I Don't Need To Log Out

"You don't know? It's well-known in Kelta that Lord Zephyrion and Lady Rael are more than just 'colleagues.' Didn't you hear about that?" said the cat Beastman.

"But Lady Rael completely denied it earlier today," Arlon said, recalling the conversation from before.

"Haha! They always deny it," the Beastman said with a knowing grin. "You're a guest, right? Stick around long enough, and you'll understand."

He leaned closer conspiratorially. "You should have seen the 'unlucky ones'—the people who begged Lady Rael to marry them. Some even showed up at the Citadel's gates. Of course, she rejected all of them."

"So it's like that..." Arlon murmured, wondering whether this was just gossip or if there was some truth to it.

"Of course, it's," the owner insisted. "Why else would Lady Rael have so many soldiers around her?"

Arlon frowned slightly. "Isn't it normal for her to have guards? She's a seer, after all."

"Not like that," the Beastman said, shaking his head. "She's not an administrator. Sure, she might get a few escorts for her seer duties, but between us..." He lowered his voice. "Lord Zephyrion stretches his authority a little to assign his own soldiers to Lady Rael. Anything can happen, she is a beautiful girl, after all. Of course, no one minds this abuse of power."

Arlon's thoughts raced. Now that I think about it... He had always found it strange that Lady Rael had such a large number of guards and seemed to wield significant influence over them.

---

After finishing his meal, Arlon headed back to his room. The food had been more expensive than in Istarra, but it was still within an acceptable range.

He had already pushed thoughts of Zephyrion and Lady Rael out of his mind. It doesn't change anything for me, he reasoned. But it's good to know—any information might prove useful later. My priority is to get my Doppelganger spell out of its weakened state.

Once inside his room, Arlon settled into his chair and continued reading "A Magician's Secret."

---

The next day, after the players logged back in, Nora returned to meet them.

"Miss Nora, are you going to guide us today as well?" Maria asked.

"Yes, I'll be your attendant until next week," Nora replied.

"Hmm... But don't you have a lot of work to do, like the other administrators?" Carmen asked, concern evident in her tone.

"You don't need to worry about that," Nora said, forcing a polite smile. "Kelta is always busy—this much work won't affect me."

Her strained expression didn't go unnoticed, and the group felt worse, but they refrained from commenting further to avoid embarrassing her.

"Where are we going today?" Pierre asked, changing the subject.

"To the training grounds, located in the west military district," Nora explained. "But keep in mind that many of the soldiers here are also high-ranking administrators."

This was one of the rules Nora had mentioned previously. Administrators held significant authority in Trion.

Although they rarely abused it, they would not hesitate to protect themselves when necessary. This was part of why villagers in Oceina and Istarra feared administrators.

The group left the central part of Kelta on foot before boarding the same carriage they had used to arrive in the city.

After about 20 minutes of riding, they reached the western edge of Kelta, near the city walls.

As they approached, they could see the intricate details of the towering walls. Elevators and staircases were built into them, allowing people to ascend to the top with ease.

Midpoints along the walls housed offices and other facilities, making the walls multifunctional, much like the Citadel itself.

They really make use of every part of the city... Arlon thought.

Not all military buildings were located on the walls, however.

The higher-ranking members operated from within them, but the trainees, newly enlisted soldiers, trainers, and businesses catering to their daily needs were stationed on the ground below.

"There are eight military training grounds in Kelta," Nora explained as they neared their destination. "You'll most likely use the one inside the Citadel, but this one here is your secondary option."

The training grounds were equipped with magical tools designed to enhance and optimize training sessions. However, it was impossible to equip every ground equally.

As a result, Kelta's eight training grounds were ranked by importance, with the one inside the Citadel being the most advanced.

It had the widest array of tools and resources, making it the pinnacle of training facilities in the city- no, in Trion.

The others were ranked in descending order of importance. Due to the city's layout, the west and north training grounds, located near the city's gates, were the second and third most advanced.

Excluding the northwest gate, which served primarily as an entry point, the city boasted seven functional training grounds.

Nora gestured toward the expansive training grounds ahead. "You're free to use this facility during your stay by showing your IDs," she said.

The group observed the bustling activity within the grounds. Trainees, most of them Beastmen, were scattered across the area, and engaged in various exercises.

Many ran laps or performed drills designed to build strength and stamina.

Arlon's attention was drawn to one section of the grounds where a mana training facility stood.

Trainees in this area wore robes instead of the typical soldier uniforms, each holding a glowing blue rock that pulsed faintly with mana.

Interesting, Arlon thought, noting the facility for later. While he wouldn't use these as a guide, he planned to return once his copy arrived.

The group followed Nora into the training grounds. Beyond the open fields, they noticed several enclosed buildings, suggesting more specialized training within.

Before they could explore further, a Beastman approached them. His commanding presence and confident stride made it clear he wasn't a trainee.

"Miss Nora, long time no see," the Beastman said with a friendly smile.

"Ah, Mr. Kimer. Hello," Nora replied, returning his greeting. "I assume you've heard we're visiting today with our savior guests?"

"Yes, I have," Kimer said, his tone warm. "Please, allow me to assist you."

"That would be wonderful," Nora said, visibly relieved. "Please show us the facilities."

Kimer nodded and turned to the group. "I'm Kimer, the head of the west training grounds and one of the trainers here," he introduced himself. "You'll see what a real training facility looks like! Follow me."

As they followed Kimer, they passed through the outdoor training areas. While the open facilities were in excellent condition, they lacked magical devices.

These areas were primarily for building physical endurance and performing high-risk drills.

"The real magic happens inside," Kimer said smugly, gesturing toward a row of cottage-like buildings. "Each building here serves a unique purpose. Let me show you one."

He led them into one of the buildings, where they were greeted by another trainer.

"This is where we train summoners," Kimer announced proudly.

Maria and Carmen perked up immediately, paying close attention.

The trainer, who seemed to be in charge, stepped forward and greeted Kimer before greeting the rest of the group.

"You might remember Maverick from the tournament you participated in," Kimer said before adding, "He was the one who had summoned the arena."