217: Chapter 217 Arrival in Ascalon! Asking for Directions! The Winfield Family!

The next morning, at dawn, Rowan and Garuvi had a simple breakfast on the first floor of the inn before packing their bags, leaving the city gates, and galloping off along the road to the northwest.

Once they left Ice Ridge City, they could officially consider themselves outside the borders of the empire.

The scenery on both sides gradually shifted from the vast and boundless expanse of the Northern Territory into a more complex and varied landscape.

At times it was rolling hills, at times sparse woodlands, and at other times, open wilderness.

The two rode swiftly all the way until the horizon began to be stained with a touch of orange-red twilight.

The silhouette of a massive city finally appeared in their field of vision. It was Ascalon.

On a hill, Rowan reined in his horse and quietly watched the massive city.

This city was completely different from any city he had seen before.

It was situated on a vast plain, with no tall city walls surrounding it.

Many of the buildings in the city were covered in brightly colored glazed tiles, which shimmered with various lusters in the twilight.

There were also towering spires visible everywhere, with glowing crystal balls floating at their tops.

This was the neutral capital of the Northern Territory—Ascalon.

It did not belong to any faction; it was a free city indirectly managed by the Holy Covenant Church.

Entering the city, diverse shops lined both sides of the wide stone streets.

The pedestrians on the streets were also more diverse than those within the empire; there were spellcasters wearing ornate robes, mercenaries in leather armor, and merchants in exotic attire.

One could even see some elves with pointed ears and stocky dwarves walking on the streets.

Rowan found an old man on the side of the road who looked kind and asked for the location of the Moon Chant Covenant Wizard Academy.

The old man looked up and sized them up. His gaze lingered for a moment on Rowan's attire, which was low-key but made of exquisite materials, and he revealed a knowing expression, chuckling, "Are you two here to attend this year's Moon Chant Covenant Wizard Academy graduation party and looking for a Contract Wizard?"

Rowan was slightly taken aback upon hearing this. "Graduation party? Contract Wizard? What does that mean?"

Seeing that he had guessed wrong, the old man was not embarrassed but instead explained with a smile:

"The graduation party is a grand event held by the Moon Chant Covenant Wizard Academy every graduation season."

"And a Contract Wizard is someone whom major factions can invite to their territories to build wizard towers and serve as resident wizard consultants for the territory."

The old man stroked his beard and continued, "This year's graduation party is quite extraordinary."

"I heard that among this year's graduates, three people reached the level of a Fourth-Circle Wizard right upon graduation!"

"This is a rare spectacle that hasn't been seen in years. The most famous one among them is actually a genius wizard from the renowned Winfield family!"

Rowan's eyes narrowed slightly when he heard the surname Winfield.

He remembered very clearly that when the young witch he met in the Mist Forest introduced herself, she had said her name was Aurora Winfield.

So he asked, "Old man, what kind of family is this Winfield family you speak of? And what is the name of that genius wizard from the Winfield family?"

The old man was stunned upon hearing this and said in surprise, "You don't even know about the Winfield family? They are one of the top wizard families in Ascalon!"

"The family has produced several Great Wizards above the Seventh Circle and holds seats on the City Council."

"The most outstanding young person in their family this generation is Miss Aurora Winfield!"

"She is a huge star in the academy and even the entire city! Not only is she beautiful, but her talent is also astonishing!"

"She reached the level of a Fourth-Circle Wizard after only five years of enrollment! Furthermore, it is said that her research into the Red Moon domain is unmatched among the younger generation in the entire academy."

"The people pursuing her could line up from the academy gate all the way to the city gate!"

After listening, Rowan was somewhat surprised; he hadn't expected Aurora to be so famous in Ascalon.

He thought for a moment and asked again, "In other words, if I want to see Miss Aurora now, do I need to go to the academy to attend the graduation party?"

The old man waved his hand. "The graduation party isn't held inside the Moon Chant Covenant Wizard Academy. That place is protected by a barrier, and ordinary people can't get in."

"The graduation party is held at the most luxurious tavern in the city, the Blazing Fire Tavern. Every year at this time, it becomes very lively there."

"Where is that Blazing Fire Tavern located?" Rowan asked.

The old man chuckled, "My lord, one look at you and I can tell you are a noble gentleman. My grandson is very familiar with all the big and small places in the city and can lead the way for you. You see…"

Rowan couldn't help but laugh. He took a gold coin from his pocket and tossed it over. "Then I will trouble you."

The old man took the gold coin, weighed it in his hand, and his eyes immediately lit up. He hurriedly shouted into the house, "Little Barney! Come out and lead this lord the way!"

As the words fell, a boy of about thirteen or fourteen years old ran out from the house in response.

He had a head of messy brown hair and a few freckles on his face, but his eyes were bright, revealing a sense of cleverness.

After the old man gave a few instructions, Little Barney enthusiastically greeted Rowan and Garuvi to follow him, chattering away as they walked, introducing the buildings along the way.

Rowan also took the opportunity to ask some questions about Ascalon.

Little Barney was clearly well-versed in the city; no matter what Rowan asked, he could give a rough answer.

When Rowan asked about the wizard academy, Little Barney's eyes lit up, and his tone was filled with longing: "My greatest wish is to pass the entrance test for the Moon Chant Covenant Wizard Academy!"

"Although my family says I'm not cut out for it, I just want to try!"

Seeing this, Rowan smiled and didn't say much.

Little Barney led the two of them turning left and right, passing through several streets, and finally stopped in front of a very eye-catching building.

He pointed to the building: "My lord, we've arrived! This is the Blazing Fire Tavern!"

Rowan looked up at the building.

The entire building was six stories tall and constructed entirely of a deep red stone.

On both sides of the entrance stood a bronze statue about the height of a person.

On the left was a flaming rooster with its head held high, crowing. On the right was a fox with its tail tip burning.

Rowan withdrew his gaze, waved at Little Barney to let him go back, and then walked toward the tavern entrance with Garuvi.

Two guards stood at the entrance. Seeing the two approach, one of them reached out and blocked their path: "Stop, you two. The Moon Chant Covenant Wizard Academy has booked the venue tonight. May I ask what you two are here for?"

Rowan thought for a moment and said directly, "We are here to attend the graduation party."

Upon hearing this, the guard didn't ask any more questions; he simply reached out and said in a flat tone, "Entrance fee is ten gold coins per person."

Rowan narrowed his eyes slightly upon hearing this, looked over the tavern, but didn't say much, taking out twenty gold coins and handing them over.

The guard took the gold coins, weighed them in his hand, and after confirming the quality was correct, he stepped aside and cleared the path.

At the same time, he handed over two silver brooches engraved with a flame emblem: "Wear these, and you can move freely inside the tavern. I wish you both a pleasant evening."

Rowan took the brooches, handed one to Garuvi, and the two pinned them to their collars before pushing open the tavern doors and walking inside.