The line moved slowly, but he wasn't really bothered. He was used to waiting this long.
He leaned back slightly in his creaky wooden chair, observing the others around him. So fidgeted with impatience, while others looked sleepy.
From ti to ti, he noticed troublemakers causing a commotion, and they were promptly escorted out by the guards.
Overall, he felt that the peace and order in this place weren't too bad—it could have been worse.
Not only that, but the hygiene of everyone around him was surprisingly good. He'd been wondering about it since he arrived.
Even when he t Ava, the beastkin didn't sll like animals at all. They all had a generally neutral scent, nothing overpowering or wild.
What stood out even more was how clean their teeth were—pristine white, as if they'd been ticulously cared for.
Maybe their saliva had a higher concentration of minerals like calcium or enzys, sothing that kept their teeth in perfect condition, unlike ordinary humans.
It was an odd observation, but it made him curious about the small differences in this world.
His thoughts were interrupted as the line moved forward.
Finally, it was his turn. A foxkin greeted him with a smile, her bright eyes taking in his appearance.
Her long orange hair frad her face in soft waves, with a few strands falling loosely over her shoulders. She wore a simple light-green tunic with delicate embroidery. Her ears, tipped with dark brown fur, twitched slightly as she gestured for him to step forward.
She was polite and professional as she began asking questions.
"Sir, what's your na and tribe?"
"Asher… As for a tribe, I don't really have one. I'm a traveler, new to this region." He gave a blunt answer, hoping it would suffice.
The foxkin raised an eyebrow but didn't press the matter. Her expression suggested this wasn't her first ti encountering soone like him.
"Any docunts from the other capitals or towns?"
"No," he replied, shaking his head.
She sighed, her ears twitching slightly. "Alright, since you don't have any docunts, you'll need to register for a new one. I'll ask you so questions to see if you're eligible to enter."
Asher felt all this paperwork was a hassle, but he complied, knowing he had to respect the culture and laws of the place.
"First, what's your business here in Alarath?"
"I just need information," he answered with a neutral tone. He wasn't sure how much to reveal, but a simple answer would suffice for now.
"Information for what?" she pressed, her tone more inquisitive.
He paused, considering what to say. After a mont, he answered, "Mostly about Arcane Arts."
At the ntion of Arcane, the foxkin's eyes widened in surprise. "Are you perhaps a sorcerer?"
"Yeah, what about it?"
Before she could respond, the foxkin girl bowed her head.
"Pardon for being disrespectful," she apologized. "Could you show an Arcane spell? In Alarath, all sorcerers are treated better because we want more to migrate to our city. If you prove yourself, you'll skip a lot of procedures and beco a first-class citizen right away."
Asher was a bit taken aback by the request, but the offer of benefits persuaded him.
He raised his hand slightly and muttered a spell under his breath.
A soft golden glow began to form, and delicate flowers, shimring with light, floated gently in his palm.
It was nothing more than a simple light spell—he had just bent the light in a way that made it appear more intricate and beautiful.
But even this simple display caught the attention of everyone around him. The room fell silent as people turned to watch, their eyes widening in awe as the flowers danced in the air.
Asher stopped, the golden flowers fading away. To him, they were overreacting.
"You really are a sorcerer!" she exclaid excitedly. "Please follow . Soone of your status needs the highest kind of service."
She quickly left her desk, bowed her head, and gestured toward the second floor.
He climbed the winding staircase, each step muffled by the soft carpeting beneath his boots.
When he reached the second floor, the foxkin escorting him gestured toward an ornately carved wooden door. With a firm push, the door creaked open, revealing a an office.
The room was bathed in natural light, pouring through the large, curved windows that stretched across the walls. Their wide fras captured the sweeping view of the grassland below.
Sunlight danced across the polished wooden desk, which held an open ledger. Rows of bookshelves lined the walls, packed with leather-bound tos.
In front of a stone fireplace adorned with gilded accents, two armchairs flanked a low table, creating an inviting space.
Asher sat in one of them, his gaze drifting toward the window. He tapped his fingers on the armrest, waiting patiently.
The door creaked open after a couple of minutes.
A foxkin woman entered, instantly drawing his attention. Her long silver hair shimred like moonlight, flowing down over her shoulders.
Her small nose and delicate whiskers gave her a playful young look. Her bright orange eyes t his, their sharpness softened by a warm smile.
She wore a rich burgundy and green gown adorned with golden trim, the fabric flowing elegantly as she stepped forward. The dress hugged her body just enough to highlight her proportion without diminishing the air of dignity she carried. With a polite nod, she stopped a few steps from him.
"You must be the sorcerer," she spoke with a soft voice. Explore hidden tales at My Virtual Library Empire
Asher nodded and watched as she took a seat across from him.
"Would you like so coffee?" she offered, her tone polite.
"No, thank you," he replied.
The foxkin woman smiled warmly and took a mont to compose herself.
"My na is Arya," she began, her voice calm yet friendly. "I'm in charge of this place and oversee matters like trade. But, of course, I know such titles an little to a sorcerer like you."
She was trying to ease the tension in the air, but Asher's blank expression remained unchanged. She was completely right—titles like hers held no importance to him.
"Let's get down to business," she said, her tone turning more professional. "I can process your docunts right away. May I ask for your family na?"
Deciding against using his real last na, he chose one inspired by one of his spells.
"Aureus," he responded, the word aning golden.
"Asher Aureus?" she repeated, her pen moving as she jotted it down.
After asking him a series of standard questions about his background, Arya set her pen down and called for an assistant.
A young beastkin entered the room, bowing briefly before taking the forms she handed over.
"Please process these imdiately," she instructed.
The assistant nodded and left quickly, leaving the two alone.
As they sat there, Arya leaned back in her chair, a thoughtful expression crossing her face.
"While we wait, I'd like to tell you about an opportunity you might find interesting, Sorcerer Asher Aureus."
Asher didn't look shocked; he had half-expected this, knowing soone of her rank wouldn't bother being polite unless there was an agenda.
"I'm listening," he gave her a chance to speak.
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