Chapter 109 Magical Toll Tax
It turned out that they had to walk thirty minutes to actually reach the academy.
'I still don't understand why this world is obsessed with walls. Can't they just create a magical barrier around the city?' Jason silently asked.
What he and the system had seen was a 100 feet(30 meters) tall wall spreading around in a wide circle.
"A city as well as the academy is situated inside those walls," Brian explained. "You will be spending most of your time inside those walls."
"That doesn't sound good." Orion muttered.
"We might enjoy the time spent inside. Who knows?" Jason replied with a smile.
He was sure that the academy arc was going to be quite eventful for him. It was certainly going to let him acquire more knowledge about the kingdom, his powers and powerful spells.
'System, we have to be extra careful from now on. Academy arcs are also the place where politics run at its finest.' Jason mentally added.
[ I can help you there too. Perhaps we will enjoy our time here. ] the system replied cheerfully.
For once, Jason shared the same enthusiasm.
"Amber, can I ask you a question?" Jason curiously looked at the girl walking beside him.
Both of them were walking in the middle of the group. Zeke trailed behind them while Brian and Orion were walking several meters ahead of them.
"Sure, go ahead." Amber shrugged.
"Have you visited something known as a dream world?" Jason asked in a low voice. He didn't want anyone to hear their conversation.
"I sure did! In fact, I came out of it at four am today." Amber replied with a cheerful expression.
She had visited the dream world for the first time simultaneously with Jason. Like him, she had decided to hide the information for the time being.
"Flamey helped me understand what a dream world was before something called a dream world system appeared in my dream world." Amber explained further.
"I see." Jason nodded. This confirmed that the dream world system existed in other dream worlds as well.
"I also talked briefly with someone named Tet. He referred to himself as the game of gods but I've never heard of him before," Amber frowned. "I wonder which world he belongs to."
"You know of other worlds?" Jason was taken back. From his experience, not many people belonging to fantasy world knew about the existence of other worlds.
"Of course I know about that. Many gods are born on different realms and its their myths that allows them to come to a certain world. Also, there are multiple gods for the same thing so their home worlds make it easier to know them.
For example, Zeus and Thor are both associated with lightning but both were born in different places. Furthermore, neither of them belong to Clover or any of the other nine planets connected with this world." Amber finished her explanation.
Jason looked at the red-head with an awestruck expression. She knew more about these things than he did.
[ That explains how gods have many followers. They have followers from all over the worlds who know them one way or the other due to the spreading of their myths there. ]
'I guess humans from Earth aren't the only ones experiencing this.' Jason sighed.
The concept of multiple worlds, universes, timelines and such was quite confusing in itself. Adding more things to it made his brain hurt.
"Anyways, did you learn anything new in the week that went by?" Jason asked again.
"I tried to keep Flamey's heat loving habits under control and let me tell you that its extremely hard." Amber scowled. "Other than that, I tried breaking the ground by stomping on it."
"I seeā¦" Jason suddenly felt that his quick lightning bolt wasn't as impressive as he had thought.
Shaking the ground with a mere stomp was much cooler and powerful.
The two children stuck idle talk the rest of the way to the wall.
They arrived at the wall ten minutes later to find out that the wall had a permanent opening in it.
No huge gates were present in the wall and only a single person was present near the huge opening which was big enough to let multiple elephants enter the city.
"The city entrance is made using runes and formations." Brian explained when he saw the curious look on Jason's face. "If anyone tries to enter the gate without permission, a barrier will prevent them from walking inside."
Brian rummaged inside the pocket of his coat. He produced a blue marble ball which he tossed at the entrance.
The huge opening in the wall lit up with a blue light. Brian gestured for the children to follow him through the blue light.
When Jason stepped inside the blue light, a strange glow appeared around his body. The light felt like a liquid hitting his body yet Jason's appearance remained the same.
"Once you are registered in the city's database, you can come and go as you please. Otherwise, you would need a marble like the one I had or would've to pay entrance fees to the guard to enter the city." Brian informed the children.
'So its basically magical toll tax.' Jason mused.
While looking around the city, Jason noticed many useful shops like armor shops, forging shops, alchemy shops, etc.
"All the shops in the town belong to the academy. Students can come here and buy things without using money. Of course they still have to pay but the currency is different.
Some of those working here are graduates from the academy too. If you are looking for a relaxing life, this job isn't half bad." Brian continued to be the tour guide.
He lead them through the streets of the city while continuing to provide information. The children, however, were not paying attention to him.
Their eyes were fixed on a building almost the same size as the walls standing in the distance. Jason could see that the tip of the building had the statue of the Ash Phoenix created placed on the top.
It took them another ten minutes to reach the academy but once they stood in front of it, all four children stared at it marvel.
"Welcome to the Royal Vancouver academy," Brian sighed. "Now lets hurry up or we are going to miss the initiation ceremony."