Chapter 832: Diehard Fanatics
The streets of Ravenfell were packed. People from every corner of the continent had co to witness the Grand Magus Tournant.
Usually, one could only see elves and humans mingling within the city as these two races primarily made up the entire population of Ravenfell.
But now, one could see people from the four races gathering in great numbers.
The crowd moved slowly through the wide cobbled streets, shoulder to shoulder, making it very hard to walk in a straight line.
Street perforrs dressed in eccentric clothes stood at every corner, so juggling glowing orbs, while others creating illusions in the air that made children gasp and reach out to touch.
Wooden stalls lined both sides of the streets, each brightly decorated with banners and lanterns.
The sudden influx of visitors in the city signalled a massive economic boom for the local businesses. And this was only the beginning.
Vendors shouted over each other, selling everything from roasted ats and spiced breads to magical trinkets, potions, and tournant morabilia.
The most commonly sold goods, however, were the enchanted woolen scarves. They ca in four different colors, each representing one of the Four Pillars of the Empire.
People bought them in order to show others which Pillar they were supporting.
Gray represented Saratoga Castle, green represented Greenfield Ridge, blue represented Coral Cove, and finally, yellow represented the Tower of Daybreak.
The Saratoga Castle’s scarf was embroidered with a raven with outstretched wings. For Greenfield Ridge, it was a tree.
Coral Cove’s scarves bore the embroidery of splashing waves. Finally, the yellow scarf of the Tower of Daybreak displayed a white tower with a sun hanging behind it.
Surprisingly enough, even though the Grand Magus Tournant was being hosted by Saratoga Castle, most of the scarves worn around people’s necks weren’t gray.
It was, in fact, yellow!
The Tower of Daybreak had a stellar reputation in the Acadian Empire, a prestige further elevated by generations of the royal family choosing to study at this arcane institution.
Gray scarves were the second most popular amongst the crowd, followed by green scarves, and finally blue scarves.
However, this did not imply that Coral Cove was the weakest of the Four Pillars. They were simply less known because they were situated on the western coasts of the Ulier Continent, close to the Baja High Forest.
The Tower of Daybreak wasn’t the mightiest, and Coral Cove wasn’t the weakest. If anything, the strength of each of the Four Pillars was almost on par with each other.
Each of these glorious institutions was led by a mighty Mana Core Magus, after all!
Of course, there were several secret trump cards that each institution possessed. So, at the end of the day, no one could tell for certain just which one was the strongest and which was the weakest of the Four Pillars.
Although the elves of the Baja High Forest were also participating in the Grand Magus Tournant, the people of Acadia did not show support for them.
First, it was because the Baja High Forest was considered an empire completely different from Acadia. And secondly, and most importantly, the elves of Baja were too condescending. The citizens of Acadia did not like them all that much.
With the constant arrival of new visitors every day, the city had truly co to life.
For most of these people, it was their first ti they were visiting Ravenfell, and they couldn’t help but marvel at its beautiful architecture. It was vastly different from the other major cities of the Empire.
The buildings towering above were dark and gothic in style. They consisted of sharp arches, black stones, and tall spires that seemingly stretched into the clouds above.
Many had balconies draped with gray banners with the raven insignia, showing their heartfelt support for Saratoga Castle.
For the residents of Ravenfell, unwavering loyalty to Saratoga was a given. They were diehard fanatics through and through.
The city’s usual gray and moody atmosphere had long since shifted.
With the tournant now only months away, music started to echo through the streets and alleys throughout the day. People, both old and young, danced rrily in the squares.
Even the countless ravens perching on the roofs and trees within the city quietened down considerably, seemingly enjoying the festive mood that pervaded the city.
The city guards had it the toughest, however. They were already inford by the upper echelons of the city’s administration that this tournant was going to be vastly different than the ones before.
They weren’t told the exact reason, and were only told to increase their vigilance and to be always ready for any unforeseen circumstances that may arise.
The guards of the city were beginning to see why they had been warned.
Compared to the last Grand Magus Tournant held over a century ago, the crowd this ti was several tis larger.
An overwhelming flood of spectators was drawn to Ravenfell this ti, and the reason was more than just the tournant.
Suddenly, a large commotion swept through the southwestern part of the city when a large shadow lood over its skies.
When people raised their heads, they were stunned to see a massive flying dirigible slowly making its way to the skyport within the city.
Due to security concerns, all flying dirigibles were instructed to dock at the temporary skyport built outside the city walls, where they would have to go through a series of security checks before they were allowed entry into the city.
However, that rule did not apply to this aerial behemoth draped in banners of white and gold.
As the titanic dirigible gradually descended towards the skyport, the people nearby were finally able to see just it belonged to.
“The Tower of Daybreak!”
“They’re finally here!”
“The Magi of Daybreak are here!”
At once, the people near the skyport—mortals mostly—rushed towards its boundaries, eagerly wanting to see the Magi who would alight from the dirigible.
As ntioned earlier, the Tower of Daybreak had quite the reputation within the Empire, and its Magi were equally revered by the masses.
Amidst the thunderous cheers and applause, the Magi of Daybreak descended from the grand dirigible.
Most among them were Magi at the Mana Liquefaction Rank. Mana Foundation Magi were few as they were not here to participate but to broaden their horizons and gain experience.
At the head of the party stood a small group of Mana Vortex Magi, and the one leading them was soone Adam was all too familiar with.
It was a tall and muscular old man with white hair and a thick beard. His piercing blue eyes scanned the surroundings in great frustration.
He had been grumpy ever since more than a year ago when the legends of the Dark King started to circulate in the Empire.
It was none other than the Rank 3 – Mana Vortex Magus, Edwin Turner!
When Edwin spotted a small delegation of Magi from Saratoga Castle approaching to welco them, his temper flared.
He couldn’t hold it in any longer.
“Damn it all!” He growled, “I should’ve kidnapped him and dragged him to the Tower when I had the chance!”
Here’s a goal for you guys. If we reach 500 Golden Tickets by 16th May, I will drop 2 bonus chapters the following day 😉
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