Chess Mage of Faerûn

Chapter 367 Old Habasser's Grocery Store
"Your Mightiness,
This is a badge voucher; I'm requesting to use this month's Hall of Teleportation slots.

At the entrance of the hall, Zhang Yuan took out his academy badge and handed it to an old man reclining in a deck chair. The old man simply placed the badge in a groove on a crystal base, just like swiping a credit card in his previous life.

Beep~~~
. . . . . .

"So it really was a card swipe?" Mr. Zhang was speechless. When he retrieved his badge, he found the other person trying to open his somewhat cloudy, sleepy eyes and look at him.

"So you're Tyrantir's disciple? Your skill level is quite good; you're already able to preside over and manipulate teleportation rituals on your own."

Does this rumor spread so fast? Besides, if I can't teleport myself, asking you for help would be like throwing away my own savings.

While inwardly grumbling, Zhang Yuan said to the old monk in front of him:
"It's me. May I ask who you are?"

The somewhat eccentric old man waved his hand dismissively, as if shooing away flies:
"It's nothing, just the curiosity of an elderly person. Go ahead."

Zhang Yuan guessed that the other party and his teacher probably had a past relationship, but since they didn't speak, he had no choice but to give up. He bowed and led his team members to stand inside the circular gate.

The use of portals falls into two categories: one is when the caster uses a location they have visited and remembered as the destination coordinates, or the other is when the portal itself records anchor point coordinates, for example:

Habasher General Store also has portals that serve as semi-open teleportation points.

"Facio, Voco, Ferre"

As the chanting of the incantation resounded, echoing through the empty hall, layer upon layer like a valley echo, ripples appeared between the originally empty circular doors.

A faint light shone between the circular portals, like a hazy mirror or rippling pool water. As the incantation was completed, the light between the shimmering portals grew stronger.

The light screen began to rotate, like a whirlpool on a lake, with dazzling, seven-colored light bursting out, creating a magnificent glow in the blue light of the deep sea.

As the incantation faded, the light screen spun more rapidly, seemingly tearing and distorting even space itself. Through the haze, they glimpsed a different scene on the distant horizon, where dazzling rosy light suddenly enveloped the Canaanite group. In the blink of an eye, everything returned to normal.

All the strange phenomena dissipated, leaving only a deep blue glow that still filled the place; the person had vanished without a trace.

"Hehe, so you went to see that old man Habathal. Were you looking for your teacher? But Habathal hasn't taught any promising apprentices. Tsk, don't make things too embarrassing."

The old monk's mutterings naturally didn't reach Zhang Yuan's ears, but the esteemed Master Zhang heard a warm welcome.

"Welcome to Master Habasil's Mage Tower!"

As soon as the light and shadow faded, the Canaanite group, who had not yet settled in their tracks, saw a young mage approach them, his polite smile concealing a hint of cunning.

"Welcome, please pay the corresponding fee."

Ok?
You charge for both sending and receiving data? You're charging for both? Are you trying to act like a telecom company?
Zhang Yuan looked at the newcomer with some displeasure. The person looked somewhat familiar, and after a moment's thought...

"William Gast, it's been a long time."

Upon hearing his name, the newcomer looked at Zhang Yuan's face with some surprise before recognizing him.

"Your Excellency Chanem, I didn't expect it to be you. It has indeed been a long time."

During the pleasantries, William's smile became more genuine, no longer the polite smile of a salesperson, after all, they had a bond forged in battle together.

But... "Hiss~~ So expensive, the arrival fee alone is ten gold?"

"I really can't do anything about this. The price set by Teacher Habaser is five gold coins to open the portal, and one gold coin for each teleportation slot, which adds up to ten gold coins."

Today, Mr. Zhang is a man of some standing, so he only complained a few times, but still readily paid the money to the other party.

Of course, it's hard to be unhappy inside a mage tower where a great mage is in charge.

"Ten gold coins is nothing, but the expenses you incurred during your teleportation must have been far more than that."

"Oh, no," Zhang Yuan said casually.

"I am an instructor at Neverwinter Academy, and I can use the academy's portal to cast spells to get reimbursed."

"..."

This unintentional remark left William speechless, as if something had blocked his throat.

Those capable of casting teleportation spells must at least have access to the Fifth Ring Magic Network, making it reasonable for them to serve as academy teachers. Looking back at myself…

Thinking that more than a year has passed, I still haven't been able to reach the fourth ring. I'm still an apprentice under my teacher, busy with some trivial matters. I can't say anything about professional research projects at all, and at most I can only help out.

Looking at the face opposite him, which was even younger than his own, he felt a mix of emotions.

Fortunately, William had also gone through a lot of trials and tribulations over the years, and the skill of being adept at navigating social situations was a reward for the years that had smoothed out his rough edges. He had mastered this skill without being taught and tried his best to hide his emotions behind a smile.

Although the smile was somewhat bitter.

As William led Zhang Yuan out of the teleportation hall and towards the exit, he occasionally introduced several magical items on display for sale. However, given Zhang's current level of discernment, these ordinary items were hardly worthy of his attention, and after a few scenes, he lost interest.

"I wish you a bright future, and I hope we will meet again someday."

May the light of truth shine upon you, so that you may see a more distant view.

In the end, it was just a simple farewell. William watched the other person leave, then turned back into the tower, leaving behind a barely audible sigh.

Upon exiting the Mage Tower, one is greeted by a bustling street scene. Old Harbazar's Mage Tower is located in the heart of Baldur's Gate, with crowds of people coming and going and a cacophony of noise filling the air.

Although it wasn't the first time I'd seen something like this, it was still quite unbelievable that a grand mage's tower would be built in such an environment, given the name of a general store, and even have a magic item shop open to the public on the ground floor.

Whether one is worldly or otherworldly, a hermit or a sage, we can't understand them. Looking back at the neon-lit sign, Zhang Yuan continued to stride forward, stepping onto the land where he first arrived in this world.

Old Habasser's grocery store was situated in a prime location, at a three-way intersection of three wide streets, with every road leading to the store.

Looking through that east-west street, at the end is the outer city gate of Baldur's Gate, with the ancient and imposing winding bridge stretching into the distance from the gate.

Even a carefree guy like Zhang Yuan couldn't help but feel a sense of longing as he strolled across the bridge, holding onto the railing and looking down at the Chongsa River flowing westward into the sea.

Finally, he gazed eastward for a moment before leading his teammates towards the southwest district, where the Flame Fist Guild headquarters was located, and...
Ska's squad's base.

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(End of this chapter)