Leveling up the World

Chapter 453: World of Stone and Clouds

Chapter 453: World of Stone and Clouds

Mind your head, Jiroh said as they made their way into the small building.

Back on Earth, Dallion would have called it a storage tunnel, though here it was the equivalent of a shack or cottage if one wanted to be extremely generous. Since they had the ability to control air currents, furies predominantly used two types of materials: cloud matter and stone. Anything made of wood or metal was considered too much effort and reserved for the well off. For some reason, that made Dallion think of the fantasy myths hed read online as a child. There it was said that elves didnt get along with metal either.

Just put her there. The fury pointed to what passed as a bed etched into the stone wall. It was going to be extremely uncomfortable by human standards, but beggars werent choosers, and it wasnt like Dallion had any warm feelings towards the mage. While she appeared helpless and unconscious now, she had still tried to kill them.

Gently, he placed her in the sleeping alcove then looked around for a place to sit. Although not particularly small, the room was quite empty. Or rather, it was filled with various cloud objects stacked on one another or placed on stone shelves, as if he had walked into a cotton factory.

Yep, this definitely isnt fit for anyone but furies, Dallion thought.

Are you sure well be okay here? Dallion asked, still looking around.

No one has come here since my grandparents, Jiroh replied. Most of the stuff is old or trash, so they wont Just sit down, she said, annoyed. Ill make a chair.

There was a slight moment of hesitation, but Dallion did as he was asked. The moment he did, he felt that there was something beneath him. It felt like a water chair, but without the chair; or rather, like one of those inflatable pieces of furniture. Definitely an experience that needed getting used to, although it did the job.

As he tried to adjust, his eyes fell on the stacks of clouds, wondering how they could go old. From his perspective, they looked almost identical. Clearly, furies had different standards.

So, whats the plan? he asked. I havent been able to enter my realm or anything else here. I cant sense area guardians either.

I havent tried, but I think itll be the same for me. What possessed you to follow me? Id have told you this isnt a place for humans.

It wasnt planned. Dallion had thought back to the moment many times and he still couldnt figure out exactly what had happened. He had replayed the final moments dozens of times in his mind, and still couldnt come up with anything concrete. At this point, he wasnt even sure whether the entire scene with the Moons wasnt a case of him losing consciousness and imagining it.

By any logic what happened shouldnt have happened: Dallion had split into instances in order to fight the mage at the same time Jiroh was pulled back to her world. He should have been able to choose an instance to become reality, but instead it appeared that one was chosen for him.

Is there anything I could eat here? he asked. Furies dont survive on air alone, right?

We eat, Jiroh chuckled, though her smile faded away soon after. Most of my family are farmers. Thats why we live on the ground.

I take it thats a bad thing?

Thats where the expression dirt poor comes from. Only those who cant afford it live in girt. Crop yields are good when you can influence the weather. In most cases, furies only swoop down a few times per week to check on things and then during harvest. Those without the means just stay on the ground and do all the work there.

So, this is your world, Dallion sighed. Back in his mind, he thought it would be a lot differenta lot more magical and full of adventure and mystery. In truth, it could be said the world was very much like Earth, only developed in a different fashion.

Also, he still couldnt picture Jiroh as a farmer. In Neorsal, he imagined her anything but that. She was the epitome of adventure: the fury that did pretty much whatever she wanted, a hunter that roamed the wilderness with ease, a royal princess by adoption with the power to scorch entire neighborhoods if she wished. Here

You gave up all that for this? Dallion looked at her.

So, what do we do now? he asked.

The mage didnt say anything.

Cant say the same for you.

Are you kidding me? The mage frowned.

Dallion didnt respond.

You really dont know? she asked after a while. Try awakening.

Part of our powers are sealed. I know.

That includes magic.

That made Dallion look at the mages fingers. While her hands were still tied, the fingers were unmistakably free.

Damnit! Dallion thought. In future he had to be more careful. If circumstances had been different, the mage would have been free and he most likely dead.

Ive been trying to cast a spell for a while. Nothing works.

By the sound of it, only the supernature skills were limited. That gave Dallion the clear advantage. His body trait was clearly superior.

Congrats on sending Jiroh away. You wont get to enjoy it long, though. Harm me and the circle will get you in a month. Let me go, on the other hand, and maybe Ill be able to explain things away. Youre a rising star, after all.

The circle? So, there were indeed several mages involved. That was bad, but at least it gave Dallion a hint of what he was dealing with. Judging by the feat still within her, it might have even been involuntary. Considering her state, maybe now was a good time to check if his music skills were still effective.

Sure thing, he said, adding calm and overconfidence in his voice. All I have to do is let you go?

Thats right. Ill even vow to the Moons.

Go ahead. Dallion crossed his arms. Either his skills had worked, or the mage was really desperate. Either way, he waited for her to finish her vow, then untied her.

The woman wasnt grateful in the least. Massaging her wrists, she got up and walked past Dallion, as if he were a houseplant.

So, where did you take me? she asked, heading towards the door. Some underwater cave?

Not exactly. Dallion followed her.

When the mage reached the door of cloud, she glanced at Dallion, giving him a smirk, then walked out. Mere seconds later, she rushed back in again.

What did you do? she reached to grab him by the collar. While her reaction speed was high, her body movement was almost sluggish in comparison, allowing Dallion to grab her hands before she could reach him. You took us out! Now were stuck here and theres no way back!