CHAPTER 162: ANGEL’S CITY

It was nearing 11 PM when the silver super magic train glided into its final stop, carrying Nero and his companions to their destination—Angel’s City.

Despite the late hour, the city pulsed with life, as though it refused to surrender to sleep. Angel’s City was no ordinary place; it stood as a radiant jewel upon the sea, a grand island cradled in shimmering waters, its edges embraced by towering mountains and cascading waterfalls that glittered like liquid crystal under the moonlight.

From the station, the view unfolded in breathtaking splendor. Countless high-rise towers soared skyward, their surfaces gleaming in immaculate white stone, polished so clean that they caught the starlight and reflected it like mirrors. Wide boulevards stretched through the heart of the city, lined with glowing crystal lamps that bathed the streets in a soft, silvery brilliance. The air itself carried a faint mist of salt and freshness from the surrounding sea, mingling with the fragrance of blooming nocturnal flowers cultivated in hanging gardens across the terraces.

Even at this late hour, Angel’s City thrummed with activity. Ships adorned with enchanted lanterns drifted lazily into the harbor, their sails glowing faintly with magical runes. Bridges of white marble connected different parts of the city across the canals that cut through the island like veins of light. Cafés, taverns, and open plazas buzzed with people, their laughter and music spilling into the night.

It was a metropolis of purity and elegance, yet never dull—a city of spotless white, alive with color and sound, vibrant even beneath the veil of night. Second only to the empire’s capital in splendor, Angel’s City stood proudly, a vision of paradise born between sea and mountain.

It wasn’t Adam’s nor Blake’s first time in Angel’s City. Both of them had visited before—after all, this was the domain of their friend’s family, the Leclairs. For Lux, however, there was nothing to marvel at. This sprawling, radiant city of white stone and silver lights was his home, the place where he had grown up amidst prestige and power. Where Nero’s eyes still drank in every detail with awe, Lux’s gaze carried familiarity, even a faint trace of nostalgia.

As the four stepped off the gleaming super magic train, the platform’s polished marble reflected the city’s brilliance. Waiting at the edge of the station stood a long, pristine limousine, its surface gleaming like ivory beneath the lamplight. Its design was elegant yet imposing, clearly the work of dwarven craftsmanship refined with enchantments. The crest of the Leclair family, a silver lily entwined with a sword, was delicately etched onto the doors, announcing ownership without the need for words.

The moment Lux appeared, a tall man with snow-white hair and a neatly pressed suit stepped forward. His every movement radiated discipline and refinement. He bowed with practiced grace, first lowering his head deeply to Lux.

"Welcome home, Young Master," the butler said, his voice calm yet filled with respect.

Only after greeting Lux did he incline politely toward the others. "An honor to see you again, Lord Adam, Lord Blake, and Lord Nero, it’s our first meeting I’m deeply honored."

Adam gave a little smirk, Blake waved half-heartedly while stifling a yawn, and Nero gave a simple nod.

Lux’s eyes, however, remained calm and commanding. "Take us not to the main villa," he instructed, his voice steady. "We’ll go to my personal villa on the outskirts."

The butler, expression unchanging, gave a small bow. "As you wish, Young Master."

He swiftly opened the limousine’s door, the interior glowing with soft enchanted lights. The group slid inside one after another, sinking into plush white leather seats that seemed to mold perfectly to their bodies. The faint aroma of fresh roses lingered in the air—subtle, elegant, undeniably Leclair.

Outside, the driver took his seat, and with a near-silent hum of magic-infused engines, the limousine glided smoothly away from the station.

As the cityscape passed by, the difference between the heart of Angel’s City and its quieter outskirts began to reveal itself. Towers of spotless white, their tips shimmering with arcane runes, rose high against the starlit sky. Grand avenues lit by crystal lanterns bustled with citizens, music, and magic. Street performers conjured illusions in vibrant colors, couples strolled along the moonlit canals, and gondolas slid gracefully beneath arching bridges.

Lux watched it all with the detached familiarity of someone who had long grown used to such beauty. Nero, on the other hand, found his gaze lingering on every detail. It was hard not to—this was not just a city, it was a dreamscape painted in white and silver.

The limousine moved steadily, leaving behind the clamorous brilliance of the city center and venturing toward the outskirts where noble estates rested in tranquil seclusion. The lights of the bustling districts grew softer, replaced by spacious gardens, quiet roads lined with flowering trees, and fountains whose waters sparkled under the glow of magical lanterns.

For Nero, it was his first true glimpse into the private world of noble heirs—a world far removed from ordinary life, built on millennium of legacy, wealth, and magic. Well, he could be considered as a young master as he hailed from the Raizen’s family, the second strongest family out of the seven but known his story, it was weird to act like he did. He didn’t have anything to do with them anymore as he has discarded his family name, now bearing his mother’s name.

Inside the limousine, the atmosphere was calm yet filled with a quiet anticipation. The vehicle glided almost silently, enchantments dampening any vibration so that the only sounds were the faint hum of mana flowing through its crystal engines and the occasional clink of glasses from the minibar nestled between the seats.

Adam leaned back comfortably, his arms crossed. His sharp dwarven eyes, despite his youthful appearance, missed nothing as they darted toward the glowing city outside.

"Hmph. Still as flashy as ever," he muttered, his tone half amusement, half complaint.

"Angel’s City always looked like it was built to blind you with how white everything is."

Lux allowed himself a small chuckle. "That is the intent. It was designed as a symbol of purity, a beacon for the empire’s western seas. The Leclair name is tied to it—you could say this city is part of my family’s legacy."

Adam snorted. "Legacy or not, it’s too damn shiny for my taste. A good stone wall with sturdy carvings—that’s what I call proper architecture." He waved dismissively before reaching for a crystal decanter in the minibar, pouring himself a small glass of amber liquid. "At least your family has good whisky."

Blake, on the other hand, was already leaning lazily against the window, his eyes half-closed. The passing lights flickered across his pale face, but he didn’t seem interested in any of it. "Wake me up when we get there," he mumbled, adjusting his cloak and letting out a low yawn.

Nero’s gaze was fixed outside, absorbing every detail. From this vantage point, the city seemed alive in ways the academy city never had. Crystal bridges arched gracefully over moonlit canals where gondolas glided in silence. Floating platforms hovered midair, carrying shops and street performers who danced with sparks of fire and illusions. Every avenue seemed carved from marble, every lantern burned with a steady glow of pure mana, and even at this late hour the streets were filled with life.

"It’s... beautiful," Nero admitted quietly, the words slipping out before he could stop them.

Lux glanced at him, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "It is. But beauty has a price. Maintaining this city takes countless enchanters and vast resources. That’s why Angel’s City is unique—it isn’t just architecture, it’s a living spell. Every building, every bridge, even the air purification is regulated through the city’s core magic array. Without it, the entire city would collapse into the sea within weeks."

Nero turned to him, surprised. "So the city itself is... alive?"

"In a sense," Lux replied smoothly. "It breathes prana. That’s why you feel the air so clean, why the lights never dim, why the waterfalls around the island always remain so pristine. It’s an illusion of eternity created by generations of sacrifice and labor."

Adam rolled his eyes. "There you go again, talking like a damn lecturer. Next you’ll tell us the bricks have personalities."

Lux only smirked. "Perhaps they do. You wouldn’t understand."

That drew a laugh out of Nero despite himself. The easy banter between them reminded him of how much had shifted recently. Where once he kept others at arm’s length, now he found himself... enjoying these moments.

The limousine continued onward, leaving behind the central district’s dazzling brilliance. The roads widened, lanterns became sparser, and nature reclaimed its place. Vast gardens stretched on either side, dotted with small lakes that reflected the starlit sky. Noble estates began to appear, each one a masterpiece of design—some resembling grand fortresses, others open-air palaces framed by glowing flora.

Blake stirred slightly, cracking one eye open as the scenery grew quieter. "Hn. Outskirts already?"

"Indeed," Lux said. "We’re almost there."

Unlike most noble heirs, Lux had chosen not to stay in the heart of Angel’s City where the main Leclair villa stood, an imposing palace of white stone and enchanted glass. Instead, he preferred the serenity of his private residence, far from the constant noise of politics and aristocratic obligations.

As the limousine made a final turn, the road opened onto a cliffside path overlooking the vast sea. The sound of crashing waves below mingled with the distant whisper of waterfalls cascading from the surrounding mountains. Ahead, nestled amidst a grove of tall silverwood trees, stood Lux’s villa.

It was not as vast as the main family estate, but its beauty was undeniable. White walls gleamed faintly under the moonlight, and its design was simple yet elegant, blending seamlessly with the surrounding nature. Enchanted lanterns lit the pathway with a soft glow, guiding the limousine toward the main entrance. A gentle breeze carried the faint scent of the sea mixed with blooming nightflowers.

As the vehicle slowed to a halt, the butler stepped out promptly and opened the door with a bow.

"Welcome to your villa, Young Master. Everything has been prepared as requested."

Lux nodded in satisfaction, stepping out first. The others followed, each taking in the villa with their own reactions—Adam giving a low whistle, Blake rubbing the sleep from his eyes, and Nero standing silently, his red eyes reflecting the lantern light as he admired the sight.

For Nero, this place was more than just a villa—it was a glimpse into Lux’s private world, one step closer into the life of the friend he was slowly coming to trust.