With preparations complete on May 25th, Jin and the others set out for Avalon.
The party consisted of Jin, Reiko, Freddie, Greena, Rubina, and Storm.
Storm was, of course, the golem that the three disciples had built together.
Their transport was the Hurricane.
Hope served as the pilot.
"All right, let's go."
Jin and his companions had finished getting ready well ahead of time.
"Well then, we're off," Jin called out to Laojun as the Hurricane ascended into the skies above Hourai Island.
This time, Jin intended to enjoy the scenic flight rather than take a transporter.
"Wah, no matter how many times I ride in this, flying through the sky is always the best!"
Jin smiled fondly as Rubina cheered with excitement.
Meanwhile, Freddie and Greena were happily chatting about something or other.
Since traveling over the open sea offered little in the way of scenery, Jin instructed Hope to take a slight detour—first heading west to fly over the Lauren Continent, and then following the landmass as much as possible from there.
Thanks to that decision:
"Ah, look! Down there is the Klein Kingdom's capital, Alban!"
and,
"Wow, grasslands as far as the eye can see! This area must be the Celuroa Kingdom's Liebus Region!"
Greena exclaimed merrily as she gazed out the window at the ground below.
Because they maintained an altitude of around 100 meters above the terrain, the Hurricane's altitude naturally rose and fell along with the elevation of the landscape beneath them.
Even so, the pressurized cabin remained utterly tranquil, without anyone's ears popping from the changes in pressure.
Taking its time, the Hurricane crossed into the airspace above the Kingdom of Elias and then drifted out over the sea. Before long, Avalon came into view.
The time was 2:00 PM.
"This is Avalon air traffic control. We have visual on the Hurricane. Please respond."
It seemed they were transmitting the voice using an application of wind-attribute magic.
Though likely still in an experimental phase, Jin welcomed the progress, pleased to see that they had begun implementing air traffic control.
"This is Hurricane. Jin Nidou speaking. Requesting landing clearance."
"Understood. Jin Nidou-dono, please proceed to land at Port 3."
"Hurricane, roger. Proceeding to Port 3."
Under Hope's steady control, the Hurricane began descending toward Port 3.
"I wonder if Marikka has already arrived."
For this trip, Marikka had traveled separately; she was supposed to fly in directly from the Nord Federation.
"Ah, look! That's Marikka-sama down there!"
Rubina, peering out the window, called out.
At the edge of Port 3 where the Hurricane was heading, Marikka and Tomax Bartman were already standing by to welcome them.
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"Jin-dono, it has been a long time. Disciples, welcome to you as well."
"It has been a long time, Jin-sama."
"Tomax-san, Marikka, it's good to see you both again."
Since they were out on the airfield, they kept their greetings brief and split into the waiting automobiles.
Jin, Reiko, Hope, Tomax, and Marikka rode in one car.
Freddie, Greena, Rubina, and Storm took the other.
The two automobiles set off toward the academy, the very cornerstone of Avalon's wisdom.
"...Wah, it really is such an interesting place!"
"...There's something quite fascinating about a town laid out with such precise order."
"...Incredible..."
Only half-listening to the fragments of conversation drifting from the trailing car, Jin let himself sway with the gentle motion of the vehicle.
"Father, are you tired?"
Reiko, sitting beside him, looked up with concern.
"Hm? No, not at all."
"Is that so? You seemed unusually lost in thought just now."
"Ah, perhaps I was. It's just that I find the atmosphere here rather comforting."
He couldn't quite put it into words, but it reminded him of the modern Japanese cities he had once known, filling him with a warm sense of nostalgia.
(I wonder if this world has crept just a little closer to Earth... or rather, to Japan?)
Even so, Jin believed that while they were welcome to adopt the good parts, they definitely shouldn't emulate the bad ones.
While Jin was lost in these thoughts, the two automobiles arrived on the academy grounds.
Students—who hadn't been around the last time he built a golem with Eira and the others—had gathered alongside the road, jostling and crowding for a view.
"They're hoping to catch a glimpse of the Magi Craft Meister," Marikka explained with a smile.
"Eh? Not you, Marikka?"
"Well, likely the two of you together, I'd imagine."
"I suppose that makes sense..."
Marikka seemed accustomed to the attention, occasionally waving toward the roadside, but Jin felt far too self-conscious to wave back and simply kept his gaze fixed straight ahead.
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Jin and his party were guided to the guest accommodations annexed to the main academy building.
Tomax Bartman offered a polite bow before addressing them.
"You will be staying here for the night, and we look forward to your lecture beginning tomorrow."
"Understood....Oh, right. Regarding the lecture materials, I brought 500 copies for now, but will that be enough?"
"Most likely... it will not be."
"What!?"
According to Tomax, students, scholars, engineers, and artisans from various nations had gathered to attend the upcoming lectures, meaning the audience would easily exceed 1,000 people.
"O-One thousand people...?"
Hearing that number made Freddie shrink back in intimidation.
"I see. In that case, we'll need to prepare another 500 copies."
When Jin said that, Tomax thoughtfully offered,
"If you provide us with the data, we can arrange to print them on our end."
However, Jin gently declined.
"No, it's quite all right. I'll contact our base and have them print the extras."
He didn't want to place any further burden on the Avalon staff, who were undoubtedly overwhelmed with tomorrow's preparations as it was.
"Understood. Then, Jin-dono, Marikka-sama, and everyone, we look forward to working with you. If you need anything at all, please do not hesitate to inform the maid golems."
With another bow, Tomax Bartman took his leave.
"Allow us to guide you to your rooms."
The Golem Maids tasked with attending to the party, Safi 1001 and Safi 1002, stepped forward.
They were the exact same model as the Golem Maids that Jin and Deus Ex Machina had previously donated to Avalon.
Their name was derived from sapphire, matching their deep blue eyes.
Seeing these successors filled Jin with deep sentiment.
Individual bedrooms were assigned to Jin and the others, each attended by a Golem Maid.
Jin was the only one who politely excused his, as Reiko was already by his side.
Though referred to as bedrooms, each suite actually consisted of two adjoining rooms: the bedroom proper, complete with a bed, and a living area equipped with a desk and chair for work, as well as a table set for relaxing. They were exceptionally comfortable.
After setting down their luggage, Jin and the others settled in to relax in their respective rooms.