Chapter 70: Arc 3-Initiate-Part 10

I would like to say that the bandits were the end of our troubles but my misfortune held strong. We had the displeasure of wandering upon a manabeast as it crossed the road.

Manabeasts are special animals that can use mana. Some quirk of nature gives them a pure affinity. Then of course, there are the manabeasts who live long enough to gain sentience, becoming divine beasts. Those can gain another affinity and can cast spells rather than fling the elements around.

There is something uniquely terrifying about a being with paws and fur having the intelligence of a person. Thank the saints we came across nothing like that but meeting a manabeast was still rather unlucky. As an extreme danger to the average citizen, knights regularly suppress their numbers, driving them far away from settled lands.

The wild dog, too small for me to see it as a wolf, was relatively harmless with its air affinity but quicker than a thief in the night. I managed to convince Kierra to let the knights handle it. Honestly, the men are getting paid to work so let them work. I mean, the thing was practically a weasel. Not something worth getting worked up about.

Besides that, the journey is smooth if not droll. After fifteen long days, we arrive in Quest.

A particularly interesting name for a city but it got its name for attracting a particular group. They have many names. Adventurers, explorers, and hunters are only a few. Those who take private commissions to hunt manabeasts or explore the wilder parts of the kingdom.

Northwest of the city lies the only entrance through the Bleak Peaks, tall mountains whose peaks disappear into the permanently cloudy sky above. The north is a wild land brimming with mana. Some of which flows naturally into the valley that hosts the western half of the kingdom. 

The area surrounding the city has extremely high concentrations of manabeasts and magical plants compared to anywhere else in the kingdom, naturally drawing those who make their livings from them. Not to mention the money that can be made from protection work, research, and crafting.

As such, the sprawling city rivals the capital in size, though it is far less uniform from what I can see as we approach. A large stone wall made of white bricks surrounds the city, nearing the height of the royal palace. Unlike other cities, there is no gate, showing their caution against the surroundings.

Instead, after transforming my eyes into those of the dusk hawk, I can see visitors to the city being raised to the top of the wall via a stone platform raised up by earth casters. Heh. Truly a city where the elite gather.

And above it all is the Grand Hall.

Saints damn you, stupid father of mine. How come in all your stories about this place, you neglected to mention it’s airborne? I almost can't believe my eyes. A piece of land is hovering over the city’s center!

How? The amount of mana it would take to keep a single building, let alone an entire piece of land, in the air for an extended period has to be astronomical. Not to mention whatever complex equation needed to have it remain in one place. What about the people living beneath it? Aren’t they troubled living in the constant shade? I have so many questions.

“You seem excited,” Kierra says, leaning over my shoulder to look out the window with me. “…impressive. This is perhaps the first time I’ve considered humans, as a species, comparable to elves. I can’t even imagine how that is possible.”

I’m glad I’m not the only one impressed by this. My wife’s comment makes it more awe-inspiring. Is it okay that I take pride in the accomplishment as a fellow human despite having nothing to do with it?

Huh? That’s shameless? I’m not even human anymore?

Irrelevant.

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“What do you think, Geneva?” I ask with a hint of smugness.

“Hm. From the amount of mana in the air, it’s nothing as impressive as lifting the land up. Most likely a natural stone formation that has stored an abundant amount of wind mana. The land most likely used to move with wind currents. This kingdom’s casters must have used a spell to bind it to its current location. Still impressive enough, I suppose.” She tilts her head, taking in my blank expression. “What is it?”

“…you’ve kind of taken the awe out of it.”

“Upset it wasn’t the grand display it seems? Looking at the world through the film of wonder might be refreshing but is also limiting. Magic is not something beyond your reach like the moon and stars. It is something to be broken down, understood, and turned to your advantage.”

“You’re really starting to sound like my tutors.”

“I should hope not. They did a terrible job.”

I wince at the not-so-subtle jibe at my lackluster abilities as a caster. I point at her with a frown and open my mouth for a rebuttal…but the words die before they can come out.

It’s hard. Objectively, she has very few faults and none that I can comment on myself. Sigh. Just wait. I am your summoner after all. I’ll find a way to get back at you.

I go back to admiring the floating city as our convoy draws closer. Maxine’s carriage speeds up, appearing beside us before overtaking us.

There are four lines; one for commoners on foot or horseback, one for merchant caravans, one for nobles in their personal carriages with the last being one for nobles traveling with a large entourage and merchants wealthy enough to afford the privilege of a shorter line.

The Guiness family is both noble and privileged. With the crest of the golden family leading the way, we skip all the way to the front of the fourth line. The obligatory inspection is practically waived, the guards giving the carriages a quick scan before moving on. My stomach flops as the earthen platform we’re on suddenly shakes, then slowly climbs into the air.

If it were before, my jaw would be dropped in awe as the ground moves away, the people left behind shrinking as we climb higher into the air. Having the experience of flying with my own wings, something like this can only be titillating at best.

Once we reach the height of the wall, I see the guards standing atop it, some watching us in case of trouble while dozens moved about on their business. For as far as I can see, every inch of the wall is manned by a soldier. Not even the capital has that kind of security. Makes me wonder what’s out there that has them so cautious.

As our platform moves across the wall to the opposite side, I see an empty platform pass us, ready to pick up the next load of passengers. A short descent later, we are in the city.

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