The next two days flew by. Between classes, defending, training, and talking to locals about wares, Max and Emi spent most of their time working rather than socializing. Which made the Earthling happy. Having a slow day often meant boredom. There was no TV, internet, video games, or social media, meaning that once mana headaches started to form there was nothing to do. That was one of the worst aspects of Nava, Max thought. Monsters, impending death, and mana headaches. He had come to love magic but having a ‘cool down period’ during experimentation put a damper on things.

Arithmancy had taken an unusual turn. The first class Max thought it was going to be easy, but with the second lecture magic was now involved. It took him most of the class to catch up to the teacher, but once he did things started to make sense. Magic was nothing more than a variable. Different spells and mana volumes had different values and formulas, which were rudimentary and easy to understand. By the end of the class, he was finishing the extra assigned problems without help from his notes.

The second portion of Spell Formations and Creation was also progressing rather well. Celenia worked on her domain spell with quick and often unhelpful insights from Max, while he and Emi worked on their ever-increasing list of spells they wanted to learn. Not wanting to create combat spells, the two [Water Mages] set their sights on more utility themed spells. While the spells they were creating had little uses by themselves, paired with others could make them invaluable. For example, during the defense of the wall against the flame ponies, Chariens, Max and Emi maintained rotating pressurized globes of water. Their idea was a way to automate the manipulation portion of the spell, thus freeing their minds from the work.

Normally this would not be a spell Max would be interested in, but after having a sort of epiphany about magic, he decided to change his views. Talking with the Healer who showed Max his artificial arm, solidified the floating idea of what magic and mana really was. Imagination. Between the system and the caster’s mind, few spells would not be possible. And with a new mindset, the bonded pairs worked to achieve the goal of an automated protection spell.

Their first major roadblock was where to even start. After some brainstorming and talking with Magi May, the pair simply began to rotate globs of water at all times. The concept was similar to the artificial arm spell, but while the arm mimicked real movements, the automated orbital spell would react to external stimuli. The pair figured the best way to go about learning the spell would be to randomly blast each other with water until their rotating orbs caught the attack.

Max figured the concept was somewhat close to what he imagined, but the globs of water were supposed to attack rather than defend. But it was a good starting point. Before the class ended, Magi May reminded everyone that in only a few weeks they must have a signature spell to present otherwise they would not pass. Max didn’t think his orbital spell would be a new spell in all honesty. He figured that the spell wasn’t so rare or unique to be the first one to create it. Water magic was rather common, meaning a signature spell would have to be very specific or solves a very niche problem.

Defending the walls had become more of a chore than an actual event. Between the guard and other mages and adventurers, the wall had been heavily protected. The bells have been ringing more frequently, something Vel assured was normal. But the extra defenders easily made up for that.

The [Merchant] contacts of Esmel were rather happy about Max’s sudden appearance. They had plenty of stock they were hoping to sell, so when a mysterious buyer said he’d buy their entire inventory, they jumped at the offer. With Esmel’s closure, many of the trade lines have been rerouted to Lesterwood. Thus, causing an oversaturation of wares. An unfortunate outcome of the root dome, but one no one could do anything about.

The city has also been incredibly lively since the dawn of a New Age. Citizens hosted parties daily while taverns were more crowded than ever. The clinics of Lesterwood have been overrun with apprentice applicants and the Healers became front and center within the Church. News of the mass gathering of Healers had hit the streets, causing rumors and theories about the cause of the New Age. Even Elliot had fallen victim to such gossip, explaining what he had heard to Max. Oh irony. Max thought.

A large dinner was held for Vel as the next morning she would be leaving for the Coalition. Vel disregarded the sentiment, but everyone saw her hide a smile as they ate. Max and Emi would be traveling with her for the first day, but they would eventually split. Vel did promise to show him the castle during her ‘layover’ for the Gates. Her travels would take nearly two days. From Lesterwood to Salae to a small outpost in the Yepu Plains. From there a nighttime travel through the grassy flat land before arriving at the location of the Coalition. The Yepu Plains had many predatory daytime hunters, meaning most travel would only be possible during the dark hours.

The Coalition’s location was on a rotation. Since the mass meeting brought together many nations and organizations, it would only be including if the hosts changed. This time happened to fall to the Centaur Republic of the Plains, more specifically the Startemplar tribe.

“Hey Vel,” Max said while cutting a meaty steak. “Why don’t I come through the Gate to the Plains then teleport back into Salae. It would give me another visitation spot.”

“Fine with me, but you need to think of a better name than visitation spot.” Vel replied.

Max made mumbling noises in a mocking fashion, receiving a chuckle from the Elderly mage and bonded monster.

“ALL ENTER!” The Gate’s operator shouted while motioning forward with his hands. The crowded line began to slowly shuffle toward the open Gate, like trying to enter a boarding airplane. Vel, Max, and Emi were towards the back as Vel had no issue waiting in the line rather than paying for expensive front-of-the-line tickets. Max had no complaints either, as he got to observe the Gate just a bit longer. One of these days he would sit down and seriously study the Gate, but it was unfortunately not that day. Behind the guard rails, Bishop stood along with four women, Reep, Clammy, Celenia, and Belopi. They waved one last time before being lost to the crowd and leaving to go about their own errands.

Vel would be back in a week or two, depending on how long the Coalition lasts, and Max and Emi would be back before dinner. Eventually they got to the front, and with a single step, the three were in Salae. Lesterwood had the luxury of being one of the few large cities to have a connection straight to the capital. Before becoming Lesterwood, River’s bend was created because of this Gate. Having direct access to a river and being situated within a frontier forest, meant resources along with monster drops were able to be shipped to Salae with minimal cost.

The Gate led them to a massive building with an arched vaulted ceiling. Salae was also the only place in all of Salarin that had multiple Gates. The Salae Hub, as it was called, housed four Gates. They all operated at the same time, and all saw constant foot traffic. Max had no time to gawk, as he was pushed along by armed guards clearing the new arrivals from the Gate’s stage. A second guard scanned everyone who walked past with magical eyes, he held up an arm commanding Max to stop.

“Release your spell.” The guard said in a monotone voice.

“What spell?” Max asked.

“The water.” The guard motioned to Max’s artificial arm. The water fell to the ground with a loud splat. The guard nodded, “Carry on.”

The water flowed back to Max, forming a new arm. “What was that?” Max whispered to Vel.

“Making sure you are not hiding anything within the water. It’s possible to hide contraband or weapons within spells. His eyes couldn’t see past your water, thus he told you to release it.” Vel said.

“Huh.” Max said, but his mind was already elsewhere. He had forgotten about his arm, and he wondered if that meant the spell would be complete soon. After all, the Healer did say that the spell would become part of himself when it was completed.

The three continued to follow the group of new arrivals, eventually finding themselves outside. The sight of the capital city was breath taking. The Hub led directly into the main street, which followed the length of the city, passing side streets and districts, ending with a massive marble castle. Stairs rolled down multiple hills, elevating the city further inward as one traveled deeper towards the centerpiece. A fortified citadel, surrounded by spiked rocks and jagged cliffs was the home to the royals. The terraformed land was hardly sinister, but rather an augmented monument chiseled into the land as if it was natural.

Every building leading up to the castle was prized and symmetric. They were unique with tenets but similar in structure and creation. A magic shop in one, a jeweler in another. Vocen drawn carriages symbolized elitism and prominence as nobles and the rich pass by on the busy street. Guards ushered citizens around similar to police signaling traffic but allowing the carriages right of way. A few gruff and dirty citizens were chased down a dim street, away from the elegant. The whole scene played out almost as a cliché. The rich and powerful were treated as royalty while the homeless and pour as a nuisance.

Maybe Max was oblivious, but he couldn’t remember any homeless in Lesterwood or in Esmel. But Salae was a different story. The street the Hub connected to branched into three paths. The center led up the carved stairs to the castle and the rich, while the left and right led to poverty. It seemed as though the city was a hierarchy. The more centralized one lived, the more likely they were to be rich. The lower, the more likely they were treated as filth.

“Gross, isn’t it?” Vel said seemingly reading Max’s mind. “The class system they have implemented here.”

Max watched as a guard punched a disheveled man in the gut. A crowd formed and gossip found the lips of the bystanders. ‘Did he ask for money?’ A woman said. ‘How daft. Do something guard, he nearly spit on me!’ Someone else said. The guard shoved the man to the ground, yelling to return to his ‘Mud Pit’.

“Despicable.” Max said quietly.

“One of the many reasons Lester chose River’s Bend over this place.” Vel motioned to a man in a wealthy set of dress clothes. Black with a frilly violet flounce collar. “Remind you of something?”

It took Max a moment to see what Vel was showing him. Rather than the man, Vel had motioned to the small woman behind him. She carried multiple bags and packs, wore torn and ripped clothes, and had obvious scars. They idly walked by, and Max could see the woman shiver with every step, her clothes obviously not enough to keep warm in this chilly weather.

“A slave.” Max said gaining a nod from his mentor.

“Before I met Lester, I never thought twice about slavery. To me, it was a part of Nava. Debtors or prisoners, everyone had to pay somehow. But Lester showed me how much more slaves were than repayment for a crime or loan. I was ignorant of their abuse, of their living conditions, and in many cases the assaults on their bodies. Now? I don’t see how slavery is possible. I don’t see how people can rationalize it.”

“Because the people above them allow it.” Max said. “People follow, and if the leaders have questionable morals, then their people do also.”

Vel nodded. “Again, Lester fought for years to reform Salae. But a nation born from tradition and power rarely changes.”

“Is there nothing we can do?”

“There is, but not now. Lester, for as powerful as he was, never achieved his goals in this matter. But there is hope.” Vel locked eyes with Max, wordlessly communicating her thoughts.

‘Clammy.’ Max correctly interpreted.

It was a dark thought in Max’s eyes. A girl so young and fragile, one who could easily be manipulated by those she trusts…. But maybe she doesn’t need manipulating. The events leading her to Lesterwood, along with the friends she has made all point away from the traditions of Salae. A princess and estranged daughter. A warrior rather than a ball room dancer, Clammy knew the horrors of slavery.

The three continued down the main street, up flights of stairs and around decorative trees and monster gargoyles. Glancing eyes kept peering at Emi, finding beauty in her uniqueness while simultaneously finding disgust in her partner. More than once did Max ward off agape nobles with a dirty look, and more than once did said nobles huff away in important fashion. The looks were familiar but oddly distant. Lesterwood was an adventuring city, the main income other than import export was the Guilds. The people of Lesterwood were used to bonds, especially the rare and obtuse kind. But the citizens of Salae were traditionalist, meaning any bond not of renowned status were as good as alien.

It was apparent from the dress of the nearby citizens, that the adventurers of lower floors do not often venture this far into high society. Occasional tourists would exit a store, or stop to smell a garden alcove, but they were easily identifiable. Their clothes were the most obvious. Other than simply not wearing expensive dress, they also wore items common in their lands. A group of bald Orcs walked by each wearing torn sleeveless vests with massive steal tipped boots. A family of Gnomes walked by in green cloaks, pulling along fallen leaves and sticks. Max and Vel were no different. Max sported brown pants with three pockets and a plain off-white shirt, with a robe jacket tied off with a thin strip of leather. Vel opted for full robes, finding comfort in the simple. Normal clothing in Lesterwood, but vastly out of place in Salae.

“Don’t stare too long, otherwise the royal guard will be on us.” Vel said.

Max squinted at his mentor, trying to figure out if she was mocking him or not.

“Are you being-“

“Yes, the castle has wards everywhere. Some tell the operator if someone is looking for too long.” Vel added.

“Oh.” Max peeled his eyes to the ground. “It’s pretty, I’ve got to say.”

“Indeed. It wouldn’t be the ‘richest city in all of Salarin’ without the opulence.” Vel pointed to the sky. “Those are what really show the cities wealth.”

Through the bright white clouds, came a massive balloon. A metal frame housed the wedge-shaped pocket of air, while four massive propellers shifted the direction of the vessel with propulsion. Runic symbols were carved into the back and sides, each glowing with signature wind elemental blue.

“A blimp?” Max asked.

“Zeppelin.” Vel corrected. “State of the art, only a few have ever been made.”

“Those are what show the cities wealth? I’m not impressed.”

“Oh? Something of Earth I take it?”

“Zeppelins are a century old technology. Now-a-days jets are mainstream.”

“Jets? I didn’t know Earth used water in such ways.” Vel said.

“Water? Oh, no, not jet as in water je-“ Max cut himself off as the reinforced castle gates swung open.

“Oh, here we go.” Vel said, rolling her eyes.

Three fully armored soldiers appeared first, carrying long poles with thin flags. Behind them were mounted guardsmen with long feathers draping backwards from their helmets. A hovering carriage was next, it alone showed the wealth of its passengers. Gold and white trimmed metal components with a stylistic and flamboyant body silently moved a few inches off the ground. It was flanked by footmen equip with long spears and halberds. Lastly two more mounted and feathered guardsmen.

“It seems as though the King is leaving for the Coalition.” Vel said.

“We should too, unless you want to miss our Gate departure time.” Max said squinting at the sun.

The three made the slow descent back to the Hub. The city had a different view from this height, allowing one to gaze past the walls into the surrounding grasslands. Fields of crops outlined the capital’s land well into the horizon, providing for everyone while also being a testament for monsters. Unlike Lesterwood, Salae was created to be as far from monsters as possible, meaning [Farmers] could hold more land without having to defend more territory.

Citizens were gathered on the street’s periphery, watching the King’s caravan pass. Traffic moved out of their way, wagons were pushed aside, children were held by their parents, and a sense of respect came in many forms. Some bowed, some kneeled, others saluted, even a few Frog People croaked a melodic tune. Max, Emi, and Vel followed along at a slow pace, riding the wake of the caravan, and taking advantage of the parted citizens.

The Hub was in a state of panic with the King’s arrival. The Gate to the small outpost in the Plains was pushed ahead of schedule, causing delays across the continent. Attendants ran back and forth, holding off curious tourists and citizens from trying to get a better look. Lines were merged together in hopes the magical eyed guards were able to spot potential [Assassins]. The Gate opened, allowing the King and his men entry. The attendants counted the minutes before allowing the rest of the departures through. Max, Emi, and Vel passed through without much issue, after the crowds began to retreat back.

The Gate led to a low populated glorified outpost. Sharpened branches created a protective fence, while tall wooden towers allowed distant overwatch. This particular Gate had no theatrics. A single woman ran the schedule by herself, switching runes and symbols. The Gate was housed in a covered pavilion made of animal fur and sticks, only adding to the wonder of how such marvels were built.

There must be some sort of anti-weathering rune protecting the Gate. Max thought searching the stone base for clues.

“Come on boy.” Vel said, grabbing Max by the arm. “We need to find me a guide before the King takes everyone.”

But the King was nowhere in sight. His party had long since departed from the outpost, despite the daylight. [Royal Guards] were strong and vigilant, making the trek through the Plains nothing more than an idle stroll through a garden. Vel pushed open the doors to the largest building in the outpost, a tavern. The clientele were buff, well worked, and tan. Most were Beastkin of varying ancestry and tribes. The Yepu Plains were among the largest known area of Beastkin, holding hundreds of tribes and thousands of breeds.

“I’m looking for a [Guide] to the Startemplars.” Vel said to the [Barkeeper].

A loud belch sounded from a few stools away. “I can take you.” A man with dirty short hair said. “For the right price that is.”

“Name it.”

“A drink, the good stuff.” The man smiled. “A bottle of Dwarven whiskey.”

Vel scoffed. “Why do I get the feeling that If I followed you, I wouldn’t make it out of the tavern.”

“Suit yourself.” The man said, before slouching into his drink.

“Talk to Delno.” The [Bartender] said, gesturing at a man sitting in the corner of the dusty establishment.

“Thanks.” Vel flipped a coin to the helpful man.

Max and Emi split from Vel while she negotiated with Delno. They found a secluded area in the blind spots of the bird nest towers. With a quick teleport into the air, they stood on an Immoveable Platform looking off across the Plains. Grass and sporadic trees as far as the eyes could see. A few herds of animals and a few flying predators swooping through the air. A lovely place, but as they looked closer, they could see hidden threats looming in the tall grasses. Camouflaged beasts stalked prey, reminding Max of nature documentaries. Far in the distance the King’s caravan could be seen riding smoothly across the dangerous area.

A few minutes later, Max and Emi said goodbye to Vel. Delno’s plan was to wait until an hour after dark, and Vel pushed Max to leave instead of waiting with her, stating that he had important sales to make and a lot of people waiting on him. Which, to be fair, was accurate. Besides Esmel, all of the outlying villages of Lesterwood were using his services. He had things to do, and places to be. A Greater Teleport later, Max and Emi were climbing the stairs of Salae trying to find the trade district Clammy had mentioned.