The Gate Traveler

I wanted to store the boat, but there were people around all the time, so finally, we locked the boat tight, paid extra at the marina for additional security, and took a taxi to the outskirts of Shanghai.

Opting for a more adventurous mode of transport, we took out our bikes and set off, Rue bounding alongside us. I reassured him, “We’ll find a more spacious trailer for you, buddy,” he expressed his approval with an affectionate lick on my cheek.

Once we got to Dayu Village, we headed straight to Malu Grape Theme Park, the Gate’s location. The park was pretty laid-back, with a small lake that caught the sunlight, surrounded by rows of grapevines heavy with fruit. There were goats lazily grazing near the entrance, adding to the rural charm and, sadly, the rural smell, and a museum that looked like it hadn’t seen a significant renovation in a while but still had that local, homey feel. Unfortunately, the place was super crowded. Families picnicking, kids running around, and tourists snapping photos of every inch of the place. The Gate wasn’t exactly front and center, but not hidden either. Two towering stones in a far-off corner were the anchors, just far enough to be out of casual view but still too close to all the foot traffic. Definitely not as discreet as we would’ve liked.

I told the gang, “Hide me with your bodies.”

I brought out a blanket, food, and drink, and we had a picnic. It was a lovely day; we talked, laughed, and overate. Rue made friends with the children who visited the park and with some parents, and we waited for it to empty. Towards evening, the number of people finally decreased, and we could approach the Gate.

 

Travelers Gate #368217850 Destination: Trastom Status: Integrated Mana level: 43 Threat level: Moderate-high

 

“This might be a good place to collect crystals for the boat,” Mahya said, glancing around the park with a hopeful look in her eyes.

“Not a good idea, too many people,” I replied, shaking my head slightly as I scanned the crowded area.

She sighed, her brow furrowing in frustration, but she gave a reluctant nod after a moment.

We cast Invisibility, popped in and out, verified that we were alone, and became visible again. We opted to spend the night in Dayu Village since it took us a few hours to get there from Shanghai.

After returning to Shanghai, we took a train to Suzhou, and Rue immediately shouted, “Movie! John! Promise!”

I set him up with my laptop, and now he was binge-watching the John Wick movies. He was distraught in the first movie when they killed John Wick’s dog, shouting, “No! No! Kill! Dog!” I thought he would stop watching, but he overcame the disappointment with a lot of shout-grumbling and continued with the series.

After booking our hotel rooms in Suzhou, I turned to Mahya and Alfonsen. “There are nine classical gardens here that I want to see. Do you want to join me or find something else to do?”

“Do we have the time?” Mahya asked.

“There are no new messages on the captured Traveler’s thread, and I don’t intend to pass up this opportunity,” I replied, my tone firm. “I read about those gardens in the past, and I’m visiting them, one way or another.”

Alfonsen shrugged. “I want more workshops,” he said.

“I’ll join you,” Mahya answered, giving me a small smile.

After I signed up Alfonsen for fifteen workshops back-to-back, Rue, Mahya, and I explored the classical gardens. Each day was like stepping into a different world, where nature seemed to shape itself perfectly for the eye and spirit. The first garden had stone bridges arching over clear ponds and koi swimming beneath delicate willows. It was impossible not to feel a sense of peace there; I stood still for a long time, just absorbing it, feeling like my worries evaporated with the light mist that clung to the water’s surface.

We moved from garden to garden, each one offering its unique atmosphere. In one, tall bamboo clicked softly in the breeze in a quiet, hypnotic rhythm that lulled my mind into a calm state. Another garden, with meticulously pruned bonsai and rock formations that mimicked mountains, made me feel like I was standing in a live painting. In these moments, I let my mind wander, the weight of our journey lifting off my shoulders as if nature offered me a sanctuary.

I took pictures—dozens of them—but none could capture what I felt. The balance between stone, water, and greenery was more than just beautiful; it was a subtle reminder that even in chaos, there’s harmony somewhere.

Those gardens had a unique quiet, different from the silences we’d shared on the river cruise. We had still been part of the world, sailing through it. Here, though, it was as if the world stayed outside the gates of the gardens, and only we entered. It wasn’t just me who felt it. Mahya and Rue seemed just as affected. Mahya, usually full of ideas and teasing, walked through the gardens serenely, as if deep in thought, her hands occasionally brushing against the leaves. Generally bursting with excitement, Rue trotted quietly by our side, his telepathic voice quiet, like even he was content to let nature speak for once.

During those two weeks, we barely spoke, which was unusual for us. Instead, we listened—to the birds’ song, the wind’s rustle, the soft whooshing of streams, and the occasional murmur of leaves. It felt like the gardens told us a story only nature could. When we finally finished touring all nine, I felt like something inside me shifted. I felt renewed, lighter, and surprisingly optimistic.

Until then, I was impatient to leave Earth and stayed only to buy stuff and raise my Gate count for levels. Those gardens made me shift my perspective. I was on an endless journey without a defined destination. I had no reason to rush, no place I needed to be. It was a journey of discovery, of myself and the cosmos—discovering magic and knowledge, friendships and adventures, and seeing beauty and destruction. With at least 750 years to live, or maybe even a millennium if I raised my Vitality enough, I had nowhere to rush. The cosmos wasn’t going anywhere. It would still wait for me when I was ready to continue my journey.

For the first time, I understood Earth was also part of the cosmos. Or rather, I’d always known it, but this was the first time I internalized it. I hadn’t truly traveled this world before my trip with the gang. After Sophie’s death, I traveled around Europe but saw nothing. My grief absorbed me to the point where I directed all my attention inward. I saw what was around me, but didn’t really see.

Now I saw it!

I felt myself expanding. It wasn’t the expansion I felt when my mana increased. It was an expansion of viewpoint, of perspective.

I had nowhere to rush!

Even this world, which I had so much negative charge against, was fascinating in a unique way. It was chaotic and polluted but also diverse and full of wonder. It was another part of the cosmos for me to explore and experience. This understanding, this grounding, anchored me in the present moment of NOW.

The past was dead. I had lived it, experienced it, learned from it, and licked my wounds. Lis’s friendship had healed those wounds into scars that no longer itched. They were just memories of a past I had experienced and left behind. The future unfolded before me like an empty canvas that I wasn’t in a rush to fill. It would come at the right time. What mattered was now: the experiences, the friends, the progress, the learning, the achievements, the laughter, and seeing the incredible things humanity could create.

At that moment, I became a real Traveler. I remembered Lis’s speech to Lyura, about what it meant to be a real Traveler, and for the first time, I truly understood.

My sensei is wise.

The thought made me snicker, but it was also true.

With that newfound perspective, Mahya and I wrapped up our tour of the gardens. We returned once more to the Master of the Nets Garden, the location of the Gate, while Rue stayed behind at the hotel to finish watching the last John Wick movie.

When we got to the garden, Alfonsen looked around, his eyes widening as he took in the scenery. “Perhaps I should have accompanied you. The sight is truly breathtaking,” he said, his tone almost regretful.

“At least you earned points,” I pointed out with a grin, patting his back lightly.

“Indeed, my current count exceeds fifty,” he replied with a proud smile.

I gave his shoulder a friendly squeeze. “We’ll see many beautiful things in the future, but if you want to delay a day or two and do a quick tour of the gardens, I think it won’t be a problem.”

He shook his head, waving off the suggestion. “There is no need for it,” he said with a slight shrug.

We touched the Gate:

 

Travelers Gate #368217851 Destination: Trastom Status: Integrated Mana level: 43 Threat level: Moderate-high

 

Mahya turned to me, her eyes hopeful as she asked, “What about using this one for crystals?”

“Judging by how these three Gates are close to each other,” I began, glancing around the garden, “I think the third Gate will also lead to Trastom. The garden here may be a little emptier than near the first Gate, but there are still too many people around, and I don’t want to risk them seeing us. The best idea is to check the third Gate, and if it leads to the same place, we’ll decide based on the traffic which gate we’ll use to collect crystals. I completely agree with you—it sounds like an excellent source of crystals, but I’m not willing to put us at risk.”

“Yeah, you’re right,” she said, kicking a nearby stone and sounding frustrated. “I just want my baby to be perfect.”

I smiled and hugged her shoulders, squeezing gently. “It’s already perfect. It just needs a few bells and whistles.”

Her shoulders slumped, but she nodded.

We took a train from Suzhou to Hangzhou, and on the way, I checked the Archive. I saw a new message from Lis, but it wasn’t a continuation of the thread of the previous messages but a completely new one.

 

Tr. LM “Inventor, Versailles, Hungry, Clueless” Hello, my dear friends, John I don’t need to ask dragons; I know the answer. Rummage through the books I gave you and look for a book with a tree on the cover. There are many books with trees, but this tree is different. It has three orbs of power—between the branches, in the trunk, and the roots, and throughout the entire tree, there is a drawing in gold of lines that are very similar to our mana system. Two lines also cross it: one above the roots and the other below the foliage. The book is called The Three Levels of Mana Control. In addition, look for the thickest book I gave you; It’s even thicker than the Cambridge dictionary you gave me. On the cover is a drawing of a man with a staff and an animal resembling a cross between a bear and a rhinoceros. The name of this book is The Travels and Adventures of Marbus. I don’t recommend reading the book because you might get to some of these worlds, and the book will be a spoiler, but look for a chapter towards the middle of the book called ‘Creating A Stronger Connection’ or ‘Establishing A Stronger Connection’ or something like that. He describes there how he started channeling mana through his familiar. I hope it helps you. And tell me how the rescue goes. Mahya Order the following books: Lighter Than Air Systems by Dhwanil Shukla, Principles of Aerostatics: The Theory of Lighter-Than-Air Flight by John A. Taylor, Lighter Than Air Concepts: LTA-crafts by Sascha Hissler, and Structures Technology for Lighter-Than- Air Vehicles by T. E. Hess. John had those books, but I took them. I’m sure you’ll find a lot of ideas there on how to improve your balloon. I’m glad you’re traveling and enjoying yourself, and I completely understand your fear of flying with the rising mana levels. Until next time, with friendship and admiration Lis, aka Inventor

 

I scrolled down to the original thread and saw the reply that Mahya had written him.

 

Tr. MN “Versailles, Hungry, Clueless, Inventor” Thank you, Spirits! We finally heard from you. John was going crazy with worry. I have little to add beyond what John told you above, except to show off that after the boat overhaul, the Guidance offered me the Magicaneer Class for a mere one point. Of course, I didn’t take it; I intend to get it for free. As for Alfonsen, John hasn’t realized it yet, but the novels he’s reading aren’t just vampire-werewolf romances but steamy gay romances. I look forward to the day John finds out to see his reaction. When it happens, I will describe it to you in great detail. I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself and always happy to hear from you. May your road be smooth and full of amazing things. Mahya, aka Versailles

 

Below Mahya’s message, there were numerous messages from various Travelers. I scrolled page after page, and it didn’t end.

 

Tr. MK Please give me the Gate chain to reach the dragon’s realm; I have been looking for them for ten years.

Tr. FP Please thank the dragon on my behalf. I was stuck for years in Mana Immersion at the master level, and her tip of the golden rule helped me progress to Mana Oneness.

Tr. JD He’s a liar. There’s no such thing as the dragon realm.

Tr. BI Can we get the chain of Gates to get there?

Tr. CT Don’t be cowards. You don’t need Traits over 200; over 100 is enough.

Tr. OV What is a Wizard’s magic, anyway?

Tr. XP Dragons are idiots; who cares about books?

Tr. RM Please pass on a warm greeting from Rustin Mobest, to the dragon Shumirxis in the world of Gogmathompsonixsious, and let him know he was right about the world cores.

Tr. ME What are world cores? You can’t leave us hanging like this.

Tr. WL Please ask the dragons: I’m trying to build an airship navigation system for a world with no land but islands hanging in the air with strange mana between those islands. The only way to travel there right now is on the backs of gigantic birds that fly between these islands. The mana has the Turbulence, Void, Annihilation, Desolation, and Devour aspects. How do I overcome it? Everything I tried gets destroyed.

Tr. QM Is it possible to get a Gate chain?

 

It went on like this, page after page after page. I imagined Lis’s face when he opened the Archive, and I started laughing out loud. I couldn’t stop snickering occasionally as we traveled to our next stop.

In Hangzhou, we checked in at the hotel and explored the area the following week. We wandered through temples where incense hung so thick in the air that breathing was hard. Climbed pagodas that gave us sweeping views of the lake and strolled through gardens bursting with colors and smelling of flowers. We even hopped on boats to visit islands—some natural, others man-made, but all equally peaceful. On those days, Rue stayed at the hotel with a movie. He still refused to even come near a wobbly boat. Alfonsen tagged along this time, and his excitement was hard to miss. Whenever we reached a new spot, his eyes lit up like a kid discovering a hidden treasure.

I remembered Mahya’s message about the books Alfonsen was reading and decided I didn’t care. He could read whatever he wanted and be interested in whomever he wanted. I suspected that Mahya, the trouble-making imp, wanted a more dramatic reaction from me and was very disappointed when it didn’t come.

After a week of sightseeing and hundreds of photographs, we visited the Gate. It was in a secluded spot, about half a kilometer from the lake shore.

 

Travelers Gate #368217852 Destination: Trastom Status: Integrated Mana level: 43 Threat level: Moderate-high

 

Mahya kicked my leg lightly and asked, “How did you know it would lead to the same place?”

“I didn’t know for sure,” I admitted with a shrug, “But suspected based on the other Gates. Those three Gates are very close to each other.”

“That’s a great location. We can go in and out easily without being spotted,” she said, turning to Alfonsen with a grin. “Want to help us harvest some mana crystals for the boat?”

Alfonsen raised an eyebrow. “Do you possess information on a potential site for the procurement of mana stones?”

“No,” Mahya said, shaking her head. “John can harvest them from monsters.”

Alfonsen looked at me wide-eyed. “Truly?”

I nodded, and he gave me an impressed look.

“Let’s do it tomorrow, okay?” I suggested. “Tonight, let’s treat ourselves to a fancy dinner. I want to get pampered before I have to fight monsters.”

They both laughed and agreed with that plan.

We had dinner at Panorama Signature Restaurant & Bar, drank too much, and told Alfonsen about the dungeon we cleared in Tuonela. He told us about dungeons he cleared to get his Heavy Warrior class. It was a fun evening, with lots of good food, drinks, and laughter, and Alfonsen was becoming a friend.