Chapter 21: You Can Count On It

* Clang Clang *

An alarm sounded, produced by the ringing of a copper plate, waking Leylin up from his deep slumber.

He opened his eyes. A hint of sunlight shone through the window, landing on Leylin's shoes.

"It's already morning?" Leylin got up, hastily washed up, and went outside.

"Good morning!"

"Good morning! Leylin!" Beirut had two dark circles around his eyes and kept yawning.

"The conditions here are the worst! There are actually fleas and fungi on my blanket, my god! I cannot remain here for a moment longer!" Voices of complaint sounded from time to time.

"The 5 magic crystals are missing since yesterday! who stole them?!"

Besides complaint about their lodgings, there was also complaints about their missing magic crystals both outside and inside the area assigned to the Abyssal Bone Forest Academy . One particular person that was missing their magic crystals were...

"Professor?!"

"Scary!!!"

"Quiet, he might hear you."

"My spare magic crystal is also missing!"

Even Jayden who stayed quiet most of the time was frustrated right now.

Magic crystals were valuable to the acolytes.

These acolytes were all of the noble birth and their daily accommodations had not been lacking but now that not just their lodgings but also their magic crystals were lost, it's no wonder there's chaos outside and inside of the tents.

Some even thought that the acolytes with lower aptitudes stole them. It's good that all of the one's recruited into the Academy except for Jayden were all having a great time last night or else someone would openly accuse Nyssa and the others of stealing. Even Leylin might get accused carelessly but since everyone was in the dining hall that night, they could trust each other to a certain degree.

Today, everyone was lacking sleep and had dark circles around their eyes proof that they stayed late at night talking to each other in the dining hall.

Although Leylin could not sleep at the start, he had managed to fall asleep later in the night. Right now his vigor was greater than the others, and he still had an inclination to walk around but wasn't planning to anymore because of the atmosphere outside.

The whole campground seemed to be bustling with activity but more than that people who were complaining openly. Even though they knew they might not get their crystals back but people tend to vent when unfortunate things happened to them. There were many who were taking down the tents, and the floors were littered with rubbish.

Leylin was surprised Seely was nowhere to be seen right now-

"Morning bro" A hand clasped Leylin's shoulder. The action almost gave him a fright.

"Morning! Have you been there all this time?"

"Yeah haha Sorry for scaring you like that."

"It's okay I was just a little surprised. Did you hear about the stolen magic crystals?"

"Of course I did, the noise outside is too loud to be ignored."

"Yeah let's just hope this mess doesn't affects us."

"Yeah but don't worry we gave artifacts not magic crystals."

"Yeah... but that might just be the very reason they'll suspect us."

"We don't have any magic crystals except for the 3 crystals we have each so it's fine."

Seely already planned everything so that they won't get caught. He wouldn't want to lose his chance to enter an academy, right? Luckily the system is undetectable. If a powerful person bet his whole fortune that he can find the system... We'll that would just be like giving donations to the others.

After Dorothy calmed down and finished his thorough investigation on us. We were forced to pack our things and prepare to head out. This is the day we leave.

As Seely and others silently walked around, many thoughts crossed his mind. "Every year at this time, there will be batches of acolytes risking their lives to come here and walk on the path of a Magus. And right now, this is just my starting point!...but still I wonder how powerful that thief would would be if he could steal even from those powers Magus undetected?"

"Yeah... I think he's very powerful right?" Seely just shamelessly praised himself again.

"Yes. Very. To the point it's scary. Let's just be grateful our magic crystals haven't been taken."

"Yeah." Seely of course wouldn't have the storage capacity or the intention to take all the magic crystals in the camp. First, he hadn't have enough time yesterday and today they were leaving. Second, it would be suspicious if they were the only that had magic crystals in this whole encampment.

"Gather around! Gather around! Everyone gather according to your academy, and the respective professors will take charge! Do not wander off!" A white-bearded geezer shouted in the centre of the campgrounds.

His voice, however, was extremely piercing to the ears, as he used some kind of magic to make it resound throughout the camp. Seely even thought that he might've also stolen some magic crystals to this old man without knowing it since his voice was so loud and full of strong intonations.

'This has a much higher pitch than a trumpet from the previous world!' Leylin rubbed his ears, which felt like they had been trampled on, and hurriedly went towards the Abyssal Bone Forest Academy gathering area.

"Alright! How are we going to leave, by ship?" Leylin looked over at the distant blue seas with boundless horizons, but there were no traces of any ships.

"Not only there are no ships, from a geographical point of view, we are not in a suitable location for a port." Leylin was filled with suspicion.

"I guess so? However, it might take another half a year to get to another continent!" Beirut scratched his head.

Seely already know that they will be flying to get there but if he didn't need to change something then he wouldn't bother. If something change in this timeline because of too many changes he did then he'll just lose his advantage using the chapters.

"Transportation in the ancient times is a little too behind in technology, needing around 1 year just to travel to school. Time cannot be wasted just like that; it needs to be used efficiently!"

Leylin touched the 3 magic crystals that he had snatched from Ourin, which was in a leather pouch hung around his waist, seemingly deep in thoughts.

"Taking a boat? What naive thinking!" A frosty voice travelled over, bringing ridicule along with it.

"Jayden?" Leylin looked at the approaching black robed student.

"We are close to the Death Seas; any random fish in it is able to kill a Knight! Not to mention enormous beasts, and even ancient creatures, they all loathe the ships of humans and often bring storms and waves to them. So we would just be courting death if we were to take a ship!"

"A fish with the ability to kill a Knight?" Leylin widened his eyes. Right now he was still a preparatory Knight, and if what Jayden said was true, he would die if he were to fall into the sea?

Leylin delved into his subconsciousness and retrieved his body statistics.

[Leylin Farlier. Strength: 1.9, Agility: 1.9, Vitality: 1.9 Status: Healthy ]

In the Great Plains of Death, Leylin had analysed the wolves' flesh and had also belatedly discovered that their eyeballs contained a special component that complemented the Knights' breathing techniques, so he had collected many of those eyeballs.

And with the contribution from these direwolves, Leylin had now reached the limits of a preparatory Knight.

According to the analysis of the A.I. Chip, when the stats have all reached 2, they have twice the strength of an average adult and is also at the bottleneck of a Preparatory Knight. Only by igniting their internal life energy can they get over this bottleneck.

Clenching his fist tightly, a strong force was controlled within his palms.

"Right now, if I were to hold a cross blade, I have the confidence to fend off against a squad of common soldiers! But even a Knight whose strength is above mine cannot defeat a mere fish in the Death Seas?"

Leylin was a little skeptical of it, "It could be that Jayden has exaggerated things, but the Death Seas containing dangers that even apply to Magi is a fact!"

"A.I. Chip! Is is possible to scan the seas nearby?"

[Beep! The radiation surrounding the host body is excessive! Unable to scan due to an interference of an unknown force field!] The A.I. Chip replied.

"Radiation? Unknown force field?" Leylin looked at Dorotte, who wasn't too far away, and had some understanding.

"In this continent, the Magi population is scarce and there isn't much interference from radiation, so the A.I. Chip is able to scan up to a 20 li radius. But acolytes and Migi professors are present in this camp, which is why the interference is too strong, and hence, the A.I. Chip has limitations with its scanning abilities!"

"Right now, what is the furthest distance you can scan?" Leylin's face darkened.

[Beep! Precise scanning range: Within 300 metres radius from the host's body! Vague scanning range: Within 1000 metres!] The A.I. Chip intoned.

"Hu..." Leylin exhaled loudly, "Not too bad! This distance is enough to warn me of dangers! However, after reaching the other continent and the academy, this scanning range will most likely shorten once again!"

Hmmm.. the scan upgraded within the A.I. Chip? Then the system scan should have been upgraded too but a pity since the system scan isn't the equivalent of the inventory's distance. If it were I could take everybody's magic crystals in 3 to 4 sweep.

[To increase scanning range, please raise the level of the A.I. Chip!] A message was sent from the A.I. Chip.

"I can still level up the A.I. Chip?" Leylin was ecstatic.

"Raise level!"

[Beep! The energy required is lacking, please replenish!] The robotic voice sounded, and brought Leylin down from Heaven into Hell.

"Damn!" The A.I. Chip has already disappeared from my original body so how can I retrieve it to replenish energy? Then again, even if I managed to, where am I going to find the energy?"

Leylin held his head and recovered after a while.

"Forget it, since its level is able to rise, I can just find a way in the future. As for now, its current functions are enough for me!"

"What did Jayden say to you guys earlier?" A voice sounded and brought the absent-minded Leylin back to reality.

"Oh he suddenly became an informant." Seely said.

When Leylin recovered, he discovered that Jayden had left without him knowing, and Kaliweir was now beside him.

"What?" Kaliweir didn't know what Seely meant.

"He just spoke about setting off! I reckon he was bored, after all, not speaking to anyone all day is rather stifling!" Beirut surmised.

"In short, he gave information we didn't asked so an informant.. right?" Seely added.

"I think it's the opposite that actually happens." Leylin told back.

"Stifling? , that's true!" Kaliweir nodded his head and then looked at Seely. "We're about to set off, don't go anywhere now. If you were to board the wrong ship, it would be rather troublesome!"

"Shut up. It's not like I was the one who almost entered another's hut last night. hehe" Seely teased.

"I was drunk last night! Furthermore it was your fault for making us all drink while you didn't drink any!" Kaliweir shouted but wasn't angry. Kaliweir liked Seely's straightforward and honest personality.

"I told you I'm allergic haha." Seely replied back.

"Ship?" Leylin looked at the surface of the sea and still didn't see any signs of a ship.

"Haha!" Kaliweir laughed loudly, "Who said it had to come from the water."

"Look."

Following the direction that Kaliweir pointed to, Leylin and Beirut raised their heads and gaped.

Even Seely was amazed by the size even though he expected this.

On the horizon, 3 massive white ships were slowly floating towards them.

As the ship approached, a massive shadow covered the whole camp, and it seemed as though darkness had descended upon the earth.

"Uhmm brother... Why is your hand under my mouth?"

"Oh... you were so shocked I thought your mouth would fall hahaha."

"Stop being funny and it was just for a moment."

"You're saying that but you're still looking at the ship while talking to me. If you kept that up, your remaining magic crystals might just get stolen."

Hearing that, not just Leylin but others who still had magic crystals checked where they're magic crystals were. After multiple missing crystals was known to be stolen, they were very careful with their crystals. Some acolytes who still have their crystal even planned to put it in their pocket and just hold unto then until they boarded the ship.

"Thanks for reminding me, brother."

"No, problem." Seely was still acting innocent even to his brother.

The other people in the camp had also discovered the abnormalities, and many raised their heads, exclaiming in awe and shock.

"How is it? This is one of the Magus' mode of transport, a dirigible! We will be riding these soon!" Kaliweir said rather smugly.

"All these were just told to him by Professor Dorotte, so what is there to be gloating about?" Jayden reappeared out of nowhere and said blandly.

Seely was wondering if this Jayden cultivated any Stealth ability since he just appear and dissapear like a ghost sometimes.

"Dammit!" Kaliweir stamped his feet.

The 3 dirigibles constantly got closer and slowly lowered themselves onto the ground outside the camp, under the various cheers of the masses.

"En! They are rather similar to the blimps from my previous world, and each one has a very large aerostat gasbag on top of it, I wonder if they are filled with hydrogen gas?"

Leylin had some experience from his previous world, so he recovered from his astonishment faster than others, and pondered over the construction of the dirigibles.

The pure white dirigibles landed on the ground and let out thunderous growling noises.

The doors of the dirigibles then opened, and a few white-robed Magi walked out from them. There were also some movements within the camp, a few old geezers also walked out and exchanged words with them.

"Alright! Everyone bring all of your belongings and follow me. Don't wander off on your own!"

Dorotte had a black cloak on, and the silhouette of his body was concealed within it. He began to gather the students.

The acolytes of the Abyssal Bone Forest Academy all scrambled and ran back to their little wooden huts to fetch their belongings.

Leylin brought very few things with him. His belongings only consisted of a water sack, a leather bag, a cross blade hung from his waist, and a crossbow slung over his back.

Seely's equipment, a leather bag and a watersack was all he had. Except for his clothes and the 2 throwing knives the rest were inside his inventory for safe keeping.

The acolytes fervently left the campgrounds under the guidance of the professors of their respective academies, and they gathered into individual groups based on their academy.

"Alright! Listen to me! Pay attention to the names mentioned next! Ennea Ivory Ring Tower, Wetland Gardens Academy... All of you will board the dirigible on the right, numbered '332'. Don't miss it! Professors, please take note of the number, and acolytes, follow your professors!"

"As for Mercifura Academy, Kerita Academy...Your dirigible is in the center, numbered '955'." The voice continued.

"... Abyssal Bone Forest Academy, Sage Gotham's Hut... Yours will be the one on the left, number '455', don't mix it up now!"

As Leylin finally heard Abyssal Bone Forest Academy, he could not help but to glance at the dirigible on the left.

As he approached it, he realised that the dirigible was simply too enormous. The aerostat gasbag at the top seemed like a gigantic rugby ball, casting its shadow on the ground.

"acolytes of the Abyssal Bone Forest Academy, follow me!" Green flames flickered in Dorotte's eye sockets, and behind him were two figures, which seemed to be his servants or subordinates.

Leylin walked in the centre of the group and glanced around.

Under his keen observation, he noticed a few familiar faces from his travelling party. They also noticed him and smiled at him in response, also speaking to some fellows beside them. They all had excitement written across their faces.

At the far right, George waved vigorously when it was his turn to board the dirigible, and entered the dirigible.

Suddenly Seely shouted, "Don't die now Little Georgy!"

Seely's voice was so loud that other people turned towards him.

Leylin was shocked and planning to turn around since he was embarrassed by his brother's antics but too bad for him, Seely had a fast reaction thanks to his Agilty being so high. Seely took his brother and lifted him up like a baby and faced him where George was.

Leylin was so embarrassed he just wanted to knock his brother out and run first in the dirigible. Still with Seely's strength, how could he get away more so knocking him out.

At first George was shocked then annoyed by Seely calling him like that but after seeing Leylin turn red from embarrassment and hiding his face he just couldn't be angry and even laughed before losing sight of the two silly brothers.

Seely put Leylin down and to be honest, Leylin was already thinking of punching his brother in the stomach but before he could do that, Seely said something that made him forgive what he did.

"In this world, friends are good but only if they are alive. We might not know when we will see George again or even if we will all meet again so we should leave a happy memory. We don't want our last memory with George being about stuff like surviving in the Death Plains right? Then saying goodbye should be memorable. At least in somedays he will have something to be happy about when he remember us."

"Yeah you're right... but still... why did you did that to me? " Leylin just couldn't totally forgive his brother like that. It was his image.

"Why that? Well you don't know all these people. Most of them might even die in the journey to being a Magus so what's the point. Also... I just like to tease my brother! hahaha You only live once after all."

"I swear you've changed since we've travel."

"Oh did I? Well... I think it's simple. Isn't it because I was too weak to even walk for a few minutes in the past? I'm not saying I've changed but it's more like, I can do more things with my body. Have more energy to smile and be happy. Have more energy to act wild and free. I can now afford to laugh without tiring myself that much. I don't want to go back to that Seely who can't even go out to get some food and be a burden to everybody specially his brother. Thank you Leylin for not giving up ne me even when I was weak."

Leylin was surprised that his brother talked about that out of nowhere but he still listened. Leylin smiled. "Of course brother, you'd do it for me, right?"

"Nah"

"What?" Leylin suddenly got pissed off.

"Haha Just kidding. I will try my best to protect you even if you were the weakest human in the world." Seely returned the smile.

Leylin smiled again but thought of something.

"From today onwards, the acolytes will all go their separate ways!"

A hint of sadness surfaced in Leylin's heart, but it was suppressed very quickly.

" Hey, I'm still here. As long as we're together, we'll survive this world." Seely sincerely said.

"Yes, you can count it."