The first ray of morning light filtered through a gap in the heavy curtains, shining into the room.
The golden beam of light fell at an angle, casting a long, narrow trace of light across the wooden floor.
A faint fragrance lingered in the air.
It was the soothing incense lit by the inn's server the night before. After burning through the entire night, very little of it remained now, leaving only a faint, lingering scent mixed with the subtle aroma of the wood itself, making the entire room feel exceptionally quiet.
It was quiet to the point of feeling slightly unfamiliar.
There was no chirping of insects from the wild woods, no occasional crackling of a burning campfire, no hushed conversations of merchant caravan guards changing shifts, and most of all, no jolting sensation of a carriage traveling along a bumpy road.
The entire room was silent, as if it were completely isolated from the outside world.
Only the faint tolling of a distant clock tower could be heard.
Dong—
Dong—
Dong—
The low, distant tolls traveled across half the city, slowly echoing through the cool morning air.
Gradually, the street downstairs began to stir with noise.
Workers were moving cargo, and carriages rolled down the street, their wooden wheels grinding against the flagstone road with a dull, rhythmic rumble. Occasionally, the distant, intermittent cries of street vendors could be heard, carrying an indescribable bustle of life.
...
Matthew slowly opened his eyes. The first thing that met his gaze was the clean white ceiling of the inn.
He did not get up immediately, nor did he check the door and windows first thing. He did not even instinctively probe his surroundings for danger. He simply lay there quietly, staring at the ceiling in a bit of a daze.
After several seconds, Matthew finally let out a soft sigh, a trace of daze lingering in his eyes.
Because only at this moment did he suddenly realize that this was his first time truly waking up naturally since transmigrating to this world.
He had not been startled awake by danger, nor had he been woken up by a watchman. He had not woken up because it was time to travel, and he certainly had not woken up because he was worried about someone suddenly coming to find him. Instead, he had simply slept until he woke up naturally, having had enough sleep.
Thinking of this, Matthew could not help but smile. The smile was faint, but it came from the bottom of his heart.
He rolled over, sinking his body into the soft mattress.
The warm down duvet covered him, making him feel so comfortable that he did not want to get up. He even felt a bit like going back to sleep.
Such a feeling might have been extremely ordinary in his past life, but to his current self, it was already a luxury.
Matthew stared at the ceiling as his thoughts drifted away.
Many images flashed through his mind.
The remote village at the very beginning, the dark forest, the wilderness roads, the county seat, the auction, Herbert, the merchant caravan, and all the trials and tribulations along the way.
Ever since he obtained the wizard legacy, he had barely had a single day of true relaxation.
Every day was spent calculating, planning, and staying on guard—on guard against others discovering his secrets, against a lack of resources, against insufficient strength, and against sudden dangers.
His mind had always been wound tight, like a bowstring drawn to its absolute limit.
But now, that bowstring had finally loosened slightly.
He had reached the Royal Capital. At least for now, he was safe.
Thinking of this, Matthew gently closed his eyes. After a moment of silence, he opened them once more, a trace of a smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.
“I've finally arrived.”
His voice was very soft, as if he were speaking to himself, or perhaps telling the self of the past few months—the one who had kept his nerves wound so tight—that he had finally made it.
...
After lingering in bed for a while longer, Matthew finally sat up, pulled back the duvet, put on his shoes, and slowly walked over to the window.
He reached out and drew open the heavy curtains.
Swoosh—
A massive flood of sunlight instantly poured into the room, immediately illuminating the previously dim space.
Matthew narrowed his eyes slightly before pushing the window open.
The cool morning air rushed over his face, carrying the scent of fresh bread, savory broth, and the faint fragrance of roadside flowers and plants, instantly refreshing his mind.
Standing by the window, Matthew looked out.
The sights of the Royal Capital immediately filled his vision.
In the distance, a towering clock tower stood in the center of the district, its grayish-white stone tower appearing solemn and majestic under the sunlight.
Even further away, broad streets stretched out in all directions, covering the entire city like a massive spiderweb.
On the streets, carriages came and went, merchant caravans entered and exited, and patrol cavalry clad in armor passed by from time to time. Countless pedestrians bustled between the streets, and shops had already opened for business, with various signs hanging on the exterior walls, creating a lively and prosperous scene.
Matthew quietly watched all of this, a sense of emotion rising in his heart.
He wasn't shocked by the tall buildings like a local would be. In his past life, he had seen far taller skyscrapers, denser urban clusters, and true concrete jungles.
But the issue was that this wasn't a modern society. This was an extraordinary world akin to the Middle Ages.
Yet, the development of the Royal Capital far exceeded his expectations.
The street planning was exceptionally clear. The main roads were wide enough for several carriages to drive abreast, and complete drainage facilities were constructed on both sides.
The Commercial District, residential districts, Noble District, Artisan District, and Scholar District were all organized in an orderly fashion without the slightest hint of chaos.
Even the patrol system was remarkably complete.
Just from his window, Matthew had already seen several patrol squads pass by. Moreover, there were actually Class holders present within these patrol squads.
This level of administration far exceeded that of a typical medieval city.
“No wonder it's the Royal Capital...” Matthew murmured.
The county seat was already highly prosperous, but compared to what lay before him, it was still several levels below.
If the county seat was a rushing river, then the Royal Capital was a true ocean. Be it scale, resources, population, or power, the two were on completely different levels.
And this place would become his stage for a very long time to come.
...
Matthew was in no hurry to stay in his room. Since he had decided to get a good understanding of the Royal Capital today, the moment he stepped out of his door would mark the beginning of his observations of this city.
The hallway was carpeted with a thick, soft red carpet, making his footsteps almost completely silent.
Gilded wall lamps hung on both sides of the walls. Even during the day, these light fixtures, embedded with tiny magic crystals, still emitted a soft glow.
When he had checked in the previous night, Matthew had been too exhausted from the journey to observe his surroundings closely.
Now that his mind was completely relaxed, many details immediately stood out as he looked around. This hallway alone was probably more luxurious than many noble manors in the county seat.
The Fiery Lion family truly deserved its reputation as one of the three major noble families of the county seat. Just one of their properties in the Royal Capital could reach such a level of luxury.
Following the stairs down to the first floor, before he even entered the lobby, Matthew heard waves of conversation. There was no arguing or shouting, but rather a lively and orderly atmosphere.
When he stepped into the lobby, the sight before him caused him to pause slightly. The lobby was massive, far larger than he had imagined.
Several magnificent chandeliers hung beneath the high, vaulted ceiling, and the morning light filtered through the stained glass, casting patches of vibrant colors onto the floor.
Dozens of dining tables were arranged neatly, and many guests were already seated at this moment. Some dined quietly, some conversed in low voices, and some read publications that looked like newspapers. The entire lobby was filled with an air of prosperity and stability.
Matthew randomly found a seat by the window and sat down.
A server quickly approached him respectfully.
“Lord, what would you like?”
Matthew ordered a few simple breakfast items.
Before long, steaming hot food was served. Golden-brown toasted bread, sliced smoked meat, a rich cream soup, a small dish of jam, and a cup of hot milk. The aroma was mouthwatering.
Matthew picked up his knife and fork and began to eat slowly.
At the same time, his gaze swept across the entire lobby inconspicuously. This was his habit, an instinct he had developed along his journey. No matter where he went, observing and gathering information first would never be wrong.
Seated closest to the entrance were several merchants. They were dressed elegantly, wearing expensive rings on their fingers, with ledgers spread open on their table. The men discussed business as they ate their breakfast.
“Grain prices in the West Realm have risen again.”
“I heard the harvest in the north wasn't good this year.”
“The Royal Capital isn't affected, though.”
“The Fiery Lion Chamber of Commerce has purchased a lot of grain recently.”
“Their movements are astonishingly fast.”
Matthew listened quietly while sipping his soup. The topics the merchants discussed were mundane, but sometimes the most valuable information was hidden within such casual chatter.
Not far away, several mercenaries sat at another table. Compared to the refined merchants, they appeared much rougher.
A bald, burly man was boasting animatedly.
“Let me tell you, that Black-Backed Wolf King was less than three meters away from me!”
“Just three meters!”
“Anyone else would have pissed themselves on the spot!”
“But with one strike of my sword, I split its head open right then and there!”
The others around him immediately burst into laughter.
“Keep boasting.”
“Didn't you say it was five meters last time?”
“How did it become three meters today?”
The lobby erupted into a chorus of laughter.
The bald mercenary's face flushed red as he continued to argue.
Listening to them, Matthew could not help but smile. No matter the world, mercenaries boasting seemed to be a universal constant.
A bit further away sat several individuals who looked like scholars. They wore robes, and books were piled high in front of them as they seemed to be arguing over some issue.
“The Third King could never have been of the Silver Rank.”
“The historical records are clearly flawed.”
“Are you questioning our imperial history?”
“I am questioning the chronicler.”
They argued until their faces were red, neither able to convince the other.
On another side, a noble butler was methodically arranging purchases.
“Send the vegetables to the East Residence.”
“Send the wine to the Manor.”
“Remember to check the silverware for tonight's banquet in advance.”
The servants behind him nodded continuously, noting down the instructions.
The entire lobby was like a living scroll of painting. Merchants, mercenaries, scholars, nobles, travelers, and musicians—people from all walks of life gathered here, forming a tiny corner of the Royal Capital.
As Matthew watched quietly, a wondrous feeling suddenly welled up in his heart. Although the county seat was prosperous, it always carried the flavor of a provincial city. The Royal Capital was different. People from all over the kingdom gathered here. Different occupations, different social classes, and different identities could all find their place here. This was the true center of the empire.
Subsequently, Matthew began to focus more of his attention on Class holders. This observation quickly revealed a difference to him.
There were many Black Iron Rank individuals. Very many. Class holders, who could only be seen occasionally in the county seat, were almost everywhere here. That mercenary was one, the guards at the entrance were too, and even several burly men carrying luggage possessed the unique aura of a Class holder.
As for the Bronze Rank, their numbers were also quite substantial. In the lobby, there were at least three or four people who gave him a feeling of being distinctly stronger than ordinary Class holders. If they were in the county seat, most of these people would already be qualified to serve as guard captains, or even become key assets for some family. But here, they were merely ordinary guests in an inn.
This scene filled Matthew's heart with emotion. The experts of the county seat were nothing more than average when placed here.
However, Matthew soon discovered something else.
He had been observing since entering the lobby, watching everyone, including all the Class holders. Yet up until now, he still hadn't discovered anyone who seemed to be a wizard.
There were no wizard robes, no staves, no mysterious gatherings, and certainly no members of extraordinary organizations. It was as if wizards did not exist at all.
Matthew wasn't disappointed by this. On the contrary, he found it normal. Because he was a wizard apprentice himself, he knew better than anyone else just how rare wizards were. If one could run into several wizards just by walking into an inn, that would be truly bizarre.
Thinking of this, Matthew slowly withdrew his gaze. He tapped his finger gently on the table, his gaze gradually growing deep.
The fact that they couldn't be seen only proved how deeply they were hidden. The true wizarding circles had to be hidden in places inaccessible to ordinary people. And that was perhaps the world he would truly enter in the future.
...
Upon returning to his room, Matthew closed the door behind him. With a click, the lock engaged.
The room fell silent once again, the bustle outside seemingly isolated in another world.
This was a habit he had developed. No matter where he was, as long as he was preparing to inspect his cards, he first had to ensure his surroundings were sufficiently safe.
Matthew first checked the door and windows, and after confirming there were no signs of the room being disturbed, he slowly sat down at the table.
Sunlight filtered through the window, illuminating the tabletop.
Matthew took a deep breath, and with a slight thought, the familiar pale blue light screen slowly emerged. It was something only he could see.
【Name: Matthew】
【Class: Wizard Apprentice (Second-Grade)】
【Spirit: 18.7】
【Constitution: 7.9】
【Skills: Energy Missile, Basic Meditation Method, Basic Swordsmanship...】
Lines of data scrolled past his eyes. Matthew's gaze remained calm, without the slightest pause, and soon landed on the spot he cared about the most.
In the next second, his gaze suddenly froze.
【Sword-type talent: Excellent+】
Rate on N.U.
