Three ferocious-looking guards walked towards them with vignt expressions. They wondered why two carriages were attached to each other with only one person driving.


    "I need to check your identification as nobles or rmendation documents from a noble house." The oldest guard asked suspiciously, his hand resting on his sword, ready to unsheath it.


    Julius couldn''t help but widen his eyes after feeling the life force the old man exuded. He was, by far, the strongest individual he had met.


    He estimated that he was in the middle of the third tier in body refinement and could defeat them all in less than a second. The other two guards were in the middle andte stages of the second tier.


    "Here are our documents. We were attacked by wild beasts on our way and lost our guards." Arun answered arrogantly, not impressed in the slightest by the city guards.


    He chose not to speak about Marco, as it had nothing to do with them.


    "I see Arun. Asha and Louise from the Agnivana kingdom. What about him?" The guard asked while pointing at Julius.


    It was rare but not unheard of to increase losses on the road, so he epted the exnation and rxed a bit after being presented with the requested documents.


    Julius took out his small wooden box and presented the documents contained inside to the old guard.


    As the guard checked Julius'' documents, a strange light shed through his eyes, escaping everyone''s attention.


    "Julius from the Belloria kingdom. Open the gates!" The old guard screamed after confirming their identities.


    Arun swiftly sat beside Julius on the driver''s seat as they entered the bustling streets of the city in which they would spend the next few years.


    Unbeknownst to them, the old guard took a talisman out of his pocket and uttered three short words. "He is here."


    ***


    "You can lodge with me if you have nowhere to stay." Arun suddenly proposed to Julius, aware of his financial condition.


    He knew how everything here was overpriced because of the college''s proximity and the presence of many noble heirs.


    Julius hesitated for a moment, unwilling to impose on his friend.


    "I don''t want to bother you. I can work to rent a cheap ce. Don''t worry." Julius answered with a warm smile, the proposition filling his heart with warmth.


    "Humph... Who is bothering whom? Here, I thought we were friends. It is decided. You''ll stay with me until we enrol!" Arun said decisively.


    After all the shared experiences they endured, Julius was more than a friend to him. He was a brother he could trust with his life.


    Adam smiled, convinced by Arun''s attitude. He knew how hard it was to make true friends and was happy to see that Julius managed to find one in his absence.


    "ept, he will be mad if you don''t," He advised Julius.


    Julius looked at both of them and sighedically in defeat before chuckling. "I''ll be in your care. Thank you for your invitation." He was happy to see them consider him their friend even though they had already reached the city and should have gone their separate ways. Moreover, it was the first time he had bonded with kids his age and enjoyed the experience a lot.


    "Don''t worry about it. Now that I think about it, didn''t you say that you would meet with your brother? Do you know where you may find him?" Arun suddenly asked pensively.


    "I don''t think he''ll join us, but if he does, we''ll meet him at the academy," Julius answered, feeling a bit guilty to lie to his friend.


    "Oh, OK. Don''t forget to introduce him to us if he shows up. I bet he is at least as formidable as you are." Arun said, sounding a bit disappointed.


    "You have no idea about how formidable he truly is. I also hope I''ll be able to introduce him to you soon. Julius'' voice was filled with pride and a hint of determination.


    He hoped to find a way to help Adam in the college. After all, this ce was filled with mystical knowledge, and he might find clues here.


    Guided by Arun, the group soon reached a sizable andvish residence positioned three streets from the college.


    "Do you remember how I told you that my father was a tier four alchemist? Well, this is the house the college gave him for when he stays in the city. In exchange, he asionally shows up to give lessons." Arun revealed the beautiful courtyard by opening therge doors using his family''s emblem.


    After guiding the horses inside, the two boys carried the sleeping Louise to a room.


    As the day was far from being over, but someone had to watch over Louise in case her state deteriorated, she turned to Julius and asked, "Could you please look after her? I have something urgent to do and need Arun''s assistance."


    As soon as he heard her words, Arun''s face palled. He shivered in fright as he looked at Julius with the eyes of a dead man and mouthed, ''Save me,'' realising the predicament he was in.


    "No problem," Julius answered with a smile, ignoring Arun''s silent plea. He wasn''t bothered by the request as he could cultivate or speak with his brother while monitoring Louise.


    "I''lle backter with a doctor to examine her," Asha added while dragging Arun behind her and leaving the house.


    "For some reason, I''m d she didn''t ask me toe, "Julius watched them leave as he sat to cultivate while fulfilling his duty to care for Louise.


    *******


    "I beg you, Asha. It''s only the first day, no more than five shops..." Arun pleaded, his eyes filled with tears.


    "Hah? We are going back through the gate to inform our parents. Moreover, you should ask your father to help with your idea." Asha answered, pouting. Why was Arun always so dramatic when it came to visiting shops?


    "Oh... Good idea!" Arun eximed, color returning to his face after learning they weren''t heading to shops. He needed a proficient enchanter for his n, and he knew his father could rmend one.


    "Don''t stay too long, or Julius will discover that something is wrong!'' Asha reminded Arun. She paid the mage operating the gate in front of the college for her passage and crossed it.


    Then, he spoke to the mage, his voice filled with the same arrogance he had when he first met Julius. "To the Aurelium dukedom of the Agnivana kingdom." He shed his family emblem to prove his identity.


    He wasn''t required to pay any fee to use the gate as one of the benefits of having his father be an honorary teacher at the academy.


    "Duke? Please head to the gate, esteemed young master." The mage said, bowing his head in respect while watching the young man disappear through the portal.