So this is the city that the old man is so proud of huh. I have to admit that it is much nicer than the town before it. The roads are stone and there is a proper sewage system, is what the old man says. Even though it's at least ten times the size of the town we entered before it still smells much better. The noise is more evenly distributed too, so I can use my top ears and let them get used to a lot if sound. The old man told me the reason it was so noisy in the town is because it was it's market day. That means more people than usual were packed into the marketplace, which we walked through the middle of. Stupid old man.

The carriage ride here was nice. I like the idea of letting someone else do the walking for me. The only problem with that is the loss of exercise. The old man would only stop the carriage twice a day! That isn't nearly enough time to train my body. Instead of training physically, I spent the time practicing controlling my secon- I mean my mana.

We move towards a huge building and yard surrounded by a gated fence. We stop at the gate. Why do we always have to stop at gates?

"This is the academy. The best in our world. My pride and joy. Many come from far and wide simply to bask in its glory, or to try their hand at achieving the honor of studying here."

"Old man, you need to get a life."

"I have one, right here."

I stay silent and look at him in disdain

"Well, I won't take you there for now. I showed it to you simply so you would know what it looks like. My house is in the forest behind the academy. We'll head over there now."

We walk to his house. There is a clear path to it and it sits in the center of a clearing. It's made of wood, has two stories, and is light blue and white. The old man puts his hand beside the door and uses his mana, but I'm not sure what he's doing exactly. The door swings open and he ushers me inside. When I enter I discover something shocking.

"Old man, your house doesn't smell bad at all!"

"Did you expect it to smell awful?"

"Yes!"

"Why!?"

"Because you live here."

"I don't smell that bad do I?"

"Old man you smell really weird. I don't even know what to think about it."

He stops to ponder on those words. As we were talking we moved to the sofa to the side in the room and sat down. He opens his mouth to speak again but is interrupted when the door is busted in.

"Old man I heard you were back!"

"We came to visit."

"Why did you break my door!?!"

A young man and women stand in the doorway. Hmm, does this mean that his name really is old man?