Michael put aside the memory crystals and other goods he obtained from Kraft Viton.
After handing Kraft a little bit more than 2000 Agriculture blueprints two days ago, the old man entered the Origin Expanse to give him everything he needed before they arrived in Meku.
Michael used the knowledge that had been imprinted into his mind to record books of vast knowledge into the memory crystals, which were then given to his hard-working Summons.
He made a short trip across his territory to take a look at the expanding Underground Forging Hall, the Relic of Draka, the Alchemy house – in which everyone was working hard to mass-produce potions and pills –, and the Enchanter's Lair before he left the Origin Expanse for the time being.
They were just about to arrive on Meku, and Michael was not sure how long it would take before he could enter the Origin Expanse again to focus on his training, and territory development.
Once Michael emerged from the Runic Gate back in his small cabin in the huge spaceship, he sat down on the chair, adjusted the three seatbelts that he tied around his body, and waited patiently as they landed.
He opened the crystal watch to take a look at the messages and information he'd missed out on in the last few days. Fortunately, he didn't miss anything important.
To ensure that he wasn't going to do anything stupid shortly after landing, Michael read through the guides they had received once again. He knew how to behave, and was fully educated about the traditional values of the Berserkers and the Warlock Centaurs, but it wouldn't hurt imprinting the rules deep in his mind once again.
As he focused on the guides that were written by someone who loved details way too much, Michael didn't even notice that the Tuar-type Spaceship initiated their descent onto Meku. Their descent lasted for close to two hours – which was mostly due to the protocols they had to follow –, but Michael didn't notice anything.
He was engrossed in the detailed guides and the messy thoughts flashing through his mind and only realized that they had arrived when Kraft Viton spoke to him via Whispering Energy.
"Why are you not leaving the cabin? Is something wrong, or are you too stunned to move?" The old man teased, pulling Michael out of his trance.
Michael was first confused, only to be stunned by the bright sunlight shining through the window to his right. He squinted his eyes and looked outside, curious about what he had missed out.
"What the…" He blurted out, his eyes widening in shock as a majestic view manifested before him.
A humongous, majestic city appeared in his view.
But that was not all. The city was not only humongous but also like nothing else he had ever seen before.
The Tuar-Type spaceship landed on top of a flattened mountain range right next to a behemoth mountain that pierced through the clouds easily.
And adjacent to the mountain lay the city. It was a city that blended elements from both ancient and modern times, a seamless fusion of history and technology.
The city's architecture was a striking tapestry with ancient structures constructed alongside sleek, contemporary skyscrapers. Cobbled streets wound through districts where historic stone buildings adorned with ornate carvings stood shoulder to shoulder with glass and steel marvels that pierced the sky.
It looked odd at first glance, but Michael felt that the city had its own charm. He was drawn to the buildings and couldn't take his eyes off the magnificent cityscape. It was just like the old man said. Michael felt like his pair of eyes weren't enough to observe the marvel that lay in front of him. He even activated Eagle Eyes with several layers of Enhancement to see the fine details of the city that lay several thousand meters below their current position on the flattened mountain range.
At some point in time, Michael was pulled out of his seat. He saw Alice Zenovia glaring at him, only to sigh deeply.
"Since when are you that easily distracted by buildings?" She asked with a little annoyance in her voice.
If it was anyone else, she would have sent her attendants to bring them over, or she would have glared coldly at them until they wished they could disappear. However, Michael was a little different.
"Oh…sorry…I was just fascinated by the fusion of several eras displayed in the city's infrastructure. It looks like some of those buildings have witnessed the passage of time for thousands of years…" Michael mumbled while following Alice, who pulled him out of the cabin.
She grasped his wrist tightly almost like she thought that Michael would disappear the moment she let go of him.
Michael let her do as she wished while trying to take hasty glimpses outside the windows they passed by. The mixture of ancient and modern times was something that intrigued Michael. He could clearly see the dense energy currents intertwined in the old buildings and had thousands of questions but no answers.
He wanted to ask Alice some things but they had already left the spaceship when his lips parted to voice out his doubts. Alice Zenovia let go of Michael before pointing to Kaleb, who walked over to her.
Alice said something to Kaleb, who raised an eyebrow before his eyes flicked to Michael. He nodded afterward and approached Michael.
"Did you really become a daydreamer during the last few days?" Kaleb asked teasingly, "Though, I have to acknowledge that Piloq looks quite nice. The city certainly has its charm."
Piloq. That was the name of the city at the foot of the mountain range.
Michael smiled and nodded his head in excitement.
"I wonder who came up with the idea to combine the eras," He mumbled, earning a glance of doubt from Kaleb.
"You do realize that the Colosseum in the academy is also a building from another era, right? Piloq has just more buildings from another era, mostly because the Berserkers and Warlock Centaurs worked together to build Piloq hundreds of years ago. It's the founding city of the alliance between the Warlock Centaurs and Berserkers. They've been working together to build and expand Piloq over the course of centuries – and it's the city where the Tritan Alliance was signed," Kaleb explained while looking over to Lincoln and Zeke, who joined them as well.
"Piloq is also the training grounds for the Berserkers and Warlock Centaurs' youngest generation. The strongest of them spend their prime in Piloq, using the Ancient Origin Structures to temper their bodies, minds, and Souls. The Colosseum in the Academy cannot compare to the structures and effect of the Ancient Structures the Berserkers and Warlock Centaurs brought over," Zeke said in his monotonous voice.
Lincoln agreed and added with a little bit more excitement, "And this place is where we'll be training for the next three months to prepare for the Interdimensional Flag War…well, after we've been selected as participants during the Battle Exchange. We'll be given several chances to enter the different Ancient Structures, one way or another. It's one of the benefits we've been granted as members of the Battle Exchange."
After listening to the descendants, Michael felt like he was a fool. Well, he probably was a little foolish for not knowing what Zeke and Lincoln talked about.
He knew what Ancient Structures were, and that Ancient Structures could naturally produce origin energy and release it into their surroundings. However, given Lincoln's excitement, Michael figured that he lacked a lot more knowledge about Ancient Structures than expected.
'Filling my brain with the Laxarta Library, Old Languages, and Ancient Ruins' knowledge doesn't mean I'm all-knowing. I get it…' Michael grumbled to himself, shaking his head at his own stupidity.
He didn't think that it was embarrassing to lack knowledge. It would only be embarrassing if he stayed foolish and ignorant despite knowing that he lacked knowledge. Learning was a never-ending process in everybody's life, and Michael never expected that he would know everything.
Nonetheless, it was quite interesting to learn about Ancient Structures that had been collected in the Origin Expanse's ancient ruins and brought over to train the younger generation.
"Piloq is called the Ancient City of Blood, Sweat, and Tears for a reason, you know," Kaleb said, nudging Michael's elbow when he realized that his friend was too stunned to say anything.
Michael's lips curled but he didn't say anything. Instead, he listened to the three descendants as they descended the mountain range.
Until now, Michael had yet to see a Berserker or a Warlock Centaur. He was pretty sure that they weren't hiding, but he didn't expect that none of them would appear to welcome them to their city. It was a little odd in Michael's opinion – even though it had been stated in the guide he read earlier.
The Warlock Centaurs and Berserkers wouldn't welcome their allies – not if they were in an alliance. After all, the Tritan Alliance turned the three races into one big family according to the customs of the Warlock Centaurs and Berserkers. And it was not necessary to pick up your family at the airport, not if they knew the way home themselves.
There was a long-winded staircase leading down to the foot of the mountain. It had thousands of steps the students and Professors had to walk down to reach Piloq.
It was a long way down, but Michael didn't even feel anything. He was more focused on the humongous city beneath him, and the sounds that filled his entire surroundings, especially those coming from above.
Slightly disturbed by the sounds from above, Michael looked high up into the air. Following that, his steps slowed down and a wry smile was plastered on his face.
"It looks like the others arrived," Kaleb mumbled, while Michael kept staring at the eight spaceships that began their descent.
