Another month passed on the road as the traveling party continued their journey to Moon City.
It was the monsoon season, and the party had to withstand the heavy rainfall on its way. The path was tough to traverse, but thanks to the sturdy scaled horses, they didn't face many problems.
Other than that, they were attacked by magical beasts a handful of times. But these beasts were defeated by the mercenaries traveling with them. Till now, there had been no casualties.
Although these mercenaries couldn't wield mana, that didn't mean they couldn't fight.
More than thirty strong mercenaries traveled with the party, and they easily took care of any magical beasts that attacked. But everyone knew the closer they got to the Nightingale Kingdom, the number of beasts would increase.
Not just their numbers, but also their strength. At that point, these mortal mercenaries would become useless. But fortunately, three Rank 1 Magi were also traveling with the party. They were assigned by the Clover Academy to safely bring the children to Moon City.
Till now, the Magi had yet to make a move. But when they did, all the children believed that it would be a sight to behold.
In the past month, Adam continued to diligently exercise and hone his fighting skills every day.
Jeffrey had gathered a few other kids and had come to look for trouble with Adam a few times. But every time the group confronted him, they would be severely beaten, and at the end of it, Adam would come out a richer man.
After a certain point, the kids simply stopped bothering him.
Due to the disparity in their classes, none of the children in the party tried to befriend Adam. Although he was silently hurt by this, he grew to live with it. He never had friends growing up and lived alone for most of his life. It was sad, but nothing new.
To him, all that mattered was strengthening himself and focusing on becoming a Magus.
Although none of the kids spoke to him, the same couldn't be said about the mercenaries. After all, Adam was a prospective Magus. Who wouldn't want to form a healthy relationship with a future spellcaster?
On this day, Adam sat by a smaller bonfire and had dinner with a few of these mercenaries. He loudly chewed the food in his mouth and asked a man sitting beside him on a wooden log, "Rick, you said you're from Moon City, no? Can you tell me more about the city?"
Rick was a middle-aged mercenary with a receding hairline. He had a scar over his left eye, which Adam thought was very trendy. He tore a piece of meat from the bone and replied with a laugh:
"In my life, I've been fortunate enough to travel to most of the kingdoms in the Southern Federation. But I can confidently say that Moon City is the best among all the places I've visited!"
Adam inquired with bright eyes, "Tell me what it's really like!"
Rick chugged a copper cup filled with ale and replied, "Hmm, where should I begin?"
The man thought for a good few moments and then continued, "There is the River Aurei that flows through the city, dividing it into two sections, the North Ward and the South Ward.
"The North Ward is where most of the nobles live, and it is also where the royal palace is located. As for the South Ward, that's where the Clover Academy campus is. Hmm… what else is there?" Rick pondered hard.
A female mercenary, Lyla, sitting beside Rick, rolled her eyes. "You idiot, how can you forget the Lunar Bridge?"
"That's right!" Rick laughed abashedly as he slapped his thigh. "There's Lunar Bridge, the most famous landmark in the city."
"What's so special about this bridge?" Adam asked curiously.
This time it was Lyla who answered, "The Lunar Bridge crosses the River Aurei and connects the North Ward to the South Ward. The bridge is a product of magic and is rumored to have been built by dwarves.
"Every time the twin moons, Selene and Luna, appear in the night sky, the Lunar Bridge comes alive and shines brightly, reflecting the splendor of the moons."
"Whoa!" Adam asked in amazement, "A product of magic?!"
The few mercenaries sitting by the bonfire nodded and began talking about the various things to do in Moon City. The more Adam heard, the more he wished that he had arrived at this magnificent city sooner.
Then, the topic switched to Magi. One of the mercenaries spoke with a slur. Clearly, he was a bit tipsy. "Magi are very common in Moon City and are respected by all. I've even heard rumors about a secret neighborhood there that can only be accessed by Magi."
"Really?" Adam asked excitedly.
All the mercenaries nodded.
"I can't wait to enter Clover Academy and become a Magus!" Adam clenched his fists and spoke with determination.
Lyla looked at him and chuckled. "When you become a Magus, don't forget to hire us for any tasks you have."
Adam suddenly realized why the mercenaries were being so amiable with him. But he didn't mind it. They meant him no ill will, after all. He nodded. "Of course."
Hearing his affirmation, the few mercenaries by the small campfire felt gratified. They continued to talk for a long time and even made Adam try ale for the first time.
They also quite liked the boy. He was neither arrogant nor overbearing, like the other kids in the traveling party. They got along quite well with each other.
On the other side, a few kids, including Jeffrey, hatefully glared at Adam drinking and having fun with the mercenaries.
A brown-haired boy with freckles gnashed his teeth and said, "Are we going to do something about the farm boy or not? That scumbag took my sword! It was a family heirloom, damn it!"
Jeffrey coldly looked at this youth and snorted. "Then why don't you go to him and ask for your sword back?"
The freckled boy couldn't come up with a reply. A few days ago, he was kicked in the butt so hard by Adam that it still hurt.
Seeing the boy not reply, Jeffrey scoffed. "Didn't think so."
He turned his attention back to Adam, who seemed to be already drunk, and thought to himself, The intensity of magical beasts will increase when we near the borders of Nightingale Kingdom…
A hostile glint flickered in his eyes, and dark thoughts arose in his mind.
I'll deal with you amidst the chaos when the beasts attack. You lowly peasant dare take my money and humiliate me? I'll make sure you never reach Moon City!