God-Level Dominance

Chapter 3

This was the Mayor of the city, a man that was known to be rigid and a self made power in the city that everyone was frightened at.

Yet, he was bowing before someone without an aura sense around him and was dressed like they had just finished shoveling trash.

"That still doesn't explain who you are?" Riley said, clearly exhausted.

The old man straightened with a small smile. "You are Riley. The boy used this path a few months ago!" He explained.

"Four months ago, on the eastern trail, a young noble was dying from rare shadow-viper venom. The channelers said there was nothing to be done."

'Really? This is certainly the best time for one of those random lessons, isn't it?' He thought, remembering a stupid noble kid crying in the woods.

"But a slum kid crouched beside him and pulled the venom out," the old man continued. "Then walked away before anyone could get his name."

"The boy's name is Edward," the old man said. "Prince Edward, you saved his life and I have been searching for you since to show my gratitude for what you did for us."

The whole place instantly went silent, shocks paled into the faces of the finely trained guards.

"Okay, cool." Riley responded casually and attempted to walk away but Sir Harmon quickly trotted forward.

"I'm ready to do anything. Anything at all just to show you how grateful I am!" He said, pleading in his eyes as he spoke.

Riley's feet stopped. His bones were still making that annoying cracking sound and the leftover venom was doing something unpleasant to his channels. 

"There's one thing," Riley said finally and the Mayor straightened almost instantly. "Name it."

"Can you get me into the Arcane academy?" Riley's voice was flat like he was asking for directions. "I want in."

The guards exchanged glances. One of them almost choked on his breath. The Arcane Academy wasn't something you just walked into. Noble families spent fortunes and years just to get their kids considered for admission.

And this sickly looking slum rat in oversized shorts was asking for a spot like it was nothing.

The Mayor blinked twice. Then his face broke into the biggest smile Riley had seen all day.

"Is that all?" He almost burst out laughing. "You only want to get into the Arcane Academy?"

Riley's brows twitched. "What do you mean only?"

"No no. I don't mean it in that way," the Mayor quickly composed himself. "It's just... I was expecting you to ask for half the city treasury or something. Academy admission is a done deal."

He turned around sharply to one of his men. "You heard him, get the admission processed instantly, it should be a full scholarship and a VIP status."

"Yes sir!" They echoed.

The Mayor turned back to him, still grinning like he had just been handed the best news of his life.

"Not just that," he added. "In three days, Prince Edward will be welcomed officially into the academy. There will be a grand welcome party. I want you to attend as a VIP guest so he can thank you personally."

The guards' eyes widened even more. A slum kid. As a VIP. In front of nobles and champion channelers.

Riley looked at the Mayor for a moment. Then he shook his head.

"I am sorry but I will pass! I'm not one to be seen in public events, and besides I am trying to keep a low profile so whatever transpired between us dies between us!” 

They could feel the breath snapping off their lungs just at the gravity of those words.

"I have a more important search to do," Riley said, adjusting his bag over his shoulder. "I got what I asked for already. That's enough."

"But this is the Crown Prince," the Mayor pressed. "Everyone in the city would kill for this chance..."

"Good for them." Riley cut him off. "Let your grandson rest. If I show up there and the nobles start asking stupid questions, I might end up doing something that won't look good on your report."

The guards looked like they were having a collective crisis. Nobody turned down royal invitations. Nobody.

But the Mayor? His smile only got wider.

'He's not greedy,' the old man thought, watching Riley's bored expression. 'Doesn't force himself into power circles. This is even better than I hoped.'

"If that is your wish, I won't force you," he said finally. "But I do want to make arrangements for when you arrive at the academy."

Riley's brows twitched slightly. "As long as it doesn't announce me, I'll consider it."

The Mayor bowed once anger, his reverence growing even further.

“Thank you very much!” He appreciated.

He reached into his robes and pulled out a small glowing cube, pressing it into Riley's hand.

"This is a magic letter. When you arrive at the academy, hand it over at the academic guest desk. They will know what to do."

Riley tossed it up once and caught it. "Fine. I'll see what happens."

He turned around and started walking away like he hadn't just shaken hands with the most powerful man in the city.

The guards were still staring, confused why their Mayor looked like he wanted to throw a celebration.

"Sir, should we escort him?" One asked carefully.

"Are you out of your mind?" The Mayor snapped, his aura flaring for a split second. "Someone like him doesn't need escorts. If he wants to be found, he'll be found."

His eyes lingered on Riley's fading figure.

After a moment, he tapped the magic cube again, sending another message.

"I want him linked with the best student available in the advanced division," he said quietly. "Someone beautiful and talented. Consider it an appreciation gift. And make sure Edward has a chance to cross paths with him naturally."

"Yes, Mayor."

The messenger vanished in a streak of light.

Three days later, Riley stood before the massive gates of the Arcane Academy.

The place was huge. Towering walls that made the slum look like a joke. Students in crisp uniforms walked around, throwing disgusted looks at his ragged clothes.

Riley didn't care. His body had finally stopped cracking with every step, and the system messages had gone quiet.

He made his way to the academic guest center, a smaller building off to the side. The man at the front desk took one look at Riley and sneered.

"Special admission for Riley," Riley said flatly.

But the man didn't look at the ledger, instead he eyed Riley with disgust.

“And who do you think you are?” He shut a glance deep into Riley's soul.