Milinda took a peek into Professor Vienna's office to check whether she was in.
"What are you doing? Come in." Professor Vienna chuckled. "All your paperwork is done. So, once you've set up your schedule, you can join the classes. Anything you want to ask?"
"There is one, actually." Milinda playfully walked to Professor Vienna's desk and whispered, "I've been looking around, but have you seen him?"
"Him?" Professor Vienna shook her head helplessly. "If you are looking for that kid, he's not here right now. From what I've heard, he's currently traveling to another city."
"What?" Milinda was taken aback.
Professor Vienna shrugged. "Why are you surprised? He's with his teacher, so it's normal to visit some places. There isn't much to do in the first four weeks anyway."
"Is that so?" Milinda thought for a moment. "But has he told you anything about setting up the shop, maybe here?"
"Nope. There isn't much support from the department. Additionally, his shop is not far from the campus. It won't be much different from visiting his shop or his workshop on campus, especially since his shop has better facilities than any workshop you can set up here."
"Not much support? For him?" Milinda was baffled.
Professor Vienna shrugged. "Well, let them think that way. You can just focus on your studies for the time being."
"Am I making a mistake by transferring here?"
"Not really. It's not like you are planning to join the Evolution Department, right?"
"Yes. I'm planning to join the Combat Department and the Elemental Department."
"Then there's no problem."
Milinda let out a long sigh. "Fine. I guess I will just familiarize myself with this place first."
Professor Vienna didn't say anything and just stared at her back as she walked away. In her most desperate moment, Auric had extended his hand to help her, so it was natural for her to have some attachment.
"Well, just let them sort it out. I'm too old to handle this matter." Professor Vienna shook her head helplessly.
…
Meanwhile, Auric was dumbstruck, looking at his teacher.
He had just arrived at the airport and found his teacher in full vacation mode. She was wearing a sleeveless white shirt and a black skirt reaching halfway to her knees.
The clothes might be modest, but the rest was not. She was wearing big sunglasses, with her long purple hair tied into a ponytail, and even bringing along four big suitcases.
"Teacher…" Auric blinked in disbelief. "We are only going for a few days, right?"
"Of course. Here, have some cola."
"…" Auric sighed before grabbing the cup while asking, "Should I help you with the luggage?"
"I've been waiting for you to say that, my student. Look, I've been waiting for you in a place where no one will see us." Maya smirked.
He had shown his space element to her before, so she must be expecting him to store her luggage.
Auric took another look around. Only after confirming there was no one around did he put the luggage in his Space Storage.
Then Maya waved her hand, asking Auric to follow her. "Let's go."
"Teacher, let me pay you back for the ticket," Auric said while walking next to her.
"It's fine. I should do that much as your teacher."
"But the price is quite high. I should at least pay for my own seat, considering I proposed this trip." Auric opened his phone. "Let me transfer the money to you."
"I told you that's not necessary." Maya waved her hand. "But if you really want to pay me back, then you can transfer fourteen million to my account right now."
"Sorry?" Auric's eyes were wide open. "What are you talking about? The seats should be around four hundred thousand."
Maya simply waved her finger, asking him to follow her.
They were walking toward a more secluded area.
"Where are we going? Aren't we supposed to head there?" Auric pointed at the crowd, waiting to board the plane.
Maya didn't say anything until they arrived at another gate. She then took out a black card with a golden wheat symbol on it.
The moment the employees saw the card, they were shocked at first before bowing their heads.
"Welcome, esteemed guests."
"We are together." Maya pointed at Auric.
"Of course. Allow me to guide you to your seat."
They immediately headed down to the gate and were brought to their plane by a private car. The airplane looked different from its design a hundred years ago.
It no longer looked like a bird. Rather, it was shaped like a boat.
There were multiple giant turbines on the sides that allowed the boat to float in the air and a pair of engines on the rear.
With the current state of the world, the airplane was required to have some means to protect itself. That was why the boat shape had become popular.
Many weapons were mounted in all directions to eliminate any creatures coming toward them.
Auric entered the boat-plane with a confused look, wondering what his teacher was trying to do. But it was soon clear that they were not heading to economy class. They even passed business class and first class.
"Teacher… Isn't this…"
"VVIP." Maya winked playfully. "Cool, right?"
"What? VVIP class?" Auric's jaw dropped. "Isn't it impossible to even get this kind of seat?"
Maya chuckled before showing the black card. "Judging from your reaction, you really don't know me, don't you?"
"Are you talking about the 'Adjudicator' thing that Mr. Kevin talked about?" Auric tilted his head.
"No. I'm talking about the name 'Relesha.' Does that ring a bell for you?"
Auric thought for a moment before shaking his head. "No. Let me check."
Auric tried to find out what 'Relesha' meant on the internet, only to be shocked by what he found.
The Prestigious Relesha Family. A family that owned the Taurus Group, with members in various fields of study and government positions.
Auric opened his mouth in disbelief.
Maya chuckled. "You are really not that interested in the outside world. That's good too. Anyway, just know that I'm not so poor that I will take any money from my student."
Auric smiled wryly while thinking, 'Teacher Maya… Ellia Stroph… Why are the people around me so rich?'
Maya walked toward the glass window. "All right. To my clueless student, let's have a small history lesson, shall we? What is the current state of the world?"
Auric answered, "The animals have taken over the world. There is only 15% of humanity left in the world, and that number is gradually decreasing. However, amidst the apocalypse, people united and created three major bases. They are the Western Union, European Union, and United Asia."
Maya nodded. "Right now, the world is in such a sorry state that we can't even travel however we want. There are only two modes of transportation left."
"Yes. If we want to visit another city, we have to go underground or fly. Flying is a faster alternative, but it's quite expensive due to safety concerns," added Auric.
"It's impossible to travel by sea, and it's extremely difficult to travel on land. Do you know why?"
"Yes. The sea is still the most mysterious place in the world. We know outer space better than we know our oceans. And of course, the beasts within the sea are much more ferocious, and humans have a hard time fighting underwater. As for the land, well, beasts."
"Indeed. Sea travel is impossible. On the other hand, the land is filled with ferocious beasts. However, it may be hard, but it's not impossible. Not all people who experience a boat-plane crash end up dying. Some of them are able to reach the nearest city by fighting off all the beasts in their path."
"Yes. This is why the underground train is considered the first and most preferred option. They are cheaper and safer."
"Underground magical beasts are not as ferocious as the ones on land or in the sky. They may create a nest underground, but they will have to excavate the soil in their own way. When they find a reinforced structure, they are most likely to avoid it."
Auric raised a finger. "Of course, it's not impossible that they choose to destroy it as well. There are many cases of the tunnel collapsing."
"It looks like you have some basic knowledge at least."
"Well, I do have all that knowledge. I am just not interested in politics. I study basic economics a little bit, but I don't bother with all the wealthy people out there."
"So that's why you don't know my family." Maya fell into deep thought. Before she continued, the boarding process had finished, so the pilot announced their departure.
Auric couldn't help but take a look outside. This was the first time in his life that he had flown.
Considering the state of the world, 60% of the population never really left their city. Traveling was extremely expensive and dangerous.
Even if they left, most people would go by the underground train instead of flying in the air.
He could see his city from the air. It was a pretty big city surrounded by natural terrain and huge walls. Although a massive outbreak was quite rare, small skirmishes happened once every few days.
So, the walls were necessary to prevent any beasts from entering the city.
But ignoring all that sad fact, Auric couldn't help but mutter, "It's beautiful."
"You can fly around the world if you get even stronger and make yourself even more famous." Lindwurm encouraged him.
Maya didn't see Lindwurm, so she only reacted to Auric's words. "I'm sure that the city can't keep you forever. There are plenty of opportunities to experience something like this in the future."
"Yes. I'm looking forward to it." Auric nodded with a serious expression. He knew that leaving the city was just a matter of time. In fact, if people knew he was a unique element evolution master, they would gladly fly thousands of kilometers to reach him.
Auric opened his mouth, wanting to ask a question, but the words were stopped by the vibration from Maya's phone.
Maya raised one finger as if asking him to wait for a moment while picking up the call. "What is it?"
"That's not how you should greet your grandfather, right? That's not how I taught you!"
"…" Auric was startled. The one calling her turned out to be her family.
"Does it really matter?" Maya rolled her eyes, annoyed.
"Fine, fine. I can forget about this, but I have just received a notification from your card. It appears you are flying to another city. Are you insane? You are supposed to stay in Thunderer City for a few years and aren't allowed to leave that city during your probation."
"Tsk." Maya clicked her tongue.
"Oi! Answer me right now."
"I'm taking my student to experience another city."
"Student?" His tone abruptly turned soft. "You mean… personal student?"
"Yes."
"I see…" He paused for a moment. "Your personal student. You have a personal student. Youuuu?"
"Why are you so surprised? Can't you even believe your own granddaughter? And you expect to have me act like a good granddaughter to you? You old geezer."
"Fine. If that person is really your student, I will help you get around it. Don't worry. No other adjudicators will come to you to send you back to Thunderer City." He paused for a moment, but both Maya and Auric could hear him shouting in the background. "Grandma, my dear. Our Maya has gotten herself a disciple!"
Auric was rather speechless. He could hear the excitement in that voice.
Meanwhile, Lindwurm spoke. "She… is using you, isn't she? She wants to leave the city for a while. No wonder she is bringing all that luggage. She is using you as a justification to leave the city."
Auric chuckled inwardly. He replied to Lindwurm in his mind, 'It can't be helped. We get the benefits as well.'
"True."
On the other hand, the grandfather seemed to have returned. "By the way, is your student with you right now?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"Nothing much. I just want to speak with him for a bit."
"Are you going to scare him?"
"Why would I?"
Maya looked unconvinced, but she still handed the phone to Auric.
Auric smiled wryly and took the phone. "Hello, sir. I am Auric Elfe, Vice Dean Maya's student."
"You poor thing…" His tone was suddenly filled with pity, which stunned Auric.
"Sorry?" Auric looked at Maya, not knowing how to respond.
"Have you become a eunuch yet? Do you know that your teacher is—"
Before he even finished, Maya had snatched the phone back while shouting, "What the hell are you saying to my student, you son of a bitch!"
"First. That's not nice. Second, that means you are the great-granddaughter of that bit—"
Thud!