Magical Academy: Rise of the Supreme Magic Craftsman

Wallace enjoyed the scenery below the airship. It was great to have a relaxing time like this every once in a while.

His family marveled at the beautiful lakes, towns, villages, forests, and mountains below. When they felt tired, they would sit and rest inside the airship. There was some staff ready to assist them.

He also no longer felt the presence of Miya Linus. He doesn't dare to use his Divine Sense for the meantime.

As time passed, they reached their farthest destination, the Blue Feathers Town. They could easily identify the town as it was surrounded by the blue meadows. They will now have to return to Red Star Town but they will be flying near the Kamin Range. The mountain range separating Stella and Star Region.

The mountain range was also being used by several towns and villages as a source of income.

The whole place was filled with unique materials that can be used for artifact forging and potioneering. 

"The forest in this mountain range felt a lot more different." Wallace commented after seeing them closer.

"That's natural. The mana density was a notch higher than the previous forests we passed by." Clarice said. Of course, Wallace probably knows it better than his sister but he still replied casually.

"I see. What kind of materials were commonly found in this range?" Wallace asked in curiosity but before Clarice answered, one of the staff heard Wallace's question and his call of duty kicked in. As a tour guide assigned, he felt that he should answer these types of questions for the passengers. 

This way, they might leave a good review of the ship after the trip.

"Hello, sir! I heard your question. Let me help you with that. As a man born in a village close to this mountain range, I could explain it more."

"Right... Thanks..." Wallace answered, surprised about the enthusiastic display of the man.

The latter cleared his throat before introducing himself.

"I'm Harith, I grew up in a small village that was near the Mid River. I could tell you the common and rare materials found in the mountain range that was being used as a source of income of our village and others nearby.

"First, was the popular Tama Plants. Have you heard of them? Once they grew like trees, they will continuously emit waves that were capable of driving away all the weaker mana beasts. It is crucial to all the villages or towns that were situated within the mountain range that houses mana beasts. Of course, its parts could also be used in many things. Since we have plenty of them surrounding our villages, the excess plants that we can find or sometimes cultivated we're being sold." 

"I didn't see anything like this-" in Montego's town or villages, is what Wallace planned to say but stopped midway. His visit to different islands of that country was supposedly a secret. 

"If you haven't seen them before, that's natural, you were probably living in a rich town or city that was capable of funding a barrier. We can't afford that. Normally, the buyers of the plants or trees were researchers and mercenaries aside from other villages that lack the plants for their homes. Also, you wouldn't expect to see this in other countries. This plant can only be found in our country and some few in Maja." 

"Ahh... That makes sense. You're knowledgeable."

"Mhm... Aside from that, there's Luminous Moss that was unique to this mountain range. Imagine a moss that would glow brightly as long as you mixed some Granite Salt. The glow could last for the whole night as long as you have enough of that salt.

"Right, aside from the medicinal herbs, red oak tree's branches, horns of horned rabbits, blue-eyes white serpents, and flaming frogs that can be used for artifact forging or potioneering, there were chances that you could gather some Star Burr near the snaking river at the center of the mountain range. It brings a lot of profits if you get even a few ounces."

After Wallace heard it, he felt really curious to explore more about the magical side of this world. Hearing Harith explain and tell stories about the forest, it made him very interested in becoming an adventurer instead if not for his pressing matters.

'Star Burr...' Wallace thought of the name and remembered his instructor, Garen.

During the instructor's first day in class, he instructed them to forge an artifact. It was all because of instructor Tales' disappearance, he had to gauge the skills of the student he will be handling for the rest of the year.

At that time, he instructed them to create Blue Flame Mantra, but instead of giving them the Star Burr, the provided materials were the Storm Silver forcing Wallace to use Mavis Prayer to achieve his desirable results for the artifact.*

The Star Burr was quite expensive so it was normal not to use them in practices and it's better to use inferior materials that can still be used although with decreased effects. It was fine since their aim was the experience of creating mana artifact and not to create a perfect artifact.

"That's interesting. Star Burr would fetch a hefty price in the market." 

"I know right. Unfortunately, although it's free if you have a chance upon them, you'll need some courage as at the center of the mountain range lives a small group of Druid Apes. So people only take some chances at the edges of their territories."

"Mhm... You really know a lot."

"Haha. Thank you..."

"Are there any unique stones that can be mined around here?"

"Well... there weren't any large deposits of ore vein. All known locations for deposits had long since been emptied by Seed Holdings decades ago. It was all covered by trees and moss now. The only remaining mining site near the range was the Memory Crystal's Vein." After Harith said this, Wallace's mother spoke. 

"Oh, that's right. I remember that somewhere near the end of this mountain range was the mine where the Seed Holdings dig those memory crystals. A tall building near there was where your father was working. He sent me a photo." Elaine smiled remembering Chase's every 4 hours update just to let her know what he was doing. 

"Oh... That's right. On the other side of this mountain range was the Stella Region." Wallace said blandly. He was now looking at the exact location where the first Meredith Empire's Conqueror Starship descended. He was only gazing without any words which drew their attention. His thoughts were unknown.

"What happened?"

"Did you see anything?~" 

"Ahh.. nothing. I'm just curious at the other side."

"What? You make it sound like it's something mysterious. Our Star Region is more prosperous than Stella Region. We have higher numbers of the population, it means more magicians and also, most of the prosperous city is in this region. Are you not aware of that? What made you curious there?" Clarice blurted out feeling a bit weird about Wallace's words. 'Curious at the other side?' She can only shake her head remembering his words.

"Haha... No. What I meant was that I'm curious about father's work. Can we visit him instead?"

"No. He'll be returning here." Elaine quickly said leaving no arguments.

***

After the tour, the family went straight back home to have a rest. 

"Haaa~ I wish that dad could've joined us." Clarice said after she slumped down onto the sofa.

"That's true. Unfortunately, the Veritas group will be leaving after today."

"Well... Someday or probably soon, we can enjoy something like that with better reception." Wallace said and smiled mysteriously.

"Oh? Will you use the simulation pod?"

"Eh? No. It would be different."

"Then we'll look forward to it." Elaine said to encourage Wallace before continuing her words.

"Right. It seems that there would be some turmoils within Tanza. Would you like to transfer to a different academy?" 

"You know about it?"

"Not really. I'm not sure when will it fully blown. But the city was starting to get restless. You know it. Just now, your house was targeted by some burglars, right?" 

Wallace nodded after hearing it. Their identities were weird, especially that Mana Artifact with black miasma. It wasn't so simple. 

He can only hope that it will quickly be over or resolved by the government.

His A.I. had accidentally tapped some radio communications where he learned about some organization trying to find something within the city. The police within the city had been doing their best to patrol and respond to any incidents happening right now. Unfortunately, due to the background of the organization they will be facing, they had to ask some assistance to a magician's battalion. 

Though it seems that it was a different battalion from his sister.

Anyway, one thing is for sure he couldn't leave just yet.

'I've already constructed my headquarters within the city.' Wallace thought.

"I can't transfer to a different academy. I'm sure that everything will be fine." Wallace smiled hoping for the best. 

It has been a very peaceful three months for him and it seems that it was indeed too good to be true to have it last long for 2 or 3 more years.