It wasn't until Leo noticed the weather control in the VIP sector that many things began to fall into place—details he had previously overlooked. Perhaps it was his enhanced brain function, now sharper and more attuned to critical thinking, or maybe he had simply never cared to consider the bigger picture until today. Either way, it now seemed obvious to him.
The Arc Ship, though massive in size, never really appeared as enormous as it should have. Theoretically, Washington D.C. didn't house 250 million people, yet the Arc Ship, which was barely the size of 15 football fields combined, somehow carried them all.
Until now, he hadn't given much thought to this phenomenon. But today, something clicked—this vessel was far more advanced and sophisticated than he had ever imagined. It wasn't just technology; it was magic. The presence of spatial runes lined throughout the ship explained the impossible.
"Hey Elandor, is the entire Arc Ship lined with special spatial runes?" Leo asked, curiosity edging into his voice. Elandor paused, a flicker of acknowledgment crossing his features before he nodded.
"Indeed, sir. The entire Arc Ship is much larger than it seems. It's an engineering marvel, compressing space at numerous points. The walkways are lined with spatial runes that shorten distances, while the interiors—homes, structures—are fully realized in size. Without these runes, walking from Sector E to D would feel like a cross-country marathon.
In truth, the Arc Ship is as large as the state of Texas."
Leo blinked, a bit thrown off by Elandor's knowledge of Earth's geography. But the more he thought about it, the more it made sense. The level of sophistication on this ship was beyond anything he could comprehend. Technology that bent space like this, combined with magic, was worth hundreds of billions of gold coins, at the very least.
As the implications sunk in, Leo felt a deep sense of awe. They were aboard something truly monumental.
"Let's continue with our tour, sir. Let me show you the manors where you all shall be living," Elandor said, guiding the trio further along the path.
As they arrived at one of the three manor houses, its grand wooden doors swung open to reveal an interior as luxurious as its exterior.
The ceilings of the manor soared above them, adorned with intricately carved beams, and the floors gleamed with polished stone that reflected the soft ambient lighting.
Every room was meticulously furnished—plush couches, rich tapestries, and art that seemed far too valuable to be housed on a mere ship as the entire atmosphere radiated opulence.
Leo stood in the entrance, momentarily stunned by the grandeur of it all. This was going to be his new residence and it was beyond anything he could have imagined, a level of luxury reserved for the truly elite.
"I feel like we've suddenly become billionaires. This is way beyond urban elite—this is literal king shit," Luke muttered, his eyes wide as Leo and Amanda nodded, sharing his awe.
"This is just one of your residences," Elandor chimed in, his voice carrying through the vast hall. "Each house is equipped with unique features, but all are designed for the highest level of comfort and luxury."
Leo's gaze drifted to a door on the side, slightly ajar. A soft hum emanated from within, as if the room itself pulsed with energy. "What's in there?" he asked, stepping closer.
Elandor smiled. "That, Mr. Skyshard, is the meditation and mana room. The concentration of mana in this space is ten times what you've experienced in Sector C. It is perfect for honing your skills or simply for relaxation."
"Ten times the mana concentration?" Luke's eyebrow shot up. "That's insane."
Leo stepped into the room, and the moment he crossed the threshold, he felt it. The air was thick with mana, so dense it seemed to hum around him. He stood still, allowing the sensation to wash over him, his body instinctively drawing in the energy.
At that point, Leo already understood that this place would be invaluable for his training, especially since he hoped to start training to become a grandmaster soon.
Nonetheless, he did not linger in the meditation room for too long, as he knew that he would have many chances to do so later anyways and continued with the tour instead.
As the group moved forward, their each step revealed something more extravagant than the last.
The kitchens were stocked with unfamiliar, alien appliances that Leo couldn't even name, the bedrooms boasted bedding that felt softer than any material he'd encountered, and the personal library was filled with rare, ancient texts.
Every corner of the manor blended magic and technology, creating a perfect environment that catered to both luxury and practicality.
Amanda couldn't contain her excitement as they explored, a wide smile on her face. "I never thought I'd live in a place like this. It's incredible."
Luke, ever the pragmatist, nodded thoughtfully. "The mana room alone makes this worth it. We'll be able to train harder and faster than ever before."
Leo remained quieter than his companions, though he shared their awe. This place was beyond even his wildest dreams. More than just a luxurious residence, it held the promise of accelerating his growth in ways he hadn't foreseen.
For the first time in a long while, Leo felt a sense of calm—a rare peace that came with the realization that he was exactly where he needed to be.
His entire life, he had only seen struggle.
At first it was his mom who had to struggle and later, it was he himself who had to work hard to make ends meet.
However, now finally it seemed like he had made it big in life. That for the first time, he had gone beyond basic necessities and reached the indulgence phase of his life.
"That's it for the tour of this manor, the other two manors are also similar in structure and basic materials, however, will be different in interior and resources.
If you wish, we can proceed with the tour of the other two manors, or if you are content, then we can proceed to meet Captain Kid, who is waiting with a few welcome gifts for you fine passengers in the backyard" Elandor said, as Leo looked towards the others and instead of continuing with the tour, opted for meeting the Captain first instead.