Imperial and his group cross into the Solaria Empire, where the peaceful town atmosphere contrasts with their secretive mission. As they wait for Imperial, Ari opens up about his troubled past, revealing his harsh childhood, intense training, and the hidden strength he still suppresses. She also shares the secret of his legendary sword, which regulates his power, holding back his true potential.
As they continued their conversation, Imperial found himself in a different situation. As he made his way toward the food area, he came across a man who appeared lost.
The man approached him, asking, "Do you know about the new job area that opened here? I've lost track of my friends and the one who brought us here."
Imperial, hearing the question, was reminded of something the lady had mentioned earlier about job opportunities. "I'm also new here, so I'm not sure about it. But, if you don't mind, can I ask you something?" Imperial said, his curiosity piqued.
Just as he was about to speak further, he sensed powerful magic approaching—stronger than anything he'd felt before. A group of people seemed to be calling out someone's name nearby. Imperial, instinctively, took a step back and disappeared in a flash, moving away to hide.
The man, unaware of Imperial's sudden departure, turned around and called out, "Hey, guys! I guess you've found me. I got lost after going to the washroom."
One of the individuals in the group, wearing a royal uniform, looked at the man with a stern expression. "Did you speak to anyone about the job stuff?" he asked, his voice laced with tension.
The man, sensing the danger, quickly answered, "No, I didn't."
"Good," the royal officer replied sharply. "Now, sit."
The group moved toward the northern region of the empire, and Imperial's suspicions grew. He quietly followed them, intent on uncovering what they were up to.
Meanwhile, at the food area, an old man sat at a table, having ordered something but not yet paid. The owner approached him, asking, "Sir, will you be paying for your meal?"
Ari and the others, growing bored from waiting for Imperial, noticed the exchange and walked over.
"What's going on here, sir?" Tracey asked the owner.
The owner sighed, clearly frustrated. "This old man is showing me a card that's expired, yet he insists on eating for free. He claims it's a special card issued by the royal council."
Ari, intrigued, glanced at the old man. "What's that card?"
The old man looked at her and explained, "It's a card given to me by the royal council because I'm a senior teacher at the royal academy. They gave it to me as a farewell gift when I returned. With this card, I'm entitled to three free meals a day."
The owner shook his head. "The card expired ten years ago. I can't honor it anymore."
Ari, sensing the old man's need, smiled and said, "I'll pay for his meal."
She handed the money to the owner, and after a moment of hesitation, the owner accepted.
As they were about to leave, the old man stopped Ari and said, "Just like your light magic, your heart is pure and kind."
Ari froze, shocked. How did he know about her light magic? Only someone with the same type of magic could know such a thing.
"How did you know I'm a light magic user?" Ari asked, trying to keep her composure.
The old man smiled warmly. "I'm a teacher. It's only natural that I recognize the magic of others."
Ari nodded slowly, understanding. "That makes sense," she said, her curiosity growing. "I'm a first-tier magic user."
The old man's eyes widened slightly. "Ah, it's rare to see someone with first-tier magic."
Tracey, ever eager to learn, asked, "What's a first-tier magic?"
Ari explained, "Magic is classified into three tiers. Tier three is the basic magic, like lightning, fire, water, wind, and so on. Tier two is more advanced, like sand, ice, or even teleportation. And then there's tier one, which is the most powerful. There are only three known magic types in tier one: light, dark, and gravity magic."
The old man raised an eyebrow. "Who told you that there are only three magic types in tier one?"
Ari hesitated before answering, "My uncle told me. He said there might be other types, but there's no evidence of them yet."
The old man's eyes glimmered with knowledge. "Your uncle is correct, but there are actually more types in tier one. In fact, there are seven. Light, dark, gravity, fate, time, dimension, and space magic."
Ari's heart raced. Time, dimension, and space—those were the magic types said to belong to the creators of this world. The very thought of such power was awe-inspiring.
Ari's thoughts were interrupted when the old man continued, "Light, gravity, and fate magic are considered the lowest in tier one. Dark magic is next, and time, dimension, and space magic are at the top."
Tracey, clearly excited, jumped in, "What about beast magic?"
The old man nodded. "Beast magic is a tier two magic. It's rare, but it's not on the same level as tier one magic."
Tracey puffed out his chest proudly, but Ari and Dawn exchanged glances. They both knew Tracey's overzealousness could sometimes be a bit much.
"Are there any beasts considered the strongest?" Tracey asked eagerly. "And do they still exist?"
The old man's face grew serious. "There is a beast known as the Guardian of the Gods. It's the strongest and said to reside in the realm of the gods—if the gods exist, that is."
Ari, curious and a bit anxious, asked, "Is there any magic that allows someone to read ancient texts or enhance their abilities? I've heard a legend when I was a child, so I wanted to ask."
The old man shook his head slowly. "I don't know of any magic like that, but it sounds like an interesting legend."
Ari didn't reveal the truth about her own ability to read ancient texts. She was still hesitant about sharing such a personal secret.
As the conversation continued, the old man elaborated on how magic works. "Tier two magic is powerful, but it's not as versatile as tier one magic. And tier one magic is rare—there are only a handful of people who can wield it. But remember, magic alone doesn't make a person strong. It's the skill and the knowledge that counts."
Ari, Dawn, and Tracey listened intently, their minds racing with the possibilities. This was more than just magic; it was a window into a much deeper and complex world.