My Girlfriends Are Hardcore Yanderes - Chapter 133

Chapter 133: First Class
“You might have already heard about it from the clerk before, but Alarath is more than welcoming to sorcerers like you. You can get more benefits if you head to the Academy,” Arya said, her tone carrying professionalism. Her way of speaking was direct, with no unnecessary flair.

“Academy?” he raised an eyebrow.

“Yes. The Academy is actively hiring competent sorcerers to teach students.”

He tilted his head. “Why? Is Alarath running low on sorcerers?”

She nodded, her expression growing serious. “I’m afraid you’re right, Sorcerer.”

“You see, about a hundred years ago, Alarath was filled with sorcerers. The city thrived because of their contributions. But things changed during the civil war. They tried to take over the capital, and when they failed, the royal family exiled them, and they fled to the other regions.”

He gave a knowing nod. “So, the royal family finally realized what they were missing out on and now wants them back?”

“That’s the gist of it,” Arya admitted with a faint smile. “They’re trying to train more sorcerers.”

“Why now, though? A century is a long time, and from the looks of your city, it seems to be thriving without them.”

Arya hesitated for a moment before answering. “It’s because there are rumors that a war is brewing. The royal family believes that having sorcerers on their side could turn the tide in their favor.”

“A war, huh,” his tone was indifferent.

The thought of conflict didn’t faze him. This world’s politics and wars weren’t his concern, not unless they served his own goals. His focus remained on finding information about teleportation.

After a pause, he asked, “If there weren’t sorcerers here for so long, how did you manage all these years?”

Her expression softened as she explained, “We’ve relied on the Dryads. They’re beings akin to sorcerers, but their power is directly tied to natural elements. Unlike Arcane Spells, which can be studied and taught, the Dryads’ abilities are innate and cannot be mass-produced or passed down in the same way.”

His curiosity deepened. “So they’ve been your solution this whole time?”

She nodded. “Yes, but their numbers are few, and they’re not always willing to intervene. That’s why the return of sorcerers like you is so important to us.”

He touched his chin, considering the possibilities. This could work in his favor. If he proved his worth, he might gain access to top-secret information.

“Is there anyone at the Academy who knows about teleportation?” he finally asked.

Arya blinked, her lips parting slightly as she stared, her surprise written across her face. Teleportation was an advanced branch of magic, not something commonly discussed.

She composed herself before replying. “There might be. A sorcerer from Eryx joined the Academy two years ago. Eryx is one of the capitals known for its use of teleportation magic. You could try speaking with her.”

Hearing this, his interest grew. “Alright. I’ll check out the Academy, but I’m not making any promises.”

Arya’s face lit up with delight. Recruiting another sorcerer for the Academy would bring her substantial benefits, not to mention the prestige of introducing someone with potential.

She didn’t know how powerful Asher was, but she was skilled at reading people. His eyes showed confidence without trying, a feeling that came naturally. On top of that, he was asking about Teleportation, an advanced spell, which meant his knowledge of the Arcane arts was on a very high level.

After a brief wait, one of the employees returned with a document and a silver emblem etched with the image of a lion. Arya took them and handed them over to him.

“These are your documents, and this is your emblem. It signifies that you’re now a first-class citizen.”

Asher grabbed them, slipping both into his pocket.

“What are the advantages of being a first-class citizen?” he asked, his tone neutral.

Arya smiled, eager to explain. “First-class citizens can purchase land within the capital, access government facilities like the library and parks for free, and…” She paused briefly. “They’re also the only ones allowed to purchase slaves.”

“Slaves?” His eyebrow shot up, and his tone shifted slightly. The word seemed to carry more weight than she had anticipated.

Arya hesitated, caught off guard by his reaction.

“Is slavery uncommon where you’re from?” she asked carefully, hoping to avoid offending him.

Asher’s expression remained unreadable. “We have something similar. Tell me more about how slavery works here.”

Arya’s demeanor grew cautious, sensing the gravity of his request. Sorcerers were known for their pride and unpredictability. Offending one could lead to consequences she wasn’t prepared to face.

“Slaves in Alarath usually come from other regions. Most are criminals or refugees. Some…” She paused, measuring her words. “Some are humans.”

“Humans?” His voice turned colder.

Arya nodded, though she looked uneasy. “Yes. Humans are considered the lowest quality of slaves because they’re weaker and more prone to illness.”

“Where do these humans come from?” he asked, leaning forward slightly. His tone was calm, but she felt the tension in the air.

“We… don’t really know,” she admitted, lowering her gaze. “They first appeared here about five hundred years ago. Nobody knows exactly how or why. They’re often caught wandering near the borders. To be honest, they’re quite barbaric. Most don’t speak our language, and they’re… filthy.”

Asher’s mind raced. The mention of humans piqued his curiosity even further. Could they be connected to his world? The possibility lingered, though he kept his thoughts hidden.

“Filthy, huh?” he murmured.

“Yes,” Arya replied hesitantly. “They’re difficult to manage and don’t integrate well into society. That’s why they’re mostly sold as laborers or servants.”

“How are slaves treated here?” he asked, shifting the topic slightly. The question sounded casual, but his tone suggested he was paying close attention.

Arya’s unease grew. “It depends on the owner,” she said carefully. “Some treat their slaves well, providing food and shelter in exchange for labor. Others…” She trailed off, unwilling to elaborate further.

“And the laws? Are there any regulations on how slaves can be treated?” he pressed.

“There are some,” Arya admitted. “For instance, slaves cannot be killed without a valid reason, and owners must provide basic necessities. But enforcement is… uneven, especially in the outer regions.”

He leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. The concept of slavery here intrigued him, though not for reasons she might have guessed.

Arya, sensing the shift, decided to steer the conversation back to safer ground. “If you’re interested in learning more about the Academy, I can arrange for someone to give you a tour.”

“Not yet,” he replied. “I’ll visit when I’m ready.”

“Of course,” she said, bowing her head slightly. “If you need anything else, don’t hesitate to ask.”

“I don’t need anything for now. Thanks for the information.”

Asher left the office, his mind already racing with where to go.

When he reached the bridge and showed his emblem, the guards were taken aback, eyes widening in surprise. They hadn’t expected him to receive a first-class citizen emblem so easily.

One of the guards hesitated before speaking. “Are you perhaps a sorcerer or a rich nobleman from another country?”

“I’m a sorcerer,” Asher casually replied.

At his words, the guards immediately bowed, their heads low in respect.