My curiosity, for all its intensity, went completely unanswered.
I knew humans were disgusting on a primordial basis, hell even I was a "We're at the portal center. Let's get going Crow."
At that time, we were still in the central territories ruled by the World Government, no families had official ties here, and the Duchy of Disorder was quite a long way up north from here.
By car, we'd need at least 3 to 5 days, and i was fully expecting to go that way all the way, so imagine my surprise when we stopped in front of the portal center. A place where thousands of gold coins were used by the minute. That was how expensive it was to travel through space.
"No disrespect man, but there's no way in hell or heaven that I have the money for dimensional travels."
"Ah, no need to worry, just [sleep]"
"..."
"..."
"Was that a spell?"
"How the fuck... [Sleep]"
This time I felt it, my lids were getting heavier by the second, but clearly my reaction wasn't well received.
"The hell is wrong with this guy's body defenses? [Sleep.]"
That's all I heard before actually falling asleep for good. It seemed my [autocorrected body] skill was really something good, after all, my kidnapper was at the very least a Runner, to need 3 spells to shut me up was a good haul in my book.
*************************
When I finally came to, the scenery in front of me was nothing I could have ever imagined.
The capital city of the Duchy of Disorder, Merridion, was the exact opposite of what i ever imagined and then some more.
The streets were clean, gardens and patios everywhere, light sound of laughter echoed wherever I turned my face to, yet everything felt somehow wrong.
We started walking and the scene changed in front of my own eyes. Considering the route we took, we should have ended in front of a zen garden, but...
A river?
"Did you finally notice?"
"This doesn't make any sense. The streets change their destination?"
"Hahahahah! Indeed! Everyone that has never been in Merridion always thinks the city would be the embodiment of chaos, but how could we ever unwind if that was the case? However, it's also true that Disorder is in order here. You need to look beyond and know exactly where you're going, otherwise you'll just get lost."
At first glance, Merridion seems a paradise of calmness and relaxation. Zen gardens, ponds and patios were everywhere, but behind this mask laid the true face of Disorder: streets never led to the same path twice, gardens and bars mixed and exchanged places on whims and sometimes, even the river felt like it changed its own flow with free will.
"How the fuck do you unwind and relax in such a place? Everything here is wrong?!"
And that's when it clicked.
Everything was wrong, a mistake an error, if I could get used to this city, maybe I could get closer to my own path of power without much effort.
"You'll get used to it, the Academy is also here, so you better train your [Serenity] and get over it quickly."
We continued our walk, but in the spawn of a few seconds the scenery continued to change in a frenzy and I was at my wits end. I needed to focus, or I'd suffer permanent brain damage if I took another step with my eyes opened.
Focus, Focus.
My mind started to slowly clear itself, [Disillusioned] was putting its work in and I was finally able to breath, but just when I was ready to continue, we stopped.
"Here we are brother! Welcome to House Morvane!"
What stood in front of me was no castle nor palace, it was an extremely luxurious pavilion, similar to what one might think of when reading cultivation novels with sects and whatnot.
"In this world? With all the technology? This is House Morvane?"
"Hahahaha! Just enter and you'll change your mind."
And change my mind I did. As soon as we passed the archway, those beautiful pavilions morphed in mediaeval like taverns, and the deeper we went, the more modern the infrastructures became. Until we reached what looked like a 7stars hotel.
"there's a [confusion] spell at the archways that makes you perceive everything inside the main quarters the exact opposite of what one might think it looks like, what did you see?"
"I honestly thought we were in a martial sect."
"mhhh... well, that's not exactly far from the truth, but let's get going, we need to meet with some big shots! Give you the standard pills, make you scream your soul out and then start training. Also, in a week or so the young master should be back, that will be fun!"
"What's it got anything to do with me?"
"You'll see."
Whatever his game was, we made our way inside and at the reception two cute girls were ready to receive us even speaking in unison. Which was kind of creepy in my book, immediately removing the cute image I had beforehand.
"Welcome back, Master Théo."
Master? Is this guy cosplaying a blueberry actually a big shot himself?
"Yes, yes. I brought the miracle boy; can you arrange everything?"
They looked at me with unmasked judgment, clearly, my height and my pretty pointed ears instilled doubts on everyone. Not that i could do anything about it, I knew I was somewhat of a giant, but there were plenty of people taller than me!
Sure, they all belonged to the path of War, but that's another issue altogether.
I was almost ready to pull out a "take a picture if you like what you're seeing so much" out of my ass, but clearly my gaze revealed my intention, since they turned back to kidn- Théo and with their sweetest smile responded.
"Of course, the Elders are already waiting."
They then looked at me with a somewhat insulting smile.
"It is unprecedented that a mutt from nowhere links with the main path after all."
Oh, these bitches want to really die.