Chapter 60: Whatâs Above the Ninth Tier?
Orion considered it for a moment, "Hmm, letâs go to the fourth ring. We can start by visiting the Adventurer Guild."
Edgar nodded his head, "Thatâs expected. Which young man wouldnât want to visit the place where the Kingdomâs most hotheaded people gather?
Thatâs a nice place to start with."
Orion agreed with him, and they both stepped towards the luxurious carriage waiting for them outside, finding Lucan already seated in the driverâs spot, whistling cheerfully to himself.
"Morning, Young Master! Are we heading somewhere exciting today?" Lucan asked enthusiastically, turning to face Orion with a bright grin.
"Good morning, Lucan," Orion replied with a faint smile. "Weâre heading to the Adventurer Guild first. Focus on the road and donât get distracted by the beauties here."
Lucanâs grin widened confidently. "Of course! Who do you think I am? Iâm a professional driver! I wonât get lost this easily."
"Thatâs what worries me," Orion sighed dramatically, making Edgar chuckle lightly. Both of them stepped into the carriage.
Lucan pouted briefly but quickly shook it off, guiding the horses gently onto the street. As the carriage smoothly rolled forward, Orion sat comfortably across from Edgar, looking out the window with anticipation.
"This carriage is so much better than our previous one," he sighed and said, feeling as if a commoner had become a noble all of a sudden.
Edgar chuckled, "Master didnât want to attract too much attention, so he used a normal one before."
Orion nodded his head and looked out of the window. The streets of the second ring were pristine, lined with impeccably maintained gardens and luxurious estates just like yesterday.
Every building they passed exuded grace, their grand entrances guarded by vigilant warriors who subtly observed all passing traffic. It was clear that each mansion was a powerhouse of influence and prestige inside the Kingdom.
"Have you been here often, Uncle Edgar?" Orion asked, curiosity evident in his voice.
ÆrÄewebnoѵÑl.cÏm Edgar nodded thoughtfully. "Iâve accompanied Master Eldric countless times to events hosted by the nobility. Each noble house in this ring is a force to be reckoned with. Power, influence, and politics intertwine heavily here."
"You see those guards?" He pointed at the guards stationed outside the estates of Dukes.
Orion nodded his head.
"Most of them are either Tier Seven or Tier Eight experts," he said.
Orion raised an eyebrow, "Huh? But I remember Grandpa telling me that Tier 4 to Tier 6 Awakeners are the backbone of a kingdom. And Tier 7 to Tier 9 powerhouses are national treasures."
Edgar chuckled, "He probably didnât want to scare you and told you about the smaller kingdoms. After all, Thunderpeak is one of the strongest kingdoms of Humans."
Orion softly nodded his head. From the looks of it, he had underestimated the noble houses of this Kingdom.
"Uncle Edgar, what level is above the Ninth Tier?" he asked what had been on his mind. He hadnât found information about this even in his dragon inheritance. But Lumi told him it was due to his young age; as he slowly grew older, more and more of his inheritance would be unlocked.
Edgar smiled mysteriously, "That is too far away from you, Young Master. No point in thinking about that, or you might get discouraged from the sheer strength gap."
"Oh, come on, Iâm not that weak. Just tell me," Orion insisted on knowing.
Edgar gently shook his head, "Itâs for your own good, Young Master. The absolute majority of humans canât cross the level above the Ninth Tier. Itâs not only due to the absurd talent required but it is also affected by the Mana Channels opened in the first Nine Tiers."
Orion calmly analyzed the information. "How many Mana Channels would I need to open to surpass the Ninth Level?"
Edgar thought for a moment, "You will need at the very least 45 Channels opened to reach beyond the Ninth Tier. The nobles here have multiple powerhouses above the Ninth Tier, especially the Duke Houses in the second ring."
Orion absorbed the information, carefully observing the mansions and noting their distinct crests and banners.
He wondered what kind of interactions he might have with these powerful families during his stay in Stormspire. âThis is getting more and more fun. I gotta grind the levels here as quickly as I can.â
***
Soon, the carriage passed through the gates separating the second ring from the third. Guards in impressive armor saluted respectfully as Lucan showed Eldricâs token, quickly granting them passage.
The transition to the third ring was subtle yet noticeable. Buildings were still grand, though clearly less extravagant compared to the second ring.
A clear military presence added an air of strict discipline and control here. Soldiers patrolled the streets regularly, going from one place to another, their presence intimidating the young nobles who were walking to and from their estates.
"This ring feels quite strict," Orion remarked, his gaze lingering on a squad of patrolling soldiers marching by.
Edgar nodded while gazing out. "Indeed. The third ring is home to the nobilityâs residences, military barracks, the Mage Tower, and a couple more structures. Itâs more structured and disciplined than the other rings, with both military and aristocracy staying here."
Orion turned his attention to the Mage Tower, visible even from their current distance.
Its towering structure was magnificent, surrounded by a mystical aura that shimmered gently against the morning sun.
Orionâs eyes sparkled with excitement as he imagined going inside the Mage Tower to learn all of the secrets and wonders within.
"I canât wait to visit that tower," Orion murmured softly.
"You definitely will, Young Master," Edgar reassured him. "Itâs a place of great knowledge and magic. Most of the Kingdomâs qualified Mages gather there. Perhaps your talents could be further honed there."
"You really think so?" Orion asked smugly. He knew full well of his talents. And if someone said that he was untalented, then no one in this world would be talented.
"Certainly," Edgar chuckled and nodded. "I can feel the Mana flowing naturally around you, as if itâs eager to follow you. However, you donât have to worry about others finding out. One needs to be at a certain level and spend quite some time with you to recognize it."
Orion rubbed his chin thoughtfully. âHmm... Thatâs... troublesome? Do I even want to conceal that Iâm a genius in the first place?â
[Master doesnât need to hide with the protection of Grandpa Eldric and Grandma Selene. Let all the ignorant idiots of this Kingdom see what true talent is! (à¹>Ø<à¹)Û¶]
Orion inwardly chuckled hearing her words. âYes, just wait for me to enter the academy then. I will enter with a bang.â
Lucan drove them steadily onward, the carriage soon approaching the bustling fourth ring. A clear difference was immediately evident.
The fourth ring brimmed with lively energy, streets filled with merchants, artisans, adventurers, and various races mingled together.
Market stalls overflowed with exotic goods, and vibrant banners advertised guild halls and shops.
First Legendary Dragon: Starting With The Limitless System ï¤Chapter 59: Leaving The Mighty Mage ï¤Chapter 178: Black Lotus Rebirth: Leading Families to Survive in the Apocalypse ï¤Chapter 476 D City Base Leader "This place is lively," Orion remarked, observing the diverse crowd.
"This is the heart of commerce and adventure of this kingdom after all," Edgar explained. "People from all corners of the kingdom and even other kingdoms come here for business, pleasure, or to seek fortune."
As they passed through the vibrant markets, Orion eagerly observed the multitude of goods on display: exotic fruits, intricate artifacts, rare weapons, and mystical ingredients.