On the Way

The airship's speed truly lived up to expectations. Ang stood on the deck, feeling the fresh high-altitude air currents sweep past him. Looking down at the land below, he felt a vastness and freedom unlike anything he had ever known. The airship traveled through the clouds, carrying him swiftly over one city after another.

From the sky, the cities on the ground appeared peaceful and serene. The outlines of towns were clearly visible: neatly arranged streets, scattered houses, and the vast fields and forests beyond the city walls. They looked like still paintings slowly unfolding before his eyes. Ang had never looked down upon the world from such a perspective before, and a sense of detachment rose within him.

At times, the airship passed over towering mountains or great rivers, bringing the majesty of the ranges and the rushing currents fully into view. Occasionally, it passed through thin clouds, and amid the swirling mist, Ang felt as though he had entered a fairyland. The entire world became dreamlike and beautiful. His thoughts drifted to the new life awaiting him, as well as the unknown challenges and opportunities ahead.

Whenever the airship flew over a city, Ang noticed its unique character. Some cities had been built along rivers, surrounded by flowing water; others rested against mountains and beside rivers, appearing especially magnificent. He felt himself becoming more closely connected to this world, and his resolve to keep moving forward grew firmer.

Ang stood on the deck for a long time, only realizing how much time had passed when the color of the sky gradually shifted from bright blue to warm orange-red. On the horizon, the sun slowly sank, casting its final rays and draping the earth in a veil of gold.

As night fell, Ang returned inside the airship to rest, his heart full of anticipation for the future.

The airship's interior was spacious and brightly designed. Ang sat alone in a corner of the dining hall, enjoying his dinner. Soft light fell across the tables, while the sounds of passengers chatting and dining filled the surroundings, creating a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere. This was Ang's first time riding an airship—both for the person he had been in his previous life and for Ang now, it was an entirely new experience. Feeling the faint sway beneath his feet and hearing the airship's distinctive low hum, he was both curious and excited.

At a table beside him, several people who looked like merchants were engaged in lively conversation. Their discussion soon caught Ang's attention. One well-dressed merchant spoke to those beside him with a touch of pride. "Did you know? The Warren is the Empire's newest model. Not only is it fast, but its cargo capacity is the largest among all airships currently in service. I heard that quite a few nobles even came specially to experience its maiden voyage."

Another merchant quickly nodded in agreement. "That's true, I heard the same. There must be quite a bit of your own cargo among the goods you're transporting this time, right? I heard you bought up a lot of good things in River Bay City. Once you reach the Provincial Capital, it'll be another huge deal."

The first merchant smiled and lowered his voice. "That's right. I'm going to make a fortune this time. River Bay City has abundant products, especially that batch of rare magic materials. Once they reach the Provincial Capital, their price will at least double. Taking the Warren means fast delivery. Time is money!"

The others nodded in succession, clearly agreeing with the merchant's business sense. As Ang listened, he silently took note of the information about the airship. The Warren truly was extraordinary. With such cargo capacity and transport efficiency, it was no wonder so many merchants favored it. From their conversation, Ang learned that the Empire's economic activity had also become more frequent because of this new type of airship. The prosperity of the Provincial Capital might far exceed his imagination.

After finishing his meal, Ang set down his utensils, glanced in the merchants' direction, and quietly left the dining hall.

The next morning, after washing up, Ang went to the dining hall for breakfast. There were already quite a few people there, gathered in small groups as they chatted and laughed. After breakfast, Ang went to the deck. The morning view was especially beautiful. Sunlight spilled across the land, and everything appeared peaceful and harmonious. Many finely dressed people stood on the deck, each wearing a different badge on their chest. Ang guessed they were probably the nobles the merchants had mentioned yesterday.

Rather than standing with those nobles, he walked to the other side of the deck and admired the scenery before him alone. Ang began to meditate quietly, attempting to sense the difference in the elements in the air. Standing there with his eyes closed, he slowly drew in the magical elements around him.

Not far away, a young-looking couple noticed that there was something unusual about Ang. The wife softly asked her husband, "Is he meditating? Doesn't meditation require a quiet place?" The husband looked at Ang, pressing a hand to his temple as he replied in a low voice, "Yes, he is meditating. I can feel the elements gathering around him. He may be a mage. But his clothes are very ordinary, so it's hard to be sure."

The wife continued watching Ang curiously, while the man said with slight surprise, "Perhaps he has some special talent. No matter what, he really does have an unusual bearing."

Ang remained immersed in his meditation, completely unaware of the attention from others. He sensed the elements flowing through the air and tried to guide them into his body. Although the deck was not particularly quiet, Ang's focus and perseverance allowed him to keep his mind calm in such an environment, gradually entering a meditative state.

After meditating for some time, Ang opened his eyes and felt that the magic power within him seemed to have increased a little. He let out a soft breath and smiled in satisfaction. As he turned to leave the deck, he noticed that the couple was still watching him from afar. Ang gave them a friendly nod, and they returned it with smiles. Though they exchanged no words, goodwill and respect passed silently between them.

After Ang left the deck, the couple continued discussing him. The wife had a particular feeling about Ang, though she did not pay much attention to it. Seeing that Ang wore no noble badge, she guessed that he was merely an ordinary person. Her husband said, "If we run into him in the dining hall at lunch, perhaps we can have a chat."

The wife nodded and thoughtfully looked in the direction Ang had left. "He seems very special, not like an ordinary person," she said softly. "Maybe we can hear some interesting stories from him."

Her husband smiled. "Whatever his identity, he seems like someone worth befriending. Let's find a chance to talk to him at lunch."

Time passed quickly, and lunchtime soon arrived. Ang found a window seat in the dining hall and ate alone. The room was still filled with the sound of casual conversation, and the atmosphere remained relaxed and pleasant. After entering, the couple looked around and quickly spotted Ang.

The husband softly said to his wife, "That's him. Let's go over."

They walked over to Ang's table, and the husband asked with a smile, "Excuse me, is anyone sitting here? May we join you for lunch?"

Ang looked up and recognized them as the couple he had seen on the deck that morning. He answered amicably, "Of course. Please, sit."

After they sat down, the husband introduced himself. "My name is Henry, and this is my wife, Eileen. We saw you meditating on the deck this morning, and we were curious. Are you a mage?"

Ang smiled. "I'm not really a mage yet. I'm only teaching myself some basic magic knowledge. My name is Ang. It's nice to meet you."

Eileen asked curiously, "Why did you choose to meditate on the deck? It isn't very quiet there."

Ang smiled and said, "Although the deck isn't especially quiet, I find the air there fresher. It helps me focus and sense the flow of magical elements."

Henry nodded. "I see. Are you heading to the Tan'anster Provincial Capital? There's an excellent Magic Academy there. You should be able to learn much more."

Ang replied, "Yes, I plan to continue my studies in the Provincial Capital—not only in magic, but also in warrior training. I hope to improve my abilities."

Eileen nodded approvingly. "That's a very good plan. Are you saying you're going to attend both the Warrior Academy and the Magic Academy?"

When Eileen heard that Ang intended to study both warrior skills and magic, she could not help letting out a cry of surprise. Realizing her lapse, she covered her mouth and softened her tone. "That isn't an easy path. Most of the time, people can only choose between magic and becoming a warrior. Those with magical talent usually do not choose to become warriors. You really are a little different."

Ang smiled and nodded. "I understand that this path will be difficult, but I believe studying both will allow me to improve myself more fully. Warrior training can strengthen my physical fitness and reaction speed, while magic can provide more combat techniques and ways to solve problems."

Henry nodded, looking approving. "Your thinking is quite insightful. Studying both warrior skills and magic would indeed give you more advantages when facing different challenges. But it will also require more effort and time."

Ang said firmly, "I've already made full preparations. No matter how difficult it is, I'll persevere. Everyone has their own path. Since I've chosen this one, I'll walk it to the end."

Eileen smiled. "Hearing you say that, I'm moved by your determination as well. I hope you achieve your goals smoothly and become an outstanding warrior and mage."

Ang replied with some gratitude, "Thank you for your blessings. Are you also going to the Provincial Capital?"

Henry answered, "Yes, we're going to the Provincial Capital to take care of some matters. I hope we'll have a chance to see you again."

After lunch, they chatted happily for a long while, and Ang grew closer to the couple.