45 Towards Millfall!

Several weeks passed after Vicente concluded his dealings with the merchants of the Martell Village.

Vicente and Rory secured many new deals during this short period, solidifying the business in Martell Village, something they needed to complete their rule over this place.

Although their intention wasn't to establish the village as their group's headquarters, gaining control of this area was a significant milestone for them. Besides serving as a test run for what they would do on a larger scale in the imminent future, it also provided them with valuable experience to understand how the various people related to nobles and royalty would behave towards them.

The village didn't have any significant figures. Nonetheless, the Duke's enforcers were there to maintain the law and order.

Vicente had understood that the place where they were offered great flexibility. Here, he could pursue his ambitions, act openly against his competitors, and even employ violence to a certain degree.

Of course, that was possible as long as he didn't aim for big business and didn't try to change the rules or challenge the status of everyone involved in this society. Other than that, there was plenty of room for them to develop.

Using money to win 'FRIENDS' proved to be far more effective than what Vicente had experienced during his time on Earth. 

Bribery was a potent tool that should not be ignored!

As time went by, it was becoming evident this social 'EXPERIMENT' of Vicente and Rory's was nearing its end!

Just a few weeks before their 14th birthday, Vicente and Rory had started making preparations to leave for Millfall.

Millfall was a nearby city with a population of 60,000. There, they would undergo their Awakening to harness their magical powers and finally develop their business further.

With a minimal difference of only a few weeks between their birthdays, Vicente and Rory had little left to hold them back in this village!

...

"Nina, I will be leaving for Millfall tonight," Vice informed his sister, lying beside her on a large couch in the living room.

Seeing the signs of her brother, Nina felt her eyes welling up with tears while her heart raced faster.

While this girl had grown accustomed to spending less and less time with Vicente, this journey would be significantly different from all the others. He would awaken his magical powers, just as Lauren had done years ago!

"But..." Nina murmured, gazing at Vice as the beautiful Eve looked at the two of them and sighed.

"Don't worry, Nina. What happened to our older sister was rare." Vicente reassured his sister with a confident smile and continued. "I don't know if I will have a talent like Lauren's or inherit the talent of our parents. But regardless of that, I will do my Awakening in Millfall, not in Saltstar City!"

Similar to Earth, where most accomplished professionals were usually found in large cities, the most powerful and talented individuals in Polaris Realm would be easily found in the largest cities.

That contrasted Saltstar City and Millfall, which harbored experts of significantly different caliber!

Nina understood the likelihood of a representative from a prominent sect or clan overseeing his Awakening was slim. Nonetheless, she couldn't help but worry.

"Why do we have to awaken our powers in front of the public? Why can't we do that in secret? It would be so much better to do that in the middle of a forest!" She protested, displeased with the norm of the world.

Eve smiled and offered an explanation. "Nina, in the past of Polaris Realm, most humans couldn't awaken their magical abilities. Do you know why? 

The answer is pretty simple: the Magic Gems were scattered worldwide, and only a few people could get the right conditions to stimulate one of them.

However, with the rise of the Congregation of Revelations, everything changed. The faith of this religion inspired people to come together, and the founding genius created the Awakening Temple after becoming an Archmage."

The Congregation of Revelations was the most acclaimed religion in Polaris Realm, which was responsible for the Awakening Temples, which were situated across this entire continent.

Hundreds of millions of people adhered to the faith of this religion, and it played a vital role in determining the moral values of the society and distinguishing good and evil.

"They then gathered the Magic Gems found all over the continent and discovered a way to stimulate them whenever they wanted to. That marked a milestone, allowing the magical development of the continent to be possible from then on. 

The number of magicians skyrocketed, and only because of that ordinary people like us can awaken their powers and dream of greatness," Eve explained, her eyes twinkling with enthusiasm.

Not only was this religion the most widely followed, but it also influenced all the teaching materials taught in regions like theirs. From a young age, people were taught that whatever the leaders of the Congregation of Revelations said was the truth.

Eve was one of the many devotees of this religion, as were most of the people in Martell Village.

Vicente heard this but said nothing. While he had learned the same, he didn't like religions very much as someone who had come from Earth.

He particularly had nothing against them and, in fact, thought that they had their means of helping people. But in the history of the Earth, how many wars have not been fought because of wrong people using the power of faith?

Someone might say this was the people's fault, not the religion's. But that was wrong. Religion had so much influence that it could hardly be stopped!

It was only a matter of time before someone wrong could use them according to their will, and from then on, one could only work to lessen the damage of an unscrupulous leader.

Nonetheless, he would still not dare to speak against the Congregation of Revelations and remained silent as he listened to Eve.

"But..." Nina's voice trailed off.

Vice sighed. "There's nothing that can be done, Nina. We could try our luck elsewhere, but there would be no guarantee we will be able to acquire Magic Gems. Unfortunately, we are in no position to decline the methods of the Awakening Temple."

Seeing tears streaming down from Nina's little face, Vicente gently wiped them away with his hands, consoling her. "I want you to stay with Eve.

Your school year at Academy of Stars will be over soon, but until my Awakening, I want you to stick around.

Rest assured, I will come to get you so we can go live in Millfall before your next school year begins."

"You promise?" Nina asked, her eyes locked onto Vicente's as she wiped away her tears.

"Hmm, I promise. In the meantime, I will enroll you at an academy in Millfall, so you should say goodbye to your friends and enjoy your time. We'll start a new part of our lives in a few months," Vicente smiled, playing with her hair after saying this.

Nina accepted this promise more easily.

Even if she had to leave her friends in the village very soon, what mattered the most to her was to be by her big brother's side!

After seeing Nina's improved mood, Eve turned to Vicente and said with caution, "You must be careful. While Millfall is not far away, and nor does it have many dangerous people, every place has its share of dangers."

"I know," Vicente replied in a low voice. "Don't worry. I'll be back to get you and Nina sooner than you think. By all means, remain vigilant. Even with several of my men staying behind, you never know... Be prepared in case something unexpected happens."

"Hmm, I'll do my best," Eve nodded in agreement, aware of the responsibilities Vicente had placed on her as she felt the revolver on one of her legs.

Eve had also joined the Fuller family in recent months after Vicente had concluded that she was reliable enough.

Anyway, after talking to them for a while, time quickly passed, and soon it was time for Vice and Rory to leave for Millfall.

The time for both of them to awaken their magical powers was getting closer!