Teleportation

The third day arrived quickly. Ang packed his luggage early, checked out of his room, and thanked the inn staff with a smile when they wished him a safe journey. He also had breakfast at the inn. Carrying his things, Ang headed to the area where the Teleportation Array was located and saw many people waiting to be teleported—men, women, and even families with children.

The line before the Teleportation Array was split into two queues. One was for richly dressed nobles, while the other was for ordinary commoners like Ang. Listening to the discussions around him, Ang learned that nobles would be teleported first, and commoners would only get their turn after all the nobles had gone through. Ang quietly followed the line and listened to the people around him chat. He learned that some were returning home to visit relatives, some were preparing to return to the Main Plane because they worried the Maple Sugar Plane was unsafe, and others had come to Maple Sugar as tourists.

Soon, the teleportation began. The nobles passed through one after another, with designated people carrying their luggage. The reception staff were especially courteous to the nobles. The nobles moved at an unhurried pace, and the staff did not urge them along. Before long, all the nobles had passed through the Teleportation Array.

Ang thought it would soon be the commoners' turn, but to his surprise, a receptionist climbed up a tower and shouted at the waiting commoners, "Time is tight. You need to pass through quickly. Once you arrive in Tan'anster, do not linger in the teleportation square." After saying that, he had the soldiers begin letting the commoners through.

As Ang looked at the Plane Teleportation Array before him, he marveled at the wonders of this world. The Teleportation Array was a massive upright ring, at least fifty meters in diameter. A layer of blue light filled its center, impossible to see through, concealing the scene beyond. When people passed through the blue light, ripples spread across it like water. Complex patterns covered the edge of the array. After staring at them for a while, Ang felt his eyes sting and a powerful dizziness rise in his head. He quickly looked away from the Teleportation Array, understanding that he did not yet have the strength to study such things.

When it was finally Ang's turn, he took out his teleportation badge. Once it had been verified, he stepped into the array. Blue light enveloped his body, and an intense sensation of weightlessness struck him instantly as the scene around him blurred. The next moment, Ang appeared in the teleportation square of the Grand Duchy of Tan'anster. After adjusting to the dizziness left by teleportation, he quickly left the square.

Only after leaving the square did Ang realize that Tan'anster and the Maple Sugar Plane were not synchronized in time. It was morning on the Maple Sugar Plane, but it was currently night in Tan'anster. The teleportation square was brightly lit, making Ang initially think it was still daytime. Once he stepped outside the square, a wave of noise rushed over him. Many people crowded around him, enthusiastically asking whether he needed lodging, a guide, a carriage, or other services.

Everything before him made Ang feel as though he had just stepped out of a train station. Hawking and shouting filled the air. Some people held up signs, while others directly grabbed passersby to sell their services. Ang quickly calmed down, recalling how he had dealt with such situations back on Blue Star. He knew that in a place like this, staying alert and calm was the most important thing.

He found an inn that looked fairly reputable and went inside to ask about the price of lodging. The clerk at the front desk warmly received him and told him that a night's stay cost five Silver Wack, breakfast included. Ang felt the price was reasonable, so he checked in. Once his room had been arranged, he relaxed. He settled his luggage and prepared to get a good night's rest before continuing his journey the next day.

Early the next morning, Ang prepared to return home as soon as possible. He had rested well at the inn the night before and decided to set out early. He found an inn clerk and asked whether she knew the exact location of Oak Bay. The clerk said she did not, but she knew someone who would, so she introduced Ang to a guide.

Before long, the guide introduced by the clerk knocked on Ang's door. Ang invited the guide into his room, only to discover that the guide recommended by the front desk was actually a woman. The guide introduced herself, saying, "My name is Ina. I was born and raised in Tan'anster, so I know it very well." Ina also explained the cost of hiring her and the services she provided. Ang had no objections after hearing her out. He told Ina that he was also from Tan'anster and had just returned after being discharged from the military. He wanted to return to his hometown, Oak Bay, and asked whether she knew where Oak Bay was and how to get there from the Provincial Capital of Tan'anster.

Ina smiled. "Of course I know Oak Bay. It's a small town with beautiful scenery. There are two main routes from the Provincial Capital to Oak Bay. One is by land. The road is relatively flat, but it takes a detour. The other is by airship. It can save quite a bit of time and is the fastest option, but it's also the most expensive."

Ang considered it for a moment and asked, "How long does each route take?"

Ina explained, "Traveling by land takes about ten days, provided nothing unexpected happens. By airship, it only takes around a day and a half. However, the airship from the Provincial Capital to River Bay City departed yesterday, and it only leaves once every ten days or so."

Ang nodded and thought it over before deciding to travel by land, since he was eager to get home. Ina reminded him to prepare the necessary supplies and weapons, as conditions on the road could change unpredictably and required thorough preparation. Ang said that he already had everything he needed, and Ina led him out, setting off toward Oak Bay.

At the entrance of the inn, Ina helped Ang find a carriage. The two boarded it and began their journey to Oak Bay.

Including the driver, there were three people in total. Ina suggested that Ang purchase some food for the journey. Before setting out, she also asked whether he wanted to hire a few more guards. Ang smiled at Ina. "Ina, I was just discharged from the military. I think I'm still somewhat capable, so there's no need to hire guards."

Ina had originally wanted to introduce some warriors she knew to Ang. Escort jobs like this were relatively easy and paid well. Work was not easy to find in the Provincial Capital of Tan'anster; otherwise, a young woman like Ina would not have become a guide. During their conversations, Ang learned that Ina was not actually a full-time guide. She was a runesmith, albeit only a junior runesmith. However, she was an independent runesmith who only took on occasional inscription jobs. Since business had been slow recently, she had taken up guiding as a side job.

When Ang heard Ina say that she was a runesmith, he immediately became deeply interested. Like a curious child, he asked Ina all sorts of questions.

Ina grew somewhat impatient from all his questions and finally said, "Ang, if you want to ask questions or learn runesmithing, you'll have to pay. One Silver Wack per question. If you want to study under me, the tuition is ten Gold Wack, and I'll teach you until you've learned it. However, you'll need to prepare the materials required for learning runesmithing yourself. I won't provide them."

After hearing that, Ang felt it was a rare opportunity. He considered it for a moment and said, "Ina, I really want to learn runesmithing. Can we begin during the journey?"

Ina nodded in agreement. "Of course. As long as you pay the tuition, we can start anytime."

Happily, Ang counted out ten Gold Wack from his money pouch and handed them to Ina. Ina accepted the pouch and began seriously teaching Ang the basics of runesmithing. She told him that runesmithing was a craft that required meticulousness and patience. One had to first learn the basic symbols and structures before gradually mastering more complex inscription techniques.

Along the way, Ina explained the fundamentals of various inscriptions in detail and occasionally took out small samples for Ang to practice on. Ang listened attentively, memorized every key point, and constantly experimented and improved through hands-on practice.

Ang discovered that runesmiths were like tattoo artists, except they did not inscribe patterns, and their subjects were not people but all kinds of materials.

Ina was pleased with Ang's attitude toward learning and believed he had the potential to become an outstanding runesmith.

Ina gave Ang a Runesmith's Knife. It looked like a fountain pen, hollow in the middle. He could use its tip to carve runes into materials, while its hollow structure injected mixed energy potion into the runes. Ina explained, "This potion is the source of a rune's energy. Of course, more advanced inscriptions are powered by elemental stones or magic crystals. But junior inscriptions usually use this universal energy potion for power supply and energy conduction, allowing the runes to take effect."

Hearing Ina's explanation, Ang suddenly remembered the Water Gathering Rune Board he had bought in Wolf City. He took the rune board from his bag and handed it to Ina. "This is a Water Gathering Rune Board I bought before, but I've never really understood how it works."

Ina accepted the rune board and examined it carefully for a while before saying, "This Water Gathering Rune Board is made quite well. The runes are carved very finely. Its principle is to use these runes to gather the water elements in the surroundings, then release them through the core array in the center of the rune board. Look, there are several small holes here. They're used to inject energy potion."

Pointing at the small holes in the rune board, she continued, "These holes are the rune board's energy input ports. As long as you inject energy potion, the rune board can begin operating. However, you need to be careful. Different rune boards require different energy potion formulas, so you'd better understand them clearly before using one."

Ang nodded and said gratefully, "Thank you, Ina. You've taught me so much. This Runesmith's Knife is very important to me. I'll treasure it."

Ina replied with a smile, "You're welcome, Ang. We're friends. It's only right that we help each other. If you have any questions in the future, you can come find me anytime."

During the rest of the journey, Ang continued studying runesmithing and steadily improved his skills through practical work. Through his exchanges with Ina, he gradually mastered how to use a Runesmith's Knife to carve runes and successfully created several simple rune enchantments for his own equipment. Whenever he successfully completed a rune enchantment, Ina offered encouragement and advice, helping him improve continuously.

Time passed quickly amid such fulfilling study and conversation. Ang not only learned a great deal about runesmithing, but also gained a deeper understanding of Ina's experiences and insights.