The final class of the year had just ended, and William was gathering his supplies, ready to leave the classroom.

Many of his classmates passed by and greeted him and William simply greeted back, not engaging with anyone.

Regina and Russel also came over and William chatted with them for a while before leaving.

Making his way through the Academy, he enjoyed the atmosphere and mentally prepared for his leave. He was already missing the place, but for now, he had to do.

Entering the room, the familiar scent of books entered his nostrils.

The room hadn't changed much since the first day, maintaining a simple yet cozy atmosphere. The bookshelf had long been filled with books, and piles of them could be seen surrounding his desk.

He had major things planned out for this break, the main one being to complete his end of the deal with Trader Bill. He was finally going to the hidden Treasury of the Tyrant Emperor, Emperor Phillip Rothsgomery.

It had already been more than three years since he made a deal with trader Bill, and it was time for him to complete his end of the bargain. The map Eddie had stolen from the Treasury was probably a trap, but William was determined to see where it led.

As William double-checked his supplies and ensured he had everything he needed for the journey, he couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and anticipation.

Since a time of turmoil was ahead, he had to get as many resources as possible, and ancient artifacts were significant.

Emperor Phillip was primarily known for hoarding powerful treasures, so getting his hands on them would be crucial.

Trader Bill had been a reliable source of information and had provided valuable insights into the location and defenses of the Treasury. William had spent months studying and preparing for this expedition, gathering knowledge about Emperor Phillip and his habits. It had always been on his mind.

Before leaving, William took one last look around his dorm room, filled with memories of his time at the academy. The room had been his sanctuary, a place where he had studied, practiced spells, and delved into the depths of magical knowledge.

With a determined smile, William slung his bag over his shoulder and made his way to the dorm's entrance. As he stepped outside, the warm rays of the sun greeted him, and a gentle breeze brushed against his face. His long brown hair fluttered in the air while his sharp green eyes scanned the surroundings.

The air was filled with the excitement of the upcoming break as students hurriedly packed their belongings and bid farewell to friends.

First, he headed towards Professor Cline's office. They had formed a strong bond in the past six months, so Professor Cline was reluctant to see him go. After talking for roughly ten minutes, William said his goodbyes and left towards the academy gates.

As William made his way through the bustling campus, he couldn't help but overhear snippets of conversations. Some students were excitedly discussing their plans for the break, while others were sharing stories of their achievements and ambitions.

Amidst the buzz of excitement, William's mind remained focused on the task at hand. After reaching the main exit of the academy, he glanced at the massive doors and sighed. It had only been a year since he arrived, but it felt way longer.

Just outside of the gates, a carriage was parked, and the symbol of a white lion was visible on its side. The lion had its gaze lowered, its eyes staring right at you. Two wings could be seen gracefully standing on each of its sides, giving it a regal feeling.

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In front of the carriage, a young boy stood, his posture upright. The boy had well-combed brown hair and eyes that resembled slits. His face wasn't handsome nor ugly, portraying a dignified yet humble attitude.

He was wearing an outfit that only house servants would wear, mainly the head butlers of a family. The same insignia of the lion was visible on his chest.

William, who had just exited through the gates, made eye contact with the boy, and a smile couldn't help but appear on his lips.

Seeing him exit, the boy rushed over and bowed slightly, taking William's bag from his shoulder.

"How are things going, Jerome? It seems like my father created an insignia for our family; I'm impressed by the design."

Jerome straightened up, a faint smile on his face as he replied.

"Indeed, my Lord. Your father took great care in designing the family insignia, wanting it to reflect the virtues and strengths of the Virtu family. The white lion represents courage, nobility, and resilience, while the wings symbolize freedom, aspiration, and the pursuit of greatness."

William nodded, his eyes filled with pride and appreciation. He had missed the presence of Jerome ever since he returned to the past. Sadly, Jerome was still an amateur a year ago, but with his personality and some training, he was now a competent butler despite being younger than William.

"It's a fitting emblem for our family. This is truly surreal…"

He said while smiling, feeling pleased by the emblem's design. It was fascinating seeing how he had changed the future.

Jerome gestured towards the waiting carriage.

"Everything is prepared for your journey. Your father wanted to ensure that you have all the resources and support you need for the expedition."

William climbed into the carriage, settling comfortably on the plush seat. He glanced out the window, taking in the familiar surroundings of the academy one last time before they disappeared from view.

As the carriage started moving, Jerome took a seat across from William and continued the conversation.

"Trader Bill has been eagerly anticipating your arrival. He's prepared a team of skilled individuals who will accompany you on the expedition. They are experienced adventurers and experts in various fields, ensuring that you have the best assistance for the challenges ahead."

William leaned back, his mind already buzzing with thoughts and plans.

"I appreciate Trader Bill's efforts. I guess the rest are also waiting there?"

Jerome nodded at his words, confirming his thoughts. William rubbed his chin in thought, wondering how his subordinates had matured. He was sure that Vincent would have grown more competent, especially with the technique he had given him.

As for the rest, most of them were still young, so he had to rely on people like Eddie.

As the carriage made its way through the winding roads, William asked Jerome to brief him on the things that had transpired while he was gone.

The landscape outside the carriage window transformed from the familiar sights of the academy to the sprawling countryside. The fields and forests passed by in a blur as the carriage picked up speed.

Since the academy was located inside the Magic Kingdom, which itself was located on the western continent, William had to travel back to the eastern continent.

This trip would take him roughly a week if he were to travel by carriage, but thankfully, he was filthy rich at the moment, thanks to the investments he made in Kelsein and other places throughout the empire and outside it.

Not including the fact that he was a noble, things couldn't be better for him socioeconomically at the moment.

If he paid enough money, he could directly transfer himself and his carriage back to the eastern continent. This was the fastest travel method, so it was widespread, especially in the Magic Kingdom.

Sadly, there was no way for him to teleport into the Magic Kingdom from the Thelwedean Empire, so he had to use other methods to arrive. This meant that he hadn't experienced the capital city yet, at least in this time-line.

After traveling for roughly two hours, they reached the capital city of the Magic Kingdom, Nulgizir.

William, who was enjoying the ride while contemplating his plans, glanced outside and witnessed the magnificent sight of the most prosperous city in the world.

Towering buildings reached the sky, with countless magicians floating around on what seemed to be round platforms. The scene on its own was fantastical, reminding William of how far behind the rest of the world was. The thirteen towers stood tall at the center of the place, showcasing their might to the world.

The cityscape was filled with vibrant colors, a testament to the magic that flowed through its veins. William couldn't help but marvel at the sight, realizing the immense power and influence that resided within the Magic Kingdom.

In the previous timeline, the Magic Kingdom was destroyed before he had the chance to visit it, which was one of the major regrets of his life. Sadly, he couldn't enjoy this scenery for long since he had business to attend to.

The carriage smoothly navigated through the bustling streets, and the sounds of the city enveloped William. The air was filled with a mix of magical energy, the aroma of delicious food from street vendors, and the lively chatter of people going about their daily lives.

After another ten minutes of travel, they reached their destination, a port where a lot of carriages were parked.

If one looked closely, one would find that inside this port, a unique building was located, functioning as the central hub for transportation.

The building was spherical, with countless interweaving spells seemingly stacked infinitely on top of one another, forming a mystical sight.

William's carriage didn't stop and continued towards the sphere, a ramp appearing before it and allowing it to enter the building. Jerome exited the carriage and paid a clerk who was waiting on the side, giving him the details of their travel.

As the carriage entered the sphere, William felt a strange sensation, as if he were being transported through space itself. The sphere acted as a magical portal, connecting different locations across the vast world. It was a convenient and efficient mode of transportation, especially for long distances.

Inside the sphere, the surroundings shifted, and when the carriage emerged on the other side, they were in a different location altogether. The bustling city of Nulgizir had been left behind, replaced by a serene coastal town.

The salty breeze filled the air as seagulls soared above, their calls echoing in the distance.

Seeing the familiar scene, William smiled; he was back on the eastern continent.