<h4>Chapter 23: Reinforcement</h4>


    The town''s name was Triu, rtivelyrger than most towns, however, it wasn''t as developed as any town near the central region.


    Buildings were scattered over thend in a disoriented manner, as if there was no town nning during Triu''s development. The town guards were no stoic sorts either, merely a mismatched batch of ex-soldiers and young blood who had awakened sses with somebat attributes.


    Since they had already crossed the town once, it didn''t take much to prove their identity. As a matter of fact, it didn''t take anything, as one guard among them recognized their faces, particrly Kiara''s features, which were not easily forgotten, especially with themon-looking bunny fast asleep in her arms.


    Darkness fell over thend for some time, but their journey waspleted with rtive ease. However, the horses were tired, barely getting any rest throughout the day.


    They would have their much-earned rest soon after they reached the mayor''s house. If it were any other time, they would have looked for a local inn to settle in for the night, but with the beast attacks going on in the rural areas, Liam found it prudent to ensure their message reached the academy. Hopefully, the mayor would have a longread to send direct messages back to the academy.


    They had no problem locating the mayor''s estate among the mess of mismatched buildings. It was easily the most majestic ce the town could offer, spanning over a few acres ofnd, with a well-cultivated garden before the old-looking mansion. A couple of guards stood before the gate, doing a more convincing job than the rest they had encountered at the town gate.


    Obviously, they obstructed their path, cing their spears on the ground. "HOLD!" yelled the taller one on the right. "What is your purpose foring here?"


    Kiara left everything to Liam, as she mostly did for this mission.


    "We are assigned from the Third Arcane Academy," Liam said, dismounting from his horse. He brought out his badge to show it to the guards for authenticity. "We need to send an emergency message back to the academy as soon as possible. We are hoping to use the mayor''s Longread, as there are no others in this region."


    The two guards exchanged nces before the taller one spoke again. "Wait here," he said, disappearing inside.


    A couple of minutester, he returned, apanied by a younger man about their age.


    "Young master, they are asking to use the longread," the guard pointed at them for the young man.


    The youth inspected them for an extended moment with a t look, but unexpectedly, his face broke into a cordial expression as he came forward. "So you''re from the Third Academy," he said. "That makes us peers, then. . . I''m Yacob, a Fifth year Mentee at the Fifth Academy. Come on, get in, leave your rides for the guards to take care of them."


    "Much appreciated." Liam bowed as he beckoned Kiara to follow as well. "I''m Liam Wanley, fourth year. She''s Kiara, Third Year, but already is a Mentee."


    Mentee was a prestigious post among the students. It meant you had been recognised and held the potential to be trained directly by a mentor. Nobody makes it in their first couple of years, unless you awakened a rare ss like Kiara, or have a wealthy family with big connections.


    Kiara had both of them, talent and backing, so it wasn''t particrly surprising that she received offers of mentorship right from her first year. However, most of these offers were merely self-serving, prompting her to wait another year until she caught the attention of one of the academy''s pirs. Yacob raised an eyebrow upon hearing this, seemingly recognizing Kiara''s high pedigree from her appearance alone, his expression growing even more amiable. Kiara, however, remained oblivious to his recognition, as she often was with such matters.


    "Thank you," they both said as Yacob ushered them into the mansion. "Regarding the urgent matter?"


    "Ah, yes," Yacob replied, considering their request. "Shall I prepare for your rest and refreshment, or—"


    "The message is of utmost urgency," Kiara interjected.


    "Very well, I''ll lead you to it then," Yacob said, his smile never faltering. Liam couldn''t discern whether it was genuine affability or just a well-rehearsed act. If it was thetter, then Yacob was indeed a skilled actor. "The Longread is situated in Father''s Office. He''s presently unavable, but I believe I can grant you ess in times of urgent need."


    They exited the mansion once more, making their way south toward the office building. Throughout the journey, Yacob maintained a steady stream of small talk, inquiring about various aspects of the academy and their mission. It became apparent that he was currently on a break afterpleting his own mission and was unaware of the recent developments in the region.


    "So, you both intend to alert the academy about this?" Yacob reasoned, a furrow forming on his brow.


    Liam nodded, sensing that Kiara wasn''t in the mood to respond. "Indeed," he confirmed. "We''ve already dispatched a messenger bird. However, we deemed it necessary to ensure the message''s receipt. Lives are at stake here."


    "In that case, you can rest assured," Yacob reassured them. "Your message has reached the academy, and they''ve dispatched a team to address the situation. They''re presently resting at our mansion."


    "What?" Kiara and Liam eximed simultaneously.


    Yacob reiterated the information, but Liam interrupted him, as both of them had heard him clearly the first time.


    "When did they arrive?" Liam inquired. "And how many are there?"


    "A group of ten," Yacob replied. "They arrived yesterday at noon."


    "Yesterday at noon," Kiara repeated, straightening up, the sleeping bunny still cradled in her arms. "Why haven''t theymenced their task yet?"


    Yacob hesitated, avoiding a direct answer. "I suppose they''re still making preparations," he finally offered.


    Liam couldn''t help but groan inwardly. He knew all too well the kind of preparations they were likely making—the same kind of dy that had urred when they had arrived a weekte to save his hometown.