Chapter 106: The Art of Teleportation

Zhao Xu still remembered that in his previous life, when his team tried to apprehend a mage apprentice, the apprentice escaped into the Mage Association’s local branch. None of the security squad dared to enter. In the end, it was only through Zhao Xu’s connection with the town’s administrative office, after going through a lengthy process, that the association handed over the offender for their disposal.

Fortunately, it was just an apprentice. Had the individual been a level one mage, jurisdiction would have belonged entirely to the Mage Association. This was precisely why the association set up branches across various regions.

Now, looking at the respectful demeanor of the executive officer of the Crescent Moon Town branch, Zhao Xu felt a strange sense of absurdity, as if living between two lives.

“Do you have a teleportation portal here?” Zhao Xu asked, indulging in a somewhat unrealistic hope.

If there were a portal, things would be easier. The world’s teleportation network was unified. As long as the destination was a major city, it would surely have a portal too, allowing him to circle back to the Floating City repeatedly.

“Messenger, I’m sorry. According to the association headquarters’ requirements for establishing teleportation portals, the location must meet one of nineteen strategic criteria,” Executive Officer Li Wei explained, bowing his head. “Although we’re near the Southern Isle Forest, the truly significant towns are North Carda, Katan, and Buso. Crescent Moon Town doesn’t meet the standards.”

“Nineteen strategic criteria?” Zhao Xu inquired.

Though Li Wei wasn’t as skilled in magic as Zhao Xu, he knew the association’s regulations like the back of his hand. “Yes. For example, the first criterion is that the town must be at least level three in size and assessed as strategically important or higher...”

Noticing Zhao Xu’s attention drifting, Li Wei quickly added, “If none of these conditions are met, there is one possibility: if the branch chief can personally cast teleportation spells and the branch can afford the cost, the headquarters can provide the materials. However, our chief only recently advanced to level nine—a fifth-ring mage—a month ago and hasn’t had the chance to implement this.”

Having dealt with senior officials from other large town branches, Li Wei knew that often these dignitaries cared more about showing the right attitude than actually accomplishing the task.

“Hmm, then can you provide level five mage spellcasting services here?” Zhao Xu lowered his expectations.

“I can pay,” Zhao Xu added, half doubting his own words.

The Mage Association branches were indeed among the most convenient places for major factions, organizations, and individuals to purchase magical services, alongside the various churches.

Compared to churches, which often had multiple sects and faith requirements, gaining favor with the Mage Association was somewhat easier.

Level five teleportation spells weren’t perfectly reliable. Their effectiveness depended heavily on the caster’s familiarity with the teleportation point.

In theory, all branch chiefs must report to Mystra, so they wouldn’t be completely unfamiliar with these locations.

Nevertheless, such teleportation could still result in significant deviations—sometimes arriving merely at a similar-looking place.

To arrive precisely, one would need the level seven “Greater Teleportation” spell, or even the “Gate to Another Realm” conjured by the sacred prayer candle.

According to Antinoya, any leftovers could be his to use, but Zhao Xu wasn’t willing to spend lavishly. Having received a pamphlet from Mage Lyon, he at least had something to show for his visit.

Executive Officer Li Wei showed a hint of surprise and gave a wry smile. “Messenger, unfortunately, you’re a bit late. The Trade Union held an emergency meeting today. The chief has already left to attend, and all the remaining level five teleportation scrolls have been taken as strategic resources.”

Zhao Xu had only asked casually, so this outcome was unexpected.

Seeing Zhao Xu’s thoughtful expression, Li Wei quickly tried to ease the awkwardness. “However, if it’s urgent, we can escort you to North Carda City. Their branch does have a teleportation portal.”

“Though North Carda is on the frontline bordering Kasobutan, we guarantee your safety. Even the rebels from Kaso and Butan won’t attack our caravans if they seek the association’s recognition afterward. Besides, Kaso and Butan won’t last much longer.”

Zhao Xu pondered this and found it acceptable.

Previously, in Hurricane City, the local Mage Association surely had teleportation portals.

However, those portals might have limitations, unlike Mystra’s that could be opened at will.

Typically, stationed portals were regulated for cost reasons, allowing only a few uses per day or even per several days.

After some thought, Zhao Xu decisively declined.

Taking the association’s carriage to North Carda was less appealing than traveling with Roya’s convoy to the frontline.

That adventure had allowed him to advance to level two and awaken the “Combat Casting” specialization, so it was worth it.

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After sitting for a while, Zhao Xu politely declined Executive Officer Li Wei’s invitation to dinner, only requesting a “special letter of introduction” as a precaution.

He expressed satisfaction with the visit and even refused the bag of “local specialties from Southern Isle Forest” that Li Wei had the maid bring, quietly leaving the Mage Association.

But when Zhao Xu stepped outside to where he had instructed Maple Leaf and the others to wait, he found them being accosted by several people.

Ignoring the crowd, Zhao Xu quickly moved forward, preparing for a fight as he asked, “What’s going on?”

Maple Leaf’s face flushed with anger. “That thief stole my wallet. I only realized when I was about to buy something.”

Nearby, the vagrant Rainbow looked sheepish, though his hand rested on the dagger at his waist.

Zhao Xu had to stifle a laugh—this was truly embarrassing.

Arthur’s player, just like in reality, had no personal storage space. Whatever he carried, he had to bear himself, including the purse, which he needed to guard carefully.

Now, to be pickpocketed right in front of Rainbow, a vagrant, was like the theft had hit home.

The thief, held by Maple Leaf, was brazen, shouting, “Why do you claim the wallet just because it was next to you? Are all wallets of the same style suddenly yours?”

Three or four accomplices had gathered around him, and seven or eight more pretended to be onlookers nearby.

Zhao Xu realized he had missed the best chance to mediate.

Initially, the best course would have been for Rainbow, as a vagrant, to step forward and demand the wallet’s return.

Out of respect for the Vagrant Association’s underground influence, people would have given face.

That was why many teams liked to bring along vagrants—they handled delicate negotiations for many behind-the-scenes matters.

It wasn’t that they feared confrontation or evil.

But since the three of them were on a mission, they needed to avoid escalating the situation. Even if they recovered the wallet, being expelled from the town would be a loss.

Here, the divide between outsiders and locals was an invisible chasm.

Especially since Crescent Moon Town was too small to have many players born here; otherwise, Maple Leaf’s shout might have rallied the thieves to settle the matter quietly.

But now that matters had reached this point, Zhao Xu had no choice but to handle it in his own way.

If the Grand Dragon Elder could bully him, so could a mere thief? Not a chance.