Emma explained a lot of things to Ethan, giving him a general understanding of the land’s layout.
Eastshire was where the Human Kingdom was located.
In Northshire was the Stronghold of the Dwarves.
In Westshire was the Eden of the Elves.
And in Southshire was the Dominion of the Beastkin.
At the very center, where these four territories converged, was Heimdall’s Gate.
This was a Teleportation Gate that allowed them to travel to the central continent of Midgard, which was a very vast world that was nestled within the branches of Yggdrasil.
The Meredith Clan’s territory was beyond the Gate, which meant that Ethan must go to Midgard in order to better know his origin, and uncover the secrets of his true identity.
“First Years are not allowed to travel to Heimdall’s Gate,” Emma explained. “Only Third Years and Fourth Years are given the permission to carry out missions in Midgard. Of course, there are exceptions, but these exceptions are only given to Second Years who have proven their worth and have gained the recognition of the Headmaster of the Academy.
“If you want to go to Midgard, you need to wait until you have become a Third Year to do so. By then, you will have enough experience in both Magic and Martial Arts to protect yourself on that long journey. If you wish, I can accompany you back to my hometown so that you can see your father’s Domain… at least, what is left of it.”
Ethan nodded his head in understanding. “Understood. So when I become a Third Year, you will accompany me to Midgard.”
“It would be my honor, My Liege.” Emma bowed. “Do you still have questions for me?”
The young man thought for a while before making his thoughts known.
“W-What is my mother like?” Ethan asked.
“I’m sorry, but I was still a baby when she left Midgard,” Emma replied. “However, my mother often told me that Lady Catherine was a kind and gentle lady. She even said that she was too good for our Lord, but please, don’t tell others about this, okay? My family might get in trouble if my Clan Head hears I said that.”
Ethan wasn’t able to keep himself from smiling because he found Emma’s reply quite funny.
“Am I right if I say that I can’t ask questions about my Father?” Ethan inquired.
Emma nodded. “I’m sorry, but it really is confidential information. I do not have the authority to tell anything about our Lord.”
The handsome teenager smiled before asking Emma one last question.
“My First Mission is about to start,” Ethan stated. “Any advice?”
The young lady pondered a bit before nodding her head.
“Make sure to bring some Bug Spray or Bug Repellent potions.” Emma smirked. “There might be many insects that might want to take a bite out of you, My Lord. After all, your blood is very precious. Especially to a young lady with long, light-brown hair. She might attack you in your sleep.”
This time, Ethan wasn’t able to hold back his chuckle because he clearly knew who Emma was talking about.
After making a bit more small talk, Ethan said his farewell and returned to Dud Manor.
Although he didn’t get all the answers to his questions, he learned enough information to keep his mind stable for the time being.
A few days later, the day where they would take on their First Mission had finally arrived.
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Brynhildr Academy Mission Hall…
“There are too many people,” Chloe looked at the spacious hall, which was filled to the brim with Wizards and Witches who were rushing to secure the easiest and most rewarding missions that were posted in the Quest Board.
Ethan winced because the mere thought of trying to enter that chaotic place was enough to make his body hurt.
“Why don’t we wait until there are less people around?” Ethan proposed. 𝑶𝚟𝓵xt.𝑪𝔬𝗆
“But if we do that, we will be left with the worst-paying missions,” Chloe complained. “We might be stuck with collecting magical herbs, or something just as mundane. I want my First Mission to be exciting! Like escorting a Caravan to the North, or exploring ruins in the South.
“Better yet, I want to enter one of those Legacy Gates. According to my Senior in Jaeger Manor, it is the place where we can get treasures, as well as other Magical Artifacts.”
Ethan blinked in confusion.
“Legacy Gates?” Ethan asked. “What Legacy Gates?”
Chloe scratched her head because she had forgotten that Ethan didn’t know much about the Magic World.
“Listen, Legacy Gates are connected to different places in Midgard. Some of them are even connected to other worlds that are within the branches of Yggdrasil. There is just one major problem, and that is Time.”
“Time?”
“Yes. Time moves differently inside the Legacy Gates. After entering a Legacy Gate, the passage of time will remain the same for the first month. Meaning, if you spend one month inside the World after passing through the gate, it is equivalent to a month here in Eastshire. However, if you stay inside the Gate for more than a month, time becomes blurred.”
Chloe’s expression became solemn as she continued her explanation.
“If you spend more than 30 days inside the gate, then return to Eastshire, there is a possibility that you will arrive in a different timeline.
“What I mean by a different timeline is that some people who have gone past the 30-day limit emerged from the gate in a different year. There were even instances when people only spent 2 months inside the gate, but when they returned, they discovered that 20 years had passed.
“That is the scary thing about entering Legacy Gates. Although the treasures in them could make you extremely wealthy and powerful, the consequences of not being able to return in time are well… time itself.”
Ethan looked at his beautiful cousin in horror. He never expected that something so nasty existed in the world.
“Let me get this straight,” Ethan stated. “Let’s say I enter the gate and return after 6 months. Does that mean that the next time I see you, there’s a possibility that I’d meet a 60-year-old woman instead of a teen, while I’d still be 17 years old?”
Chloe nodded. “There is documented evidence that it has happened many times in the past.”
“Wow… such a scary place to go.” Ethan shuddered. “Yet people still want to go there?”
Chloe smiled. “Of course. As long as you return within the 30-day limit, you’ll be just fine. Before entering a Legacy Gate, everyone is given a watch that counts the days that you are inside it instead of just the hours.”
“Of course, those who enter a Legacy Gate are also required to sign a Waiver so that the academy is not held responsible for their choice. Well, there have been instances where some people stayed inside the Legacy Worlds for several years, and when they returned, they found out that only a few months had passed. Those were the lucky ones.”
Ethan crossed his arms over his chest and looked at Chloe with determination.
“Chloe, we are not entering a Legacy Gate,” Ethan stated. “Do I make myself clear?”
Seeing his intense stare, the young lady had no choice but to nod her head in agreement. She understood that Ethan didn’t want to take such a gamble with their lives.
“Hah~ I guess our first mission will be herb collection.” Chloe sighed. “Talk about a complete letdown.”
The young man beside her also sighed in his heart. However, his sigh was a sigh of relief instead of disappointment.
Ethan didn’t want to do something as exciting as challenging a Legacy Gate on their first mission.
He would rather spend time picking herbs than come back to a world where the people important to him no longer existed.
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