Because this is an important hub in the Rhode Kingdom leading to the Academic State, and becoming a Mage is the ultimate dream for countless ordinary people who believe themselves to be exceptionally talented.
Just like the young n in the Holy City all dream of joining the Royal Knight Order.
Although becoming a Mage is far more difficult than becoming a Knight or Adventurer, relatively speaking, the status and treatnt of Mages are incomparable to the latter two.
Moreover, it is rumored that the Academic State has been trying to explore the boundaries of the Soul and attempting to extract energy from the Void Realm from the Outer Realm.
So Mages have even gone beyond the shackles of their own Soul, breaking through bottlenecks that were originally considered impossible!
A higher Soul Level not only ans having a broader sky in this life but also a higher starting point in the next reincarnation.
This latter aspect is particularly appealing to young people from civilian families.
Because every year many young n suspected of being Awakeners venture to the Northern Wilderness to try their luck, providing accommodation and als for travelers heading to the Academic State for "interviews" has naturally beco an important economic source for the Eagle Rock Territory.
Although the local Lord, like other feudal lords of the Rhode Kingdom, greatly dislikes those Mages who steal young laborers from their territories, at least on the surface, they have tacitly allowed the migration of people through their lands.
After entering the Eagle Rock Territory, the road mixed with snowwater beca more muddy, and the number of pedestrians increased.
They travel in groups of three and five, wearing different outfits, but all sharing the sa expression — a mix of anticipation for the Future and exhaustion from the journey.
These people are all "Pilgrims" heading to the Academic State.
Luo Yan did not disturb anyone's thoughts, but his carriage itself was an unspoken "disturbance."
Its body made of precious timber is extrely rare in the Northern Realm.
And whether it is the smooth driving posture or the two shiny horses pulling the carriage, all of them vividly demonstrate the owner's extraordinary wealth.
In this group mixed with pedestrians and weary riders, it is like a white swan mistakenly entering a group of ducks.
Soon, trouble ca knocking.
A young man and woman, riding two slightly tired packhorses, deliberately caught up from the back of the group and rode alongside Luo Yan's carriage.
The man was handso, the woman beautiful, and you could tell their clothing was once very luxurious, but the edges showed signs of wear, clearly revealing that this long trip exhausted much of their resources.
But undoubtedly, they were certainly not from the Holy City, otherwise, they would never fail to recognize what the Purple Moon Badge symbolized.
"Good afternoon, venerable sir."
The handso young man's face was full of warm yet comrcial smiles as he loudly addressed the direction of the carriage, "I am Julian, and this is my sister Lianna. We are seekers of knowledge from the Holy City, also heading to the Academic State. In the bitter cold of the Northern Realm, encountering a fellow traveler of such tasteful elegance as you, is truly invigorating!"
He spoke while casually glancing at the corner of the carriage adorned not with a family crest but with intricate purple moon patterns.
Though he couldn't recognize the symbol, any family able to use purple as their heraldry has been wealthy for a very long ti.
Before Luo Yan could respond, his sister Lianna let out a perfectly tid gentle sigh.
She delicately placed a frostbitten red hand on her chest, wrinkles forming a pity-inducing frown: "Oh, Julian, this wind is really too cold. I do wish there was a place where we could shelter from this biting chill."
Her gaze fluttered like a feather toward the curtain of the carriage window.
This duo's act had clearly been practiced many tis.
Their goal was clear: using their outstanding appearance and knowledge from the tropolis to win the favor of this wealthy "seeker," thereby catching a ride and possibly climbing to a new place of dependence.
On the Aus Continent, to the Nobles outside the Holy City, the na "Holy City" always made them look up to it.
This trick had served them well countless tis!
Julian imdiately chid in upon hearing that: "Yes, sir. My sister is frail and cannot endure the cold. I wonder if we might be fortunate enough to temporarily borrow your carriage for so shelter? Even if just to the next village or town… We would be deeply grateful!"
He waited for a long while.
Yet the carriage interior remained utterly silent, as if their performance was in vain, given only to the air.
Just as Julian's smile was about to freeze, Sarah, who had been silently driving, slowly turned her face and looked at them.
Those were eyes colder than the chilling wind, seeming to make the swirling snowflakes pause in an instant.
The surrounding noise seed to vanish. The sound of the wind, hooves, people's chatter… everything fell silent, leaving only an icy murderous air.
The air beca thick and heavy, pressing on Julian until he could hardly breathe. All his prepared words stuck in his throat, his mind turned blank.
Beside him, Lianna was equally pale in shock, a fear rooted in biological instinct gripping her throat as if an invisible poisonous snake held it, even preventing her from crying out.
After just two seconds of eye contact, Sarah withdrew her gaze, again looking ahead as if nothing had occurred.
"Uh… we… we won't intrude!"
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