The Yulan Empire

April 20, 9999, Yulan Calendar.

Early that morning, Fenlai City was shrouded in mist, and Champs-Elysees Avenue was quiet. Akes stood at the city gate. Behind him were five carriages—two carrying people and three loaded with luggage. The old butler, Carl, was taking inventory while several servants carried the last few boxes back and forth.

Yale, Reynolds, and George had all come. Linley stood a little farther away, with Bebe perched on his shoulder.

"Have you got everything?" Yale asked.

"Just about." Akes glanced at the carriages. "The rest is already there."

Reynolds came closer, looking like he wanted to say something, but then swallowed his words. At last, he managed, "Remember to write when you get there."

"Mm."

"Make it a long letter."

"Mm."

"Preferably one every month."

Akes smiled. "If you write me one a month, I write you one a month, George writes me one a month, and Fourth Brother writes me one a month—work out how many letters I'd have to write each day."

Reynolds counted on his fingers, then gave up. "Whatever. You still have to write!"

George laughed beside them. "All right, don't give Third Brother a hard time."

The old butler, Carl, came over and bowed. "Young master, everything is ready."

Akes nodded and looked at the others.

Yale stepped forward and clapped him on the shoulder. "Take care."

"You too."

George hugged him. "I'll come meet you when you arrive."

"All right."

Reynolds came over for a hug too, his eyes a little red. "Third Brother, take care of yourself."

"I will."

Last came Linley.

The two of them looked at each other for a few seconds.

Linley walked over and held out his hand. Akes took it.

"Write when you get there," Linley said.

"Mm."

"If you need anything, just ask."

"You too."

They let go, neither of them saying anything more.

Akes turned and climbed into the carriage. As the curtain fell, he caught a glimpse through the gap of the four of them standing in the morning mist, watching him.

"Let's go," he told the driver.

The carriage started slowly, its wheels rumbling over the stone road. The other carriages followed, and the procession headed south along the main road.

Akes lifted the curtain and looked back.

The four of them were still standing there, growing smaller and smaller until they disappeared into the morning mist.

He let the curtain fall and leaned against the carriage wall.

"Young master," old Carl said softly beside him. "Hard to leave?"

Akes was quiet for a while, then smiled. "Nine years."

Carl nodded and said no more.

The carriage continued on, carrying them farther and farther from Fenlai City.

The journey went more smoothly than expected.

The main roads were in good condition, with relay stations along the way. They traveled by day and stayed at inns at night, and occasionally chatted with passing merchant caravans. Akes spent most of his time in the carriage, either meditating or contemplating the Nuwa Diagram.

He had received the Nuwa Diagram as a sign-in reward on graduation day. After contemplating it over and over for some time, he found that his spiritual power was indeed growing much faster than through meditation alone. The strange, ineffable feeling was hard to describe—it was as though something in his mind were slowly taking shape, becoming clearer and clearer.

On the fifth day, the procession entered the O'Brien Empire.

Reynolds's home was in this country, but he hadn't come along. He said he would wait until the second half of the year to visit Akes.

"Young master, there's a town up ahead," Carl said from outside. "Shall we rest there for the night?"

"Sure."

The town was small but lively. Akes found a clean inn and settled in. That evening, as he ate downstairs, he heard people at the next table talking about the Yulan Empire.

"...I heard quite a few mages have gone there lately. They've recruited them from all over the continent."

"That's right. The Yulan Empire has deep pockets and offers good terms."

"Our O'Brien Empire isn't bad either."

"It's nowhere close. Do you know how much history the Yulan Empire has? It's the oldest empire on the continent, and its magical research is far more advanced than ours."

Listening to them, Akes's lips curved slightly.

It seemed plenty of people were heading to the Yulan Empire.

The procession entered the Yulan Empire.

Border inspections were strict, but Akes's imperial invitation letter did the trick. As soon as the border officer saw it, his manner turned respectful, and he personally arranged for them to pass through.

"Earl Aikesi Yan?" The border officer checked the letter again. "Welcome to the Yulan Empire."

Earl. Akes silently repeated the title. He hadn't even been officially granted it yet, but the officer was already addressing him that way.

Once they crossed the border, the roads were noticeably better. There was a relay station every so often, and the station workers were all very welcoming. It seemed the Yulan Empire really did treat travelers well.

On the seventeenth day, the procession reached the outskirts of Yulan City.

Akes lifted the curtain and saw a vast city spread across the plains in the distance. Its walls soared high, and its towers stood tall and imposing. He could make out patrolling soldiers atop the walls. People streamed in and out of the gates, with a constant flow of carriages and horses.

"This is Yulan City," old Carl said with a sigh. "It's much bigger than Fenlai City."

Akes nodded.

It really was huge. Fenlai City was already the largest city in the Holy Union, but it still fell short of Yulan City.

The procession was stopped at the city gate. The guards looked over their travel documents, then at Akes, and immediately became respectful.

"Earl Aikesi Yan? An imperial envoy is already waiting for you at the post station."

Akes was taken aback. "An envoy?"

"Yes. The king sent him. He asked that you go to the post station as soon as you arrive."

The post station in Yulan City was in the east of the city, a quiet three-story building.

As soon as Akes got out of the carriage, a middle-aged man came to greet him. He wore official robes and had a smile on his face. His manner was courteous but not servile.

"Earl Aikesi Yan? I'm an official of the Imperial Ministry of Rites, sent by His Majesty to wait for you here."

Akes nodded. "Sorry for the trouble, sir."

"Not at all." The official stepped aside to show him the way. "His Majesty instructed that you come to the palace as soon as you arrive. A carriage is ready."

"Right now?"

"Right now."

Akes looked at old Carl. Carl nodded. "Don't worry, young master. I'll take care of things here."

Akes followed the official into another carriage.

The carriage passed through several streets toward the Imperial Palace in the city center. Through the curtain, Akes saw shops lining both sides of the streets and crowds of people everywhere. It was even more prosperous than Fenlai City.

About half an hour later, the carriage stopped.

"We're here," the official said.

Akes stepped down. Before him stood a tall palace gate. On either side stood guards in golden armor, each with a steady presence. They were at least fifth-rank warriors.

The official led Akes through the gate and along several corridors, finally stopping before a great hall.

"His Majesty is waiting inside," the official said. "Please."

Akes took a deep breath and pushed open the door.

The hall was spacious, but it wasn't as oppressively imposing as he had imagined.

Sunlight streamed through the high windows, casting dappled shadows across the floor. At the far end of the hall, a middle-aged man sat in a chair, dressed in simple, dark formal robes and looking down at something.

At the sound of footsteps, he raised his head.

Akes saw his face clearly—he was around fifty, with a composed air and kind but keen eyes. Just as the original story described, he was a man who concealed his true depth.

"Aikesi Yan?" the king asked, his voice calm.

"Yes." Akes walked a few steps forward and bowed. "Greetings, Your Majesty."

The king waved a hand. "There's no need for formalities. Come sit."

Akes straightened and sat down in the chair beside him.

The king studied him for a while, then smiled. "A seventeen-year-old seventh-rank fire mage."

The king continued, "The Royal Magic Academy has the most complete collection of magical texts on the continent. The Imperial Library holds more than a hundred thousand volumes, and several Saint-level experts are stationed here as well."

"Yes," Akes replied.

The king looked at him. "I can grant you an earl's title, a manor in the southern suburbs of the Imperial Capital, and an annual stipend of five thousand gold coins. In addition, you may audit any course at the Royal Magic Academy, and the restricted sections of the Imperial Library will be open to you. What do you think?"

Akes was silent for a moment, then stood and bowed. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

The king smiled. "Then it's settled. An official will come to the post station tomorrow and take you to complete the formalities."

"Yes."

The king waved a hand. "Go. Train hard. The empire needs young people like you."

Akes left the hall.

As he passed through the palace gate, he looked back once.

The king of the Yulan Empire was more direct and more generous than he'd imagined.

The next day, Akes completed the formalities with an official accompanying him.

An earl's title, a manor in the southern suburbs of the Imperial Capital, and five thousand gold coins in settling-in funds. The paperwork went quickly, and everything was done in half a day.

That afternoon, he took old Carl and the servants to the manor.

The manor was in the southern suburbs and covered nearly a hundred mu. The main building had three stories, with gardens in front and behind and a small grove in the backyard. The house was new, the furniture complete, and everything had clearly been prepared in advance.

"Young master, this place is really nice." Old Carl looked around. "It's much bigger than the one in Fenlai."

Akes nodded.

It really was nice. Better than he'd expected.

"Get settled," he said. "We'll be living here from now on."

Over the next few days, Akes was busy settling in. George came by twice to help him get familiar with the neighborhood. Yale sent a congratulatory gift, and a letter from Reynolds arrived too.

There was still no word from Linley.