Chapter 94: Three Gates Cluster (Patreon)

I wanted to store the boat, but there were people around all the time, so finally, we locked the boat tight, paid extra at the marina for additional security, and took a taxi to the outskirts of Shanghai.

Opting for a more adventurous mode of transport, we took out our bikes and set off, Rue bounding alongside us. I reassured him, "We'll find a more spacious trailer for you, buddy," he expressed his approval with an affectionate lick on my cheek.

We arrived at Dayu Village and discovered that the Gate was inside Malu Grape Theme Park. It was a pleasant park with a small lake, many grapes, goats, and a museum, but it was also full of people. The Gate was two large stones in a distant corner of the park, but not distant enough.

I told the gang, "Hide me with your bodies."

I brought out a blanket, food, and drink, and we had a picnic. It was a lovely day; we talked, laughed, and overate. Rue made friends with the children who visited the park and with some parents, and we waited for it to empty. Towards evening, the number of people finally decreased, and we could cast invisibility and approach the Gate.

______________ 

Travelers Gate #368217850

Destination: Trastom

Status: Integrated

Mana level: 43

Threat level: Moderate-high

_____________

"This might be a good place to collect crystals for the boat," Mahya said.

"Not a good idea, too many people," I replied.

She looked frustrated, but nodded.

We popped in and out, verified that we were alone, became visible again, and opted to spend the night in Dayu Village since it took us a few hours to get here from Shanghai.

After returning to Shanghai, we took a train to Suzhou, and Rue immediately shouted, "Movie! John! Promise!"

I set him up with my laptop—now he was binge-watching the John Wick movies. He was distraught in the first movie when they killed John Wick's dog, and I thought he would stop watching, but no, he overcame the disappointment with a lot of shout-grumbling, and continued with the series.

In Suzhou, I got us hotel rooms and told Mahya and Alfonsen, "There are nine classical gardens here that I want to see. Want to join me or find something else to do?"

"Do we have the time?" Mahya asked.

"There are no new messages on the captured Traveler's thread, and I don't intend to pass up this opportunity. I read about those gardens in the past and will visit them, one way or another."

"I want more workshops," said Alfonsen.

"I'll join you," answered Mahya.

I signed up Alfonsen for fifteen workshops day after day, and Rue, Mahya, and I went to tour the gardens. I lost myself in the beauty of nature, let my mind wander and relax, and took lots of pictures. It was a peaceful break in the middle of this hectic journey. While we had many quiet moments during the river cruise, here it was different. I felt as if the world remained outside the gates of the gardens, and only I entered. It also affected Mahya and Rue similarly, and we hardly spoke during the two weeks we toured the gardens. We just listened to nature and let it tell us its story. After we finished touring all the gardens, I felt renewed and optimistic.

The Gate was located at the Master of the Nets Garden, so after Mahya and I finished touring all the gardens, the three of us went to this garden again—Rue stayed at the hotel to watch the last John Wick movie. When we got to the garden, Alfonsen looked around and said, "Maybe I should have joined you; it's so beautiful."

"At least you earned points," I pointed out.

"Yes, I have over fifty now."

I patted his back and said, "We'll see many beautiful things in the future, but if you want to delay a day or two and do a quick tour of the gardens, I think it won't be a problem."

He shook his head, "No need."

We touched the Gate:

___________ 

Travelers Gate #368217851

Destination: Trastom

Status: Integrated

Mana level: 43

Threat level: Moderate-high

__________

Mahya turned to me and asked, "What about using this one for crystals?"

"Judging by how these three Gates are close to each other, I think the third Gate will also lead to Trastom. The garden here may be a little emptier than near the first Gate, but there are still many people here, and I don't want to chance them seeing us. I think the best idea would be to check the third Gate, and if it leads to the same place, decide according to the traffic which gate we will use to collect crystals. I agree with you; it sounds like an excellent source of crystals. I just don't want to put us at risk."

She crossed her arms and kicked a stone, "Yeah, you're right. I just want my baby to be perfect."

I hugged her shoulders, "It's already perfect. It just needs some bells and whistles."

From Suzhou, we took a train to Hangzhou, and on the way, I checked the Archive. I saw a new message from Lis. It wasn't a continuation of the previous message thread, but a completely new one.

_______________ 

Tr. LM

"Inventor, Versailles, Hungry, Clueless"

Hello, my dear friends,

John

I don't need to ask dragons; I know the answer.

Rummage through the books I gave you and look for a book with a tree on the cover. There are many books with trees, but this tree is different. It has three orbs of power—between the branches, in the trunk, and in the roots, and throughout the entire tree, there is a drawing in gold of lines that are very similar to our mana system. Two lines also cross it: one above the roots and the other below the foliage. The name of the book is The Three Levels of Mana Control.

In addition, look for the thickest book I gave you; It's even bigger than the Cambridge dictionary you gave me. On the cover, there is a drawing of a man with a staff and an animal that looks like a cross between a bear and a rhinoceros. The name of this book is The Travels and Adventures of the Traveler Marbus. I don't recommend reading the book because you might get to some of these worlds, and the book will be a spoiler, but look for a chapter towards the middle of the book called 'Creating a stronger connection,' or 'Establishing a stronger connection' or something like that. He describes there how he started channeling mana through his familiar.

I hope it helps you, and tell me how goes the rescue.

Mahya

Order the following books, Lighter Than Air Systems by Dhwanil Shukla, Principles of Aerostatics: The Theory of Lighter-Than-Air Flight by John A Taylor, Lighter Than Air Concepts: LTA-crafts by Sascha Hissler, and Structures Technology for Lighter-Than- Air Vehicles by T. E. Hess.

John had those books, but I took them. I'm sure you'll find a lot of ideas there on how to improve your balloon.

I'm glad you're traveling and enjoying yourself, and I completely understand your fear of flying with the rising mana levels.

Until next time, with friendship and admiration

Lis, aka Inventor

_____________

I scrolled down to the original thread and saw the reply that Mahya had written him.

_________________

Tr. MLL

"Versailles, Hungry, Clueless, Inventor"

Thank you, Spirits we finally heard from you; John was going crazy with worry.

I have little to add beyond what John told you above, except to show off that after the boat overhaul, the Guidance gave me the opportunity to gain the Magicaneer Class for a mere one point. Of course, I didn't take it; I intend to get it for free.

As for Alfonsen, John hasn't realized it yet, but the novels he's reading aren't just vampire-werewolf romances, but steamy gay romances. I look forward to the day John finds out to see his reaction. When it happens, I will describe it to you in great detail.

I'm glad you're enjoying yourself and always happy to hear from you.

May your road be smooth and full of amazing things.

Mahya, aka Versailles

_________________

Below Mahya's message, there were numerous messages from various Travelers. I scrolled page after page, and it didn't end.

______________ 

Tr. MK

Please give me the gate chain to reach the dragon's plane; I have been looking for them for ten years.

______________

Tr. FP

Please thank the dragon on my behalf. I was stuck for years in Mana Immersion at the master level, and her tip of the golden rule helped me progress to Mana Oneness.

______________

Tr. JD

He's a liar. There's no such thing as the dragon realm.

______________

Tr. BI

Can we get the chain of gates to get there?

______________

Tr. CT

Don't be cowards. You don't need Traits over 200; over 100 is enough.

______________

Tr. OV

What is a Wizard's magic, anyway?

______________

Tr. XP

Dragons are idiots; who cares about books?

_____________

Tr. RM

Please pass on a warm greeting from Rustin Mobest, to the dragon Shumirxis in the world of Gogmathompsonixsious, and let him know he was right about the world cores.

_____________

Tr. ME

What are world cores? You can't leave us hanging like this.

______________

Tr. WL

Please ask the dragons:

I'm trying to build an airship navigation system for a world with no land, but islands hanging in the air with strange mana between those islands. The only way to travel there right now is on the backs of gigantic birds that fly between these islands.

The mana has the Turbulence, Void, Annihilation, Desolation, and Devour aspects.

How do I overcome it?

Everything I tried gets destroyed.

_____________

Tr. QM

Is it possible to get a Gate chain?

_____________

It went on like this, page after page after page. I imagined Lis's face when he opened the Archive, and I started laughing out loud.

In Hangzhou, we checked in at the hotel and, during the next week, visited numerous temples, pagodas, gardens, and natural or artificial islands within the lake. This time, Alfonsen joined us, and his excitement was clear.

I remembered Mahya's message about the books Alfonsen was reading and decided I didn't care. He could read whatever he wanted. I had a suspicion that she was disappointed because my reaction wasn't more dramatic.

After a week of sightseeing and lots of photographs, we went to visit the Gate. It was in a secluded spot, about half a kilometer from the lake shore.

_____________

Travelers Gate #368217852

Destination: Trastom

Status: Integrated

Mana level: 43

Threat level: Moderate-high

______________

Mahya kicked my leg and asked, "How did you know it would lead to the same place?"

"I didn't know for sure, but based on the other Gates, I suspected. Those three Gates are very close to each other." I said, shrugging.

"That's a great location. We can go in and out easily without being spotted." She turned to Alfonsen and asked, "Want to help us harvest some mana crystals for the boat?"

"Do you know of a location where we can harvest mana stones?"

"No, John can harvest them from monsters."

He looked at me in shock and asked, "Truly?"

I nodded, and he looked impressed.

I told them, "Let's do it tomorrow, okay? Let's treat ourselves to a fancy dinner tonight. I want to get pampered before I have to fight monsters."

They both laughed and agreed.

We had dinner at Panorama Signature Restaurant & Bar, drank too much, and told Alfonsen about the dungeon we cleared in Tuonela, and he told us about dungeons he cleared to get his Heavy Warrior class. It was a very nice evening, and Alfonsen was slowly becoming a friend.