Iya Continent: Card God

"Hugo...Academy?" Linta repeated Shia's words, somewhat bewildered. "Where is this place?"

Both Jingon and Goblin Stone showed a hint of surprise. "Hugo Academy? That strange academy in the Land of Belial?"

Linta was even more confused: "What's going on?"

Shia looked at Linta and explained calmly.

To the southeast of the Kingdom of Modly lies a territory called "Belai," where not only is the renowned city of Belai found throughout the continent of Iya, but also an academy called "Hugo." It's a "strange" academy; whether you're a genius or a fool doesn't matter. This academy only admits unusual students. These unusual students later became celebrities and honored guests in various kingdoms.

"There are places like this?" Linta understood somewhat.

Jin Gongyan said, "With your talent, you would be sought after by any academy in Iya. There's no need to go to that strange place. Although you are indeed quite strange."

Shia said indifferently, "You're the strange one. I can go wherever I want."

"Tch, who cares about you!" Jin Gong said angrily, crossing his arms.

Linta scratched his cheek and said after a moment's thought, "Since you've made up your mind, you must have your reasons. I don't know the situation either. Anyway, take care."

The elven girl's sharp eyes shone brightly like the moon, piercing the indescribable sincerity of this human man. Without a ripple of emotion, the girl responded with a soft "Mm."

……

"Gone, gone just like that, how swift of you." The figure disappeared from the room in the blink of an eye, and the dwarf Jingon said with a touch of emotion.

Lin Taxiu frowned, her thoughts returning from the distant sea of ​​her mind.

His gaze fell upon the remaining companions.

"Everyone, what are your plans after this?"

The magic-suppressing rings have been lifted, and everyone is now completely free.

However, I am different from them. This is not my home; I have no home to return to.

“I plan to stay in Sandel City for the time being. There are many things I need to know and many things I need to learn,” Linta said sincerely.

Magic, spells, magical artifacts, races, kingdoms, continents, and even wondrous cards—there are so many things, unprecedented and unknown. It's not the time for me to go on adventures right now.

I need to learn and grow, and one day I will begin to travel throughout Oia.

Jingong laughed and said, "Haha, your choice is a good one. In this city, if you need anything, just ask Stone. Don't be shy, you're his savior. He has to help you!"

The goblin stone retorted, "Didn't I repay a debt of gratitude? I even removed the magic-suppressing ring for you, and I gave you all the items too."

“It’s just removing a magic-suppressing ring! Can it be compared to a life? Besides, Linta didn’t even want your magic-breaking artifact. It’s just a bunch of junk, who cares about it!” Jingon retorted gruffly.

"Whose magical artifacts are you calling rubbish? Yours are the real scrap metal!"

The two then began to argue fiercely.

Amidst the argument, Pinecone said gently, "I'm going home. I've been away from home for too long..."

Linta looked at the pine cone and nodded slightly. "Yes, going home is fine."

With a slight frown and a hint of worry, he said, "Are you going back by yourself? Human traffickers have always had designs on your bear-people race. Your home is in the Magic Kingdom, is that far? Do you know how to get there?"

Pinecone stared blankly. "How do I get there?"

Linta was slightly speechless. Ah, as expected, he had no idea how to get back.

He was only 8 years old, and his tribe had always lived in the forest and had little interaction with other tribes.

"Garra garra! Garra!" The little fishman put on a black cloak and said something cheerfully.

That black cloak was the one the goblin Stone had chosen from the house.

Pinecone listened to Gua Gaga's words and slowly explained, "Gua Gaga said he would take me back."

"Huh?" Linta's eyes widened in surprise.

"Gaga, you're sending him back?"

“Gala!” The little fishman nodded in response to Linta.

Linta stood there, completely frozen in place. "If I remember correctly, you're only 3 years old? What? A 3-year-old trying to take care of an 8-year-old? While you might not actually be children, your minds are practically those of children..."

"Haha, then you guys keep an eye on each other on the way. If anything happens, just run away!" Jin Gong said with a big laugh.

It wasn't laughter of mockery, but laughter of approval.

Linta was even more bewildered. What? You agreed? Are these two okay?

The goblin Stone pulled a magical compass-like device from a drawer. He turned the pointer, wisps of magic flowing within it, producing a crisp, rhythmic sound. He then handed the device to the pine cone, saying, "I've set the direction; it will always point towards the Great Forest of Pinot. Follow it, and you won't go wrong."

Pinecone licked its lips and happily picked up the magic pointer.

"Quack! Quack!"

Linta looked at them with a troubled expression and asked solemnly, "Are you really sure you're okay?"

"Gala! Gala!"

“Yes, no problem, we can go home,” Pinecone said.

Jin Gongyan said, "Don't worry, the Bear Clan and the Fish Clan are different from us. Besides, when traveling through the mountains and forests, if the two of them are together, it's others who should be careful."

Linta roughly understood that every race that had survived to this day on the continent of Iya had its own way of survival. Moreover, since escaping the prison, everyone had become stronger without even realizing it. Besides, now that the anti-magic ring was gone...

"Copperhammer, what about you! Are you going to stay? If you stay, that lousy skill might starve you to death." The goblin Stone looked at the bearded dwarf Jingon and said mockingly.

"If I stay, I can take over the entire city's foundry business!" Jin Gong declared.

Linta looked at Jingon and asked, "Jingon, what are your plans next?"

Jin Gong's eyes narrowed, and he exhaled slightly, "I have a grudge that I must avenge."

Linta's thoughts wandered, recalling some of the things Jingong had mentioned.

He was framed, which led to his arrest and near being sold into slavery.

Jin Gong gritted his teeth and said, "Damn it, you've made me suffer like this." His agitated tone softened slightly as he muttered, "But not now. I need to forge some weapons, and I'll settle accounts with you after that."

The goblin stone said dismissively, "You, still thinking about going back for revenge? I advise you to wake up. If you could get revenge, you wouldn't be in such a miserable state."

“What do you know! You green-skinned dwarf!” Jin Gong shouted.

"Who are you calling short! Shorty, barrel-shaped!"

"I'm talking to you! Four-Eyes!"

Linta let out a soft breath, her eyes softening with understanding. Everyone has their own things to do: study, return home, seek revenge. Without fulfilling their desires, they will only stagnate on the path forward.

This is a magical world, the continent of Iya, where only the strong can stand with dignity.

I don't know why I came into this world. But since I'm here, I must move forward. If there's no road, I'll forge one!