The Sovereign System.

Three days later, the carriage entered the outskirts of Clayton City. The rough and bumpy roads finally gave way to smoother, well-maintained paths, a clear indication they were nearing civilization.

Luke's gaze shifted toward the city walls in the distance. Towering stone fortifications loomed like giants, casting long shadows across the landscape. He'd seen medieval castles in documentaries and TV shows back on Earth, but seeing something of this magnitude in person made his heart skip a beat.

Unfortunately, his appreciation for the grand architecture was overshadowed by a more pressing issue: the unbearable throbbing in his backside.

"Young Master, we've almost arrived," Sebastian said, a flicker of amusement appearing on his features.

Luke grimaced. 

After three days of near non-stop travel, his body felt like it had been put through a blender. His muscles ached, his neck was stiff, and his rear—well, he was fairly certain he had developed piles.

'Is there anything worse than being forced into a Military Academy?' Luke mused. 'Yes. Joining the Military Academy with piles.'

The carriage began to slow as it neared the city gates. Luke stretched his legs with a groan and looked ahead. The city walls were even more awe-inspiring up close, standing at least ten meters high and made of weathered stone. 

They were unlike anything he'd seen back on Earth, built without the aid of modern technology yet exuding an undeniable sense of power and majesty.

The line to enter Clayton City stretched for what seemed like miles, and Luke noticed the heavy presence of soldiers manning the gates. Security was tight—unsurprising, given the city's proximity to the border.

"Sebastian," Luke called, a note of unease creeping into his voice, "how are we going to get inside? I'm no longer a noble, right? What if they don't let us in?"

Sebastian flashed him a grin, seeming confident. "Don't worry, Young Master. Just follow my lead."

With that, Sebastian strode forward, head held high, walking with purpose and dignity.

Luke, still nursing his sore body, hesitated but quickly followed. He didn't have much of a choice—he lacked the knowledge to navigate this world without Sebastian.

As they neared the long line of people waiting to enter, Luke slowed, expecting Sebastian to stop and wait like everyone else.

But Sebastian didn't stop. He marched right past the line, ignoring the hundreds of people who had been waiting for who knows how long.

Luke blinked in shock.

'What the hell, man!? Weren't we supposed to keep a low profile?'

He glanced nervously at the people in line, expecting an outcry, or at least some sign of frustration or anger. But to his surprise, no one said a word. No one even looked at them.

The people seemed almost… resigned. As if what was happening was normal and knew better than to question it.

Luke swallowed, his Earthly conscience screaming at him that this was wrong, unfair.

But the silence of the crowd unnerved him more than anything, so he hurried after Sebastian, trying to ignore the gnawing guilt in his gut.

Luke's heart pounded in his chest as he hurried to catch up with Sebastian.

"Identification and reason for visit?" A gruff soldier, his armor clinking as he shifted, asked without any enthusiasm. His gaze barely rose to meet Sebastian's eyes.

"Young Master Nero and Sebastian Black of Valan City," Sebastian replied smoothly, not missing a beat as he pulled out identification for both of them.

'Huh!? This was your plan?' Luke's mind reeled. 

Why would he use their real names? They were being hunted, possibly marked for death by the traitors. What if the soldiers here had been bribed or were working with the enemy?

Luke's throat went dry, panic prickling his skin.

The soldier accepted the paperwork with a look of boredom, barely glancing at the documents before handing them back..

"And why are you here?" he asked, his tone sloth-like.

"Ahem. We've been sent by Viscount Nero on official military business. I'm sure I don't need to elaborate?" Sebastian's words were calm, containing almost a subtle warning not to ask further questions.

The soldier blinked, looking like he was mentally weighing up his options. After a long pause, he gave a tired sigh, shaking his head with apparent exhaustion. 

"Head inside."

Luke stood frozen for a moment, mouth slightly open in disbelief.

'That actually worked?'

His legs felt weak, the tension seeping out of him in a rush. He might have given them away entirely if Sebastian hadn't grabbed his arm and yanked him forward.

Once inside, the enormity of Clayton City hit him like a wave. The streets were wide, wide enough for three carriages to ride side by side, and flanked by houses that looked more like miniature fortresses than residential buildings.

Each house was outfitted with stone reinforcements and heavy wooden doors. The air buzzed with activity—residents haggling with traders, soldiers drinking and laughing boisterously in nearby taverns.

Despite the city's proximity to the border, it was thriving. The presence of soldiers didn't dampen the lively atmosphere; if anything, they were part of it, their boisterous conversations blending in with the sounds of the market.

"Follow me, Young Master. Don't get lost," Sebastian called over his shoulder.

Before Luke could wrap his head around the fact that they had just bluffed their way into a fortified city, Sebastian held his arm tightly, dragging him through the crowded streets like some kind of wayward child.

After some time, they finally arrived at a narrow alleyway that reeked of ammonia.

Luke's stomach turned in protest. He gagged slightly, pressing his sleeve against his nose to ward off the stench. Only then did Sebastian release his firm grip on Luke's arm, leaving the young man to rub his sore wrist.

The butler gestured toward a narrow staircase leading into a basement. It looked less like a legitimate business and more like a den for criminals. Even with only lackluster knowledge of this world, he could tell this place would not be a lawful establishment.

"Let's go," Sebastian said, already descending the steps without a backward glance.

Luke swallowed hard, his throat dry as sandpaper. They had only just arrived in Clayton City, and his butler had already left him utterly mystified. 

'This should be the place to get our identification,' he mused, his Scholarly Pursuit skill quietly offering him some semblance of peace.

They reached the bottom, coming face to face with a reinforced wooden door. It was out of place in the rundown alley, its heavy metal hinges and dark oak frame giving off an air of impenetrability.

Knock… Knock Knock… Knock.

Sebastian rapped on the door in an odd rhythm, then stepped back as if waiting for something. Luke tensed, the silence between them thick with uncertainty. His butler had barely spoken since passing through the city gates, moving with a sense of urgency.

A slit in the door opened, revealing a pair of dark, expressionless eyes.

"In the midst of chaos…" a gravelly voice began, rasping against Luke's ears like nails on a chalkboard.

"There is also opportunity," Sebastian finished, his voice calm and unwavering.

A series of heavy clicks echoed from behind the door as the locks were disengaged. The door creaked open, revealing a hulking man with broad shoulders and arms like tree trunks.

His face, scarred and brutish, matched the voice Luke had just heard.

'In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity…' Luke's mind raced. 

'Where have I heard that before?'

The interior looked like a dingy tavern, dimly lit with flickering lanterns casting long shadows on the worn wooden walls. The patrons, cloaked in a similar dangerous aura as the man who opened the door, turned their heads to size up the newcomers.

They stuck out. Badly.

Sebastian made his way to the bar with a steady stride, pulling a pouch from his coat and setting it on the counter. The clinking of silver coins sounded like gunshots in the tense room, drawing even more eyes in their direction.

"What will it be?" The familiar grating voice spoke again, this time from behind the bar.

"Two commoner identity papers. Make sure the residency is listed as Clayton City, with at least ten years of background," Sebastian said, as casually as if he were ordering a drink.

The tavern keeper glanced at the purse, then scoffed, cracking his neck with a loud pop. "Not sure you have enough silver in there for that," he said, his voice low and dangerous.

At his words, several of the tavern patrons rose from their seats, their eyes gleaming with predatory intent. A cold sweat broke out on Luke's back, and he instinctively inched closer to Sebastian, the oppressive atmosphere pressing in on him from all sides.

Just as the situation seemed ready to explode, Sebastian reached into his coat again, producing a single gold coin. He set it beside the purse with a soft clink.

"Hoh?" The burly man's surprise was short-lived. His grin widened, and Luke could sense something ominous in the way the man looked at them.

'They want to rob us…' Luke didn't need his scholarly pursuit skill to deduce this.

But then suddenly, the temperature dropped, the air around them turning frigid. Luke's breath fogged up before his eyes, the bitter chill seeping into his bones. His heart pounded in his chest, and he shuddered as the cold settled in like a weight.

Behind the counter, the tavern keeper's wicked grin disappeared. His eyes widened with pure terror as if staring into the abyss itself. "I—I accept your payment," he stammered, snatching the coins off the counter with a quivering hand.

The tension in the room seemed to break. The patrons who had stood up sank back into their seats, eyes downcast, pointedly avoiding looking in their direction

Luke's gaze lingered on Sebastian, his questions piling up faster than he could process them. Once they settled somewhere safe, they were going to have a serious conversation.

Surprisingly, the process only took around ten minutes.

The burly man returned, his hands trembling slightly as he placed two freshly stamped identity papers on the counter. The fear still lingered in his eyes, a shadow of whatever had chilled him to the core earlier.

"Please... choose your names," he muttered, not daring to meet Sebastian's gaze.

…

They left the dim, oppressive tavern shortly after, the alley's pungent smell of ammonia greeting them once more. Luke took a deep breath as they emerged into the open air, the tension finally leaving his body. It felt like he'd been holding his breath since they arrived.

This was the third time he'd felt his life was in danger since waking up in this world—and it hadn't gotten any easier.

It was clear to him now: this world was dangerous. Death seemed to be lurking around every corner.

'I can't always rely on Sebastian to protect me,' Luke thought, though the very idea of being alone in this world made his stomach turn. He could not fight, and every situation seemed more perilous than the last.

Suddenly, the ammonia stung his throat again, forcing a gag. "KEUGH!" He coughed violently, doubling over as the smell hit him full force. His eyes watered, and his head spun from the stench.

'Why does their piss smells so bad?' Luke complained, doubting the health and wellbeing of the city's population.

"Let's head to the Military Academy," Sebastian said abruptly.

"Cough, what? Already?" Luke managed to sputter between coughs.

His butler usually took the time to explain their actions, but now, once again, he grabbed Luke's arm and dragged him along without a word.

Frustration built inside Luke. 'What is with this guy? He never used to be like this…'

Sebastian's behavior had changed since they entered the city, his calm demeanor replaced by a sense of urgency. Luke's mind raced as he was pulled along. Was it the city itself? Or something else?

He tried to pull his hand from Sebastian's iron grip, but it was like trying to move a mountain. Any attempt to fight back was met with effortless resistance. Luke felt like a child being led by the hand, and his helplessness stung more than he cared to admit.

Finally, they stopped in front of a heavily guarded building. Soldiers patrolled the entrance, each clad in armor with weapons gleaming under the sun. The building loomed before them, intimidating in both size and purpose.

"Alright, we're here," Sebastian said, releasing Luke's arm. "Let's get you registered."

But Luke didn't budge. He crossed his arms, his brows furrowed, and planted his feet firmly on the ground. "I'm not going anywhere until you explain yourself."

His voice, though stubborn, had a tremor to it. He was done being yanked around like a damned dog. He needed answers.

Sebastian turned to look at him, his eyes unreadable. For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The air between them grew tense, like a bowstring pulled tight.

Luke dug his heels in deeper, defiant. "I'm serious. What's going on with you? Why are you in such a rush?"

Sebastian's gaze flickered, his lips pressing into a thin line. He looked around, as if considering his next move. Luke felt his heart pound, wondering if he had pushed too far.

But then, with a sigh, Sebastian relented. "Very well, Young Master. You're right to ask questions. We will talk—after your registration. For now, trust me a little longer."