Spirit Taming

Chapter 510: Captain Of The Guard

With professor Wright's small challenge to learn a new technique of sorts, it was an interesting walk toward the Solar academy city. Especially with most of the group trying to use the technique right away without actually sensing how the energy could flow through their bodies. For some, it was a comical sight, for others, it would be an odd sight all around.

"The stone around their city is larger than I thought." Maria commented casually while looking at the large spikes of stone.

The way that the stones looked was very unnatural. It was as if something had guided waves of lava up in to points then cooled them there. Just enough to form a crude wall that would block beasts and more lava flows. However, the gaps in them made it appear that this was some sort of magma beast trap waiting to snap closed on a beast's leg at any time.

"As their city shifts on the lava lake, they have to add new walls or break down and remake some. It will never be the same as the large ice walls or the stone walls that other cities have." Professor Wright spoke while she stepped toward the gate of sorts that they had managed to make it to.

Many guards stood at a gap between two of the large magma stone spikes that were part of the crude wall. Instead of appearing welcoming toward their group, the guards held their hands at their weapons. A few beasts made certain that their growls were heard. That was until they noticed that the group had a crest from Nova academy.

"We are here to learn about fire elemental energies. Materials are also part of why we are here. Hopefully we can also spend time within the academy to do some training." It sounded like Professor Wright had started to lose patience. The way that Solar academy had more strict guards and control seemed to be a massive issue. A good reason why fewer merchants might be around here too.

"Show identification and you may enter." The guards went to great lengths looking at each spatial ring identification. Crests, and any other forms that showed who the group was. Each of them had to show something as proof leaving the guards with a full understanding of each person entering. This was more thorough than the other cities.

"I understand that they had to see who we were for safety, but that was terrible." Reese grumbled a little. He had never felt so much annoyance over something that seemed so small.

"It's because they are paranoid. Two cities that consider themselves perpetually at war naturally have something against new travelers. Especially when it seems like they don't have much reason to be here. Not for business and not for alliances. Just for pure training and growth? How odd does that sound?"

With Isa making a counter point, the group had a bit of a better grasp on the general attitude they started to face the moment they were guided through the odd space that was the gate between two lava stone walls.

The roads were paved with smoothed lava stone that gave a shimmering black luster to many things. It was a very unique way to pave the roads but very practical. The odd formations in the stone brought an artistic feeling to everything due to the different ores that formed magma pools.

It was also very nice since they were easily repaired by the many other pieces of lava stone in the surrounding environments.

The buildings were made of similar materials. All materials taken and hardened from magma pools. Cooled at certain temperatures and shaped to be able to house the people around. But aside from the homes, there were other buildings. Many small guard posts and blockades that could be extended at any time.

"Please present your identification." The group found themselves in front of another group of guards. They had been patrolling and immediately stopped the group from moving forward.

"We just presented it all to the guards at the gate. You can just ask them." Ralph's immediate response was clear to show the annoyances that had begun toi pile up having so much suspicion on their group for no reason.

"If you di not provide identification you will be jailed until you have verified your person. Those are the laws within theis city. You may not leave without our permission from this place." The guards all reacted with instant hostility. They were more than ready to attack just over this.

"I think you should all silence yourselves. You are all much too weak to handle that professor let alone those students. They are the champions of their own years respectively. They won the tournaments and that professor is the insect queen that you may have heard about. She created a home in Nova and began guiding students after losing one of her beasts."

The haughty words that came from just beside the guards made the guards react very differently than before. They stood at attention and made certain to show respect. "Guard captain Samuel. We will follow your order." The guards made a move to return to their patrols. It was clear that the higher ranking had a way to control the guards.

"It has been many years since we fought one another over the firefly dungeon. It still stands if you wish to make a visit. It will only cost you a single apology for killing fifteen flame striped tigers last time." The tall red haired man was literally covered in scars. His armor even had marks where it had been repaired. Yet that just made him seem even more powerful.

As if an injury could never stop him.

"I will apologize for that the day you apologize for taking a thousand firefly eggs from my hands and bringing them to a beast just for food. They could have been raised for much better uses by tamers with much better skill than that useless waste of space you served at the time."

Seeing professor Wright getting nasty with someone was a new moment for the group. Clark was sure that this man was a rival or enemy of sorts in the past, however, there wasn't any intention from either of the two to attack one another. Instead, it appeared to be a respectful standing that they both had power and that they would both hold back.

"Before either of you start handling your business, we have our own to worry about. I see that the merchant population is low. I assume that you have some form of market. I want to go there. Then we also need an inn. Once that is pointed out, you two can finish whatever it is that you need to." Isa's sudden business like attitude was backed up as Brad and Ralph took positions next to her.

As if they were guards. Naturally, Reese and Jerold also made a move to be ready to handle opposition.

"You can also tell us the legality of entering fire type dungeons around here. Since you appear to have some connections.' Clark's additions were specifically for Isa since he knew that she would need unique materials that they would most likely not be able to buy.

"It would appear your students are a little more focused on other things." Captain Samuel made a slight nod towards them before he pointed toward the end of the street. "Just head that way, inns and a small market are there. You can request entry to a dungeon but it will be denied. Quite a few people dislike Nova Academy first years after you sided with Lunar Academy first years.

That rumor traveled very well."

"Then it seems that Solar Academy is exactly as we heard it was. Governed by ego and selfishness. We will not be staying long. Just enough to get what we need before leaving. However, I believe that it will put you all in a very poor position as we have our own relationships with unique families.

Unique merchants that can provide many useful things." Isa looked a little surprised to hear what Maria had returned with toward the captain.

"Not to mention the friends we have nearby. Terra City was very nice. Plenty of ores and other things that we learned about to make weapons and armor." Grace had picked up on what Maria was getting at.

"So they are exactly like you in that way. Little Miss Wright, I will see you again. But remember that it was your students that brought mention of their connections and how they can use them to help or hurt us. I will be watching carefully." Captain Samuel seemed unhindered as he left. But the group felt that they had cemented some of their strengths here.

"Troublesome already. He received notice that nova crests were seen. I will handle the defenses if anything happens. But we will be finding an inn for the night and resting. Isa, you will not be going out alone." Professor Wright was clearly unhappy but she didn't reprimand them. They had faced a small threat without flinching.