Chapter144-An Acquaintance
After Wales departed, it wasn't long before Howard heard the guard's voice: "Respected Mr. Howard, we have arrived at the teleportation array!"
Lifting the carriage curtain, Howard realized they had stopped before an altar constructed of wood.
A guard troop was stationed near the altar, on high alert.
At the very center of the altar was a raised platform -- evidently, the location of the teleportation array.
As Howard surveyed the altar, Ying Chan, supported by two maids, stepped down from the carriage.
Catching sight of Howard, Ying Chan was momentarily stunned before a slight blush tinted her cheeks, and she lowered her head.
Back at the entrance of the Chan residence, her mind had been preoccupied with her father and the sorrow of parting, paying no heed to Howard.
Now, after calming down during the carriage ride and resigning herself to her fate, she was taken aback by Howard's appearance.
At this moment, Ying Chan harbored no complaints.
After all, if she must marry, to be wed to a handsome man, chosen by her parents and elders, didn't seem too bad.
Unaware of Ying Chan's thoughts, Howard merely nodded slightly.
"How does this teleportation array work?"
Howard had never used a teleportation array before and, unashamed of potential ridicule, asked outright.
"Mr. Howard, everything in Crimson Dragon City belongs to the Chan family. You needn't worry about anything. Just step onto it, and our men will activate the array for you and the young lady, with the destination set to Adia City!"
The guard spoke evenly, neither servile nor overbearing.
Ying Chan also approached Howard, whispering, "You don't have to worry about these things. Father has already informed me. From today, I am to accompany you to live in Adia City. Moreover, I have obtained a letter from my father that grants me entry to study at Holy Abyss Academy."
Hearing all this, Howard couldn't help but be astounded; the power of the Chan family was indeed formidable!
Crimson Dragon City was so far from Adia City, yet a mere letter from the Chan family could swing open the doors of Holy Abyss Academy.
It was truly a shock for Howard.
One must know that many of the great family powers of the Alliance had to go through rigorous assessments to get their children into Holy Abyss Academy!
Could it be that the Chan family's influence was even greater than theirs?
This thought prompted Howard to ponder; if he ever faced danger in the future, perhaps he could leverage the power of the Chan family!
There was no helping it; Howard had been an orphan from a young age, without any background.
After facing many injustices, coming across such an opportunity, he naturally thought of his own benefit.
The maids and guards couldn't be taken to Adia City, so Howard had Ying Chan follow him.
They made their way unobstructed to the high platform of the altar.
The guards took out a fiery red crystal, crushed it, and a burst of intense flames erupted, which the altar then absorbed.
Buzz --
A violent trembling sensation emanated, and Howard felt a dazzling light flicker before his eyes, compelling him to turn his head and close his eyes.
Then, a terrifying presence descended, instantly overpowering Howard, rendering him immobile.
He couldn't even open his eyes, let alone expand his consciousness. He was bombarded with a relentless sense of tearing and weightlessness.
Time became a blur, and just when Howard was almost accustomed to the sensation, he felt his feet touch something solid.
In that instant, all restrictions vanished. Howard's eyes snapped open to find himself inside a bustling hall filled with clamor.
Quickly turning, he saw Ying Chan's form solidifying next to him, and he let out a sigh of relief.
Both had been successfully transported!
"Ouch."
Ying Chan let out a soft cry as her legs buckled, nearly collapsing, but she managed to steady herself against Howard.
Howard, with quick reflexes, supported Ying Chan. The touch of her skin was remarkably soft, stirring a flutter within him.
"Hey, you two over there, move along! If you don't clear out, others can't come through!"
A shout rang out, causing Howard and Ying Chan to change color. They hastily patted down their clothes and stepped down from the platform.
Once off the platform, Howard began to survey their surroundings.
The teleportation array here was similar to the one in Crimson Dragon City, resembling an altar-like structure.
The only difference was that this hall boasted five platforms, each in operation, with figures intermittently vanishing or appearing.
Clearly, Adia City was a bustling metropolis, hence the number of teleportation arrays exceeded those in Crimson Dragon City.
As more people arrived, Howard could no longer afford to observe.
Taking Ying Chan's hand, which was as smooth as white jade, he quickly exited the place.
Stepping outside, Howard realized they were on a street near the Holy Abyss Academy.
He had seen this building before but had not known its purpose.
"So it turns out, there's so much to discover within each city!" Howard mused internally. "If I get the chance, I really should explore the nearby areas!"
Resolved, Howard intended to lead Ying Chan back to Holy Abyss Academy.
However, Ying Chan, still very much a young girl and initially worried about being far from her parents, quickly embraced her new reality and her playful nature surfaced.
Clutching Howard's hand, she coaxed and cajoled him.
Margaret was quite mature, and Abby was well-behaved; Howard, who had never experienced such whimsy, found himself unable to resist and ended up indulging Ying Chan in a tour around the city.
After all, with over 2000 gold coins to his name, Howard felt quite the affluent man and didn't hold back.
They wandered for hours.
Only when night fell did Ying Chan begin to feel weary, yet she had no thoughts of returning to Holy Abyss Academy, instead insisting on dining out with Howard.
She specifically chose a quiet restaurant, but upon entering, Howard froze.
The owner who greeted them was none other than Margaret!
"Dear customers, would you like to try some... Howard?!"
Margaret's initial professional smile froze as her pupils sharply contracted.
She glanced at Ying Chan and her brows furrowed slightly, her mind awash with confusion.
Howard had not anticipated that Margaret's move to Adia City would mean setting up her own shop!
Reflecting on it, though Margaret was an awakened, her level was quite modest.
In a smaller city, she could serve as a mentor, handling administrative duties, but aspiring to be a mentor in a major city like Adia City would require reaching levels 60 or even 70!
Combat mentors at institutions like Holy Abyss Academy were typically around level 80.
To make a living in Adia City with Margaret's talents meant settling into the life of an ordinary person.
Understanding this, a wave of sympathy washed over Howard.
Ying Chan, surprised, said, "Did we just run into someone you know?"
"Come on in, you both look like you've had a busy day. What would you like to eat?" Margaret said with a smile. "I have noodles, grilled cakes, and some roast meat from fierce beasts!"
"Some of the roasted meat will do," Howard replied with a laugh. "Have you eaten yet? Join us?"
"Sure!"
Margaret readily agreed, eager for the chance to spend more time with Howard.
If it weren't for Ying Chan's presence, she might have even offered herself up on a plate to Howard!
Margaret went to prepare the food, while Ying Chan took a seat at the table with Howard, lamenting, "There are so few magic items for sale here."
"Even the equipment is subpar. Why don't you come back to Crimson Dragon City with me?"
Ying Chan wasn't foolish; she knew she needed to stick with Howard. If she wanted to return, she had to persuade him.
Howard chuckled, "Each place has its own environment. Most of those awakened in your area have magical talents, hence the abundance of magic items for sale there. Here, we have people from different cities coming to study or settle, so the variety of goods for sale is greater."
"It's places like this where you can meet more people and grow faster."
"Alright then," Ying Chan didn't expect her few words to sway Howard's thoughts.
She laughed off the seriousness and continued to make light conversation.
She was quite curious about the Holy Abyss Academy, bombarding Howard with questions.
Soon after, Margaret came out carrying a large platter of fragrant roasted meat.
Starved, Howard and Ying Chan didn't bother to inspect what kind of meat it was, and began to devour it ravenously.
Margaret took care of Howard attentively, patting his back and serving him soup with a tender touch.
Though Ying Chan was young and inexperienced, having barely left her home, she was not naive.
She sensed something amiss and fixed her bright, sparkling eyes squarely on Howard and Margaret.
Margaret, with a coy smile, did not retreat but instead puffed out her chest proudly.
Unaware of the relationship between Ying Chan and Howard, and knowing only of Abby's involvement with Howard, Margaret couldn't help but want to assert her presence upon seeing a new girl by Howard's side!
Th𝗲 most uptodate novels are published on free(w)ebnov(e)l.𝒄𝒐𝙢