"Grilla City seems much larger than Ocean City." As they entered the city, Caius glanced around and commented.
Compared to Ocean City, this place appeared far more prosperous. The streets were cleaner, the buildings more aesthetically pleasing, and the entire city carried an air of artistry.
However, Caius still preferred Ocean City. Ocean City was wilder, and he had never been one for the arts.
"Ocean City is a second-tier city, whereas this is a first-tier city and a key focus of the Empire's development. Naturally, it's larger and more prosperous," Geoffrey explained.
After chatting along the way, the group had grown more comfortable with each other. At least, on the surface.
Caius nodded and followed Geoffrey and the others through the long main road, eventually arriving at the inner city.
Compared to the outer city, the inner city was even more magnificent. Like Ocean City, it was divided into districts for commoners and the wealthy.
If anything, this place was cleaner and had an even stronger artistic atmosphere.
"We've arrived—Hydis Magic Academy," Geoffrey announced.
Before them stood a grand enclosure that appeared to be made of white marble. Through the gaps in the fence, neatly trimmed lawns were visible, along with young people clad in elegant, uniformed attire—students of the Magic Academy.
"Can we go inside?" Caius asked eagerly.
Geoffrey looked at him oddly. This big guy actually seemed excited?
"Yes, our buyer is inside the academy. However, outsiders need to show identification and register before entering. It's a bit of a hassle."
"Doesn't matter. As long as I can go in, I've been wanting to see a Magic Academy up close," Caius grinned broadly.
To prove his identity, all Caius needed to do was present his mercenary ID card.
The person responsible for verification was clearly a mage. With a wave of his hand, the blood-mark on Caius's card glowed faintly, and a red magical thread emerged, linking to Caius, proving his identity.
As long as the card was legitimate, so was the person.
But when Geoffrey and the others saw the brass-colored card in Caius's hands, they couldn't help but twitch at the corners of their mouths.
A brass-ranked mercenary? This big guy really was a rookie...
Then again, he was no ordinary rookie.
It wouldn't be long before that card turned silver—or even gold.
After the somewhat tedious inspection and registration process, Caius was about to step inside when the mage stopped him.
"What?" Caius asked.
"Outsiders are prohibited from carrying weapons inside," the mage said, eyeing the massive warhammer strapped to Caius's back.
"Oh, then please take good care of it for me. She's my treasure," Caius said, casually lifting the warhammer with one hand and handing it over.
The mage instinctively reached out, but as soon as Caius let go, he felt an overwhelming weight. Nearly stumbling to the ground, he barely managed to stay upright thanks to Caius catching him.
"Careful there, sir," Caius teased with a playful glint in his eyes.
The mage: "..."
This big guy wasn't as simple and honest as he seemed.
After Caius and the others entered the academy, the mage glanced down at the warhammer left behind.
The hammerhead was hexagonal, devoid of any intricate patterns. It was plain and dark gray, its only decoration being an engraving of angelic wings on the handle.
Curious, the mage attempted to lift it, gripping it with both hands and exerting all his strength—yet he couldn't move it an inch.
"So heavy?! That guy's really just a brass-ranked mercenary?" The mage was stunned.
Resigning himself, he waved his hand, intending to use magic to shift the hammer aside so it wouldn't be in the way.
But as soon as his magic touched the hammer, it was immediately repelled, unable to affect it in the slightest.
The mage's shock deepened.
This hammer had anti-magic properties?!
Anything with anti-magic properties was never easy to come by.
Such materials were strictly controlled by the Empire—money alone wouldn't be enough to acquire them.
That kid must have some serious background... Good thing he hadn't looked down on him just because he was a brass-ranked mercenary. Probably some noble's son out on an adventure.
Shrugging, the mage left the hammer where it was, waiting for Caius to retrieve it later.
"Such a beautiful Meow!" Kiki exclaimed excitedly, marveling at the castle-like academy, the lifelike fountain statues, and the students in their lavish uniforms. Her eyes were filled with admiration.
"It really is beautiful," Caius agreed.
The environment was impressive. The students exuded youthful energy, the campus overflowing with an academic atmosphere. Compared to the corporate academies of his past life, this place was far better.
Those corporate academies, while luxurious, always carried a mechanical coldness.
The students there were practically corporate drones in training—arrogant, cutthroat, and utterly devoid of true student spirit.
Caius liked this place much more.
He had never received a formal academy education in his past life. The closest thing he had was a basic education chip, and its AI teacher lacked any interaction—just rigid, monotonous lessons.
He had always wondered what it would be like to be a student.
Of course, it was just idle curiosity. He knew this place wasn't for him.
After getting used to the battlefield, how could he possibly sit quietly in a classroom and listen to lectures?
Not a chance.
As they walked, many students took notice of them, curiosity evident in their eyes. Clearly, these young people who had yet to experience the harshness of reality found mercenaries fascinating—perhaps even cool.
Or maybe they were just intrigued by Caius's massive build.
"I wish I could study here too, Meow..." Kiki sighed wistfully beside him.
"You want to be a student?" Caius asked, surprised.
"Mhm," Kiki nodded. "Lots of kids dream of studying at a Magic Academy, but most human academies don't accept Beastfolk..."
"Doesn't the Beastfolk Empire have its own Magic Academy?" Caius asked.
"It does, Meow, but there aren't many. Most Beastfolk don't have strong magic talent, Meow."
"To get into a Magic Academy, you either need incredible magic talent or a ton of money. I have neither, Meow..."
Sensing the little catgirl's disappointment, Caius ruffled her hair and grinned. "Then stick with me. We'll make enough money to buy you a spot in an academy."
"Really?!" Kiki's eyes lit up.
"Of course. I want to see what a Magic Academy is like too," Caius nodded, determination in his gaze.
If he wanted to learn magic, getting into a Magic Academy was a good option.
But he wasn't about to give up being a mercenary. So buying a spot—or finding another way to enter—was the best solution. That way, he wouldn't be tied down by the role of a student.
Money wasn't everything, but Caius firmly believed that with enough of it, he could buy his way into an academy.
Soon, they arrived at a building—the academy's library, where their buyer was waiting.
However, the librarian blocked their way, stating that outsiders were prohibited from entering.
To complete the transaction, they would have to wait for the recipient to come out.
Caius was surprised. He had assumed these magic potions were ordered by the academy itself, but it seemed they were a private purchase.
The buyer's name was Holan. Anyone who could buy such a large quantity of magic potions had to be wealthy.
Geoffrey paid the librarian a few gold coins to fetch him.
After a moment, the librarian returned, informing them that Holan was currently instructing students on magical research and would be available after class.
A professor, huh? Teaching at a Magic Academy must pay well.
Since class had just begun, they had about an hour to wait.
With time to kill, Caius decided to explore the academy with Kiki, curious to see more of this grand institution.