There were 3 days until the Battle Force of the Aether tower in the Headquarters recruited new members for themselves.
Ning was guaranteed a spot already, but he still wanted to be there in time to see its proceeding.
If he felt like it, he would go through the selection process as well. After all, he didn't really like the thought of his peers thinking he was a snobby, rich brat that might have entered because of his father's money.
After saying goodbye to Waxil, Hans, and the various other members of the tower in the Freelands, Ning got on a carriage with Alexis and left.
Alexis wanted to take the carriage and see the world, and Ning didn't deny her of that.
She was really dying, her nightly disappearance now lasted well into the mornings. Ning wouldn't keep her from fulfilling what could essentially be her final wish.
He was really grateful for her teaching him so many things throughout the last 2 years.
The carriage, which once again, was just a simple cart, drawn by 2 horses at the front, went up the mountain, and down it.
Ning watched the cart go through the dirt road of the Freelands for nearly half a day before it arrived at the Jesnal canyon.
However, instead of going through it, they took the other road to go towards the Principality of Losmana.
Like the Freelands and the Republic of embers, the Principality of Losmana was also part of the old Serian empire, before it broke off into the 4 regions.
The old Serian Empire had taken over nearly half the world. Even after breaking off, it was still the biggest powerhouse in the world.
Especially, since the Aether Tower originated from there and had its headquarters there.
Given how close the Aether Tower's creators were with the original royal family, it was understandable how they were so strong.
'I thought the brother and sister had done great, but that kid Zand outclassed them both, huh?' Ning thought with a smile on his face.
Zand, through the plants Ning helped him produce colors had furthered his income so much so that he was able to leave the small town close to the Peak of Aftermath, and went all the way to the then Pestonia empire.
When Pestonia and Kloako empire fought in a war, with the help of Famir and Mavenna, he further increased his standing so much so that he ended up being the person to end the war and unite the two empires.
Bringing forth the Serian empire.
Another half a day passed and they reached the Principality of Losmana. The horses kept on pulling the cart for the last 36 hours. Even if Ning had half a brain cell —which he didn't. He had at least 2— he would still have found it weird that the horses didn't need food, water, or break whatsoever.
Ning decided to do something that Alexis had taught him not long ago.
He focused his concentration and Aether flowed into his eyes. Raw Aether with no changes whatsoever.
When it reached his eyes, his vision slightly changed and a haze of purple appeared on his vision.
At the same time, he saw a purple glow around the horses as well. A rather stark purple glow.
'I see,' Ning thought. Those weren't normal horses, but rather Aether beasts.
Alexis had invoked light around the horses to create camouflage for the horse-like Aether beasts to look like normal horses.
"You can control Aether Beasts?" Ning asked her. She was the one who had prepared the cart, so he assumed so.
"No," Alexis said. "They are my children and they do what I ask of them."
"I see," Ning said. He turned to look outside of the cart. Many other carts and carriages moved alongside them towards the various cities in Losmana.
Most of them were merchants going around places to buy and sell the food that was grown in Losmana.
Being in the plains, the principality had one of the most fertile lands in all of Vilmore.
Ning watched trains move along the train tracks far from him and wondered if he should take them. That way they could reach the Serian Empire in half a day.
But he chose not to. Even if it took 2 days, taking the scenic path was likely the better choice in his mind.
Half a day later, he went through the Vedel city, the capital of Losmana, and half a day later, he was close to the border of it.
Around dawn on the next day, he crossed over to the Serian empire and saw a massive change in the infrastructure of the society.
The roads were pitch black, houses tall and made up of all stones. Light posts were placed all over the city that lit up all the way until the sun came up.
Ning looked in awe at the city. Living for nearly 2 years in the Freelands had made him forget just how advanced Vilmore had come to be.
Ning could even see what looked like a car running through the streets. Although, he couldn't see if there was a person on the inside controlling it.
Ning's cart stood out so much in the modern street that most people couldn't help but check who it was.
When they saw Ning, they didn't think much. But when they saw Alexis, they couldn't help but wonder why such beauty was in such a desolate-looking cart.
"I will leave now. Go to the capital and do what you need to," she said and vanished from her spot.
Ning realized that she must have over-exerted herself by trying to stay with him for the last 2 days.
She would need some time to… recharge.
Ning absentmindedly stayed in the cart and even dared the sleep as the beasts took him along the smooth road all day long.
He only opened his eyes when night came along. He looked at the surroundings and based on the number of mountains, realized where he was.
Just a couple of more hours, and he would reach the capital.
