We departed from Vailor shortly after sunrise.
The sky was still painted in soft tones as we passed through the city gates. The streets were quiet at that early hour, occupied only by a few merchants setting up their stalls and guards сменing shifts along the walls.
We carried only what was necessary for the journey.
The road leading east was long. According to the information we received at the guild, it would take several days to reach the Arcane City.
As we walked, I turned my head for a moment and watched Vailor fading into the distance.
The city had been the stage for many battles and important decisions. But now a new path was opening before us.
Lyannis walked a few steps ahead, looking at the road as if analyzing every detail.
She spoke first.
"So we're finally going to the place where mages rule everything."
Rai'kanna walked beside me.
"That probably means we'll see a lot of strange people."
Liriel looked at her.
"Mages are not strange."
Rai'kanna shrugged.
"That depends on your point of view."
Elara walked in silence for a few minutes before commenting.
"In any case, the Arcane City is famous for gathering some of the greatest scholars in the world."
Vespera observed the surrounding landscape carefully, as always.
I remained quiet.
My mind was focused on the same thing ever since we received the letter.
Aurelius Valemorth.
An archmage who had lived for more than four centuries.
A man who had agreed to receive us.
The first day of the journey was peaceful.
The road passed through wide fields and small forests. Some villages appeared along the way, but we didn't stop for long.
When the sun began to set, we found an open area near a small river.
We decided to camp there.
Rai'kanna lit a small campfire while Liriel prepared something simple to eat. Lyannis sat on a rock, watching the sky slowly darken.
Elara analyzed a small notebook.
Vespera remained standing near the trees, keeping watch.
I sat near the fire.
The sound of the flowing river created a comfortable silence around us.
Lyannis looked at me.
"You're thinking about him, aren't you?"
I raised my eyes.
"About who?"
She smiled slightly.
"The archmage."
I didn't respond immediately.
Maybe she was right.
Liriel spoke calmly.
"Aurelius Valemorth is a legendary figure among mages. Many scholars travel for years just to try to learn from him."
Elara closed the book she was reading.
"And few even manage to see him in person."
Rai'kanna tossed a small stick into the fire.
"Then we're lucky."
Lyannis tilted her head.
"Or interesting."
The conversation ended there.
After some time, everyone settled down to rest.
The night passed peacefully.
In the following days, we continued the journey.
The landscape began to change slowly.
The roads became wider and better maintained. It was clear that many people used that route.
On the afternoon of the third day, we came across something interesting.
A large caravan was coming from the opposite direction.
Long carriages, protected by armed guards and several travelers dressed in robes.
As we approached, I noticed something different.
Many of them carried books, scrolls, and strange instruments.
Mages.
Lyannis noticed at the same time.
"Well, look at that."
The caravan stopped for a moment as we passed them.
An older man, with a long beard and blue robes, observed our group with curiosity.
He asked if we were also heading to the Arcane City.
I confirmed.
The man smiled slightly.
"Then you're on the right path."
I asked if he was coming from there.
He nodded.
"Yes. I spent a few months studying in the city."
Liriel stepped closer, clearly interested.
"What is the place like?"
The man let out a small laugh.
"Hard to explain."
He thought for a few seconds before continuing.
"Imagine a place where every street has some kind of active magic."
"Where research towers rise above the clouds."
"Where even apprentices can manipulate impressive spells."
Lyannis crossed her arms.
"Sounds noisy."
The man laughed again.
"Maybe it is."
"But it is also the greatest center of magical knowledge in the world."
Before we went our separate ways, he left one final remark.
"If you are going to meet Aurelius Valemorth, make the most of it."
"There aren't many like him."
The caravan continued on its way shortly after.
We kept walking along the road.
That man's words echoed in my mind.
The greatest center of magical knowledge in the world.
On the morning of the fifth day of travel, the landscape changed again.
Hills began to appear on the horizon.
And then, finally, something emerged in the distance.
At first, it looked like just a distant silhouette.
But as we moved forward along the road, the image became clearer.
Tall towers.
Massive structures rising above the walls.
Some of them glowed with a soft light that could be seen even from afar.
Lyannis was the first to speak.
"So… that's the Arcane City."
We stopped for a moment on the road.
I observed the place before us.
Even from a distance, it was possible to feel something different about that place.
Mana.
An overwhelming amount of magical energy hovered over the city.
I took a deep breath.
After so many days of travel, we had finally arrived.
The City of Mages stood before us.