Beyond?

“It is common knowledge that teleportation spells are complicated and dangerous. Teleporting into something, or messing up the teleportation itself can result in instantaneous death. That's why teleportation is only used in emergency situations and only towards a location which is in line of sight.

The problem with teleporting long distances is that you can't be sure that the space in which you arrive is clear of obstructions. Even something as small as a bug can end your life if it is in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Teleportation is one of the great secrets of our time. We know that our ancestors could do it, but not how.

If you want to teleport to a place you can't see yourself, you have to solve several problems beforehand. First the problem of arriving at the right place. Then the problem of checking if the space you arrive in is free of obstructions. Even fusing with the air at your arrival point is deadly. Then you have to solve the problem of aborting the spell in a case of danger. There are many more problems to solve and this is only an example of dealing with the issue.

The point is that no matter how you solve it, the spell gets more and more complicated because you have to take so many different circumstances into account. Up until now, nobody was able to cast a spell that complicated and nobody managed to make the needed magical formation small enough to make it possible.”

-Papyri magicae.

***Free City States of Nict, Capital***

***Azir***

“Don't you realize the meaning of this?” Stella shakes me enthusiastically. “This is going to topple our society. We two could become independent!”

I shake my head. “Maybe you are overestimating the discs a little. They aren't self sufficient like the Gates and require a lot of mana. An average magician has to use one fifth of his inner mana reserves to teleport from one main city to the next. Commoners aren't able to use the discs at all.”

Stella stops for a moment. “They are still a revolution. People will ask how you managed to create them.”

I put on a mourning expression. “So that means I can't use them.”

She lets go of me. “I didn't say that. We just have to be careful on how to present them to my mother.”

Bending down, I tilt the disc up and roll it over to the others. “Why? Didn't you already tell her about me?”

“Do I look like I am stupid? Hi, Mom. Please help me to get a certain guy. Oh, by the way, he has the soul of an old archmage from another world who got summoned during a dark ritual. From time to time he does really insane things like teleporting across worlds! Of course I won't tell her that as long as I can avoid it!” Stella crosses her arms in front of her chest. “Quarma went to great lengths in order to stop Ryland from investigating you. Didn't you realize how strange it looked when you led us through that world? Be glad that her word carries a lot of weight.”

I scratch my chest in thought. “I guess I tried to ignore it. Even if she stopped being openly aggressive towards me, our relationship is still bad. Maybe I should try to speak to her more often. So your mother still thinks that I am just some kind of genius who managed to alter an existing magical circle.”

“She surely suspects that there is more to you than she knows, but since you are already my fiance she hasn't dug for more information. The real problem starts when my father returns next week.” Stella sits on my working desk. “He is the real brains in the family. I am sure that he won't stop poking around in your past until he is satisfied.”

Don't tell me that I have to plead for his daughter's hand in marriage. “So do we introduce the disc before he returns, or afterwards?”

“Better not at all, but since you seem to be so eager to change the world you should do it before he returns.”

I almost jump as my mother suddenly speaks from behind me. “Ah, Mother. Where did you drag Dad off to?”

Valda snorts. “He already woke up, after all I didn't hit him that hard. I sent him home before he recalls some memories I am not so fond of. I'll leave the rest to you two now. Surely you two can sort out this problem on your own.”

When she is gone I grab Stella at her shoulders. “Now that the security breach is gone, how did she break the seals?”

Stella tilts her head. “How did you even know that she was the one who broke the seal? I don't think that it helps, but she simply covered her finger in mana and stabbed it into the seal. It baffled me because it looked so easy.”

Just that? “She did nothing else? My high security seal was defeated by a mana covered finger?” It looks like my mother is more knowledgeable than I thought! Next time I'll use a seal which is three times stronger and more complicated.

“Whatever, time to find out what my father wanted to remember.” I take a remote control from the working table and switch the memory mirror on.

Stella gasps. “Unbelievable! This thing is able to record your memories? That's a security risk! What if something important is recorded?”

I shrug my shoulders. “It just records what's uppermost in your mind. Don't worry, this function is allowed only to me.”

Mashing the button a few times takes me through my father's memories.

“Nice ass...”

“That's your mother!”

“It doesn't change the fact.”

“Is that a whip?!”

“You can do it like that?”

“It looks like she likes it...”

“We never tried that position...”

“Why is he tied up?”

“Why is she blindfolded?”

“I want to try...”

***Free City States of Nict, Capital***

***Lucas Gejene***

Finally! There is nothing better than coming home after doing hard work. Helen will surely praise me for playing these small nations against each other. Having them fight between themselves is much better than dealing with warlords.

Haah... it annoys me that I have to fight with other problems within our country. The entrance to the palace opens by itself and my guards take their positions at the walls. I hurry to leave the carriage which brought me back to the capital and walk through the entrance.

Travelling within Nict is the best after all. Staying in a carriage for days with an army of guards around me got on my nerves. I take the shortest path through the palace to my family's private quarters.

Shortly before arriving at Helen's office I bump into Sola. The first thing I do is hugging her. “Daddy is back! I am sure you guys missed me!”

“Welcome back, Dad. Would you let go of me, I have something important to do.” She grumbles with a pissed voice.

I let go. “Did something bad happen? I am sure that I can solve everything to make my important daughter happy again.”

“Hah, no. I'll deal with this on my own. Mom will surely tell you everything.” Sola kisses me on the cheek continues on her way.

A little disturbed by the encounter I walk the last metres to Helen's office and enter. “My dearest, I am back!” Bursting into the room I find Helen inspecting a big metallic disk on the ground.

She looks up and smiles upon seeing me. “You are finally back!” She runs over and hugs me. “So much happened while you were away! I don't even know where to begin.”

I gesture at the door. “I just met Sola and she was acting like she stepped into a huge pile of shit. How about starting there.”

Helen shrugs her shoulders. “Oh, that. That's actually her own fault. She should learn that some things don't work out like she wants them to. She is a little too sure of herself.” Helen's expression turns dirty. “Guess what happened! Our daughter found a guy and asked me for help.”

My eyes widen. “But Sola has tons of guys and influence of her own. And I am already pulling quite a few strings to get her some acceptable candidates. Why should she ask for more help?”

She starts jumping in front of me. “I am not talking about Sola. I meant Stella! And she promised to do her duties as a princess in exchange for my help.”

I gasp. “St... Stella and a guy? What's with her epic quest for freedom? Why did she give it up from one day to the other! My cute little princess can't be allowed to be tricked by a third rate man! I hope you made sure that he isn't some kind of commoner! Oh, we should have never let her go to school!”

Helen pats my chest. “There is no problem. She fell in love with Azir Zait! When his mother decided to give him an ultimatum to find a girl, Stella saw no other chance than to beg me for help.”

I lick over my lips in deep thought. “Oh, that explains why Sola is pissed. She wanted to have that guy.” After a moment of pondering over the situation I continue. “I guess it means that I have to take an even closer look at him. There are some things in his file which disturb me.”

Helen cuffs me. “Don't scare him away. It was the deal of the century. We got our daughter back and an improved relationship with the Zait! On top of that, both of them really love each other. Stella even beat up Sola when she tried a move on Azir.”

I correct my clothes. “No way. Who won?”

She shakes her head. “They were both in a bad shape, but I think that Sola took more damage. It has been a long time since they had a fight like that.” Helen points at the silver plate on the floor. “Why don't we visit them. Azir is an even better catch than I thought at first. He built this teleportation artefact! You can even teleport between cities with it!”

My eyes lock onto the artefact on the floor. “Is that so?”

.