Whooooosh!!
As he slowly advances along the train’s rooftop, allowing the raucous rush of wind to pass beside his ears, the wind’s intensity becomes even more pronounced.
Perhaps owing to the fact that he is in the foremost car, slicing through the night air, the vibrations are notably more pronounced compared to the train car he had ascended from earlier.
Lennok promptly stabilizes himself using mana and serenely commences channeling his mana.
“Davi. Can you assist with calculations?”
The task at hand demands a degree of precision and quantifiable results that render it utterly impossible to undertake without them.
Lennok required a computational aide to assist him in comparing the data he received through his magical sensing abilities, enabling him to make informed decisions beside him.
[Of course, let’s begin.]
“Good.”
[Magnetic Control]
This is a fundamental spell in the field of magnetism. It harnesses one of magic’s core properties—magnetism—to either attract or repel metal. Although it’s a widely known spell, Lennok possesses the skill to accomplish remarkable feats with this basic spell alone.
He anchors his internal mana with his left hand and swings his right hand low.
Thud-thud-crack!
Instantaneously, the train tracks ahead of him subtly contort and then begin to veer to the left.
Creak-creak-creak!!
Despite the eerie reverberation of the bending rails, the corroded screws yield easily to his magical force, enabling him to swiftly manipulate the tracks.
The train begins to alter its course along the contorted rails, heading toward a recently revealed junction.
[Slope angle 27 degrees. Rotation rate 41%. Rigidity 178%. Joint error 10%. Train operation is viable.]
“Huuuh…!!”
Thump-thump-thud!
However, the challenge is far from over.
While he has successfully redirected the tracks right in front of the train, in essence, he has created a new path by forcibly severing a portion of the rails.
Once the curved rails conclude, the train’s wheels will dig into the bare earth, causing this aging mode of transport to flip over in an instant.
Despite its age, the train isn’t sluggish, leaving little time for contemplation.
The remaining time, in which the train, unable to overcome inertia, hurtles towards the point where the tracks terminate, is less than 5 seconds.
But with an unwavering demeanor, Lennok clenches his right hand with determination.
Whooom!
His potent mana, extending over a radius of several meters, reaches the recently passed rail section.
At the moment he suffuses the entire segment of rail with mana, Lennok employs Magnetic Control to forcefully draw the rail forward.
The rail, ripped from the ground, spins dozens of times in mid-air and lands with pinpoint accuracy in front of the advancing train.
The train’s wheels make a resounding connection with the newly placed rail and continue to forge ahead with vigor.
Crack-crack-crack!!
“Next.”
Rest is a luxury he cannot afford. He promptly removes the rail the train has traversed and repeats the process, positioning it ahead.
In essence, Lennok is manually laying down tracks on raw terrain, assuming direct control over the train’s trajectory.
To an onlooker, it would seem as though he has lost his sanity.
But Lennok is now materializing this concept into reality, just as he had envisioned.
Davi’s formidable computational prowess, coupled with his intricately honed magical manipulation skills, converged to devise an unconventional solution, yet its efficacy remained unquestionable.
The train, which had veered off its initial trajectory, edging closer to a self-governing territory, swiftly closed the gap back to its original path.
Thud-thud-thud!!
Lennok continued the cycle of removing the previously traversed rails and repositioning them ahead.
Regardless of Lennok’s expertise, this process demanded unwavering concentration.
Due to his narrowed magic detection range and heightened focus, gauging the distance wasn’t a straightforward task.
With a slight sheen of sweat, Lennok inquired, “Davi, what’s the remaining distance?”
[About 50 meters until merging with the original route. Please be cautious of the impact.]
“Wait, if it’s 50 meters…!!”
They were mere seconds away.
Gritting his teeth, Lennok infused his mana into the tracks, sharply altering the train’s course.
Simultaneously, the train precariously settled onto the tracks that materialized before his eyes, slicing through the darkness.
Vroom!!
“Haah… You should’ve told me sooner.”
Finally exhaling, Lennok remarked as he slouched to the ground.
Davi, floating beyond Lennok’s reach in the air, wagged his tail.
[My apologies. By narrowing the range of magic detection, my detection range also decreased. We’ll need to take note of this.]
“Since there’s usually no need to narrow the range of magic detection… Does this mean your senses are linked to my mana in this way?”
Muttering to himself, Lennok extracted a cigarette from his coat pocket.
“It wasn’t easy, but we succeeded in shaking off the disruptors.”
He circumvented the outpost they had occupied, leaving them with the task of neutralizing the additional forces of the pursuing biker gang.
Observing Casia’s mana fluctuations from behind, it was evident that the skirmish with the extra pursuers had already begun.
“We must conclusively wrap things up here, so they don’t chase us to the autonomous region.”
Lennok, hoisting the rifle borrowed from the bearded vagrant gunman earlier, once again peered through the scope, tapping into his mana.
It took less than 3 minutes for Lennok, with Casia’s assistance, to eliminate the pursuing threat.
***
“From here, you’ll have to walk,” the train driver, still looking somewhat shell-shocked, announced.
His reaction was understandable. Dealing with the night’s disruption was well beyond the capabilities of a mana-less train operator. Witnessing Lennok conjure tracks before his eyes likely added to his astonishment.
“In the autonomous region, due to its environment, there should be one station at the entrance. You can enter the autonomous region by using the transport there.”
Passengers disembarked from the train as they listened to the train driver.
Despite the midnight turmoil, the train had suffered virtually no direct damage.
The passengers who were awake seemed somewhat reassured knowing that the gang had been eliminated.
The bearded gunman, who had awakened much later, appeared perplexed while clutching his rifle, but as long as it was handled responsibly and returned, there shouldn’t be any issues.
Lennok followed the direction indicated by the train driver as he started walking.
He had heard about the unique terrain of the autonomous region from Jenny, but seeing it in person was an entirely different experience.
Presumably, the “transport” mentioned by the driver had something to do with this distinctive landscape.
Suddenly, a familiar voice called out from behind. It was Casia.
“Thanks for what happened last night.”
“No, it’s not like I did it for free.”
Eventually, Lennok successfully received the artifacts that Casia had offered as compensation earlier.
These artifacts were quite functional, given that they were developed by the city government’s direct research institute. They ranged from consumables like explosive talismans to items like antennas that could function as communication devices or set up invisibility spells in specific areas.
Lennok had not been joking when he said he would take all of them. However, it remained uncertain whether they would fully cover his fee.
Even though he would have protected the train without compensation, he had no intention of turning down what was offered.
As Casia walked alongside Lennok, she spoke, seemingly aware of certain facts or perhaps simply curious.
“You’re a much stronger wizard than I thought.”
“……”
“I saw what you did to change the direction of the train. You’re undoubtedly a self-taught wizard in the gravitational magic series… With that kind of power, you’re certainly either affiliated with a magic tower or born with a unique magical talent.”
Saying this, she pulled a business card from her pocket and handed it to Lennok.
“I can’t show my face here due to circumstances, but since you already know about my affiliation, there’s no need to hide it.”
[Assistant Researcher at Carthel Lab]
[Akasha Lubeen]
“If you ever visit our lab, we can show you various projects we’re working on. Someone of your magical caliber would greatly please the director.”
“Hmm, that is certainly…”
It was a prospect Lennok hadn’t contemplated.
Though he was curious about the technical support being provided to Rabatenon University, he didn’t want to dwell on the idea too much.
Akasha seemed to have more to say, but she contentedly handed him her card and turned away.
Presumably, she was there on orders from the director of Baila Lab and intended to enter the autonomous region with another guide.
Only after she had departed did Lennok have a clear understanding of the route to the autonomous region.
Wooosh-
“…”
The plateau seemed to stretch endlessly, a landscape that abruptly terminated at a sheer cliff beyond the horizon.
The fog enveloped the surroundings so densely that any view of the landscape beyond was obscured, but everyone knew that the height here easily exceeded tens of meters.
This ocean, situated at the northeastern edge of the continent and bordered by the cliff, bore the name “Sea of Understanding.”
In this region, special updrafts could harness immense buoyancy with minimal mana.
And it was precisely this distinctive characteristic of the Sea of Understanding that gave rise to—
“Seeing it in person for the first time.”
“My God, there are actually islands floating in the sky…”
The Floating Island Archipelago, the Philemon Autonomous Region.
This was the‘special geography’that Jenny and Jordan had spoken of, and it all originated from this place, making it immediately apparent.
Even for Lennok, the myriad islands suspended in the air above the sea presented a peculiar and enigmatic spectacle.
Islands adorned with luxuriant flora drifted among the clouds, while streams of water cascading from several islands gradually vanished into the thick mist below.
Even Davi peeked out of the bag, gazing at the breathtaking panorama.
[What a magnificent view.]
“…”
Because of this unique scenery, this location had once been referred to as the world’s end in ancient times, a place to watch for the approach of apocalyptic events from foreign seas. It carried a rich historical significance.
For that very reason, it was also the place where The Great Seer Madria Falcia had once resided, specifically at the ‘Lighthouse.’
“If we were simply here to enjoy the sights, that would be nice, but…”
There was much work to be done.
Lennok needed to pinpoint the drug lord’s vault’s location while also meeting the next lighthouse keeper to gain insight into current events.
Could it be a mere coincidence that both these matters converged within this autonomous region?
The extent to which this situation would unfold and whether it would prove beneficial or detrimental to Lennok could only be ascertained through direct confrontation.
Suppressing complex emotions, he gazed skyward.
The serene panorama of the tranquil floating islands wordlessly drew Lennok’s attention.
***
“Now, for those of you coming to the autonomous region, please come this way!”
On the cliff’s edge stood a substantial edifice.
A young man with a pressed-down hat began explaining to a group of individuals in front of the building, which appeared to be a rest stop uniquely refurbished on the highway.
Surveying the surroundings, it was evident that a considerable number of people had come to visit the autonomous region, apart from those who had arrived on the train from Vulcan.
Perhaps this influx was due to designated entry and exit points for the autonomous region from outside.
Viewed from this perspective, it made sense why Vulcan had not recklessly engaged in conflict with the autonomous region. Given the distinct environment of the floating island community and the necessity of special means of transportation to access the ‘Sea of Understanding,’ any potential war with the autonomous region would likely take an entirely different course.
“Those of you visiting for the first time should especially listen carefully to what I have to say!!”
As he continued his thoughts, the young man’s explanation proceeded.
Pressing a button on a remote, a screen ascended, revealing a metal object about 2 meters in length concealed behind it.
This object possessed a sleek fusiform design, resembling a fusion of a fish and a fighter jet.
Engineered to minimize air resistance, it featured small fins on both sides, akin to wings.
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