Mageia City

The sun had risen from the east with fresh air. The crew members were happy with their two companion who now looked in good health. Although Liliana was also happy, she felt something was off because yesterday their situation was so bad.

As land appeared in the distance, the ship slowed down slightly as it entered the harbor area. Seagulls were flying low, a handful of people were busy preparing their ships. Once the crew of The Sun disembarked, they were all welcomed by the locals.

This more luxurious-looking township had a calming aura. The mixture of mana and life energy of the residents seemed to blend together like real living beings. In Mahendra's vision, the city was filled with colored dots of light.

This was the Mageia City, the city of Magicians in the Western Region.

"Are you going to the academy? I'm afraid you won't be accepted because you're too old."

"It's not us going there but that man." Liliana's crewman pointed at Mahendra who was busy looking around.

"Okay. Then just go straight to the end, there's a guard guarding the portal door, you go in. Keep in mind, it's not easy to get into an elite academy. If you are not talented then you have to spend a lot of money."

An ordinary-looking town, if not explored further, Mahendra would never have known that the majority of the population were magicians of any race. There were even magicians flying in the sky that left Mahendra in awe.

Liliana smiled as she bowed her head and asked, "Sir, do you want to go straight to the academy or should we take a break?"
"You arrange it. Then, don't call me names like that."
"Then what should I call you?"
"Just call me by my name, Mahendra."
"Yes, Young Master Mahendra."
"I told you to call me by my name."
"Yes, Young Master."

Mahendra sighed, for some reason his energy was drained just from talking to this female captain. Mahendra chose to give up rather than argue, which would take up too much time.

Throughout this journey, The Sun received no criticism but warm greetings from everyone they met every second. It seemed they were not just pirates.

"Maybe it was me who misunderstood."

Before leaving for the academy, Liliana explained that she had brought Mahendra to the academy because a group of adventurers who claimed to know him had recommended it. They said he had great potential as a fire magician. Mahendra was no longer surprised after knowing the reason for being in the Western Region now.
In a way, he felt regretful because he had originally intended to go east instead of west. However, after knowing the conditions of the Western Territory, he felt quite fortunate as he saw things he had never seen before in the old world.

"The Sky World is really full of things," Mahendra muttered.

Although the group of adventurers proposed it, Liliana thought long and hard. Realizing that they knew nothing about Mahendra, Liliana felt happy and that it wouldn't be so bad if Mahendra entered the magic academy.

"Why do you think that?"
"Your powers are still uncontrollable. You also have to hide from them," Liliana replied while looking up at the sky.
"I told you I'm not the Devourer Destiny you're talking about."

Liliana just smiled, while Mahendra grew even more confused. Until now, Mahendra had not understood what the title meant. He even thought that his power derived from the ancient spells on his body came from a curse, though that was not entirely wrong.

The Western Region has thousands of small towns and dozens of large cities. Gurkha City in the Southeast Region is the border between the regions, so it only takes two days to reach the Western Region. One of the closest major cities is Mageia City-a place where magical experts often called Magician live. Not only was there the human race, there were other races that settled in this city though not many, ranging from the siren race, birds, elves, and giants. 

"Young Master, are you sure you'll keep walking without shoes?" asked Liliana. 
"My feet are used to it."
"All right then, but if you are at the academy, you must still wear shoes." 

The sky was uncharacteristically clear and Mahendra almost fell asleep on the way. The unaware Liliana had now walked quite a distance and left Mahendra standing still for five minutes on the spot. 

"What is this fragrance?" Smelling a fresh and fragrant scent all around, Mahendra was lured in the direction it came from and arrived at the "Flower Garden", a place inhabited by many beautiful women. 

"Young Master? Would you like to come in?" One of the women there approached him. Expressionlessly, Mahendra took a step back.

Mahendra, who didn't really understand the place in front of him, went inside and made all the women notice him from head to toe.

Thick, medium-length black hair with vibrant red accents at the ends, thin black clothes and bare feet. Anyone who saw would definitely feel astonished and think it was strange.

"A poor man coming to have fun?" A handsome man surrounded by many women smiled mockingly.

"Young master, are you alone? Not with anyone else?" The woman again approached and asked while holding his arm, Mahendra who was annoyed and threw the woman away.

"Get lost!" His words, which felt like a threat, sent chills down his spine.

"This fragrance...I feel familiar. Just like...in the dream." Mahendra thought to himself.

True to its name, the Flower Garden exuded a very alluring fragrance. It felt like being in a flower garden of his own. Mahendra stood still, looking around the courtyard filled with noble chairs. At a glance, Mahendra realized that this was not the place he was supposed to be.

Mahendra sighed and turned around, he had no intention of looking for the fragrance again, he didn't know where it came from, but he was pretty sure it was slightly different from the rose scent inside the Flower Garden house.

"Ah, it's a pity he's not a rich noble. His face is quite handsome."
"He didn't come to buy or sell, there's no need to feel affectionate just because of his face."
"But he is quite young. He's my type."
"A man with only good looks can't provide for you."

Many of the women there were intrigued and regretted Mahendra's departure. While on the other hand there was a man who couldn't stand Mahendra's presence, he got up from his seat and approached him before leaving.

"Who are you?"

"None of your business," Mahendra replied firmly.

"None of my business? Why are you acting so much? What do you think I am?! I have an honorable status, not a poor uncivilized person like you."

"Hey, I didn't come to mess with you, but there's something bothering me."

"The way you talk is still stiff. Are you scared?"

Neither of them wanted to give in to the other. It seemed unlikely that this fight would end quickly. They were both glaring at each other and those clenched fists would probably go flying any minute now. Everyone there was looking at it curiously, and some people were expecting a fistfight between them.

However, that was not to be as Liliana appeared and dragged Mahendra away, bringing the fight to a halt.

"What were you doing in that place?"

"Just finding out something."

"That place is no ordinary place. You shouldn't be rash. Next time you need something, I'm here to help."

"No need." It looked like Mahendra was still very angry, which was clear from both his speech and expression.
Enrollment for academy students in the Western Region had begun two days ago. Together with Liliana, Mahendra hurried to leave before the student enrollment ended.