A streak of white light flashed as Han Shuo and several necromancy students materialised within a circular magical matrix filled with magical symbols.
Han Shuo had experimented three times last night and realised that he could indeed send his little skeleton into the other dimension and successfully summon it back. He happily took out the money bag that had been hidden under his bed and made his preparations for the trip.
He now wore a look of astonishment on his face as his eyes darted around the magical matrix. The large matrix was circular in shape, and on top of it was a huge six-pointed star on the rock beneath his feet. Exquisite magical shapes were carved into the magical pillars nearby, and a faint magical current emanated from the entire matrix.
He had stood in a similar transport matrix in the Babylonian Academy of Magic and Force a second ago. When the matrix had activated, all Han Shuo could feel was the strong magical current permeating the air. He had appeared here after a flash of white light.
From the students around him, Han Shuo understood that this was a magical transport matrix. This type of magical transport was extremely rare and required a lot of complex magic and was expensive to set up. Even eminent mages needed large amounts of magical ingredients to properly arrange the transport matrix.
"Stop looking, the magical transport matrix is amazing, but you don't need to make a big deal out of it!" Off to the side, Lisa spoke up when she saw Han Shuo looking around in disbelief.
This magic was truly miraculous. Though Han Shuo had heard of magical transport matrices, this was the first time he'd experienced the use of one, and he naturally found it quite incredible. He only stopped his observations after carefully examining the area around the matrix.
Han Shuo understood that with his current shallow knowledge of magic, he probably wouldn't even be able to understand the theories behind the transport matrix, let alone be able to build one.
Not to mention, the construction of such a transport matrix would require an inordinate amount of magical ingredients. Even the Empire was unable to set one up in every city. Each activation required a staggering amount of energy. Even some ordinary noble families would not be able to bear the burden.
If the Babylon Academy of Magic and Strength didn't have such a magical transport matrix, and if Han Shuo hadn't hitched a ride on the backs of the students, it would have been extremely unlikely that he would ever be able to travel through one in his lifetime.
This area was the city of Zajoski on the edge of the Lancelot Empire. Zajoski was the largest city in the southwestern part of the empire, with the Kerlan Valley to the west. If you travelled west of the Kerlan Valley, you would end up in the land of the Orcs. South of Zajoski was the Dark Forest. The Dark Forest was home to all sorts of powerful magical creatures, including the nature-worshipping elves.
Things had never been peaceful for the city of Zajoski. The Empire had stationed many troops in Zajoski to defend against invasions by the fierce Orcs. It was said that the orcs lived in a very barren land, and that the savage race had long wanted to occupy the fertile lands of the Lancelot Empire. Zajoski was the empire's strongest point of defence in the south-west, and naturally attracted much attention from the orcs.
The Dark Forest was also a turbulent region. Although the nature-worshipping elves were on more or less friendly terms with the Empire, many of the magical creatures within the Dark Forest would often leave the forest to appear in nearby towns and villages. This made things a little tense in the surrounding towns and villages.
Perhaps it was because of this unease that the Empire spent so many resources creating a magical transport matrix within the city. On the one hand, it facilitated a connection between the Empire and Zajoski, but on the other, it could not support large-scale military deployments due to the sheer amount of energy required to move a limited number of people through it.
Zajoski's unique position made the region a haven for adventurers. Merchants and adventurers of all kinds came here thirsty for gold and treasure.
Whether it was the crystal nuclei, bones, skin or flesh of the magical creatures of the Dark Forest, the priceless magical equipment forged by the elves, the precious jewels from the barren wastes of the orc lands, or the multitude of other items that could bring in a hefty profit - these were the intended targets of all gold-diggers.
"Noble and respected mages, welcome to the city of Zajoski. We hope you will enjoy your stay in Zajoski and that you will find everything you need!" The official in charge of the magical transport matrix stood beside him and bowed humbly to Han Shuo and company.
"Thank you for your kind words, I'm sure we will receive our just rewards." Fanny smiled and nodded her head at him, then looked at the necromancy students. She said quietly, "This is not a peaceful place, everyone be careful and don't let anything happen to you. Let's go."
Fanny led the crew out along the main street as she finished speaking. Like Han Shuo, the students looked around with curiosity, measuring everything and everyone around them.
Apart from the two teachers, Fanny and Gene, there were nine necromancy students and Han Shuo, making a total of twelve. Fanny and Gene were experienced necromancers. Fitch had not travelled with the group as he was still undergoing the Adept Mage test.
The strength of the remaining nine students was uneventful. Apart from a journeyman named Derek, the rest were novice mages and magical apprentices.
The buildings that lined the street were all hewn from hard rock and lacked a touch of artistic beauty compared to the other buildings in the empire, but they did gain a few traces of dignity and toughness. Due to the frequent Orc attacks, not only were the walls of Zajoski built to be impregnable, but even the buildings within the city were built on a principle of durability.
Along the way, Han Shuo noticed that there were many, many armouries, pharmacies, magical item stores, and provisions stores on the outskirts of the city. There were also some small taverns for entertainment, a slave auction and a bartering place for all sorts of materials.
It seemed that the merchants knew what kind of business would be most profitable because of the unique characteristics of this place. Entering and exiting these places were warriors, knights, mages of various majors, robbers, archers, merchants, poets, and even a few slender, pointy-eared, beautiful elves, obviously from the Dark Forest.
The sounds of the street vendors, the elegant, low chants of the poets, the bellowing of the warriors' steeds, the clashes of sudden conflicts - all these scenes were completely beyond Han Shuo's imagination. He was utterly amazed and had a better understanding of this chaotic city.
"Nothing much to see, we must leave the city before sunset. This is not a place where we should spend much time. Our next stop is the city of Drol. If we don't make it by sundown, we'll have to camp in the wilderness tonight." Gene shouted loudly, urging the students to walk faster.
"Heh heh, they're all flowers in a greenhouse. For some of them it's their first visit to the town of Zojoski. No wonder they're so curious. They won't be any more. Fanny swept her clear eyes over the group and smiled involuntarily as she saw some of the students excited by the sights they were seeing for the first time.
"Bryan, are you okay with carrying so many things on your back?" Next to Han Shuo, Lisa frowned as she looked at Han Shuo and asked a question.
"Uh, Lisa, when did you start taking care of Bryan? That doesn't seem like you!" The novice mage Bella looked at Lisa and asked strangely.
Apart from taking care of all the random little things, Han Shuo was also in charge of the manual labour during this field trip escort. Although there were miraculous 'space rings' that could hold items in this world, they were quite expensive. It would be difficult for even ordinary noble families to obtain one, let alone commoners.
None of these necromancy teachers and students were lucky enough to own a space ring. All had packed heavily for this trip. As an errand slave, Han Shuo had naturally taken on the role of a pack mule.
Many items had been strapped to Han Shuo's back, shoulders, wrists and even his two legs. At first, no one had believed that Han Shuo could carry so many things, but they had piled all their belongings onto him after they had discovered to their surprise that Han Shuo could still walk with ease when loaded down with so much.
Although Han Shuo could play the fool and carry less, he did not do so in order to further train his own body. He happily accepted the burden and now carried all sorts of things. A few bags even hung around his neck, with only a happily smiling, dust-covered face to be seen.
"Oh, I don't have any problems." Han Shuo smiled slightly at Lisa and said in a carefree manner. After that incident in the trap where Han Shuo had 'passionately' declared his love for her, Lisa's attitude towards Han Shuo had taken a huge turn. Her words had already begun to defend him.
Seeing that Han Shuo didn't recognise her good intentions and said such things, Lisa lightly scoffed and muttered to herself. "Can't recognise my intentions, what an idiot."
"And it's all thanks to you! If it hadn't been for your Agony of the Soul, how could Bryan have become so crazy, but it's a bit strange, Bryan seems to have grown taller and stronger since then, and even his energy has improved. Lisa, you're really amazing!" Bella exclaimed quietly and said enigmatically.
"Bella, this is none of your business. Shut up!" Lisa glanced at Bella and replied coldly.
"Tch. Who wants to mind your business? Just curious!" Bella snorted and replied.
"Alright, alright, calm down. Let's walk faster to get out of town. Your delicate bodies will be in for it if we don't reach Drol before nightfall." Fanny wrinkled her forehead in a light admonishment and then looked at Han Shuo. She said quietly, "Bryan, are you really all right?"
Han Shuo nodded and smiled slightly and said firmly, "No problem. Good rations give me strength."
Fanny smiled and giggled when she heard Han Shuo's words and said, "Looks like my request to the school authorities to improve your rations actually had some effect!"
After that, there was no more idle chatter among the crew, and the students' eyes did not wander. They all hurried towards the city gates.