The line to enter the capital was enormous. The Mu family’s carriage inched forward, centiter by centiter.
Through the window, Kyrian observed the division at the gates.
To the left, a more organized line, with guards carefully checking docunts.
To the right, a chaotic stream of rchants, travelers, and city residents.
"The left side is for exam participants," Yanyu explained, following his gaze.
"They must confirm our identity and age."
Finally, after waiting for a long ti, it was their turn.
A guard with a golden insignia approached, his face showing a serious expression.
"Nas and proof of identity," the man said monotonously.
Yanyu handed over a letter sealed with the Mu family emblem, then spoke.
"Mu Yanyu and Kyrian, of the Mu family from Misty City."
The guard quickly read the letter.
"Step down from the carriage. We will confirm your ages."
They then stepped down, watching another guard approach, holding a smooth, transparent blue crystal.
"Just place your hands here. It will glow green if you are under eighteen."
Yanyu went first. A soft green light emanated from the stone.
"Approved," said the guard.
Kyrian then stepped forward. When his hand touched the cold surface of the crystal, the green light appeared. But sothing peculiar happened. The light seed to flicker for a brief mont, with an almost imperceptible blue glow that lasted only a fraction of a second.
It rged with the green before disappearing.
The guard holding the crystal froze. His eyes jumped from the crystal to Kyrian’s blue eyes, then back to the crystal. He remained silent.
"Sothing wrong?" Kyrian asked suddenly, noticing the delay. His cold voice snapped the guard out of his stupor.
"Y-yes. Everything is fine, approved!" His voice sounded a bit shrill.
He quickly signaled for them to pass. And as the Mu family’s carriage entered the city and rged with the city traffic, the guard pulled a small communication stone from his pocket.
He sent his Qi to the stone and spoke.
"Alert from the south gate. A special-physique individual has just entered the city for the exam. His na is Kyrian. He is accompanied by Mu Yanyu from Misty City."
The guard did not have to wait long. A voice responded almost instantly.
"Understood! Good work."
...
In the city, Kyrian and Yanyu searched for a place to stay for the next few days. But the search proved frustrating.
Every inn they went to seed full. The Mu family’s coachman inford them he would return to their hotown, leaving them alone in the bustling capital.
As they pondered what to do, Kyrian suddenly turned, his senses on high alert.
A group of royal guards, dressed in armor far more elaborate than the n at the gate, approached with firm steps.
"Young Master Kyrian? Young Miss Yanyu?" The leader of the guard squad asked, nodding respectfully, though his expression remained impassive.
Kyrian stayed silent, evaluating them. Yanyu tensed beside him.
"Yes?" she responded, her voice slightly hesitant.
"Accommodation has been prepared for you until the end of the preliminary exam. Please, follow us."
Kyrian exchanged a glance with Yanyu. He sensed no hostility from them, only cold formality and perhaps a trace of envy in the eyes of so younger guards.
He nodded in agreent.
The two were escorted into a closed carriage, pulled by impressive beasts and marked with the royal army emblem.
The journey took them away from the noisy center, entering a district of wide, silent streets with many high walls and imposing gates.
"This... is the noble district of the capital," Yanyu whispered, gazing out the window in admiration.
"Look at the emblems! That one belongs to one of the three great families of the capital."
The carriage stopped before a slightly more modest gate, still far more impressive than anywhere they had stayed before.
The gate led to a quiet courtyard and an elegant two-story residence.
"Young Master, Miss, the preliminary exam will take place in four days at the central square. Until then, feel free to settle in." With a final bow, the man left with the carriage, leaving them alone in front of the unfamiliar house.
Once the guards left, Yanyu asked,
"Do you understand why this is?"
Yanyu said thoughtfully, then looked into Kyrian’s eyes.
"Ah... they’ve probably already noticed... your special physique. That almost guarantees your acceptance into the sect."
"Soone is likely trying to establish a good relationship with you in advance. In the coming days, I wouldn’t be surprised if invitations start arriving."
Kyrian understood. It made sense. He rembered the guards at the city gate. Their eyes had been easy to notice.
They then entered the house and chose their rooms. The fox curled up in Kyrian’s room, still in deep sleep.
It seed it would sleep for a few more days. He could see the fox’s strength gradually increasing.
When Kyrian left his room, Yanyu t him in the hallway.
"Where are you going?" she asked.
"Restaurant," Kyrian replied quickly, without thinking, with a slight smile.
Yanyu sighed, crossing her arms.
"Why am I not surprised?"
They then went out to explore the city. At the edge of the district, a line of carriages waited.
They got in and asked the coachman to take them to the best restaurant in the city.
He nodded, and the carriage sped through the wide city streets.
Hours later, they were in a private room of a luxurious restaurant, with polished tables and delicate dishes.
Kyrian ate without haste, leaving nothing behind. The smile never left his face as he chewed the food.
Yanyu, in contrast, looked at each dish brought by the waiters with wide eyes. She ate but almost cried when she saw the final bill.
"This... could support several months of living in Misty City," she murmured.
Kyrian calmly wiped his mouth and then said,
"Don’t worry about it. When we reach the sect, I’ll pay you."
Yanyu sighed, but seeing Kyrian’s satisfied face, she nodded with a smile.
It was already night when they returned to the mansion lent to them.
Upon opening the door, they noticed sothing on the floor, illuminated by the dim hallway light.
Kyrian picked up the letter and opened it without hesitation. Yanyu, seeing the emblem on it, inhaled sharply, eyes wide.
"This is... the royal family crest!!"
Kyrian didn’t react and read the contents silently.
Inside, the handwriting was impeccable, the ink seeming to glow in the dim light.
The letter formally and directly invited them.
"The distinguished Young Master Kyrian and the talented Miss Mu Yanyu are invited to attend the Crown Prince’s birthday celebration."
The party would be held at the royal palace the following night and would gather all the outstanding young talents who ca for the exam.
Yanyu’s eyes grew wider and wider as she listened to Kyrian.
"The... the royal palace? Tomorrow? And I’m invited too!?"
Kyrian, after reading, closed the letter, his gaze reflecting the sa calm as always.
"Hmmm. Should I go?" Kyrian murmured.
"WHAT DO YOU AN, ’SHOULD I GO?’ OF COURSE WE’RE GOING!" Yanyu exclaid suddenly, grabbing the letter from Kyrian.
"Tsk." Kyrian clicked his tongue and went up to his room but did not refuse.
In fact, he was also interested.
"This Crown Prince probably lent us this house. I have to settle that debt sohow."
"So it costs nothing to go." Kyrian decided as he lay on his bed, the fox sleeping beside him.
Then, finally, he fell asleep.
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