The travel from Kelberg City to Roland city was a peaceful one. Along the trail, there were no surprise attacks from beasts and there were no bandits like last time. There were many adventures and guards placed between the pathways.

  This made the roads peaceful and many people used the paths without the need for hiring an escort. Just from looking at things it was very had to tell that the Kingdom was at war with the shadow plague and was one of the Kingdoms right on the border against the shadow.

  After travelling for a week, the three of them had finally arrived at Roland. And it was just as extravagant as Ray remembered it. The last time he had come here was when he was with his mother. It was a large rounded building with walls surrounding it similar to Avrion.

  Other than the size difference though, there were also several magical orbs that surrounded the city in the air.

  "What are those things?" Jack asked looking at the round objects.

  "It's a defensive barrier, not only are they protected around them but also from above." Lenny said, "If anyone tries an ariel attack through there, those orbs will activate and give the intruder a nasty shock."

  "I wonder why more cities don't have them?" Jack asked, "Wouldn't make sense to implement it everywhere, not just Roland."

  Lenny started to laugh.

  "Don't think it's cheap to create one of those things. Each one of them contains a super tier beast crystal inside."

  Ray couldn't imagine the strength of those orbs. He still had yet to meet a super tier creature and face one, he couldn't imagine the effort and cost it must have taken to implement a system like this one. Although that also reminded Ray that he had obtained a super tier crystal from the Avrion test.

  When he would evolve and level up the crystal would be a huge advantage for his progression.

  When arriving at the gate. Lenny and the other two had to sign some doc.u.ments as they weren't residents of the city.

  "What's your purpose in coming here." The guard asked.

  "I'm meeting an old friend and a colleague of mine is planning to join Roland academy," Lenny said as he pointed at Ray.

  That's when the guard noticed something.

  "A chosen one." The guard said as he immediately rushed over and bowed down to Ray. "Do not worry about the fee, the city will cover it for you. Go in right ahead and I will finish the doc.u.mentation myself."

  Although the reaction from the guard was a strange one, the others weren't going to deny a free pass into the city.

  "That was strange," Said Jack, "Do you have any idea what that was about?"

  "I'll be honest I have no clue. Although things might have changed around here, after all, it has been many years since I last stepped foot in this place." Said Lenny. "Why don't you two head to an Inn and then explore the city? If it's still there I believe there's one called the boar's head not too far from here. I will need to find a colleague to speak to about your admission into Roland academy. Then we can meet at the Inn tonight."

  With that, Lenny road of with the carriage while the two of them were left to search for the Boar's head.

  Just like with Kelberg, the city seemed to be alive and brimming with people. There were adventures in the city, merchants and for the first time ever, there were several mages out an about in the streets as well.

  But something strange kept happening, as Ray and Jack walked around the city people would take glances, Ray was somewhat used to this his whole life but the glances didn't feel the same as they did before.

  Suddenly, A little girl appeared in front of Ray with a bouquet of flowers.

  "Here you go mister, thank you for protecting our city." The girl said with a smile as she handed the flowers over.

  Ray took the flowers and the girl ran off before Ray could even say anything.

  "What the hell is going on?" Jack said, "Did you use a spell or something?"

  "I'm just as confused as you," Ray said.

  After walking around for a while, the two of them decided to ask for directions. The people of the city were happy to help and even offered to escort Ray and Jack there. But after searching around for a while they had finally reached the Boar's Head inn.

  "Hi if possible, we would like a room for the night?" Ray asked as he reached into his pouch to pull out some coins.

  "Oh please, there is no need for you to pay, I would have to be infected by the shadow to let myself do something as stupid as that." The innkeeper said as he handed over a key. "Please head on right up."

  After the two placed their belongs on the bed, Jack finally said something.

  "I think I might have an idea why everyone is treating you so nicely?"

  "Oh, you do?" Ray said, surprised that Jack had come up with a theory for once.

  "I think it must be opposite day in this city."

  Ray's hopes were suddenly all thrown out the window, he didn't know what he was expecting from someone like Jack.

  "Think about it, people usually treat you so badly every place we go because of your red hair, it's the only explanation that makes sense."

  Suddenly a thought came to Ray's mind. Although he didn't think it was an opposite day like Jack suggested but he did think Jack was on the right lines. Perhaps it did have something to do with his hair.

  Just then Lenny had barged into the room.

  "Oh, the innkeeper was right, you are here."

  "You're back a bit early," Ray said.

  "Well it was easier for her to hear me out than I originally thought, its good news though it looks like you will be going to Roland Afterall but before that, there's something she wants to ask us, a task for us to complete."

  "And that is?"

  "She said she would tell us the details in person, come on we need to buy you two some clothes, we can't go meeting the queen like that?"

  "The queen?"

  ****

  Special thanks to Lila_Martinez, Fenrir2040, IcyShadow2323, AllTheTime00, Isaac_Lopez_1420 , Daoist232052, Akindele_Olawale, DarkShadow_DS, and Autumncat210 for the gifts they really help me in creating the best story I can for you guys.