The journey felt longer than it should have. It was not because the distance was far but because the silence lingered too heavily inside it. Even when the carriage ran smoothly, it couldn't erase the anxiety on the people.
With the time passed from the beginning, they would soon reach the destination. At that place, the treatment that they had envisioned from before might come true.
Alicia remained composed by the window and her gaze was distant toward the sky. Meanwhile, Anderson occasionally closed his eyes as if he was meditating.
For Baston, he pretended to nap while carefully reviewing the knowledge granted by the old book.
Since people only recognized him as ice wizard, then he would use ice as his magic. Once someone asked for the verification toward his strength, he could then manifest his power.
He traced the imaginary magic in his palm, feeling the gathered mana before dispersing it. He wanted to test it, to measure it, and to understand its edge.
If someone challenged him in a duel, he already estimated his next action. The thought surfaced more than once. The power without measurement was uncertainty and that thing was dangerous.
Despite having an intrusive thought regarding the spread of his ice magic, he suppressed the urge.
The meeting ahead mattered more than the reckless experimentation.
When the carriage finally slowed down, the sound of the bustling streets replaced the hum of enchantments.
The city gate alone spoke of the authority. The polished white stone that was curved into towering arches engraved with several defensive sigils that shimmered faintly under the daylight.
The guards wore the armor that wasn't merely decorative since its mana pulsed along the etched lines. It was subtle just to show their strength was real.
Beyond the gates, the city had flourished.
The shops lined on both sides of broad streets. Their positions were not cramped but it was quite organized. Several restaurants displayed the banners with refined symbol. Some boasted the signature food while the others specialized in their roasted meats that were glazed with much fragrant herbs.
Also, the elegant dessert houses exhibited few layered pastries behind the glass windows to preserve its freshness. Even the smallest establishment possessed the delicious dishes.
Baston kept looking unconsciously as the carriage rolled forward.
He studied the posted menus outside the eateries that were consisted of soups combined with rare mountain herbs, slow-cooked meats, and delicate desserts that were sculpted like the miniature art pieces.
His stomach tightened. It was not from his hunger but from his own restraint. He had no money for indulgence so he took a pity of himself.
Although his dream to taste the food might still be far, he believed one day that he would enjoy it. He would not only taste the luxury at that time then.
*****
In the meantime, the carriage continued deeper into the city until a vast academy emerged at its heart. The name at the front gate signified its magnificent name to everyone who could see and stare.
It was Zeverius Academy, the place where the so-called meeting between the chosen representatives would be held.
Baston had heard the name before but seeing it for the first time made him felt small in this vast land. The place was not merely bigger than Prius Academy. It was huge, outmatching the academy several times.
The main gate stood tall with the interwoven silver and dark iron. Beyond them, the expansive fields stretched far, making Prius Academy's courtyard feel like a private one.
The buildings rose with the architectural precision of the tall spires that were carved by the runes that glimmered faintly against the sky.
Each space itself felt magnified and measured like every stone had been placed after so much calculation.
For him, Prius Academy existed to be functional. Meanwhile, Zeverius Academy existed to spread a statement. It was just like everyone around must know its glory from the beginning.
He wanted to comment, expressing his astonishment but Alicia and Anderson had already stepped down from the carriage without any reaction.
They were calm and unimpressed as if this scale was normal.
He swallowed his words just to make sure he wouldn't look like a commoner.
A staff member soon approached, "Welcome… Zeverius Academy greets you. You might be tired so please, you can rest first before another briefing would be put on later."
The man bowed not deeply and not shallowly. He only showed his professionalism by his own gesture.
Alicia stepped forward smoothly, "Thank you for your hospitality. We will await further instruction then."
The keys were handed over, consisting of three rooms and after that, the exchange ended quickly.
It was too quickly despite many opportunities to exchange pleasantry. As they walked, Anderson muttered quietly.
"His tone lacked the respect…"
Alicia responded softly, "They respect strength and they do not care about your affiliation."
Baston remained silent. He did not sense the insult since he sensed something else.
The staff member had studied them carefully. The man didn't mean to be rude, only evaluating their response. That thought lingered toward to other purpose.
*****
After arranging everything, Baston unlocked his assigned room.
It was spacious compared to his underground dormitory at Prius Academy. It was clean and well-lit. A faint lavender scent lingered in the air. Perhaps, it came from a minor purification array that was embedded in the ceiling. The bed was soft, too soft to be ignored completely.
He lay down, intending only to rest his eyes yet the darkness soon swallowed him.
When he woke up, the shadows had already stretched long across the floor.
Several hours had passed unknowingly when he was drifted into a dream. A sharp and precise knock was soon heard.
He opened the door to find Alicia and Anderson were waiting for him.
"We're expected at the dining hall," Alicia said.
Her expression was neutral but he noticed something else. The explanation must be complicated so he decided to just follow them.
*****
The corridor felt quieter than before.
The students from various academies walked past yet the conversations dipped slightly when Prius Academy's representatives emerged. It was subtle but it was very clear.
Zeverius Academy was allowing the visiting students to roam freely for two days before the official meeting.
On the surface, it was the courtesy. In the reality, it was a display. To be exact, it was a demonstration of superiority.
By letting them wandering, the academy would let them compare and let the seeds of doubt were planted inside their hearts.
If people want to grow stronger, this was the right place. It was the recruitment that was disguised as a hospitality.
The hidden message was clever. At least, it was very clever for people who understood it
*****
The dining hall was grand but it was not gaudy. The chandeliers were suspended by floating arrays that was casted with steady illumination without the flicker. Several long tables were arranged in symmetry, filling the room as it was intended.
The students from many different academies mingled. They were not openly hostile but they watched every person inside the room.
Their eyes assessed the robes, the posture, and the mana presence. The strength here still dictated the hierarchy in the end. Baston felt it immediately.
Anyway, Zeverius Academy's students carried themselves differently.
They were not arrogant but they were assured of their position. Their mana signatures were refined and polished. It wasn't explosive but disciplined.
In short while, the food arrived in orderly courses.
The first bite stunned him. It was tender and the spice was balanced in flavor.
He forced himself to chew slowly since he did not want to draw the attention. Because of that, he tried hard to not ask for the seconds. The restraint inside his heart worked greatly to stop his grueling stomach.
Everything should be fine, but somehow, the atmosphere shifted when a noble boy approached their table with confident stride and measured smile.
"Excuse me, may I borrow Alicia for a moment?"
Anderson leaned closer to Baston, "It was the one who I had told you. His name is Clark Poromir, the insisting suitor of Alicia…"
"Ah… So this was him…"
Baston observed carefully. Clark was handsome, undeniably so if compared to the others.
His uniform, though styled similarly to others, carried the faint enchantments that were woven through the fabric. It contained the protection arrays and for sure, it was very expensive ones. Just by the outfit, his status was already declared.
Alicia smiled politely, "I'm sorry but I'm quite tired from the travel…"
Clark nodded, "It's unfortunate but there will be another time tomorrow."
His gaze shifted to Baston and Anderson, "Greetings, my name is Clark Poromir. I hope we will develop a pleasant relationship."
His eyes lingered a fraction longer on Baston. Just a fraction yet it was quite threatening.
Baston smiled back. His smile was neutral and unthreatening since he didn't want to have a problem here.
After brief pleasantries, Clark then left. The moment he did, Alicia's composure cracked slightly.
"That was unpleasant…" she muttered.
"It's quite troublesome, huh?" Baston asked.
Alicia exhaled, "He's very possessive, persistent, and jealous. He investigated anyone who spoke to me."
Baston's stomach tightened. The word investigation seemed to spell the incoming trouble.
"So, even the classmates was being investigated?"
"Yes… Especially the boys like you…" Alicia nodded faintly.
The sentence confirmed something and he believed he was already noted. Whether he wanted it or not, Clark supposedly had already marked him.
*****
In the meantime within the academy's guest wing, Clark sat in a private chamber that was illuminated by crystal lamps.
Three figures stood before him. They wore the attire that was resembling the academy guards but their stance betrayed their military discipline.
"My lord…" one began quietly, "We have completed the preliminary background checks."
Clark leaned back, "I will listen..."
"One is from the Anderson family. He's from a minor noble lineage and skilled in knightly disciplines."
Clark waved dismissively, "And the other?"
There was a pause and the man took a couple of seconds before he continued.
"The fat one… His name is Baston from the poor class…"
Clark's fingers stopped, "Explain it to me… Why is there a poor person in such representative?"
"He was a non-magical student until recently. Many witnesses confirmed that he awakened overnight under the guidance of Great Wizard Angus."
Clark's eyes narrowed, "Overnight?"
"Yes, my lord. Not only awakened, he was blessed with ice magic."
The silence thickened since the ice magic was not common. It was superior to water and it was more structured plus more restrictive. Not only that, the Versance had authority over the ice magic.
"The Great Wizard Angus supported him?"
"Yes…"
Clark's jaw tightened. He began making the relationship toward several occurrences from the the poor fat boy, the lucky encounter, and the ice affinity before it ended up sitting beside Alicia. He then rose slowly and walked toward the window.
Below, the academy lights shimmered across the manicured grounds. He wondered if everything was just a coincidence between Angus and Baston. After all, he disliked such coincidences.
"Continue the observation for now."
"Yes, my lord…"
When they left, Clark remained alone.
Regarding the fat boy who had been blessed with the ice element, Clark's lips curled faintly. No one rose without reason, especially from such poor background.
If Baston was merely lucky, he would expose his weakness soon. If not, then he would deal with him before the meeting concluded.
"I will have to adjust my plan…"
*****
Back in his room, Baston sat upright on the bed.
He had sensed it earlier. It was not directly but there were several faint fluctuations in mana outside his corridor. The footsteps were too synchronized and their pauses were too deliberate.
Clark was already investigating him. It was faster than he expected because such operation meant the boy did not view him as harmless.
Baston summoned a thin thread of ice magic in his palm. It wasn't visible but it was cold enough to crystallize the air briefly. After hovering it for a while, he dispelled it immediately.
The ice magic prioritized the control, the compression, and the precision. The subtlety in this force could be used invisibly. If Clark provoked him publicly, he could not retaliate recklessly since this place was Zeverius Academy.
The power hierarchies were more complex here. Behind Clark, there was influence and money. Perhaps, there was also even several political ties.
Baston leaned back against the headboard.
He reviewed his day from the staff's evaluation, the academy's display, and Clark's immediate investigation.
Supposedly, it was not coincidence that the academy had invited several representatives from multiple academies. This meeting was not only about the discussion.
It was about the positioning, the alliance building, and the future dominance. Clark Poromir was moving before the official gathering even began which meant the meeting itself might not be peaceful.
Baston's eyes drifted to the ceiling and he felt something else too. It was a faint tension beneath the academy's polished surface.
What if this gathering was not merely political?
What if someone intended to have a hidden agenda here?
His fingers tightened. He disliked being unprepared and he disliked being watched. Tomorrow, he would roam the academy. He would surely do that not to admire the scenery but to study it.
Zeverius Academy was magnificent but the magnificence often concealed the cracks beneath the marble floors. Also, he had learned something important recently.
The louder the display of the power, the more carefully one should search for the silence.
Outside his window, a faint breeze moved through the trees.
Far across the academy, in a separate tower, Clark stood staring toward the guest wing. His thoughts were sharp and his jealousy was sharper.
Two young men, both of them were calculating and both of them were watching. They realized they had to move delicately.
In a place where the strong fist couldn't be used, the sharpness of words would become their main weapon.
While the meeting had not begun, the game already had.