CHAPTER 1

A well populated city sat below a bright shining sun. The city was huge, reaching several hundred kilometers in size.

Judging by its size and the presence of a huge building in its center, the massive influx of people going in and out of it, the heavily guarded walls and the staggering number of soldiers manning them...

It was clear this city was one of opulence.

The streets were filled with commoners dressed in average linen cloth. The vendors laid by the side of these streets were calling out to any would be customers.

Those who used these streets were all going about their way, fairly satisfied.

And why wouldn't they be? Their bellies were full. Their family comfortable and healthy...

Aside from the occasional pickpocket every now and then life was beautiful.

A child wearing common brown trousers and a shirt walked up to one of the shops on a particular street.

He greeted the vendor respectfully, "Good day sir."

The vendor responded with a smile on his face, "Hello there young man! What can I do for you?"

The boy reached into his pocket and rummaged around for a bit. He produced a bronze coin from his pocket and presented it to the man.

"One piece of bread please!"

The vendor collected the coin and reached under the counter. He produced a small piece of bread and gave it to the boy.

The boy accepted it with a smile, "Thank you sir!"

He ran off happily clutching his newly acquired morsel to his chest. Though it was debatable whether anyone would want to take it from him in the first place.

"Ha-ha! The young really know how to respect their elders nowadays huh?"  He mused.

"Yeah, they do, don't they?” A voice replied next to him.

The man turned to see a middle-aged man standing in front of his small store.

"Hey there! You looking to buy something here sir?" The vendor asked politely.

The middle-aged man replied with a smile, "Yes I am. Give me five pieces of bread just like the sweet young man."

The vendor laughed and gave him exactly that. "Hey, you don't seem to be from around here, are you?"

"Hmmm... you're right. How could you tell?” The middle-aged man asked quirking his eyebrow.

"Well..." The vendor looked at the man from the top of his head trailing his eyes from his smooth face despite his age to his well-tailored shirt, and his quality boots.

"You seem a bit out of place around these parts." The man rested his head on his hands.

The middle-aged man gave himself a once over, he looked back confused, "I don't see it."

"This is common casual dressing in the academy."

The vendor's face melted into shock, "W-Wait... you're from the academy? As in the Generic Magic academy?!"

"Ha! Which other academy exists in this world?" The man carried his bag filled with bread and started on his way.

The vendor saw the man walk off with a dazed expression on his face. “Dear Soreus." He mumbled under his breath.

His bewilderment was well deserved. The Generic Magic academy—despite its name—had a lot of people wanting to join its ranks.

It was the sole place on the continent that was allowed to teach any extraordinary means of combat or activity.

Enrollment was the dream of thousands across the continent.

In the same city as all this was happening, at the grand gate that was the entrance to the city, coaches were being checked as they entered the city.

On the queue were people walking on foot, some carrying light baggage, others dragging wheelbarrows filled with goods for sale.

On the other side of the road, coaches of merchant and noble origin were lined up seeking passage through the gates.

The soldiers assigned to the gates were checking the luggage being carried by each of the coaches.

Nothing out of the ordinary. As was usual for a day like this.

The group of soldiers manning the gate today was a squad of six. Five of them standing behind the sixth, who had his helmet down, unlike the others who had their helmets donned.

The soldier without a helmet was checking the identities of the coach owners and the people inside.

Any wanted criminal would find it at least a bit difficult smuggling or getting smuggled into this city.

It was the city that housed the Generic Magic Academy after all.

The coaches passed through the gate rather smoothly. All because the knight without a helmet, named Clint was adept at his job.

He scanned the crest on the carriages side with practiced ease, comparing them to the massive reservoir of crests in his memory.

He recognized the crests of merchants and nobles alike. He greeted each with the respect their station demanded.

All was going smoothly. That was until THAT carriage arrived.

The carriage was in black and gold colors that gave it a stoic air. Its craftsmanship gave off a regal feeling.

The horses were well-bred and kept in pristine condition. Its surface was polished enough to reflect his face.

Clint's eyes opened in admiration, studying the carriage with wonder in his eyes.

This was clearly the carriage of a noble.

What seemed even more odd was the carriage driver.

Unlike other coachmen who were either young boys trying to earn more money by getting promoted or older men with a well of experience...

This one had a woman holding the reins of the horses, her hair flowing down past her knees from what he could tell.

She was wearing a maid dress that reached down to cover her legs. It was a pragmatic one, not like the dresses those lecherous lords forced their servants to wear.

Though it was the first time he would see a woman driving a carriage through these gates.

Well, calling her a woman was an exaggeration. She seemed to be in her late teens.

Around 15 to 16 from what he could guess. 'Why am I getting fixated on her age?'

Clint thought for a moment considering why. He glanced back and the answer was as clear as day.

From her flowing hair that had a black color and red tints at the ends that showed her bangs and framed her face, as well as the parts that fell to her calf.

‘She’s beautiful. That’s why.’ He shook the thought away before it could go anywhere useful.

"Umm... sir? Sir...?" He quickly snapped out of his daze, focusing on the black-haired beauty in front of him.

She looked down at him from the coach seat, an innocent expression on her face. "Uhm, am I free to pass sir?"

Clint quickly coughed to hide his fluster, "O-Of course young lady."

The girl smiled appreciatively at him before driving the coach through the gates.

As the carriage drove off into the city, he savored the wonder of his encounter with the lovely lady.

It seemed she was both pretty and well mannered. 'What I would give to meet a lass like that.'

Clint shook his head wistfully.

As he was about to turn around, he remembered that he hadn't checked the crest or any credentials before allowing passage through the gates!

He checked to see if anyone had seen him. Thankfully nobody had noticed his blunder at that moment.

Clint wiped his forehead in gratitude. He went back to his job checking crests and protecting the gates.