...
{3rd Pov}
The trees continued to rustle as the steady breeze swept across the long road. Ember leaned slightly out of the carriage window, narrowing his eyes as he spotted a massive stone wall in the far distance.
"So that's Altena, huh?" he muttered, taking in the sight with a mixture of curiosity and anticipation.
The coachman, who had been relaxed the whole ride, let out a hearty laugh and replied, "Mister Elf, I figured as much. You've got that magician aura around you. No wonder you're travelling all the way to Altena. That city's basically a paradise for magicians and Elves like yourself."
Ember responded with a small hum, not denying anything.
It had already been three long weeks since he began this journey.
If he had traveled alone and on foot, relying solely on his own stamina and magic, he could have reached the city far earlier.
However, he had no choice but to travel by carriage this time, mainly because he needed a secure way to transport the large amount of money he was carrying.
Before leaving, he had converted every single magic stone he owned into pure currency.
The total amount he gathered was an enormous 73 million valis, a sum significant enough to make even experienced adventurers turn their heads.
Unfortunately, it also meant he was practically walking around with the funds he planned to burn through.
The moment he purchased the Magic Grimoire he had been aiming for, that money would vanish in an instant.
After some time, the carriage finally approached the city walls.
In front of the enormous gates was a long line consisting of merchants, travelers, adventurers, and various carriages all waiting patiently for their turn to enter.
The line moved slowly, and it took nearly an hour before their carriage finally reached the front.
A uniformed guard, carrying a clipboard and looking somewhat bored from the repetitive routine, stepped forward and said, "State your name, nationality, and occupation."
It was the usual set of questions meant to keep track of every visitor entering the city.
The coachman immediately provided his details and also showed proof of his affiliation with his merchant group.
Meanwhile, Ember filled out the form handed to him, writing down the name Tithonus Ber, listing his nationality as Alfian, and his occupation as Adventurer.
He then presented his Adventurer card for the guard to inspect.
The moment the guard noticed that Ember was an Elf, something seemed to click inside his head.
He quickly understood the general idea—an Elf heading to Altena was a common enough situation, and most of them were either aspiring magicians or skilled mages seeking higher learning.
After that, the guard collected the entrance fee.
"That will be one hundred thousand valis," he said.
Ember handed over the money, and the guard proceeded to create a temporary resident identification for him, stamping it officially before giving it back.
Only then did he gesture for them to pass.
As the carriage finally rolled past the gates and into the city, Ember couldn't help but mutter under his breath, "That fee was quite hefty."
Considering he would be living here for a while, he already suspected that Altena was going to drain his funds faster than he liked.
The moment Ember entered Altena, his eyes were immediately drawn to a massive white palace in the distance, its pristine walls gleaming under the sunlight.
It was a breathtaking sight, a symbol of order and authority that immediately communicated the city's structured nature.
The coachman let out a soft chuckle, breaking Ember's focus, and said, "Well, Mister Elf, you'll notice things here are extremely systematic. The entry fee for outsiders is already steep, but for adventurers who don't belong to the Athena Familia—or even to any of Altena's other affiliated familias—the cost is extraordinarily high."
Ember's eyebrows twitched at this, feeling the weight of the remark.
Altena was undeniably a militaristic nation, governed firmly under a single divine figure—Goddess Athena herself.
Yet, unlike other kingdoms that might have closed their doors to outsiders, Altena actively welcomed people from all corners of the world, including those from other familias.
However, this openness came with a clear caveat: outsiders were taxed more heavily than those who were part of Athena's own familia or citizens of the nation.
The structure clearly delineated who belonged and who was a visitor, ensuring both order and compliance while still maintaining some level of inclusivity.
While Goddess Athena herself resided solely in the capital, her nation was organized with four other major cities, each serving as a hub for numerous familias.
These families existed in a cooperative but well-regulated relationship with Athena and her familia, ensuring that everyone contributed to the nation's growth and stability.
Unlike Rakia, a nation that refused to tolerate any external familias within its borders, Athena allowed other familias to establish themselves in her territory—though never in the capital itself.
It was a careful balance between control and freedom, a system that maximized the strengths of her subjects while keeping the capital centralized under her authority.
Ember couldn't help but silently admire the sophistication of the nation's governing system.
'Goddess Athena truly deserves her title as the Goddess of Wisdom,' he thought, feeling the depth of her strategic brilliance settle in his mind.
Her system didn't rely solely on laws or orders—it was a framework that encouraged cooperation, loyalty, and productivity while simultaneously asserting divine authority.
Beyond the governance, Altena's military and magical strength were also remarkable.
The nation was home to several Level 4 and Level 5 adventurers, powerful individuals who boosted the city's overall security and dominance.
In this era, when the legendary familias of Hera and Zeus had yet to reach their pinnacle, the power structure mirrored that of Orario after its dark age: Level 5 and Level 6 adventurers were considered the absolute powerhouses, the ultimate symbols of strength in the world.
Altena's setup, combining wise governance with high-tier adventurer enforcement, made it one of the most formidable and impressive nations Ember had ever witnessed, a city where magic, order, and hierarchy intertwined seamlessly.
Their first stop after entering Altena was the Guild, the central hub for all adventurers seeking quests, information, and resources.
Ember quickly made his way inside and deposited the entirety of his money, feeling an immediate weight lift off his shoulders once the transaction was completed.
The relief was tangible, a quiet sigh escaping him as he realized the bulk of his financial burden was temporarily managed.
After that, he proceeded to secure a place to stay.
"The rent will be 17,000 valis per week," the inn's hostess explained, her tone polite yet businesslike.
"Two meals are included, one in the morning and one in the evening." Ember nodded and rented a spacious room, the price reflecting the quality and convenience of the establishment.
It wasn't cheap, but it was worth it for both security and comfort.
With the room settled, he also paid the coachman of the carriage 50,000 valis for his services, ensuring the remainder of his initial expenses were now complete.
Ember leaned back in his chair and thought over the day.
'This first day has been exhausting,' he mused, letting the thought linger.
'Tomorrow, I'll visit the Guild again to gather detailed information about Magic Grimoires. It's time to finally get serious.'
Satisfied with his plan and after a filling dinner, he finally allowed himself to rest, the anticipation for the next day buzzing faintly in his mind as he drifted to sleep.
{Ember Pov}
The following morning, I walked into the Guild, the building immediately alive with activity.
Adventurers of all ranks moved through the halls, discussing contracts, exchanging information, or trading equipment.
Unlike Argon Town, no one seemed to glance twice at me; Altena was far larger, and the city was used to seeing powerful adventurers of all races and backgrounds.
The anonymity was almost refreshing.
I made my way toward the counter, where a line of adventurers was already seeking guidance from the Guild receptionist.
As I approached, the receptionist looked up and greeted me politely, her tone professional yet welcoming.
"Hello, sir. How may I assist you today?" she asked, her eyes briefly scanning my Adventurer credentials before focusing back on me.
"I'm new here," I replied, keeping my voice calm but clear.
"I have a question… How can I obtain a Magic Grimoire?" There was a subtle hesitation in my words, a faint caution as I considered that some opportunistic adventurer might overhear and attempt to exploit the situation.
But I reminded myself that I was already at the peak of Level 2—more than capable of handling any interference.
Altena's adventurers weren't desperate thieves like some one might encounter in Orario; it was a city where reputation and order held far greater weight.
Any theft or misuse of a purchased Grimoire would reflect poorly on the nation itself, so I could afford to speak openly, at least for now.
So, I wasn't particularly worried about the possibility of being overheard or attracting the wrong kind of attention.
"Hmm, you want to purchase a Magic Grimoire? In that case, we will need to check which of the Item Makers are currently available. Once we confirm that, we will notify you as soon as possible. Also, please keep in mind that the cost of a Magic Grimoire is 25 million Atlen, or, if you prefer the other currency, 50 million valis," she explained in a professional tone.
I listened carefully, nodded along, and then continued asking her a few more questions to clarify the process.
From what she told me, there are five Item Makers in Altena capable of creating Magic Grimoires, and each one of them is at least Level 3 or higher.
More importantly, all five possess both the Mystery and Mage Development Abilities, which is what qualifies them to craft such high-level magical items.
Honestly, that number was surprisingly high considering how rare it is for someone to have both Mage and Mystery at the same time.
Most nations would be lucky to have even one person with such qualifications, yet Altena had five working under its banner.
"Well, there's one last thing," I said, getting her attention once again after she finished explaining.
"I'm also interested in purchasing a property. Could I get some assistance with that as well?"
She responded with a polite smile, clearly used to dealing with these kinds of requests.
"Yes, Sir. I can arrange an introduction to a property dealer who handles transactions for newcomers and adventurers. However, the process might take a little while. Would you be willing to return tomorrow?" she asked. I nodded without hesitation.
"Sure. Thanks for the help."
After leaving the guild, I stood outside for a moment, thinking about what I should do next.
The day wasn't over yet, and I didn't feel like returning to the inn so soon.
'Let's see how the monsters are around here,' I thought, deciding it was better to spend the remaining daylight putting my strength to use. With that in mind, I quickly made my way toward the city gates.
Once I passed through the exit of the city, I headed straight for the nearby forest that was designated as the training ground for newbie adventurers.
The area was well-known for having a gradual increase in monster activity—the farther one went from the safety of the city walls, the more frequent and stronger the monsters became.
It sounded like a good place to test a few things, so I stepped into the forest, ready to see exactly what Altena's wilderness had to offer.
I could see several adventurers scattered around the outer perimeter of the forest, most of them sticking close to the safer areas where weaker monsters typically wandered.
Not wanting to stay on the ground, I hopped onto a sturdy tree branch and took a moment to survey my surroundings from above.
The forest spread out endlessly, filled with lush green trees stretching far beyond what the eye could catch in a single glance.
Even though I had seen forests many times before, the vivid greenery always stood out to me, especially when compared to the dull and crowded environment of my past life.
The contrast was sharp enough that it constantly reminded me of how different this world was.
'Life in an overpopulated country was anything but easy,' I muttered to myself internally, letting out a quiet sigh before moving again.
I resumed jumping from one tree to another, keeping my movements light so I didn't alert too many monsters at once.
As I moved deeper, I spotted several familiar creatures wandering below—goblins, kobolds, and a few other low-tier monsters that beginners usually trained on.
I didn't bother paying attention to them since they posed little to no challenge.
Instead, I focused my attention on a group of Hellhounds. Those were the monsters I wanted to test myself against.
I had fought Hellhounds countless times during my days as a Level 1 adventurer, which was honestly ridiculous because Level 1s usually avoided them unless they had a death wish.
They were fast, aggressive, and their fire breath alone could end a novice's life.
Even back then, I only managed to win through sheer effort, desperation, and a few risky last-second dodges.
There were times when I ended up with scorched skin just from barely dodging their flames.
Remembering those moments made me clench my fist slightly.
'Now I'm Level 2. Let's see how much stronger I've really become,' I thought, a confident smirk forming on my face as I leaped down from the tree, landing right in front of the Hellhounds.
There were five of them, and the moment they noticed me, all of them quickly shifted into combat stance.
Their eyes glowed with hostility, and their growls echoed through the forest as they prepared to attack.
I unsheathed my sword and dashed forward without hesitation.
"Grrroowllll!" they snarled as they lunged in my direction, two of them already gathering flames in their mouths, getting ready to blast me with the familiar torrent of fire.
But this time, things were different. I moved before they could fully unleash their flames, slicing through their bodies cleanly and swiftly.
Their speed no longer felt overwhelming, and their attack patterns were easy to read.
Within just a few seconds, the entire pack of Hellhounds collapsed around me, their bodies turning to ash and leaving behind the glowing magic stones scattered across the ground.
'Powerful… This is completely different from before,' I thought, looking down at the magic stones.
The difference between my old self and my current self was honestly massive.
The boost I gained from ranking up wasn't something minor or negligible; it was overwhelming.
Even before my advancement, I had the strength of a mid to late average Level 2 adventurer, and now that I had officially become Level 2, the increase felt even greater.
As for my magic, that was on another level entirely.
My standard magic attacks could already rival those of a typical Level 3, and my stronger spells—thanks to my Mage Development Ability—were easily on par with late Level 4, maybe even slightly higher depending on how much power I put into them.
"I can't let myself get drunk on this strength," I muttered under my breath.
Even though I was undeniably a very strong Level 2—stronger than most at my tier—I was still just a Level 2 at the end of the day.
When it came to direct frontal combat, I wasn't confident I could handle a seasoned or well-experienced mid-Level 3.
Maybe an early Level 3 would be manageable, but anyone beyond that would still pose a legitimate threat.
The only field where I truly dominated was magic, where my abilities far surpassed the expectation of my level, allowing me to compete with people significantly above me.
My journey was only getting started, and letting arrogance cloud my judgment would only cripple me in the long run.
After finishing my quick self-reflection, I picked up the magic stones scattered around me and propelled myself onto a nearby tree branch with a single leap.
Thinking about it, if a peak Level 1 was equivalent to someone like Captain America—someone at the very peak of human limits—then a Level 2 was practically superhuman, stepping beyond the boundaries of what humans could achieve physically.
The comparison wasn't even close.
My strength, agility, and reaction speed felt several leagues higher.
I continued deeper into the forest, moving swiftly across branches and occasionally dropping down to confront monsters blocking my way.
Along the route, I encountered several groups of enemies—packs of Almiraj darting through the bushes, a few Orcs wandering aimlessly, and even a pair of Minotaurs lumbering around.
I dispatched them one after another, taking care not to waste unnecessary energy.
There were fewer monsters than I originally expected, but after thinking about it, it made sense.
Areas surrounding Altena were heavily influenced by Athena Familia.
Their patrolling units and the constant extermination missions kept monster numbers under control.
Unless a beast horde incident occurred, these parts would remain relatively stable and safe for citizens and low-level adventurers.
By the time the sun started lowering and the sky began shifting toward evening colors, I finally spotted what I had been waiting for—the infamous green-skinned beasts known as Hobgoblins.
These creatures were essentially larger, more muscular variants of Goblins, standing at around two meters tall.
They possessed enough raw strength to be considered on the level of a proper Level 2 threat, which made them interesting opponents to test myself further.
I crouched low on a thick branch and observed them carefully from above.
There were nine Hobgoblins in total, accompanied by a sizeable group of regular Goblins moving around them.
Judging from their behavior, this was likely a full raiding group preparing to move deeper into the forest or maybe even toward the outskirts.
'Perfect. They'll make a good final target before I wrap up for the day,' I thought, tightening my grip on my sword.
Without wasting any more time, I jumped down from the tree.
My descent was fast and precise, and before the Hobgoblins even realized what was happening, I landed directly on top of one of them, instantly driving my blade across its neck and severing its head cleanly.
The monster collapsed to the ground, and the Goblins around it let out terrified shrieks, scattering backward in panic at the sudden appearance of a stronger predator.
"Huhghhhhhh!!" a Hobgoblin roared, its voice echoing through the trees like an angry beast trying to intimidate me.
I ignored its attempt and immediately began my concurrent chanting.
"O' Flames of Legends! Burn brighter…" I stepped forward with deliberate precision, and before the monsters even managed to react, my blade was already cutting through several Goblins.
Their small bodies fell lifelessly one after another as I moved to strike down two more Hobgoblins in swift, clean motions.
The remaining monsters instinctively stepped back, their faces twisting in fear.
Only now did they finally realize that fighting me was nothing but suicide.
Unfortunately for them, retreat was no longer an option.
They had already wasted their chance.
"Cremation!" I cast the spell sharply, raising my short staff.
A torrent of blue flames surged outward like a condensed wave of destructive fire.
It shot toward the clustered group, engulfing them completely.
The flames roared violently as they washed over the Goblins and their Hobgoblin leaders, reducing them to nothing more than burning silhouettes before turning them into piles of fine ash.
Their screams echoed briefly but were quickly drowned out by the sound of crackling flames.
Even their magic stones melted from the intensity of my fire—something that did not usually happen.
Only the Hobgoblins' magic stones remained intact, their sturdier nature letting them endure the heat.
With the entire group eliminated, I let out a quiet sigh. Looking around, I noticed several trees had collapsed or turned entirely into charcoal from the impact of my spell.
I scanned the area carefully; the last thing I wanted was to accidentally start a forest fire because of my carelessness.
It would cause more trouble than any monster here ever could.
Sure enough, my gaze caught a single tree still burning aggressively.
Clicking my tongue, I lifted my staff and activated my congenital magic.
"Elber Justi, Moren… Vandsprojit!" Streams of water burst forth from the tip of the staff, spraying forcefully over the burning tree.
The water smothered the flames, reducing them to steam and smoke within moments until only damp wood remained.
One benefit of congenital magic was that I could use up to twelve spells freely without interfering with my acquired magic.
It made situations like this incredibly convenient.
Once the flames were fully extinguished and I confirmed the area was safe, I turned around and began running back toward Altena.
My work for the day was done.
…
The next morning, when I made my way to the guild again, the same receptionist from yesterday recognized me immediately.
She offered a polite smile and guided me into a private room meant for discussions with higher-ranking individuals.
"Sir, please have a seat. I would like you to meet him," she said as she gestured to an elderly man sitting calmly at the table.
"This is Sir Gandalf, one of the renowned item makers in all of Altena. He is willing to sell you a Magic Grimoire for the price of fifty-two million valis."
I raised an eyebrow slightly at the mention of his name—not because I doubted it, but because the name suited him almost too well.
Still, I kept my composure and politely stepped forward.
"Nice to meet you, Sir Gandalf. I go by Tithonus," I said as I extended my hand for a formal handshake.
He grasped my hand firmly, his smile widening with genuine goodwill.
His appearance fit the name perfectly—an old man with a long, thick white beard, dressed in robes, and wearing a wizard's cap that practically screamed 'traditional mage.'
"Nice to meet you as well, young man," he responded warmly.
"Yesterday, I received a request letter from the guild regarding your interest. So today, I decided to come personally and meet the one who intends to purchase a Magic Grimoire."
"I would like to thank you… honestly, I didn't expect to receive a response this quickly," I admitted, unable to hide the surprise in my voice.
It was the truth; I thought I would have to wait several days, maybe even weeks, before an item maker of his caliber acknowledged the request.
Gandalf chuckled heartily while stroking his long white beard, his expression warm and slightly amused.
"Selling a Magic Grimoire is no small matter, even for someone like me," he said in a tone that carried both pride and responsibility.
"But I can at least show the courtesy of delivering it personally to the buyer who made such a significant request. Here—this is what you came for."
He reached into the large leather bag placed beside his chair and pulled out the Magic Grimoire.
The moment the book touched the table with a soft thud, my breath caught in my throat.
My focus zeroed in on it immediately.
The cover had an ancient aura, the faint magical presence radiating from it making the air feel heavier.
Gandalf's grin widened when he saw my reaction.
"Sign this document to transfer the fifty-two million valis, and the grimoire becomes yours," he said, pointing to the papers the receptionist had prepared earlier.
"Before that, let me explain a few important details."
I nodded, trying to control my excitement.
"First," he continued, "as long as you have fewer than three magics recorded on your Falna, this grimoire will definitely grant you one new magic and unlock a slot. After three, everything depends on your luck, compatibility, and the will of the Falna itself."
My eyes narrowed slightly at that information.
It wasn't unexpected, but hearing it directly from an expert made the situation feel heavier, more real.
"Second," he said, raising one finger, "I strongly advise you to use the grimoire within the territory of Altena. If the item is stolen outside the country, then neither the nation or I may be held responsible, depending on the circumstances. But if someone steals it within the borders of Altena—or tries to threaten you into giving it up—you have the right to request an official audience with Her Majesty Athena. Altena respects its contracts and values its honor. That's the last thing you need to keep in mind."
I listened carefully and nodded again, appreciating how straightforward he was about the risks.
Then I picked up the document and examined it line by line just to be certain there were no hidden conditions.
Everything was standard.
Once satisfied, I signed my name, authorizing the transfer of fifty-two million valis.
As soon as the money left my account, I felt a sharp sting in my chest.
Years of savings—gone in seconds.
It almost felt physically painful.
But when I glanced back at the Magic Grimoire resting on the table, the pain softened.
This was something far more valuable than money.
In Orario, a grimoire usually cost no less than a hundred million valis, sometimes even more depending on demand.
Compared to that, this was a bargain.
After receiving the grimoire, I exchanged a few more polite words with Gandalf and thanked the receptionist again.
Before leaving, I informed her I would return the day after tomorrow to continue the arrangements for purchasing a property.
With that done, I walked out of the guild and made my way toward the inn.
My hands were steady, but internally I was barely holding back my excitement.
The thought of gaining a new magic—a magic I had already decided on and planned for—filled me with anticipation strong enough to drown out my exhaustion for the entire day.
The moment I reached the inn, I hurried straight to my room, locked the door behind me, and sat down with the Magic Grimoire resting securely in my lap.
I took a deep breath, preparing myself mentally and physically.
It was finally time to obtain a new magic or rather should I say, infinite magics.
To be continued…
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