After waking up, Enrico ran a bit more until reaching the road and waited for a carriage on the way to Tsuyokuni. Upon seeing one approaching, he asked for a ride to the city in exchange for money, which the carriage owner accepted. He spent an entire day there and ate in that wagon, passing through the village of Mizukaze, the closest to Tsuyokuni.
[Just like you said, this place is huge.]
"Of course, did you think I was lying?"
The five great cities on the vast and diverse continent were shaped by eras of war, magical pacts, and the ambitions of the most powerful. At the heart of this magical world, one continent stood out above all the others—not just for its magical strength but for its cultural and territorial complexity.
The continent was divided into five major regions. Although there were dozens of cities and villages scattered across each territory, there was a curious and uniform pattern: a central city represented the pinnacle of each region—politically, militarily, and culturally.
These central cities were not just capitals—they were the beating heart of each territory, places where the most powerful mages, the oldest clans, the most renowned academies, and the wealthiest markets were concentrated, known as the five primordial cities of the continent.
Located in the north-central part of the continent, Sanos represented England. It was home to the best academy on the continent and birthplace of countless legendary heroes and mages, always the strongest.
Its architecture was marked by light stone castles, magical cathedrals, and organized streets where enchanted carriages moved silently. The nobility and the high levels of government lived in harmony with the magical elite, creating a rigid yet extremely efficient society. It was known for its strong aura magic and schools of thought that valued strength, hierarchy, and logic. They had three of the seven ninth-circle mages on the continent.
To the east of Sanos rose a territory of misty mountains, sacred forests, and villages that preserved ancient traditions.
Its central city,called Tsuyokuni, was surrounded by black stone walls, and temples dedicated to the ancient spirits of magic shared space with academies that trained warrior-mages from childhood—even if they remained in the zero circle, since development only started at age fifteen, they were still trained there. The way of the katana and mastery of the magical circle coexisted. Many said the mages of Tsuyokuni were silent as shadows and deadly as lightning. Honor, duty, and spiritual control governed their laws.
To the south, in a vast region of enchanted forests, mountains of pure mana, and rivers that seemed to glow at night, was the territory that represented Brazil.
Its central city, named Floravita, was alive—literally. Buildings grew from giant trees shaped with magic, natural bridges connected neighborhoods in colossal treetops, and citizens lived in harmony with elemental nature spirits. Magic in Floravita was intuitive, emotional, and deeply connected to the essence of life. Druids, shamans, and mages made up its ranks. It was a territory of great freedom... but also uncontrollable dangers. There, the Nartheis had the highest chance of evolving, so they fought every day.
To the west of Sanos, beyond the crystal deserts and jade plains, there was an empire.
The city of Tianlong, was colossal—with floating towers, suspended palaces, and walls that whispered ancient enchantments. Tianlong was home to the Jade Archmages, sages who mastered both alchemy and mystical combat.
Society was organized into magical dynasties, and family honor and the power of a name were more important than life itself. It was common for young prodigies to be tested in childhood—and only those who survived the initiation rituals had a place in the great clans.
Finally, located on the southwestern coast of the continent, Vesparello was a city of unmatched beauty. Its white marble buildings, plazas adorned with enchanted fountains, and infinite libraries made it a true arcane paradise. It was known as the artistic and cultural center of the continent. Magical bards, alchemists who turned emotions into spells, and enchanters who used beauty as a weapon came from there.
But don't be fooled by its gentle appearance—Vesparello was also home to secret guilds and cunning politicians. Manipulation and diplomacy were as valued as raw magical power.
Despite the stark differences between the five cities, they were connected by a single truth—they all competed for magical dominance of the continent.
The Astrong Academy, located in Sanos, had been built as a joint project by Sanos itself to prevent a new continental war. The best young people from each territory were sent there—not only to learn but to observe one another. The balance was fragile. Alliances, temporary. And power... a currency that changed hands frequently.
In all these places, there were different races, most found in the territory of Sanos, including elves, vampires, beastmen, and orcs. Others like druids existed but in much smaller numbers.
Enrico looked out the window, seeing the city. He stepped out, and above him, two bronze bells swayed slowly in the wind.
"The Land of Strength."
The wall surrounding the place was made of large blocks of volcanic stone, covered in ancient moss. Two watchtowers rose at the corners, and archers in ceremonial armor stood silently—their eyes hidden by golden masks shaped like ancestral demons.
"Visitor."
A deep voice broke the silence. From the left side, a samurai approached. His dark armor, adorned with wide shoulder guards and varnished bamboo plates, clinked lightly with each movement. The katana rested at his waist, and the helmet bore the symbol of a golden three-petal flower, indicating his rank.
"Name, Purpose, and Origin."
Enrico raised his hands in a calm gesture.
"Enrico Solcren Ferreira. Traveler, first-circle mage. On a learning mission... and perhaps work."
The samurai analyzed him for a few seconds in silence. The wind carried red leaves falling from nearby cherry trees, and the smell of incense came from some distant altar.
"No trouble in Tsuyokuni. Honor the laws and you'll be welcome."
Then, with a slight nod, he pointed the way.
"You may enter."
Enrico passed through the gates. The inside of the city was a living painting of the feudal era—dirt roads lined with wooden houses with curved roofs, paper lanterns hanging from eaves, and elevated sidewalks for pedestrians. Merchants wore simple yukatas, and samurais and monks walked upright among the civilians.
Women in colorful kimonos offered tea in small stalls, and in the background, the sound of a shamisen echoed, played by a blind old man on a stone bench. Children ran with small wooden carts but stopped and bowed when an older warrior passed by—everyone knew their place in that society.
Enrico paused for a moment to observe a red bridge crossing a shallow pond with colorful carp. The beauty of the place contrasted with the constant tension in the air.
"Everyone here walks as if they're always ready for a duel…"
Enrico observed two youths practicing with wooden swords in a training yard.
At the top of the city, standing like a king's throne, was the Golden Castle of Shiranami, home of the ruling Clan. Its tiered structure, with five floors and golden dragons on the roofs, exuded absolute authority. Red flags with ancestral symbols waved at the top.
"Time to begin... but first I have to talk to them somehow."
[It'll be hard, the guards don't look like they'll let you in.]
Enrico looked at the two guards watching the door. They didn't have a pleasant expression, perhaps because the Clan chief was dying. So with a sigh, Enrico decided to be direct and honest right away.
"Hello, gentlemen."
The guards looked at Enrico, who gave a respectful bow for their Clan. The guards were suspicious but thanked him.
"Thank you... but what's a boy doing here? Judging by your clothes, you must be from Sanos, or maybe just a student."
Enrico raised his head and scratched the back of his neck.
"Yes, I'm not from Sanos territory, but I'm a student at Astrong Academy... and well, the reason I came is because I can help your leader with the Kagenai disease."
The two guards paused and looked at him with dark eyes.