inns and receiving confused looks from locals when they asked about available lodging. The few establishments that did exist were either almost fully booked or catered primarily to residents with special arrangements.

  The only inn they found with some vacant rooms had two of them, and they weren’t that big or particularly clean and comfy. The guards and the maids could use them after Gaius and the girl leave, but they would have a problem in the future.

  “We can split the rooms until we can be registered in the magic academy since they have dormitories for the students there,” Gaius declared and then the guards nodded. “

  Although most people who studied there had parents in the capital of Horlandia, the place wouldn’t allow the students to leave when they saw fit. They had to stay there and study seriously as much as possible… or so Gaius imagined, since a lot of money was supposed to be invested there.

  Still, Gaius saw some students walking around with scrolls and working in some shops while using magic. They seemed only a bit older than him, so it was safe to assume that they were students of the magic academy.

  In the end, the maids asked for the innkeeper to use their kitchen by offering her some extra money… there were plenty of restaurants around, but they preferred to use their remaining food for whatever reason. One guard stayed on duty in front of the girls’ room, while the other explained to Gaius a few things.

  “First of all, thanks for helping us on the journey until now. We were supposed to only escort you two, but without your help, this would have been a lot harder.”

  The guard took out his helmet and then bowed slightly. The guy had black hair that was a bit messy and disheveled thanks to the trip. Gaius had seen the guy a few times without it, but now that he could relax a bit, he looked more tired than before. Even though he wasn’t in his thirties and was supposed to be a tough guard.

  “We will stay here to offer you and the Miss assistance and it is our job to protect you two as well, even though you clearly don’t need it,” the guard showed a wry smile. “Anyway, we can protect the Miss outside, but we can’t do it inside the magic academy, so we would like to ask you to do that for us.”

  “No way. I am not being paid to babysit anyone,” Gaius said.

  The guard raised his eyebrows since Gaius was supposed to be the younger one. He was already ten years old, and he had done some growing lately, but he was still clearly a kid, almost a baby-faced one despite his fame and skills being pretty famous.

  “... You don’t have to do anything like walking in front of her like a guard, but we don’t know what might happen there,” the guard said after a long sigh. “She is… a somewhat relative of Lord Ekirenton, and he would be more than a little displeased with all of us if something happens to her.”

  ‘Not my problem,” Gaius said.

  If Ekirenton decides to pick a fight with Gaius, he would welcome it. He didn’t need an excuse to kill him and control him, but he wouldn’t throw away a golden chance like that, either. In fact, he would be very thankful for it and, at the end, he would say before killing him: It is over Ekirenton! I have the moral high ground!

  “If you give us a hand, we can give you a hand as well,” the guard said. “We have plenty of gold for our stay here and we will also gather some information about the relics that they have here.”