Alex and Zuri leave the city of Epaimir and head to Demitris. They depart early in the morning, at the first rays of sunlight.
Both Zuri and Alex are armed with short swords, wearing light clothing for easy movement, and carrying a few potions in case they need healing or a boost along the way. Zuri carries a small bag with food, while Alex has a bag containing a mattress for sleeping, fire-starting gear, and other essentials.
Zuri is excited because he can now travel and explore new places. The adrenaline rush of being able to use magic, just like in the books from his old world, makes him feel like he's in a movie. He laughs joyfully. He no longer worries about being abandoned—he has accepted his fate and eagerly looks forward to meeting his new family.
Of course, a small fear still lingers within him—the fear of being enslaved by the rulers. However, he trusts that Alex will help him when needed until he becomes like him, a master of dark magic.
Alex would prefer to travel by carriage, but carriages from Epaimir to Demitris only run once a week, and they would have to wait three days for the next one.
However, staying in Epaimir posed a greater risk than traveling on foot to Demitris, which is why they chose not to wait. Alex wants Zuri to make the most of the journey as they walk south from Epaimir.
Along the road, Zuri sees fields of grain and fruit, such as grapes and barley. He also notices workers harvesting—enslaved peasants. They have the same apathetic appearance as the citizens of Epaimir, but they seem even sadder. Their sunburned skin glistens with sweat as some work with hoes, preparing the soil, while others gather what has already sprouted. The extent of the fields is immeasurable, stretching beyond the city walls.
The slaves wear chains that prevent them from using magic or escaping, their weight making it impossible to run.
As they reach the borders of Adon's lands, officials stop them. The control is strict—if not for Alex's title, entering and leaving would have been a serious problem. Adon enforces rigid rules, and everyone who enters or exits must be recorded by the city guards. Zuri notices guards around the fields accompanied by massive wolf-like dogs, two meters tall and muscular, ready to hunt down anyone who tries to flee or trespass. He begins to understand the cruelty of Adon.
"If only something could be done," he thinks. "If I could help somehow, as my tribe once believed."
Alex secures permission to leave. The guards are suspicious of the boy, but Alex provides the name of the family Zuri is joining. Recognizing the family as prominent merchants in Demitris, the guards allow Zuri to pass.
The sun is now fully up. The sky is clear, with no clouds in sight. The autumn air is crisp, and the countryside of Epiria smells fresh. The road is lined with medium-sized shrubs, and in the distance, a dense forest blocks out much of the sunlight. Despite the depressing sight of the enslaved workers, the landscape outside the city is breathtaking.
In his previous world, Theodoro—now Zuri—was not much of a traveler, so he has few memories of forests. His world was a dull, gray landscape of concrete buildings. The beauty of nature lifts his spirits, and he sighs, determined to make his new life in this world meaningful.
Alex glances at Zuri and says:
— "Alright, it's time for your training, Zuri."
— "My training? Now?"
— "Yes. We're going to cut through the forest and rejoin the road ahead."
— "So, it's a shortcut?"
— "Yes, a shortcut. But not just that. We'll also be practicing gravitational magic by jumping between tree branches."
— "Jumping from tree to tree using gravitational magic? If I increase gravity, the branch will break, and if I decrease it, I'll lose momentum. Is that the lesson?"
— "Zuri, you figured out the challenge of gravitational magic right away! I'm impressed. That means you'll pick it up quickly."
— "The process is simple," Alex explains. "When you jump, aim at a 45-degree angle and reduce gravity—not too much, just enough to reach maximum height. Then, on the way down, increase gravity and reduce it again before landing on the next branch."
— "Do you understand the concept of angles?" Alex asks.
— "Yes, I do. I think I get how it works, but I don't know how to use gravitational magic yet."
— "Then that's where we'll start."
— "Gravitational magic can be applied to objects or people to alter their gravitational force. You can make your body heavier or lighter, increasing the power of your punches or making yourself light enough to dodge attacks by floating."
— "But there's another way to use gravitational magic, a technique discovered recently by my master—'teleportation.' She's a great scholar of magic and became a Sage of Dark Magic by creating new spells."
— "That's amazing! I want to meet her one day!"
— "That depends on how things unfold. I can't promise anything."
Alex says this because once Zuri completes his training, he will need his help, and his master is involved in what lies ahead.
Alex explains the formula for gravitational magic. It must be visualized and memorized so that, once learned, Zuri can use it without repeating the process each time.
Zuri concentrates, forming the formula in his mind. Around his body, he can see the air shimmering. The sensation is similar to when he extended his mana outward.
After two hours of effort, Zuri manages to float, but he has little control. His body starts spinning and falling.
— "Yep, all normal." Alex reassures him, meaning that Zuri is learning at an average pace. "Actually, you're progressing a bit faster than usual for someone your age."
— "Alright, let's do this instead. Zuri, climb on my back while I carry my bag with one hand. We'll cross the forest like that, okay?"
— "Okay!"
Zuri climbs onto Alex's back and holds on tightly. Alex ties a rope around them to keep Zuri secure but remains careful not to overdo his movements.
By now, it's nearly 10 a.m. Alex starts moving through the nearby forest. He jumps from a sturdy branch, angling his ascent, then increases his weight to accelerate downward, reducing it just before landing on another branch.
Zuri is astonished by Alex's endurance and wonders to himself, Will I ever be like that? I must work hard to get even close to this level.
As Zuri gazes at the breathtaking view from atop the forest, he reaffirms in his heart:
It was worth reincarnating in this world. Even though my life was good in the other world, my only regret was not seizing opportunities. I won't waste this second chance—I will treasure the life I have now.
Around 1 p.m., Alex decides to take a break to prepare a meal for them.
Zuri speaks to Alex in an admiring tone:
— "Alex, you're so strong! You kept jumping nonstop for hours. How long have you been training?"
— "Hahaha! Thanks for the compliment. But all of this comes from a burning desire I had after an incident."
— "Sorry to ask, but what incident?"
— "A friend of mine died."
— "I see..."
— "Actually, I lost several friends. But there was one person who was especially important to me, and she passed away tragically," Alex says, his tone melancholic.
— "She had a dream, and I made it my dream too. Since then, I've been getting stronger every moment so that when the time comes, I can make that dream a reality."
— "Oh… I see," Zuri says, looking down. "Can you tell me what that dream is?"
— "I can't say yet. It's not the right time—it could distract you from your studies in Demitris. Just focus on learning for now."
They finish their meal, but the scent of food in the forest attracts monsters—goblins emerge from one side of the woods. They are small, about Zuri's height, with pointed ears and yellow skin. Armed with swords, they approach in a group of three.
Alex pats Zuri on the shoulder and says:
— "Here's your training. Ready to exercise those muscles?"
Zuri gulps, starting to sweat. He grabs the sword from his bag, takes a deep breath, and responds:
— "I'm ready!"
As Zuri moves toward the goblins, they charge at him.
Zuri leaps backward and casts Fireball, but the goblins dodge the attack. The fire ignites some trees, but since the area lacks dry vegetation, it's not a major concern.
Alex warns Zuri:
— "Zuri, avoid using fire magic unnecessarily."
— "Understood!"
Zuri dodges the goblins' attacks, jumping from side to side. He observes their sluggish movements and devises a plan. Within minutes, he finds a solution—he lures the goblins to the center of the forest, knowing that Alex is nearby in case he needs rescuing.
He starts running in circles, gradually drawing the goblins closer to the middle. Once they are exhausted and positioned where he wants them, Zuri takes a risk—he uses gravitational magic to perform a backflip in midair and casts Fireball again, this time channeling more mana into it.
Alex is impressed by Zuri's cleverness and the way his Fireball spell resembles Infernal Flame.
The magic obliterates the goblins, and Zuri lands, nearly falling but managing to stay on his feet.
Alex asks him:
— "How did you make Fireball so powerful?"
— "I infused more mana into the spell."
— "But to do that, you need to train your ability to release mana essence. Do you already know how to do that?"
— "Yes, I read about it in my father's scrolls."
— "You must have released a lot of mana, but you're still standing—just tired. Normally, you'd be collapsed by now. Maybe you have a large mana reserve."
— "I don't know how much mana I have—I've never reached my limit."
— "It's good to find out in training. Mana exhaustion can put you into a coma for days."
They gather their belongings and continue traveling through the trees toward Demitris.
As the sun sets, Alex searches for a campsite. Finding a suitable spot, he lands, scans the area for monsters, collects firewood, and lights a campfire. They eat and take turns keeping watch to wake the other if any threats arise.
Of course, Alex sleeps less than Zuri—the watch rotation is just to give him a little rest before continuing their journey.
As the sun rises and visibility improves, they head toward the road. Alex says they are close to their destination.
After crossing the forest, they descend. Alex stretches his body to loosen his muscles before they continue walking along the road.
But Zuri spots a carriage in the distance, surrounded by men.
Alex grows tense, realizing it's a robbery.
They are close enough to be noticed by the bandits. Upon seeing them, two bandits on horseback break away from the group, riding toward Alex and Zuri.
Alex hands the bags to Zuri and tells him to retreat until he is far enough away.
— "If they are too strong, I'll flee into the forest, and you should do the same."
Zuri runs, while Alex prepares to face the two bandits.
However, he doesn't anticipate one of them breaking off to chase after Zuri.
Alex tries to pursue the bandit who passed him, but a Stone Wall spell suddenly rises in front of him.
Now, Alex must hurry—he has to defeat his opponent and save his apprentice.