After about half an hour, Artemis finally stood before the towering gates of the Moonstone Blade Academy.
The academy's entrance was heavily guarded; its rules were clear and unyielding. Only those with an official academy token were allowed past the gates. Even if one of their own students lost their token, they would be forced to wait outside until a replacement was issued.
As Artemis approached with the heavy wooden frame on his back, one of the guards stepped forward, raising his hand to block him.
"Do you think this is some public toilet where anyone can come and go as they please? Where is your token?" the guard demanded coldly.
Artemis frowned. "Why should I have a token? It's not like I'm a student here."
The guard smirked, his tone dripping with disdain. "Haanh! No token, no entry. Rules are rules."
Before Artemis could reply, another guard rushed over. His face paled as soon as he saw who had been stopped. He bowed quickly, his voice respectful and urgent. "Young Master Cassano, please forgive this offense. This guard is new, he does not recognize you yet."
The first guard blinked in disbelief. His expression stiffened as he looked between his fellow guard and Artemis. Young Master Cassano? He had assumed this boy was nothing more than a delivery hand, yet his fellow guard's respectful tone told him otherwise. Though he didn't yet understand the situation, he wasn't stupid. There were people in this city one could not afford to offend. And from the way his colleague addressed Artemis, it was clear this boy was one of them.
The second guard's voice grew stern. "Quickly, apologize to Young Master Cassano."
The first guard swallowed hard and bowed. "I'm sorry, Young Master. I didn't mean to offend you in any way. I was only doing my duty. Please forgive me."
Artemis adjusted the wooden frame on his back, his expression calm. "No problem. No offense taken." Without another word, he stepped forward and walked through the gate.
Behind him, the second guard turned sharply on his colleague. "What were you thinking? Trying to block Young Master Cassano? Are you trying to get us all killed?" His voice was sharp with reprimand.
The truth was simple. The Cassano family had not been rooted in Kora City for long. They were not an ancient clan with centuries of history, nor a house of noble blood. Their rise was recent, yet swift, powerful enough to eclipse many of the city's long-established families.
That rise was built upon Maverick Cassano, whose reputation as both blacksmith and alchemist was unmatched. His weapons and pills were coveted not only in Kora City but beyond, elevating the Cassano family into one of the top five households in the city.
To offend Artemis, even as a youth, was to offend Maverick Cassano himself. And offending Maverick was something not even the Moonstone Blade Academy could afford. Naturally, Artemis had no need for a token. His family name was his token.
Artemis entered the academy grounds and walked straight toward the training field. The sounds of clashing weapons and bursts of energy filled the air.
There, his peers trained with vigor, boys and girls his age, and even younger. Their movements glowed with the brilliance of awakened Cosmo, their techniques sharp and precise. With each swing, sparks of cosmic energy danced across the field, their power undeniable.
Artemis slowed his steps, his eyes fixed on them. A faint pain stirred in his chest. These were things he could not do. Without Cosmo, without a core to store energy, combat techniques were forever beyond him.
The gulf between himself and them widened with every passing day, and no matter how strong his body was, he could feel himself being left further and further behind.
He tightened his jaw and forced himself to walk past the training ground, carrying the heavy boxes toward the designated hall. The guards stationed there recognized him immediately.
They did not dare question him, nor did they ask for an explanation. They simply stepped forward to receive the crates, their expressions cautious.
Everyone in the academy knew of the strange young master who carried out errands himself when he could easily hire thousands of porters to do so.
After handing over the boxes, Artemis lingered for only a moment. He turned back toward the training field, drawn once again by the sight of his peers unleashing techniques he could only dream of.
His body was strong enough to crush steel, yet his heart felt heavier than the weight he had carried.
Artemis walked slowly back to the edge of the training ground, choosing to watch in silence.