They dismounted their griffins at the city’s edge, the majestic creatures folding their wings as they settled onto the ground. While the griffins could have easily soared over the towering walls, the city had strict regulations against aerial entry.

The path leading up to the gate was sparsely populated, not due to any lack of appeal, but because of the treacherous mountain trails that served as the only access point. The Snowpeak Mount, as it was known, stood in stark contrast to the gentler landscapes William was accustomed to.

“This is The Snowpeak Mount. What do you think?” Gorn asked, a hint of pride in his voice.

Even having traversed through worlds thus seeing great things back on Earth, William found himself captivated by the city’s grandeur. Its ancient stone architecture, accented by the subtle shimmer of ambient magic, exuded an aura of timeless wonder.

“Looking pretty magical,” William admitted, his gaze sweeping over the cityscape. “But how long do we have to wait until the exam?”

“A few days. Let’s get inside, shall we?” Gorn gestured towards the imposing front gate.

The guards, clad in gleaming armor, conducted a thorough search, their practiced hands expertly checking for any contraband.

“Why are you two coming to the city?” one guard inquired, his voice sharp and alert.

“I am taking him to the exam to enter the magic school,” Gorn explained patiently. “After everything is done, I’ll be leaving.”

The guard’s stern expression softened slightly. “Oh, another student coming for the exam,” he remarked with a hint of amusement. “Many of them arrived last month. I think this year’s exam might be exciting. Anyway, go in, and enjoy your stay.”

The gate swung open, revealing a bustling city with cobblestone streets teeming with people. The air hummed with activity, a stark contrast to the serene mountain path they had just traversed.

But beyond the bustling markets and impressive displays of magic, what struck William most was the pervasive sense of security.

The city guard, a mix of seasoned warriors and powerful mages, some even graduates of Snowpeak Mount’s esteemed academy, patrolled the streets with an air of confident authority.

“This is incredible,” William breathed, his eyes wide with wonder. “There are alchemy shops, enchantment shops, magic tomes shops… This is a paradise for anyone seeking knowledge!”

He was captivated by the sheer variety of magical wares on display, and this wasn’t even the school itself! He knew that within the academy’s walls lay even greater treasures – ancient texts and rare spellbooks, accessible to students who proved their worth. The prospect ignited a fire of ambition within him.

“Hungry?” Gorn asked, interrupting William’s awestruck musings. “First, let’s find a safe place for the griffins.”

Though their arrival on griffin-back had initially drawn some curious glances, it was hardly an uncommon sight. Griffins were a favored mode of transport for those journeying to Snowpeak Mount, offering both speed and safety in equal measure.

The city boasted a well-equipped care center specifically for flying mounts. They led their griffins through a grand archway into a spacious stable, where attendants bustled about, tending to a variety of winged creatures.

“Alright, it’s 50 silver coins a day. Understood?” the gruff owner declared, eyeing them with a practiced gaze.

Gorn nodded, handing over the payment without hesitation, and then steered William back towards the city center, his familiarity with the winding streets evident.

He moved with the assurance of someone who had walked these paths many times before, a fact that did not escape William’s notice.

“This isn’t your first time here, is it?” he asked, curiosity piqued.

Gorn chuckled. “You’re quite perceptive, lad. And no, it isn’t. I’ve been here many times throughout my life.”

The more Gorn revealed, the more enigmatic he became. He possessed the skills of a seasoned warrior, yet presented himself as a simple hunter from the remote village of Willow Creek.

How could a hunter afford such frequent trips to Snowpeak Mount? Where did he acquire his wealth and his combat prowess?

Despite his growing curiosity, William held onto his trust in Gorn. He sensed that the man had his reasons for keeping secrets, and that in time, those secrets would be revealed.

They went to a tavern to get some food and rest after their difficult journey.

The place was called Dale Ale. When they pushed the door open, many eyes went straight to them.

William wasn’t scared of being stared at anymore. He looked back and noticed a few young faces in the bar, each accompanied by someone older.

He didn’t need much knowledge to understand who those people were – people wanting to take the same exam as he was. Judging by the scanning eyes the young folks gave William, they were thinking the same thing.

Gorn went to the counter to speak with the attendant, ordering some food and a room for later. They chose a table in the corner of the tavern, ate their food, and went to their rooms afterward.

As William was going up the staircase, before he could even take the first step, a young man stopped in front of him. The young man was blond, not that tall, and slim. “Hey, nice to meet you. I am Altair.”

“William,” William said, shaking the man’s hand. He didn’t understand why that person came to speak with him, but there was no need to act rude when the other party wasn’t.

“I can tell you are taking the exam in a few days. You know there are a few spots, right? So, good luck. I hope you and I can get our spots,” Altair said with a smile, and then he left, returning to his table.

“Good luck to you too,” William said while Altair was moving away. The youth heard it, as he turned his head to see William and give him a thumbs up.

As they were going up the staircase, William muttered, “That was strange.”

Gorn was right beside him. “It could be one of two things: either this Altair is targeting you, which means you’ll have some problems in the future, or he’s just someone who wants to be friends if both of you get into the magic academy.”

William was hoping it was the latter. He wasn’t looking to make enemies before even stepping foot inside the magic academy. That would be horrendous.

They went all the way up to the tavern’s third floor where their room was. Yes, their room. The city had so many people coming for the exams that they didn’t have any more rooms left. The good part was that the room itself was pretty big, and it had two beds inside.

“The tavern owner certainly knows his customers, or maybe he prepared it especially for the exam period,” William said as he jumped on the single bed.

“Yep. They often change the rooms when the city gets more visitors, like during the exam period. They know the aspiring acolytes always come with a guard or a mentor, so that’s why they design the rooms like this.”

William gave an acknowledging nod. “These owners are pretty smart.”

“That’s how they keep their profit.”

The two decided to rest after the long journey. William slept like a rock on the single bed, while Gorn slept on the king-size bed.

It was around 5 pm when they slept, only waking up the next day at around 5 am… That was a lot of sleep. William woke up feeling like he had been hit by a truck.

‘Not sleeping sucks, sleeping too much sucks too,’ he complained internally.

According to their calculations, they still had two free days before the exam, and Gorn wanted to make sure William was prepared.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep