Chapter 561: The very capable and cool divine tree that is awesome and definitely hasn’t taken over a (2/2)
“Basic laws and principles of space magic. You would understand that if you invested even a fraction of your fighting time into arcane studies,” Meadow said.
“Incomprehensible really, there’s no way we’ll ever know,” Ilea mused.
“I could try to explain it in simple terms,” Meadow offered.
“No way really. An ancient mystery,” Ilea murmured telepathically.
“You may traverse the gate, I’ll supply the energy needed,” Meadow said offhandedly.
“Thanks. What about the way back?” Ilea asked.
“As soon as a connection is initiated, I will know, and thus supply the required energy too,” it said.
“Sounds great, will be right back,” Ilea said and winked, stepping onto the platform.
The thrumming intensified for a moment as the runes were filled with magic, space distorting around her as she disabled her resistance.
Bright white light emerged and vanished a moment later, Ilea finding herself staring at the bewildered eyes of two researchers.
“I’m back!” she exclaimed with a joyous tone.
“y...y…. you…. It…. Worked… it worked… IT WORKED!” Iana exclaimed, hugging the man standing next to her.
Christopher smiled warily, his eyes focused on Ilea. “What was its opinion?”
Ilea locked eyes with him. “A strong baseline. And a working gate. We can go back right now, I’m sure you three have a lot to talk about. Or well… I’ll translate early on because of your lack of mental resistance.”
“Ment-” Christopher started and gulped as Iana dragged him onto the platform.
She smiled at Ilea. “Initiating teleportation!”
The three vanished in a bright light once more, appearing on the heavily customized gate.
Both researchers glanced around for a moment before they immediately studied the runes and formations they stood on.
“Of course… of course… but why vertic… no that doesn’t make any sense,” Iana murmured to herself.
“Welcome, to the North,” Meadow spoke, only to Ilea.
The two felt the power nonetheless, turning their heads towards the location of the tree.
“Is that it?” Iana asked.
“Mhm… the Meadow welcomes you to the North,” she said.
“So young and uneducated. To think these second rate enchanters would dare touch a topic so advanced! It’s not only irresponsible, it’s downright suicidal. Does your species not have a sense for self preservation?” Meadow asked.
“Meadow is impressed with your education, considering your young age,” Ilea paraphrased. “It’s impressive that you had taken the risk of building a teleportation gate without deep knowledge on space magic.”
“That’s the opposite of what I said,” Meadow grumbled.
“What? Oh apologies… you see, humans don’t have the best short term memory!” Ilea replied, hitting her own head a few times with an open mouth. It produced a slightly hollow sound.
“Our knowledge is limited. To think you had modified this prototype to a working gate is… overwhelming. It’s an honor to meet you, Meadow. My name is Iana, and this is Christopher,” Iana said with bright eyes, blue light dancing within.
“Limited doesn’t even scratch the surface of your ignorance. To even call this a prototype is beyond reason,” Meadow said.
“It is quite happy to meet you too. And will surely enjoy enlightening your bright young minds with the knowledge of an ancient space mage from another realm. It also apologizes for any rash comments. Socializing is not a focus of one of its many Classes,” Ilea said.
“They are willing to learn. And humble enough, I suppose,” Meadow said.
It formed a stone platform with letters on it.
“Your work is shoddy. There is much you have to learn,” it said on the stone.
“Of course it is. Humans take much of their magical knowledge to their early graves. We do intend to change that. What do you require in exchange?” Iana asked.
“I think Meadow will just help to alleviate bored-” Ilea said when new letters appeared on the stone.
“Your souls and firstborn children,” it said.
Ilea shredded through the stone with a few ashen limbs. “It’s a little sarcastic. You old joker you!” she said and laughed awkwardly.
“I can imagine the detrimental effects of a first contact with you,” Iana said and looked at her, almost pity in her eyes.
“Really? You’re going to blame this on me?” she asked.
“And even if it weren’t a joke. For this knowledge, I’d gladly sacrifice all that I am,” Iana said.
Christopher shyly raised an arm. “I… would like to keep my soul, sir, Meadow.”
“Of course I’m joking. Though I too blame Ilea’s reckless behavior when meeting incomprehensible beings in other realms,” letters appeared once again.
“Yeah, alright, I get it. Do you need anything else?” Ilea asked.
“I have everything with me, thank you,” Iana said. She spoke the words quickly, her lips quivering slightly. The excitement was palpable, even Christopher’s hands shaking noticeably.
“Yeah okay. Have fund then, you damn nerds,” Ilea said and rolled her eyes.
“Enjoy monster hunting,” Meadow said in a dry tone.
“You know what? I will,” Ilea replied with a smile. “Take good care of them. And thanks, Meadow.”
“They are safe in my care, do not worry. I appreciate the interesting work. We’ll see how they handle my teaching,” it said.
Ilea stepped on the platform again. “Mind a boost?”
The Meadow obliged, white light and energy pulsing around her as she waved.
Well, that was much easier than expected, Ilea thought with a smirk. Now they just have to figure out a way for humans to do that on their own. In a safe and affordable manner.
That was it for today… hmm… I suppose it’s worth a shot.
Instead of flying back to Ravenhall, Ilea opted to go westward. She had the better part of two weeks until her meeting with the Elves. She didn’t know about the specifics of clearing out a Praetorian facility but with special versions around, she didn’t expect there to be much solo fighting.
I did grow in power quite a bit since last time, she thought, her wings carrying her over the southern mountain range and towards the kingdom of Kroll.
Her journey westward was quick, Ilea entering the small settlement with a few uses of Displacement.
Nobody reacted to the sudden appearance of a high level healer, most people either drinking in the inn or fast asleep.
She went straight for the dungeon, checking her sphere for any familiar faces. There were none.
The caverns looked the same as last time, Ilea quickly teleporting through the upper layers, using her wings to guide her towards the section she was interested in.
They were so helpful last time, letting me unlock my third Class, she thought, floating into the dark void of the deep cavern.
The air stilled, any noises suggesting monsters or life stopping as if forced out by a boundary of power. A permeating feeling of rotten wrongness instead took their place, something Ilea was all but immune to at this point.
To think lower level humans would just die from this. I wonder if it’s an aura, or perhaps an artifact? It’s not just mana density, that’s for sure.
I hope it’s an aura, she thought with a bright smile.
The cavern remained quiet, the Specters she had fought and killed gone, their posts vacated and not retaken.
A limited supply of monstrous experience bags then, hmm. I really was quite lucky to have stayed in Erendar for as long as I did. Now I have to go out and look for high level creatures.
Ilea went further, soon discovering an entrance of stone, slightly ajar. The stone gate was about five meters high and set into the back end of the large cavern.
So this is what you protected?