Chapter 5

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Chapter 5: Unexpected Connection

Elan and Solota crouched by the roadside, watching the merchant caravan about to enter the town.

At Elan’s nod, Solota approached the caravan. The sight of an unfamiliar knight made the caravan guards tense up instantly, and the leader quickly stepped forward.

“Hello, my knightly friend. How may we assist you? My name is Levis David.” he said in a warm tone, extending his hand while eyeing the squire’s badge pinned on Solota’s chest. Even though he knew the other was just a squire, he had to show respect to a knight.

After all, as a mercenary, he himself was only a knight-in-training, while this young man was already a squire with a clear path to becoming a patrol knight. There was no harm in earning his favor.

People like him understood relationships well. He had ten fingers’ worth of knights and mages who could help him when needed. He didn’t mind making another friend.

Solota hesitated for a moment but then extended his hand. As their hands clasped, he felt the subtle probing from the other man. Although Solota was somewhat naive, his talent was undeniable, and he quickly grasped the implication.

A gold coin slipped from his fingers into Levis’s palm.

“My friend and I are planning to enter the town ahead, Goldenlight Town, and we’d like to join your caravan,” Solota said, adjusting his sword to emphasize his point.

Levis understood immediately and nodded, taking out a document and pen from his pocket before looking at Solota.

“My name is Solota Payne, and my friend is Elan. No last name.”

“A commoner?” Levis asked in surprise.

“A commoner, yes. We met on the road and hit it off,” Solota replied, meeting Levis’s gaze and giving him a firm pat on the shoulder with his yellow gauntlet.

“You know, I’m just a squire myself,” Solota said with a meaningful smile, then waved for Elan, who slowly pushed a small cart out from the roadside.

Levis, knowing it was unnecessary to pry into others’ secrets, quickly wrote down their names, tucked the document back into his chest pocket, and said, “Alright, you can join us. The caravan will enter the town the day after tomorrow. We’ll be resting in the town for today and tomorrow to prepare some documents.”

“You’re free to do as you like in the meantime, but when we enter the town, I’d prefer if you stayed with us. I need to vouch for you, after all,” he added, his eyes drifting past Solota to Elan. The boy’s youthful face immediately caught his attention.

“My respected Viscount,” he said.

……

After successfully entering Goldenlight Town with the caravan and settling into the inn booked by the merchants, Elan and Solota shared a twin room. The merchant, Levis, who had negotiated with them earlier, soon came to visit.

Having traveled through the night, both young men were exhausted and ready for a good rest, but Levis’s arrival made them tense up again.

Levis closed the door behind him, casually grabbed a chair, and sat down, waving his hand to indicate they didn’t need to be so nervous. “My name is Levis David. Elan, you should know Hassan, right?”

“I’m one of his partners and have also worked with your father before. In fact, the person you’re supposed to meet is me. The passphrase is Gianna Autumnfrost.”

Solota looked at Elan, who nodded to confirm the man’s identity. With that established, the three of them relaxed into conversation. Levis pulled out a letter from his pocket and handed it to Elan.

“This is a letter from Her Highness, the Princess. She invites you to study at the Royal Magic Academy, but before that, we need to make a few small changes.”

“Changes?” Elan asked.

“Tell me, Elan, now that you’re no longer a viscount, what credentials do you have to enter the Royal Academy?” Levis replied.

Elan understood. The “changes” meant altering his identity. He couldn’t enter the academy as “Elan Yalan”, nor could he enter as a commoner.

“Far away in Red Sand City, a baron has a child named Elan Yalahato. This is the backup plan left by Moon. In fact, If he wished, he could reclaim the baron’s estate at any time.”

“After all, that’s his son,” Levis said nonchalantly, seeing Elan’s stunned expression. Then, with a sudden frown, he pulled out a large cigar from his pocket and asked, “May I?”

“Go ahead,” Elan replied. He didn’t mind the smell of smoke, even though he didn’t smoke himself. He had inhaled plenty of secondhand smoke from his father. Solota didn’t object either, as his former superior, Hassan, had been fond of smoking. It wasn’t unusual for knights to indulge in such things.

With their permission, Levis lit his cigar, and soon the room was filled with smoke.

“So, your identity will be that of the baron’s son, Elan Yalahato. When you meet Her Highness, remember, you are always Elan Yalahato.” Levis explained.

Elan nodded, though he carefully asked about Yalahato (Arlahato)’s personality.

“Personality? Hmm, a bit weak, not very talkative. Quite similar to you, in fact, more on the scholarly side,” Levis said, glancing at Elan’s slender frame with a slight smile. Compared to his tall and imposing father, Elan was indeed much smaller, taking after his mother.

Now that his magical abilities had awakened, Elan could see the flow of magic and elements. His father had often boasted that his mother, Gianna, could also perceive and manipulate the flows.

This ability to see tangible magic was something only Grand Magi of the sixth tier could initially master. It was this talent that had allowed Gianna to become a Forbidden Spell candidate in her twenties.

This talent had now been passed down to Elan, even though he hadn’t been able to unlock it until now.

After finishing his explanation, Levis left. The two young men were so exhausted that Elan’s eyelids were already drooping.

While they slept, Levis left the inn and entered a nearby tavern. He casually took a seat at the bar, and a few minutes later, a man in black sat beside him.

“You did well.”

“I don’t have much skill, just a knack for dealing with people,” Livius replied self-deprecatingly, taking a large swig of beer.

“Here’s your advance payment. If you’re interested in becoming a member of the Yalan family, I can recommend you.”

Accepting the heavy pouch, Levis let out a hearty laugh. “No need, I quite enjoy being a mercenary.”

The man in black didn’t press the issue, casually paying for Levis’s drink before leaving.

Levis watched him go, cursing in his heart, “You think I care about your little bit of money?”

“I’ll earn back this small sum soon enough! I’m helping Elan because of Viscount Yann!”

But this was something he couldn’t say out loud, so he just kept drinking.