Night had fallen over the Arcane City.
The magical towers illuminated the sky with soft lights emanating from arcane circles engraved on the structures. Runes glowed on the light stone walls, and small particles of mana floated in the air like luminous dust.
It was a city unlike any other.
Even after several days there, it was still impossible not to notice how everything seemed alive with magic.
We walked through the main streets toward Aurelius Valemorth's mansion.
Lyannis observed the surroundings with curiosity.
"Mages can make any place impressive."
Rai'kanna replied calmly.
"But I still prefer simpler cities."
Elara walked a few steps behind.
"Even so, this place is a unique center of knowledge."
Liriel nodded.
"The amount of magical energy in the atmosphere is much higher than in any other region."
Vespera followed in silence.
I watched the sword in my hand for a moment before putting it back on my back.
Today would be our farewell.
After the dungeon test, it was clear that the training had fulfilled its purpose.
Aurelius had said that the essentials had already been learned.
Now it was time to move forward.
When we reached the mansion, we noticed something different.
The entrance garden was illuminated by small floating spheres of light.
Some tables had been set around the open area.
And several mages were gathered there.
Lyannis raised her eyebrows.
"Looks like a celebration."
As soon as we entered the garden, a tall figure walked toward us.
Long silver hair.
Bright blue eyes.
Dark blue robes with golden runes that glowed softly.
Aurelius Valemorth stopped in front of us with a calm smile.
"You've arrived."
I tilted my head slightly in respect.
"Archmage."
He observed the group for a moment.
"I heard you completed the dungeon test."
Rai'kanna answered first.
"It was easier than we expected."
Lyannis added.
"The training worked."
Aurelius nodded slowly.
"I imagined as much."
He walked a few steps through the garden.
Other mages conversed at the tables around.
Some seemed to be older scholars.
Others were young apprentices.
Liriel observed everything with interest.
"There are many important mages here."
Aurelius replied calmly.
"Some came out of curiosity."
Elara tilted her head.
"Curiosity?"
The archmage looked directly at me.
"About the young man who awakened the hero's sword."
Lyannis smiled.
"You've become a topic among the mages."
I took a deep breath.
It was still strange to hear that.
Aurelius stopped in front of one of the tables and served two glasses of a clear drink.
He handed one to me.
"Accept it."
I held the glass carefully.
"Thank you."
He raised his own glass.
"A small celebration."
Rai'kanna crossed her arms.
"For us?"
Aurelius replied calmly.
"For your progress."
Elara nodded slightly.
"That's generous."
The archmage observed the group closely.
"You've evolved quickly."
He looked at Liriel.
"Your light magic is much more refined."
Then to Elara.
"Your mana control is extremely efficient."
He then looked at Rai'kanna.
"The combination of mana and physical combat is impressive."
Lyannis received a small smile.
"Manipulating multiple spells at the same time is not simple."
Finally, he looked at Vespera.
"Your precision with magical arrows is remarkable."
Vespera just nodded in thanks.
Aurelius then turned his gaze back to me.
"As for you."
He lightly pointed to the sword on my back.
"The awakening of the golden armor was only the beginning."
Lyannis tilted her head.
"There's more?"
The archmage replied calmly.
"There's always more."
He rested his staff on the ground.
"But now you already have the tools needed to continue evolving on your own."
The garden remained silent for a few seconds.
I looked around.
This city had welcomed us.
Trained us.
And changed something within each of us.
I tilted my head again to Aurelius.
"Thank you for the training."
He smiled calmly.
"It was a pleasure."
Liriel also spoke.
"We learned a lot here."
Elara added.
"This knowledge will be carried with us."
Rai'kanna gave a small smile.
"It was a good training."
Lyannis raised her glass.
"I'd say it was an excellent choice."
Vespera simply nodded in silence.
Aurelius looked at all of us for a moment before speaking again.
"The gates of the Arcane City will always be open to you."
The night breeze passed through the garden.
The small spheres of light continued floating slowly in the air.
I took a deep breath.
The journey to this point had been worth it.
And now it was time to follow the next path.
That night, under the magical lights of the Arcane City, we said farewell to the archmage who had changed the course of our power.