From the town of White Horse, we traveled south along the Coldwater River, passing through 3 villages and the Howling Valley, before climbing over the Sleeping Dragon Mountains. This brought us to the Yellowwater Highlands, the highest area in the Northern Lands.

The Silvermoon Castle sat atop the highest point of the Yellowwater Highlands, making it the highest city in the north.

Xiaopolei and I walked along a small path paved with red gravel, each holding a glistening golden-brown roasted rabbit as we ate and chatted.

'Crunch crunch~ Gulp~'

Xiaopolei chewed the rabbit bones and meat together into a mush before swallowing it down in one gulp.

"Rosen, I've told you everything about Silvermoon these past days. Do you remember it all?"

I also had a mouthful of grease: "Don't worry Uncle, it's all etched into my brain. I couldn't forget it if I tried."

But Xiaopolei was still uneasy: "Let me test you."

"Go ahead and ask."

"What is the emblem of Silvermoon Castle?"

"A crescent moon encircled by six stars. The moon represents Silvermoon itself, and the stars represent the six towns scattered across the Yellowwater Highlands."

"Very good. Now, what is the full name of Silvermoon's lord? And how should she be addressed?"

"Sophia De Aumisia. In formal settings, the Countess Aumisia, or Archmage Aumisia.

In informal settings, Lady Aumisia or Lady Silvermoon. In private, if relations are close, her given name Sophia can be used directly. If relations are not intimate, My Lady is the respectful address."

Xiaopolei nodded in satisfaction: "Excellent. Let me ask you one more thing - what taboos exist in Silvermoon?"

"A curfew is enforced on the night of every full moon. No one is allowed outside after sunset, and even at home, no loud noises are allowed. Violators must pay a hefty fine of 1 krona and suffer a 10-day Silence spell."

"Good, you remember very thoroughly. Do you know why there is a curfew?"

"Because Silvermoon holds the moon sacred."

"Both mages and warriors meditate under the full moon for the greatest boost in power."

"And the common folk of Silvermoon also need to perform moon worship rites, to purify their hearts and strengthen their bodies against evil creatures that lurk in the shadows."

By now, Xiaopolei had finished devouring an entire rabbit. He wiped the grease from his mouth with his sleeve, then fished a coin pouch from his pocket and handed it to me.

"There's 10 krona inside, put it away carefully and don't let anyone see it."

"Uncle, why are you giving me money?"

Xiaopolei tightened the pack on his back, shaded his brow, and gazed into the distance.

"In half a day's time, we'll reach Silvermoon. When we arrive, I must report to My Lady about my assignment. After that, I'll be busy with many other matters and won't have time to look after you. You'll have to rely on yourself during this time."

I smiled wryly: "Uncle, didn't you say you would introduce me to My Lady as an apprentice?"

In truth, I'd long abandoned any thoughts of becoming the archmage's apprentice. After learning about Silvermoon, any last traces of fantasy had vanished from my mind.

I was only using it now as a bargaining chip.

Xiaopolei nodded awkwardly.

"Yes, I did say that. But My Lady is not just an archmage - she is the ruler of a city. Her duties are endless, how could she find time to personally tutor you?"

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"Also, I cannot influence My Lady's thoughts. I can only promise to introduce you to her. As for how she arranges you, that will depend on your own performance."

Xiaopolei paused, seeming to feel he had broken a promise, so he began explaining further.

"Rosen, you must understand, My Lady has astonishing accomplishments in the arcane arts. She is one of the greatest mages in the Northern Lands. Countless people wish to learn from her."

"To receive even a word of guidance from My Lady is already a rare honor. Becoming her apprentice, even just a named apprentice, has countless fighting over it. Some of them have extraordinary talent. Do you understand?"

I nodded in understanding: "So you mean the competition is exceptionally intense for My Lady's time as an apprentice?"

'Snap!'

Xiaopolei snapped his fingers: "Exactly! So you know what you should do now?"

I thought for a while and said: "Do my best to impress My Lady and win her approval?"

'Hmm hmm~'

A nasal hum emerged from Xiaopolei's mouth, as if he'd heard something amusing.

Clearly I had answered incorrectly.

I tried again: "Be honest and accept whatever arrangements My Lady makes, resolutely avoid causing her trouble, and strive to do my best in areas that I can?"

Xiaopolei finally nodded: "That's right!"

He turned around and lightly patted my shoulder, looking straight into my eyes.

"Rosen, My Lady's time is extremely precious!"

"Especially during these turbulent times, her every word and decision affects the fates of many commoners."

"Not causing her extra trouble is the best you can do right now."

"Turbulent times?" I seized upon the peculiar phrase.

Xiaopolei grinned: "Every two hundred years, savage tribes from the lands of ice and fire form a mighty Ice & Fire army."

"They charge like a flood against the Frostwind Mountain passes. If they break through the fortress there, they will inundate the entire Golden Lands like a flood. Hehe, it will be very...very terrifying."

As he spoke, Xiaopolei was smiling, but his smile was icy cold. His large eyes betrayed a strange gleam, like a warrior ready to march onto the battlefield - excited, yet fearful.

I too fell silent, silently marveling to myself.

"Chaotic times will be interesting. My last life was spent in peaceful times. While tranquil, it lacked passion. If I'm set on learning magic in this life, I can have a good time flexing my skills on the battlefield once I've mastered it."

Xiaopolei was not one for brooding. He quickly regained his usual manner and strode on powerfully.

Half a day's foot journey would kill an ordinary man on Earth, but was normal here. Through experience, my legs had toughened - each muscle was as hard as a rock and full of vigor.

After traveling many days, I felt not tired but invigorated, having even grown a little taller.

After half a day, the horizon of the undulating yellow-green highlands revealed the silhouette of a city.

The city was built on gently sloping land. Within were structures of stone, wood, and clay. The higher up the slope, the more magnificent the buildings became. Further down they grew simpler, until the base of the slope was dotted with ramshackle grass and mud huts scattered among farmland.

Two things about the city were especially eye-catching.

One was a river flowing through the peak, ferrying mud and silt in murky yellow waters that cleaved the city in two like a golden sword.

The other was familiar - a sunlit obelisk that looked like a sword thrust into the earth.

Seeing me gaze at the light pillar, Xiaopolei repeated what Celestis had said: "That is the Godstone, representing divine sanction of House Aumisia's authority."

"Hmm...There's one beside Viscount Moray's Whitestone too."

"Yes, the Morays also possess divinely ordained authority."

Xiaopolei's tone was complex, seeming both reverent yet wistful.

So I asked: "Uncle, what kind of existence is the Golden God really?"

But Xiaopolei shook his head: "How could we common folk presume to discuss the divine?"

"Then what's your impression of him?"

"My impression?"

Xiaopolei fell into contemplation before finally speaking:

"In my eyes, the Divine is the supreme existence, guardian of the Golden Lands."

"We cannot behold the true gods, but we can see their scions. Every scion possesses unmatched dignity and power. In short, they are beyond defiance."

"Where are these scions?"

"There are many in the North. The mightiest is the Northern Protector, lord of Icywinter - Duke Boreas, the Silent, the Just, wielder of Divine Sword Winter Solstice. Lord Saint Hippolyta."

"That's a long title."

Xiaopolei smiled wryly: "Just a few epithets is considered short. The Divine Emperor's titles go on for pages."

As we conversed, we covered the remaining distance unknowingly and now stood before the gates of Silvermoon.

I noticed Xiaopolei become visibly more stern, even nervous.

"Rosen, do you remember everything I taught you?"

"Uncle, you've asked dozens of times already!"

"When we meet My Lady, don't slip up!"

"I know, I know!"

"Recite My Lady's forms of address again."

"Uncle, are you annoying or what?!"

"Haaa...haaa..."

Xiaopolei breathed heavily.

"You foolish boy, you have no idea of My Lady's wisdom and dignity! With one glance she sees into your very heart, do you know?!"

At the city gates, Xiaopolei halted and began carefully tidying his clothes, but no matter how he arranged them, he was unsatisfied.

Finally he gave up on that and dragged me towards a tailor's shop in the city.

"These clothes are too dirty. We need the tailor to make us new outfits."

"Oh right, we should also take a nice bath and scrub all the grime off our bodies, and apply fragrant bath oils. My Lady loves cleanliness most, we absolutely cannot dirty her eyes."

"..." I was speechless.

"Oh, I nearly forgot. My Lady's time is extremely precious, all appointments must be scheduled in advance."

"When we reach the inn, I must swiftly deliver a greeting card to request an audience as soon as possible."

"I hope My Lady has already forgiven my transgressions...I hope so."

All the way, Xiaopolei chattered ceaselessly, like a young bride about to meet her in-laws.