The State of the World

Five days later, two days had passed since the passage opened. Green had not rushed into another world like a reckless fool to be among the first to take a bite of the crab.

The first arrivals would reap plenty. Anything they collected in the other world could fetch a high price back in the Wizarding World. But they would also face enormous risks. If they encountered native creatures while their strength was restricted by the world's suppression, they could easily find themselves in danger.

What puzzled Green was that the first group returned quickly. The World War seemed to have come to a sudden standstill.

In the Academy's Rear Base laboratory, Green studied the ring on his left hand. Made from a blend of metals, it gleamed silver-white and was engraved with patterns and symbols. An exquisitely carved black gemstone sat at its center, absorbing the light around it. A strange power shrouded the gem, lending the whole ring an air of mystery.

An Academy apprentice had just delivered the ring to Green. Only those who joined one of the major factions could obtain one.

"A communication device developed around a World Stone! How convenient!"

Green gently rubbed the black gemstone. Blue light shone from it and formed a projection in the air. A blue interface appeared, lines of text emerging from top to bottom.

"Communication," "Trading," "World Information."

The functions were simple, but they covered everything necessary.

Communication and Trading did exactly what their names suggested: they let users contact one another and trade goods.

World Information contained public reports provided by the major factions or individuals, generally concerning the world itself. More sensitive information, such as the location of a treasure, had to be purchased in the Trading Area.

World Information existed chiefly to prevent heavy Wizard