For the next three days...
The caravan continued south without incident.
The King's Road gradually became busier.
Merchant caravans passed in both directions.
Independent Wanderers rode on horseback.
Occasionally, groups of Academy applicants from other provinces could be seen traveling under the banners of local Guild branches.
The closer they came to the Grand Academy...
The more extraordinary the travelers became.
---
On the fourth morning...
Dark clouds gathered across the horizon.
The cheerful sunlight disappeared behind a blanket of gray.
A cool breeze swept across the plains.
Darius looked toward the sky.
"We'll have rain."
One of the veteran Wanderers nodded.
"And a heavy one."
---
By midday...
The heavens opened.
Rain poured relentlessly over the King's Road.
Within minutes, the stone path glistened beneath countless streams of water.
Visibility dropped sharply.
The caravan slowed.
"Keep close!"
Darius called.
"No one leaves the formation!"
---
Most of the applicants complained about the weather.
"My clothes are soaked."
"My boots are ruined."
"How much farther until we stop?"
Kieran said nothing.
Instead, he watched the rain.
The drops struck the earth.
Flowed around rocks.
Gathered into streams.
Each followed the easiest path.
Yet together...
They could reshape the land.
---
They eventually reached an abandoned watchtower overlooking the road.
Though centuries old, its stone walls remained sturdy.
The caravan took shelter inside.
Fires were quickly lit.
Wet cloaks were hung to dry.
The atmosphere gradually warmed.
---
Mira stretched her arms.
"I never thought I'd be happy to see an old ruin."
Ronan, polishing his spear, replied,
"It still serves its purpose."
Selene glanced around the tower.
"I wonder who built it."
One of the older Wanderers overheard her.
"The First Gardenian Dynasty."
"Back when these roads were still dangerous frontiers."
He rested a hand against the ancient stone.
"Empires rise."
"Empires fall."
"But good craftsmanship lasts."
---
As the rain continued outside...
Darius gathered everyone.
"Since we're delayed..."
"We'll make good use of the time."
Several applicants looked puzzled.
He picked up a small branch from the floor.
"What is this?"
"A stick."
Someone answered immediately.
Darius nodded.
He then tossed it toward Kieran.
"What is it?"
Kieran examined it briefly.
"It depends."
The room fell silent.
Darius smiled.
"Explain."
"If someone is cold..."
"It's firewood."
"If someone is lost..."
"It can mark a trail."
"If someone is attacked..."
"It becomes a weapon."
"If planted..."
"It may become a tree."
"The object hasn't changed."
"Only its purpose."
Several Wanderers exchanged surprised glances.
Darius slowly nodded.
"Good."
He turned toward the others.
"Remember this."
"The world rarely tells you what something is."
"It only presents what it can become."
---
The applicants remained thoughtful long after the lesson ended.
Selene quietly wrote the words into her notebook.
Ronan closed his eyes, reflecting.
Even the boastful noble youths had nothing to say.
---
That evening...
The rain finally stopped.
The clouds parted.
A brilliant sunset painted the sky in shades of crimson and gold.
As everyone stepped outside...
A magnificent rainbow stretched across the valley.
Mira gasped.
"It's beautiful..."
Kieran looked upward.
For a brief moment...
He simply appreciated the sight.
No analysis.
No questions.
Only gratitude.
---
Hidden high above the watchtower...
The Nine-Tailed White Fox observed him.
The fox had seen countless cultivators in its long life.
Many admired power.
Many pursued immortality.
Many sought glory.
Very few...
Paused to admire a rainbow.
The fox's golden eyes softened.
Perhaps Crystal had been right all along.
Strength without wonder eventually became hollow.
---
The next morning...
The caravan resumed its journey.
By noon, the rolling plains gave way to rugged hills.
In the distance...
A mountain range rose into the clouds.
Its peaks seemed to pierce the heavens themselves.
Darius slowed his horse.
He pointed toward the tallest mountain.
"Beyond those mountains..."
"...lies Academy City."
Excitement swept through the caravan.
After weeks of travel...
Their destination was finally close.
Kieran's gaze lingered on the distant peaks.
He could not see the Academy.
Not yet.
But for reasons he couldn't explain...
His heart beat just a little faster.
The next chapter of his journey...
Was about to begin.
End of Chapter 64