Note to the reader: *.......* means he's saying that in his head.

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Chapter 39

Laya and I finally made it to the beastman capitol. It was just a giant forest with houses built of wood spread out everywhere. It had a wildlife look to it. A lot of beastmen looked at us as we made our way to chiefs house. Someone must have informed him of our arrival because he was standing outside of his house waiting for us. Drexel only looked a few years older than the last time I saw him. I already changed to my Willow form before enter the city so this would technically be our first meeting.

Drexel:"Hello. I'm Drexel."

Willow:"I'm Willow."

I could see he still had the same rapier hanging at his side.

Drexel:"I've heard you wish to attempt the trial."

Willow:"I will not attempt it. I will complete it."

Drexel let out a sigh then walked over to his door.

Drexel:"Come in. It's time to eat so the two of you should join us."

I nodded and followed him in. Inside was a beastwoman with cat ears placing food on a table. She was clearly pregnant.

Drexel:"This is Fiona my wife. Fiona this Willow. He will be joining us for dinner along with Laya."

Fiona:"It's nice to meet you Willow and good to see you again Laya."

Apparently Fiona and Laya got to know each other back when she and the sisters lived here. I took the seat Drexel offered me and Laya sat next to me. We ate some kind of meat that was very delicious.

Drexel:"I have to warn you that the trial isn't easy."

Willow:"I'm prepared to face whatever it is."

After we finished our meal Drexel stood up.

Drexel:"Would you like to stay a while before attempting the trial?"

Willow:"No. I want to complete it as soon as possible."

Drexel sighed.

Drexel:"Very well follow me."

He led me out of the house and farther into the woods. Laya stayed behind to wait for me.

Willow:"Once you get back to your home Laya will explain the other reason we are here."

Drexel:"The trial isn't your only goal?"

Willow:"I want to connect all the races so we would like your permission to set up a new type of transportation here. Laya will explain the details to you."

Drexel:"I will listen, but I can't guarantee that this transportation will be allowed. I may be chief, but I do not make all the decisions."

Willow:"I'm sure it will be accepted. Laya will convince whoever is needed."

I was taken to a cave. The entrance was hard to see since it was covered in miss and vines.

Drexel:"We usually wouldn't allow anyone to attempt this trial, but your reputation speaks of great strength."

We entered the cave and I noticed light coming from deep within.

Willow:"What is producing that light?"

Drexel:"Fire stones. They can be found in caves all over this forest. We keep some in our houses to use as light sources at night."

As we ventured deeper into the cave more fire stones started to appear on the walls. Eventually we came to a stop at a wooden door.

Drexel:"This is where I will leave you. Inside here is a necklace. Put it on to start the trial. Good luck."

Drexel began to walk back the way we came and I watched him until his figure disappeared. I then faced the door and reached out for the handle which I grasped firmly. Inside was a dead ended with necklaces hanging from the walls. They were all exactly the same. They were normal strings with a rock connected that had a perfectly circular hole in it. I sensed something weird about the rock so I focused on it. There were absolutely no traces of mana in the hole which was abnormal. Mana floats in the air and is stored in our bodies so it's everywhere. Why was there no mana in the hole?

I picked up the necklace and held it close to my eye as I examined it. I could see something through the hole, but couldn't quite make out what it was since it looked like a kaleidoscope. I decided to place the necklace around my neck. My vision went black for a few seconds then I found myself outside looking at the sky while lying on my back.

I sat up and looked around to see where I was. I was shocked at what I saw around me. Tall buildings made of glass and metal. This looked like the other world that I reincarnate into.

I focused my senses and found out that there was no mana in the air. I still had it stored in my body, but if I used it up I wouldn't be able to absorb anymore. My attention was then brought to the stone around my neck. Small amounts of mana were leaking out of the hole.

*Did this teleport me?*

I could only assume that it previously didn't produce mana because it was a connection to a manaless world, but now that I was on the other side it was a connection to a mana abundant world. My world. I took off the necklace and looked through the hole again. I saw a kaleidoscope like scene again, but this time I was able to recognize what it was. I saw the interior of the cave. I now realized that what I saw before putting the necklace on was a kaleidoscope version of my current surroundings.

I stood up and noticed what was being shown inside the hole changed. I turned around and could see the wooden door I entered from through the hole. I thought it was interesting, but I had a trial to complete so I didn't have time to figure this stone out. I put the necklace back on and scanned my surroundings. If this really was the other world then I needed to change my appearance. I took my Falon form with brown hair since blue was only possible through dyes in this world.

Changing forms consumed a small amount of the mana I had stored in my body. This was a little surprising because switching forms never cost any mana when I was in the other world. Since only small amounts of mana were leaking from the stone I judged that it would take a day to completely refill my internal mana if I ran out. I usually don't have to worry about running out of mana, but using magic in this world cost more mana than in the other.

I started walking around to try and find out where I was. It was the middle of the night so fewer people were out. I did find it strange that quite a few people passed by me had different hair colors.

*Dyeing your hair must be popular here.*

I suddenly felt the presence of mana coming from somewhere. Since it wasn't coming from me or the stone that meant something else with mana must be close. The first thing that came to mind was the tablet piece so I followed the mana trail. It led me to a building with a sign on it that said Atlantis City Museum.

*So this city is called Atlantis.*

*******************Cal POV*****************

Helen:"Are the two of you alright?"

I was stunned at how she killed this man. I knew she couldn't possibly be strong enough to throw a rock through a man. The only thing that I could think of was that she must have used magic. It was hard to believe someone with brown hair had enough mana to launch an earth magic attack that powerful, but she could be hiding her real hair color.

Cal:"We're fine now thanks to you."

Ruby and I slowly got off the bed. It wasn't hard to figure out we were being a little cautious towards Helen.

Helen:"I don't want to stay here any longer then I have too."

Helen turned around and left the room. I picked up the golden bracers and chased after her. Ruby followed me and we caught up with Helen at the buildings exit.

Cal:"Umm excuse me but why were you here?"

Helen:"To help you two of course."

Cal:"Then how did you know we would need help?"

Helen:"I didn't know. I thought you would succeed. You should have been more cautious. If I wasn't watching you two would've been raped then killed."

Cal:"Why were you watching us?"

Helen:"I happened to notice you entering town so I decided to see why you three were here alone."

Cal:"Alone? Do we know you?"

Helen:"You don't know me, but I know someone important to you. In fact I was planning on going to see him soon so our meeting must be fate."

Cal:"Are you talking about Falon?"

Helen:"Yes. I have a few things I need to discuss with him."

Cal:"What exactly would that be?"

Helen:"I'm sorry, but I can't tell you anything else."

Cal:"Why!?"

I was a little angry at her for not answering me so I shot her a mad glare.

Helen:"Don't scowl at me like that. It's nothing to important. I just feel that it might become a bother if I told you now."

I decided to end this conversation and sped past her with Ruby following right behind me.

Helen:"I'll see you later!"

She waved at us as we made our way towards Fraya. When we found her she had already taken out all the men that were out drinking.

Fraya:"So the jobs over right. We can finally go home."

Cal:"We need to talk. Something happened."

I still had the scowl on my face which surprised Fraya.

Fraya:"How bad was it?"

Cal:"I explain when we get back to the inn."

There's just something about that Helen person I don't like. We made our way back to the inn where I explained what happened to Fraya. The golden bracers were wrapped up and placed in my bag. I wanted to try them out, but I decided against it.

Cal:"She said that she would see us later."

Ruby:"Maybe we should take her back with us. She did saw she planned on meeting Falon."

Cal:"No! I will not travel with her. There's something about her that bugs me. We should leave tonight."

Fraya:"Tonight? Shouldn't we wait until morning tomorrow?"

Cal:"No I don't want to run the risk of bumping into Helen."

Fraya:"Ok. If you say so."

Ruby:"I'll start packing and securing the merchandise in the carriage."

Cal:"Thanks. I'll go check out then come help."

Fraya:"I guess I'll help Ruby."

The three of us went to prepare for our departure. After our carriage passed through the gate to leave Haven I saw something I didn't expect.

Helen:"Hey can I get a ride?"

She had one bag with her and still had that blue dress on.

Cal:"No."

I turned my gaze away from her and focused on the road ahead.

Ruby:"I think we should give her a ride."

Cal:"Why?"

Ruby:"She did save us."

Cal:"Tch!"

I clicked my tongue in frustration.

Cal:"Fine but she has to sit in the back."

Helen:"I'm fine with that."

I looked to the side and saw that she had been walking along side the carriage.

*How is she keeping up with us while wearing those clothes?*

I decided not to think to hard about it. She climbed into the back and we began our journey back to Gart.Back to Main Page