"Of course! The AAC is the reason for our prominence. That fortress in the heart of the city is the very core of knowledge and technology across the Ironcliff Kingdom!"
Lilith squeezed the apples in her hand, puzzled. In the Luminar Order, mystical power served the throne—it never surpassed it.
"Where would the king's seat be if not at the center?" she wondered, her crimson eyes glinting with faint confusion.
The farther she moved through the city, the more its true grandeur unfolded. The cobbled streets gave way to polished obsidian tiles that shimmered under the afternoon light. The scent of iron and spice filled the air, mixing with the distant hum of arcane engines. Vendors shouted the prices of enchanted goods—crystals, potions, mana threads—while sleek carriages drawn by ethereal beasts glided through the wide avenues.
The majestic fortress of the Central Arcane Academy dominated her view now, its silhouette rising like a mountain of glass and steel-blue stone. Floating platforms and light bridges connected its towers, and runic inscriptions pulsed faintly on the walls, channeling energy from the great leyline beneath the city.
As Lilith advanced toward the heart of Ernas, the crowd changed. The commoners and travelers disappeared, replaced by well-dressed adventurers, magisters, and scholars. Their robes were made of silk and lined with silver threads, marked with high-rank sigils that glowed faintly when touched by the sun.
She watched several groups of adventurers walk through the main gates of the AAC—clean, confident, perfectly groomed, wearing either refined study uniforms or lightweight armor crafted from rare alloys.
Lilith looked down. Her beige pants and plain white shirt—hastily bought from a shabby inn at the city's edge—looked pitiful in comparison. She had already exchanged her swamp cloak for a simple wool one, but even that seemed out of place here.
"Now that I'm inside, I should buy something nicer," she thought, vanity overtaking caution. The first impression at the Arcane Academy was her new battlefield. She needed to look like a wealthy and ambitious student from the Sultanate, not a starving fugitive, to not raised suspicion
She soon found a large clothing store with a polished glass façade that reflected the vibrant street outside. Inside, rows of elegant travel coats, radiant arcane robes, and finely tailored combat outfits filled the space, arranged under the soft glow of hovering crystal lamps.
As she stepped in, a beautiful young woman with chestnut hair approached her, wearing an elegant uniform and a professional smile.
"Hello there, beautiful girl. May I help you?"
Lilith turned, giving the attendant a slow, deliberate look from head to toe. Her crimson eyes worked quickly—analyzing the quality of the fabric, the cut of her uniform, even the girl's posture. The intensity of her gaze made the young woman shift slightly, but Lilith's expression remained calm.
"Sure you can," Lilith said at last. Despite the invasive analysis, her tone was gentle and composed. "I need clothes suitable for the Academy. I'm new here. Nice to meet you—Lilith."
"Clara," the attendant replied, regaining her poise with a bright smile. "Welcome to Ernas! And—oh, you've come to the right place. Let me show you some of our most popular styles."
She gestured toward a section of neatly arranged outfits—formal cuts, fabrics that shimmered under the magic lights above.
"At the Arcane Academy, fashion's all about showing potential without crossing into arrogance," Clara said with a playful wink. "You've already got the looks. Now we just need the outfit that says, I'm rich, brilliant, and my magic is dangerously elegant."
Lilith gave a small nod. Clara clearly understood the social game better than she did, and Lilith saw no reason to argue with someone who spoke the language of appearances fluently.
"Hmm. I want something a little more practical, though," Lilith said, brushing her fingers over a silk robe Clara held up. "These long tunics... they kind of choke me."
"Ah, I get it," Clara replied with a knowing smile. "You're the active type—less ceremony, more movement. We have a whole line for that: Arcane Explorers. Breathable fabrics, light enchantments for protection—stylish but functional."
She led Lilith to another section where the outfits looked sharper and far more practical. Lilith's eyes lit up as she examined them—the craftsmanship was far beyond anything she'd seen before.
"I'll try these," Lilith said, her crimson eyes gleaming with genuine interest.
"Perfect," Clara replied, quickly selecting three matching pieces that seemed tailored for someone exactly like her.
The Functional Arcane Set:
The Pants: A pair of fitted riding trousers made from dark, enchanted hide—flexible, light, and tough as steel. The matte-black surface hugged her legs comfortably, and the small polished buckles at the hips gave them an adventurous edge.
The Shirt: A charcoal-gray silk-linen shirt with three-quarter sleeves. Its close fit followed the elegant lines of her figure, while the high collar added an understated authority.
The Belt: A wide, raw-leather belt—part utility, part style. Several hidden compartments were sewn into it, perfect for carrying small vials and arcane essences. It looked like the kind of accessory worn by someone who expected trouble and intended to survive it.
Lilith ran her fingers along the fabric, feeling the strength woven into each thread. Expensive—without a doubt. But its practicality couldn't be denied.