Strongest Novel Extra: The Irregular Mage is an Exorcist

Yurik introduced Vonn to a coachman with a rugged look, a bearded face, tanned skin, and an average build. When the coachman looked up, his upright posture and neutral gaze made him seem more like a butler than a coachman.

'Is he really a coachman, or just Uncle Yurik's personal servant?' Vonn speculated, watching from a distance. 'I doubt a Silverfein like him would live too humbly. He'd still have a few honorable servants around.'

'Originally, I planned to stay at his house while gathering information and resources. But it seems he's caught on to my situation. He must've pieced together why I don't have any guards with me.'

Yurik guessed Vonn had some purpose out west and, though he worried for the kid's safety, he couldn't overlook the determination in Vonn's eyes—a maturity beyond his years, likely forged by hard circumstances.

After speaking with the coachman, Yurik smiled at Vonn and waved him over.

"You'll arrive by nightfall. I've arranged for him to let you stay the night. After that, you're free to go as you need."

Vonn looked up, sensing Yurik's quiet guidance. It was undeniable—this hidden master uncle had a natural instinct for nurturing young people.

"You're not stopping me?" Vonn asked.

"Do you want me to?" Yurik replied without missing a beat.

Vonn chuckled, shaking his head as he climbed onto the shabby carriage. "I'll see you again soon, Uncle Yurik. I still have things to take care of."

Yurik returned his smile. "Don't push yourself too hard, kid. You're still a child, no matter how mature you seem. It's not safe for you to travel alone, but don't worry—this is North Sword City. You're safer here than anywhere else."

***

'It was a short meeting, but meaningful. My knowledge proved useful, after all.' Vonn leaned out of the carriage window, taking in the bustling cityscape as it sprawled before him.

They rolled past rows of bakeries, their warmth and aroma spilling onto the street. The scent of freshly baked bread drifted through the air, rich and inviting, coaxing his stomach to rumble with anticipation. Food stalls lined the sidewalks, each one offering something tempting: skewers crackling over open flames, dumplings stacked in steaming bamboo baskets, and plump, juicy fruits glistening under the morning sun. The atmosphere was thick with spices and aromas that promised flavors more thrilling than anything he'd ever imagined.

'This world really does have its charms,' Vonn thought, momentarily lost in the sights and sounds. In his old life, everything was rigid and predictable. But here, every corner of the city seemed to pulse with its own vibrant energy.

He watched the crowd, noting the wide variety of people thronging the streets. Faces of every shape and shade moved past him. There were traders with fair complexions, merchants with weathered, sun-darkened skin, and travelers garbed in styles he'd never seen before, marking them as distant wanderers or locals deeply rooted in this city. He could spot warriors in gleaming armor, scholars draped in long robes, travelers with pouches and charms dangling from their belts, and even mages cloaked in robes faintly lined with symbols that hinted at mystic arts.

As the carriage clattered over cobblestones, a troupe of street performers caught his eye. Musicians strummed lively tunes on lute and flute, and a dancer twirled gracefully, her dress a vibrant blur of color.

'Part of me could see a comfortable life here,' he mused, half-smiling. 'Even if it's at odds with my purpose… maybe it's not entirely out of reach.'

The rhythmic clatter of the carriage lulled him, and he didn't realize he'd drifted off until a sudden jolt snapped him awake. Blinking, he looked out the window to find two guards in polished silver armor blocking the carriage, halting it in the middle of the crowded street.

Behind them, a tall wall loomed in the distance—likely marking the boundary of the inner district. A flicker of recognition crossed Vonn's mind as he pieced together their location.

'We've already passed the main family estate.'

"What's the checkpoint for, sir?" the coachman asked, his voice tight with unease.

"No questions. Emergency checkpoint," one of the guards snapped.

The coachman's face paled, his apprehension evident as he met the guard's steely gaze. Suspicion thickened the air. One guard pointed his spear at the coachman, noting his uneasy reaction, while the other studied the carriage, a look of suspicion in his eyes. It was as if they sensed something—or someone—might be hidden inside.

They shared a brief, knowing glance, coming to a silent agreement. One guard stepped forward, his spear raised toward the carriage curtains, then, in one fluid motion, flicked them aside.

The coachman's worry was obvious. He dared not make any sudden moves, fully aware of the Silverfein guards' brutal reputation. All he could do was hope that his passenger—the young master—wasn't who they were searching for.

'Something must've happened…' the coachman thought, tense and prepared to flee at the first sign of trouble. His eyes flicked between the guards, bracing himself for whatever might come.

To his surprise, the guard inspecting the carriage merely nodded and lowered his spear. Without a word, they both stepped back, waving the carriage through. The coachman released a silent breath of relief as they resumed their journey, the tension lingering but unspoken.

Still dazed, the coachman continued down the road, casting anxious glances over his shoulder until the checkpoint was safely out of view. Finally, he pulled over, climbed down from his seat, and cautiously peered into the carriage.

To his shock, it was empty.

"Huh?" he muttered, blinking in disbelief.

A faint scratching noise came from the back of the carriage. Startled, he crouched down to investigate—and found himself face-to-face with a pair of bright eyes grinning up at him. He yelped and stumbled back, landing squarely on the ground.

Vonn chuckled as he released his grip on the underside of the carriage, brushing the dirt from his clothes. 'I take back what I thought about him earlier,' he thought, smirking. 'This guy's not as composed as he seemed.'

The coachman, still in shock, gaped at Vonn as he stood up and casually dusted himself off. His mind raced with questions, but the only one he managed to ask was, "Those guards… they were looking for you, weren't they?"

Vonn shrugged, giving a relaxed smile. "Who knows? Just felt like hiding."

The coachman sighed, shaking his head as he worked to regain his composure. With a deep breath, he stood up straight, reclaiming a bit of his dignity. "Well… we've arrived."

Vonn took a moment to look around, taking in his surroundings. It matched the description in the novel almost perfectly. "Oh… thank you," he murmured, his gaze sweeping over the scene.

The western district was noticeably still, its streets void of the bustling energy they'd left behind. At the end of the road stood a grand estate, casting a shadow over the sparse, dilapidated buildings nearby. The surrounding houses were crumbling, little more than hollow shacks—a ghostly remnant of what looked like an abandoned slum.

'Just like in the novel,' Vonn thought, a mix of excitement and apprehension stirring within him as he took in the familiar yet unsettling view.