After everyone got ready, we departed from our village to the city. It was the first time for most of the children and me that we have been so far from the village. From what our parents told us, despite being close to Late Frost City, our surrounding wasn't safe enough for us to venture out alone.

Although our village was in the grassland, we could see the Cloud Mountain on the horizon and its surrounding forest which stopped only a few miles away from our village.

Neither the mountain or the forest was safe. They were the natural habitat of many beasts and monsters which could trample our village at any moment. the only reason we could live here and near the forest like some other village was that Late Frost City regularly sent people to patrol and make sure nothing dangerous escaped those places.

Thus, we should not worry about it. But, my father told me that in a village further in the north, a child was found dead, torn to pieces and half eaten by a wild wolf. An adult with a weapon and who reached Stage 1 in his cultivation could take care of a wild wolf with little difficulty, but not a child.

At that time, I wasn't even a year old, but the nearby villages like ours became even more alert and forbid their children to venture out of sight when they exited the village. Of course, Djar and I tried going out once to see a bit of the outside world. Although I shouldn't have let Djar convince me, he was going to go alone if I didn't come. And if any danger were to arise, it would have been better if we both were here to try to deal with it than him alone.

But we before we could take more than a hundred steps outside, we could see our fathers running toward us at high speed. And for the first time of my existence, I experienced what fear was. We were easily caught, and we got our butt beaten until a bright shade of red appeared on it. My mother lectured me in front of my little sister and brother for a long time until both them cried out of pity for me.

And now two years later, I'm traveling further than I ever been in this world.

Adults we were walking by foot at a good pace while us children were in the caravan which is usually used to store goods to be sold in the city after each harvest. Since we haven't practiced any kind of cultivation our bodies were weaker and couldn't afford to walk for a long time at their pace. While this was wrong for me, I obediently entered the caravan like everyone.

There were five of us this year. Djar and I were the only boys. The three others were girls. Since Djar didn't want to play with girls as he treated them as "too dangerous", I, as his best friend would spend less time with girls as well.

But he was basically scared of them. In the village, since I don't mind which game we're playing, Djar is the one making the call. And he likes fighting and racing with me. If other children join us for racing it's fine, but when it comes to fighting, besides Djar no one dares to play with me.

My father taught me that besides him and mother I shouldn't let people beat me unless I have some good reasons. Thus, whether I had a stick or not, no one could beat me. Although when I didn't have a stick I could not touch them, they could not touch too unless there were two or more of them against me. But unlike what some could think, I wasn't the strongest, Djar was. I was only more agile than the others and had more experience.

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Thus, with Djar competitive spirit he couldn't go easy on anyone, whether it was a boy or a girl younger or older than him. And one day he accidentally hurt a girl. She was older than us by year and he didn't mean it, but he was still harshly scolded for not holding back. Since then, he was scared of girls. At least, those weaker than him.

So, it made the mood inside the caravan a bit awkward. Djar was dozing off near me, drooling on my shirt, and the three girls were on the other side watching us from the corner of their eyes and whispering to each other while holding skirt of one another.

Sigh

Thus, I also decided to sleep during the journey, so that I will be to the best of my capabilities when we arrive at the city.

...

(Late Frost City)

A white-bearded man was sitting in his office, his brows furrowed as he was reading the document in his hand. He was bare-chested and only had some loose pants on, but one wouldn't look down on him as the aura he exuded seemed deep and imposing.

"Sir, I don't think it is a wise decision to continue this procedure. It has been like this since the beginning and I would like to suggest a change before our guests arrive."

The one who spoke was a young man who looked like he was in his late twenties. His face was fair and he looked handsome and despite his white robe, one could feel that the body underneath was strong to an incredible extent. His voice was deep and filled with unknown strength as he was speaking to the man in front of him.

"I say, young man, aren't you at fault here? Are you blaming me for your inability in managing the situation?"

"I dare no-"

"Enough. Things will go as I said. The pride of nobles has stained your train of thoughts too much. I don't know the reason behind the Imperial Academy sending you here to manage the elementary school, however, I would still not mind it either way. As long as you're in y territory, you will abide by the law established here, as the Emperor gave me this very power. Is this understood?"

The bearded man threw the documents on his table before turning his back to the young man. The latter's lips twitched violently but he remained calm nonetheless.

After giving a quick bow to the old man, he left the room in an instant.

Sigh

"Protecting those in needs and helping them is the duty of those with abilities. However, for each life one saves, another is threatened. If one reaches the top, it means that it prevented someone else from doing so, sometimes by the most ruthless means... The Lotus noble faction is being blinded by their pride while our enemies aren't. Since the Northern Empire is a land with a harsh climate, very few other countries are interested in us, so with time, they forgot how the fear of being invaded."

While looking through the window of his room, the old man could see the Cloud Mountain towering figure as its peak was hidden in the sky. A strange light flashed in his eyes as if remembering something.

"This year's talent appraisal should be today, those coming from the villages in our territory should be here soon. This will also be the first year for that arrogant kid. I should attend and make sure everything is alright."