Tech Hero in Another World
Chapter 155: [154] The end of a journey and writing a new page

Chapter 155: [154] The end of a journey and writing a new page

The van continued its slow advance through increasingly dense vegetation. Its tires rolled over damp soil, leaving faint tracks behind the giant leaves and ancient roots that curled out from beneath the earth. The chirping of unfamiliar birds and the hum of insects mixed with the low rumble of the engine. The air grew thicker, more humid, and warmer despite the sun barely piercing through the dense canopy above.

Ren glanced at the navigation screen—there was no reliable map. There were no satellites, and all the data he had was a digitized version of a centuries-old map, compiled from the notes of an explorer whose name had long since been lost to time.

"Eastern Penal Plains, this longitude... tropical. But we’re in the south," Ren muttered, tapping the dashboard screen. "Geographically, that makes no sense."

On Earth, tropical forests are usually found near the equator. But on this planet, there was no clearly defined equator. The continent he was traversing had never been mapped scientifically. By his estimates, this landmass was roughly the size of China—vast and diverse, stretching from snow-capped highlands to poisonous swamp forests.

Ren exhaled slowly. He really needed to launch a reconnaissance satellite. The only issues were resources... and orbital stability. This planet had slightly higher gravity than Earth, and that alone could be a disaster if his calculations were off.

But before his thoughts could dive deeper into rocket trajectories and aerodynamic systems, his eyes caught something in the distance.

The terrain shifted.

The trees that once stood tall and tight now seemed to part, opening into a valley. A soft mist hung in the air. The sound of running water echoed faintly, and the air inside the van began to feel fresher—tinged with the scent of wet leaves and ancient moss.

Beside him, Alfred—usually calm and lazy like a giant housecat—suddenly stirred, pressing his body against the van’s window. His golden eyes gleamed, tail slightly raised, full of anticipation.

"So this is your home..." Ren glanced at him with a grin. "Right on time."

Alfred didn’t answer. He let out a soft, rumbling sound—almost like a purr. Even for a creature as strong as him, his expression now looked like a child returning home after years of exile.

The van slowed to a stop as the path sloped downward. Before them stretched a vast valley blanketed in misty forest. Steep ridges loomed like natural fortresses, and in the distance, a winding river cut through massive stones. The home of the Penal Tigers.

Ren gave a small smile. "Yup... just like Nepal. Mountains, mist, rivers. If this isn’t wild tiger territory, I don’t know what is."

From the backseat, Bella rose slowly. The tigress, known for her fierce eyes, now looked calmer—even warm—as she gazed at the landscape before them. Their three cubs, usually full of energy and constantly playing, now sat frozen, their wide eyes soaking in the view like they were seeing the world for the first time.

They all knew... this wasn’t just another place.

This was home.

Ren opened the van door, and as his foot touched the ground, something in the air shifted. The scent of wet earth, the songs of foreign birds, the wind brushing the mountainside—it all carried a deep tranquility, the kind only found in the right place.

The Alfred family followed. The striped giant sniffed the ground, then let out a low growl. Not a warning—an acknowledgment. This was their land. Their ancestral ground.

Ren watched their expressions and smiled softly. "First time setting foot on your own soil, huh?"

His thoughts drifted to Elanor—the previous owner of Alfred and Bella. A woman of striking beauty and youth, though Ren suspected her age was far from what her face betrayed. She wasn’t a noble, and though Ren had his suspicions about her true identity, he chose not to pry. He had more important things to focus on.

"Monster or not, they’re still living beings," Elanor had said back then. "And someday... they deserve to return home."

That was why Ren took this job. To be the escort. The guardian. A witness to one family’s return journey.

But the road was anything but easy.

First, he had to cross Alfheimr, the vast forest kingdom where Elves lived among the World Trees. He arrived right in the middle of a war.

Then, across the Mandalay Desert, he pierced through the Samsara Sultanate, caught in a bloody succession war between two brothers. He nearly died there when his TAF armor overheated and cooked him alive inside his own suit.

And finally, came Eks—a brutal city where people lived by one rule: strength is justice.

And now, all of that... was behind him.

Ren stood at the edge of a hill, gazing toward the towering Penal Mountains that rose like sleeping gods. White mist swirled between the ridges, and golden sunlight painted the peaks with a majestic glow beyond words.

He inhaled deeply.

"Yup..." he muttered, eyes locked on the terrain ahead. "I’ve got a lot of work to do from here."

His mind began to turn—analyzing rock structure, wind direction, potential resource zones. If he wanted to build a base inside this mountain, it would take time, energy, and countless calculations...

But still, he smiled.

---

Neutral Territory of the West, Starford Academy.

Elanor La Voisin—widely known as the Golden Witch—was a living legend in the world of magic. Though her age had long surpassed two centuries, her appearance betrayed no sign of time. Her golden hair flowed like sunlight stirred by the wind, her skin smooth as porcelain, and her gaze held a balance between wisdom and temptation. She seemed to transcend age, beauty, and even worldly limitations.

Elanor’s name was known to anyone even remotely connected to the world of magic. She held immense influence among various elite circles: from the mysterious Witch of Oz, to the Magic Tower, and of course—Starford Academy, the most prestigious magical institution in the Five Western Kingdoms, standing strong for over five centuries.

And Elanor? She was the academy’s finest graduate. Her title as Starford’s Supreme Graduate had yet to be surpassed to this day.

Now, she sat leisurely in a private conference room within the academy, stirring herbal tea in an antique silver cup, while gazing at the person in front of her with a playful smile.

"Umm... Elanor?" came a soft, cautious voice from a young girl in the academy’s official uniform.

Elanor raised an eyebrow. "Hoo, where are your manners, Olivia?"

The little girl—who was, in fact, Olivia Lumina Blanche, the current Headmistress of Starford Academy and a prodigious White Witch renowned for her genius since the age of five—awkwardly bowed, clutching her skirt with reddening cheeks.

"I’m sorry... Senior!" she replied, flustered.

Elanor chuckled. "Good. So, you don’t mind my request, do you?"

Olivia sat down again, fidgeting nervously. "But... am I really supposed to approve this without following proper procedure?!"

Seated across the table was a teenage boy with black hair and a tired expression—Ren’s close friend, Kiriya. He sighed, his eyes drifting to the tall glass window overlooking the magical gardens. He didn’t engage in the argument—he’d seen far too much nonsense in the politics of the magical world.

He had only agreed to enter Starford Academy for one reason: to investigate reversal magic—a forbidden variant used by the Kingdom of Eldora to summon Kiriya, Ren, and their entire class to this world.

"Come on... It’s a direct recommendation from me, Olivia-chan~" Elanor said in an overly sweet, teasing tone.

Olivia gritted her teeth. "Still... This violates admission procedures and formal protocols for guest students!"

Elanor leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand, eyes sparkling. "Hmm~ Are you doubting my judgment, Olivia-chan?"

"N-no! I didn’t mean that!" Olivia quickly replied, blushing even more.

"Hoo... Our little one dares talk back now? Ah, it takes me back... to the first time I saw you lost in Oz’s underground corridor, crying while carrying a book twice your size."

Olivia covered her ears with both hands. "Okay! Okay! I get it! Please, don’t bring that up again... Senior!"

Elanor covered her mouth with a lace-gloved hand, laughing softly but victoriously. "Fufufu~ You’re still as adorable as ever, Olivia-chan."

On the other side of the table, Kiriya rolled his eyes, not bothering to hide it. "Feels like I’m watching a senior bully her junior," he muttered under his breath—loud enough to be heard, but not enough to provoke Elanor... though he knew it was pointless.

A moment later, Elanor clapped her hands twice—lightly, but loud enough to draw everyone’s attention. Her bright smile bloomed like a spring flower, exuding infectious confidence.

"So there you have it, Asano. You’re officially accepted. Welcome to Starford Academy."

Kiriya raised an eyebrow at her, then glanced at Olivia—the actual headmistress—who let out a deep sigh, her face caught between acceptance and resignation.

"You’re serious? I’m in just like that?" Kiriya asked, skeptical. "I mean... shouldn’t I at least take an entrance exam or go through the usual admissions process?"

Olivia nodded quickly, as if trying to salvage what remained of the formal system she’d upheld for years. But before she could add anything, Elanor leaned in, resting her hand on her cheek, and said with a flirtatious tone:

"Ara~ Asano-kun, do you have any idea how difficult it is to get into this academy? A direct invitation from the Golden Witch should be an honor, not a question. Just accept it."

Kiriya gave a faint laugh. "Haha... Alright then, if that’s the will of the revered ’Golden Goddess’."

Olivia looked even more sullen now, her lips pouting slightly. But she said nothing.

Elanor adjusted her posture, folding her arms over her chest, and continued in a far more serious tone.

"By the way, since you’re officially a guest student now, there are a few things you should know, Asano. Starford isn’t just any magic school. This academy operates under direct recognition from the Five Western Kingdoms. It holds enormous political, cultural, and magical influence."

Kiriya nodded slowly, listening intently.

"There are various departments. Basic Magic, Offensive Magic, Alchemy, Healing Magic, Elemental Magic—even White and Black Magic—all under the direct supervision of the Council of the Three Pillars. In addition, there are divisions for close-range combat, defense, military strategy, and magical communication."

Elanor pointed at Olivia. "And most of the programs are overseen directly by our cute and... slightly too rigid headmistress here."

Olivia sighed again, then looked seriously at Kiriya. "But one thing you must keep in mind: even as a guest, most students here come from noble families, great magical lineages, or renowned clans. This isn’t an easy environment. You’ll need to adapt, mind your conduct, and... try not to break the rules too often."

Kiriya leaned back in his chair. "Don’t worry. I’m only here to investigate the progress of your summoning magic."

Elanor nodded and lifted her tea cup once again.