A few days later, the Warp Station finally returned to service.
The trio immediately set out for fast travel using the most advanced technology in the world, invented by the geniuses of the three races: Human, Elf, and Dwarf.
Teleportation Gate.
The Dwarf made the vessel that could contain the portal. In other words, the gate.
The Elf was responsible for weaving the magic runes around the Teleportation Gate to stabilize the portal and locate the designation point.
It was a reason why the gatekeepers were mostly Elves.
Can the other races become the gatekeeper? The answer is yes. They can, as long as they learn about rune magic and how to weave them.
Lastly, the Human. They gathered many of their mages to create the portal—before Beaconers who possessed Forte or skills that allowed them to use spatial magic, control space, and teleport started appearing.
Why must it be Human Mages who create the portal? Can't it be just the Elves?
It must be a Human Mage because their magic was more versatile than the Elves.
Human magic controlled the seven elements: Fire, Water, Wind, Earth, Lightning, Light, and Darkness. Meanwhile, Elves only have four: Fire, Water, Wind, and Earth.
Other than that, the method was also different.
Humans tapped into the mana within their bodies and used the magic circles as a medium to cast and transform their mana into magic spells.
On the other hand, Elves used nature mana rather than their mana. They were manipulating the mana around them using their rune magic to trap and convert the mana into elements or spells.
Well, that was their rune magic. Besides that, they had spirit magic as well.
It allowed them to borrow the spirit's power to unleash more powerful magic or even summon them directly to the mortal world. Though, they could only use the power of the spirit they had contracted.
Obviously, spirit magic was even more rigid than their rune magic.
In short, their magic was like how Onmyouji used talismans, paper charms, and other items as a medium. And also required to communicate, negotiate, or form contracts with the spirits (youkai) before they could use their powers.
"Can I see your ticket?"
As, yes. Ticket. Just like how an airport or train station requires someone to buy a ticket, they also need one to access the Teleportation Gate in the Warp Station.
Fortunately, the trio had been around the Warp Station since dawn, lining up to buy the tickets. Still, it wasn't only them who thought of coming to the location from dawn.
At least they got their tickets today.
After showing their tickets, the staff immediately checked them. Once done, the staff returned the tickets and allowed the trio to enter the dock area.
What they needed to do now was to wait for the designated time before the Teleportation Gate D was activated.
"We have ten minutes left before departing. Do we wait, or do you two want to explore a bit?"
"I will wait."
"Same here."
Niveus could only blink at their responses.
'I understand if it's Eliana. But him, too?'
He understood why Eliana seemed to be down. But what was up with Alphonso?
Alphonso had been like that since that day. His usual sarcastic, annoying demeanor had gone.
Looking at him now, he looked more like an edgy and mysterious kid. Niveus could see his delinquent and rebellious antics no more.
'What's up with his sudden change of characters? It's unlike him.'
As Alphonso had only experienced a change of character once in the game storyline and even was only mentioned subtly in the dialogue, Niveus had no idea what happened to him.
'Well. Not like I hate it. It might be better if he goes through character development right now, even though it'd lead to an unknown outcome. I have the all-knowing system, after all.'
Ten minutes later, an announcement was made within Dock D, where the trio waited for the portal's activation.
'Yeah. This is ridiculous. Even Earth doesn't have this sh*t yet.'
Niveus stood in the line of Dock D.
Approximately a hundred people were waiting for transportation. The crowd was less excited than Niveus expected.
'I mean, it's a Teleportation Portal!'
For Niveus, who came from a world without such advanced magi-techno and had been living in a remote region since he reincarnated, witnessing something like this made his inner soul scream in excitement.
He glanced at Eliana and Alphonso, who were also not looking excited.
'They're from outside Salhju, so at least they have traveled using the Teleportation Gate. But I don't think I'll ever feel unexcited even after using warp travel a hundred times.'
It's just so... so cool.
Vroooommmm~
The dull hum of the gate suddenly rose, growing into a deep, resonant vibration. The air around it crackled with energy as the complex array of magic glowed.
Then, with a soft yet powerful whoosh, the portal burst open.
'!!!'
A swirling vortex of colors and lights filled the gate's frame. Its edges rippled like water. The colors shifted between blues, purples, and greens.
The passengers began to move when the gatekeeper gave a green light.
Then, when it was the trio's turn, the gatekeeper called them—precisely, they called Niveus.
"A person with a mask over there!"
Realizing they were calling him, Niveus pointed at himself.
"Is this your first time using the Teleportation Gate?"
"Yes... is there a problem?"
The gatekeeper scratched their head.
"It's not actually a problem, but I suggest you take off your mask. Trust me, you don't want to puke while using it, right?"
They explained that traveling with the Teleportation Gate could cause dizziness and nausea for most first-timers. So, they advised Niveus to prevent the worst from happening.
"I see. Thanks for the warning, but I'm sure I'll be fine."
"If you say so," the gatekeeper sighed. "But don't say I didn't warn you."
With that, Niveus rushed toward the portal, catching up to his two companions, who had already gone first.
As he stepped into the swirling vortex, the world around him seemed to stretch and twist. It felt like he was being pulled through a tunnel of light.
The sensation was unlike anything he'd ever experienced—weightless yet heavy, like being spun in every direction at once.
Just when he thought he couldn't take it anymore, the world snapped back into focus.
...
Eliana and Alphonso stood near the portal's exit, watching as people emerged. Alphonso leaned against the wall, arms crossed, while Eliana glanced anxiously at the swirling portal.
"He's taking a while," Eliana remarked, scanning the crowd.
"First-time jitters," Alphonso replied with a smirk. "Bet he'll wobble out any second now."
As if on cue, Niveus stumbled out of the portal.
His usual composed demeanor was nowhere to be seen. Beneath the dark mask—his face was pale, and his eyes wide with a mix of shock and discomfort.
Eliana raised her hand to wave, about to call him, but before she could say anything, Niveus bolted.
"Ni—!"
Eliana's words were cut off as he rushed past them, his hand clamped over his mouth. Feeling a weight in her hand, she found a dark mask resting there.
Alphonso blinked in surprise, watching Niveus dash toward the nearest 'exile' zone without the mask.
"He... he's definitely wobbling," Alphonso said dryly, the corner of his mouth twitching.
Eliana stared blankly in Niveus's direction. "You could've warned him."
"Where's the fun in that? Anyway, let's just put that back before something happens."
They exchanged amused glances, then ran over to where Niveus was hunched over, already regretting his earlier confidence.
The unpleasant sensation lingered even after, leaving him shaky and pale.
The gatekeeper's warning echoed in his mind.
As he wiped his mouth, he couldn't help but mutter to himself.
"Should have listened..."