The Gate Traveler

On our third day by the Gate, I felt something was happening—I could sense the Gate activating. I waited for whoever was coming through… and waited… and waited. It was strange. When I went through the Gate, it was instant. But now, even though I knew someone was using it, it took a long time.

After about ten or fifteen minutes, I felt the Traveler’s presence. I could sense they were there, and a lot stronger than me, but I still couldn’t see them. I started getting anxious, but none of my usual indicators—Luck, Perception, or anything else—warned me. So, I kept waiting.

Then, about a minute later, the Invisibility dropped, and I saw it was a man. He had a smooth, youthful face, but something in his eyes made him seem much older. He was about 1.75 meters tall, lean, with tan skin, long black hair, and glowing green eyes. His face was unique enough that I would’ve thought he was interesting if I’d seen him on Earth.

We locked eyes, just standing there for a moment.

After a few seconds, he broke the silence and asked in English. “What are you doing here?”

“I think I’m waiting for you.”

“Explain.”

“I’m a new Traveler, and there are a ton of things I don’t understand, especially my mana. Once I raised my Luck attribute over 20, I could activate it and sense the direction I needed for something. I want to understand how my mana works, so I asked it, and it led me here.”

He seemed to relax and said, “If you are new, let me teach you some Travelers’ etiquette. When two Travelers meet, we say our name and where we are from; we do not identify each other. So, my name is Lissarom Munyon, but I go by Lis, and I am from Twisari, a medium-mana world so many Gates away from here that I do not think I have enough life left in me to return.”

“My name is John Rue, and I’m from the planet Earth, a low-mana, low-tech world you just came from.”

“You are John Rue? Let me shake your hand, and I will answer your questions without expecting an exchange.”

We shook hands, and I asked, “Why?”

“Your description of your world helped me immensely. Usually, I dislike tech worlds; they are too confusing. But with all the information you wrote, I could navigate it easily and even began to understand the logic of tech worlds for my future travels.”

“I’m glad it helped you. I tried to be as thorough as I could.”

He laughed, a warm, hearty laugh, and said, “A little too thorough, but more is better than less.”

I gestured toward the valley below and said, “I have a camp set up down there. Would you like to join me?”

He smiled and replied, “Gladly. Thank you.”

We climbed down the mountain to my Glamping tent, and he whistled appreciatively. “That is a nice tent.”

“Thanks. It’s like a mansion equivalent of tents.”

He laughed, sat down on one of the camp chairs, and asked, “You have a mansion of a tent, but why do you use folding furniture instead of sofas or armchairs?”

I wanted to facepalm and answered him sheepishly, “Because I didn’t think of it…”

He laughed again, got up, and summoned two armchairs. “Better, no?”

I nodded, feeling a bit embarrassed.

“Do not be embarrassed. You are new; you will learn.”

I couldn’t help but ask, “What do you stay in when you travel?”

He shifted slightly, explaining, “When I am with people I do not know or trust, I use equipment appropriate for that specific world. I use my portable cabin when I am alone or with a trusted group.”

I was intrigued. “Can I see it?”

He nodded, walked away a bit, and summoned a house. It was no cabin; it was a HOUSE, in the immense sense of the word. Standing on legs or stilts, with a big wrap-around porch, deck furniture, and two hammocks. It was two stories tall with big windows. I just stared at it in awe.

I looked at the stilts and asked, “How come those legs adjusted to the uneven ground?”

“Enchanted. Do you want to see inside?”

I nodded enthusiastically, my excitement palpable. “Yes!! Please!!”

He laughed again and led me inside. Stretch stopped by the door and barked, and I sensed a question from him. “Can my dog come inside, too?”

“It is a dog? Not a wolf?”

“Yes, I was surprised too when I found out.”

His eyes lost focus for a second, and he said, “Huh! I was sure he was a wolf. But why did you call him Stretch?”

“When we met, he was emaciated and looked stretched. Since then, he gained weight and filled out, so now he looks normal.”

His eyebrows lifted, and he looked genuinely impressed. “You knew how to awaken and bond with a regular animal? Impressive.”

Embarrassed, I rubbed my neck and replied, “It kinda happened by accident?”

He stared at me in disbelief. “By accident?”

I shrugged. “Yeah…”

He leaned in, intrigued. “Please explain.”

I hesitated before sharing, “I didn’t know, but I was feeding him mana-rich meat until he awakened. Then he bit me, licked my blood, and we bonded.”

He nodded, still puzzled. “But how did you know to flood him with mana beforehand to prime him for awakening?”

I blinked, confused. “Flood with mana?”

He nodded, “Yes. You can feed regular animals mana-rich meat; doing so will make them stronger, but they will never awaken or bond with you. To properly prepare them for awakening and establish a bond, you must flood them with mana while maintaining pure intentions. Animals are quite perceptive and rely on instinct. If your intentions are not genuine or pure, even if you flood them with tremendous amounts of mana, they may awaken but will not form a true bond with you. The sincerity of your intentions makes the difference—only then will they fully respond and bond with you.”

I thought for a moment, remembering. “When we met, he attacked me, and I hurt him badly. I felt sorry and healed him, as well as his old injury. Maybe that’s what ‘primed’ him?”

He looked thoughtful. “Did you have your Luck trait before you met?”

I nodded slowly. “Yes…?”

He smiled, clearly pleased. “That is an outstanding trait; I have it too. It led me to a lot of good encounters and connections. It led you to your companion and helped you take the necessary steps. But if you have already bonded, I recommend you also make him your familiar; it will benefit you both.” He turned to Stretch and added, “Come inside, Stretch; you should also be part of this discussion.”

We stepped into the living room, and the space immediately felt impressive. The room had a cozy, wooden vibe, with natural light pouring in through the large floor-to-ceiling window at the back.

There were three main seating areas spread out. One set of sofas and armchairs faced an unlit fireplace, its stone mantle adding a bit of rustic charm. To the right, a group of low tables and comfy chairs surrounded a long bar filled with bottles. Another seating arrangement stood facing the back wall, allowing for a perfect view through that big window.

Outside, I could see the porch wrapping around the house and the back deck with more furniture and some metal setups that looked like a fire pit and a barbeque. The layout made the place feel open and inviting, blending seamlessly with the outdoors.

“Before we talk, can I have the house tour?”

He nodded and replied, “Sure, follow me,” as he motioned for me to come along.

He led me around the house, and it was wow! Just wow! After the living room, there was a dining room with an enormous table and chairs and a kitchen. The kitchen had working spaces, round metal plates that I suspected were for cooking, an oversized pantry, and a big 2-door cupboard that, when he opened it, I discovered was a fridge—one side with food, and the other with drinks.

I tilted my head toward the round metal objects and asked, “Are those for cooking?”

He nodded in confirmation.

I frowned slightly, curious. “How do they work? And how is the refrigerator cold?”

“The entire cabin is enchanted. I have cold and hot water, temperature control, fire protection, shielding from attacks, cooking and baking amenities, and much more.”

I raised my eyebrows in surprise. “Where can I get one of those?”

He shook his head with a slight grin. “In a high-mana world. You are not ready; you would be dead in less than five minutes.”

I let out a disappointed sigh. “Bummer!”

He laughed again, his eyes twinkling with amusement. Waving me over to sit in the living room, he said, “The second story has three bedrooms with bathing rooms, two toilets, and my library.” He pointed casually at a door on the right and added, “If you need a toilet, there is another one there.”

I flopped into a nearby chair, my eyes widening as I took in the space. “Your home is super amazing, and I’m super jealous right now.”

He shrugged with a grin. “You can get one, too. It may not have the enchantments, and the size will depend on your Intelligence trait level, but you can get one.”

That was puzzling.

“Why Intelligence? And what does it have to do with the number? I don’t understand.”

He leaned back and interlocked his fingers, adopting a thoughtful pose that reminded me of a teacher or a guidance counselor. “When we use our Storage, it requires a certain amount of concentration and mental strain. You do not feel it with the small things, but as the size and weight increase, so does the concentration needed. You will need Intelligence over 50 for a cabin this size, or you will be unable to store or retrieve it.”

I looked at my stats screen. “I’m at 49 already, so will I be able to summon a smaller house?”

He raised an eyebrow, surprised. “You have it at 49 already? How?”

I shrugged, scratching the back of my head. “Well, between my Gate Traveler class, my profession, and my two sub-classes, it kind of climbed…?”

He stared at me, utterly bewildered. “You managed to get a profession and two sub-classes in a low-mana world? How?”

With a chuckle, I tried to explain. “I only got the Wizard class here. I got the Healer and the Merchant on my home planet.”

His confusion deepened as he shook his head. “You got a class and a profession in a tech world? How?”

I leaned forward. “I healed an injured person with magic and got the Healer class. Then I sold and bought things for a lot of money and got the Merchant profession.”

He furrowed his brow, his eyes lost focus, and he looked lost in thought. I took a breath, preparing to ask about his reactions, but he lifted a finger in the universal sign of “wait a minute,” so I settled back into my chair and waited patiently.

After a few minutes, he finally spoke up. “Tell me, did you earn skills or spells in your home world? I do not mean with ability points but by actions?”

I nodded, a smile tugging at my lips. “Yes, and it was easy. I developed healing spells and attended workshops to farm skill points.”

“Workshops? Farm?” he asked, his forehead scrunched in confusion.

It was my turn to laugh, shaking my head as I explained, “A workshop is a short one-day or two-day class to learn a specific skill. The word ‘farm’ comes from fiction, borrowing the concept of growing food and harvesting it, and applies it to doing things, then ‘harvesting’ the benefits.”

He nodded, seeming intrigued. “’ Farm,’ I like this word. But I have alarming news for you.” His expression turned serious as he leaned forward. “I think your world is heading towards integration. It is not that easy to acquire skills or classes in regular circumstances. It is rather hard unless you have a specific and distinct talent in something.”

I sighed and nodded in agreement. “Yeah, I know. I read an article in the Archive that made me realize it.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Which article?”

“Dangers and opportunities in integration, or something like that,” I said, shrugging slightly.

He nodded knowingly. “Yes, I know it, and the lady who wrote it.” He paused momentarily, then asked, “Are you returning to help them through it?”

I shook my head slowly. “I don’t think so.”

He looked puzzled. “Why not?”

I sighed again, leaning back. “I didn’t have a good life there. Discovering my Gate Traveler class was a way for me to leave that place behind.”

He hummed, nodded, and looked deep in thought.

After being very patient and giving him a few minutes of contemplation, I finally asked, “Can I ask you a question that’s been bugging me?”

He leaned forward, his expression open and encouraging. “Sure, go ahead.”

“I can’t figure out which of my attributes affects my mana. The books say it’s Intelligence, but even when I raise my Intelligence, my mana doesn’t increase. It seems to rise arbitrarily, and I can’t make sense of it.”

“Why would your mana be connected to your traits? Your traits are just that – traits. Specific attributes that define how you handle tasks related to your class or profession. Traits like Intelligence or Strength influence how effectively you perform actions and solve problems. They serve as tools that guide your interactions and help you excel in your chosen path. You perform the actions your class or profession requires, and the Guidance rewards you with advancement in these traits. This advancement might involve mana, but that mana is external, from the cosmos, not your own.

“Mana, however, operates differently. While traits affect how you use mana, they are not the source of it. Mana represents your personal energy and potential—it reflects who you are and your growth. Unlike traits, which influence how you interact with the world externally, mana is entirely internal. It is not dependent on the cosmos but comes from within you. More accurately, your mana level depends on what is within you. Of course, you still need to regenerate using external mana.

“Your mana directly represents your inner self, your abilities, and your personal progression. It reflects your capacity to harness and channel magical energy based on your experiences and development. As you advance and grow your mana increases, showcasing your progress as a person and your evolving capacity to wield this cosmic energy. In essence, while traits guide your actions and help you manage mana, the mana itself is a manifestation of your personal growth and potential. It is distinct from the external cosmic sources of mana. They are two separate things.”

I scratched my head, still puzzled. “So, how come it rises?”

He raised an eyebrow, clearly trying to simplify. “You raise your mana based on its attribute.”

I frowned, leaning in slightly. “You lost me.”

Lis leaned back, his eyebrows knitted in thought, and gestured with an open hand, “Look inside yourself with your awareness; you should find an orb of power. If it is in your head, your mana attribute is Mind. If your mana attribute is Spirit, it is below your heart. If your mana attribute is Body, it is in your abdomen.”

“And if I have all three types?”

He blinked, clearly taken aback, and raised an eyebrow. “You have three?”

I nodded.

He rubbed his chin, his expression shifting to one of concern, and said, “What is the origin world of your father?”

“Earth…?”

He sighed, his cheeks flushing slightly as he shifted uncomfortably in his seat and looked away. “You better talk with him about it. I do not want to get in the middle of a familiar misunderstanding.”

“I never knew my father; there is no misunderstanding to get in the middle of.”

He tapped his chin thoughtfully, his eyes narrowing as he mulled things over. The hum that escaped his lips turned into a thoughtful murmur, and his gaze grew more focused every second. He gave a slow, deliberate nod, and the crease in his brow eased. His shoulders relaxed a bit, and his whole demeanor shifted, letting on that he’d settled on something.

“I am sorry if it shocks you, but your father is a Traveler. Only children of Gate Travelers can traverse the Gates. It does not occur in the general populace, no matter what world. Also, a tri-mana system is a characteristic of very-high mana worlds exclusively and the upper echelon of that category. Very high mana worlds are from 75 mana level and up. But tri-mana does not appear before mana level 85 and higher.”

He paused, his gaze fixed on me, allowing his words to sink in. His eyes remained steady, showing a mix of empathy and curiosity.

“I have a question for you,” he continued, leaning forward slightly. “In what ways are you different from the people in your world?”

I scratched my head, thinking. “The people of my world look different if they are from other continents, but I get your meaning. I was different as a child. I was always the smallest physically but much stronger, faster, and a much better student. When I was little, my eyes were too big for my face, but it became less evident as I grew up; their color was also unusual. I have almost no body hair, and the little I have is so fine and light that it’s virtually invisible. Also, everybody around me reached their maximum height at the age of 17 or 18, but I reached my max at the age of 30.”

As I spoke, I saw his eyes widen slightly, and he nodded thoughtfully.

“What you said makes me admit to myself something I suspected at the back of my mind from the moment I discovered the Gate,” I said, shrugging with a hint of self-deprecation, “but I didn’t want to confront or acknowledge this fact. Now I feel stupid for putting my head in the sand.”

He placed a comforting hand on my shoulder, squeezed it, and smiled reassuringly. “Do not feel bad about it. I imagine it was quite a shock discovering the Gate and your ability. You did not grow up as a son of a Traveler.”

I looked up at him, curiosity piqued. “How did you know it was my father and not my mother?”

He tilted his head slightly. “Male Travelers have only male children with the ability, and female Travelers have only female children with the ability. Nobody knows why.” Then he added, “With the points you mentioned, I cannot guess where your father is from, but I am sure he is from one of the long-lived races based on your description of aging slower.”

I absorbed this information, my mind racing. “Can we return to the mana issue? I still don’t understand how it rose in the past and how to raise it intentionally.”

He gestured with his hand. “Look inside and tell me. Which of your power orbs is the biggest?”

“The one below my heart,” I replied, focusing inwardly.

He nodded, encouraging me to continue. “Did you progress emotionally or spiritually since the Gate awakened your mana system?”

“Yes,” I said, remembering. “I was grieving my wife’s death. Also, after her death, all the negative experiences from my past became more substantial in my mind and were pressing down on me. It felt like I was buried under an avalanche of grief and pain and was severely depressed. When I started to heal from my grief, I could let go of the past as well and look at the present and future with optimism instead of fear. When I actively let go, I think my mana rose.”

I paused, thinking hard. “Now that I think about it, I had another rise in mana after experiencing closure regarding my life on Earth and another time after I let go of my sense of obligation or duty to heal every person I meet. It felt like I had regained my power of choice.”

As I tried to reconstruct everything, I sifted through my memories. “I also experienced a jump in mana after I got the spell Cleanse, channeled my full mana into myself, and did a deep cleanse…”

He winced at the mention of the Cleanse, his face showing a tinge of discomfort, and fidgeted. He said nothing, but his reaction spoke volumes.

“How much mana did you channel for the Cleanse?” he asked, his voice tight.

“Five or six thousand, I’m not sure,” I replied, noticing his increasing unease.

His face turned a shade of green, and he winced harder.

“I see you can imagine how it went,” I said, a wry smile touching my lips.

He nodded, his discomfort clear.

“How did you know that the Gate awakened my mana?”

“It cannot awaken below mana level eight. Your world is a tech world, and it has not started the integration yet.”

“I see,” I said, processing this new information. “Anyway, after the cleanse, my mana jumped again, and my Body orb is the next one in size. Is there a connection?”

“Definitely,” he nodded. “You progressed your body, so your mana went up. As I said, your mana is a representation of you.”

I thought for a moment, my brow furrowing in contemplation. “So how do I progress it now? I can overcome grief only once, and I have no intention of doing another cleanse.”

He leaned back, his eyes thoughtful. “Regarding the cleanse,” he began, his voice steady, “you should do it at least another two or three times, but do not worry—the worst is behind you. Usually, it is done in stages: a thousand mana to start, then two thousand, and you keep raising the numbers until you reach six or seven thousand. This way, it is much more pleasant and bearable.”

He paused, glancing at me to make sure I was following. I nodded, encouraging him to continue. He shifted his posture slightly, gesturing with his hands as he spoke.

“To progress your mana, you must focus on advancing its attributes. Let me break down each one for you.”

He adjusted his position, interlocking his fingers thoughtfully as he explained the first attribute. “For the mind attribute,” he started, his tone deliberate and precise, “imagine it as the world’s intellect—a vast accumulation of all existing knowledge. It is about expanding your understanding and gaining new insights. This attribute represents your capacity to learn, research, and discover. The more you deepen your understanding of the world around you, the more you advance this attribute.”

He looked at me intently, making sure I was following. “You can also advance magic with the mind attribute. Look through the spell list for spells related to mental faculties—these will help you progress this attribute. Advanced study of magic, spell creation, magical inventions, and solving complex mental challenges contribute to this growth. Essentially, it is about engaging with knowledge and mental discipline. Wind magic is associated with the mind element because it symbolizes the flow of thought and ideas.”

I nodded, trying to understand the concept. He smiled, clearly pleased with my understanding, and then moved on to the following attribute.

“For the spiritual attribute,” he said, his tone softer and more reflective, “Consider people as the soul of the world, its spark of life. Spirit is deeply connected to the essence of life and emotions. To progress in this attribute, you need to engage with people, understand them, and help them. In your case, healing others plays a significant role. It is about making a meaningful impact on those around you.”

He leaned forward slightly, his expression earnest. “Art also falls under the spiritual attribute,” he began, “because it represents the soul of a culture or society. You might choose to appreciate or create art based on your preferences.”

He paused, making sure I was following along. “More importantly, the spirit attribute is about fully experiencing and expressing emotions. Most people only allow themselves to feel certain emotions while suppressing others they consider negative. This approach is flawed because all emotions are important—not just the pleasant ones.”

He shifted in his seat, his gaze intense. “To truly advance this attribute, you must embrace the full spectrum of emotions. If you are angry, let yourself feel that anger deeply. If you are afraid, experience that fear fully. Of course, you should address the source of your fear, avoiding harm, but do not suppress the emotion itself. Your mana represents you; if you suppress parts of yourself, your mana cannot reach its full potential.”

He continued, his tone now reflecting a sense of conviction. “Water and fire magic are key elements for the spirit attribute because they symbolize the flow and transformation of emotions.”

He gauged my reaction, and I took a deep breath, reflecting on his words. He continued, his tone firm as he addressed the last attribute.

“For the body attribute,” he said, his gaze steady, “you need to focus on physical advancement. This involves pushing your physical limits and enhancing your physical capabilities. As we level up, we all gain trait numbers, but have you ever challenged yourself to reach new limits?”

I shook my head, feeling a bit embarrassed.

“Push yourself,” he urged, his tone encouraging. “Whenever your traits increase, test your new limits. Engage in physical activities that push your boundaries—whether it is dancing, fighting, swimming, or other forms of exercise. From a magical standpoint, work with matter. The world’s body is composed of matter, so manipulating matter helps advance this attribute. Earth magic and its subdivisions—metal, stone, wood magic, and the like—are essential here. Physical creations and their manipulation also fit into this attribute.”

He leaned back slightly with a thoughtful look on his face. “You might also notice that spell creation or magical inventions can fit into the spirit category, but if those creations are physical, they can overlap into the body category. Learning and mastering these things can cross into the mind attribute as well. We are composite beings of spirit, mind, and body, so our magic reflects this balance, even if our primary power attribute is limited to one or two.”

He looked at me with a mix of admiration and envy. “I, for example, have the mind magic attribute. So, I progress the most when I advance my mind. But if I do not apply those advances in the world, my mana does not progress. With your tri-mana system, you have a unique advantage. Now, I must admit, I am a bit envious.”

I chuckled, shaking my head with a smile. “It was a very philosophical explanation.”

He gave a small, knowing smile, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “Of course,” he said, his tone light. “Philosophy can be defined as the study of the nature, meaning, causes, or principles of reality. This is our reality, and we live in it. To progress within it, we need to understand not just the world around us but also ourselves. We can truly advance by applying this knowledge to the material universe.”

He leaned back slightly, crossing his arms as he let his words linger in the air. The intensity of his gaze softened, and he looked almost reflective, as if contemplating the very principles he had just described. “It is about more than just mana attributes,” he continued. “It is about seeing the interconnectedness of everything—how our internal states affect our external reality and vice versa. Understanding this interplay allows us to grow in a more balanced and profound way.”

I nodded, feeling a mix of contemplation and appreciation. “Thank you,” I said, my tone sincere. “It wasn’t what I expected, but it does make me think about some things.”

He smiled warmly, the lines around his eyes deepening with genuine understanding. “That is the goal,” he said softly, his voice imbued with a soothing cadence. “To challenge your perspective and help you see beyond the immediate. Growth often comes from viewing things in a new light and applying those insights to both the magical and mundane aspects of life.”

He shifted slightly, his posture becoming more relaxed as he continued. “One more thing to remember,” he said, his gaze focused and earnest. “if you do the things I mentioned, do not expect your mana to increase gradually. It does not work like that for some reason. Continue with those practices; occasionally, you will experience moments when everything comes together, and your mana will make a significant leap. When this happens, there is a particular sensation—it feels spiritual but has a tangible, physical aspect. Do you know what I am talking about?”

I nodded slowly, thinking back to those moments. “Yes, I felt it a couple of times.”

“So, you will recognize it in the future,” he said with a nod of approval. “Good.”

I needed a few moments to process everything he’d shared; it wasn’t what I had expected. Taking a deep breath, I asked, “Would you like a beer or some other drink?”

He laughed, a genuine sound that filled the room with warmth. “I should have offered; after all, we are sitting in my home.”

“Yes,” I agreed with a grin, “but I ambushed you by the Gate, so I don’t think standard conventions apply here.”

He laughed again, nodding in agreement. His laughter was contagious, and I decided he must be naturally cheerful—his laughs were hearty and genuine, never mocking.

“I would love a beer,” he said, his smile broadening.

I took out two beers. As I popped the caps and handed one to him, Stretch, lying quietly beside me, decided he wanted a beer, too. He put his paws on my shoulders, gazing into my eyes with an unmistakable look of “give me.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Okay, okay,” I said, grabbing a bowl and pouring beer for him. Stretch lapped it up eagerly, his tail wagging in contentment.

Lis watched the exchange without a hint of surprise. Curious, I asked, “You don’t look surprised he likes beer. How come?”

He shrugged, a slight smile playing on his lips. “Bonded mana beasts can have some rather peculiar tastes. I know a giant feline who loves hard liquor and falls asleep snoring loudly two minutes after drinking it. So, a wolf—sorry, dog—drinking beer is nothing out of the ordinary.”

When we finished our beers, he shifted and looked at me. “You mentioned you had questions, plural, but so far, you have asked only one. Is there anything else you wanted to know?”

Overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information, I chuckled. “I have so many questions I don’t even know where to start.” I paused, considering. “When we first met, you mentioned you dislike tech worlds and find them confusing. You seem much stronger than me, and you said your home is very far away, so I’m guessing you’ve traveled a lot. How come tech worlds still confuse you?”

He leaned back with a disgusted expression. “After my second tech world, I decided I did not like them. Initially, I was still interested in earning money, so I would locate the closest city, buy cheap manufactured goods, and leave. When I stopped caring about money, every time I touched a Gate to a tech world, I would look for a different Gate. Many Travelers from mana worlds dislike tech worlds for the same reason. We struggle to adapt to the lack of mana and the completely different progression track.”

“So, how come you came to Earth?” I asked, intrigued.

He sighed, a hint of weariness in his eyes. “There was no choice. I was escaping from a hazardous, very-high mana world.”

“I see,” I said, considering his response. “You also mentioned you’d answer my questions without expecting an exchange. What exchange and why? Is it a must between Travelers?”

He nodded, his expression turning more serious. “You are just starting as a Traveler, so maybe you have not discovered it yet. Travelers tend to be wealthy. We are like pack animals with our Storage. Most of us expand it at least four or even six times or more and stop caring about money. What we value is information—about worlds, magical knowledge, interesting dungeons, fascinating inventions, dangers to avoid, and so on. Even you were waiting for me to gain knowledge. It is traditional for Travelers to exchange information. I said I would answer without exchange because your information has already helped me, so I felt I should repay you.”

I considered his words and then brought up another topic. “In the descriptions of our traits, there’s a mental aspect tied to physical traits. For instance, Strength says it helps you handle shocks better, and Agility mentions mental agility. I’ve been shocked at every turn, overwhelmed, and laughed hysterically. I still forget to use Identify and basic things. For example, I carried a ladder up a mountain instead of storing it. And my dog, MY DOG!, pointed out that I could store the tent assembled instead of breaking it down and reassembling it. I don’t feel like those traits are working. Are my traits broken, or am I missing something?”

“Your dog told you to store the tent?”

“Yes, it was quite embarrassing,” I admitted with a rueful smile.

“Smart dog,” he remarked, nodding appreciatively.

“Very.”

He leaned forward, his expression earnest. “Let me ask you a question: When you were shocked, overwhelmed, or hysterical, did it make you quit entirely and forget about everything? Or did you manage to overcome it and continue after a while?”

I thought about it, then answered, “I could continue pretty quickly.”

“Now think of the people you know personally and how they would have reacted in such a situation.”

I mentally ran through my acquaintances and said, “Yeah, I see what you mean. Most would have thought they’d lost their minds and sought a prescription. The rest would have ignored it and pretended it never happened.”

“And there is your advanced Strength,” he said with a knowing smile. “Our traits are not a magical shield against the world. We still experience fear, surprise, sadness, and all the other emotions. What our raised traits do is help us deal with those things better. Discovering you are a Traveler without guidance is a shock.”

“What about the mental agility?” I asked.

“When you were a baby,” he asked, his tone gentle, “did you run right from the start, or did you first crawl, then walk with support, then walk without support, and finally run?”

“It’s not the same,” I said, slightly defensive.

“Of course it is,” he countered with a soft chuckle. “You came from a tech world, an entirely different environment from a mana world. Your entire understanding of reality was built on a completely different set of rules. When you suddenly find yourself in a world where mana flows like a river, it is like being handed a new set of tools and told to build something intricate without any prior experience. The expectation that you should instantly master these new concepts is what is truly illogical.”

He paused, letting his words sink in before continuing. “Think about it: you are essentially starting from scratch in a completely foreign field. In your tech world, you did not have to deal with the nuances of magical theory, the flow of mana, or the intricate workings of spell craft. Now that you have been thrust into a mana environment, it is only natural that it takes time to adapt. The process of learning and mastering something new is inherently gradual. Just as a child learns to walk before they run, you are developing your skills step by step.”

He gestured with his hand, emphasizing his point. “You received the Wizard class, which, in my opinion, is the most powerful and versatile magical class available. And to have received it in a low mana world means you have already explored the basic possibilities of mana. This shows that you are capable of great things. It is not a question of whether or not you have mental agility—it is about understanding that mastery takes time, especially when dealing with such a radically different system.”

He leaned forward, his eyes meeting mine with a steady gaze. “The expectation of instant mastery overlooks the reality of learning and adapting. The process of grappling with new ideas, experimenting, and gradually integrating them into your understanding truly reflects mental agility. Your progress might feel slow, but it is a natural part of the learning curve. Embracing this process, rather than expecting immediate perfection, is where true growth occurs. So, how is it not mental agility? Your struggle to adapt and learn is a testament to your mental resilience and adaptability.”

“I never looked at it like that,” I admitted, my perspective shifting.

“Yes,” he nodded, “we are often our own harshest critics. Sometimes, we need an outside perspective to see the truth.”

I opened the trait descriptions and looked at them again through the new viewpoint he suggested.

 

Strength Physical: This quality determines the intensity of force or power—how hard you can hit, how much you can lift; how much opposite force you can exert against another object. Mental: This quality determines how effectively you can deal with challenges, pressures, and stress in life without breaking down or giving up. Agility Physical: This quality determines quickness and ease of motion, as well as how well you can control your body, speed, flexibility, and balance. Your physical reaction time. Mental: This quality determines your ability to think and draw conclusions quickly; your ability to change your mind based on new information; intellectual acuity—your mental reaction time. Constitution Physical: This quality determines your body’s ability to withstand fatigue and physical hardship, as well as your resistance to diseases, trauma, and harsh conditions. Mental: This quality determines your confidence and mental resilience. Your ability to stay true to yourself and your ideals. Vitality Physical: This quality determines your energy, vigor, liveliness, and activity level. It also determines your longevity—how much life you have in you, and your physical appearance—how young and vibrant you look. Mental: This quality determines your feeling of aliveness, participation in life, and enjoyment of life, as well as your sense of wonder and excitement about life. Intelligence Physical: This quality determines your body’s ability to detect and actively manage the balance of critical chemicals and hormones for optimal health. It also determines your body’s ability to know how to engage muscles, effortlessly maintain good posture, and learn new movement skills, as well as the speed at which something becomes muscle memory. Mental: This quality determines your ability to learn and understand new knowledge and retain and apply it in practice. Deal with new or trying situations, perceive or infer information, and solve complex problems. It determines your mind’s ability to understand principles, truths, facts, or meanings. High intelligence helps you learn spells faster. Wisdom Physical: This quality governs your body’s ability to interpret the input from your senses—how fast you let go of a hot stove or a sharp needle—and your body’s ability to recognize its needs: whether it needs to move, vitamins, sun, rest, or anything else to thrive. It also governs your body’s ability to communicate its needs in a way that can be interpreted. Mental: This quality establishes your capacity to apply pertinent knowledge intelligently, particularly in circumstances that differ from the context in which you gained it; your capacity to decide based on a blend of knowledge, experience, and intuitive comprehension; and your capacity to learn from both your own and others’ experiences. High wisdom helps you adapt spells, combine spells in new, innovative ways, or invent new spells. Perception Physical: This quality determines your body’s awareness of the elements in the environment (heat, cold, humidity, or dryness); it determines the function of your sensory organs (how sharp your eyes, nose, or ears are) and the integrity and health of the sensory organs. Mental: This quality determines the range and acuity of your senses, not only the sensory organs, but also the other senses, such as a sense of danger or the intuitive knowledge of an opportunity. It also allows you to perceive more than meets the eye in personal interactions—to understand intentions and feelings, as well as the ability to perceive and understand different viewpoints. Luck This quality does not have physical or mental aspects. Luck affects chance, fate, and destiny. Luck is the invisible guidance leading toward fortune, prosperity, success, and fortuitous events or circumstances. Luck is also the internal warning of danger, of knowing not to go somewhere or not to do something. Luck is the guiding hand that leads you to a better existence.

 

Hmm, I can see what he means.

“You are right. Thank you for making me see it.” I gave him a grateful smile, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders.

He nodded, his smile widening. “My pleasure.”

“Now that I’ve looked at my traits, I have another question.”

“Yes?”

“You said you have the Luck trait, too, right?” I watched as he nodded, signaling that I should go on. “After I raised it above 20, I got the active ability to locate something I need. Is there another active like this later on?”

“Yes, when you raise it to 50. But it’s not exactly an active ability. Please reread your luck description.”

I pulled up my profile, skimming over the description again.

“By the description, it either nudges you toward good or warns you of bad. It is a subtle thing, right?”

I nodded.

“After level 50, it actively gets you out of trouble. Do not get me wrong, you can still get into trouble, but it will probably save your life.”

“But it says here, ‘luck is also the internal warning of danger, of knowing not to go somewhere or not to do something.’ So, how do you get into trouble in the first place?” I was thoroughly confused.

He shifted uncomfortably, his face flushing as he glanced around with a sheepish grin, his fingers nervously tapping against his knee. “I will tell you about my recent experience, and you will understand. I went to a very-high mana world. When I touched the Gate, it said, ‘Threat level: Lethal.’” He paused and glanced at me. “All the Gates to very-high mana worlds have the same threat level. And always, when I touch such a Gate, my luck and perception give a twinge of warning. I had traveled a few very-high mana worlds, which was dangerous, but I could always deal with the danger, so I ignored the warning.”

He sighed, shaking his head slightly. “Here, it was a mistake. The magic in that world was powerful and unlike anything I had ever encountered. It completely overwhelmed me and my defenses. I was hunted for days and came close to dying several times. Every time I almost died, something saved me.”

He shuddered. “I was attacked by a creature that induced nightmares while I was awake and drained my life force through my fear. I stumbled and hit my head on a rock, which jarred me just enough to regain my senses and escape. The attack was so severe that I lost three vitality points.”

I listened intently as he described his ordeal. “Two days later, I encountered tiny humanoid creatures with wings that blinked like a light. They made me feel safe, and I knew I should follow them. I followed them for a while, but a branch hit me in the face. This jarred my senses, and they lost their hold over me. I saw I was very close to a swamp with a giant creature swimming inside.”

He took a deep breath before continuing. “A day later, I encountered creatures that were a cross between a person and a farm animal with horns. They played a musical instrument that confused my senses and made me sleepy. I wanted to lie down and take a nap. Suddenly, an enormous creature flew overhead and screeched. They ran away, and the creature did not see me under the trees. It continued like this for eight days until I got out of there. Every time I was about to die, something happened that saved me.”

“That’s amazing,” I said, my eyes widening. “What’s the place’s name so I’ll know never to go there?”

“Tír na nÓg.”

I jumped in my seat. “Really?! The fae are real?!”

Lis chuckled softly, shaking his head. “You know about them?”

“There are legends about them in my world.”

“Not surprising. With such high mana, they probably can portal.”

“Please tell me if I’m overstepping, but could you read me the description of the next level of luck?” I asked, trying to gauge his reaction.

“I rarely mind,” he said with a slight shrug, “But this time, I will refuse.”

“Why?” I was genuinely curious.

“Because knowing everything in advance ruins the sense of exploration and discovery,” he explained, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

I pondered his words momentarily before responding, “Yes, you’re right. Thanks.”

He gave me a warm smile, and we settled back into a comfortable silence. The conversation had taken an unexpected but enlightening turn.

“Any more questions?”

“Yes. Regarding the classes and ability points. I understand that the ease of obtaining them comes from the imminent integration. But I have two questions about that.”

I counted them on my fingers.

“1. How do you usually get skills, spells, or classes?

2. Why it’s so easy during integration?”

“The usual way to learn spells is through mage scrolls, which can be purchased but are quite expensive. The most common spells start at around ten gold and can be as high as 50 gold or more for the more complex ones. I am aware that mage families, healers’ guilds, and similar organizations, even in a low mana world such as this one, have methods for teaching spells. However, I regret to say that I do not know the specifics of their methods. I know the process takes time, with apprenticeships lasting for several years.

“Skills can be learned in two ways. One method is to use a skill that you do not yet have, as an official Skill from the Guidance, in a dangerous situation, and you may acquire it. Let me give you an example from my experience. In a medium mana world with mana at the high end of that category, I traveled through an area populated with dangerous mana beasts. I had the choice of navigating around the area for over a week, including a perilous river crossing, or crossing it in just two days. I chose to cross but soon realized that the area was far more dangerous than anticipated. For two days, I had to move stealthily from tree to bush to boulder. Sometimes, I had to crawl on my belly, covering myself in mud to mask my scent. My Invisibility was of little help, as these beasts had sharp senses beyond their vision. When I finally emerged from the dangerous area, I was physically and mentally exhausted but had acquired the Stealth skill. I know for a fact that if I had not been in constant mortal danger, I would not have gained it.

“The other way to learn a skill is from a professional in the field until you reach a level where you can perform it independently, without supervision. I know several Travelers with either very low magical capacity or who are not inclined to use magic, who apprenticed with a blacksmith to learn how to repair and maintain their weapons—not to forge them, but to repair them. It typically took them about six months to acquire this skill.

“Regarding your second question, I do not have a definitive answer, only a theory. This theory is not my own; it comes from the lady who wrote the article about the dangers and opportunities. She did not include it in the article because she did not know it was a fact. She believes that because the integration process introduces an utterly unknown factor, the mana, the Guidance provides this advanced ability to the locals to assist them in surviving and learning to harness the unknown factor.

“Consider this: if you need to purchase scrolls or apprentice to a mage to learn magic, how can you achieve this in a world undergoing integration? The same applies to skills with magical aspects. Since those individuals are not Travelers and cannot access this knowledge, the Guidance facilitates the acquisition of skills and spells, making it easier for them.”

“Yeah, makes sense,” I said, nodding.

He leaned back, his posture relaxed but attentive. “I thought so, too. Any more questions?”

“Yes, still about skills,” I continued, my brow furrowed in thought. “In the Tips & Tricks section, there was a suggestion to learn skills you don’t need and then give them up to convert to ability points. It seems like a ‘cheat.’ How can such an advanced system have a cheat? It doesn’t make sense.”

He chuckled softly, a hint of amusement in his eyes. “I like your use of the word ‘cheat’ as a noun instead of a verb; very colorful.”

I shrugged, a small smile playing on my lips. “It’s not my idea; I got it from a book.”

He laughed, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Either way, it is entertaining. Regarding your question, it is not a ‘cheat,’ as you call it, but an easier version of an existing function for Travelers. You can find it in the Archive, and most Travelers are children of Travelers, so they are familiar with this method. If you need a skill or spell and do not have the ability points, you can attempt to purchase the skill you need. The Guidance will inform you that you lack the necessary ability points and will ask you which spell or skill you will sacrifice to convert to the new one.”

“Oh, so it’s not a cheat but a shortcut?”

“Exactly.” He nodded, his expression serious. “But be aware that you can only convert general spells or skills. Class or profession skills, spells, or abilities are off-limits.”

“Why not?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

“I have no idea, but it is a fact.” He shrugged slightly. “Also, be cautious when giving up abilities; once you relinquish them, you cannot repurchase or recover them through any other means.”

I mulled over this for a moment, considering the implications. It seemed much more logical now.

“I have another question…” I said, hesitating slightly.

He nodded, his expression open and inviting. With a wave of his hand, he motioned for me to continue.

“Aren’t we kind of overpowered?” I asked, leaning forward slightly. “I feel like Superman compared to the populace.”

He laughed again, a hearty sound that filled the room. “Superman? From a book?”

“A movie,” I clarified, a hint of a smile on my lips. “You know what movies are?”

“Yes,” he replied, his eyes lighting up. “I like movies. That is one thing I enjoy about tech worlds.”

“Good to know,” I said, nodding. “So, what about the whole overpowered thing?”

He leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping thoughtfully on the armrest. “The answer is yes and no, depending on the world.”

“Can you expand on that?”

He nodded and explained, “In your home world, you mentioned that you were already stronger, faster, and a better student compared to others. You were more powerful than those around you. Whether or not you utilized those abilities does not matter. The fact remains that you were already considered overpowered, as you call it, in comparison.”

He leaned forward slightly, his fingers tapping gently on the table. “It is quite similar in a low-mana world. Here, most people have professions, but these are not professions granted by the Guidance that they can advance. To clarify, some individuals have professions from the Guidance, but they are mostly familiar professions passed from parents to children or, in the absence of an heir, through apprenticeship. These individuals represent only a small percentage of the populace.”

He paused and waved at me. “Even true healers, like yourself, are rare and require a truly selfless individual. Common healers in these worlds have learned basic knowledge about the body and a few healing spells. From the purely magical classes, such worlds typically have only the mage class, and only at a low level of knowledge. Only the truly exceptional individuals among them might possess a class or profession granted by the Guidance on merit.”

He shrugged slightly. “Additionally, monsters are rarely found in these worlds. When they do appear, they are usually very low-level.”

He flipped his palm upward, signaling a shift in perspective. “In contrast, in worlds where mana levels reach 25 and above, professions and classes become more prevalent. The monsters are stronger and more numerous, though they generally remain relatively low-level, usually between levels 3 and 5. Given these levels of the populace and monsters, it is understandable that you feel like a super-man.”

He paused momentarily, his eyes narrowing slightly as he considered his next point. “The situation changes in medium mana worlds, specifically in the lower echelon of 30 to 40 mana. Nearly everyone possesses classes in these worlds, and exceptional individuals may have professions and sometimes more than one class. They have spent years honing their abilities. The monsters there are stronger and more numerous, and there are mana beasts and challenging dungeons. With your current power level, you will survive, but you will need the assistance of your dog and will likely sustain injuries along the way. I still recommend venturing there, as it will benefit your progression. You might acquire a fighting class if you engage in numerous fights and have an open sub-class slot. However, I advise against venturing into the upper echelon of this classification, levels 40 to 50, as you would not survive more than a few days.”

He shifted slightly and looked directly into my eyes, intending to emphasize his next point. “For now, you should completely disregard high mana or very-high mana worlds; in those environments, you would be dead within minutes, without any warning.”

He then turned his attention to another topic. “The same principle applies to tech worlds. You can safely navigate low to medium tech levels, but the more advanced worlds will pose a deadly threat. These worlds lack mana, so once you exhaust your mana reserves, you will not have the means to regenerate and will be left completely powerless. Additionally, many of these advanced tech worlds utilize various forms of physical augmentation, such as genetic engineering, nanotechnology, cyborg implants, or chemical enhancements. As a result, even your enhanced physical traits may not suffice.”

He concluded with a slight shrug and a wry smile. “So, while we may be overpowered in certain places, we are completely underpowered in others. Even I, who am considerably stronger than you, recently came close to death more than once.”

“How would I know when I am ready to move up a level?”

“When you arrived here, did you enjoy it?” he asked, his eyes searching for an honest answer.

I nodded, a smile forming. “Very much.”

He smiled back, his expression warm. “Are you still enjoying it?”

I sighed, shaking my head slightly. “Less; it is getting boring.”

A knowing look crossed his face. “You are ready to move up a level. The feeling of boredom, in my theory, is a nudge from the Guidance. I, myself, and every Traveler I have ever spoken to experienced this same sense of restlessness when we were ready for the next level. I believe it is part of the innate knowledge of our class, like the subtle internal unexplained knowing that sometimes guides us.”

“Yeah… makes sense,“ I said, thinking of another question. “You mentioned that mages are part of the purely magical classes, along with my wizard class. What are those classes, and what distinguishes them from one another?”

He leaned back slightly, his fingers steepled as he explained. “There are many classes that utilize magic; your healer class is one example, as are bards, architects, enchanters, dungeon architects, alchemists, and many more. However, there are four purely magical classes: Mage, Sorcerer, Witch, and Wizard. Each has its unique characteristics and limitations.”

He paused, taking a moment to gather his thoughts. “Mages, for instance, can only use internal mana and are restricted to spells. Advanced mages can enhance and combine spells, but their capabilities remain confined to spell casting alone.”

He shifted his gaze slightly, as if visualizing the nuances of each class. “Sorcerers, on the other hand, do not possess internal mana. Instead, they channel external mana, and their spell-casting abilities are limited by how much mana they can draw in. Like mages, they can advance or combine spells but remain exclusively focused on spell work.”

He leaned forward, his expression growing more animated. “Witches are quite different. They have internal mana tied to their specific element and can also channel mana from their element to control it. For example, a water witch has a certain amount of magic within their body—this magic is not stored in orbs or comes from an external source, but resides within them, in their bodies. They can absorb more mana from the water and manipulate it directly, precisely controlling it. The same applies to nature witches, earth witches, and others. While they can cast spells, their abilities in that regard are limited. Their true power lies in their ability to mold their element with sheer will, achieving effects that other spellcasters might find challenging or even impossible.”

He adjusted his posture and pointed at me as he continued. “Wizards, meanwhile, possess internal mana and, with time and practice, can also learn to control external mana. They work with spells but are not limited to them. Wizards originally crafted most mage spells. With dedication and experience, a wizard can gain control over an element similar to a witch or even master multiple elements. Wizards are regarded as magic scholars; they delve into its complexities and contribute to advancing magical knowledge across all classes.”

“Wow! That’s awesome!” I exclaimed, eyes wide with excitement.

“Yes, it is an excellent class,” he replied, agreeing. “Only people with a high talent and affinity for magic, a high mana level, or both receive it. I believe it is an inheritance you received from your paternal side.”

I winced slightly, and Lis’s expression turned apologetic.

“Tell me, did you learn to partition your mind already?”

“Yes,” I confirmed with a nod. “I’ve managed a three-way split. That’s how I obtained the class.”

His eyes lit up with interest. “Keep practicing this ability. I know an amazing wizard, not a Traveler, who can partition his mind into twelve sections. Maybe even more is possible, but I have not encountered it yet.”

I felt pride in my wizard class and agreed with Lis: it was indeed the best magic class. I tried to recall what else I needed to ask, but came up empty. Feeling hungry, I asked Lis, “Would you like lunch?”

Lis’s face brightened. “I was just thinking about it. I have some interesting food in my Storage. Would you like to share and compare?”

“Yes! That sounds like a great idea,” I replied enthusiastically.

I pulled out the campfire lasagna I had made, bison/mukar burgers, a big sushi plate, and pasta Alfredo. Lis’s eyes lit up as he examined each dish. He grinned widely, rubbing his hands together in anticipation. Then he pulled out his dishes: something that looked like a stuffed cabbage with bright orange leaves, a dish of vegetables and meat smothered in a pink sauce, and a pie that smelled like fish.

I grabbed a big metal plate and loaded up some of everything for Stretch, who enthusiastically wagged his tail.

We sat down to enjoy the meal together. The pink sauce had a fruity, sweet, and tangy flavor—unusual, but delicious. The fish pie was fantastic, and the stuffed leaves were odd; I couldn’t decide if I liked them or not, kind of like how I felt about pitaya.

Lis loved the sushi, though he wasn’t thrilled with the wasabi. It made him sneeze up a storm. Stretch, as usual, loved everything, with no complaints. What else is new?