The next day dawned, and with the first rays of sunlight breaking over the horizon, Albert, Betty, and Mr. F left the Silverblade estate. They walked for about 30 minutes through the city until they arrived at a large, imposing building. While it was simply designed, its sheer size and sturdy construction gave it a certain charm and authority.
As they entered, they were immediately met with the sight of a long line of people waiting at the reception desk. There was no avoiding it; they would have to endure the wait. After standing in line for what felt like an eternity, they finally reached the front. Mr. F explained their purpose, only to be handed a small wooden token with a number on it, directing them to another part of the building.
They waited again, this time in a quieter room. Mr. F's patience was wearing thin. As a Rank 6 mage, it was frustrating for him to go through such mundane bureaucratic hurdles. However, without an official backer in the city, there was little choice but to comply.
After an hour, they were called into a small office where a city official sat behind a desk. Mr. F greeted him with a polite smile.
"Good day, sir. My name is Mr. F, and these are my two students. We've come from the countryside and wish to settle near the city to grow herbs and brew elixirs. We're here to apply for permanent residency and to obtain identification cards."
The official glanced at them briefly and asked, "Do you have any letters of recommendation or work papers?"
Mr. F shook his head. "Unfortunately, we do not. We were hoping it could be done without."
The man's expression grew colder. "Do you have any documentation at all that confirms your identity or background? Don't take this the wrong way, but we don't want criminals or bandits taking root in our city."
Mr. F sighed and shook his head again. "No, I don't have any such documents."
The official's irritation was becoming more apparent. His tone became sharp. "Then leave and come back when you have someone to vouch for you."
Mr. F considered using soul magic to get what he needed, but he was wary of drawing attention to himself. If any discrepancies were found in their paperwork, it could spell trouble for them. Still, an idea came to him.
"Would this work as identification?" Mr. F asked, handing over his library card.
The official took the card and glanced at it. "A library card? Are you—" He stopped mid-sentence, his eyes widening as he looked at the name of the library and the authority listed on the card.
He quickly straightened in his seat and his tone shifted to one of respect. "I will need you to channel a bit of your magic into this card, sir. I must warn you, though—if this card is a forgery, I will have you arrested on the spot."
Mr. F didn't fully understand what was happening but complied. As soon as he channeled his magic into the card, it began to glow faintly. The official checked the signature of the magic and nodded, clearly impressed.
"This card is genuine," he said, now addressing Mr. F with great deference. "The library from which you received this card holds great prestige, not only in this country but also in neighboring lands. They have branches everywhere, and no matter where it was issued, it is respected universally.
"Given the authority displayed on this card, there is no question. I will gladly issue your identification cards and residency permits without delay, for you and your students."
With that, the official retrieved a device that resembled the one used in the library. "Please channel your magic into this device as well. It will generate a unique magical signature linked to your identity. Your students will need to do the same. However, be aware that as their sponsor, you will be responsible for their actions. Should they cause any trouble, you will be held accountable."
Mr. F nodded and followed the instructions. His students did the same, and soon all three were holding their new identification cards.
Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.
Mr. F examined the cards:
Name: Mr. F
City Rank: 4 starsName: Betty
City Rank: 3 starsName: Albert
City Rank: 3 stars
Looking at the cards, Mr. F asked, "What is this ranking system? Is it similar to the one used in the library?"
The official nodded. "Yes, sir. Based on your library credentials, I have upgraded your city rank to that of merchants and notable individuals. Your students also received a slight bonus, giving them privileges above the average citizen."
"A normal citizen, for instance, holds a 2-star rank, while visitors to the city have 1 star. Nobles and influential families typically possess 5 stars," he explained.
Albert, ever curious, asked, "Is there anything above 5 stars?"
The official smiled. "Indeed, young man. The royal family holds 6 stars, and the king himself is considered to have 7, though in practice, he doesn't require identification."
Albert nodded thoughtfully as he took it all in.
Meanwhile, Mr. F's mind wandered to the mysterious library card. He had never fully understood its significance, and now it seemed even more important than he had realized. He made a mental note to visit the city's library and investigate further when he had the chance.
"I have one more question," Mr. F said. "Where can I purchase land outside the city?"
The official smiled. "That depends on what you're looking for. If you're interested in land that already has an owner, I recommend checking the city's land registry. However, the crown also owns a significant amount of unclaimed land, which can be purchased directly from us with gold."
He opened a drawer and handed Mr. F a golden token. "Take this to the designated office. Present it at the reception, and you'll be seen immediately without having to wait."
Mr. F thanked the man and offered him a handful of gold coins as a gesture of gratitude. The official, however, politely declined. "As a city official, I am not permitted to accept gratuities, but I appreciate the gesture."
He handed Mr. F a card. "If you ever need assistance in the future, don't hesitate to contact me."
Mr. F accepted the card and shook the man's hand. It was clear that the official was subtly trying to forge a connection, likely hoping to gain some favor. Still, Mr. F saw no harm in it. After all, it was always wise to have friends in strategic places.
Next, they made their way to the section of the building where land surrounding the city could be purchased. Upon arriving, Mr. F walked straight to the reception, bypassing the long line of people waiting. Some threw dirty looks his way, but he paid them no mind. Presenting the wooden token he had received earlier, he was quickly ushered into a separate room. There, he waited only five minutes before a young clerk entered the room.
The woman, probably in her mid-twenties, wore a formal jacket and was carrying a large device. The device was so heavy that when she set it on the table, it landed with a loud thud. She greeted Mr. F slightly out of breath and immediately powered up the machine. Within moments, a holographic map filled the entire 30 square meter room.
In the center of the map was a small depiction of the city, taking up only 2 square meters, but its size was deceptive—it was, in fact, the capital city in which they currently stood. The surrounding regions were color-coded: blue for available lands and gray for those already owned.
"The blue areas," the woman explained, "are the lands currently available for purchase. The grayed-out regions are owned by others. You can tell me what areas you're interested in, and I can narrow down the map for you."
Mr. F wasn't particularly impressed by the hologram—it wasn't the first time he had seen such technology—but Betty and Albert were wide-eyed with wonder, marveling at the city and lands from above.
Mr. F specified what he was looking for: a plot no more than 50 kilometers from the city, at least 10 square kilometers in size, and preferably in a less desirable location to reduce competition and future purchases by others.
The woman adjusted the map, zooming in and enlarging it so that the city and surrounding regions became more distinct. Four areas matched Mr. F's requirements, and he carefully examined each one.
The first was flat farmland, previously used for growing grain. The land, however, was quite dry, requiring water mages to maintain it. The surrounding area was barren, making it difficult for others to cultivate.
The second was uncultivated land that included a portion of forest. It would take significant effort to clear the forest and prepare the land for farming, but the surrounding area was heavily wooded, providing privacy.
The third was an old hillside with vineyards and a small house at the base of the slope. A river wound around the mountain, making the surrounding land too wet for significant cultivation but giving the vineyard a unique landscape.
The fourth and final option was in a swampy region, previously used to grow specific herbs and plants that thrived in such conditions. The downside was that much of the area was too wet for normal crops or other plants.
Mr. F carefully considered each plot. He was most interested in the farmland, but his current gold reserves were insufficient to purchase it. With a final price of 500,000 gold, it was simply too much for now. The swamp land was unsuitable as well, given the limited variety of plants he could grow there, and it would not be a favorable environment for his sapling.