IMPERIAL MAGUS SECT

The dawn had arrived quickly, and the campfire was extinguished by a simple wave of the hand. Outside of Lynne and Anna, no other voice could have been heard throughout the entire night. Eleven people from the ‘Imperial Magus Sect’, as well as the monkey, spent the entire night in daze, unable to fully process the events of the last night. Unlike others, though, Anna wasn’t phased as much by Lynne’s character; he seemed very forthright – albeit slightly insensible and outspoken – and she had grown to know a lot about him during their conversation.

What little girl didn’t know, though, was that everything Lynne told her throughout the night was a complete lie. He’d told her he was living with his grandpa at the far south, selling fish in the market. He’d also told her that grandpa slowly taught him Magic because he learned Lynne was somewhat talented in it. Unfortunately, his grandpa passed away two years ago which is why he was wandering through the continent. He’d especially spiced up the grandpa’s passing, even crying for around ten minutes while Anna wholeheartedly tried to comfort him. He even felt a little bad dropping so much oil over the girl’s eyes, but he was too deep in the mud to regress back.

As the dawn arrived, Anna finally separated from Lynne and walked around others, bringing them back from their dazed state. Their eyes were completely bloodshot red as they stared venom at Lynne, but none spoke. Of all twelve, Anna had the highest status as the Third Princess, and it appeared she took a liking to the fool, so none commented on it.

“You… you are utterly gone…” the monkey whispered to Lynne as he leapt onto the latter’s shoulder. “I’ve counted! You’ve told her one hundred and eleven lies! One hundred and eleven freaking lies in the span of a few hours! You might be the greatest charlatan this world has ever seen.”

“What she doesn’t know can’t hurt her.” Lynne said coyly.

“Although I just randomly started calling you ‘rotten brat’, it’s actually the most befitting description of your character.”

“Let the bygones be bygones monkey, otherwise you’ll never grow past the bean-sized ball of fur.”

“Screw you.”

Ronald was the one to take the lead while Lynne stayed at the back, following the group. He truly had no clue where he was and was planning to simply move forward until he left the forest. However, he learned after a few hours that none of the twelve knew either, as they simply moved north, hoping they’d find an exit. Dejected, he could only follow in silence while his thoughts spun in regards to this new encounter.

With her character, she’ll probably invite me join the sect, Lynne thought slowly. It should be fine to lay low for a year or two to strengthen myself first and accumulate some treasures along the way. She also seems to have a rather great status in the sect, as others – even that bald guy – actually listen to her. They all seem to be either ‘Physical’, ‘Void’ or ‘Elementalist’ type of a ‘Magus’, so it doesn’t look like they’re selective. They’re roughly around my level, with only that bald guy being a bit stronger. Hm, good, I’ve planted the seeds carefully enough. I need more suitable ‘Spell Arts’ and some ways to increase my Mana reserves immediately. During the fight, I barely cast a spell or two and had almost completely ran out. If I didn’t have a dagger, I’d die without even knowing how.

While Lynne was wrapped in his thoughts, light suddenly shone through the thick trees, and he realized that they were finally out of the forest. He found himself atop a hill, with a rather steep descent downwards clad in green. The hillside stretched for hundreds of meters on both sides, and only now did Lynne learn just how large the forest actually was. Beneath the hill ran a small river, and across was a deep ravine, with a beautiful town atop, on its left side. Right side of the ravine consisted of empty fields alongside some gardens and a few houses.

“Let’s go!” Anna said cheerfully as they headed towards the city.

Even from the distance, Lynne couldn’t help but admire it; although not on the level of ‘Edgemaw’, it was still bustling with pride and glory. One building after another towered upwards, with vast majority of them appearing to be built in Gothic fashion, decorated beyond reason and comprehension. One, in particular, that stood out was a round tower built out of limestone, rising up at least in hundreds of meters. Every now and then Lynne would see a bulge with a few people standing. The city didn’t seem to be too large, at best a few thousand squared kilometers, but it was obvious that a lot of care went into its maintenance.

It took the group about an hour to reach the city gates from the forest. The gates were jam-packed with people, horses, large caravans and even some people riding strange beasts. Wall surrounding the city was dull-gray, towering good twenty meters into the air, while the gates themselves were built out of thick, twenty centimeters steel. Currently opened, dozens of guards were placed around the entrance, some keeping watch and some inspecting the newcomers.

However, instead of standing in the line, Anna proceeded to lead the group to the front, while grumbles followed them. Lynne looked sideways only to see countless hateful gazes, but he quickly ignored them. God knows how many hours they’ve waited… best just pretend nothing’s wrong.

“Halt, who goes there?!” one of the guards shouted as they stepped in front of their group. As he carefully inspected the girl leading them, his stern gaze immediately mellowed and he instantly knelt before her. “Princess, my apologies, I haven’t recognized Your Grace.”

“Don’t be so melodramatic Syn,” Anna chuckled softly. “Ah, a lot of people are waiting to enter.” she sighed as she looked at the long row.

“Naturally,” the guard called Syn stood up and said. “After all, next week’s auction and competition are being eyed by even the Capital, let alone these scattered forces.”

“My First Sister should be joining us as well.” Anna said, her expression slightly solemn.

“Oh, Princess Yu will grace us with Her presence?”

“Hm,” Anna nodded slightly before averting her gaze from the crowd. “Want me to put in a good word for you?” she teased slightly.

“Ah, I wouldn’t dare,” the guard smiled softly, as if accustomed to her teasing.

“Bleh, you’re no fun. Let’s go guys.”

As she led them directly into the town, Lynne completely shut of the voices. The voice still resonated inside his head. Third Princess… Third Princess… Third Princess… what is with my shitty luck dammit?! Can’t I meet a girl without her having some holy status? Shit, if I ever get caught in my lies, I’ll lose every life I have in me!

Lynne completely ignored the prospering crowd and city around him while they walked through the cobblestone street. People were shouting left and right, with smells of both food and smoke intertwining to create strange atmosphere. Shops were laid at every corner, with most buildings being at least two-stories high. However, Lynne didn’t care; wait… why the hell would anyone allow a damn Princess to go into the woods? Hmm? Don’t tell me I’ll be tangled in a royal screw up yet again? Shit…

“Brother Lynne,” Anna suddenly fell back to the rear of the group, accompanying Lynne. “You can stay with us if you want.”

“I—I wouldn’t dare impose on a Princess.” Lynne rejected immediately; goddammit just let’s say our goodbyes so I can bolt as far away from this city as I can.

“Humph,” one of the girls scowled as she heard him. “What? Eagle pecked your balls now that you’ve learned who she is?”

“Ella!” Anna furrowed her brows as she glared at the girl; Ella smiled gently before ferociously staring at the Lynne for a moment and turning around afterwards. “Don’t listen to her,” she then turned to Lynne, smiling; she actually didn’t want to expose her identity since Lynne just treated her as a young girl. “Even if Princess, I’m just… sigh…” I knew it! I freaking knew it! I’ll get entangled again! Why is my life like this?!

“Well then, if you don’t mind, I’ll accept your generosity.” Lynne immediately changed his tactics. Even though he was reluctant to get involved in another political plot, he quickly saw his chance; after all, ‘Rolyhard Kingdom’ was one of the two Kingdoms that caused the ultimate fall of ‘Highlind’. There was a promise deep inside his heart, a promise he definitely wanted to fulfill. Getting closer to the Imperial family of Rolyhard could possibly lead to some answers.

“Really?” Anna’s dejected expression immediately grew radiant when she heard Lynne’s words.

“Of course!” Lynne exclaimed, puffing his chest. “When a woman invites a man, only an idiot would refuse! Whore, housewife, general or a princess, woman is what sets hearts of men on fire!” the monkey immediately leapt off Lynne’s shoulder and raced towards the front, jumping on Ronald’s. Lynne didn’t conceal his voice; as the matter of fact, majority of people around could clearly hear him. Even Anna blushed in all kinds of crimson when she heard his words, let alone anyone else. It appeared that Lynne was a person who’d take a mile if given an inch…

“Y-yes,” Anna said softly quickly hiding her face. “Let’s go then.”

“Hm.” Lynne nodded, following her freely.

It was Headmaster’s and Auldin’s last wish – to learn the truth, the crux of the matter. Even Lynne felt something was off, as Edgemaw was completely destroyed in a night. Considering how many people were teleported directly into the city, the costs must have been godly; Lynne simply couldn’t figure out why pay so much to simply destroy a city. In truth, Highlind would have fallen sooner or later. They were barely hanging on, and most predicted that within five years they would have fallen. Could it have something to do with the tribes from the north? Lynne pondered, but decided to cast away all speculations due to lack of evidence.

As he wasn’t truly paying attention to the city, when Anna suddenly told him that they arrived, his mind was finally jolted away as he looked up front. The sect building was majestic; towering almost fifty meters upright, it was built at the very edge of the city, with half the building actually eclipsing the edge and falling into the ravine, masterfully blending in. It occupied massive land, and Lynne realized that the tower that stuck out the most to him actually originated from the main building itself. As he was closer, when he looked up, he could actually see large beasts with their wings spread wide circling the tower from time to time, appearing like eternal watchers.

The entrance to the sect was also camped, with dozens upon dozens of people leaving and exiting. Some wore similar clothing to Anna and her group – completely white robes with few, golden adornments and a sigil of fire atop a hand inscribed at the chest-position – while some wore ordinary clothes, much like Lynne.

There was a large difference between a full-fledged sect and something like the Academy that Lynne briefly attended. Academies weren’t exclusively for the Mages; anyone pursuing career in anything, really, if talented would be able to attend the Academy, following their respective curriculum. Sects, on the other hand, were built and designed with exclusively Mages and their tempering in mind. Their libraries contained only things related to Magic, they had dozens of combat platforms, their classes were also only about Magic, and World Essence was forcibly pulled into sect’s grounds as to provide the disciples with the best environment for growth. Lynne was slightly dazed as he inspected the place he arrived at; just past the entrance was a single street, which then split into nine roads in total. At the sides of the streets were maze-like wedges which led to either other buildings or combat platforms or just some areas meant as rest spots. Main building was central, with several dozen smaller ones scattered about large plot of land. The part that hung off the edge, falling into the ravine, was tucked behind other sets of buildings, and Lynne had no idea what it was used for.

“Alright guys, I’ll see you later!” Anna said to others. “I’ll go report to the Master as well as help this idiot out.” she pointed at Lynne.

“See you later, and be careful!”

“Have Patriarch beat some sense into him!”

“Alright, alright…”

Anna pulled Lynne’s sleeve tightly as to signal him to follow her before she moved forward. Lynne, step by step, approached the main building – marvel of architecture. Built completely out of strange, white stone – much like the Academy – it had even more decorations, but was also much larger. From time to time, Lynne would see differently colored sparks of light coming from inside rooms, but he had no idea about the source. Countless people poured in and out of the main building, but whenever they’d see Anna, they’d open up a path before gracefully bowing and greeting her. She replied with a smile before moving onwards.