Chess Mage of Faerûn

Chapter 83 Departure
Chapter 83 Graduation

Leaving aside Zhang, who was lost in thought and melancholy, Nancy on the other side was also feeling somewhat lost.

Looking at this novice in front of me, who has mastered almost all of my skills in just a month and a half, and thinking back to how much sweat I shed, how many lessons I endured from my teachers, and how many tears I shed alone because of setbacks, fear, and hardship, I realize how much effort I put into acquiring these skills.

She felt an itch in her hands.

He definitely hadn't had enough yet. It's a pity I have to leave this city, otherwise I could have taught this kid a lesson for a while longer.

However, when it came to saying goodbye to the city where she had lived for more than 20 years and which recorded half of her life's trajectory, Nancy still felt a great deal of reluctance.

However, even a long journey must come to an end. My greatest concern at Baldur's Gate has dissipated, and my deepest regret has been made up for. It's time to go back and visit.

Calmly, I told the newbie in front of me the news of my departure. I was hoping that this guy would try to persuade me to stay, but to my surprise, the guy's eyes were glazed over, and he didn't say a word. He was completely lost in thought and didn't hear what I was saying at all.

Nancy's face immediately darkened, all her feelings of parting and sadness vanished, and she tapped Zhang Yuan with the scabbard of her sword, which snapped him back to his senses.

Zhang Yuan was somewhat surprised when Nancy reiterated her decision to leave:
"Aren't you also a member of the Flame Fist? Why are you suddenly leaving Baldur's Gate?"

"It's nothing, I just wanted to go back and take a look." Nancy didn't offer much explanation.

"Alright, you're planning to go back to your hometown? Which one? Neverwinter?" Zhang Yuan remembered hearing about this northern pearl from Nancy.

"Yes, it's been a long time since I've been back. I don't even know how it is there anymore."

"You don't expect me to go to Neverwinter with you right now, do you?" Suddenly remembering a promise he had made to Nancy, Zhang Yuan became nervous. It wasn't that he wanted to break his promise, but now was really not a good time.

"I already told you I'm very patient. I'll let you know when I really need your help. There's nothing for you to do right now," Nancy explained irritably, sensing the other person's reluctance.

Somewhat embarrassed, Zhang Yuan offered a brief explanation, and the final farewell ended with his wish for a safe journey.

Zhang Yuan wasn't particularly saddened by Nancy's farewell. Although she was both his mentor and friend, parting was a common occurrence for him.

Farewells at transferring schools, farewells after moving, farewells after the college entrance exam, farewells after graduation, and Zhang Yuan, who moved between several cities with Hans' family while studying abroad, are all very open-minded about these things. As long as it's not a matter of life and death, everyone has the right to decide where their life's journey will take them.

Life has dreams, each of which is wonderful.

Back at his base, Zhang Yuan began working on his next plan. After finishing his special training, he had plenty of free time, and his savings of 500 gold coins were more than enough to support him for a while.

It's time to visit Bantley Mirror Image!

Thinking about his spellcasting level, which has not improved at all, his spellcasting expertise, and the few spells he has learned, Zhang Yuan felt as if a fire was burning in his heart, as he felt that he was getting further and further away from his dream of becoming a mage.

Besides, Bantley wasn't some lackey who could be summoned and dismissed at will. As an illusionist with 11 spellcasting levels, he was only two levels away from becoming a high-level mage, although those two levels might be impossible for him to cross in his lifetime. Having left Bantley hanging for so long, if he didn't fulfill their previous agreement, he might be finished. Unless absolutely necessary, Zhang Yuanzhen didn't want to test other people's patience.

On the other hand, he was no longer the ignorant person who only knew how to cast the spell "Barbarian." Through reading and studying those books, even if he still hadn't mastered the basics, at least he wasn't illiterate anymore.
Right?
He excitedly packed all the books, his notes, and questions that arose during his self-study into a package. He had a lot to pack before his upcoming journey.

In the words of wandering poets, poetry and distant places are always romantic and always interconnected.

In their poems, they will tell you about the breathtaking scenery in the distance, the beautiful girls in the distance, the wonderful encounters, and the unforgettable memories.

They will tell you through their songs that the scenery in the distance is as melodious and moving as a bagpipe, the girl in the distance is as melodious and beautiful as a seven-stringed lute, those wonderful encounters are as exciting and uplifting as a hand drum, and those memories are as lingering and unforgettable as a lute.

What they won't tell you is that if you need to spend the night in the wilderness during your trip, you have to be careful that even when you're taking a dump, wild dogs and wolves will sniff you out and track you down.

Having already traveled far from home several times, either with a team or with others, Zhang Yuan had none of those ridiculous romantic fantasies. He only regretted that his mage level was too low to learn the Leomon series of spells, which were known as travel magic.

"At least having Leo Meng's storage technique would be good," Zhang Yuan thought to himself, while trying to cram all sorts of dazzling items into the limited space in his bag.

As a homebody with hamster-like tendencies, when he has to travel far away, nothing gives him more comfort and a sense of security than having all his daily necessities with him.

As a result, he carried four large backpacks that were almost the size of large hiking backpacks.

"Ugh~ What am I going to do?" Zhang Yuan, whose cheeks were starting to ache, clicked his tongue as he looked at the small hill in front of him.

Forget it, I'll just hire a carriage and have my summoned creatures help me out.

Without further thought, Zhang Yuan prepared to say goodbye to Ska. After all, he was going to be leaving the base for so long, and even if he was not a member of the staff, it was better to inform him in advance.

As evening approached and darkness fell, the Flame Fist team members returned one after another from outside the gate or the training ground. Having finished a day of missions and training, it was time for them to treat themselves.

Looking at the dinner in front of him, Zhang Yuan felt a sense of warmth from the dishes that he used to find quite ordinary. Thinking about his future studies, which were still full of uncertainties, he wondered if it was really worth leaving this warm and comfortable place that he had become accustomed to in order to pursue a mere possibility.

He had thought more than once that with his talent as a warrior, he might become a great warrior in the future, survive in this world, and perhaps even live a good life. He could become a captain, climb the ranks step by step, become an officer, a nobleman, get a title and privileges for his wife and children, and thus live the so-called upper-class life.

He no longer dared to dream of going home. Having come to a clearer understanding of reality, he could fully imagine how small the probability of traveling back was. It was even less likely than hoping that one day he would be struck by the Slate of Fate and transformed into a new god chosen by Aio.

To be honest, the latter possibility is probably much greater.

Besides, what good would going back do? Who knows if the flow of time is the same in both worlds?
There were too many uncertainties and impossibilities. Zhang Yuan didn't consider himself the protagonist in some books. Courage was etched in his heart. Even if it meant death, even if there were countless dangers and hardships, he still had to go back to his hometown.

"I'm sorry, I can't do it. I only have one life, and I can't gamble everything for a slim chance. What I've always wanted to grasp is the present moment," Zhang Yuan thought to himself.

(End of this chapter)