As Gaius and his group moved through Horlandia, they saw a series of small villages all around throughout the landscape. These villages were relatively numerous, reflecting a number of villages spread out across the state. However, they were surprised not to encounter any larger towns or cities during their travels. The lack of more developed urban centers was surprising.

  Despite this, their journey was relatively brief. Within just three days, they reached the central part of Horlandia. From there, it was a straightforward path to the capital city, where the prestigious magic academy was located. The capital, being the heart of the state’s magical and political activities, was well-known and easily accessible once they arrived in the central area.

  “Wow…” the girl finally said.

  The girl only talked with the guards and her servants and when she did, when Gaius was around, she only whispered. So that was the first time that Gaius heard her voice. It was a pleasant voice. Gaius thought that she could be a good singer.

  In any case, just like the girl, Gaius and the others were pretty amazed as well. The capital of the magic state of Horlandia was massive… It was probably dozens of kilometers long and wide… that explained why they didn’t find cities or towns along the way. Everyone wanted to leave there.

  The capital of Horlandia showed a visual dominated by shades of blue and white. This color scheme lent the entire city an ethereal and otherworldly quality, almost reflecting its magical essence. The streets were impeccably paved, their smooth, polished surfaces glistening in the sunlight and adding to the city’s clean appearance.

  The buildings throughout the capital were designed the same way, creating a sense of architectural cohesion. Despite their similar styles, some structures stood out due to their larger size, serving as prominent landmarks or important institutions within the city. These larger buildings showed detailed designs and magical ornaments that set them apart from others.

  One of the most notable features of the city was the presence of massive windmills. Although the city wasn’t particularly windy, these massive structures were a testament to the city’s magical prowess. The windmills, with their moving blades, seemed to defy their original purpose, adding a sense of grandeur and mystery to the city.

  In the capital, the air was alive with movement as people floated effortlessly above the ground. Some were seen gliding gracefully from one building to another, their movements smooth and fluid, enabled by magical enchantments. This ability to defy gravity was a common sight, emphasizing the city’s advanced magical capabilities.

  Additionally, the streets were serviced by carriages that moved seamlessly without the need for horses. The absence of horses and the smooth, silent operation of these vehicles further highlighted the capital’s sophisticated integration of magic into everyday life.

  When the group reached the western gate of the city, they soon found themselves in front of a magic barrier. There were some guards lightly armored ahead, so they stepped forward after telling them to halt.

  Gaius could see them equipped with red spears that emitted a red aura as well. He had seen some weapons like that over the years, but the aura of that one was a lot more impressive. He could only imagine that they had been sold, but only the low quality ones, or perhaps stolen or smuggled.

  “Travelers? Where do you come from?” One of the guards asked.

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  The guards were vigilant and clearly on alert, their eyes constantly scanning their surroundings as they maintained a strong defensive posture. However, despite their evident readiness, something struck Gaius as odd. The guards didn’t seem particularly wary of them attacking them.

  This lack of suspicion was unusual, especially given the political tensions that should have existed between Horlandia and the neighboring state of Quarteria. The two states were known to have conflicting interests, and one would expect heightened security and a more cautious attitude toward outsiders.

  Yet, the guards appeared almost indifferent to the presence of travelers like Gaius and his companions, allowing them to approach about freely without any undue scrutiny. This unexpected behavior suggested that the situation between Horlandia and Quarteria might not be as tense as anticipated, or perhaps the guards had grown accustomed to the influx of visitors.

  “We have two people with us that received an invitation to join the magic academy,” one of the guards jumped from the carriage and then showed a scroll to the other guards.

  The guard lifted the visor of his helmet and showed a frown. His hand passed through the barrier and then received the scroll without any issues.

  Gaius looked around while the guard was reading the paper… aside from the barrier, there were some five meters tall walls around the city. With a city of that size, it would be hard to make a defensive all any taller. Still, the walls were brown, but with a smooth surface.

  “Probably made of magic…” Gaius thought. “They are only for show since the magic barrier should be enough to stop attacks.”

  Gaius couldn’t help but think about the mysteries of Horlandia as he looked around. One question lingered in his mind: how could a massive magical barrier, which apparently protected the city, continue to stand indefinitely? Such a feat of magic was beyond anything he had encountered before, and the sheer scale and endurance of the barrier was quite interesting. He wondered what kind of power or system maintained it and how it could sustain itself without weakening over time.

  His curiosity went beyond just the city’s magical defenses. As he observed the people in the capital, he found himself a bit surprised. He had expected to see a diverse group of beings, given the capital’s reputation as a center of magical learning and power. Yet, the inhabitants looked very ordinary, just like any other human he had encountered elsewhere. There were no distinctive features or signs that set them apart from the people of other states.

  However, one thing did stand out: the residents of Horlandia were thinner. Gaius imagined that this might be due to their reliance on magic. In a place where problems could be solved with a simple spell or enchantment, physical strength, and endurance were likely a bit more useless. It was a bit surprising, since combining his physical strength and magical skills really made his skills reach a new level. Perhaps they never had to do something like that before.

  “We confirmed the seal, but you will have to wait here for a bit longer. Even if you are a recognized guest, the barrier still will stop you under normal circumstances.” The guard explained and then nodded at his companion, who nodded and soon left the area.

  In the end, Gaius and everyone had to wait for two hours before the guard returned with a box. When he opened it, he saw some blue rings glowing.

  “Sorry, bruh,” Gaius thought. “But my heart belongs to another one… I can’t accept your feelings. Let’s start as friends and remain as friends forever.”

  “With these magic rings, you can cross the barrier, but you should keep it with you all times,” the guard explained. “Even after crossing the barrier, without the ring, you will get tired faster. The ring can last for a year.”

  Gaius couldn’t help but notice something peculiar as he continued to observe the surrounding people. As he scanned the crowd, he realized that no one else seemed to be wearing a similar ring. The explanation he had received earlier now seemed suspicious, raising more questions in his mind.

  Despite the growing doubt, Gaius decided to keep his thoughts to himself. There was no point in drawing attention to his concerns, especially in a place where he was still trying to get his bearings. Instead, he discreetly activated his Observe skill, hoping to glean more information from the situation without tipping off anyone around him.

  Magic Ring

  Effects: Magic Protection - decreases the effects of magic enriched areas that could affect your body by ninety percent.