Chapter 24: Geography Lesson

Ain’s conundrum was swept away as he decided to accept Sage and Livia’s gifts.

“Please teach me the spells.” He agreed politely, the bubbling eagerness washing away any remnant hesitation. There existed an instinctive trust for them, an unconscious reflection of his impression of the two.

“Alright, stay still.” Sage smiled contently as he tapped Ain’s forehead gently.

Ain subconsciously closed his eyes as a stream of unfamiliar information silently surged into his mind. He remained motionless for a couple seconds before fluttering his eyes open.

Spectral Blast. A ghost-aspect spell.

Due to Wisdom Root, his comprehension speed was astonishing. Although far from mastering it, he’d already gained a general understanding.

If this is a basic spell then Temporal Blitz is undoubtedly a complex martial art.

After comparing the two, he graciously accepted Livia’s gift as well.

Upon transferring the knowledge, Livia explained, “This spell is called Aether Shield. It is an aspectless defensive spell without spirit pet requirements. It is a common spell all spirit masters should learn.”

Ain expressed his understanding while once again thanking Sage and Livia. They’d thoughtfully imparted an offensive and defensive spell each.

With a simple read-through, he learned that Aether Shield was even simpler than Spectral Blast. It didn’t seem difficult to master at all. Of course, now wasn’t the time.

“Shall we get going?” Livia suggested, glancing at Ain to confirm whether he required more time.

“Let’s go.” Ain nodded, finally revealing a faint smile in their presence. Sage and Livia’s eyes secretly met as they smiled as well.

Soon, their journey towards Everlite City resumed.

Alongside the rustling breeze, sounds of conversation gradually dispelled the silence. The dialogue was dominated by Livia, with Sage occasionally chiming in. Ain simply nodded and answered whenever necessary.

Feeling somewhat comfortable, he didn’t mind divulging a little about himself when asked, mentioning his amnesia and life before awakening his innate talent. Of course, he casually glossed over the recent happenings.

He’d curiously inquired their origin to which they averted the topic as well. However, they did remark that they weren’t from the Dawnstar Federation.

At this point, he couldn’t help but ask, “What’s outside the Dawnstar Federation?”

Everlite City was a part of the Dawnstar Federation. Ain was only aware of the existence of other cities within the Federation, nothing beyond that.

Livia pondered briefly, sorting out her thoughts, before answering, “We are within the borders of the Dawnstar Federation, established upon the Dawnstar Archipelago. Although known as an archipelago, it actually consists of several massive landmasses, and the one we are on currently is called the Emerald Garden.”

“Surrounded by water, the Dawnstar Federation has the greatest human population.”

“North of the Dawnstar Archipelago, past the Everstorm Sea, there is the Regal Plane, the largest continent in this realm. Several human settlements reside on the Regal Plane, with only the Golden Clover Alliance and the Holy Kingdom of Infernia matching the Dawnstar Federation in strength.”

“Of course, aside from humans, other civilizations reside there as well, the Elves from the Twilight Forest being the most prominent.”

“The Regal Plane, as the largest continuous landmass, is often considered the heart of this realm.” Livia concluded, finishing her brief geography lesson.

Ain walked silently while digesting the information. After a brief period, he asked, “This realm?”

Although concise, his inquiry fully conveyed his doubts. Livia mentioned ‘this realm,’ arousing his curiosity. He inferred there was more to be known.

However, before Livia could answer, Sage interjected gently, “Ain, knowledge is precious, but it can also be burdensome. It is not good to set your horizons so high at this stage. You will naturally encounter this information once you are prepared for it.”

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

As he finished, Sage glanced at Ain meaningfully, as if to convey a different message.

Ain found his words to be valid, but he failed to understand Sage’s subtle expression.

At this moment, Livia suddenly paused, turning to Sage with a smile, “Director, at this rate, it will take the better part of the day to reach Everlite City. How about I expedite our journey?”

Sage considered it momentarily before expressing his agreement.

“Alright, Ain, are you ready?” Livia’s smile widened, revealing hints of mischievousness.

“Hmm? What?” Ain, still pondering over Sage’s words, was suddenly startled. Livia had placed her delicate hand on his shoulder, pressing down firmly. Looking over, her other hand rested on Sage’s shoulder.

“Haha, have you heard of teleportation?” Livia smirked.

In the next moment, before Ain could react, darkness suddenly overcame his vision as a strange weightlessness washed over him. However, soon after, his eyesight recovered just as abruptly, now reflecting a vibrant grassland swaying gently in the wind.

The dense forest from before was no more.

“Is that… Everlite City?” Ain muttered awestruck, staring at the tall sturdy walls spanning across the lush grassland. These gray walls were strikingly familiar. There wasn’t a day he hadn’t seen them these past few years.

They’d really arrived at Everlite City!

This was teleportation!

Although he’d already experienced portals, and even the bizarre gimmick for reaching the black monolith, the impact this time was notably greater. Previously, he couldn’t attribute the astonishing feat to anyone, numbing his amazement.

Now witnessing Livia achieve teleportation, potentially at a larger distance, excited his heart immensely. Spirit masters could also accomplish long-distance teleportation!

Will I be able to do the same with Temporal Shift? Ain thought brightly, his eyes shining with enthusiasm. His anticipation for the future intensified.

“How is it? Amazing, right?” Livia asked proudly, especially after observing the admiration in Ain’s eyes.

“Definitely!” Ain nodded earnestly.

“Livia has contracted space-aspect spirit pets, granting her the ability to use spatial spells. If you wish to learn Teleportation, you can consider contracting a spatial pet in the future.” Sage explained.

Thinking of Temporal Shift, Ain asked, “Can teleportation be achieved through other aspects?”

Sage glanced at Ain knowingly, “Yes. In fact, most aspects can achieve some form of teleportation.”

Sage’s unexpected response left Ain dumbfounded. Most aspects could achieve teleportation? Could it be, teleportation wasn’t actually that rare, and he was just making a mountain out of a molehill?

While he was perplexed, Sage continued, “Since spells, martial arts, and meditation techniques are categorized by distinct aspects, a false impression is often fostered within spirit masters, predominately in newly awakened ones.”

“Spells, martial arts, and meditation techniques do not solely consist of their defining aspect but are an amalgamation of multiple aspects. Even a basic ghost spell such as Spectral Blast possesses aspects aside from the ghost aspect.”

“Pseudo teleportation, or even true teleportation, through spells of other aspects is feasible with the space aspect playing an essential function. Of course, the space aspect cannot be the primary aspect in this spell, or else it is considered a spatial spell instead.”

“However, long-distance teleportation, as we just experienced, can only be achieved through spatial spells or compound spells.”

Ain was mesmerized by Sage’s explanation, yearning to delve deeper into the world of spirit masters.

Gaining new knowledge was truly exciting.

Having seen through Ain’s unending curiosity by now, Sage added, “Compound spell are categorized by more than one aspect. For example, Nether Fireball, a compound spell, requires a spirit master to contract both fire and ghost pets.”

Ain nodded with rapt attention. Just as he planned to ask further, Sage suddenly interrupted, “Alright. Let us enter the city now.”

Livia agreed smilingly, “We can talk more later.”

At this moment, Ain’s entranced state recovered, realizing it was inappropriate to continue asking. There was no reason for Sage and Livia to entertain his questions, after all.

However, hearing their plan, he decided to add, “If you’re entering the city then we should separate here.”

Sage and Livia were both surprised at his statement.

Noticing Ain’s somewhat reluctant expression, Sage glanced towards the city walls, as if the entire Everlite City was in his gaze. As he observed past the southern region of the city, he suddenly seemed to understand.

“Ain, do you live outside the southern city walls?” Sage asked, glancing back at Ain. Their present location was north of the city. Curious, Livia mimicked Sage’s actions, scanning the entire city.

Everlite City was located at the southern outskirts of the Emerald Garden, and traveling thousands of kilometers south led directly to a thriving coastal town serving as a transition to the endless ocean.

Almost a century ago, a terrible disaster ravaged this coastal town, causing a mass evacuation towards Everlite City. However, settling everyone within the city proved difficult due to lacking infrastructure and social tensions.

Eventually, aided by spirit masters, some crude infrastructure was constructed outside the southern walls, settling the impoverished evacuees. With the passage of time, the outer regions of the southern walls morphed into a slum, Ain’s current place of residence.

Although the coastal town was reclaimed decades later, the slum remained thriving still. As the mass evacuation was achieved through spirit masters, not many managed to return to their former homes.

Hence, a shantytown, separated by the city walls, came to be.

“You can still accompany us through the city before reaching the southern gate.” Livia stated, seeing no reason to separate here. From his expression, Sage seemingly agreed as well.

“I can’t enter the city. I don’t have any identification.” Ain casually revealed while glancing at the bulky northern gate.

Everlite City’s security measures were strict. Official identification was required to enter or leave through the gates. It wasn’t uncommon for orphans to lack such identification, and the orphanages in the slum couldn’t provide them either.

Ain was essentially barred from entering the city.