The Sorcerer Kingdom, set in a prime location at the very heart of the city.
Villas bathed in magical light stood in neat rows, their designs so unique they looked as though they had stepped straight out of a fairy tale.
Their walls were painted in deep purples and dark blues.
The windows came in all kinds of fantastical shapes, some like a dragon's eye, others like the wings of an elf, creating a dazzling and dreamlike scene.
Surrounding the villas was a dense forest. The trees were tall and twisted, as if they possessed lives of their own.
The gardens were filled with rare and exotic plants, their enchanting fragrance making the place feel like a realm out of a dream.
"Creak…"
The door of one of the villas slowly opened, and a figure with dragon horns stepped out.
Taking in the pleasing scenery around him, the Clear Light Dragon Lord stretched lazily.
It had already been a few months since he came to the Sorcerer Kingdom.
From the initial discomfort to now, he had completely adapted to life in this extraordinary nation.
He had not only secured a position as a lecturer at the Magic Academy, but had also obtained an official post and even bought a house in this prime district.
Thinking back on everything that had happened during this time, he couldn't help but feel a sense of amazement.
This was far more interesting than staying in the Floating City.
The only issue was that there was still no news about the Guild weapon.
But it didn't matter. Judging from the current situation, the three Players in the Sorcerer Kingdom hadn't obtained it either. He had plenty of time to keep searching.
As he stepped out of the courtyard, his neighbor happened to come out as well.
It was a burly Minotaur. Though his race couldn't compare to that of a noble Dragon Lord, his status here was no lower.
He came from a powerful Minotaur nation on the Central Continent and liked to call himself a "Sage," claiming he had come here to find fellow countrymen or something along those lines.
Relying on his strength at the level of the Realm of Heroes, he had earned quite a bit of money, and with that, passed the Magic Academy's evaluation, becoming a lecturer just like him.
"Hey, old bull."
The Clear Light Dragon Lord greeted him lazily.
Both of them were outsiders. They had taken the exam together, become lecturers together, bought villas together, and even ended up as neighbors.
With such similar experiences, their relationship had naturally become quite good.
Not to mention, when he had first arrived in the Sorcerer Kingdom, this guy had helped him out.
Even if the other party had only intended to use him to cut in line at the time, so what?
A favor was still a favor.
As a noble dragon, the Clear Light Dragon Lord had no interest in owing anyone.
For that reason, he had reluctantly lowered himself to get along with the other.
Though, the guy in front of him clearly didn't have a good sense of his place.
"Hey, you narcissistic lizard."
"How many times have I told you? Call me Sage. 'Old bull' sounds ridiculous. Do I look that old to you?"
The Minotaur Sage snorted.
He strode up to the Clear Light Dragon Lord, hooked an arm around his head, and spoke without any restraint.
"Cough… you bastard, let go of me."
With his head locked in place, the Clear Light Dragon Lord struggled, slapping at the arm repeatedly, but to little effect.
To avoid exposing his identity, he had sealed most of his power before entering the Sorcerer Kingdom, leaving himself with only strength around the Realm of Heroes.
He had thought that would be more than enough.
But he hadn't expected that, in terms of pure physical strength, he would actually be suppressed by a mere Minotaur.
What a disgrace. He was a Dragon Lord, after all.
Hearing the commotion, people from nearby villas began peeking out one after another. When they saw the two of them, they could only sigh in exasperation.
Here they go again…
These two jokers put on the same scene every single day. Didn't they ever get tired of it?
A Dragonoid and a Minotaur hanging out together all day… it really was a strange sight.
"Now you see how it feels. Be more careful next time."
Figuring that was enough, the Minotaur Sage finally let go, speaking with a satisfied grin.
Maybe his old life had been too dull, because lately he'd been letting himself go a bit.
For some reason, he felt a strange sense of affinity with this dragonoid in front of him.
With that mischievous streak kicking in, he couldn't help teasing him. And honestly, it was pretty fun.
"Hmph. Just you wait."
A trace of anger flashed through the Clear Light Dragon Lord's slit pupils.
But he didn't say anything more. If the other guy pulled that again, his current strength wouldn't be able to handle it.
Just you wait.
A Dragon Lord's dignity isn't something to be trampled on. He would remember this.
"Sure, sure. I'll be waiting~"
The Minotaur Sage replied lazily, completely unconcerned.
With his strength, let alone a mere Dragonoid, even a single True Dragon Lord wouldn't faze him.
If not for the risk of getting ganged up on, he wouldn't have had to keep laying low all this time.
Even so, after staying in the Sorcerer Kingdom for so long, although he had gathered quite a bit of useful information, the most important pieces were still out of reach.
For example, the identities of his three fellow countrymen.
What a headache.
According to the announcement, the Sorcerer Kingdom would soon be holding a festival. When that time came, those three would surely show themselves.
Hopefully, he could use that opportunity to gather some useful intelligence.
Until he could ensure his safety, it was better not to stand out and just continue quietly working as a lecturer.
"Hmph!"
The Clear Light Dragon Lord snorted and strode off.
He still had work to do. A group of exchange students from the Holy Kingdom would be arriving, and he was responsible for receiving them and handling their enrollment.
Meanwhile...
Watching the Clear Light Dragon Lord's departing figure, the Minotaur Sage slowly let his smile fade, then casually headed off in the opposite direction.
He was off today, with nothing to do.
First, breakfast.
Then, a trip to the tavern for some "seafood abalone."
Recently, due to the war between the Theocracy and the Elf Country, a large amount of fresh "abalone" had flooded the market. Supposedly, the taste was excellent.
Well… he definitely had to give it a try.