Orion considered it for a mont, "Hmm, let's go to the fourth ring. We can start by visiting the Adventurer Guild."
Edgar nodded his head, "That's expected. Which young man wouldn't want to visit the place where the Kingdom's most hotheaded people gather? That's a nice place to start with."
Orion agreed with him, and they both stepped towards the luxurious carriage waiting for them outside, finding Lucan already seated in the driver's spot, whistling cheerfully to himself.
"Morning, Young Master! Are we heading sowhere exciting today?" Lucan asked enthusiastically, turning to face Orion with a bright grin.
"Good morning, Lucan," Orion replied with a faint smile. "We're heading to the Adventurer Guild first. Focus on the road and don't get distracted by the beauties here."
Lucan's grin widened confidently. "Of course! Who do you think I am? I'm a professional driver! I won't get lost this easily."
"That's what worries ," Orion sighed dramatically, making Edgar chuckle lightly. Both of them stepped into the carriage.
Lucan pouted briefly but quickly shook it off, guiding the horses gently onto the street. As the carriage smoothly rolled forward, Orion sat comfortably across from Edgar, looking out the window with anticipation.
"This carriage is so much better than our previous one," he sighed and said, feeling as if a commoner had beco a noble all of a sudden.
Edgar chuckled, "Master didn't want to attract too much attention, so he used a normal one before."
Orion nodded his head and looked out of the window. The streets of the second ring were pristine, lined with impeccably maintained gardens and luxurious estates just like yesterday.
Every building they passed exuded grace, their grand entrances guarded by vigilant warriors who subtly observed all passing traffic. It was clear that each mansion was a powerhouse of influence and prestige inside the Kingdom.
"Have you been here often, Uncle Edgar?" Orion asked, curiosity evident in his voice.
Edgar nodded thoughtfully. "I've accompanied Master Eldric countless tis to events hosted by the nobility. Each noble house in this ring is a force to be reckoned with. Power, influence, and politics intertwine heavily here."
"You see those guards?" He pointed at the guards stationed outside the estates of Dukes.
Orion nodded his head.
"Most of them are either Tier Seven or Tier Eight experts," he said.
Orion raised an eyebrow, "Huh? But I rember Grandpa telling that Tier 4 to Tier 6 Awakeners are the backbone of a kingdom. And Tier 7 to Tier 9 powerhouses are national treasures."
Edgar chuckled, "He probably didn't want to scare you and told you about the smaller kingdoms. After all, Thunderpeak is one of the strongest kingdoms of Humans."
Orion softly nodded his head. From the looks of it, he had underestimated the noble houses of this Kingdom.
"Uncle Edgar, what level is above the Ninth Tier?" he asked what had been on his mind. He hadn't found information about this even in his dragon inheritance. But Lumi told him it was due to his young age; as he slowly grew older, more and more of his inheritance would be unlocked.
Edgar smiled mysteriously, "That is too far away from you, Young Master. No point in thinking about that, or you might get discouraged from the sheer strength gap."
"Oh, co on, I'm not that weak. Just tell ," Orion insisted on knowing.
Edgar gently shook his head, "It's for your own good, Young Master. The absolute majority of humans can't cross the level above the Ninth Tier. It's not only due to the absurd talent required but it is also affected by the Mana Channels opened in the first Nine Tiers."
Orion calmly analyzed the information. "How many Mana Channels would I need to open to surpass the Ninth Level?"
Edgar thought for a mont, "You will need at the very least 45 Channels opened to reach beyond the Ninth Tier. The nobles here have multiple powerhouses above the Ninth Tier, especially the Duke Houses in the second ring."
Orion absorbed the information, carefully observing the mansions and noting their distinct crests and banners.
He wondered what kind of interactions he might have with these powerful families during his stay in Stormspire. 'This is getting more and more fun. I gotta grind the levels here as quickly as I can.'
***
Soon, the carriage passed through the gates separating the second ring from the third. Guards in impressive armor saluted respectfully as Lucan showed Eldric's token, quickly granting them passage.
The transition to the third ring was subtle yet noticeable. Buildings were still grand, though clearly less extravagant compared to the second ring.
A clear military presence added an air of strict discipline and control here. Soldiers patrolled the streets regularly, going from one place to another, their presence intimidating the young nobles who were walking to and from their estates.
"This ring feels quite strict," Orion remarked, his gaze lingering on a squad of patrolling soldiers marching by.
Edgar nodded while gazing out. "Indeed. The third ring is ho to the nobility's residences, military barracks, the Mage Tower, and a couple more structures. It's more structured and disciplined than the other rings, with both military and aristocracy staying here."
Orion turned his attention to the Mage Tower, visible even from their current distance.
Its towering structure was magnificent, surrounded by a mystical aura that shimred gently against the morning sun.
Orion's eyes sparkled with excitent as he imagined going inside the Mage Tower to learn all of the secrets and wonders within.
"I can't wait to visit that tower," Orion murmured softly.
"You definitely will, Young Master," Edgar reassured him. "It's a place of great knowledge and magic. Most of the Kingdom's qualified Mages gather there. Perhaps your talents could be further honed there."
"You really think so?" Orion asked smugly. He knew full well of his talents. And if soone said that he was untalented, then no one in this world would be talented.
"Certainly," Edgar chuckled and nodded. "I can feel the Mana flowing naturally around you, as if it's eager to follow you. However, you don't have to worry about others finding out. One needs to be at a certain level and spend quite so ti with you to recognize it."
Orion rubbed his chin thoughtfully. 'Hmm… That's… troubleso? Do I even want to conceal that I'm a genius in the first place?'
[Master doesn't need to hide with the protection of Grandpa Eldric and Grandma Selene. Let all the ignorant idiots of this Kingdom see what true talent is! (๑>
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