The morning in the Arcane City began quietly.
Sunlight passed through the bedroom window and softly illuminated the wooden floor. For a moment, I simply stared at the ceiling, remembering where we were.
The City of Mages.
I took a deep breath and got up.
After getting ready, I went down to the inn's main hall. The place was busier than the night before. Some travelers were having breakfast while discussing magical theories or analyzing scrolls.
Lyannis was already sitting at one of the tables.
She looked up when she saw me.
"You took your time."
I sat across from her.
"Not that much."
Rai'kanna appeared shortly after, carrying a mug.
"So today's the day."
Liriel and Elara came down together soon after. Both seemed excited, though they tried to maintain a calm posture.
Vespera was the last to arrive.
She simply nodded when she saw me sitting there.
We ordered something simple to eat. As we finished the meal, the inevitable topic came up.
Lyannis rested her chin on her hand.
"So… the plan is simple."
I looked at her.
"Yes."
Rai'kanna finished her drink.
"We go to the archmage's mansion."
Elara added,
"And find out if he really wants to speak with us."
Liriel seemed more curious than worried.
"I'm interested in seeing what he's like."
I finished eating and stood up.
It was time.
We left the inn and returned to the city streets.
The Arcane City was even busier during the day. Mages walked in every direction, some accompanied by apprentices carrying huge books.
Small magical constructions floated above certain streets.
In some places, people could be seen training magic in open areas.
We followed the directions the inn receptionist had given us.
Aurelius's mansion was located in a higher area of the city.
As we walked, the buildings began to change. Shops and academies gave way to larger, quieter residences.
Finally, we reached the top of a gentle hill.
There it was.
The mansion of Aurelius Valemorth.
It was enormous.
High walls surrounded the entire property. The main gate was made of black iron, engraved with arcane symbols that glowed faintly.
Inside the walls, it was possible to see a large, perfectly organized garden. Ancient trees were spread across the grounds, and at the center stood the main mansion.
The structure had several smaller towers connected by elevated corridors.
Magical crystals were positioned at strategic points on the roof.
Elara observed the structure carefully.
"The amount of magic in this place is absurd."
Liriel agreed.
"Every part of the mansion seems protected by some kind of spell."
Lyannis analyzed the gate.
"So now what?"
I stepped forward.
Before I could knock, something happened.
The gate opened on its own.
No sound.
No visible mechanism.
It simply opened slowly.
Rai'kanna raised an eyebrow.
"That's a bit unsettling."
We entered.
The garden was quiet. Stone paths led to the entrance of the mansion. Small fountains scattered across the grounds released water that shimmered faintly with mana.
As we walked, I noticed something.
The feeling of being watched.
It wasn't hostile.
But someone was clearly aware of our presence.
We reached the main door.
It was made of dark wood reinforced with metal details.
Before anyone could speak, the door opened.
The interior of the mansion was vast and elegant. Shelves filled with books covered several walls. Magical artifacts rested on tables and stone stands.
A calm energy filled the space.
Then I heard footsteps.
Slow.
Steady.
A man appeared at the far end of the hall.
He was tall and elegant. Long silver hair fell over his shoulders. A short, well-trimmed beard completed his serene face.
His eyes were blue.
But they were not ordinary eyes.
There was something there.
A faint light seemed to exist within them.
He wore dark blue robes covered with golden runes that glowed softly as he walked.
In one hand, he held a staff made of arcane crystal.
His presence was unlike anyone I had ever encountered.
It wasn't just power.
It was knowledge.
Experience.
Centuries of life.
He stopped a few steps in front of us.
His eyes calmly passed over each member of the group.
First Lyannis.
Then Rai'kanna.
Liriel.
Elara.
Vespera.
Finally, he looked at me more closely.
A small smile appeared on his face.
His voice was calm.
"So you are the hero who defeated the Fourth General."
Silence filled the hall for a few seconds.
I simply held his gaze.
Standing before me was the man who ruled the Arcane City.
The legendary archmage.
Aurelius Valemorth.