The sun hung high over the Teljose Great Plains, its golden light casting a warm glow across the sprawling fields, where green waves of crops rippled in the breeze like an emerald ocean.
The air was thick with the scent of fresh earth and growing things, a vibrant pulse of life that stretched for thousands of square kilometers. Wheat plants, some as tall as a man, swayed gently, their golden heads heavy with grain, while wildflowers dotted the landscape in bursts of color crimson, violet, and yellow adding a delicate beauty to the fertile expanse.
The plains buzzed with the hum of insects and the distant calls of birds, a symphony of nature that spoke of abundance and peace.
In the heart of this vast region lay Teljose City, the central hub of the light Magi's domain, a beacon of prosperity and order on the South Coast.
Leylin's party traversed the well-trodden road, their carriage rolling steadily, its wooden wheels creaking softly, the leather canopy above fluttering in the wind.
Inside, Leylin and Anna sat on cushioned seats, the interior cool despite the heat outside, the scent of polished wood and leather mingling with the faint aroma of herbs from Anna's satchel.
Lancey drove the carriage, her hands steady on the reins, her blue hair catching the light as she guided the horses, their hooves kicking up small clouds of dust.
The Grand Knights Greem, Dexter, Faisal, Freed, Fraser, and Mandal rode on horseback alongside, their armor gleaming, their mounts snorting softly, their vigilance unwavering as they scanned the horizon.
Months had passed since their battle at the Golden Oasis, the journey a blur of landscapes and kingdoms, each more vibrant than the last. Leylin and his servants had moved steadily, their carriage a constant companion as they crossed into the light Magi's domain, leaving behind the desolate outlying territories of the dark Magi.
The South Coast was a land of contrasts, divided between two factions: the dark Magi, who thrived on violence and natural selection, their rule marked by bloodshed and terror in the barren outskirts; and the light Magi, who cherished peace and scientific inquiry, their fertile heartlands a testament to their governance.
Despite internal frictions among the various groups and academies within each faction, they united against external threats, a fragile cohesion born of necessity.
Leylin had observed the stark differences between the territories, noting the concentric circles of power—the light Magi claiming the rich central lands, while the dark Magi encircled them in the harsher periphery.
The light Magi's domain was undeniably more prosperous, its commoners enjoying a stability rare in the dark Magi's lands. Towns bustled with activity, markets overflowed with goods, and children played in the streets without fear, their laughter a stark contrast to the cowering silence of dark Magi villages.
The light Magi invested heavily in governance, their administration a complex web of laws and protections that ensured order, a far cry from the dark Magi's reliance on plunder and terror.
Leylin had swapped his black robes for a clean set of leather armor, the exquisite craftsmanship fitting his well-proportioned body like a second skin.
The armor was a mix of red and black, accentuating his broad shoulders and lean frame, lending him an air of heroic masculinity that belied his ruthless nature.
He knew the light Magi viewed their dark counterparts as adversaries, and he had no desire to provoke trouble in a trade center like Teljose City, where even dark Magi might lurk, selling contraband under the guise of neutrality.
The road widened as they neared the city, the path bustling with travelers. A female Magus on a winged steed soared overhead, her steed's feathers glinting in the sun, while an old geezer floated in a hot air balloon, a banner hanging from it proclaiming, "Welcome to Hookety's miscellaneous goods shop, we have a supply of…"
Dwarfs rumbled past in roaring machines, their futuristic vehicles spitting smoke, their laughter echoing as they sped along.
Regular humans, too, filled the road, their horse-drawn carriages laden with vegetables and fruits, their faces weathered but unafraid, offering respectful nods to the Magi they passed.
The harmony between Magi and mortals in the light Magi's domain was evident, a coexistence that puzzled Lancey, who accustomed to the terror Magi inspired in dark Magi lands, where even an Acolyte could empty a town.
In the light Magi's territory, white Purification Towers stood at intervals, their lofty spires gleaming, neutralizing the harmful radiation Magi emitted, allowing mortals to thrive alongside them. Leylin recalled seeing designs for such towers in the Abyssal Bone Forest Academy's library, but the dark Magi's disdain for such investments coupled with their preference for ruling through fear ensured their lands remained barren of such advancements.
"My Lord, you were correct," Lancey said, her voice tinged with awe as she glanced at a farmer who tipped his hat in greeting, her nod polite but hesitant. "The light Magi and regular humans really do coexist harmoniously!" Her blue eyes shone with wonder, a flicker of curiosity in her tone.
"And… there's no trace of radiation in any mortal's body. Does this have to do with the Purification Towers?"
"Yes, The Light Magi are willing to spend resources to maximize the profits brought by mortal beings," Leylin replied from inside the carriage, his voice flat but laced with a faint disdain, the words sharp with pragmatism. "While their counterpart, Dark Magi are too used to plundering and snatching. Building a civilization isn't really their strong suit."
Leylin gazed out the carriage window, his eyes tracing the endless green waves of the Teljose Great Plains, the crops rippling in the breeze, their vibrancy a testament to the land's fertility.
The plains spanned thousands of square kilometers, dotted with cities housing populations over 100,000, their rooftops faintly visible in the distance. Teljose City lay at the heart of this region, a bustling trade center.
The closer they drew to the city, the lusher the fields became, wheat stalks towering over the road, their golden heads bowing as if in reverence, the air rich with the scent of harvest-ready grain.
"The vegetation is lush and abundant here!" Leylin's voice carried a rare note of appreciation, a sigh escaping him as he closed the window.
"Isn't this very amazing? Are you a Magus from outside this region?" A female Magus on a red pony drew to a halt beside Lancey, her voice bright with curiosity, a gentle warmth in her tone as she addressed her.
The Knights tensed, their hands twitching toward their swords as the stranger approached, their instincts honed by months of perilous travel.
Suddenly a warm energy pulsed from the carriage, Leylin's silent command halted them, the Knights relaxed their posture but remained vigilant, their eyes sharp as they studied the newcomer.
The female Magus wore a white, Chinese-styled gown, its silk shimmering in the sunlight, a necklace of pearls and precious stones glinting around her neck. Her face was ordinary, but her gentle smile radiated kindness, her demeanor soft despite the energy waves of a Rank 1 Magus emanating from her.
A single layer of innate defensive spell shimmered faintly around her, sufficient to highlight her lack of combat experience, her presence more scholarly than magical.
She faintly glanced at the Knights, her eyes widening briefly looking at them, although she couldn't feel anything special from them, she had a flicker of unease crossing her face before she masked it, her curiosity turning toward the passenger in the carriage.
The sight of an official Magus driving and these Knights who can make her feel danger serving as mere guards, hinted at a powerful figure within, her mind racing with speculation about the "hotshot" inside.
"That's right, Miss," Lancey said, her voice warm and disarming, a harmless smile playing on her lips as her blue hair danced in the quiet wind. "I come from afar and am a wandering Magus! You can call me Lancey!"