The port city of Oston was beautifully sterile.
That was Sinhara's first observation as the Aethelgard Academy boat passed through the waterway checkpoint. Unlike the industrial, smoke-filled chaos of Rivan or the lust-drenched filth of Elystria, Oston appeared stark white and perfect, like an architectural model kept inside a glass display case.
The buildings here were constructed in hexagonal geometric shapes, clad in white marble and reflective tempered glass. The streets were spotless, without a single grain of dust, and the trees were trimmed as straight as tin soldiers. But the most remarkable feature was the sky. There were no natural clouds. The sky of Oston was blocked by a massive, transparent energy dome that shimmered like fish scales under the sun.
"The hexagonal structure helps disperse physical and magical impact over a wide area. It filters out dirt and regulates the city's temperature to a constant level," Sin noted.
"Wonderful," Ardyn muttered, adjusting his belt as he disguised himself as an aging mercenary. "A giant glass cage. Living here must be boring as hell. No rain, no wind, not even the smell of horse dung."
"But it is safe," Eric said, his eyes scanning the guards at the harbor. They did not wear heavy iron armor, but instead wore white robes with blue trim, holding glowing magic staves instead of spears. "And difficult to infiltrate."
They needed a place to hide—a place where the blinding light of the glass cage could not reach. Ardyn, with the sharp nose of an old fox, quickly spotted a target in a hidden corner of the harbor: a Dwarf secretly unloading unlabeled magic stones into a small boat. The former General approached, patted the dwarf on the shoulder, and offered a bottle of strong Rivan liquor—a luxury contraband in this "pure" country.
"Hey, little brother," Ardyn smirked. "I need a hole to crawl into. A place where those clean 'white robes' never visit. And of course, no paperwork required."
The Dwarf snatched the bottle, sniffed it, and stuffed it into his pocket. He jerked his chin toward a massive drainage system leading to the sea.
"West Outskirts, sub-ground level. Look for the 'Empty Pot' inn. The landlady is deaf, and the beds are full of bedbugs. But it's perfectly safe for those who... smell like you."
The "Empty Pot" inn was exactly as its name suggested. Damp, dark, and located deep underground, it was where Oston's low-mana or mixed-blood citizens were pushed to live. In a cramped room smelling of mold, Ardyn spread a large notice he had torn from a bulletin board onto the table.
50th INTERNATIONAL ILLUSIONIST CONVENTION Hosted in Oston - Belgia Granting practicing certificates and Superior Travel Passes for qualified Illusionists.
"This is our ticket," Ardyn said seriously, pointing at the paper. "The Belgia border is guarded by sensor barriers. Crossing illegally is suicide. But with an Illusionist Pass, we will walk through grandly as invited researchers, exempt from security checks at every station."
"Do we have to take an exam?" Eric frowned. "I only know how to swing a sword; I don't know how to make rabbits jump out of hats."
"No rabbits needed," Ardyn explained. "This exam ranks you based on your Proficiency in controlling mana flow to create illusions or influence the mind." He took a piece of coal and marked five ranks on the table: Initiate - Adept - Grandmaster - Sovereign - Saint.
"Listen," Ardyn tapped the table hard. "We need to pass. But we must pass at a Medium level. The 'adept' rank is perfect. Enough to get the travel pass, but not good enough to be noticed or recruited by the Royalty or the great Academies."
He turned to Sin. "You, kid. I know you're a living dictionary. But in tomorrow's theory exam, you must get half of the answers wrong for me. Don't go correcting the examiners."
Sin frowned, looking deeply insulted. "You want me to write that a fireball's trajectory is a straight line instead of a parabola?" Sin snapped. "That is an insult to the principles of physics. Asking a genius brain to think like a fool is illogical."
"It's called strategy, genius," Ardyn smirked. "The smartest person is the one who knows when to play dumb."
He then turned to Eric. "And you, boy. You will register for the Magic Guardian category—a duo exam with Sin. Your job is to play a big, brutish, and clumsy bodyguard. Use only raw strength; do not reveal Royal Knight techniques. Act like a clumsy bear trying to protect a honey pot."
Eric laughed and nodded. "Fine. Playing the fool takes skill too." He stood up, searched through the luggage, and took out a pair of thick, round-rimmed glasses that Sin used for night reading. He stepped close to Sin and gently placed them on his nose.
"What is this?" Sin tried to pull away.
"Disguise," Eric said, his fingers sliding past Sin's ear to adjust the frames—a tender gesture that made Sin freeze for a moment. "You look... more obedient. Like a harmless nerd who only knows books. Perfect for the role of a mid-tier Illusionist."
Sin saw his reflection in Eric's eyes. The glasses softened the cold sharpness of his gaze, replacing it with a quite convincing look of innocence.
"Data recorded," Sin muttered, pushing up the frames to hide his slightly flushing cheeks. "I will attempt to... lower my IQ to the human average for the next 24 hours."
-
The next morning.
The Registration Hall of the Oston Academy was crowded with thousands of candidates from across the continent. The building was constructed of transparent crystal—magnificent and overwhelming.
Sin (using the alias "Vaan") stood before the registration desk. He set his pen to the form. The moment the nib touched the paper, a powerful vibration surged from his chest.
Thump-thump.
The Mirrakyn stone in his breast pocket shook violently, resonating with a massive energy source very close by. Sin snapped his head up. He didn't need to search dungeons or secret chambers.
The object was right above his head.
At the very top of the Academy's highest crystal tower, the center of the city, a solid gold object hung suspended, radiating a brilliant aura. It was shaped like a beautifully curved ram's horn.
"They are using it..." Sin whispered, his eyes widening in shock behind his glasses. "...to amplify low-frequency sound waves, maintaining the stability of the Barrier surrounding the entire city."
"What?" Eric asked softly in his messy bodyguard disguise.
"It's the greatest 'loudspeaker' in history," Sin smirked—a mischievous and defiant smile, completely opposite to his harmless nerd appearance. "If we take it, this city's glass cage will shatter into a thousand pieces."
Ardyn stood behind them, taking a puff of a cheap cigarette and chuckling. "So, we're about to become international fugitives. Interesting."
Sin signed the form with a decisive, elegant hand.
"Ardyn, change of strategy," Sin whispered, his eyes fixed on the tower's peak. "We will get the mid-tier Illusionist certificate as planned. But before we leave... I'll have to 'borrow' their loudspeaker for a moment."