Entering Elysion
This fantasy-esque Earth Alfred has reincarnated into contains one large continent where most of the intelligent races live.
Three long and tall mountain ranges crisscross the continent roughly in a Y shape.
Among them, the northwestern and the northeastern ranges are called the Aster Mountains and the Amber Mountains respectively. Both of them are very tall rocky mountains, covered by snow and glacier all year round.
In contrast, the southern mountain range is relatively short and wide. It is green all year round and hence called the Emerald Mountains.
After the dark Second Era, the nine races occupied various parts of the continent, calling it their home.
The Humans and the Giants live in the fertile plains of the West. They are the major grain producers of the world.
The Elves live in the woodlands of the North. Surrounded by the beautiful Elven Oak, the elves make lovely clothes from cotton and silk. They also study herbs and are master Potioneers.
In the White Isles archipelago of the South West live the Water Dragons. They rear fish and barter them with the other races.
In the lakes and rolling hills of the East live the Demons and the Orcs. They cultivate almost all kinds of crops. The Orcs are also great blacksmiths.
The Dwarves live in the Aster and the Amber Mountains. They are great miners and craftsmen.
The Goblins have no fixed home. They are found almost everywhere and perform all kinds of jobs. Some people even believe that there are more Goblins than all the other races combined.
The Demifolk were the last race to be recognized as one of the major races. They are magic beasts that have gained intelligence and can take humanoid forms. In the Hundred Years War, they won several battles and carved out a space for themselves in the Emerald Mountains.
However, in the long river of history, there has been one place that was inhabited by all the races together for various reasons. It is the large plateau at the intersection of the three mountain ranges.
Similar to the Tibetan Plateau, it is also the highest plateau in this world. But in this magical world, the oxygen level is not dangerously low atop this plateau. Hence, people can lead normal lives.
Sadly, during the Hundred Years War, this place was at the forefront of the battles. Almost everything was destroyed and ravaged by the Mages.
Finally, after the war was over and the peace treaty was signed, some of the peace-loving Mages returned to this land in the hope of building a peaceful and bright future. They made a country that accepted everybody from all the races.
This country was named Elysion.
After a night’s rest, the caravan started its journey again.
Alfred cozied up in his window seat with a cup of warm herb tea and watched the scenery outside as the caravan rolled off slowly into the mountains.
The winding road reduced their traveling speed. The Gale Horses had to be fed vitality potions regularly.
Oftentimes, they would meet another caravan traveling in the opposite direction. Both caravans would stop and socialize with each other.
Alfred listened in on some of the conversations. It turned out that generally raw materials would be sent to Elysion and excellent finished products would come out, which would then be distributed to the northern kingdoms.
This was due to the explosion of vocational schools in Elysion, which had resulted in a large increase in skilled workers and craftsmen.
The rest of the world still followed the master-disciple relationship. Hence, skills remained concentrated in a few chosen hands.
“Fascinating,” Alfred thought.
About two weeks later, the caravan reached the notorious Howling Pass. It is a rugged and cold mountainous path sandwiched between the two ends of the Aster and Amber Mountains.
The path is dangerous because of the freezing winds, which can reach speeds of about three hundred kilometers per hour.
Well, high-rank Mages find no difficulty in this weather. But it is the common people who find it a nightmare.
The caravan Alfred was traveling with had a lot more common people. So steel shutters were used to protect the carriages, and heating magic arrays were turned on inside.
The Gale Horses pulled the carriages through the wind slowly at a walking pace. Alfred pulled out a book that he had purchased from one of the passing caravans and read it to pass the time. The book also helped him understand the current affairs of Elysion better.
After another tiring week, the caravan finally crossed the Howling Pass and reached the border of Elysion.
The winds were still strong here. Alfred put on his long windbreaker and departed from his carriage.
An enormously tall and large wall immediately caught his attention. “At least sixty meters tall. Several defensive magic arrays, both in sight and hidden. Built with the best Transmutation Magic,” Alfred analyzed. “I guess it is necessary for safety from both man and nature.”
The wall extended in both east and west to join the two great mountains. Atop the wall, there was a large banner adorned with a crest of an Oak sewn in Mithril — the crest of Elysion.
“Greetings, Sir Alfred.” It was the elves from Goldenwind. Alfred turned around to find that they had also departed from their carriage, dressed in warm furs. They didn’t seem much impressed by the massive border wall. “Maybe it is not their first time visiting Elysion,” Alfred thought.
They exchanged some courtesies.
“Where will you be heading from here, Sir Alfred?” Elisa asked casually.
“I plan to settle down in New Hope City. So that is the destination.”
“Wonderful, we are heading there as well. Do you also have the intention of joining a university?”
“I intend to open a Potions Shop. I am a Potioneer.”
“Really?” Elisa’s eyes lit up. “I study Potioneering as well. Can we exchange notes later?”
“Sure. I would be happy to,” Alfred replied politely. But he lampooned inwardly, “I am older than your grandfather, little girl. The universities will kick me out.”
At that moment, Knight Tisha arrived with all their luggage. After another round of courtesies, they officially entered Elysion.
There was a large line of carriages going through customs checks at the gate. But Alfred and the elves’ group did not have to line up with everybody, as they were Mages. They passed through another gate specially designated for Mages.
During the checks, Alfred produced his hundred-and-fifty-year-old Mage ID card, which showed his associated guild as Lord’s Tea Party and his rank as a Rank 4 Spell Mage.
In reality, of course, Alfred was not a Spell Mage at all. He had never undergone Spirit Tempering and possessed no internal mana reserves. His true advancement was through Body Tempering — today he was a Rank 5 Battle Mage. But a Battle Mage who can cast spells invites too many questions. So, long ago, he had acquired a Spell Mage ID by using Vita Fons to convert his life force into mana and mimic conventional spellcasting during the assessment. To any observer, he looked like an ordinary Spell Mage channeling his own reserves. Nobody suspected that the mana fueling his spells was being generated on the spot from a body that could never run dry.
The fake Spell Mage identity served him well. It explained away any magic he performed in public without drawing attention to his true nature.
Alfred’s Rank 4 ID card caused a small stir during checks. Combined with his youthful appearance, they had to double-check. Finally, he was allowed to enter, as the guild Lord’s Tea Party had no criminal records.
The elves would have been surprised as well, but they were in a different line meant for females.
After clearing the checks, they crossed through a tunnel in the wall and finally entered Elysion.
Alfred was struck by the beautiful atmosphere inside. The road was finely paved, with trees planted at equal intervals on the sides. And although the air was dry and cold, the place was bustling with activity.
Alfred boarded another expensive carriage meant for Mages, along with the elves. This time the carriages were pulled by a velociraptor-looking Magic Beast, simply called a Runner Lizard in this world — a Rank 2 Magic Beast.
The carriage ran fast, and Alfred reached New Hope City, the capital of Elysion, from the border in three days.
“I look forward to our next meeting, Sir Alfred,” Elisa bade her goodbye, and the elves went on their way after entering the city.
Alfred found a nearby inn and retired for the day.
Early the next day, after having his breakfast at the inn, he set off for the city center called Old District, where most of the government buildings are.
Elysion is a nation of Mages built by Mages. The whole country is ruled jointly by four Mage Towers.
The Red Tower is tasked with both internal and external security. It plays the role of both military and police.
The Gold Tower looks after finance and trade.
The Blue Tower has the responsibility for food, property, and health.
The White Tower oversees education and religion.
The official religion of Elysion is the Church of Knowledge and Wisdom. The chief deity is the Tree of Knowledge and Wisdom.
There is also a rumored Black Tower that carries on spy activities. But the common people have no evidence of it. Probably only the higher-ups in the towers have the complete picture.
Alfred’s current goal was to buy a shop and set up his Potions Shop. Hence, he had to visit the Blue Tower.
A horse carriage dropped him in the Town Square in Old District. The driver gave him directions to one of the nearby offices of the Blue Tower.
Suddenly, Milo came out and looked around, taking in the scenery. “Isn’t this place very beautiful? These stone buildings are pretty.”
Alfred also looked around the Town Square. The beautiful granite buildings enclosing the square were very picturesque. The bustling crowd despite the four-degree cold weather was remarkable.
But the thing that stunned him the most was the diversity of the races. He could see demons and humans mingling with each other. Elves were dealing with orcs. And the demifolk strolled freely without any discrimination.
“Elysion is truly a nation of Mages. It doesn’t matter where you come from. If you are a Mage, you have your rights,” Alfred commented out loud. In fact, Mages were everywhere. Even the barbecue stand owner was a Rank 1 Battle Mage. In other countries, Mages made up only about thirty to forty percent of the population. But here, almost eighty percent of the population were Mages.
“Yes. Isn’t this the peaceful future you have always wanted?” Milo asked.
“Peace…” Alfred thought. “…is an illusion. But this is certainly better than mindless hatred.”