Rat Calendar, Year 2026
5th Day of January, Monday Afternoon
The Main City of Central Continent, Unified Central Union
After Accel asked permission from his parents to leave further home, like going to a different continent, he started packing his luggage as he prepared to head to the Unified Central Union, also known as the main city of the central continent and where all the political parties and political structures, meaning all the very important people live in the main city of the central continent and the only place to have a huge teleportation hub that they can travel different continents.
The question is, how big is one continent, and how many people or the estimated people living in one continent? Think of it like Asia, but twice as large as Asia with an estimated people living on each continent of more than 9-10 billion people with a total population of all continents of 40-50 billion people. Accel took the levitation transport train that cost not that much depending on the distance that he wanted to go. It took 50 Copper Marks to go to the Unified Central Union.
As Accel walked through the Unified Central Union, he took a moment to observe his surroundings. The city was far more advanced than Stormhollow Bastion, with towering structures of reinforced stone and enchanted glass. Some buildings had glowing runes etched into their surfaces, pulsating with magical energy, likely reinforcing their durability or providing additional security. The roads were wide and clean, with levitation vehicles silently moving through designated lanes. Above, floating islands hovered in the sky, each marked with magical barriers and insignias.
From what Accel could tell, these islands seemed to serve as research facilities, home to scholars and magic engineers working on high-level projects. They were connected to the city below by glowing teleportation circles and long, thin bridges made of pure mana. He even spotted a few individuals wearing official researcher robes moving between the islands, studying the environment or maintaining the floating structures.
As he approached the teleportation hub, the city's defensive capabilities became more obvious. Enchanted guard towers lined the streets, and patrol units—both human and automated golems—kept watch on the crowd. Several large statues of past rulers and heroes stood near the entrance of the teleportation hub, their presence reinforcing the city's long-standing authority. Accel couldn't help but shake his head at the sheer amount of wealth invested in the city's protection. "They really go all out to keep their way of life secure," he thought.
Upon arriving at the teleportation hub, Accel saw a massive, circular chamber filled with neatly arranged seats. People from different backgrounds had gathered, either waiting for their turn or chatting among themselves. A few large holographic screens displayed information about upcoming teleportations, general guidelines, and warnings about possible side effects of intercontinental travel.
An official wearing a clean uniform guided the travelers to their designated seats. "Please take your assigned seat. The teleportation process will begin shortly," the guide announced.
Accel followed the instructions and sat down in one of the many available seats. The chairs were equipped with optional seatbelts, and a soft mechanical voice from the hub's guidance system explained, "Seatbelts are not required but are recommended. Teleportation may cause dizziness, disorientation, or nausea. Side effects vary based on individual tolerance."
Some people immediately strapped themselves in, while others seemed unconcerned. Accel chose to remain unrestrained, feeling confident in his balance. He hasn't experienced teleportation before and this is his first time and wants to experience how it feels to be teleported on a large scale.
As the countdown began, the energy in the room shifted. The chamber walls shimmered with a translucent blue light, and the air crackled with magical power. Accel felt his body grow lighter, and before he could react, his surroundings blurred. A pulling sensation swept over him, and in the blink of an eye, everything changed.
The next moment, Accel found himself in another teleportation hub, but this one had a completely different atmosphere. He could immediately tell he had arrived in the Solaris Empire.
The architecture was grand and elegant, resembling the designs of a noble kingdom. High pillars, marble flooring, and intricate golden chandeliers decorated the area. The air smelled fresh, almost like a mixture of enchanted flowers and refined mana. Unlike the previous teleportation hub, the Solaris Empire's teleportation center had attendants dressed in formal noblewear, ready to guide new arrivals.
As expected, many people stumbled from their seats. Some held their heads, feeling disoriented, while others simply sat down, taking a moment to recover. A few unlucky ones even ended up vomiting, prompting the staff to assist them with magical cleansing spells. Accel, on the other hand, felt a little dizzy, but thanks to his strong mentality he was able to recover.
An announcement echoed through the hall. "Welcome to the Solaris Empire. Please proceed to the guideline station to receive important information regarding your stay."
Accel followed the other travelers to the next section of the hub, where large boards displayed the Solaris Empire's regulations for foreigners. A primary rule caught his attention:
'All non-citizens of the Solaris Empire are required to wear formal noble attire during their stay. This is mandatory and strictly enforced. Free noblewear will be provided.'
Below the rule was an explanation. The government had implemented this dress code to preserve cultural identity and maintain the Empire's refined image.
Accel raised an eyebrow. "So they really take appearances seriously here."
A staff member approached him and handed him a set of clothing. "This is your formal attire, sir. It has been enchanted for maximum comfort, heat and cold resistance, and durability. You will receive three sets in total. If adjustments are needed, please notify our tailors."
Accel inspected the attire. It was made of high-quality material, embroidered with subtle golden patterns, and reinforced with mana-infused fabric. Surprisingly, when he ran his fingers over it, the material felt incredibly light and smooth, unlike the heavy noble clothing he expected. The enchantments truly made a difference.
"At least they thought of practicality," he muttered, taking the garments.
With his new attire in hand, he prepared to change before moving on to his next destination: Solaris Reach Organization, the adventure hub of the Western Continent.