As they neared the wall, Jaden's eyes landed on the groups gathered at the entrance gates of the Western sector of Fatherion.

"Blasted hell! That's a large crowd..." he muttered.

"That is because the academy will begin tomorrow," Jamie answered.

Jaden nodded at his words and continued to look outside, even the periphery of the wall was in much better condition than the ones with no humanity rule.

A few moments later, the tall and wide gateway of the western sector came into his view. The gateway was as big as the gateway he had seen in the Elara Peace. He narrowed his eyes and channelled his mana into them; his vision became much sharper and clearer as he looked at the guard knights standing near the gateway. They wore heavy white armour, the imperial insignia gleaming proudly across their chests.

'They must be the guards...'

Jaden focused his eyes on them as he tried to read their ranks using the passive ability of the mark of nature.

'They are just as strong as Lane... are they B rank?' He concluded that because Lane was also an elite or B rank Arcane Knight.

The ASUV slowed down as it neared the crowd. Minutes passed into the crowd as the guards checked everyone who was entering the capital, Fatherion.

"How long is this going to take?" Jaden muttered with a bored expression.

Jamie sighed, glancing out the window to pass the time.

"Heh. Bored already? We still have to wait for some time, you know?" Maria interjected with a smile.

Jaden, however, didn't reply and began to caress the pups who were sitting on both sides of him.

"It should not take much time," Lane commented as she moved her hands away from the steering wheel and stretched them.

Jaden raised an eyebrow at her words and asked.

"What do you mean?"

Lane looked at him from the rear-view mirror before explaining.

"Due to a sudden increase in the number of awakenings, the imperial council had allowed the unauthorised entry for one week instead of the usual two days."

Jaden's eyes gleamed in understanding before he asked again, "There's an increase in the awakenings?"

Lane gave him a nod and began to explain.

"Yes... But most of them are not natural awakenings. Due to the increase in the number of dreamgates, more mundane humans are entering them and awakening forcefully."

Jaden's expression turned grave as he mumbled.

"I see..."

"You do not have to worry about it, Little Judy. Just focus on the academy," Maria added softly.

He gave her a wry smile as he muttered, "There's nothing I can do about this anyway."

Just as they were chatting, the ASUV reached the gates, and a heavy voice resounded.

"HALT!"

Lane stopped the ASUV and looked at the guard knight who had asked to stop the wheeled monster.

"Are you here for the academy?" The guard knight questioned as he stepped near the driver's door.

Lane rolled down the window and showed them her civilian card. The guard snorted at her and took the black card from her hand.

The guard removed his helmet before he began reading the card.

"Lane Balice... Tier two civilian... Ambitus."

He gave the card back to her and spoke coldly.

"You may enter."

Sensing the unusual hostility in his voice, Jaden raised an eyebrow while Jamie clenched his fists and gritted his teeth... Maria, on the other hand, simply lowered her head.

Seeing them acting like that, Jaden understood why the guard knight had shown them hostility... it was simply because they came from Ambitus, the land once ruled by a duke who had dared to stage a coup against the Immortal Emperor of Bright Light.

'There is nothing I can say or do about this...'

The ASUV roared back to life, rolling past the gates into the western sector of Fatherion. Just as they entered, it was as if the very world had changed. The buildings were modern with a soft, aristocratic touch at a few of them.

The environment within the western sector of Fatherion was warmer and cheerier, unlike the usual dark and gloomy one he had witnessed so far. It was something he had not even seen in the sectors of Ambitus. Similarly, unlike the roads of Ambitus, here he could see many ASUVs, some of which were even better than theirs.

'How interesting.'

Neon lights washed over the shops and restaurants, painting the streets in soft, dreamlike hues.

"This place is amazing..." he muttered as the pups also stood on their tiny legs to look at the amazing city.

However, he had failed to notice the gloomy environment inside their ASUV. Jaden's smile faded, the gleam in his eyes dimming into silence.

Maria let out a forced cough and forced a smile as she muttered.

"It is indeed amazing. Anyway, we will be staying at a hotel tonight and will leave for the central sector tomorrow morning. Make sure to be ready for the academy."

Jaden and Jamie nodded at her words as the ASUV suddenly stopped before a large building. The building appeared to be a hotel and an expansive one at that.

Jaden's eyes widened as he saw the large red crystal placed at the top of the building.

'T-that's a fire mana core...'

He lowered his eyes and read the name of the hotel.

'Burning Serpent Hotel?'

The hotel's gates parted, and the ASUV moved inside. Lane parked the ASUV in the parking lot and turned off the power before stepping out.

Maria gave Jaden and Jamie a slight smile as she also stepped out. Jamie also stepped out after picking up his bag.

Jaden also picked up his bag and the devouring pups before stepping down from the ASUV and walking towards the trio that stood a few steps away.

Seeing him approach, Maria muttered.

"Let's go."

The others gave her a nod before stepping towards the hotel's entrance.

______

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