CHAPTER 1023: ARRIVED

The group passed through the tall city gates under the pale morning light.

The guards stationed there straightened when they spotted Jan, recognition flashing in their eyes.

A few of them smiled because they were used to seeing him and his companions return from the wilds. Their greetings came easy. Their voices feel warm and familiar.

But when their gazes shifted from Jan to the others, the change in mood became clear.

Esther’s usual sharp tongue was quiet, Annette’s brightness dimmed, and even Hund’s silent presence carried a weight heavier than normal.

Arty walked among them with her head slightly lowered. Her steps looked uncertain and her face still looked grimacing.

Still, Jan managed to wear a smile to them. He returned the greetings with an air of calm. His tone was light as though nothing troubled them.

"Rough adventuring, huh?" one of the guards asked with a chuckle, though his eyes searched their faces more carefully.

"Well, yeah. You can say that. Haha." Jan replied, adding a chuckle of his own, brushing away suspicion with ease.

The guard tilted his head, clearly curious, but didn’t want to press further. He knew Jan well enough to understand when to hold back.

There would be time later, perhaps over ale in the tavern, when Jan and his companions looked less burdened. For now, he just needs to let them pass.

Jan and the company stepped into the bustling streets, the city already alive with merchants setting up stalls and townsfolk starting their day.

"We should immediately head to the Archmage," Jan said in a low voice, his eyes flicking to Arty and the others.

They all agreed without hesitation.

Arty herself clenched her hands. Her heart set on seeing Sylmira as soon as possible. She needed answers and guidance right now. No one else could give them beside the Archmage.

Their steps carried them quickly through the winding streets until the tall spire of the Archmage’s tower loomed ahead of them beside the king’s palace.

No notice had been sent of their return so when Sylmira herself appeared at the entrance hall, her eyes widened faintly in surprise.

But her expression quickly softened. The familiar gentle smile curving her lips.

"It has been sooner than expected," she said warmly.

But when her eyes lingered, she sensed it immediately. There was a shadow hanging over them and she also sensed the unease in their movements.

Jan’s expression grew serious.

"We need to talk in private, Archmage." he said in a serious tone..

Sylmira studied him for only a moment, then gave a small nod.

Without another word, she turned and led them down the quiet polished halls of the tower until they reached her private chamber.

The door closed softly behind them, shutting out the noise of the world.

Sylmira gestured toward the cushioned chairs arranged in a circle and told them all to sit.

They settled into place one by one. The anxiety in their movements was impossible to ignore.

Her eyes swept over them, finally resting on Arty who sat stiffly. Her gaze drifting to the floor, her hands fidgeting in her lap.

"What happened?" Sylmira asked, her tone concerned.

She had expected Arty’s return to be no more than a brief journey for her growth with touring the kingdom’s outer perimeter while she was safeguarded by the presence of Jan and his capable companions.

What stood before her now felt entirely different. Arty seemed trapped in a state of perpetual confusion and gloom.

This, turned out, was no simple tale of adventure.

"Arty will tell you more later, Archmage," Jan said. "Right now, I’ll explain what we encountered."

Sylmira gave him a single nod, and Jan drew in a breath before he began.

He told her about the strange presence that had stalked them from the shadows, a mysterious enemy whose motives remained unclear before.

Then came the attack of three young nobles from the academy, ambushing them with reckless arrogance and deadly intent.

Jan said that they suspected that the stalker was sent by them.

Sylmira’s composure cracked for the first time. Her eyes widened slightly and her hands that usually so serene curled into fists upon her lap.

Shock quickly turned to anger, though her voice when she spoke remained calm.

"Noble kids, you say?" she asked, her eyes narrowing.

"Yes," Esther interjected, her own tone sounding angry as well. "They were definitely nobles. Their arrogance and equipment made it obvious."

Jan reached into his satchel and produced a small polished crystal sphere. He set it carefully on the table between them, the faint glow inside pulsing.

"Everything is recorded here," he said firmly. "They attacked us first. We had no choice but to defend ourselves."

Sylmira extended a hand, her fingers brushing lightly over the crystal as she drew it toward her.

Closing her eyes, she let her senses sink into the Magic within.

A faint shimmer sparked at her touch and she saw the threads of scenes woven into the recording.

When she opened her eyes again, her expression had hardened, the warmth of moments ago now dimmed by the weight of what she had witnessed.

"They are students at the academy," Sylmira said at last, her voice calm but also filled with tension. "Yes. You’re right. They are nobles and they are quite strong. But..."

Her words trailed off as her eyes shifted toward Arty.

The girl sat unmoving and still looking down. Her shoulders trembled faintly.

Sylmira let out a quiet sigh and straightened in her chair.

She glanced at Jan, Hund, Esther, and Annette. "You may all go for now. I will speak with Arty alone. I will speak to you again later."

Jan nodded. He rose slowly from his seat. Hund stood right after him and Esther and Annette followed next.

They offered quick bows of respect to the Archmage.

Jan gave Arty one last searching look with a trace of worry in his eyes, but he said nothing more.

"Its going to be okay, Arty," Annette whispered softly before following the others.

The door opened and closed quietly behind them. Their footsteps fading down the hall.

The chamber fell silent, leaving only the sound of Arty’s unsteady breathing.

Sylmira studied her for a long moment, her exprssion unreadable.

"Now, Arty... tell me everything."

—