Birth of the Legendary Battle Mage

Chapter 40

Away from the boss’s hut, the group had returned to the gate that marked entry into the city, and after following the queue, it was finally their turn to be processed. The way it worked was that the guards stationed at the gate would check your identification and other related paper works, inquire about your plans within the city and when you’ll be leaving if you are from another region, which always falls within a specified time frame. “Alright Zaron, work your magic.” Julius whispered to Zaron who was right behind him in the queue. With that, both of them switched places so that Zaron would be the one to interact with the guards.

“Alright, Next!” the guard sitting at the left side of the gate where the first of the two queues were said in an audible voice. He seemed friendlier than the other guards at the gate and spoke with a soft and welcoming voice, as though he was a receptionist at some fancy four star hotel instead of a demon guard. As soon as Zaron heard the voice, he thought to himself, ‘this will be easy. I’ve heard of this guy before, complaints saying he should be replaced because of his personality of being too kind, because of him alone, the percentage of refugees entering the city increased by almost half. If I’m not wrong, he was supposed to be replaced this week or so, good thing he’s still here for us to use him.’ He stepped forward with their identifications and the guard started the clearance process.

The story they settled with finally was the one where they were survivors of some village that got destroyed during the war, and had finally decided to seek refuge within the city and work to survive after starting a new life within the city. Although simple, it was quite effective, and without need for the paper work the boss had prepared for them, they got in using only the identification prepared for them which stated that they were from another city situated near the outskirts of the region. With that, they got in in less time than others and the guard who took care of their processing handed them over to another guard who seemed to be of a lower rank and asked him to direct them to a camp. Julius’ plan was to enter the city as a surviving refugee and create a life within the city, and with his capabilities slowly rise to a favorable position where he could enjoy ease of getting information and other privileges. This meant the paperwork prepared by the boss wasn’t entirely useful since it didn’t fit within his plans. Seeing as the paperworks had no image of the one who possesses it, only a magic circle imprinted on it that when used together with a specific tool helps justify whether or not the one who claims the documents to be his was the rightful owner, Julius had thought of other different ways to utilize it. For example, he could change his facial features using magic or skin, or both, and voila, a different person, all he needed to do was alter the name written on the papers to something different using a little magic.

In a short while, the guard that was instructed to bring them to a refugee camp did just so, that night they received a tent and food that was distributed in rations. The tent wasn’t really spacious, and could fit at most only three sleeping mats. “Step outside everyone. Obviously, we can’t all fit into such a small space.” Even before he said anything, they had been thinking of who would remain outside, especially seeing as they were four, it was evident that Zaron was going to be left outside. “I’ve checked and it seemed we are the only ones that set up tent in this corner, which means we are not being monitored by the others. Wait here for a bit.” Julius’ words didn’t seem to make complete sense, it was clear that they were the only ones in that corner and that nobody was monitoring them, but what does that have to do with anything? they thought. After a few seconds Julius emerged from the tent casually while they all wondered what he was doing, he pointed two fingers at the tent and simultaneously the tent’s edges that left open spaces on the ground sunk into the earth beneath so that apart from the door there were no other spaces that connected the inside of the tent to the outside. “Hmm, Hmm. That’s about right I think.” He said with his eyes closed and his hands caressing over his beardless chin, “you may enter inside now.” With a confused look that showed they did not quite grasp what and why everything that just happened happened, they walked towards the entrance carefree. “Nora, do try to not to shout.”

“What? Why would master sa…” With a gasp of air, she stopped right in her tracks like a log causing Emilia to slam against her from behind, pushing her in as she leaned backwards a bit. “M ma ma ma MASTER!”

“Ah AHA AHA, This! Master!?” Zaron exclaimed.

“I know I did a little spell on the tent, but I never would have thought Zaron would be this loud, louder than Nora even though it’s not the first time he has seen this.”

The tent was now at least able to contain at least 30 beds and what made Zaron make such loud noise wasn’t just the fact that the space had expanded, rather, it was how fast the whole thing was done.