A few days had passed since the battle in the Rank S dungeon.
The routine in Vailor had returned to normal, but for me those days felt filled with a quiet anticipation. Whenever we went out into the city or passed by the guild, part of my attention remained fixed on the same question.
Had the letter already arrived?
Every morning followed almost the same pattern. We trained in the mansion courtyard, accepted a few minor missions, and returned before nightfall. It was a simple way to keep the body active while we waited.
That morning, the sky was clear and a gentle breeze crossed the mansion courtyard. I was training again with my sword. Simple movements, repeated several times, focusing on balance and precision.
Every time I held that blade, I remembered the battle against the Fourth General.
The golden armor that appeared without warning.
The power that surged for a few moments and then disappeared.
There were still many things I didn't understand.
That was why the trip to the Arcane City was so important.
As I finished another sequence of strikes, I heard light footsteps approaching from the corridor that led to the garden.
I turned my head.
Vespera appeared first, calmly observing the training. Soon after, Lyannis crossed the courtyard with her usual curious expression.
Liriel and Elara came right behind, speaking quietly about something related to magic. Rai'kanna appeared last, stretching her arms as if she had just woken up.
Lyannis was the first to speak.
"Looks like you're training more than usual."
I slowly sheathed the sword.
"Maybe I am."
She tilted her head.
"Still thinking about the Arcane City?"
I nodded.
"It's hard not to."
Elara crossed her arms.
"It makes sense. If we gain access to the city, we'll probably find people capable of explaining many things about that sword."
Liriel agreed.
"Mages from the Arcane City have studied mana for centuries. If anyone knows something about that power, it will be them."
Rai'kanna gave a small smile.
"Or maybe they'll discover that you're even stranger than we thought."
Lyannis laughed.
"That would be an interesting discovery."
Before I could respond, we heard hurried footsteps coming from the mansion entrance.
Everyone turned in that direction.
A few seconds later, a guild messenger appeared at the garden gate. He seemed slightly out of breath, as if he had come running.
He looked like he was searching for someone.
When he saw me, he raised his hand immediately.
"Takumi."
I approached.
"What happened?"
He took a deep breath before answering.
"A letter arrived at the guild."
For a moment, I remained silent.
My first thought was immediate.
From the Arcane City.
I asked if that was the case.
The messenger confirmed with a nod.
"Yes. The seal is from the Celestial Tower."
Behind me, I heard Lyannis let out a small whistle.
Rai'kanna crossed her arms.
"So it finally arrived."
I didn't waste any time.
We left the mansion and headed straight to the guild. The streets were as busy as always, but my attention was completely focused on the letter waiting for us.
A few minutes later, we passed through the guild doors.
As soon as we entered, I noticed something different.
Some adventurers were gathered near the main counter. When they saw me arriving, they slowly made space.
The receptionist was holding a scroll.
She looked serious.
I approached.
She carefully placed the scroll on the counter.
The seal was unmistakable.
An arcane symbol engraved in dark blue wax.
The emblem of the Celestial Tower.
The symbol of Aurelius Valemorth.
For a few seconds, no one spoke.
Lyannis was the first to break the silence.
"So… he replied."
The receptionist nodded.
"Yes."
She looked directly at me.
"The letter is addressed to you."
I picked up the scroll calmly and broke the seal.
I unrolled the letter slowly.
The handwriting was elegant and firm.
I began reading in silence.
The text was short.
Direct.
Aurelius Valemorth confirmed that he had received the request sent by the guild of Vailor. He mentioned having heard about the battle against the Fourth General of the demons and expressed curiosity regarding the group.
At the end of the letter came the answer.
Entry to the Arcane City was authorized.
Not just for me.
For the entire group.
I finished reading and remained silent for a few seconds.
Lyannis couldn't wait.
"Well?"
I raised my eyes.
"He accepted."
For a moment, the entire hall fell silent.
The receptionist looked surprised.
"That… doesn't happen often."
I asked what she meant.
She explained that requests to enter the Arcane City often took weeks or even months to receive a response.
Some were never answered at all.
But that letter had arrived quickly.
And with a positive response.
Rai'kanna let out a small laugh.
"So it looks like someone over there got curious."
Liriel seemed thoughtful.
"Perhaps Aurelius became interested in the sword."
Elara agreed.
"Or in the story of the battle against the general."
I carefully stored the letter.
Regardless of the reason, one thing was clear.
The path to the Arcane City was open.
I looked at all of them.
"Then I guess we already know our next destination."
Lyannis smiled.
"A city full of mages."
Rai'kanna spun her short sword in her hand.
"That should be interesting."
Vespera simply nodded.
Elara seemed excited about the idea.
Liriel looked at the letter again.
I asked when we should depart.
Rai'kanna answered without thinking.
"As soon as possible."
Lyannis agreed.
"Before you change your mind."
I let out a small sigh, but ended up smiling.
Maybe she was right.
We left the guild shortly after.
The sun was already beginning to set on the horizon when we returned to the mansion.
As we walked through the streets of Vailor, I realized that the feeling of waiting had finally disappeared.
Now there was only one clear direction ahead of us.
The Arcane City.
And somewhere within that city, a man who had lived for more than four centuries was waiting for us.
Aurelius Valemorth.
That night, we began preparing for the journey.
Because the next stage of our journey was finally about to begin.