Javier walked slowly toward the gate as twilight faded into night. Even as darkness crept in, the streets glowed softly—mana-powered lamps flickered to life, lining the roads and buildings with a steady, warm light. Every town and city in the Armand region was equipped with them, a quiet sign of how far they'd come.
He smiled as he saw the Armand border guards waiting at the checkpoint.
"If anything happens, inform the estate and every base across Armand immediately," he instructed.
"Yes, young master!" one of the guards replied, handing him a small leather folder containing his official border pass permit—clearing him for travel into the Beastkin Kingdom. Though the Beastkin border was still a fair distance away, no gate captain would dare delay someone carrying the Armand seal.
Javier nodded, then turned to Buddy and reached into his magic storage.
