<h4>Chapter 45: The City of Magic</h4>


    "Wow... This is Azor...!!" Mikhail''s excited voice cut through the forest.


    While he was a part of the renowned Guidance Mercenary Gang that roamed the continent, he was still just a neer, not yet a year into his membership. Moreover, this was his first mission, amission from Karyl. Being from the countryside he was far removed from city life, and even after joining the mercenary gang, he spent it all inside the fortress up until now. He seemed exhrated, it was as if he was witnessing a new world.


    <i>Azor, the City of Magic. </i>If one were to trace back through history, one would find that the Ivory Tower of Dawn and the Immortal Council''s Antihum Grand Library were one, before they split into two magical societies.


    The city itself was founded by the Seven Elders, ancient beings who spread magic across thend and are known to have been around since the dawn of the continent.


    <i>It''s been a while. </i>Karyl lifted his head to take a look at the city.


    The seven towering spires reaching toward the sky each symbolized one of the Elders. Among them, the tallest was the main tower, emitting a bright and pure white light. It belonged to Allen Javius, one of the Seven Elders and the keeper of the Fountain of Vision.


    <i>This ce is known to have existed since long before Kaye Aesir, the Grand Sorcerer, lived 250 years ago. It is said to have existed since the very beginning. </i>


    Karyl thought about the tower''s door, which was likely sealed tightly. <i>Well... the rumors about its age might just be hearsay since humanity itself hasn''t been around since the beginning... But even Narh Di Maug hasn’t met the Seven Elders.</i>


    Despite the passage of time, the architecture of Azor, far from looking outdated, remained majestic and awe-inspiring.


    <i>While the title of the magic headquarters might have been taken by the magic societies, it’s undeniable that Azor has always held a stronger connection to the magical races, such as the elves, than any other nation from the past or present. </i>


    In his past life, having had no rtion to magic, Karyl had little interest in Azor. Instead, he spent his time in ces like the Arena of Tatur or the desert stadiums in the south.<i> </i>


    <i>Who would’ve thought I’d end uping to Azor myself?</i> Karyl smirked.


    "As soon as we pass through the city gates, we''ll split up. Aidan, find us amodations, and let’s meet at the square in an hour."


    "What about me?"


    "Don''t worry. You have your own task. You''ll be participating in thepetition on my behalf."


    The reason for Karyl’s visit to the Magic City was the city’s reputation for hosting manypetitions each year, much like the arena in Tatur. Sorcerers from the Dawn Society, the Immortal Society, frence sorcerers working as mercenaries, and sorcerers affiliated with the empire, principality, and the three kingdoms were all free to test and showcase their magical prowess.


    "Ah, I see, Master Karyl intends to participate in the magicpetition," Mikhail eximed, pping his hands together.


    "Not just me, but you as well."


    "...Me?"


    "And here is your invitation. It will serve as proof of your identity, so keep it with you," Karyl said, handing Mikhail a certificate he had received from Dush before leaving Tatur. "I spent quite a sum on this."


    <i>That seal is... </i>Aidan immediately recognized the red seal melted into the top of the rmendation letter—it belonged to Baron Beryl.<i> When did he prepare all this?</i> He shook his head in disbelief, marveling at Karyl''s thoroughness.


    "But I..."


    "Don''t worry, no one will pay you any mind. Besides, this is an invitation from Baron Beryl, who is considered a has-been magician," Karyl reassured Mikhail with a faint smile. "Having this invitation grants you discounts at the shops in Azor. It''s hard toe by for that reason. Once you’ve registered for thepetition, make sure to buy the items I''ve listed."


    Along with the invitation, Karyl handed Mikhail a small note. <i>When did he prepare all this?</i> Aidan couldn’t help but admire Karyl’s attention to detail.


    "I have some matters to attend to myself. Let''s meet again in the square in an hour." Karyl took an old robe out of his bag and draped it over himself.


    The musty-smelling robe, which seemed oddly out of ce on him, was from a Goblin Sorcerer he had in a few months ago.


    "See youter."


    As Karyl disappeared into the crowd without hesitation, the two men looked at each other nkly. But soon, they nodded to each other and went their separate ways, knowing what they had to do.


    ***


    <i>"A grimoire? The Antihum Grand Library would be the best ce, wouldn''t it? It boasts thergest collection of magical books on the entire continent."</i>


    <i>"Unless I be the head of the Immortal Society, I have no intention of joining any magical society. Let''s set aside options with low probability and focus on what can be done in our current situation."</i>


    <i>"I thought someone like you would easily take over a magical society."</i>


    <i>"It''s not that I haven''t thought about it, but that''s a matter forter."</i>


    <i>Dush nkly stared at Karyl for a moment. "Honestly, I can never tell when you''re being serious or joking," she said, shaking her head in disbelief.</i>


    <i>"If joining a magical society is out of the question, then the only realistic way to obtain a high-level grimoire would be to win in Azor''spetition."</i>


    <i>"Thepetition, huh..."</i>


    <i>"But honestly, that''s nearly impossible as well. The magical societies sponsor the magicpetition. Essentially, the finalists from the Dawn Society and the Immortal Society are predetermined. However..."</i>


    <i>"However?"</i>


    <i>"There are people like us there as well. While you may not be able to touch the winning prize, there are dealers who smuggle out magical books provided for thepetition. With some luck, you might even find something up to 4th ss."</i>


    <i>"Hmm..."</i>


    <i>"Should I reach out to some people I know?"</i>


    Karyl slowly raised his head, recalling his conversation with Dush.


    "Honestly, at that time, I had only asked her for names with the sole purpose of obtaining a grimoire..." Karyl murmured, fiddling with his robe. The rope belonged to Baker, the Goblin Sorcerer.


    "The fact that one of the names she mentioned is rted to Wooden Cloud... It’s certainly fortunate,"


    After killing Ardine, the confessions he extracted from Baker, the remaining prisoner, weren''t particrly fruitful.


    <i>Ledios, Bargo, and Dous. </i>These were the names Karyl knew to be associated with Wooden Cloud.


    They were rathermon names, likely aliases. Karyl’s mind drifted to the name Dush had mentioned: <i>Bargo Sira.</i>


    Call it intuition, or perhaps a warrior''s instinct, he had a hunch that Bargo might be the man Baker spoke of.


    "Baker was a frence sorcerer affiliated with a mercenary gang before joining Wooden Cloud. The guild he belonged to was the Ulkas Guild."


    It was a small guild Karyl had never heard of before, so he hadn''t paid it much attention. But the moment Dush mentioned the name of that guild, Karyl changed his mind.


    The guild master of Ulkas Guild was none other than Bargo Sira.


    <i>Two guild members, including the guild master, being involved with Wooden Cloud means... </i>Ulkas Guild could be one of the hubs for Wooden Cloud''s branches. Not only that one, but it was possible that other guilds were also connected to the dukedom.


    <i>I''ll have to verify. </i>Step by step, Karyl continued on his way.


    As he roamed around the so-called City of Magic, Azor, magical lights illuminated every corner, unlike anything he had seen in the Empire. But like any other ce, darkness existed.behind the morous facade of the city.


    As Karyl walked down the street, he came across a slum. Venturing deeper inside the slums, he soon stood before a group of people sitting on the ground. They looked like ordinary inhabitants of the slums, but had a sharp glint in their eyes..


    "Excuse me, would you mind stepping aside?"


    Karyl stopped in front of a door with a rickety doorknob, looking uncertain if it would even open.


    A group of people sat in front of it, blocking his path.


    "I need to get through."


    The moment Karyl spoke, one of the men sitting by the door extended his hand.


    "If you''re begging, go to the square."


    Ignoring Karyl''s words, the man just flicked his fingers.


    All of a sudden, a rustle came from the darkness, followed by the glint of silver des.


    <i>These aren''t ordinary people.</i>


    But whatever their identities, it matters little to him. Fed up with the all-too-familiar scenario, Karyl thought it was a waste of time to even listen to the man, immediately grabbing and twisting his wrist.


    With a resounding crack, the man''s arm contorted in an unnatural direction, dangling limply. He didn’t even have a chance to scream, as it was followed by consecutive punches to the man''s face. The sharp look he had was now hidden behind swollen eyelids, no longer visible.


    "Gah... Gak... Gag!" Gasping for air, the man struggled to breathe, unable to even muster a proper resistance before Karyl''s kicknded on his abdomen. The unconscious man was sent sliding across the floor, ultimately crashing into a pile of boxes..


    Karyl nudged the fallen man with his foot. "If someone sent you,e out; if you picked the wrong target, take this guy and beat it."


    The rest of the people, too intimidated to stand up to him, scattered quickly.


    <i>It’s the same everywhere. </i>Karyl thought, sighing and shaking his head in disappointment.


    It felt like predators preying on the weak.


    <i>Just stepping foot in here should''ve made them think twice. They say dumb minds lead to hard lives. </i>


    Confirming that no one else was around, Karyl pushed open the door in front of him. The creaking sound from the rusty door was far from pleasant. The scenery beyond was quite cozypared to the dark alley, filled with various items scattered around. It felt simr yet different from Calypson''s shop back in Tatur''s ck market.


    <i>Seems like these aren''t just any thugs, but rather men hired by the owner here.</i>


    "Hmm? A customer? We usually don''t entertain customers during the busypetition season... How did he get in?" A man said with a flippant voice.


    Hearing this confirmed Karyl’s assumption.


    "Indeed. The guards outside seemed quite rough."


    <i>That must be the guy, huh?</i> Karyl thought, eyeing the man emerging from behind the counter.


    He appeared frail, with a hunched back and eyes swollen fromck of sleep, almost skeletal. No, based on information from Dush, these were smugglers. Surely a guild master wouldn''t trust such riffraff to guard the entrance.


    With that in mind, Karyl addressed the man. "I havee to meet Bargo Sira, introduced by Dush of Tatur."


    The owner paused momentarily upon hearing this.


    "Of course, I n to take some magical books as well."


    The man rxed slightly at Karyl''s words. "A guest from Tatur... That''s umon... Do you have an introduction letter?"


    "Certainly." Karyl showed an old seal he had.


    "It''s genuine. Surprising, but well, let''s have a look. Normally we wouldn''t allow it, but since you''re a customer of Dush, we should amodate your needs."


    "Good." Pleased, Karyl nodded. <i>And as a bonus, I’ll take your heads.</i>