A few minutes later… two elves and one human being were speedily moving through the forest, the urgency of their pace marked by the wind that whistled past them.
Eldrin led the way, still grumbling, while Elira and Liam closely followed behind. Liam, however, did not look like his usual self. Or rather he did not look human.
He looked like his elven twin if he ever had one—his ears had elongated slightly, his features more gentle. There was a calm and lofty aura about him that only someone from an elven noble clan could possess.
"This disguise is very good." Liam admired his new form.
"Of course, it is," Eldrin grumbled, not at all pleased with how things had gone down.
The damned human being had been so stubborn about traveling to the Empire's capital and risking his life that he had no choice except to fork over the disguise he had prepared for himself.
Now, he was forced to waste this precious item on the human being.
Liam chuckled. He did not plan on telling the elf that he had several soul minions out in the forbidden forests and could have switched places with them the moment he was in danger.
This was why he had planned to step out of the forbidden area to the Empire in the first place. He was simply probing the elf to see if he had any alternatives and did not expect that such a good one would pop out.
The mask item currently Liam was using worked on all beings whose level was more or less the same as him or lower than him, effectively disguising his aura and appearance to match whichever race he wanted.
The elf mentioned that it was even effective against stronger elves unless he stood out and they specifically paid attention to him. Given his level and capabilities, it was more than enough for what he planned to do.
"Enough with the smirking," Eldrin snapped, noticing Liam's amused expression. "If you think this is going to be some kind of holiday, you're sorely mistaken."
"Don't worry," Liam calmly said. "I'm fully aware of the risks involved. That's why I've prepared as thoroughly as I have."
All the preparations were his. What was this human talking about? Eldrin rolled his eyes but said nothing.
The group continued moving through the forests and since Eldrin was there this time to guide them, they avoided any unnecessary encounters and beast territories.
Finally, after several days, the trio arrived at the outskirts of the Elven Empire's capital. The massive city loomed in the distance, its towering spires and gleaming walls practically glowing in the soft light of the setting sun.
"Here we are," Eldrin muttered, looking less than thrilled. "The heart of our Stormshroud Empire. As the name suggests most elves in the empire have a frighteningly high affinity for the lightning element."
Liam looked at the sprawling expanse of the city, his eyes catching the hints of ethereal light that seemed to dance around the spires. "Spectacular." He marveled at the beautiful settlement.
"Yes. Yes. Why wouldn't it be beautiful?" Eldrin explained begrudgingly. "The Stormshroud Empire was founded on a powerful leyline nexus of lightning elementals."
"This made the empire filthy rich as this is an invaluable training ground for anyone wishing to gain insights into the lightning element."
"That's why our mages are particularly adept at wielding lightning magic. But it also enriches the land, the vegetation, and even the air. The atmosphere itself is... electrifying, so to speak."
"Do you also have a very high affinity for the lightning element?" Liam probed the elf. However, to his surprise, he only received a glare and no answer.
"I guess not." Liam laughed.
Eldrin ignored him and started taking out some things. He gave Liam and Elira a few elegant robes that had some enchantments on them such as self-cleaning and self-drying along with an impressive physical and magic defense.
They were epic-grade according to system classification. Eldrin was not the generous kind and Liam understood why he had given them the clothes the moment they stepped into the city.
The entire city was seemingly filled with the rich and the arrogant. Unlike the small elven settlement he had visited, this one exclusively had filthy rich nobles and accomplished mages.
Their attire was embroidered with magical sigils, and the weapons they carried were clearly top-tier artifacts.
In a setting , one's outfit was not just a matter of fashion but a clear statement of one's abilities and social status. Wearing anything less than what Eldrin provided would have immediately flagged them as outsiders.
Liam, Eldrin, and Elira walked into the city side by side. Eldrin started briefing them on the essential customs and norms. "If questioned by anyone of authority, remember your cover story."
"You're both distant relatives from a minor clan that pays allegiance to the Stormshroud family. Your presence here is for the recruitment event."
"We will be heading straight to the arena so we should not have any issues."
Eldrin navigated through the busy streets with a fluid ease that came from years of living in the city.
As they walked, he pointed out various landmarks, statues of past rulers, and magical constructs that performed a variety of functions from lighting the streets to keeping the atmosphere clean.
"Ah, that there is the Library, the largest repository of magical knowledge in the empire. Admission is restricted to mages of considerable skill and of course, royal members." Eldrin said, pointing at a massive dome-shaped building that glowed with various arcane symbols.
Liam couldn't help but feel a sense of awe.
The city was a living testament to what could be achieved when magic and civilization were in harmony. Particularly, the library should have centuries of consolidated information.
Perhaps this was why the system shop wasn't that amazing for them. Everything they needed they could access from their own repository.
In that case, the marketplace should also have some decent items for sale, maybe even the healing potion that he required.
As if reading his mind, Eldrin immediately stopped him. "You won't find anything of value to you in the shops. Only the royal elves have access to the good stuff."
Soon enough, they found themselves standing before a grand structure with golden archways and bright lights glowing from within. It was the arena, the usual location for the recruitment event.
"Right," Eldrin said, halting. "This is where we part ways temporarily. I have some matters to attend to. So I will be around here somewhere in the city. Elira, the guards at the entrance will guide you to the waiting area for newcomers. Liam, what is your plan?"