Chapter 289: The Road to City AF

The airport was already crowded when Silas and his group arrived. It was the specific kind of chaos where every second person was lugging oversized travel bags, wearing bright academy jackets, or glued to their phone screens debating the upcoming National Victory Banquet.

The heavy SUV rolled into the private terminal entrance, coming to a smooth halt beneath the massive covered awning. The moment the locks clicked open, Silas stepped out onto the concrete and stretched his arms above his head.

"Finally."

Chloe stepped out behind him, adjusting the collar of her dark, tailored coat. "We’ve been in the car for less than forty minutes."

"Exactly," Silas said, looking at her with total seriousness. "Forty whole minutes of pure confinement."

Alpha stepped around to the rear tailgate, unlatching it to unload their luggage. He picked up one of the dark, reinforced travel bags and handed it over. Silas grabbed the strap and immediately sagged an inch under the unexpected weight, staring at Alpha in disbelief.

"What in the world did you put in here?" Silas asked.

"Your equipment," Alpha replied, his tone entirely calm and even.

"What equipment?"

"The equipment you explicitly told me to pack when you said, ’Pack whatever looks useful.’"

Silas considered that statement for a long second, weighing the memory. "Hmm... I did say that."

Alicia joined them at the back of the SUV, pulling her own neatly packed suitcase along the pavement. Hundreds of travelers were moving through the main terminal glass doors, but because of their status, a sharp-looking staff member in airport uniform quickly approached their group.

"Mr. Silas Ashard?" the woman asked, bowing respectfully. "Welcome. Ms. Chloe, Alpha, Ms. Alicia... your private flight slot has been prepared."

"See?" Silas whispered to Chloe as they followed the staff member through the VIP priority lane. "Famous."

"You were already famous. Stop gloating," Chloe replied softly, though a faint smirk played on her lips.

Whispers followed them through the private lounge. Passersby pointed out Silas’s signature bright pink hair, Alpha’s remarkably striking posture, and Chloe’s cold, effortless aura. When a young student standing behind a security barrier nervously raised a phone to take a picture, Silas flashed a bright smile and a casual thumbs-up, nearly causing the kid to drop his phone on the floor.

"Stop encouraging them," Chloe muttered, covering her face with one hand. "You’re causing a scene."

"I’m building public relations," Silas argued cheerfully. "It’s called fan service."

They soon boarded Flight AF-207, a direct, high-speed passenger aircraft specifically designed for awakened-era travel. It was equipped with reinforced outer plating, mana-stabilization systems, and emergency spatial arrays for long-distance transit.

Chloe claimed the window seat before Silas could even react.

"I was carrying the heavy luggage," Silas complained, buckling himself into the middle seat beside her. "You’re becoming ruthless."

"You taught me," she replied smoothly, looking out at the tarmac.

The engines roared, acceleration pressed them back into their cushioned seats, and the sprawling skyline of City A shrank beneath the cloud cover. During the hour-long flight, Silas devoured snacks, Chloe carefully reviewed the official banquet itinerary, Alpha rested quietly across the aisle, and Alicia scrolled through academy group chats bursting with fan theories about the event.

A few rows back, two academy students whispered to each other: "Is that really Silas Ashard? He looks completely relaxed."

Silas turned his head over his headrest. "Are you guys talking about me?"

The two students froze in mortified silence before one of them gave a nervous, rigid nod. Silas grinned warmly. "Carry on."

Chloe burst out laughing while the students let out a collective sigh of relief, realizing the tournament monster was surprisingly easygoing.

Fifty minutes later, the captain’s voice echoed through the cabin speakers, announcing their final approach to the capital. Silas leaned over Chloe to look through the window as City AF materialized beneath the clouds- a sprawling, hyper-modern metropolis dominated by towering government complexes, massive transportation grids, and the majestic Royal Grand Citadel rising in the distance. Translucent blue mana barriers shimmered around its perimeter, guarding ancient stone architecture seamlessly integrated with cutting-edge defensive technology.

"That’s where the banquet is?" Silas whistled, genuinely impressed. "Okay, now I’m actually interested."

The aircraft touched down with a smooth glide across the runway. As they disembarked into the bustling terminal, a tall man in a crisp formal suit with a gold government insignia pinned to his lapel stepped forward, holding a sign labeled ASHARD DELEGATION.

"Mr. Silas Ashard, welcome to City AF," the official bowed deeply. "I am Daniel Verne from the National Tournament Coordination Office. I have been assigned to provide personal transport and escort for your group."

"Appreciate it, Daniel." Silas nodded as they followed him toward a fleet of black government transport vehicles idling right outside the VIP exit.

The capital streets outside were alive with electric energy. Massive digital billboards stretched across high-rise buildings, flashing constant reminders: NATIONAL VICTORY BANQUET - 3 DAYS REMAINING.

"Where are we staying?" Silas asked, leaning back against the soft leather seats as their driver navigated through the heavy inner-city security checkpoints.

"Your group has been assigned a private luxury residence reserved exclusively for tournament champions, high-ranking guild masters, and special state guests," Daniel explained with a polite smile from the front passenger seat.

Silas’s eyes lit up instantly. "Does it have a pool?"

Daniel paused for a moment. "Yes."

"A gaming room and a gym?"

"Yes to both."

"Fully stocked kitchen?"

"Naturally."

Silas nodded approvingly, crossing his arms. "City AF is growing on me already."

Chloe laughed softly, shaking her head at his priorities.

The vehicle turned down a quiet, gated private road lined with high-tier security wards and automated defense turrets. Ahead of them, a sprawling, modern multi-story estate came into view, complete with sleek upper balconies, broad glass walls, and a lush private garden surrounding the entry driveway.

As the transport rolled to a stop right at the front entrance, Silas grinned, looking out at the fortress-like capital city around them. The National Victory Banquet was still three days away, but as key figures, academy elites, and political leaders from across the entire nation gathered in one place, their time in City AF had officially begun.