The day of assessment concluded. Twenty aspirants passed, and became official students of the academy. They were given two weeks to prepare themselves. Some were looking forward on the first day, while some were just relieved that they didn’t disappoint their parents.

Kael set aside the last three days as his preparation. There’s something more important that he should do first. With Earl Gideon’s permission, he was able to look around Deyrem, gathering information. He wanted to know if the town have demons roaming in it.

First, he went to the marketplace. There are many products that he didn’t know existed, but he refused to be distracted. He eavesdropped on every chatter of people that might have some demon related topics, but the only notable topic he heard was about an incoming grandmaster mage. He spent three days investigating the marketplace.

Next, Kael went to several inns and taverns, making sure no one could see him. The ramblings of the townspeople were loud and vibrant. There’s no mischief during that time, and the variety of stories he heard gave him a better picture of the town. However, like the marketplace, there were many conversations he overheard about the return of a grandmaster mage. He spent five days investigating. There’s still no talks about demons.

Kael moved his investigation, focusing on the town’s sanctuary, where sick people and orphans were being taken care of. It was gloomy, but it was also comforting, as it showed him the kindness of people. But with the heartwarming scene he saw, Kael wasn’t able to hear anything about demons. What he heard was, as expected, discussions about the returning grandmaster mage. He spent a day investigating the sanctuary.

On the remaining days, before he prepared for his first day as a student, Kael investigated alleyways, open-air performing stages, and he even went to the town’s gates. He didn’t hear anything about demons. At that point, it was no surprise that he heard many people talking about the returning grandmaster mage.

After his relentless investigation, he was relieved. It seemed to him that Deyrem didn’t have anything associated to the demons, at least not yet. He wanted for such situation to remain, so he decided to be on the lookout from time to time.

But even if he heard nothing about demons, the prevalence of discussions about the returning grandmaster mage piqued his curiosity. The way the townspeople talked about the returning mage was of praise and delight. Clearly, the person at the center of the town’s gossips was an important individual and an admirable figure. He would soon found out three days before his first day in the academy.

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The town of Deyrem was preparing. The main road was cleared, the merchant stalls were prohibited to open except in the marketplace. The town guards lined the town walls and the main road. The parents commanded their children to be well-mannered.

Many people of the kingdom, those that have the ability to travel, went to the town. They will spend a day in Deyrem just to experience the town’s celebration. Some of them were fanatics, while others have magic related superstitions.

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The king arranged a public banquet held at the town square. Even his majesty was preparing diligently just like the townspeople. Everything must be great, and everyone should be in order. Lord Lucius, the only grandmaster mage of the Kingdom of Ucar, is coming.

All the preparations were done. The people crowded on both sides of the main road. Most of them wanted to clearly see the grandmaster mage. It’s tradition to be eager to see the grandmaster, as he’s possibly the most important person of the kingdom. Even the king himself acknowledged his greatness. The celebration was a testament of the people’s high regard to magic.

Kael was invited by Earl Gideon to the king’s castle. The nobility will wait there for Lord Lucius’s arrival. It didn’t take long after they arrived when the king gave an announcement.

“The town’s gate was opened”, the king expressed.

There were murmurs of noblemen. Some of them were excited to meet the arriving mage, but some didn’t like the wait. By that time, Lord Lucius must be traveling in the main road, greeting the townspeople. It would take a while before he arrived at the castle.

Cheers and astonishment prevailed in the town. Some fainted as they looked at Lord Lucius, while others brightened up. Most people wanted to hold the mage’s hands, and Lord Lucius sated the people’s desire. It took almost half an hour before the celebrated mage got out of the main road.

Kael heard the sound of the castle gates. Lord Lucius was finally inside the king’s castle. The grandmaster mage was escorted by the royal guards to the throne room. As the throne room doors opened, the seated nobles stood.

Kael looked at the person walking to the king’s throne. Ash gray hair and cerulean eyes. White robe and a rapier by the side. At last, he saw the grandmaster mage that the townspeople were talking about.

Lord Lucius bowed to the king. “I have returned, your majesty”

The welcome ceremony began. The king gave Lord Lucius gifts of gold, as well as gifts brought by the nobles present inside the throne room. The king also stated Lord Lucius’s contributions for the kingdom, and afterwards, the king gave the mage a new title. Lord Lucius became a first-order mage general that day.

After the formal ceremony, the king ordered the commencement of the banquet. It became an opportunity for many nobles to personally talk to Lord Lucius.

Some of the discussions were about hiring the grandmaster to be a private tutor for noble children. Others were proposals of marriage to noble women. Some were questions about his journey and how he became so great. Lord Lucius rejected all the requests, but he was delighted to tell some of his life stories.

Kael observed the mage carefully. But unfortunately, the grandmaster noticed his curious glances.

“Kael, son of Earl Gideon of Cleron”, Kael said after the grandmaster mage asked for his name. Earl Gideon who was just behind Kael scolded him for not being respectful enough. The Earl apologized, and Lord Lucius accepted. The grandmaster didn’t take any offense hearing Kael’s introduction.

Kael couldn’t say a word while the Earl and the grandmaster was talking to each other. That day became his first memory with Lord Lucius.