The scuffle with the bandits ended in just one attack.
Mr. Nivel had overpowered them with only just one offensive spell art and yet... I had a feeling in my gut that I could replicate it all.
I didn't know where this confidence was coming from but I felt sure after seeing it once, the mana, the flow, everything I had seen just from his attack felt like a path had been carved.
"We've arrived, here we are at the Town Of Oakwood,"
I opened my eyes, surprised. Wait, I fell asleep?
I couldn't remember dozing off, but then I felt a hand grab my wrist.
"Julian! Nivel said we're here!" Ezekiel yelled, trying to pull me towards the window.
He leaned towards the glass, and I sat there unimpressed. He's still so frail and weak.
AAK!
I flung Ezekiel's hand off my wrist, sending him tumbling to the other side of the carriage. Then I got up to look out the window.
"Ohh... wow..."
Oakwood Town was more like a small city. The roads were paved with polished stone, there were sidewalks, and the buildings were made of brick and refined wood instead of rough stone. Even the clothes people wore were surprisingly modern.
To say this continent was the most advanced wasn't an exaggeration. The architecture was closer to modern styles, and I even spotted non-human species—dwarves and elves—mingling in the crowd.
It was fascinating to see such diversity. It made me wonder what else this world held beyond the confines of the novel. Maybe I shouldn't have been so quick to judge the author's world-building.
*
We arrived at the Teleporter Station in Aurean City, but to my disappointment, it seemed their system was malfunctioning.
Judging by the portal's condition, there appeared to be an electrical issue. Sparks were flying from the platform.
The magic engineers looked clueless, and even the receptionist seemed oblivious to the electrical pulses.
Can they really not see those sparks?
"Sorry, sir, but all portals to Aurean City are down at the moment," the receptionist announced.
"Oh, how long will it take?"
Mr. Nivel asked, stroking his chin with concern.
"As of now, our magic engineers haven't found the problem yet, at best, it'll take more than a day. I apologise for any inconvenience."
Nivel's expression turned grim but he accepted the situation.
"No, it's fine. We're in no rush. Well, have a great day, sir."
"Thank you, and to you as well," the receptionist replied, bowing politely.
Nivel gazed at the malfunctioning portal before turning around.
"Let's go, Ezekiel and Julian. It seems we may have to stay the night here."
He waved us along, and I started walking slowly, my eyes fixed on the electrical pulses.
Can they really not see those sparks springing out of the crystals?
I wanted to see Aureus City myself, and I was determined to do whatever it took to satisfy my desire as an extra in this world.
**
As Julian walked past the receptionist's counter unnoticed, he headed towards the magical stone used for teleporting. The magic engineers were on break, and when one returned, he saw a child examining the platform's wiring and mechanics.
"Hey, kid, what do you think you're doing here?" an old man in a white lab coat asked, approaching Julian.
"Um... can't you see it?" Julian asked, pointing towards the center of the portal.
Confused, the old man scratched his chin. "The poster on the wall over there?"
"No, the sparks in the center here," Julian clarified.
The man looked at the teleporter, but saw no sparks.
"I'm sorry, kid, but I don't think I can see it."
He chuckled, thinking Julian was imagining things.
SKKKT!
Julian tampered with the electrical circuit within the lower platform, and a shock of blue lightning struck the outer area of the stone.
"...!"
The old man was astonished to see such a phenomenon.
"Hold on, what did you just do, kid?"
"Come, I'll show you," Julian said, gesturing for the man to follow.
As he leaned closer to see the core circuit, he explained as best as he could even without knowing the core structure of magical technology.
"You see, the mana thingy over here looks like it's not flowing right, and the circuit over here seems to have been cut—"
"Sir Lexion!" a voice boomed across the station.
"Why are you letting a child tamper with the platform circuits?!"
A man rushed towards them, intending to grab Julian, but stopped abruptly when he saw the boy's face.
WSHH!
"…!"
This kid?! What is this feeling?
He felt an intense pressure, heavier than anything he'd ever experienced.
With every passing second that pressure weighed down on him like anvils on his shoulders.
His body screamed at him not to move, as if he were in the presence of a continental hero.
Julian's heavy gaze remained and his serious expression intensified the feeling.
"Nard, I see you're back from your break," Sir Lexion said with a smile, crouching beside Julian to observe his work.
"Y-yes... but what is that child doing here?"
Nard stammered, pointing towards Julian, who seemed to have relaxed now that the pressure was gone.
"He can't be your new apprentice, right?"
"Of course not,"
Sir Lexion chuckled.
"However, this boy identified one of our problems with the circuits. Though I never considered taking on an apprentice..."
"Sir Lexion, this is a breach of protocol!" Nard insisted. "We need to get this kid out of here before he tampers with the board and mana output!"
He reached out again and grabbed Julian's wrist.
"Don't touch me,"
Julian warned Nard with a fearful voice and his crimson eyes glowed with shedding blue particles flowing outwards...
Nard felt the command pierce him, and he quickly let go, stumbling backward.
But just as Julian turned his attention back to the circuit board, loud footsteps echoed through the station.
"Julian, why are you here?!" Mr. Nivel's voice boomed. He rushed towards Julian, his face creased with concern. He had realized earlier that Ezekiel was the only one holding his hand, and minutes after leaving the station, he noticed Julian was missing.
"I accidentally got lost," Julian explained, scratching his head with a clueless expression.
"My bad..."
Nivel, sweating profusely, looked at Julian with relief.
"I apologize for any trouble he's caused," he said, bowing repeatedly.
"He didn't mean any harm." He took Julian's hand and led him out of the building.