NOVPUB
Chapter 41 - Tension with the Locals
𝚗o𝚟pub.𝚌𝚘𝚖The group wandered through Ainsworth city as the sun rose higher into the pale blue sky, the cobblestone streets warming under its glow. It had already been a few hours since they set off, and most of the demon students still walked with bright, curious eyes.
For many of them, this was their first time stepping into a human city—much less one as magical and culturally refined as Ainsworth.
Lydia Clearwater, as a daughter of one of the thirteen noble houses, had taken it upon herself to act as an informal guide. She was confident, graceful, and spoke with the kind of authority that came from years of being listened to. She elegantly explained the use of enchantment-infused cobblestones, the mana-powered lighting systems that glowed like crystal lamps, and the merchant stalls that sold magical trinkets.
James and Kira followed behind, more like shadows than participants.
Ainsworth City, built around the prestigious Ainsworth Academy, was far from an ordinary town. Magic infused its every brick and beam. Most of the populace here were apprentice mages at minimum—able to cast simple spells with preparation.
The academy's influence meant that even bakeries and smithies made regular use of mana-infused tools, and sometimes walking around you might even see a few mid-level mages, though most of them were students in higher grades.
Ainsworth's academic path followed a four-year structure. First-years were typically level 1 or 2 mages but most second-year students often found themselves hitting a wall between levels 3 and 4—a well-known bottleneck that required more than just common meditation.
Talent, resources, and sometimes even fate played a role. Most who graduated reached level 4 at best.
Those who went beyond that were the truly talented ones.
He had heard of a few genius students in older years who were already level 5 mages. These were all people without a doubt from the Thirteen Noble Houses. They had the resources and the bloodline advantage.
If James could also become a level 2 mage soon he could also be considered a small genius, but most of his classmates didn't think he had a chance. After all they all thought he took a Level Breaking Potion, which left his potential exhausted.
Actually James was planning to take the training camp as the time to break through to a level 2 mage, he could then say he found a special opportunity in the wilderness to restore his magical potential.
The sun circled in the sky and the shadows grew long. It was already late afternoon and everyone looked exhausted.
Helene made the decision that they would split into smaller groups and explore freely. The factions formed naturally—Amon led one group, the fox demon another, and Gorran the last. Lydia, predictably, chose Amon's side. James, however, found himself in Gorran's group—at the demon's own request.
James could tell that the Gorran was very interested in him. Feeling the stone demon's unstable magical aura, he guessed that he was about to break through.
He didn't want another fight did he?
Helene also left them, saying she had some business to attend to. So James led a group of five demons around the school.
The stone demon glanced at the paltry group and said, "Let's get something to eat, I want to try some human food!"
The other demons didn't look too interested but James still took them to a tavern.
When they entered the tavern all eyes were looking at them. Even though many people knew there was a demon delegation coming, many people had not seen them yet. People paused mid-bite, mugs halfway to their lips. They began whispering to each other in low voices.
James looked at their fiery eyes, and was grateful he didn't come in the evening when more people started drinking. Otherwise there might be a brawl.
...Or maybe a brawl is a good thing?
James narrowed his eyes. The more unstable things became, the more room he had to maneuver. When waters were turbulent, who cared if an unknown fish was swimming deep below?
Gorran was unfazed by the tension. He even laughed and clapped his large hands. "Look! Look! They're all scared of us!"
"What did you say?!" A gruff looking man slammed his hand on the table and wanted to get up, but his companions quickly stopped him and calmed him down.
After all everyone knew that the demon delegation were here because of the decision of the The Council, and the school had specifically warned everyone to not cause trouble.
Gorran laughed but he didn't press anymore. Actually, while this demon seemed quite foolish and simple minded, his mind was very deep.
James was sure everything he was doing was on purpose - maybe he was trying to test everyone's reaction. James was also probably under his observation.
But James didn't feel much malice from him, it was more cunning. So he didn't mind.
He brought the group over to a table and prepared to order food, then he realised something
"Do you guys have any money?"
Five pairs of demon eyes blinked at him innocently. Gorran smiled like a fox in a henhouse. "You're the host, right? Isn't it polite for humans to treat their guests?"
James nearly wept. He glanced at his coin pouch, calculating how much he'd lose. Then he remembered—his lover was a noble professor. What were a few gold coins in comparison?!
Laughing, James ordered an expensive spread, feeling very generous.
[Favorability +1]
[Favorability +1]
[Favorability +1]
Seeing that the demons looked at him with kinder eyes, James couldn't help but complain. If only it was always so easy!
After the meal, Gorran leaned forward, his tone quiet and conspiratorial.
"By the way... we've seen a lot today. But is there that kind of place here? You know what I mean?" He winked with a lewd look on his face.
James blinked, then caught the sparkle in the other demons' eyes. They looked far too excited.
There was a place like that... but it was in the noble district. And taking a group of demons there?
Now that would make things interesting.
