"Who did this?"
A Carian soldier, who had arrived at the tavern to handle the incident, examined the unconscious mercenary's injuries. He looked up at the bartender with a flash of surprise in his eyes.
"Uh, it was a wandering sorcerer who just arrived in town. I believe he's headed toward the Academy now to seek enrollment..." the bartender explained after a brief hesitation.
"A sorcerer?"
The Carian soldier was visibly stunned for a moment by the answer.
"Is there a problem?" the bartender asked, his curiosity piqued by the soldier's reaction.
"No, nothing..."
The Carian soldier shook his head and turned his attention back to the wound on the mercenary's head.
"Captain, we should move him out," one of the guards from the squad said as he walked over to the Carian soldier's side.
The soldier nodded and waved his hand, signaling the men to carry the mercenary away. As for the other participant in the brawl—wherever he had gone—they didn't particularly care. Since the other party had already left the scene and hadn't drawn a weapon, the guards chose to turn a blind eye during these chaotic times. They didn't have the manpower to go around sketching portraits and launching manhunts over a tavern scuffle.
He was just a mercenary who'd had too much to drink and acted on impulse; he wasn't anyone of importance.
However, the soldier was quite interested in the "sorcerer" who had clubbed the man into oblivion. Judging by the nature of the wound and the mercenary's condition, the force used had been perfectly controlled—and the weapon had been a glintstone staff.
This implied that the individual possessed not only immense physical strength but also an extraordinary level of bodily control. In other words, he didn't have the physique of a typical sorcerer; he felt more like a battle-hardened veteran.
While there were sorcerers who possessed great physical power, they were a rare breed and usually received special attention. The Haima Conspectus, for instance, was a group the Carians watched closely. Unlike the "bookworms" of other conspectuses who possessed power but lacked the means to apply it, the Haima sorcerers were true mages who understood how to bring their power to bear on a battlefield.
They were much like the Carian sorcerers and knights.
Aside from the Haima Conspectus, the only others he knew of with such powerful physiques were the Carian Glintstone Knights. The Lazuli Conspectus only engaged in a moderate amount of physical training by comparison.
Regardless, he felt it necessary to report this information to his superiors. If the man truly belonged to the Haima Conspectus, there was no need for concern; he might even become a comrade-in-arms in the future. But if he wasn't... then there might be a problem.
At least, that was how the soldier saw it.
Meanwhile, Mohg had already wound his way through the streets of the Gate Town, arriving at the residential district near the Academy entrance. This area was inhabited by those with status and wealth within the town.
A significant number of soldiers were stationed here, though most were Cuckoo soldiers; Carian personnel were nowhere to be seen. It was unclear whether the Academy and the Cuckoos had intentionally arranged it this way, or if the Carian family simply didn't have the energy to spare for these mercenaries.
"Hey, you! Get—cough... excuse me, please stop. May I ask what your business is?"
A Cuckoo soldier saw Mohg approaching and stepped forward with a frown, preparing to shout a reprimand. However, the moment he saw Mohg's attire and the staff at his waist, his expression shifted instantly into one of professional courtesy.
"I am a wandering sorcerer. My name is Gwyn," Mohg said, glancing at the man. "I have come to the Academy of Raya Lucaria to seek further knowledge."
"I see. I shall go inside and report this. Please wait a moment."
The Cuckoo soldier nodded and hurried inside. Unsure of Mohg's actual strength, he felt it was better to be cautious. If this turned out to be a powerful sorcerer, he would be the one suffering the consequences of any rudeness.
Before long, a neatly dressed Cuckoo Knight emerged from a nearby building and approached Mohg.
"Wandering sorcerer, might I ask which conspectus you originally belonged to?"
"I belong to no conspectus. I am a stargazer from the lands beyond. However, if I must say... I suppose I am more akin to a sorcerer of the Haima Conspectus."
The Cuckoo Knight had initially shown a hint of disdain upon hearing that Mohg wasn't affiliated with a major house, but he quickly reined in his expression after the second half of the sentence. Generally, people who made such claims might have varying degrees of magical mastery, but their "physical mastery" was never low.
"Then, what is your intention in coming here now?"
"I am aware that both Caria and the Academy are in a state of war preparation. I have received favors from both in the past, so I wish to contribute my strength to this coming conflict."
Mohg recited his prepared lines calmly, looking the man directly in the eye.
"...I will inform the Academy and let them make the decision," the Cuckoo Knight replied after studying Mohg for a short while.
Ultimately, he decided to toss this "trouble" to the Academy to solve. If anything went wrong, it wouldn't be his responsibility. If nothing went wrong, it didn't matter if the man was accepted or kicked out—it didn't hurt the Knight either way.
"My thanks."
Mohg nodded to the Cuckoo Knight and stepped to the side to wait. This interaction slightly adjusted his view of the Cuckoos; at least it proved that not everyone among them was a complete scumbag or a money-blinded fool.
A short time later, a sorcerer wearing an Academy Glintstone Crown arrived, led by a Cuckoo soldier. Mohg observed the man and noted he was from the Karolos Conspectus.
"Greetings, traveler from afar. I hear you wish to join the Academy?" the sorcerer asked in a flat, neutral tone after offering a formal salute.
"I do."
Mohg returned the salute, a gesture that earned a slight nod of approval from the sorcerer.
"Under normal circumstances, such a request would not be granted so easily. However, these are extraordinary times. If you can demonstrate your magical aptitude, we can allow you to join. Be aware, however, that for a period after joining, you will be subject to a degree of supervision. I trust you understand."
"I understand."
Mohg nodded, then raised the staff at his waist.
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Elden Ring: As the Consort, I Reject Miquella (369 Chapters – Ongoing)
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