The carriage rolled steadily along the king's highway.
Takemi leaned against the window, watching the world pass by.
The road that stretched across the Kingdom of Valtheria was not merely a dirt path like the ones surrounding Alderheim. The king's highway was made of compacted stone and gravel, wide enough for three wagons to travel side by side.
It connected the farthest provinces of the kingdom to the capital city.
Merchants, travelers, soldiers, and adventurers all used this road.
Takemi had never seen so many people traveling in one place before.
Caravans filled with colorful cloth passed them heading south.
Farm wagons creaked under the weight of harvested grain.
Occasionally, armored riders wearing the crest of the royal army galloped past with urgent purpose.
The further they traveled from Alderheim, the more lively the roads became.
Takemi rested his chin against his hand.
"This world is bigger than I imagined…"
Cedric sat across from him, reading a small leather-bound book.
"The kingdom of Valtheria alone spans nearly one thousand kilometers from north to south."
Takemi blinked.
"That's huge."
Cedric nodded calmly.
"And yet Valtheria is only one kingdom among many on this continent."
Takemi leaned forward immediately.
"Wait, there are other kingdoms too?"
Cedric closed his book.
"Of course."
He reached into the carriage cabinet and unfolded a map.
The parchment spread across the small table between them.
Takemi's eyes widened.
The map showed a massive continent divided into several territories.
Cedric pointed to the center.
"This is Valtheria."
Then he pointed west.
"The Kingdom of Eronvale, known for their powerful mage academies."
Then north.
"The Iron Dominion, where warrior clans rule the mountains."
Then east.
"The Holy State of Lumira, a religious nation devoted to the gods."
Takemi stared.
"And dragons live in all these places?"
Cedric's expression became thoughtful.
"Dragons do not belong to any nation."
"They exist beyond the authority of kings."
Takemi imagined massive wings cutting through the clouds.
Creatures so powerful they ignored human borders.
It was both terrifying and exciting.
Around midday, the carriage stopped near a roadside inn.
Travelers gathered around wooden tables beneath a large oak tree.
The smell of roasted meat filled the air.
Takemi jumped down from the carriage eagerly.
"Finally, food."
Cedric sighed quietly.
"You behave as though you have not eaten in days."
Takemi ignored him.
As they approached the inn, Takemi noticed a group sitting at a nearby table.
Four men and a woman wearing mismatched armor pieces.
A large sword rested against the bench beside them.
One of them had a staff glowing faintly with magical energy.
Takemi whispered.
"Cedric… are those adventurers?"
Cedric glanced over briefly.
"Yes."
Takemi's curiosity exploded.
Adventurers were practically celebrities in this world.
He quietly listened while they talked.
One of the men slammed his mug on the table.
"I'm telling you, that wyvern nearly took my head off!"
Another laughed.
"You should have seen your face when it dove at us!"
The woman rolled her eyes.
"That's because you idiots provoked it."
Takemi's eyes sparkled.
"Wyverns…"
He imagined fighting flying monsters.
Cedric noticed his excitement.
"Remember, young master."
"Adventuring is dangerous work."
Takemi nodded.
But deep inside…
It sounded awesome.
While they ate lunch, Takemi asked another question.
"Cedric, how strong do adventurers have to be?"
Cedric wiped his hands calmly.
"The Adventurers Guild measures ability using a rank system."
Takemi leaned closer.
"What kind of ranks?"
Cedric listed them one by one.
"From lowest to highest…"
F Rank
E Rank
D Rank
C Rank
B Rank
A Rank
Then finally—
"S Rank."
Takemi whistled softly.
"What's S Rank?"
Cedric replied simply.
"Legends."
Takemi imagined warriors capable of slaying dragons.
"What rank are dragon hunters?"
Cedric answered without hesitation.
"Usually A Rank."
Takemi's excitement grew again.
"Then someday I'll reach S Rank."
Cedric raised an eyebrow.
"You plan to become an adventurer?"
Takemi shrugged.
"Maybe."
But inside his mind, another thought formed.
Dragon-killing pitcher…
He smiled slightly.
Four days later…
The road climbed a long hill.
The carriage reached the top just as the morning sun rose.
Cedric tapped the window.
"Young master."
Takemi looked up.
Then he froze.
Spread across the vast plain below them stood the largest city he had ever seen.
Solmire.
The capital of Valtheria.
Massive white walls surrounded the city like a protective ring.
Towering watchtowers stood at regular intervals along the walls.
Inside the city, countless rooftops stretched toward the horizon.
Markets.
Temples.
Guild halls.
Noble estates.
And towering above everything else—
A magnificent castle built of shining marble.
The Royal Palace of Valtheria.
Takemi pressed his face against the window.
"…Whoa."
Cedric allowed himself a faint smile.
"Welcome to Solmire."
Takemi's heart pounded.
This was the center of the kingdom.
The place where history was made.
Where heroes were born.
Where legends began.
After passing through the massive city gates, the carriage traveled through crowded streets.
Takemi saw more people in one hour than he had seen in his entire life in Alderheim.
Merchants shouted their wares.
Street performers entertained crowds.
Adventurers walked proudly in polished armor.
But eventually, the city streets opened into a wide avenue lined with tall trees.
At the end of the road stood an enormous stone gate.
Above it hung a banner bearing the symbol of the academy:
A circle of stars surrounding a glowing crystal.
Cedric spoke quietly.
"The Royal Magic Academy of Valtheria."
Takemi stepped out of the carriage slowly.
Before him stretched a vast campus.
Elegant stone buildings surrounded a massive central courtyard.
Tall towers reached toward the sky.
Students wearing academy uniforms walked between buildings.
Some carried books.
Others practiced magic in small groups.
The air itself felt different.
Mana flowed strongly here.
Takemi whispered.
"So this is where I'll study…"
Cedric nodded.
"For the next several years."
Takemi took a deep breath.
This place would shape his future.
His friendships.
His battles.
And somewhere within these walls…
He would soon meet the boy who would become both his greatest rival and his closest ally.
A swordsman named—
Rauk.