Seeing the high walls, Mina, Fel, and Agois felt a surge of different emotions, as if they had arrived in a new world, since their lives had entirely been spent in Lenes. Only Crone, being a mercenary, had seen many places and had once traveled to the capital for a mission. Although still impressed by these grand walls, he was not as affected as his wife and children.
At the city gate, Crone paid 4 yellow coins for his family to enter the city. Entering inside, the family encountered a city far more beautiful and prosperous than Lenes. The streets were spotless, paved with beautiful stones, and royal guards patrolled everywhere. The architecture of the houses here was the best in the kingdom.
Looking at this prosperous city from every angle, Agois understood where the kingdom's wealth was concentrated. On one side, people were starving to death, while here, people were living in luxury. That was what power was like.
While the family watched this beautiful city view, Crone was considering a suitable inn for them to stay. Crone took his family to the inn where he had stayed the last time he visited. At the inn, a middle-aged man with graying hair and a large belly smiled at them. However, the man's smile froze when he noticed Crone's single arm and the family's impoverished state. Crone noticed this subtle change but didn't care. "We need a room," he said, smiling at the innkeeper.
After a quick look, the innkeeper said with some hesitation, "We have a room that is 1 yellow coin per night, if you accept." He muttered to himself that a customer was a customer.
Hearing this, Crone's heart ached, but he accepted. This was the cheapest inn in the city. Even though it was still expensive for them, he paid the money, and the innkeeper showed them their room.
The family settled into their room, took out their food, and ate. Due to travel fatigue, everyone slept, except for Agois. He was meditating. He was even more curious about that state of mind now: What was that starlight, why was it there, and why could he enter that void?
He began to focus in meditation. He calmed his mind, the entire world around him began to fade, and he had entered that space. He was conscious there. No matter how much he tried to reach for the starlight, he couldn't touch it, but as long as he stayed there, his mind felt refreshed and his energy renewed. For now, this was his limit; he could stay in this space for about 10 minutes.
The next day, Crone and Agois went to the Royal Academy to get information about the Awakening Baptism. Upon arriving at the Academy, Agois stared intently at the large, magnificent, palace-like structure before him. Crone was also seeing this place for the first time and was equally stunned by the luxurious building.
Just then, a fat and ugly young noble master in luxurious clothes passed by with his guards. He looked at Agois and his father and commanded with disdain: "Hey, since when do peasants come here? Filthy peasants, you'd better stay where you belong. These places are not for you; quickly send these filth away from here!"
Hearing this, Crone panicked and bowed his head, saying: "Esteemed Sir, this lowly person did not mean to offend you. We only came for the Awakening Baptism."
Agois was again confronted with a situation similar to the scene three years ago. He was much calmer and more mature than the first time. Now he kept his anger contained, not showing it externally; he only put on the expression of a frightened child. But deep down, his fury was surging even more. He no longer wanted his family and himself to be subjected to this treatment in this world, but for now, he could only watch.
Even though he had reached the Iron Body Realm, it didn't mean much in this kingdom. After all, powerful people here could have many guards in the Copper Body Realm; meaning there was no shortage of people in the Iron Body Realm.
Hearing this, the fat noble burst into laughter: "The Awakening Baptism? Hahaha. Where does this confidence come from, you peasants? Do you know how many talented people come out in this country every year? The number doesn't exceed 10 people, and you filthy peasants think you can reach heaven by assuming you have talent? It's nothing but a foolish dream! This one-armed man spoils my sight, hand him over to the slave traders, now!"
Hearing this, Crone froze solid. He hadn't expected such a small incident to escalate this much and lead to this outcome. Now, he didn't know what to do. In a panic, he gestured to Agois to run away.
Agois was furious again. He couldn't stand these people treating their lives like grass and making whatever decisions they wanted. As the guards approached Crone, and Crone tried to push him behind and tell him to flee, Agois's mind suddenly calmed. All sounds ceased, and he focused only on the guards in front of him.
He suddenly vanished from his spot and lunged in front of the first guard. The guard was defenseless because he hadn't expected this move. He couldn't parry the punch to his face and was knocked out, sprawling on the ground, having flown back 10 meters.
Even Agois was surprised by this situation. Although he was in the Iron Body Realm, the guard was also an experienced and strong man in the Iron Body Realm. But his spirit and mind were very clear and calm right now. The guards' movements seemed too slow and obvious to him. He immediately darted behind the other guard without losing speed. For some reason, his speed had also increased significantly.
As he neutralized the guards, the commotion here drew the attention of certain people in the Academy. Among these people was General Kora. The fight there had attracted his interest. Seeing a young man defeating seven guards in the Iron Body Realm was one of those interesting and seemingly impossible scenes, but it was now happening before him. Even for a general who had seen many battles and fights, this scene was very surprising. It wasn't just him; even Crone was surprised. He knew his son best; he had just entered the Iron Body Realm, he shouldn't be this strong, but he was. He had nothing to say; his son always surprised him.
Suddenly, Royal soldiers surrounded Agois and the fat noble. Agois had defeated the guards, but he was now exhausted because his mind had left that state. General Kora stepped out from among the soldiers, first carefully examining Agois, and then looking indifferently at the fat noble, giving a look that implied, "What is going on here?"
The fat young master was terrified. General Kora was a famous general in Pergron. He was a general who was fair and treated everyone with the same attitude; nobles didn't have much privilege in his eyes. If he found out about the truth of the incident here, it wouldn't be good for him. He immediately blamed Agois and his father: "I am honored by the General's personal arrival. I am Reney Bros, the son of Marquess Bork Bros, my great General. These ruffians attacked me and tried to rob me, and they have already incapacitated my guards. Who knows what they would have done to me if you hadn't arrived," he immediately complained.
Hearing this, Agois and Crone were shocked. They truly hadn't expected this filthy noble to be so despicable. But Crone immediately denied it: "Great General, we only came here for the Awakening Baptism. Our presence was bothersome for the young master, so they were going to turn us into slaves, but my son couldn't remain indifferent, and the events unfolded like this."
Reney froze when he heard this. "Filthy ruffian, you are very good at playing the victim! Didn't you ask for this master's money? Don't you dare lie! I demand the General to take appropriate action," he said, but he was surprised. What was the General doing here? He was no ordinary figure; he was the most famous general in the kingdom. He was embarrassed before the General for encountering such an incident.
Agois clenched his fists even tighter, trying to calm himself, or he might have killed this fat man.
General Kora looked at both sides, understanding the true nature of the event. He was the general of this kingdom, and he knew how self-absorbed, arrogant, and unreasonable the useless noble brats in the kingdom were. He had encountered such incidents before and had heard about them many times in military reports. That's why he disliked such useless nobles.
"Brat, do you dare to lie to me? My soldiers witnessed everything that happened here, and I know what kind of person you are. So, for the sake of your father, I will overlook it this time. Get out of my sight, now!"
Hearing this, the fat Reney, embarrassed by being reprimanded in front of the public, did not dare to respond and immediately ran away from there.
Agois and Crone were astonished. They didn't know there were such men in the Royal establishment. The presence of such a good, just general was truly a miracle for them. Because even though Agois had defeated the guards, this was the Pergron Kingdom, and they were facing a noble. It was obvious what would happen to them, but thanks to the General's presence, they had been saved from this incident.
Crone immediately knelt before the General with gratitude: "I have heard the legendary name of the Great General Kora for a long time. I grew up listening to how many times he repelled our enemies with his iron will. And Sir, we will not forget your kindness today; thank you very much, I am grateful, Sir."
Agois also wanted to bow down, but it was as if a force was holding him; his knees wouldn't bend. As he looked at the majestic, gray-haired general before him, he felt respect and gratitude, but he couldn't bow. Seeing this, Crone sighed at his son's reckless action and immediately reached out to force him to kneel with him…
The General waved his hand, indicating it was unnecessary, and looked at Agois with excitement: "I see a true warrior spirit in this young man; his eyes tell me so. I watched your fight just now. Reaching the Iron Body Realm at this age is already genius, and to possess such combat power... I don't know what to say," he said.
And he continued: "You came here for the Awakening Baptism, didn't you?" He muttered to himself, "This young man's talent…"
Looking at Agois, he asked in a friendly manner: "What is your name, young friend?"
Agois was impressed by this General; he was truly a respectable person and immediately replied respectfully: "My name is Agois, Sir; it is an honor for me to meet you."
The General understood that the boy spoke these words sincerely.
Laughing, he turned to Crone: "And you must be his father, right?"
"Yes, Sir," Crone replied respectfully.
General Kora was impressed by Agois's talent and character. He thought Crone deserved respect too, as he was his father.
He then escorted Agois and Crone to the registration desk for the Awakening Baptism. After that, he turned to Crone: "This is a token from me, keep it with you. If you encounter any trouble in this city or kingdom, it will help you," he said, giving them a bronze sword token.
Crone looked at the token in his hand; his hands trembled, not from the weight, but from its immense value and meaning. With this, they would no longer have trouble in this kingdom. He was overjoyed. He understood why the General had treated them so well.
The General then looked at Agois: "Son, don't be sad if you don't have talent. You have great potential as a warrior in the physical realm. If you can't become a Cultivator, come and be my officer in the Royal Army."
Agois was surprised. The General wanted him for his ability.
Crone understood, so he wasn't surprised, but this was still a magnificent event. His son wouldn't be tossed around like him; he would have prestige, fame, and wealth. If the General wanted him as his officer, he wanted to make him his successor. Crone was so happy. He never thought this trip to the capital would have such an outcome.
Crone immediately said to the General: "I am grateful for your kindness and interest, Sir," and turned to his son: "Agois, not everyone has talent in this life, so you need to consider what comes after that," he signaled to his son.
Agois understood and, looking at the General, said: "Don't worry, Sir, if I don't have talent, I would be proud to fight as your subordinate," he said, giving a respectful head nod to the General.
The General was even more fond of this young man. He laughed and walked away, but deep down, he felt that this youth would never join the army. He couldn't help but wonder, "Could he have talent?" His own regret came to mind, and he sighed and continued on his way. Despite everything, meeting this young man and doing this favor had been worth it.
Then Agois and Crone turned to the officer for registration. The officer's attitude was very respectful. These were people brought here by the General; he didn't dare to be disrespectful. He immediately said with a respectful attitude: "Welcome, Sirs, we are registering this young man, aren't we? May I have the name?" he asked.
"Agois Rendelf," Agois said.
Crone immediately asked with caution: "How much do we need to pay?"
The officer immediately replied: "Normally 2 platinum coins, but you are acquaintances of the General. Therefore, there is no need for us to take any money from you. The Awakening Baptism will take place at the Academy in three days. Be here around 10 in the morning, Sir." Handing them a paper, he said: "When you come in three days, give this paper to the officer here; he will take care of you then," he smiled and saw them off. Agois and Crone left there in astonishment.
Everything that happened to Agois and Crone today felt like a dream. It was magnificent. No matter what, they could now live without fear in this kingdom. Crone was overjoyed. Since he lost his arm, there had always been a pressure and fear inside him; he had concerns about how he would take care of his family, but now all of that had flown away. He had a completely sensible and talented son, and the opportunity presented to them today had seemingly saved their lives.
Agois also felt happy and relieved, but this was not what he wanted. He wanted to see and experience the Cultivator world, live longer, and completely control his destiny.