Three more days passed.
The caravan continued steadily along the King's Road, crossing stone bridges, passing through rolling hills, and camping beneath countless stars.
During those days, Kael gradually became accustomed to traveling.
He learned how to help unharness the horses.
How to properly secure goods inside a wagon.
How to pitch a traveling tent.
And, after several failed attempts...
How to start a fire with flint without accidentally extinguishing it moments later.
"...Too much wind."
Kael muttered after his fourth failed attempt.
Ben laughed from beside him.
"You've hunted mountain beasts, but a tiny flame is defeating you."
Kael looked at the pile of smoking twigs.
"...It appears so."
Clara smiled.
"Even martial artists have things they're bad at."
Kael nodded thoughtfully.
"I suppose that's true."
Eventually...
Lily crouched beside him.
"You have to be patient."
She gently cupped her hands around the small spark.
Moments later...
The flame grew steadily.
Kael watched carefully.
"...I was rushing."
Lily grinned.
"Grandpa always says fire likes calm people."
Kael smiled faintly.
"...Mine used to say something similar."
---
The fourth morning...
The road climbed a gentle hill.
Gareth, walking at the front of the caravan, suddenly raised his hand.
"We're here."
Everyone instinctively looked ahead.
Kael followed their gaze.
Then...
He stopped walking.
Far beyond the hill...
A massive city stretched across the horizon.
Towering gray walls surrounded countless buildings.
Tall watchtowers stood proudly at regular intervals.
Colorful banners fluttered above the gates.
Beyond the outer walls rose elegant pagodas, towering merchant halls, training arenas, and buildings far taller than anything Kael had ever imagined.
A wide river flowed beside the city, its waters glittering beneath the morning sun.
Ships drifted lazily along the river, carrying goods from distant lands.
The city seemed endless.
"...That's..."
Kael whispered.
"...Azure River City."
Gareth smiled.
"Impressive, isn't it?"
Kael slowly nodded.
"I thought Green Willow Village was large."
Ben burst into laughter.
"You haven't seen anything yet."
---
As they drew closer...
The number of travelers increased dramatically.
Caravans stretched as far as the eye could see.
Mounted warriors rode proudly toward the city.
Families waited patiently in long lines.
Young martial artists stood in small groups, occasionally eyeing one another with curiosity.
The closer they came...
The more obvious it became.
Almost everyone here...
Was heading toward the Martial High Entrance Tournament.
---
Soon...
They reached the eastern gate.
The gate itself was nearly thirty feet tall.
Two enormous iron doors stood open.
Dozens of city guards monitored everyone entering and leaving.
One guard called loudly.
"Merchants to the left!"
"Visitors to the center!"
"Martial High applicants to the registration lane!"
Kael looked around in surprise.
"There are different lines."
Morris chuckled.
"There are different purposes."
"Oh."
---
Their caravan joined the merchant queue.
While they waited, Kael quietly observed the crowd.
Not far away...
A muscular youth effortlessly carried a stone training pillar across his shoulders while his companions cheered.
Another young woman calmly practiced graceful sword forms beneath a nearby tree.
Further ahead...
Two spear users discussed martial techniques with surprising seriousness.
Everyone seemed...
Confident.
Prepared.
Unlike Kael.
He simply stood quietly with his travel pack slung over one shoulder.
---
A loud voice suddenly echoed nearby.
"Move aside!"
Several pedestrians hurriedly stepped away.
A luxurious convoy approached.
Four snow-white horses pulled an elegant carriage decorated with golden dragons.
Several guards surrounded it.
The convoy passed through a separate entrance reserved for distinguished guests.
Many spectators whispered.
"The Zhao Clan."
"They've arrived."
"So that's one of the Great Clans..."
Kael quietly watched the convoy disappear beyond the gates.
"...They're popular."
Ben laughed.
"Popular?"
"They're one of the strongest martial families in the eastern provinces."
"I see."
Kael simply nodded.
There was no envy in his eyes.
Only curiosity.
---
Not long afterward...
Another commotion erupted.
This time...
It wasn't because of a noble family.
A lone young man wearing dark-blue robes approached the gate carrying a sword.
The surrounding martial artists instinctively stepped aside.
Even the city guards greeted him respectfully.
"He's here..."
Someone whispered.
"Jian Yu."
"The youngest disciple of the Sky Hawk Pavilion."
"They say he hasn't lost a duel in three years."
Another added,
"Many believe he'll easily enter Martial High."
Kael glanced toward the swordsman.
Jian Yu walked calmly through the gate without acknowledging the whispers surrounding him.
His expression remained indifferent.
"...He seems quiet."
Kael commented.
Morris smiled.
"You notice strange things."
---
Finally...
It was the caravan's turn.
The guard smiled upon recognizing Gareth.
"Back again?"
"As always."
The guard's gaze shifted toward Kael.
"A new recruit?"
"A traveler."
Gareth answered.
"Heading to the tournament."
The guard looked Kael over.
Plain clothes.
Simple backpack.
A hunting knife.
No family emblem.
No expensive weapon.
He looked...
Ordinary.
The guard smiled politely before stamping Kael's temporary travel pass.
"Welcome to Azure River City."
Kael accepted it with both hands.
"...Thank you."
---
The moment they passed through the gates...
Kael completely stopped.
The city was overwhelming.
Wide stone roads stretched in every direction.
Rows of shops displayed colorful banners.
Street vendors loudly advertised their goods.
The smell of roasted meat, fresh bread, sweet pastries, and medicinal herbs filled the air.
Blacksmiths hammered glowing steel.
Children laughed as they chased one another through crowded streets.
Martial artists crossed paths with scholars.
Merchants bargained loudly.
Performers juggled, danced, and entertained curious crowds.
Everywhere Kael looked...
There was something new.
Lily smiled proudly.
"So?"
Kael slowly turned in a full circle.
"...It's very busy."
Ben burst into laughter.
"That's your conclusion?"
Kael nodded earnestly.
"...I've never seen this many people before."
---
As they continued deeper into the city...
A massive banner hanging across the main street caught Kael's attention.
WELCOME PARTICIPANTS OF THE MARTIAL HIGH ENTRANCE TOURNAMENT
Beneath it...
Smaller notices had been posted.
Registration.
Tournament rules.
Accommodation.
Training grounds.
The entire city had transformed into a gathering place for young martial artists from across the continent.
Kael quietly looked at the banner.
Then at the countless hopeful faces walking beneath it.
For many of them...
This tournament represented glory.
Fame.
Honor.
The chance to change their destiny.
Kael's thoughts were much simpler.
"Grandpa told me to come here."
"So this must be the right place."
He adjusted the strap of his travel pack.
Completely unaware...
That within the next few days...
The ordinary-looking mountain youth would gradually begin attracting the attention of people from every corner of Azure River City.
End of Chapter 14