We watch as Earl Oldenwald makes his way to the gate along with the soldiers on horseback while listening to the crowds' conversations. With Enhanced senses i can hear pretty much every word of those down below.

  “Do you see that sword? It must be the weapon the Duke personally bestowed on Earl Oldenwald!”

  “They say the sword has the power to conjure flames!”

  “I heard that too! The Earl is said to be bathed in flames while he fights because of that sword! Too bad it can only be used by those with a noble bloodline”

  Most of the conversations seem to be centered around the sword Earl Oldenwald carries on his hip but while it looks fancy it doesnt look like anything special to me.

  “Hey Nox, is there anything special about that sword? It just looks like a normal sword to me.” I ask Nox who is floating next to me.

  “Not in particular, its not made of normal iron but its not enchanted or anything that would give it the power of fire, there isnt even a single scrap of mana stored in it… I see now!” Nox seems to have thought of something

  “What? Is the sword truly special?”

  “No, no, the sword is absolutely normal. But I think that's how the knowledge that mages exist is hidden in this empire. The nobles most likely keep it hidden to remain in power and explain their own use of magic by saying it's the weapon's power rather than their own. Not only that but because non mages obviously cant use magic they can claim its because of the bloodline that commoners wouldn't be able to use the power even with the weapon!”

  “But that's just selfish!” I say as my good first impression of the Earl that was just built up immediately shatters.

  Nox looks at me with a surprised look before breaking out into laughter

  “Hahaha, now your finally acting your age” He says while wiping tears from his eyes

  “Whats so funny about this! Think about how many people have died to monsters, those deaths could be avoided if we had more mages but they lock it away just so that they can keep the power? What is that if not selfish!”

  “Yes your right, it is selfish, but then again so is everyone. Though its not as black and white as you think, the real problem is that it also limits themselves. Without enough mages the mana in the area will never get denser which will cap their own growth potential!”

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  “Wouldnt more mages absorbing the mana drain it? And didn't you say there's barely any mana here too?” I can feel the mana in the area and to me it already feels incredibly dense in comparison to Arbourne.

  “No, when mages absorb mana it is cut off from the rest of the world and the empty area is replenished over time, then when spells are cast or a monster dies the excess mana gets returned to the area its also the same for when a mage dies. That combined with the current mana raises the total higher, more mana means stronger mages and monsters which means the total mana density continues to climb. Even if you ignore the benefits of being stronger, just the increase in lifespan is enough of a reason to grow as strong as possible but the way they are ruling the Empire is just seeking short term benefits!”

  He glances over at the Earl who is exiting through the gate as he says that last part before turning back and continuing

  “This also means you're going to need to hide the fact you are a mage until your strong enough, otherwise theyll probably try to silence you and remove a mage not under their control.”

  “Ill make sure to keep that in mind but can't they sense that im a mage if they ever get to close to me like you did? ”

  Nox clears his throat before saying “Do you think just anyone can spread their perception out like I did? Even if mine is weaker now since im just a spirit body just to have one a mage would need to be at the Essence level and would only be able to cover around 20 meters at most, i doubt there are many, if any at all, in this empire at that level, though they could use an enchanted item if you give them a reason to.”

  I turn around and pick up my bow from where i slept before looking out at the city

  “Alright, then that means becoming a soldier is out of the question”

  “Oh? Did you make a decision about everything from yesterday? Nox says a little surprised

  “Yeah im going to get stronger then go back to Arbourne to see if their memories were altered, in order to get stronger im going to need to fight, and staying away from nobility means ill just have to become a mercenary!”

  Nox nods his head “Good, a mercenary mostly fights monsters right? Combat experience aside, that means you'll be able to absorb the mana of the monsters you kill too”

  “And to do so I’ll have to register at the mercenary guild, so lets go take a look around the city and see if we can find it.”

  I climb down the side of the building back down into the alley and walk out on the street, I don't know where the mercenary guild is at in this city but since its technically a government operated organization i assume it should be near the center of the city, as i walk through the streets i see vendors and people buying anything you could think of, there were even some fruits i had never seen or even heard of before, so i made sure to buy one to try, i also buy some smoked meats to eat while i walk as my breakfast.

  Those bandits had amassed enough money for a small family to survive off of for a year without worries, it all totaled up to just under 15 silvers worth, so i dont have to be stingy for a while. It doesnt take long before i see a lot of people carrying weapons coming and going from the same way and i decide to go in that same direction, after i make it about half way to the inner city where nobles live i turn around a corner and see a massive 3 story tall building with the mercenary symbol on the front, a sword and bow crossed over one another.