BXBX NOVEL Chapter 41: Arrival at the Town
"The envoy from the Celestial Academy is here! They\'re recruiting students!" shouted a young man near the gate, his voice filled with enthusiasm. His eyes sparkled with hope as he turned to his companions. "This could be our chance!"
Lucas and Lucy exchanged a glance, both feeling a mix of anticipation and determination. The Celestial Academy was renowned, and gaining entry would be a significant step for Lucy.
As they moved closer to the gate, they overheard another conversation, this one less cheerful. A grizzled man with a sour expression was muttering to his friend, "Of course, the entry fee has doubled because of it. Those gatekeepers are squeezing every coin they can out of us."
"Typical," his friend replied with a resigned shrug. "They know people will pay anything for a shot at the academy."
Lucy frowned slightly, but Lucas gave her a reassuring smile. "Don\'t worry about it," he said softly. "We\'ve got more than enough to cover the fee. Let\'s just focus on getting inside."
Lucy nodded, her expression relaxing. Together, they approached the gatekeeper, a burly man with a thick mustache and a bored expression.
"Entry fee\'s doubled today," he grunted, holding out a hand without looking up from the ledger in front of him.
Lucas handed over the required coins without a word, and the gatekeeper finally looked up, giving them a cursory glance before nodding them through.
As they passed under the town\'s archway, they were immediately greeted by the sight of bustling streets filled with merchants, travelers, and hopeful students.
The marketplace was alive with activity. Vendors called out to potential customers, their stalls overflowing with goods ranging from fresh produce to weapons and armor. The smells of roasting meat and baked bread filled the air, mingling with the scent of spices and leather.
"We should sell the beast corpses first," Lucas suggested, scanning the market for a suitable buyer.
"Good idea," Lucy agreed, following him as they navigated through the crowd.
It didn\'t take long to find a merchant specializing in beast materials. He was a tall, thin man with a sharp eye for quality, and he perked up the moment he saw the goods they were offering.
"One-star beasts, huh?" he said, inspecting the corpses with a practiced hand. "Good quality, too. You two must be skilled hunters."
Lucas only nodded, letting the merchant continue his appraisal. After a few moments, the merchant straightened up and named his price, a fair sum that Lucas immediately accepted. The transaction was quick, and soon enough, they had a hefty pouch of coins.
As they pocketed their earnings, Lucy glanced around. "We should find an inn. It\'s going to get even busier here, and we\'ll need a place to rest."
"Agreed," Lucas said. He flagged down a passerby, a middle-aged woman carrying a basket of flowers. "Excuse me, could you recommend a good inn around here?"
The woman smiled warmly. "Of course, dear. The Silver Moon Inn just down the street is a fine place. Clean rooms, good food, and not too expensive."
"Thank you," Lucas said, nodding in appreciation.
The woman waved them off cheerfully, and Lucas and Lucy made their way to the inn. The Silver Moon Inn was just as the woman had described—a charming establishment with a welcoming atmosphere. The innkeeper, a plump man with a jovial smile, greeted them at the door.
"Welcome to the Silver Moon! Looking for a room, are you?"
"Yes, please," Lucy replied, returning his smile.
The innkeeper quickly showed them to a comfortable room on the second floor, where they could settle in and plan their next steps.
Once they were settled in their room, Lucy turned to Lucas, her expression determined. "Lucas, I\'m going to head over to the registration venue and get my name down. You should stay here and rest for a bit."
Lucas nodded, though there was a hint of concern in his eyes. "Are you sure you\'ll be okay out there alone? It\'s pretty crowded and things can get chaotic."
Lucy gave him a reassuring smile, her confidence unwavering. "I\'ll be fine, Lucas. This isn\'t my first time navigating a busy town. Besides, this is an important step—I can\'t afford to miss it."
He hesitated for a moment, wanting to say more, but then simply nodded. "Alright, but be careful. If anything feels off, don\'t hesitate to come back right away."
Lucy\'s smile widened as she placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "You worry too much. I promise I\'ll be careful."
Lucas managed a small smile in return. "I guess I do. Just… don\'t push yourself too hard."
She chuckled softly, giving him a playful nudge. "You\'re one to talk about not pushing yourself too hard."
Lucas couldn\'t help but laugh, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. "Fair enough."
With a final nod, Lucy headed towards the door. Before she left, she turned back to him, her expression softening. "I\'ll be back soon. Don\'t go doing anything reckless while I\'m gone, okay?"
Lucas waved her off with a grin. "No promises."
Lucy laughed, shaking her head before finally stepping out of the room, closing the door gently behind her.
As soon as the door clicked shut, the lightness in Lucas\'s demeanor faded. He exhaled deeply, the room suddenly feeling quieter, emptier without his sister\'s presence. But he didn\'t have time to dwell on it. There was work to be done.
Without wasting a moment, Lucas retrieved the Divine Mask - Zeus from the system space. Holding it in his hands, he felt a surge of energy emanating from the mask, a familiar pulse that promised power. His gaze hardened with determination.
Carefully, he donned the mask. The transformation was immediate and striking. His form shifted, muscles tensing and expanding as golden hair cascaded down his back, crackling with the power of thunder.
The tattoos etched into his skin glowed with electric energy, dancing across his body like living lightning. He had become Zeus, a figure of formidable strength and power.