### Chapter 423: Journeys and Gains
With that thought, a spur-of-the-moment journey began.
This trip wasn’t a race across the skies on a flying broomstick, nor was it a teleportation. Instead, I used the world’s special transportation methods.
Though this wasn’t my world, the transportation systems still had some similarities – after all, they needed to do their basic job, and extravagance came at a price, especially with budget constraints.
Almost every technological marvel here was powered by Earth Energy, including the car I sat in. The history of this world taught me that they discovered Earth Vein Energy first, but took a wrong turn initially. Later, they figured out how to convert Earth Vein Energy into usable Earth Energy and started tapping into its potential.
After understanding Earth Energy, I found it less intriguing, especially since mastering it meant lowering the threshold for using it. If only they had ventured more into magic instead of technology, things wouldn’t be so tough.
Yet, established technology often resists change. Even if a few whizzes theorize otherwise, a civilization won’t flip just like that; it’s too risky.
With Earth Energy in full use, the Plant Network also took shape, emerging faster than I expected. Maybe there was a link with something called “Rampant Tears.”
Despite the brilliant minds creating these advancements, Earth Energy’s applications far exceeded what was seen in the technology growth compared to the Plant Network. It almost felt like two different ages.
It wasn’t their fault though. If not for the Excavators, this world might have seen faster tech progress, but expecting gamers to create art and drive culture seemed wishful thinking. They just vented frustrations through gaming, making games dull and Excavators dangerous and explosive.
But none of this mattered much to me as I rode with the bumpy roads and fleeting scenery outside.
I spent long in this place, yet never truly understood it. It held both violence and darkness, wonder and beauty. Despite everything, ordinary folks kept surviving. Perhaps living in a peaceful society twice made me oblivious.
The lower strata still created unexpected wonders because those ill-suited simply vanished. Our first stop was international, given Lanas Island’s small size and only one Main World Tree. Even Ruxin knew little about notable tourist spots here.
Lanas Island sat like a peninsula, in a quiet corner of the continent, with a simple surrounding power structure. Not a hotspot or energy-rich spot, peace reigned. Even excluding excavators, the country hadn’t seen warfare in ages. So, we started our journey inland rather than heading out to sea.
On this trip, I tried learning other languages, not aiming to master them, but to see connections. Language, unique yet universal, became my focus – summarizing effective ways to learn while adapting quickly to the “Knowledge Tree.”
In preparation for possible travels, I didn’t wait until the first year ended in Witch Academy to make “friendly” inter-world exchanges. Hence, I preemptively prepared.
Learning multiple languages improved my methodologies. Language techniques, plus other skills, helped my comprehensive growth – applying one thing to another.
Traveling methodically, research on the World Tree continued. Initially, I hoped for insight, but ended disappointed by a poor copy lacking innovation.
Leaving the radius of a supernatural item’s effect, I gained no surprising discoveries about Supernatural Knowledge. Yet, I remained undeterred, wanting relaxation now.
This journey included play and study. Play relaxed me, study broadened horizons.
Learning side-effects of Knowledge Tree fit studies as well. While I veered from the original goal, stagnancy was anticipated. Effortless attempts yielded better results than forced ones.
Realizing this, I focused on personal adjustments.
Relaxation boosted productivity. Facing struggles showed me the limits set by my own doubts and pressures. Only when unburdened could I accomplish more.
Experiencing this, I understood the statement: “I could do anything but limited myself.”
Perhaps, if only I released those invisible constraints and stopped worrying about petty issues.
Now, truly understanding actions versus reactions, I decided to stop pushing.
Letting go transformed my outlook. Half a month passed quickly.
During this time, I traveled more than two lives’ worth of experience, just scratching the surface of global exploration.
I witnessed breathtaking sights, natural wonders, wars’ havoc, and excavators everywhere. Each scene was even more frenzied than before.
Amidst travel, I noticed international tension rising due to excavators’ madness.
Excavators were rampant but not misguidedly. They behaved like mad revelers, confirming suspicions.
Even if these players weren’t offline, the idea of “server shutdown” intrigued me. Did they give up? Or realized futility?
Crucially, essential knowledge remained undiscovered. Why come here if not seeking hidden resources?
Players controlled bodies via Life Fortune Threads. Initially, those with threads were excavators, but this wasn’t always true. Threads could bind non-players, containers for invaders. When possessed, they died instantly, becoming mindless shells.
This realization came by accident. A plain-looking man turned murderous, destroying the vehicle with horrifying efficiency.
Uncertain why they killed, I carried Ruxin away on a broomstick afterward.
Continuing the journey didn’t dampen spirits. Nothing could derail me; emotions no longer fluctuated based on others.
Excavators added excitement. “Server shutdown” seemed trivial. Their exit style somewhat mirrored mine. I could leave safely, but who knew for them.
Timing for interventions seemed perfect. The Reverse Summoning ritual drew attention.
Many dugressions confirmed my symbols, leading to repeated attempts in this world.
Perhaps direct intervention was best – breaking fourth-wall reality. Directly researching ritual could expose world secrets.
Considering their interest in spells, publicizing the summoning ritual would lure them.
Maybe I should involve the Real Protection Society too.
At least, it couldn’t hurt.
Currently, Academy Head arrivals were paramount.
Expected exploration teams meant information back to the Witch Academy. Normal flow predicted.
Would any other exceptional academy fellows join them?
Unlikely.
Laughing off uncertainties, I continued enjoying the journey. On cue, public opinion targeting excavators accelerated. Urgency rose as they neared shutdown.
Without immediate action, escape would prevent capture. Magically overpowering the civilization’s fall would complete my goals.
Wishing for Academy faculty’s arrival to simplify things.
