The interior of the building felt like a different world, an awe-inspiring space. The walls were lined with intricate, glowing magic circles—each one seemingly unique but all connected in some unfathomable pattern.
In the center of this vast room stood the cylindrical portal—its oval shape exuding an aura of power that drew the eye irresistibly. The portal glowed with an ethereal light, casting strange reflections on the surrounding circles. It was as if the magic circles on the walls and the portal in the center were part of a grand, beautiful design.
Ashok stood unmoved by the mesmerizing glow of the Warp Portal, his gaze sharp and analytical, fixated on the intricate web of magic circles that adorned the walls. He couldn't bring himself to marvel at the beauty around him, nor could he feel the awe that many would likely experience in such a place.
'Magic Circles are so inefficient; You need to study every single aspect, every intricate detail. Only then can you create something as powerful as this. That's why in the game, I always preferred Ancient Language.
They looked just like symbols drawn with calligraphy, elegant and straightforward. There was something about their simplicity that appealed to me, every time any of my character used it. I even managed to memorize all of them and with their pronunciation no less, just by playing the game.
In contrast, the magic circles look more like a mix of science and mathematics. The two subjects I was never good with in my entire life.'
The yellow-robed mage appeared beside the Portal out of thin air and said "You can proceed."
Ashok walked forward. The Portal beckoned him, its otherworldly light calling him toward it. Just as his foot was about to cross the threshold, the mage asked "What is your name?"
"You don't have the worthiness to know," Ashok stated flatly, his lips curled slightly. With that, he turned his gaze back to the Portal, stepping inside without a second thought.
As Ashok vanished into the swirling light of the Portal, the yellow-robed mage stood motionless, his gaze lingering where the boy had just been. For a moment, he seemed frozen, as if trying to comprehend what he just heard. "You don't have the worthiness to know." The mage's fingers twitched, clenching into tight fists, his robes rustling with the barely contained surge of emotion.
Inside the Portal, Ashok felt an odd sensation. It was as though his body was no longer grounded, detached from everything around him. He floated in a liminal space, the strange pull of the Portal still wrapping around him. The seconds seemed to stretch on, a disorienting weightlessness filling the void. Then, just as quickly as it had come, the sensation vanished.
[Attention Level: Minimum]
[False Monarch]
Ashok stood still for a moment, scanning his surroundings. The walls were just as they had been before, lined with the same intricate magic circles.
As Ashok took in the room, a voice suddenly cut through the silence
"It will be better if you move away from the portal entrance.".
Ashok eyes scanned the room, no one else was present. 'Another mage' he thought but suddenly a pressure pushed against his back, startling him. The force was unexpected, like a gentle shove, and he stumbled slightly, his balance momentarily thrown off.
Ashok looked behind to see a figure emerging from the swirling light. His eyes widened as a woman in thick woolen clothes staggered forward.
Ashok immediately gets out of the way as the woman vomits right next second after. The sound was sharp, a disturbing, guttural release as she expelled whatever had been inside her.
'Now that I think about it… don't characters usually get the Extremely Weak Debuff for five seconds when they come out of the portal in the game?
Then why I am feeling fine? Shouldn't my condition be similar to hers?'
The woman's vomit never touched the floor. Instead, it seemed to evaporate in midair, vanishing into thin air as if it had never been there at all. 'Modified Lowest Tier Magic - Self Clean, a necessity for every single Warp Portal'.
Ashok shook his head, his thoughts momentarily drifting back to the strange sensation he had experienced—or rather, the lack of one. Unlike the woman, he had not felt any weakness or disorientation after stepping through the Portal. It was a puzzle that nagged at him, but there was no time to dwell on it.
The moment Ashok stepped outside, the air shifted, carrying with it a new, unexpected scent. The salty tang of the sea filled his nostrils, and the breeze whispered with the unmistakable taste of ocean air. The Warp Portal, this time was situated right at the heart of the Southern Duchy's bustling market.
Unlike the Central, which had been a sterile and orderly place, this market was a vibrant, bustling hub of life. It sat at the heart of the city, with every corner alive with movement and activity. The air was thick with the mingling scents of brine and seaweed, a reminder of the ocean's proximity, blending effortlessly with the aroma of fresh-baked loaves of bread and the savory tang of fish dishes sizzling over open flames. The intoxicating blend of smells drew both locals and travelers into the colorful whirlwind that was the market.
As Ashok looked around, he noticed the subtle differences in the clothing of the pedestrians around him. Unlike the more adventure or mercenary type garb seen in other regions, here the clothing was a blend of functionality, comfort, and quiet beauty, each outfit carefully crafted to reflect the region's maritime heritage. The colors of the sea were woven into every fabric—blues, greens, grays, and whites that mimicked the hues of the waves and sky.
Ashok couldn't help but marvel at the Southern Duchy as he walked through the market. 'The Southern Duchy is more beautiful than the Central. After all, the one maintaining it is said to be the strongest among the Four Dukes.' he thought, as he headed in the direction of the Ducal House.