Starlight, who had long since left the tavern, was naturally unaware of what others were thinking. Under Noah’s guidance, he quickly traversed the winding alleys toward another district, intending to find an inn to settle in for the night near the Adventurers Guild.
“Hmm… let me see… dinner just now, plus the compensation, cost a total of one gold coin and twenty silver coins. Then there are the ingredients I bought on the road today… It seems these ten gold coins are quite durable!”
Starlight lowered his head and calculated his expenses as he walked, not noticing that the path ahead was blocked. By the time he reacted and looked up, he found the scar-faced man and his group, who had been driven off earlier, blocking his way with menacing expressions.
“Sigh… why is it you guys again? Didn't you get enough of a beating earlier?” Seeing their aggressive posture, Starlight sighed helplessly, wondering to himself if he really looked that easy to bully.
The scar-faced man and his group, their faces flushed with embarrassment at Starlight’s remark, recalled their previous pathetic state, their expressions turning from green to white. But they quickly snapped out of it and roared, “You brat, you still dare to have that attitude? No one can help you this time!”
With that, the group slowly closed in, looking as if they were determined to kill Starlight.
“Um, am I allowed to fight back here?” Starlight whispered to Noah.
“As long as you don't kill them, it shouldn't be much of a problem. Besides, there are no witnesses in a remote alley like this, so do as you please,” Noah responded nonchalantly.
The sudden appearance of a third voice startled the scar-faced man. Thinking Starlight was playing some trick, he let out a roar and lunged forward.
However, before they could even take two steps, they were shocked to find that their legs had suddenly lost all sensation.
Looking down, they saw that a thin layer of white frost had covered their legs at some point. This frost was spreading through their bodies at an alarming rate. Terrified, the men began to scream in panic.
“You… you’re a mage—!”
Before the scar-faced man could finish, the frost completely covered his head. Starlight shrugged, glanced at the few ice sculptures before him, and walked through the gaps between them as if nothing had happened.
“The ice will melt in a few hours. They… probably won't freeze to death, right?”
Unsure if the men could even hear him, Starlight left those words behind and vanished into the alley.
A few minutes later, having left the scene of the conflict, Starlight found a decent-looking inn and checked in for twenty silver coins.
Upon returning to his room, Starlight didn't even have time to take off his shoes before collapsing onto the bed. The day’s travels and twists had undoubtedly left him feeling a bit exhausted.
This was completely different from the rock-hard wooden beds in his memory; the mattress beneath him was incredibly soft, and he couldn't help but sink into it. His entire body felt as if it were being cradled by an invisible force, and he couldn't resist letting out a satisfied sigh.
“This is so comfortable! Spending money is definitely worth it!”
Just then, Noah drifted over to his head and said, “Don't get too ahead of yourself. You don't actually think you’re rich now, do you? There will be plenty of places where you’ll need money later!”
Starlight only gave a vague grunt in response, but then, as if remembering something, he turned his head toward Noah, who was standing by the pillow, and asked, “When we were at the Ouroboros organization, you weren't sleeping, were you?”
“No, why?” Noah replied.
“Then you saw that blond youth who helped us, right? What level do you think he’s at?” Starlight pressed.
“Hmm… it’s hard to judge accurately in such a short time, but I feel his strength shouldn't be lower than a Swordmaster. However, it’s truly rare to see someone with that kind of strength at his age,” Noah analyzed.
“Then who do you think is stronger between him and me?” Starlight asked curiously.
Starlight had already learned his approximate strength from Noah. If measured purely by mana capacity and elemental control, he had undoubtedly reached the level of an Archmage.
Grand Archmages and Grand Swordmasters were basically the strongest individuals below the Saint Rank, and the vast majority of experts on the continent would stagnate at this level.
Although Starlight currently couldn't reach the true standard of an Archmage in actual combat due to his limited skills, his latent potential and room for learning were undoubtedly massive, requiring only an opportunity to achieve a breakthrough.
“If you can skillfully keep your distance at the start of a battle, the advantage might be yours. However, it’s hard to say; after all, the magic you’ve mastered is still too little. It might be more than enough for small fry, but when you face a true expert, your ability to adapt will be found wanting,” Noah commented.
“Sigh, it’s because Master didn't really teach me many spells. But I think what I have now is barely enough,” Starlight replied, his tone tinged with helplessness.
“Are you really that easily satisfied? Let me tell you, you’re still far from it! At your age, Carlos and Arthur had mastered at least a hundred different spells!” Noah pointed out bluntly.
“Noah, don't always compare me to them. If nothing else, at least in terms of realm, I’ve already surpassed my Master and father at the same age, haven't I?” Starlight retorted.
“That may be true, but if I don't give you some pressure, where will your motivation come from?” Noah huffed.
“Fine, fine! I get it! I’ll work hard! But the priority right now is to rest!”
With that, Starlight turned his head away and stopped talking, leaving Noah with a wry expression on his pages.
“This kid is great in every way, but isn't his personality a bit too laid-back? If it were Carlos, he’d probably pile on more homework. But with his talent, ordinary things really can't stump him,” Noah thought to himself.
Meanwhile, Starlight’s mind was still replaying the things he had seen and heard today. The impact of the day was undoubtedly massive—the bustling city, the delicacies he had never tasted before, and even the interesting people he encountered.
This had undoubtedly lit a fire in his heart. Although he said he wanted to rest, that excitement refused to dissipate for a long time.
“Don't think too much. There will be even more new things tomorrow! Go to sleep, Starlight!”
After comforting himself slightly, Starlight closed his eyes amidst his wandering thoughts. As his breathing gradually became steady and deep, he slowly drifted off to sleep.
...
The next morning, after a full night’s rest, a refreshed Starlight woke up early. After washing up and having a simple breakfast at the inn, he eagerly rushed toward the Adventurers Guild located in the city center.
When he arrived before the towering building, he was greatly awestruck by the sight.
The guild building before him looked like a majestic castle, soaring into the clouds at a height of dozens of meters. The massive main gates were inlaid with various dazzling metal decorations that shimmered brilliantly under the sunlight.
Just in the plaza before the entrance, Starlight could see an endless stream of people moving to and fro, forming a unique spectacle.
Following the crowd into the guild, his vision suddenly widened as a spacious hall of incredible proportions unfolded before him. He looked around and found that there were at least a thousand people standing in this hall, yet it didn't feel crowded at all.
The high walls were covered with various types of adventuring equipment and peculiar items, ranging from sharp swords to mysterious magic tools—a dazzling array of everything one could imagine.
Standing right in the center of the hall was a massive quest board listing various adventure tasks and bounties. At this moment, two staff members standing on stools were pasting notices onto it one by one, which undoubtedly drew the gazes of countless adventurers.
The voices of people rose and fell, creating a noisy yet vibrant atmosphere around the quest board. Starlight was deeply shaken by the lively scene before him, standing dazed at the entrance for quite a while before snapping out of it.
“So many people… who am I supposed to look for?” Starlight scratched his head, thinking with some distress.
Just then, Noah, hanging at his waist, suddenly moved, subtly guiding him toward the side.
Only then did Starlight notice a row of reception desks for consultations in a corner of the hall. Since most people’s attention was drawn to the central notice board, these desks were actually quite inconspicuous.
Rate on N.U.
