The sun nearing its peak shone below the ground, giving warm to different races at the city center. Loud excitement or chatting filled the air as they engaged to each other.
At the very center of the city, stood a tall statue of the current Rook of the Neap, he had a small frame yet, with a growing beard, not so long hair, and hands holding a glowing crane that's reflecting the sun, it was quite a view.
Xian and the two, her half sister and her maid stood just beside her, they just got out of the carriage, the latter drove to another direction.
At their side, just right of the road they came in, stood a tall and massive structure, it wasn't built with concrete, no it was a pure metal, a black iron looking fortress. It had an odd shape, not square nor round, it's part each stacking each other making a tall, pyramid looking structure.
Seeing her half sister amazed by the view of the huge structure that stood even taller than the giant walls, Noire can't help but to enlighten her.
"That's the city castle and don't be surprised but, this city castle is the most smallest castle in all empire."
Smallest? You call that smallest in the empire?* Xian can't believed it, she turned forward towards the city center and looked at the tall statue, beyond even that is more large structures of buildings, but they can't be compared to the massive castle at their front.
The city center was surrounded with large building, it was quite a while, but Xian noticed that the city is very flat, with no hills or rivers at that.
After a while of sightseeing, she followed her half sister towards the massive black metal castle. They walked like 10 minutes just to get there, at the black castle's gate, surrounded by less smaller walls, made also with iron that is colored in black.
Stood at the gate is guardians with their silver plated armours. They didn't stop people from coming as the gate was widely open, different races enter and exit from the gate itself.
It's my first time seeing a different race other than an elf... Small bulky dwarves, scaled or furred beastfolk, and...
Xian gritted her teeth upon seeing a humanoids with different skin colors, they either have horns, pointy tails, large wings, or all of them.
Demons...
Xian didn't let her rage come up to her. All of her thoughts was kept in a matter of seconds before following her half sister again.
They're different from the imperfect demons, but closely related. If I can, I'll investigate further to what the assailant look like, they might be any of these races.
Inside the black metal castle was clearly different from the outside looks. The floor is made of smooth graphites, the walls are clean and colored, the ceilings had hanging large bulb, called chandelier that built occasionally to each other.
The three walked just a couple of minutes before arriving in a small part of the castle with less people. It was located just right of the entrance and a couple of turns to arrive.
There is a small reception at the edge of the area with doors behind them.
"Xian, go over there." Noire used her finger to point towards the near edge of the lined reception, a small sign there said:
New Registration of 15+
"Me? Alone?" Xian said immediately.
"Yes, answer their questions honestly or you will have problems." Noire replied in a tone of somewhat frustrated but not.
Shoot! I thought they would help me... Sighed, I just need to be honest then. She thought all of that as she walked towards the empty reception.
Stood before her, divided by a small table intact to the ground, is human male, he doesn't have a quality face and features, but he excludes a calm aura.
"Welcome miss, how can I help you?" He smiled upon seeing Xian and slightly bowed.
"Uhh... Umm..." Xian fumbled with her mouth unknowingly and finally said her words.
"Registration for the citizenship card..."
"Oh, registration." The man didn't mind her acts, but immediately bought something from the compartment below the table and pressed it at the table.
"Please, be honest of answering all of my questions, this way, we can finish fast." The man said before bombarding Xian with questions.
...
The silver sheet of card reflects the sun's illumination. It was smooth and engraved to it is information about Xian and the date of registration and expire date which is five years later.
The chess empire had this system to access to their citizens and differentiate between immigrants and formal citizens. This is also a function to access to the different features and usage inside the empire, be it voting, allocation of resources, or Job requirements.
Annie personally paid 1 silver coin for the card, making Xian grateful of her.
I had limited coins thus far and I need to save up for the academy. This is a big help.
They're outside the castle now and sat at the city center many vacant benches. The city center right now had massive amounts of people but it was not crowded, there also had small trees here and there and some bushes and flowers, making the city center a colorful part of the city.
"Yeah, where's the Global Guild at?" Xian asked the two, sitting besides her.
"There." Noire pointed towards their left, they're currently at the front of the massive castle thus the global guild is located north of the castle.
Stood at where's Noire pointing at, is also a large building with several floors. Many adventurers of different races and class can be seen entering and leaving the building.
"Why though?" Noire can't help but ask.
"I'm planning to register and join a familiar party." Xian didn't hide her purpose.
This is for Noire and Annie to report to Father and Aunt Natalia, letting them know before I tell them.
"I'm saving to attend the academy, you see." Xian scratches her head.
"Hmm... But the academy didn't require any payments, once you pass the entrance exam, then you can enter without anything to pay at all." Noire informed her.
"Young Master, are you sure about your decision? Is master Larry and master Natalia know all of this?" Annie can't help but asked due to being worried. "You can just ask them or Annie, Annie have no use of her salary, afterall."
"You're too kind, Annie. But this will also let me gain experience for the future. I can't keep still from what is happening and didn't I told you, revenge will never go out of my mind."
"But, young master... You're still young."
"Yes, Annie's right Xian, you and I, we're the same age." Noire joined, she wasn't worried with Xian but can't help but to stop her. "Being an adventurer is hard, no, life threatening. You'll not only face monsters but also people too."
"Sigh, I know all of that since the twin... The two that I journeyed with towards here said it. But you see, I want to gain experience while I'm still young. I want to explore the world after the academy in both search of revenge and freedom."
Annie wanted to refute again for her young master sake but can't do it since she was just a maid. Noire on the other hand didn't respond again, just turned around and glanced town the global guild.
"When do you plan on telling to our father?"
"Hmm, probably later at dinner or tomorrow morning, before I register to the guild." Xian replied with a thought.
Right now, the sun is before it's peak, just few hours before the church of sun ring their loud bell again to declare the noon.
Before going home, the three passed by a small cafe and brought iced tea and a couple of sweets. Eating them as they go.
I can't believe that a single piece of sweet chocolate is 5 copper, that's one meal!
Xian thought of this, Noire just informed her that due to the rareness of the ingredients or materials, a product may be more expensive over another.
Of course I know all of this, but being enlightened by Noire, she seems to be getting more open and close to me.
...
After returning to their house, Noire goes straight to the study room, Annie tended the garden infront of the house, and Xian came to her room.
After a while, she appeared at Xen's place, the spatial space. Greeting the familiar house, Xian saw her mother tending the small garden in the side of the house. Planting new seeds.
Xian's time flew by inside the space, occasionally viewing the room where she was gone at the real world while also helping and relieving her stress with her emotionless mother.
After coming back to the real world, it was already afternoon. She came back because Annie knocked the door of her room for her to deliver an afternoon snacks.
After filling her stomach, Xian went down to the study room.
She saw Noire.