Chess Mage of Faerûn

Chapter 253 Night in Neverwinter

The city structure of Neverwinter is very interesting. If you look at it from above, you'll see that it looks like a big fathead fish.

The terrain of the western dock area resembles a wide-open fish mouth biting a triangular bay, while the northwestern Black Lake area is like a rounded fish head, with Black Lake itself located right in the center of the fish head, forming a large fish eye.

The Panisola district, located in the southwest, is shaped like a lower jaw, complementing the Black Lake district perfectly, with the upper and lower jaws fitting together seamlessly.

The Wudong River flows across the city, rushing into the sea and dividing the city into north and south.

The Beggar's Nest we passed earlier is located in the southern district like the belly of a fish, facing the Arcane District in the northeast across the river.

Right in the center of this city map, which looks like an oval-shaped fathead fish, is the commercial district where the Canaan team is located.

"The commercial district is arguably the most bustling area in Neverwinter, encompassing almost all of the city's functions." Nancy, who was covering her chin and wearing a hood, looked at the familiar surroundings and sighed, "I'm back again."

"You're a local, tell me how to get there."

“If we go straight along the road, we’ll reach Neverwinter’s City Hall and Hall of Justice. Turning right and crossing the Neverwinter River will take us to the Moonstone Mask.” Nancy glanced at the mage, somewhat uncertain.

"Are we really going straight to Luskan without doing any investigation?"

"We shouldn't do it at the Moonstone Mask place, and we should avoid the Black Lake area as well." The mage's attitude was clear, but he also had some thoughts:

"You know what that letter was about, and you know what happened in this city. Think about who they kidnapped?"

"You want to go to the Arcane Quarter?" The female thief quickly realized.

“Why not?” Zhang Yuan smiled. “Is there anything strange about a traveling mage like me visiting the renowned Winterless Magic Academy in the North?”

"Alright, it's good that you have an idea."

Without lingering, the group followed Nancy's directions to an inn. After parking the carriage and booking rooms, Nancy and the half-ogre brothers stayed behind while the other team members were free to do as they pleased.

It's only morning now, so the Canaanites still have this day to spare.

However, it wasn't all just aimless wandering around. Lawrence was sent to Moonstone Mask, not to gather any intelligence, but simply to understand the movements under the shadow of Neverwinter.

As for Zhang Yuan, he went to the Arcane District accompanied by Bard, where there was the Mage Tower, the Starry Cloak, and the renowned Neverwinter Magic Academy.

Dressed in a mage's robe and accompanied by a dwarven shield-bearer, Zhang Yuan looked like any other wandering mage and did not attract any attention.

The monks and apprentices, rushing about, had a mountain of tasks and affairs to handle every day, so they had no spare time to pay attention to a fellow outsider.

As he brushed past the bustling crowds on the street, Zhang Yuan observed with great interest these busy yet fulfilled, and even more so, energetic apprentices.

They moved about the campus, the various magical item shops, the laboratories, and even the mage tower, some engrossed in their journeys, others discussing and arguing in small groups. Neverwinter Academy of Spells was no small workshop; this large and well-organized mage school was established with the support of the Covenant and the Starcloaks, two of the most prominent arcane organizations in the entire North.

The Covenant and the Starcloaks are quite different. Although both are mage organizations in Neverwinter and both belong to the good side, their members and purposes are completely different.

The Starry Cloaks are composed of a group of kind-hearted mages who love exploring magic and studying mystical arts. The stars represent their extraordinary skills, and the cloaks...
If you see some guys in Neverwinter wearing robes with strangely shaped, but all quite unique and unconventional, cloaks draped over their backs...

That's almost certainly true; he's a member of this organization.

As for the Covenant, the name itself suggests its purpose. In reality, it was a regional organization formed by a group of spellcasters to resist threats from the north, such as orcs, trolls, and frost giants.

Members are spread across several city-states in the Northlands, but this organization, with Neverwinter as its base, especially the Neverwinter Academy of Magic, puts in far more effort than the Starcloaks in managing the academy.

These two organizations, as partners, jointly supported the magical foundation of Neverwinter, while the Academy was their lifeblood.

If they knew what was happening behind the scenes of this thriving city, who knows what kind of show they would watch.

Even those eccentric cloaked mages wouldn't tolerate such a slap in the face, let alone a battle mage from the Covenant who had faced alien invasions and shed blood on the battlefield.

They will not tolerate any infringement upon their own interests.

Thinking happily, he stepped into the academy gate.

The magic academy is quite large, with spacious courtyards and lush greenery, creating a beautiful and picturesque environment.

I stopped a monk passing by in the courtyard and politely asked for the address of the academy's governing body. He was met with a somewhat scrutinizing look from the monk.

Only after Zhang Yuan readily produced the student certificate he had obtained during his studies in Sham Shui Po did the middle-aged monk become polite.

Without any further surprises, they arrived smoothly in front of a building that resembled a palace. The guards at the entrance were impeccably dressed and looked extremely brave. Upon seeing the two new faces, they immediately and respectfully gestured for them to stop and be questioned.

It was the same clerk from the Watchers Academy. The guard in charge of checking nodded and led the two to a waiting room. After a short while, a staff member in a robe came to take over.

The mage Oron, who had initially thought it was just another student from another academy coming to study or visit, was somewhat complaining. He thought, "What? I have to entertain every visitor? Even if he's just a fifth-circle mage, my time shouldn't be wasted like this."

Oron had no choice. He was nearly fifty years old and knew very well how much potential he still had to tap. Others were also clear-headed. He was no longer eligible for top-tier, high-end arcane research projects and funding, and was left with only some application-oriented low- to mid-range projects.

Fortunately, he still had some connections and broad knowledge, which allowed him to secure a position as a receptionist at headquarters. The pay was decent, and it was a bit more relaxed than teaching. After all, what apprentice would dare to bother their mentor for no reason?

Of course, regardless of whether the worldly-wise Aulon was impatient inside, his outward appearance was impeccable.

“Lord Chanem, we warmly welcome visiting mages from afar to study at Neverwinter Academy, but Lord Grimwald, as the Dean, has far too many matters to attend to.” Oron feigned enthusiasm: “If there is anything important, I can pass it on.”

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(End of this chapter)