Chapter Forty-Four: Grey Stone City Leilin had no idea that someone was already plotting against him from behind, but he kept driving the carriage at a breakneck pace regardless.
It was only after five full days, when signs of human habitation began appearing around him, that a heavy weight finally lifted from his heart.
Although Wizards had always looked down upon ordinary humans the way humans looked down on ants, there was no denying that these very ordinary people were the foundation from which Wizards were continuously produced.
Therefore, while experiments on human bodies and the like had never been stopped despite repeated prohibitions — and were even conducted openly at Black Bone Forest Academy — all Wizards would try their best to avoid human settlements when carrying out such activities, to prevent massive casualties. Otherwise, they would face ostracism from the entire
"Once we reach the city up ahead, we can finally rest a bit!" After five consecutive days of nonstop travel, both Leilin and his horse were utterly exhausted.
He slowed the horse to a more relaxed pace and took in the scenery around him.
Sparse, scattered fields lined both sides of the road, and not far away stood a huge windmill and mill.
A clear little stream flowed beside the fields, with several unidentified fish drifting lazily through its waters.
Seeing this scene, Leilin suddenly relaxed.
"So quiet! A peaceful human world! How long has it been since I've felt this kind of tranquility..."
"According to the map, the nearest city should be Grey Stone City!" Leilin glanced at the map displayed by the Chip.
"This area is still too close to the Academy. Although there's a Wizard gathering point nearby, it's far too dangerous whether I'm trying to sell potions or gather information!"
"Besides, I keep having this bad feeling!" Leilin furrowed his brow and looked back in the direction he'd come from.
"I killed that Treant — would the enemy really let me off so easily?"
"Ding! Mimicry Spell analysis complete!"
Right at that moment, the Chip's notification chimed.
"Excellent!" Leilin's face lit up with joy as he quickly skimmed through the Mimicry Spell's description.
"Mimicry Spell: Zero-level Spell. Effect: Can slightly alter facial muscle structure. Duration: One day. Cost: One point of Spiritual Power, one point of mana!"
This was a Zero-level Spell that Leilin had specifically selected, designed to disguise his identity.
"But it only changes my appearance?" Leilin murmured thoughtfully. "Many Wizards identify others through spiritual fluctuations or even on the level of the soul. Of course, that's all after becoming a full Wizard — it's unlikely I'll run into that kind of scrutiny anytime soon."
"Chip! Can you optimize the Mimicry Spell's effects so that it also conceals Spiritual Power fluctuations?"
Leilin posed the question.
"Ding! Task established. Optimization target defined. Initiating simulation analysis…"
After roughly a dozen seconds, the Chip's feedback came back: "Optimization feasible. Requires 7 points of Spiritual Power. Estimated time: 14 days and 5 hours. Advanced knowledge required: Spirit Research, Annihilation Rune."
"Seven points of Spiritual Power? I can reach that in a few years. But Spirit Research knowledge and the Annihilation Rune — those aren't so easy to get my hands on!"
Research into the soul and related matters had always been the most mysterious part of the Wizard world. Although Black Bone Forest Academy claimed to be among the leading institutions and had produced a fair share of research results, it had probably only scratched the surface of the underlying principles. Besides, Leilin was still only a Second-rank Apprentice — he had no access to that kind of content.
"The Mimicry Spell is enough for now!" Leilin glanced around and steered the carriage off the road into a small grove of trees.
A short while later, when Leilin emerged again, his appearance had completely transformed.
The youthful face had aged considerably — thick brows, large eyes, a thoroughly ordinary look.
His body was now clad in a weathered leather armor, and the Cross Sword's scabbard had taken on a worn, aged appearance.
Leilin had always been fairly tall, and with his excellent diet, he had already been close to an average adult's height. Now he looked like a lean, experienced mercenary.
Leilin walked over to a small stream and studied his new face in the reflection. "Not bad! It even restructured the vocal cords — I can change my voice too."
His voice had become deep and hoarse, completely different from the soft, youthful tone he'd had before.
"For now, I'll enter the city with this face." Leilin nodded, then pulled out a kraft paper package. Opening it, he found a mound of white powder inside.
"Odorless powder of the Subterranean Blindworm! Just one gram can completely eliminate any body scent!" Leilin said quietly.
"I don't have a good solution for Spiritual Power detection, but in the mundane world, I should go all the way. With my appearance and smell both altered, no ordinary method will be able to track me!"
Leilin looked over the carriage once more, thought for a moment, then discarded everything unnecessary. Only the boxes containing potions, spellbooks, and raw materials were secured onto the two horses.
"Let's go!" Leilin walked up to the last horse, the one carrying no load, and untied its reins. He gave it a hard lash with the whip.
"Neigh!" The black stallion reared and galloped off toward an unknown direction.
Afterward, Leilin sprinkled a red powder all over the carriage, then applied the odorless powder of the Subterranean Blindworm to the remaining two horses before mounting one and riding away.
Not long after Leilin departed, black smoke began billowing from the woods, followed by roaring flames.
Leilin pressed on along the main road, and signs of human habitation grew increasingly frequent. After an hour of riding, the silhouette of Grey Stone City appeared before him.
The walls of Grey Stone City were low and squat, and from the outside one could see the gray domed and spired buildings within.
Near the city gate, soldiers armed with weapons patrolled the perimeter.
"What's your business?" A squad leader wearing half a piece of leather armor stepped forward and blocked Leilin's path.
"Mercenary, part-time traveling merchant!" Leilin replied with a smile. He caught the greedy glint in the eyes of the soldiers behind the squad leader.
The squad leader looked over the large horse Leilin was riding and the crates behind him, swallowed hard, then swept his gaze across Leilin's waist. When he spotted the Cross Sword hanging there, a look of obvious wariness crossed his face.
"One copper coin for entry!"
"Here!" Leilin tossed a gleaming brass coin to the squad leader.
"You may enter! Remember — don't wander around at night, or the patrol will throw you in jail!" The squad leader forced an ugly smile.
"Thank you!" Leilin led his belongings through the gate.
"Boss?" One soldier looked clearly reluctant to let him go.
"Shut your mouth! Take a look at how he's dressed — someone who can escort goods to the city alone without a single scratch is no ordinary person. He might even be a Knight!" The squad leader kept his voice low. "From now on, don't bother people like that!"
"So, no matter where you go, strength is always the most effective passport!"
Leilin rode his black horse through the streets of Grey Stone City and saw commoners on either side shrinking away from him in fear. The looks they cast his way held plenty of dread and envy alike, and he nodded to himself.
"Still, judging by how prosperous Grey Stone City is, it probably can't compare to even a small town in later ages!"
Leilin roughly estimated the total area of Grey Stone City and found that it could house at most ten thousand residents.
As for the living conditions within the city, they were even worse.
The road was made of yellow clay, strewn with loose sand that kicked up clouds of dust at the slightest gust of wind.
Most of the pedestrians on either side were gaunt and sallow-faced, wearing rough grey or black clothing riddled with tears.
Along the roadside stood pens holding cattle and sheep, and other small livestock wandered freely through the street, the smell of fresh dung hanging in the air without reprieve.
"Filthy, chaotic, disgusting!" That was Leilin's first impression of Grey Stone City.
"I need to find an inn and settle down!" The days of continuous travel had left Leilin weary.
After searching for a long while without finding anything resembling an inn, Leilin finally spent a few copper coins to learn from a resident about a place that was barely habitable.
"The Sword and the Goblet! This is the place!" Leilin stared at the letters on the signboard, rendered speechless.
The establishment was located in the western quarter, which seemed to be rife with lawlessness. Along the way, Leilin had witnessed numerous bouts of drunken brawling—on one occasion, someone even drew a short sword and a dagger—yet not a single constable was anywhere to be found.
Pushing open the door, the reek of cheap alcohol flooded Leilin's nostrils.
"Come on! Another round!" "Attaboy, Jack!" A cacophony of voices assaulted Leilin's eardrums.
Inside, it had the look of a tavern. Quite a few drunkards were drinking heartily, while others sat with half-lidded, bleary eyes, their hands draped over the barmaids, spewing crude and vulgar words.
"What can I get you, sir?" The bartender was a young man with yellow hair, and also the most sober person in the entire tavern.
"I heard you can find lodging here?"
Leilin settled onto a tall stool at the counter.
"That's right! In all of Grey Stone City, we're the only ones offering accommodations!" The bartender shrugged, though there was little pride in the gesture. "Then again, there's not much to be proud of, since we don't get many travelers passing through in a year!"
"Give me a quiet room, and see to my two horses. How much?" Leilin glanced at the large oak barrel behind the bartender.
"Pour me your best wine." Leilin tossed over a silver coin.
"At your service!" The bartender promptly set a handled mug on the counter. "Honey Butter Wine! The finest we've got!"
Leilin sipped the drink while the bartender began chatting away.
In truth, many Wizards despised alcohol for its numbing effect on the nerves, preferring instead beverages that sharpened the mind.
Leilin rarely drank either, but his curiosity had gotten the better of him and he'd wanted to try something new. However, the taste of this Honey Butter Wine was thoroughly mediocre, with an astringent aftertaste that left Leilin feeling like he'd been swindled.
"Our lodging rates are thirty copper coins a night, plus twenty copper coins a day for the care of two horses, including fodder!"
Before leaving the Academy, Leilin had already exchanged a batch of small change, so he casually tossed out two silver coins. "Let's start with four days…"
"Look! What fine horses! That coat, that build — they're surely worth more than the warhorses in the City Lord's mansion!"
A voice rang out that was instantly irritating to hear.