Raiwood was a strikingly beautiful city, vastly different in design from those in the Kingdom of Light. Instead of grand stone structures and rigidly organized streets, Raiwood had an organic, almost harmonious layout that blended seamlessly with nature. The buildings were crafted from a smooth, pristine white stone that shimmered faintly under the sunlight, giving the entire city a radiant glow.
Most of the structures were modest, single-story homes with sloped roofs and elegant wooden accents, designed for comfort rather than grandeur. The only exceptions were two towering, circular structures that stood above the rest similar in shape to those Leo had seen before. Despite their height, they didn't overshadow the city but rather complemented its aesthetic, like silent guardians watching over the people.
What truly set Raiwood apart was its abundant greenery. Towering trees lined the streets, their lush canopies providing ample shade. Instead of being confined to designated parks or gardens, the trees were deliberately integrated into the city's architecture, growing beside homes and even weaving through paved stone walkways. Vines climbed up stone walls, and patches of vibrant flowers bloomed in every available space, filling the air with a faint, sweet fragrance.
Yet, what made the city truly come alive were its people. Unlike the more reserved citizens of other regions, Raiwood's inhabitants exuded warmth and joy. Men and women alike wore colorful, intricately patterned garments, their fabrics flowing as they moved. Some wore headbands adorned with beads, while others had woven belts that shimmered under the sunlight.
Everywhere Leo looked, people were smiling, talking animatedly, or bursting into laughter. Children ran freely through the streets, their laughter blending with the soft hum of a musician playing a stringed instrument nearby. Merchants greeted passersby with cheerful voices, their stalls filled with fruits, handcrafted jewelry, and delicately carved wooden trinkets.
The city's energy was infectious. There was no sense of urgency, no hurried steps or worried expressions—just a collective atmosphere of contentment and celebration.
Leo took it all in, feeling as if he had stepped into a place untouched by the weight of the world.
As they walked through the streets, people greeted them with friendly waves and smiles, making the city feel warm and welcoming. Raiwood was much smaller than Eklashire. After a short walk, they reached an inn nestled between two large oak trees. A wooden sign swayed above the entrance, and the scent of fresh bread drifted from inside.
"It didn't take long to get here," Leo said, looking around.
"No, it's a small city," Ryan replied, opening the door. "But that just means everything is close by."
They went inside and sat at a table.
"We'll stay here tonight. Tomorrow, we'll get your new identity," Ryan said.
Leo nodded. After finishing an early dinner, he headed to his room, immediately entering his domain to continue reading his book.
He spent an hour going through the rest of the information on vampires. The book detailed a few examples of light-based spells capable of harming them, as well as some of their unique abilities. One notable ability was a special kind of enhanced vision that allowed vampires to see the life force of other creatures. It was as useful as Leo's Moonlit Gaze—perhaps even better in certain situations.
Vampire Lords also possessed the power to summon creatures called gargoyles—large, bat-like monsters said to be as strong as a B-rank.
As for a cure to vampirism, there was none. Only the goddess of the moon had the power to undo her own creation.
Vampires have distinct physical differences from unaffected humans. Their skin is unnaturally pale, with some breeds exhibiting a purplish hue. In certain vampire variants, hunger causes their eyes to turn dark blue until they have fed. All vampires possess fangs, though the number varies—some have two on their upper incisors, while others have one.
Vampires do not age and are immune to common diseases. While they are impervious to death by natural causes, they can still be killed by external forces.
Beside their looks, a few spells were used to identify a vampire, which the book didn't mention them.
The final section of the chapter covered the Goddess of the Moon, but Leo decided to leave that for another time. He still had magic to practice.
He grabbed a few sheets of paper and focused on testing Hallucination Trap. Placing one in front of him, he activated the spell, channeling mana into his hand. For a full minute, nothing happened. Then, an enchanting circle flickered to life on the paper's surface, its intricate patterns glowing faintly before stabilizing. The spell inscribed was Mana Surge Snare.
'So it can only mimic the spells I already know,' he thought, analyzing the result.
Wanting to understand the spell's limitations, he spent the next hour experimenting with its range. He placed pieces of paper in different locations, monitoring how and where the illusions manifested. After multiple attempts, he discovered that the spell's effective area formed a three-meter radius around him. If he didn't focus on a specific placement, the trap would materialize randomly within that space.
'Not bad, but it needs improvement. I should ask Ryan how to increase its range.'
With his curiosity temporarily satisfied, Leo left his domain. He had pushed his body enough for one night—it was time to rest.
…
In the city of Flesa.
Edmond stood in a spacious chamber within the grand cathedral, accompanied by three other captains. The room was sparsely furnished, containing only a desk and three sofas. Its walls, mostly made of polished wood, bore a few decorative elements, giving the space a refined yet minimalistic feel. They were waiting for the arrival of the next bishop.
Less than ten minutes later, the door swung open, and Edgarth entered with two men beside him. The man closest to Edgarth appeared to be in his thirties—at least in outward appearance. He had deep black eyes, a medium-sized nose, and thin lips, all framed by a warm, easy-going smile. His slightly long hair fell just over his left eye, and a pair of glasses rested on his nose. He wore a simple yet elegant white robe that draped over him with an air of authority.
To their left stood another man, his presence far more imposing. He had a broad, muscular build and was clad in a white and gold suit of armor. His rough face bore furrowed brows, narrow eyes, a large nose, and a deep scar running beneath his right black eye, marking him as a seasoned warrior.
Edgarth gestured toward the robed man beside him.
"This is Mr. Lars Denker. He will be the next bishop." He then motioned toward the armored man. "And this is Mr. Arnao Uva, Nora's replacement."
Edmond recognized the first name. Lars Denker—also known as The Second Sight. He didn't know the meaning behind the title, but nicknames were never given without reason.
Lars Denker gave a small wave and a friendly smile. "Hello."
Arnao Uva, in contrast, simply nodded, his expression stern.
Edgarth turned toward the four captains and introduced them. "These are Emma Hopfer, Gerhard Schuster, Cirnath Tahroman, and Edmond Goldenshield—captains in Flesa."
The captains offered a slight bow in greeting.
Lars took a step forward, his expression calm yet resolute.
"I know this city has endured great hardship, and I won't stand here and tell you that no problems will arise under my leadership—that would be a lie. But I can promise you this: I will do everything in my power to protect this city."
His gaze shifted to Edmond as he stepped closer, briefly studying the strands of silver in his hair before speaking again.
"I've heard about what you did, Captain Goldenshield. This city owes you everything." His voice carried no exaggeration, only quiet sincerity.
Edmond met his gaze evenly. "I only did what needed to be done."
Lars didn't press further. Instead, he nodded slightly. "I won't keep you from your duties."
With that, the captains brought their fists to their chests in a formal salute before taking their leave. One by one, they exited the room. Gerhard took on the responsibility of showing Arnao Uva the headquarters that now belonged to him, departing alongside the new captain.
Once the room had emptied, Lars turned to Edgarth, his expression thoughtful.
"I'd like to see the former captain. What was her name?"
"Nora Clay," Edgarth answered. "She's in the dungeons."
Lars's smile remained unchanged as he replied, "Then let's pay her a visit."
…
Leo and Ryan sat at a wooden table in the bustling inn, engaged in conversation about Leo's newly learned spell. Sunlight streamed through the windows, casting soft, shifting patterns on the stone walls. The scent of freshly baked bread and spiced meat filled the air, mingling with the low hum of chatter from other patrons.
"So, can the range be increased?" Leo asked, leaning forward slightly.
"Almost every spell's range can be extended," Ryan replied, chewing on a piece of bread. "You just need better mana control to sustain it over a longer distance."
A woman, one of the inn's servers, moved gracefully between the tables, carrying trays of food while humming a tune. Her voice was soft but steady, adding to the warm and inviting atmosphere of the inn.
Leo glanced around, taking in the sight of cheerful patrons enjoying their meals. He smiled slightly. "Everyone seems happy here."
Ryan nodded. "It's a peaceful city."
The singing waitress approached their table, still humming as she placed two drinks before them—one a frothy mug of beer and the other a glass of warm milk.
Leo's gaze locked onto Ryan.
"You'll get your beer in two year," Ryan said with a smirk, taking a sip from his mug.
"That's not why I'm staring at you," Leo muttered. "It's eight in the morning, and you're drinking beer."
Ryan shrugged. "So?"
Leo sighed. "Never mind."
After finishing their breakfast, they set out through the city streets. Their destination was a man Ryan knew—someone who could provide Leo with a new identity.
They walked for a while before turning into an alley. The deeper they went, the dimmer the light became. Despite that, the streets remained surprisingly clean, defying Leo's expectations of back-alley filth and decay. After passing a few doors and small houses, they stopped in front of a particular wooden door.
Ryan knocked twice, paused, then knocked again. Moments later, the door creaked open, revealing a small boy standing in the entrance, his hair falling over his eyes. He looked younger than Rosie, Leo guessed.
"Is Mr. Noman home?" Ryan asked.
The boy nodded silently and stepped aside.
They entered a narrow corridor. To their left and right were two open archways leading into different rooms—one of which seemed to be the main hall. At the end of the corridor stood a closed door. Ryan walked up to it and pushed it open, revealing a well-lit office. A man sat behind a wooden desk, focused on the papers in front of him. He appeared to be around the same age as Ryan, with short black hair and ordinary facial features.
Hearing the door, the man looked up. A grin spread across his face as he stood and walked over to Ryan with open arms. He wore brown pants and a white shirt.
"Ryan!" he greeted warmly before pulling him into a brief hug.
"Carlen."
"I've missed you, man."
"Same here."
Carlen's gaze shifted to Leo, his expression turning curious. "And who's this young fellow with the impressive build?"
Before Leo could respond, Ryan spoke for him. "He's my student. He needs a new identity."
Carlen's grin widened. "A new identity? That, we can do."
He returned to his desk, pulled out a blank form, and picked up a quill. "What name do you want?"
"Victor Black," Leo answered without hesitation.
"Nice choice." Carlen began writing. "And do you have a rank?"
"Rank D Illusionist."
Carlen nodded, muttering to himself as he wrote. After a moment, he looked up and called out, "Alvel!"
The boy from earlier reappeared in the doorway.
"Get this processed," Carlen instructed, handing him the paper.
The boy took it and left without a word.
"It'll be ready soon," Carlen assured them, then leaned back in his chair. His expression turned more serious as he looked at Ryan. "Any news? I heard there was a big fight in Flesa."
Ryan sank onto a nearby sofa. "Just a few S-Ranks making a mess."
Carlen chuckled and shook his head. The conversation turned casual, drifting from old memories to local events.
After a while, the boy returned, carrying a small card. He handed it to Carlen, who examined it briefly before passing it to Leo.
"Here you go," Carlen said with a satisfied nod. "Your new identity, Mr. Victor Black."