บท 114: CH115 - CH116
CH115
The caravan moved quickly until they reached the northern border of the Kingdom of Doris.
Helag noted that Doris's development was impressive, especially their road maintenance.
Regular maintenance ensured smooth roads.
At the border, inspections were not stringent, mainly checking for wanted criminals. Without any, they were allowed to pass.
Beyond the border, they entered a primeval forest, where the roads were rougher, slowing the caravan.
It took a month to traverse the forest without major issues.
Wild beasts and magical creatures avoided the large caravan.
During this time, Helag stayed in his carriage, continuing his meditation and training. He had prepared enough Starry Sky Potion beforehand.
Fortunately, the potion's side effects were minimal now, avoiding any pent-up frustrations.
"Deep Blue, divide the Great Dark Heaven spell model into modules and show me one."
With increased mental strength, Helag could now attempt to read the Great Dark Heaven spell model.
[Great Dark Heaven spell model divided into 32 modules. Displaying module one.]
Deep Blue presented the first module.
Helag felt overwhelmed by the 300+ parameters and 27 complex formulas in just one module.
"How did ancient people master this spell?" Helag wondered.
He doubted ancient people understood such complex formulas and calculations, yet they managed to construct spell models.
Shaking his head, Helag continued studying and calculating the module.
He aimed to fully understand this first-level innate spell, simplifying its construction during his advancement to a formal wizard.
A day passed in this work.
***
Three months later.
The caravan passed through a red maple forest. At a crossroads, Helag said to the caravan leader, "This is my stop. Safe travels."
The leader smiled, "Safe travels to you too! Thank you for your help."
Helag was returning to Moonlight Forest, so he took the reins himself.
Larry had sent no messages, indicating at least a temporary ceasefire in the war.
Seeing the familiar red maple forest, Helag recalled his first departure from Moonlight Forest.
Back then, as a first-level apprentice, he had to flee from Green Cottage/Hut's third-level apprentices.
Now, as a third-level apprentice, he had some ability to protect himself.
Following his memory, Helag traveled for two days, reaching a familiar post station.
The station had changed, now covered by a giant skull.
"Show your rune stone," a third-level apprentice at the gate said.
Seeing Helag's apprentice robes, he asked for identification.
"Helag Merlin, student of Larry," Helag said, presenting his rune stone.
The man checked it carefully before returning it. "You may enter."
Helag drove into the station, noting the heavy defenses: seven third-level apprentices and two formal wizards.
Signs of past battles were evident, with scorched earth and large craters.
Helag was glad he had left early, avoiding the war.
"Larry, I'm back."
Relieved to be back in Moonlight Forest, Helag used his rune stone to message Larry.
Larry replied, "Rest for two days, then come see me. I'll update you on recent events."
"Understood."
Helag drove through the familiar Moonlight Forest.
He glanced at the forest's depths, now covered by a barrier, likely defending against Green Hut.
Such a large, long-lasting barrier required multiple formal wizards.
Continuing north, Helag saw Hellfoot, who curiously eyed his horses but continued its duties.
Reaching the northern forest area, Helag realized the war had been fiercer than he thought.
Many houses were destroyed, likely by spells, and few people remained.
Even intact houses were mostly dark, with few signs of life.
Arriving at his house, Helag found it intact, in a deeper, less affected area.
He found two letters under the door, covered in dust, indicating they had been there a long time.
One was from Lilian, the other from Emil.
Helag tied his horses in the forest, unloading the carriage to let them rest.
Moonlight Forest had stables where he could board the horses for a fee.
Inside, the house was dusty from his long absence.
Using magic, Helag cleaned the house in about an hour.
After basic cleaning, he brewed coffee and relaxed on the sofa to read the letters.
He started with Emil's letter, surprised it had reached him across the ocean.
CH116
[
Helag, I have a child now! It's a son named Wayne Salla. You're his godfather, so if you get the chance, come see him. We might not be around then, but he should be.
Grand Scholar Claude's health is worsening. Not sure if he'll make it through this winter.
.
.
.
.
My adventurer group is doing great. We've made a name for ourselves, and many seek our services.
I feel I'm getting closer to becoming a Great Knight. Soon, I'll have more power to protect Wayne, Melissa, and Jimmy, who came with me.
.
.
.
.
You've gone to that distant continent and will face many dangers. Helag, you're still young. Be cautious and wary of others. The wizarding world, as Grand Scholar Claude says, is mysterious and dangerous. Don't rush into things.]
***
Emil's letter was long, filled with family news. Helag patiently read it all.
By the end, he realized he'd been reading for a long time and still wanted more.
It felt like Emil was chatting with him in person, and he wished it could continue, but the letter ended.
Helag sighed, carefully storing the letter in his spatial ring.
Next, he opened Lilian's letter.
[
I heard there are conflicts between Moonlight Forest and Green Hut, possibly leading to war. If you don't know where to go, come to me. No wizard would dare harm you at Augustus Academy.
.
.
.
.
I don't know if you'll still be in Moonlight Forest when this letter arrives. If you find another path, be cautious.
If you encounter any ruins, don't enter. Most wizard ruins are beyond our capabilities. Note their locations and explore them after becoming a formal wizard.
Remember, those places are more dangerous than you think. Don't go!]
***
Lilian's letter mainly warned Helag about the dangers outside, like wizard ruins.
Helag chuckled, reading it late, as he had already visited one.
Creek Valley Town seemed to be a wizard ruin, matching Lilian's descriptions, filled with hidden dangers. Escaping was lucky.
But high risks brought high rewards. The Great Dark Heaven slate alone was worth the danger.
Helag put down the letter, planning to visit Augustus Academy once things settled.
Unlike other wizard organizations, Augustus Academy allowed wizards from other groups to visit with simple registration and prior notice.
This openness, unlike other organizations' strict policies, made it more like a true academy.
Of course, this was backed by strong support from a powerful wizard organization, deterring others from provoking them.
According to the map, Augustus Academy, Moonlight Forest, and Green Hut were on the outskirts of the Karag Continent, extending from a corner.
Further north lay vast unknown regions.
Augustus Academy's backing came from these unknown areas.
Helag's spatial ring held a Heart of the Ocean necklace, a gift for Lilian. He planned to visit Augustus Academy and give it to her.
But this had to wait until the situation stabilized. Helag needed to ask Larry about the current state.
Returning to his bedroom, Helag cleaned again, took a hot bath, and lay down to meditate.
As usual, he drank a Starry Sky Potion to boost his meditation speed.
***
The next day, Helag headed to town to see Larry.
Walking through town, he noticed fewer people.
Few had the chance to leave Moonlight Forest and avoid the war. Most were forced to stay and fight.
The missing people likely died in the war.
Checking his rune stone's friend list, Helag saw Leo hadn't replied.
Leo, who sold items at the flea market and studied spells, had no background and likely couldn't leave Moonlight Forest. His silence suggested he died in the war.
Bessie was alive but injured and bedridden, planning to meet Helag once she recovered.
Reaching Larry's house, Helag knocked. The elderly house elf, Gami, answered.
Gami looked older and frailer, struggling to walk.
"The master is upstairs. Go ahead; I can't walk," Gami said weakly.
Helag glanced at him and went upstairs.
Larry was removing his gloves and goggles.
Seeing Helag, Larry smiled. "I knew I wasn't wrong about you! Already a third-level apprentice, impressive. Your training speed rivals those with high aptitude. Well done."
Helag's progress surprised Larry, who hadn't expected him to advance so quickly in such a challenging environment.
"Just lucky," Helag smiled.
He took out a wooden box from his spatial ring, revealing the Moonstone Grass inside.
Larry examined it and nodded. "Well done, task completed."
"Is Gami dying? He looks terrible," Helag asked.
Larry glanced upstairs. "Almost. He's very old, probably has fifty years left."
"Fifty years…" Helag was speechless. Elf lifespans were absurdly long.
Gami looked decrepit but still had fifty years left, a testament to his resilience.
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