199 Hogina’s Tip-off Part 2 (1/2)

Saleen noticed that Sumano did not enter, merely standing outside obediently. The walls of this tiny hall, the ceiling, and the floor had been reinforced by magic, and unless a dragon was somehow stuffed inside, it would be an difficult task to destroy it.

This was indeed a conducive environment for setting magic arrays. Saleen heaved a sigh of relief. Since the people from Alchemy City also could not enter, this place must have absolutely been private.

On the other hand, the rental apartments did not enjoy such a privilege. It seemed like on the mainland, wealthier people always led better lives than the poor. Even Alchemy City was no exception.

”If you are clueless on how to set magic arrays, you can hire people from Alchemy City to help you do so. There are mages on the first story who specialize in setting magic arrays.” Hogina then proceeded to unlock the second door using the alchemical key and led Saleen and the others into the apartment.

”There’s not much to see here. You need to decorate it yourselves.” Hogina pointed at the empty living room and said, ”The specifications of this house are stated in the contract, so I won’t explain any further. For decorations…”

”They are for sale on the first story. I know that.” Saleen looked at the barren living room and continued Hogina’s sentence with much helplessness. Alchemy City was truly smart in making money, since a person who had purchased a house could not possibly sleep on the floor. In addition to training and procuring uncommon materials, people who came to Alchemy City also wanted to make new friends.

What was to come next was all kinds of spending. Fortunately, before Lex had set off on this journey, she had prepared large quantities of supplies and daily necessities. She had brought along adequate resources.

”Glad you know. This way is to the kitchen, small living room, study, bedroom, servant’s room, meditation room, training chamber, dining room, storeroom, bathroom…”

”What is that?” Saleen asked as he pointed to a colored glass wall in front of the living room.

”This is the flower room. Come and take a look.”

There was an entirely different world behind the glass door. Twelve flower ponds were filled with black soil and surrounded by large pieces of magic stone. Most of these stones were not polished, and only a small number of the stones were modified with magic arrays carved onto them. In addition, ponds of different sizes were scattered in between those flower ponds.

Gravel-filled trails cut through these flower ponds, and beneath a crystal wall, there was a tiny flower hall.

In the flower hall, there was a wooden table and six wicker chairs, and the table was placed next to a crystal window. Looking out of this window, one could enjoy a panoramic view which spanned ten miles.

Be that as it may, this feeling was different from the experience of ascending a mountain. The alchemy tower was entirely manmade, and to look out from such a height, the complex feelings that one experienced were unparalleled.

As Saleen looked down from the alchemy tower, the high rise buildings in the city looked like magic wooden blocks. Saleen then recalled the metal pieces which Faerun had used to practice the Figaro formula.

A gargantuan puppet flew past the window, clearly identified by its fascia which was covered by its wing bones. A mage was seated atop this flying puppet, clad in a grey robe and his face filled with fascination.

Hogina giggled, and pointed to the flying puppet which was gliding through the air. She said, ”Saleen, if you want to experience the feeling of flying, you can rent a puppet. Ten thousand gold coins for a flight time of ten minutes.”

Saleen gazed at the silhouette which was flying into the distance and shook his head. He evaluated its speed and realized that the flying puppet’s grade was too low. Each hour, it could cover fifty miles at most, nearly the same as his Windspeed spell. On the other hand, real flight would enable a person to travel at more than one hundred miles an hour. In addition, such puppets would not be able to fly for very long since they used intermediate magic nuclei.

If this puppet was using a grade-4 magic nucleus, each flight would only cost about two thousand gold coins. Thus, it was too wasteful for this mage to have spent ten thousand gold coins renting this flying puppet.

Flying puppets were employed in the military. They were used to transport manpower, and the distances of their flights were less than ten miles. Prehistoric humans had used such puppets to fly over city walls in order to attack their enemies’ cities. However, these puppets were bulky, pricey, and could easily be shot down by heavy crossbows. Furthermore, they could only fly at low altitudes and low speeds. However, later on, they were modified to be used to defend cities and no longer transported people. They were solely used to burn and destroy magic trebuchets belonging to the enemy.

If Saleen wanted to fly, Lex could produce eight to ten of these puppets for him. Lex was in possession of items which an average mage would find challenging to acquire.

Hogina was at a loss of what to do seeing that Saleen was so miserly. She pulled over a wicker chair and sat down. Then, she said, ”Saleen, it’s time for you to take out the items . You have signed the contract. If you can’t produce the items, even I will not be able to help you.”

Lex did not mind since Hogina was only a child and took out two fully constructed puppets. Hogina caressed the metallic skin of a puppet and nodded in satisfaction, ”This is it. Saleen, sign your name.”

Hogina took out a stack of contracts and placed them on the table. Saleen also took a seat and ran through the contracts one more time. This set of contracts was complicated and detailed. After giving the signature, this apartment would belong to him.

Proof of purchase, housing deed, receipt, and the registration of residence.

Every single occupant had to fill in their name and basic information on the residence registration form. Saleen knew that this was the method Alchemy City used to gather information. If a person refused to sign it, then Alchemy City would not protect their interests.

After the signing, Hogina put away the receipt before putting on a pitiful look and saying, ”Saleen, do you still have the components belonging to this puppet? I want them.”

”I don’t, but she has them.” Saleen pointed to Lex.

Hogina’s eyes darted over, and she pulled on Lex’s sleeves, ”Sister Lex…”