Starlight’s eyes widened in surprise at those words. “Can you really do that? How long will it take to modify the link?”
Noah thought for a moment before answering, “About a week? Although I’m not particularly skilled in this area, I can use the soul link method Carlos invented as a foundation. Just modifying it shouldn't be too difficult.”
“Oh! That’s wonderful. I could tell you were getting bored these past few days, haha!” Starlight said with a laugh.
“What do you mean, bored? I was worried about you! You’re being a bit ungrateful, kid!”
“Right, right. Someone was so ‘worried’ they slept all day because we could only talk at night, right?” Starlight continued to tease.
“...Did Carlos never teach you to respect your elders?” Noah said, feigning a serious tone.
“But I remember you saying that you and I are essentially of the same generation!” Starlight replied with a grin.
“!!! You little...! You really know how to find loopholes!”
In their lighthearted conversation, they gradually drifted into sleep. Their voices grew low and soft, and the topics became increasingly ethereal.
Everything around them seemed to blur and recede, with only the echoes of their dialogue lingering. The boy’s breathing became steady and deep as his eyelids grew heavy, and Noah quietly returned to his side.
Finally, their words faded into the night, leaving only the faint sound of breathing and the crackle of the campfire.
At dawn the next day, while the horizon was still bathed in the remnants of the night, Starlight was gently awakened by the bustling sounds rising from the caravan. To prepare for the journey to the Violet City-State, everyone except Starlight—who had joined mid-journey—had risen early and was busy with preparations.
Starlight rubbed his sleepy eyes and lightly hopped down from the wagon. Facing the merchants scurrying about, he felt a bit at a loss for a moment. He wanted to lend a hand but didn't know where to start.
Noticing Starlight’s confusion, Tara, who was supervising the cleanup of the temporary camp, walked over and handed him a piece of warm, delicious bread with a kind smile on his face. “Starlight, looks like you didn't sleep well last night? Why don't you go back and nap for a bit longer?”
Starlight took the bread and instinctively scratched the back of his head, replying somewhat shyly, “No need, Uncle Tara. I was just wondering if I could help with anything. I feel bad just watching.”
Tara let out a chuckle and lightly patted Starlight on the shoulder. “Don't worry about it, lad. This kind of life is routine for us. Everyone has their own responsibilities. Just focus on enjoying your breakfast for now.”
With that, he turned back to his directing duties.
Starlight gave a helpless smile and found a corner out of everyone’s way to sit down and focus on eating his breakfast.
The members of the caravan performed their respective duties, organizing the gear in an orderly fashion. Tara walked around giving loud instructions to ensure everything stayed organized. The team of Camelbeasts, laden with goods, was soon lined up and ready to depart under careful arrangement.
As the final item was secured, Tara stood at the front of the line, waved to everyone, and announced their departure in a booming voice.
The caravan slowly left their resting place from the night before and returned to the main road, moving steadily toward their destination—the Violet City-State.
Starlight was once again invited by Tara to ride in the lead wagon. Since they were approaching the borders of the Violet City-State, the caravan leader needed to prepare a large number of documents and records to handle potential official inspections at any time.
Inside the wagon, Tara took the initiative to share various pieces of information about the Violet City-State with Starlight. Being unfamiliar with all of this, Starlight naturally listened with rapt attention.
The Violet City-State was one of the earliest large cities to rise on the continent, and its nature was completely different from other cities.
It possessed neither abundant natural resources nor steep terrain to rely on. Its original mission was to serve as a sturdy bulwark for humanity in the west of the continent against the incursions of the Demons.
Throughout the long history of conflict between humans and Demons, this city had changed hands several times and had even been completely destroyed twice. However, with stubborn will, humans repeatedly reclaimed the lost territory from the Demons and rebuilt the Violet City-State upon the ruins, firmly holding the strategic gateway to the west.
Through countless destructions and rebirths, the Violet City-State attracted countless powerful figures. Not only the kingdom’s direct armies but also adventurers, church members, assassins, mercenaries, and others seeking wartime wealth all regarded this place as their base of operations.
This mixture of diverse groups also resulted in the Violet City-State being steeped in a warrior spirit. Combined with the risk of repeated destruction, the kingdom’s nobles eventually viewed the place as a hot potato. After all, no one wanted their own territory to be plunged into war every few days.
After a long period of development, the kingdom’s nobles and armies remaining in the Violet City-State actually became the party with the least to do, existing merely to maintain general order. Meanwhile, the Adventurers Guild, having its headquarters there, became the primary force assisting in management.
Given that the threat of the Demons still existed, the major factions within the main city district of Violet maintained a delicate balance. They lived in peace within the city, focusing their competition and clashes primarily in the settlements and territories surrounding the main city.
“So, as long as you enter the main city district of Violet, it’s an absolute safe zone. Most factions will settle down. Unless there’s an active war going on, it can be considered very safe,” Tara said as he poured himself a cup of hot tea, his gaze fixed expectantly on the distance.
Under Tara’s detailed introduction, Starlight carefully recorded this key information in his notes.
In the plan Noah had laid out for him, joining the Adventurers Guild was a good choice, which would undoubtedly be of great benefit to his future journey.
As for how he was going to raise all the elemental affinities he possessed to the Saint Rank, according to Noah’s memories, there was only one way: standing on the shoulders of giants.
In other words, he had to find the Grand Archmages of the primary elements—water, fire, earth, wind, light, and dark—and seek guidance from each of them. Using the experience of these seniors as a foundation was the fastest way to progress. As for Starlight’s own original techniques, he would have to see how things developed naturally.
This method seemed simple, but in reality, it was fraught with difficulties.
Saint Rank mages on the continent were as rare as phoenix feathers, and finding them was even harder.
Furthermore, even if he found them, whether the other party would be willing to pass on their full knowledge was another issue. After all, most mages were very particular about their legacy; blindly asking for instruction certainly wouldn't work.
The memories left behind by Carlos were already over fifteen years old, and much of the information had surely changed. Figuring out how to find these elusive Grand Archmages had now become Starlight’s primary mission.
“Uncle Tara, I want to join the Adventurers Guild after we arrive in Violet. Do you know where I should go to register?” Starlight asked after closing his small notebook.
“The Adventurers Guild? That’s easy to find. Their headquarters is right in the center of the inner city of Violet. Although our route doesn't pass directly by it, I’ll point you in the right direction when the time comes, and you’ll see,” Tara replied easily while sipping his tea.
“Alright, thank you.”
Not long after, Starlight noticed the trees on both sides of the main road starting to thin out. This meant they were about to officially enter the jurisdiction of the Violet City-State, and he couldn't help but begin thinking about his next steps.
While he was looking down, lost in thought about his future plans, Tara suddenly patted his shoulder and pointed ahead.
“Look, Starlight! The Violet City-State is just ahead!”
Starlight looked in the direction Tara was pointing, and his vision suddenly opened up to a magnificent and grand sight. A massive city-state sat like a giant beast perched on the horizon, its aura imposing and awe-inspiring.
The unique circumstances of the Violet City-State resulted in distinct and diverse architectural styles within the city. Houses of various styles were arranged in an orderly yet varied fashion, a world apart from the small, desolate village where he had spent fifteen years.
Under the shining sun, the silhouette of the city-state was clearly visible, every detail exuding an artistic atmosphere.
Rate on N.U.
