Steed Prime
After Morgana and the party of teenagers had safely exited Greenshade Woods, they found themselves in an expansive open field with a single dirt road that led away from the forest, which the group confirmed to be the one that would lead them to Scar Town.
Morgana took a moment to inhale deeply, filling her lungs with fresh air. With the towering trees of Greenshade Woods no longer obstructing the sunlight, she could fully appreciate the day's beauty. She looked up at the clear sky, feeling a sense of tranquility wash over her.
"I was thinking of traveling quickly, but I actually want to enjoy some of this sunlight. I haven't had a tan in quite a while, you know?" Morgana said playfully, her arms stretching outward. She accessed her 'Admin' interface, scrolling through the options with a hint of mischief in her eyes.
After a brief moment of browsing, Morgana pressed a button, causing a small obsidian open cart to materialize on the dirt road. The cart featured six plush seats, exuding an air of comfort and luxury. Its sleek design boasted four obsidian wheels and two extended poles at the front.
Morgana positioned herself at the front of the cart, her Admin interface safely closed. She raised her arm confidently and spoke the incantation, "Mount: Steed Prime." An arcane circle materialized on the ground before her, crackling with electric energy and materializing a mechanical-looking horse in front of her.
The horse's body gleamed with the presence of blue crystals embedded within its frame, each emitting a pulsating magical aura. The largest crystal sat proudly atop its head, serving as a majestic crown, while waves of blue and green energy cascaded down its form, mimicking the flowing mane of a traditional horse.
With the reins securely fastened to the horse, Morgana, who sat at the front with Angie beside her, motioned for the group of teenagers to climb aboard the obsidian cart, who settled at the back seats.
As the horse started pulling the cart along the dirt road, its pace was steady and gentle, allowing everyone to sink into their seats and bask in the invigorating breeze while listening to the relaxing sounds of the hooves against the ground.
"Umm, Lady Morgana… What is that thing, exactly?" asked Angie as she gazed at the metallic, shining steed.
"It's called a 'Steed Prime,' they sell them at the Arcanum Empire… Quite impressive, isn't it?" she explained. These mechanical horses were manufactured by engineers and mages together, and the blue crystals that emanated the magical energy from their bodies served as their power source.
The Steed Primes were highly sought after due to their exceptional qualities.
These horses never got tired, didn't need to get fed, and the energy that emanated from their bodies kept monsters below level 30 away from them — making it one of the safest mounts someone could use in low-level areas.
"They sell something like this at the Arcanum Empire? How much would they even sell it for?" muttered Ray, the brown-haired kid.
"Well, it cost me fifteen-thousand aetherium. Although, I don't know if the prices would be the same after all this time…" answered Morgana with a playful smile, shocking the teenagers with the amount she had just uttered without a single care.
"But anyways, I wanted to ask you kids something," Morgana's tone turned more serious, her gaze focused on the group. "What are your plans?"
Ray, the leader of the party, spoke up. Their current goal was to reach a country called "Veridian," supposedly established by the tricksters that remained after the Trickster War, and the place that was home to Veridian University, the world's most renowned training ground for adventurers.
As aspiring adventurers, the teenagers saw enrollment in the university as a means to draw closer to their dreams of becoming strong enough to protect their loved ones.
"I see… So they ended up creating a whole country…" muttered Morgana. "Show me where it is…" she requested, again opening her world map.
Scar Town was located at the southern border between the Gremoria Empire and the Western Confederation, separated by a range of mountains and a wide river.
The teenagers explained their plan to cross the mountain range and reach the city of "Liebel," where they could board an airship that would take them to the southern part of the Western Confederation. Given the expansive territory, airship travel was considered the fastest and safest method of transportation.
Once in the Western Confederation, they would have to navigate through another set of mountains to reach Veridian. "That's quite a journey," Morgana remarked as she studied the location on the map that Ray indicated. "But I suppose it's in the same direction I'm going, so… how about I join your party for a while?" inquired Morgana with a smile while promptly closing the map's interface.
"Y-you want to join us?" asked Ray, the leader, with some uncertainty.
"Yeah! I can help you get there safely, and I'll split ways with you after. Of course, I'm just offering my help so you don't have to say yes…"
The party of teenagers exchanged quiet looks with each other before Angie spoke her mind.
"I'm fine with that!" she exclaimed. "Lady Morgana saved us all, and… Somehow, I feel like we can trust her!"
Conrad nodded in agreement. "I'm also on board with the idea. I think it would be interesting to learn more from Lady Morgana…"
"Well, if you guys are okay with it, then I don't mind either…" said Kaede, the black-haired girl, before she and the rest of the party turned their gazes toward their leader.
Ray glanced at Morgana's scarlet eyes brimming with confidence. "Then, Lady Morgana… Will you join the Freebird party with us!?"
The trickster giggled and gave the teenagers a nod. "I'll join you. Although, you guys can stop calling me 'Lady Morgana.' It sounds way too formal…"
"Then how about 'big-sis Morgana!'" exclaimed Angie with excitement.
Morgana blushed, seemingly embarrassed for the first time since she had met the party of teenagers. "Sure, that's fine with me…"