nOVElB1n
Chapter 188 Chapter 42.3 - Trip
<Saturday Morning>
"Stubborn old man."
I thought as I looked at myself. While I was exploring the [Unknown's Armor], I noticed a special property of this clothing.
'I can change the shape.'
That old man really didn't send me without one final gift. He was really as stubborn as I thought.
'But, this was really a needed change.'
While I was using this armor, there were many things that made it slightly impractical. The first one was the fact that I would need to put it under my clothes, and the other one would be its enchantments being one-dimensional.
'But now that is not the case.'
I could change how it looked, and now I was using this as my casual clothes. It also had the property of adjusting the heat.
'A small rune is here.'
With the rune acting as the energy source, I could control the head inside. Also, adding the energy consumption of [Morphium], it was evident that this armor had now become a masterpiece.
After all, if everyone could make such armor, the Blackthorns would have already done that from the start and would have used the Morphium hidden in the vault.
'Now, everything is ready.'
Checking everything, I made my out of my room.
As I made my way to the meeting area, adjusting the [Unknown's Armor] to its casual form, I encountered Sylvie in the hallway. She looked up from a small book she was reading and offered a warm smile.
"Good morning," she greeted, her eyes looking at me. "I thought you would come around this time."
It seemed she was waiting for me.
'Well, this is not that bad.'
"Morning," I replied, looking at her. With how she had clothed herself and how cheerful she looked, it seemed she was excited about the trip.
"Excited about the trip?"
Sylvie nodded. "Yes, it's a nice change of pace. I've never been on a trip like this before."
"Do you like traveling?"
"I do."
"Then, why didn't you join the Travelling Club?"
The club's name was actually Adventure and Exploration Club, but there was no need to use that fancy name.
"Well, I like traveling, but I don't like doing it frequently. It is tiring."
"Hmm....We don't go around that much, though?"
"We? You are in the Traveling Club, then."
"Yes."
"How often do you go out?"
"We just went out one time. After that, we didn't go out another time."
"We have a reservation for the teleportation gate B128."
"Teleportation gate B128, please let me check for a second...Miss Maya, correct."
"Yes."
"Here, your reservation is confirmed. My friend here will guide you to the gate."
The process in the government was actually the same as in the Black Market. Just like the portals that would take you to the entrance of the dungeons, there were countless different ones around.
"Wow....." I had used this station before while reaching Nexoria City, but that didn't seem to be the case for Sylvie as she looked around like a country bumpkin.
"This is amazing. I've never seen anything like it before. The precision and scale of these teleportation gates are just incredible."
I nodded in agreement. "It's quite something. The advancements in magical transportation have made long-distance travel much more convenient. No more exhausting journeys on horseback or through rough terrains.....Only for the rich, though."
"....Yeah, that is right."
As we approached the designated teleportation gate, the guide ushered us forward, and one by one, we stepped into the portal.
The sensation of being enveloped in that vortex of pulsating energy surrounded us, and the scenery around us changed in an instant.
"Hello."
Before us, a guide appeared immediately.
"You are the group from the Arcadia Hunter Academy, correct?"
It seemed he was already waiting for us to come from the start.
"Yes, that is correct."
The guide greeted us with a warm smile. "Excellent! Welcome to Western Uxbridge. I'm here to assist you during your stay. If you follow me, I'll take you to the research site where Mister Jones is working. He is the one who informed me."
"Ah, I will pay him a visit later. Thank you for your attention."
"No problem."
As the guide and Senior Maya exchanged their greetings and a bunch of words, we started walking.
The teleportation hall was pretty small compared to other cities, and this was mostly because, in reality, Western Uxbridge wasn't actually a highly developed city. The sole reason there was a teleportation gate itself was because of the researchers who wished to share their experiences with the Magic Tower and the Government.
As we stepped out of the hall, the city unfolded before us, revealing a different vibe compared to the bustling capital. Western Uxbridge had an older, more reserved atmosphere. The cobblestone streets winded through the heart of the city, flanked by structures that seemed to whisper tales of a distant past.
Sylvie gazed around in wonder, her eyes taking in the ancient architecture and the faded beauty of the surroundings. The air carried a sense of tranquility, a stark contrast to the lively energy of the Arcadia City.
"Welcome to Western Uxbridge, a city frozen in time," the guide announced, gesturing towards the aged buildings and intricate carvings that adorned them.
"This place holds secrets untold, and today, you have the opportunity to witness some of its mysteries."
It was, indeed, as he said.
The city seemingly held the atmosphere of a frozen time. Of course, the time was itself not frozen, and it was flowing. However, thanks to the ancient ruins and the local traditions that were still maintained through time, the city was like its elder self.
"This place is so different from what I'm used to," Sylvie remarked, her voice filled with admiration.
I nodded in agreement. "It's like stepping into a living history book. Western Uxbridge has its charm, a different kind of beauty."
It felt quite nostalgic as I remembered my time on Earth. Most of the cities went into Modernization, but there were still some who preserved their uniqueness.
"Then, please follow me through the way."
Senior Maya and the guide led the way through the meandering streets, and as we walked deeper into the city, the ambient magic in the air became more pronounced.
And just like that, the trip had fully started while on the other side, a person was sharpening his sword.