As the carriage sped through the cobblestone paved streets of city of ruin, it attracted the attentions of many onlookers. Michail viewed the people who were moving along the pavements. Maybe they were going to the farmers market to buy vegetables and meat or they may be going for their jobs. He also saw many young kids wearing backpacks, probably going to Argot school. The carriage sped up once it reached the main lanes leading directly to the academy. Rows of huge coniferous trees lined both sided of the road like towering guardians. Michail craned his neck to look the treetops. At regular intervals there were tree houses in these giant trees. One person covered in all black could be seen in many of those houses.
"The Wsi Custos or guardians of forest" Muriel said to the surprised Michail. "Any one who wants to break in to the academy has to go through long lines of the Custos. They are not people to be messed with. They mostly work under the destruction caretakers and possess extreme fighting powers. Unless you become a student or a faculty of the academy never take this road. Wsi Custos kill first and ask questions later." she added.
The carriage exited the treeline and entered a vast ground. Michail could see the towering academy building in the far distance. Specks of light could be seen here and there in the building. The vast ground was covered in patches of grass and intermittently several rock protrusions as large as seven feet could be seen. Far on the sides he also saw many paths similar to the one that they were travelling on going from tree lines to the academy. It resembled a wheel with paths as spokes.
"What are those rocks?" Michail asked curiously.
"Those are Sakhar Custos, the rock guardians. They are the second line of defence. They are gollum creatures made by caretakers of runes. It is said that Mage of brilliance Argot invented them after finding inspiration from within the megalith, what inspiration - that we do not know. They have never been activated in the history of the academy. By the time any intruder reach the end of the treeline they are usually dead." said Muriel looking proud.
"Isn't this a school, why does it require such an army guarding it." Michail asked looking puzzled to Ritchie and Muriel.
They smiled and Ritchie said "The academy is home to many researchers and materials of value. Knowledge and materials from the megalith usually segregated here after it arrives from the Tower of caretakers. No one truly know what happened in the last act. Fear of unknown is always terrifying and the only thing that can counter it is the light of knowledge. Hence many attempt to encroach into the academy in search of knowledge and riches. All you need to know is that you are safe here, no one can touch you. Let your teachers and other caretakers worry about the security."
The carriage soon started to slow down as it reached a drawbridge. Michail saw several drawbridges on either sides of the tower. Some raised while some closed. as they passed the drawbridge and entered the academy grounds, a refreshing cool feeling enveloped Michail. He took a heavy breath and a sigh afterwards.
"That feeling is the aura within the ground. Its amplified compared to the outside by using advanced runes" Muriel said.
Soon the carriage stopped at the entrance of the huge building. Muriel stepped out while Ritchie wheeled out using the collapsible slant attached to the carriage. Michail looked out the carriage, took a heavy breath and stepped out with his backpack.
Ritchie came close to Michail and said in a small voice "Follow us, and don't talk to any one. Let me handle that alright."
Michail nodded and followed Ritchie and Muriel. The ten large steps leading to the heavy looking door looked ancient. They had a woody colour. The entire structure had a woody colour except the door which looked like it was made of ash grey stone. As Ritchie reached the stair, it changed in shape forming a slant enabling him to wheel upward towards the stairs Whereas both Muriel and Michail walked up the steps. Michail looked intently at the steps below Ritchies wheelchair which deformed as he moved upward. When the wheel left the stair, the steps reverted back to its original appearance.
There were no guards in front of the door which puzzled Michail. The door only contained two statues on either sides made of the same type of stone as the door. One of them had the figure of a sleeping dog and the other was the figure of a cute cat.
As the trio reached the door, it opened inward just enough for them to pass. Michail looked at the behemoth of a door with curiosity and on closely looking he saw many wavy and geometrical patterns adorning the door. As the three passed the door, Michail understood why there were no guards in front of the door. The door itself was nearly ten feet in thickness. Even Boeficians will take a lot of time to break down such a door reinforced with runes.