Chapter 215 - Humans

“You went out there all alone?” One of the Silver mage guards asked in astonishment as Adion walked up.

It was a normal reaction. Adion had hidden his strength down to middle Bronze, after all. Being this deep in the Outskirts with that kind of strength was strange, especially all alone. 

Maybe I shouldn’t have hidden my strength. There is really no use in hiding it.

“Yeah, it’s a bit complicated. Can you tell me what kingdom we’re in?” Adion asked. If he were in an area controlled by Heavenly Light, he wouldn’t reveal his strength and quickly depart.

The guard looked at him strangely and asked, “You don’t know?”

“It’s…a long story. Could you please tell me?” Adion asked.

The guard looked at Adion hesitantly but eventually answered slowly, “Rellen Kingdom, why?”

“That’s good,” Adion said with a smile. He released his aura and showed off his middle Silver strength. “I have been lost out here for quite a while. With how chaotic things have been lately, I wanted to make sure nothing had changed.”

After a brief surprise at Adion’s strength, the guard once again looked at Adion with a suspicious expression. “Where have you been? How long have you been gone?”

“A few months,” Adion answered, “I was afraid Heavenly Light might have caused further trouble.”

The guard smiled slightly and said, “No need to worry about that. The Rellen Kingdom stands with Cyalis. Heavenly Light wouldn’t dare cause trouble here.”

But they dared take over the Valis Kingdom?

“Good,” Adion said with a smile, “Can I enter the outpost?”

“Sure, do you have your Guild badge?” The guard asked.

Adion hesitated slightly, “Do I need one just to enter? I’ve lost mine, but my information should be available.”

The guard cast a questioning look at Adion’s backpack, but eventually nodded and said, “Alright then. Someone of your talent should be valued. I’ll take you to the Guild.”

This…I’m from here, though. Whatever, surely they won’t act against me just because I can’t prove to be a member of the Outskirts Guild. I can always apply for a new membership if they want to act difficult.

Adion followed the guard inside the outpost. 

He noticed that the outpost seemed to have been built fairly recently, with the wooden houses in good condition. But the outpost was far from lively. Adion hardly spotted anyone as he walked down the dirt road. And most of the houses he passed were empty when he checked with his space mana.

“How come there are so few people here?” Adion asked.

“Surely you know about the beast invasion?” The guard turned back to look at Adion and asked.

“I know there is one, but not more than that. What’s the situation?” Adion asked curiously. 

“The situation is terrible,” The guard said with a helpless laugh, “Honestly, who sent you here? Is the situation so desperate that even talents like you have to fight at the frontlines?”

“Nothing like that,” Adion said with a small smile, “I just ended up here due to some circumstances. I’m on my way back to the Academy to report.”

“That makes sense. Good,” The guard said, a little more at ease. He looked at Adion with a more appreciative look on his face. “Anyway, the common people have all been sent back. So there are basically only mages here now. That is why this place seems so deserted. No one knows when the beasts will make their move. It could be tomorrow, it could be a year. So you’ll have to excuse people here if they seem a little brash, everyone is on edge.”

“Of, course,” Adion said with a nod.

From what I’ve seen, there will probably be no action in the coming days. But it definitely won’t take a whole year.

“But if you know the beasts are planning an invasion…” Adion said carefully.

“You think we don’t stand a chance? That we’re not sufficiently prepared?” The guard questioned.

“Well, yeah,” Adion said.

“We truly aren’t,” The guard said, “But the beasts are gathering from all directions. We are spread thin. Fortunately, mages are arriving at the Outskirts in greater and greater numbers. We only realized what was happening recently. But the Academy has sent out their people across their allies' borders. When the beasts attack, reinforcements will arrive quickly.”

“Are there people from the Academy here?” Adion asked excitedly.

“Right, you must be a student?” The guard asked.

“That’s right,” Adion nodded.

The guard smiled and explained, “This is one of the deepest outposts of the Rellen Kingdom, and as you can see, it isn’t exactly a fortress. From what I know, the Academy’s people have all gathered at outpost Helsa, about a day south of here. From there, they can quickly send help to us frontliners.”

That’s great! It seems I’ll be able to get word back sooner than I thought.

“Is there a map to this outpost I can take a look at?” Adion asked.

“I don’t know about that, but there is only one road from this place, and it goes straight to outpost Helsa. You can’t miss it,” The guard explained.

“Then,” Adion said hesitantly, coming to a stop, “I think I’ll head over there immediately. I need to report to my teachers.”

Adion had planned on asking around for information at the Outskirts Guild, but he didn’t expect to encounter such a helpful guard. Now that he knew he was far from Heavenly Light, and that people from the Academy were just an outpost away, Adion wanted to get over there as fast as he could.

“Oh,” The guard paused and looked at Adion for a second before chuckling, “That’s fine too. I’ll take you to the south exit.”

Adion thanked the guard and followed him to the other side of the outpost. 

When they got there, Adion handed him a gold coin as thanks and ran off into the woods.

Adion couldn’t stop a smile from spreading across his face.

Finally, I’m back among the sapi. 

And traveling through the Rellen Kingdom to Cyalis shouldn’t take very long riding on White.

I’ll see my family again.

I’ll see Sell!

Adion didn’t need to search for White. It only took a few minutes before the big wolf was in front of him, wagging his tail happily. Adion hadn’t concealed his aura, so White had no problem sensing him.

“Good news, White!” Adion said, “We are in the Rellen Kingdom!”

“That’s one of the good kingdoms, right?” White asked.

“Sure,” Adion said with a shrug, “At least Heavenly Light doesn’t have any influence here, and it’s not far to Cyalis.”

Adion went on to explain what the guard had told him about outpost Helsa and the Academy people stationed there. 

After that, Adion jumped onto White’s back and the two set off, traveling on the small dirt road to outpost Helsa.

“What is the Rellen Kingdom like, Adion?” White asked curiously.

“I’m not that familiar with it,” Adion answered truthfully, “I only traveled along the coast on the way to the Academy. And I spent most of the time in a carriage. But this time, we can have a look around together.”

“Sounds fun,” White said.

But can I bring White inside the cities here? If he were a small Bronze beast, it wouldn’t be an issue. But a Diamond beast might be a little too powerful. Especially now that the beasts are preparing an invasion. It might not be easy to be granted entry.

 And White is quite big…A lot of things would be complicated.

Whatever. If it’s not allowed, we can just travel through small villages. That’s fine too.

As Adion thought about the Rellen Kingdom, he pictured the map of the kingdom in his head. He felt that a few places felt slightly familiar despite Adion being certain that he hadn’t been there.

My memory still isn’t entirely recovered…What do I know about these places that I’ve forgotten?

Adion closed his eyes and focused on the map in his mind, trying to jog something.

That’s right. Ohem. Wow, it’s been a long time since I thought about him. His family should be close to here, right?

And Benji seems to have family here, too. 

I don’t remember where any of them live, though.

Well, I won’t force it. It’s not like we’re going to sightsee much during our journey. We should focus on getting back to Cyalis as soon as possible.

“Humans ahead,” White warned, pulling Adion from his thoughts.

“Are they strong?” Adion asked.

“Not strong,” White answered.

“Then…Forget it, just keep going. We’re going into sapi territory now, we can’t really hide any longer,” Adion said.

It didn’t take long before Adion saw the humans approaching from the south, probably heading to the outpost Adion had left. 

And the humans obviously noticed the huge beast running toward them as well.

Adion heard them all yell in a panic, but they didn’t run away; they spread out, ready to fight White.

Four Gold mages is quite the strong squad, but it’s nothing in front of White. Do they truly think they stand a chance?

Adion thought about the Diamond beasts White had killed easily when they first met. Adion felt that even against a beast of that caliber, four Gold mages wouldn’t be enough.

“Call for reinforcements, hurry!” A voice reached Adion’s ears. He saw a few weaker mages running back in a panic.

Haaah, maybe we should have just avoided them. It would be easier for me to explain White’s presence before they saw him. Now, they are on edge and might not listen.

“Don’t kill them, White,” Adion said, “But it’s fine to flick them away if they attack.”

He then lifted his head and called out, “This beast is with me. No need to panic!”

White seemed to understand Adion’s intentions and slowed down. He lowered his head so Adion could be seen clearly.

“Who are you?” A rough middle-aged man called out warily.

“I’m Adion,” Adion said with a casual smile, “This beast is with me. We are heading to outpost Helsa. I have something to report to the people from the Academy.”

No one spoke. The four mages glanced at each other, but they didn’t attack.

I have to give it to White, he has a gift for looking non-threatening.

“Why did you bring a beast? What are your intentions?” The same rough man asked.

“I’m heading home,” Adion said with a shrug.

“Do you think it’s appropriate to bring a Diamond beast into human territory at a time like this?” The man questioned, “We can’t let you pass.”

“Well…you can’t really stop us,” Adion said, scratching his head awkwardly. He didn’t really fear anything from these people. He was convinced White was invincible below the Soul stage. And with his identity as the disciple of the Headmaster, he wouldn’t get in trouble easily even if there was a Soul mage stationed at outpost Helsa.

“Is that a threat?” The rough man asked angrily. 

Is he an idiot?

Okay, fine. These people are ready to fight to the death to protect the sapi from the beast invasion. I should show some understanding.

“Fine, I won’t do anything. But can you call the people from the Academy here? I’m a student there,” Adion said.

That finally seemed to ease the Gold mages' worries somewhat.

“Alright, but you need to stay here,” The rough man said. 

“That’s fine,” Adion said. He wasn’t in that much of a hurry.

Everyone turned quiet for a minute.

Eventually, Adion had to ask, “So, are you going to ask the Academy people?”

“They are already on their way, don’t worry,” The man answered.

I sure hope so. If they bring a Soul mage who isn’t from the Academy, things might be a little difficult to explain.

But no one should want a fight if it can be avoided. With me here speaking up for White, we should be able to avoid things escalating. Even if things might proceed a little slowly.

Fortunately, it wasn’t very long before White spoke to Adion, “Mages are coming. Three Diamonds. But I am stronger.”

That’s good.

Sure enough, a group led by three diamond mages ran up to the four Gold mages. At first, they were ready for battle, but seeing the situation, the Diamond mage in charge slowed down and gestured for the people behind him to calm down.

“What’s going on?” The Diamond mage, a man who appeared to bein  his fifties with silver hair, asked the Gold mages. His eyes didn’t leave White for a second.

“That youngster says he’s a student from the Academy,” The Gold mage said, pointing to Adion.

The Diamond mage finally lifted his eyes and spotted Adion. 

At that moment, his jaw almost hit the ground.

“Adion Remori?” The Diamond mage asked in disbelief.

Adion smiled. As expected. I'm famous.