Claude returns to the inn, and as he steps into the lobby, the old man behind the counter calls out, "Sir, wait."
Claude turns toward him. "Is something the matter?"
The old man leans forward slightly, worry etched across his face. "Sir, are you in trouble with the police?"
Before Claude can answer, the old man continues, "If you are, then you must leave our establishment. I do not want any trouble from the police."
Claude shakes his head calmly. "Old man, there is no trouble; they only asked questions about yesterday."
The old man does not relax, instead leaning further over the counter, clearly unsatisfied.
Claude reads his expression and understands that the man will not be at ease without hearing the full story, so he recounts the version he has already prepared.
The old man listens carefully, and when Claude finishes, his expression softens into pity.
"Young man, the police of our kingdom are incompetent, because of them, no road outside the cities and towns is safe from bandit attacks."
Claude knows the truth behind those words, and he knows his own family is part of the reason for it, but he keeps his expression neutral, continuing his role as someone from Fontana.
"I never knew travelling through the Duex Kingdom was this dangerous," he says.
The old man sighs. "It is all because of the conflict between the King and the noble families."
Claude tilts his head slightly, feigning curiosity, silently urging him to continue even though he already knows the cause.
"The new King ascended the throne three years ago," the old man explains, "he gained it with the support of wealthy merchants, and once he took power, the noble families began to clash with him; they look down on merchants."
He pauses briefly before continuing, lowering his voice.
"A year ago, the King proposed a law to limit the personal armies of noble families and form a national army instead. The nobles reduced their forces, but those soldiers did not join the royal army. Under orders, they became bandits and spread chaos across the land."
He shakes his head. "Places under direct royal rule, like Lake City, are especially targeted."
Before he can say more, the door of the inn opens, and the bell rings.
The old man glances toward the entrance, then back at Claude. "I will tell you the rest later."
Claude turns slightly and looks at the new arrival.
A burly man steps inside.
Claude feels a faint sense of familiarity but does not dwell on it.
He nods toward the old man. "Send us some meat dishes."
Then he turns and walks away.
Lin Yu watches Claude leave.
The old man calls out to him, and Lin Yu steps forward, speaking briefly as he books a room of the same type as Claude's.
He had entered the city last night, as he cannot allow Claude to enter his spirit world without staying close to him, and although he arrived the previous night, a leopard cannot move freely within the city, so he took on a human shape to pass unnoticed.
After receiving his key, Lin Yu enters his room and closes the door behind him.
He adjusts his body, then quickly removes his clothes.
His bones begin to creak and shift.
His skin ripples as its colour changes.
Muscles contract and expand unnaturally, his frame compressing as his spine bends and reshapes.
His arms shorten and twist, fingers fusing and extending into claws, while his legs realign into powerful hind limbs.
Dark fur spreads rapidly across his body, replacing skin, as his face pushes forward into a muzzle, teeth sharpening into fangs.
Within moments, the human form disappears.
A leopard stands in its place.
Lin Yu moves across the room on four paws, his movements smooth and controlled.
He circles once, testing his limbs, then pauses.
"Comfortable," he says.
Claude awakens from his cultivation and opens his eyes.
He sees his sister staring at him.
Claudia tilts her head and says, "Brother, I am bored."
Claude exhales softly, stands up, and walks over before sitting beside her on the bed.
"You are bored, then what do you want to do?"
Claudia tilts her head again and says, "Brother, can we go outside?"
Claude frowns, hesitation flickering across his face, because he is reluctant to take her outside, afraid that if someone sees them together, they might be recognised.
"You know we cannot roam outside," he says.
Claudia frowns and asks, "Then when are we going to the Emerald Tower?"
Claude falls silent.
He begins to think.
From here, they must first reach the Alfira Kingdom, then cross it to enter the Dearak Desert, and after crossing the desert, they would reach the Safavid Empire, where the Emerald Tower stands at its western border.
The journey is long and dangerous, and it would take at least a year.
With his current strength as a Knight Apprentice, attempting such a journey would be no different from courting death.
The most dangerous part is the Dearak Desert, where cities and clans constantly fight for control.
If he wants to cross it with his sister, he must at least become an official Knight.
So he makes a decision.
He will stay in Lake City until he becomes a Senior Knight Apprentice.
Based on the growth shown in the digital panel, it will take at least a year, as his attributes increase by one point daily, though it can be accelerated with elixirs.
He looks at Claudia and asks, "Do you want to become a Knight?"
Claudia jumps off the bed, turns to face him, and looks at him with bright eyes.
She begins jumping up and down. "Yes, I want to be a Knight!"
Claude nods slightly, forming a plan to train her during their stay so that, in danger, she can at least run faster and protect herself.
But a problem arises.
The family's Red Crane Breathing Technique is only suitable for men, and if practised by women, it causes harm to their bodies.
He frowns slightly.
"I will have to check the shops tomorrow for a breathing technique suitable for females," he thinks.
Breathing techniques are valuable, but they can still be bought with enough money.
After some time, Claude orders food again.
They eat quietly, and once finished, he resumes his cultivation.
Time passes.
The sun sinks beyond the horizon.
Inside the room, under the soft glow of a lamp, Claudia holds a stick and practices sword movements, imitating what she had seen in the family training grounds.
Then a knock sounds at the door.
She pauses and looks at Claude, who is still seated on the bed, deep in practice.
She walks to the door and opens it.
A beautiful young woman stands outside.
Claudia looks up and asks, "Who are you?"
Leanne smiles gently as she looks down at the little girl and says, "I am Inspector Leanne. I have come to meet your brother."
Claude hears the familiar sweet voice again, and his rhythm breaks instantly.
"Inspector?" Claudia asks. "Are you from the police?"
Before Leanne can answer, Claude is already off the bed.
"Inspector Leanne," he says, "what brings you here again?"
Leanne looks at Claude and says, "Mr Claude, the captain has invited you for lunch tomorrow."
Claude freezes, his eyes flickering as he points to himself. "Me?"
Leanne nods.
Claude frowns. "Why?"
"I do not know," Leanne replies calmly. "I was only asked to inform you."
Claude stands there in silence, thinking.
"I will go," he says after a moment.
He has no real choice, because refusing might make it difficult for him and his sister to leave the city later.
Leanne nods slightly. "Good, I will be leaving."
"Wait, Inspector Leanne," Claude calls. "I need to ask you something."
Leanne pauses and looks at him, her eyes narrowing slightly.
"Inspector Leanne, do you know where I can find a Knight breathing technique suitable for my sister?"
Leanne glances at Claudia, then back at Claude. "Isn't your sister a Dream Magician?"
"Yes," Claude says, "but our journey to the Emerald Tower will be dangerous, so I want her to be stronger, at least enough to protect herself."
Leanne nods, a thoughtful expression appearing on her face.
"There are three fighting schools in Lake City: Steel Heart, Golden Flame, and Shadow Wolf."
Claude frowns slightly, wondering why she is bringing up fighting schools, then a thought crosses his mind.
Perhaps she wants Claudia to join one.
It is not a bad idea; trained instructors would guide her properly.
Leanne continues, "Great Knights have emerged from all three of these schools."
Claude's eyes widen slightly in surprise, because becoming a Great Knight is rarer than having the talent of a Dream Magician; every Great Knight can become a Dream Magician, but not every Dream Magician can become a Great Knight.
"Which one is better?" Claude asks, already considering joining with his sister.
"Let me finish," Leanne says calmly.
Claude nods and gestures for her to continue.
"If you know about Great Knights, then you should also know that after reaching that level, even someone without talent can become a Dream Magician."
Claude nods. "I have heard of it."
Leanne continues, "These three schools also have basic courses for Dream Magicians, and I am a member of Steel Heart School."
Claude immediately asks, "Then where is the Steel Heart School?"
"The fighting schools are not within Lake City," Leanne replies, "they are located on the misty island at the centre of the lake."
She pauses briefly before adding, "But you should not join Steel Heart School just because I am part of it."
Claude looks at her and says, "If someone like Inspector Leanne joined Steel Heart School, then I will join it as well."
Leanne smiles.
Claude feels his heart flutter for a brief moment.
"Then I will come to take you and your sister tomorrow," she says. "Be ready at dawn."
She turns and walks away.
Claude watches her until she disappears down the stairs, then he closes the door.