Gravity Mage with Level-Up System

From the MC’s Perspective: Experience exclusive tales on empire

The Black-Clothed Woman finally broke her silence, her gaze sharp as she asked, “Who are you?” Her voice cut through the stillness, cold and tinged with a hint of irritation, as if my presence here had disrupted something important.

Without hesitation, I answered, “I’m heading to the Ancient Redwood Country. I happened to stumble upon this place while traveling.”

Her eyes flickered at my words, but I continued before she had a chance to respond, “Is there a nearby city where I can find transport for the journey ahead?”

The woman—Gloria Moody, stood still, her expression betraying a subtle shift. Her reaction caught my attention. At the mention of the Ancient Redwood Country, something had changed in her demeanor. It was as though a storm had swept through her mind, a ripple of shock that she struggled to hide.

She blinked, her silence stretching longer than expected. Her heart, I could sense, was racing beneath that composed exterior. What had I said to provoke such a response? Could it be the name of the Ancient Redwood Country that had unnerved her?

The truth was, Gloria came from a small nation—a vassal state under the protection of the Ancient Redwood Country. Each year, her nation paid tribute for that security, just like many others in the region. It was a delicate balance, and one that placed her world in the shadow of that great power.

For her, the Ancient Redwood Country was not something to be spoken of lightly. It was a colossal, nearly mythical force in this part of the world—a superpower whose reach and influence could shape the fates of entire nations. Yet here I was, mentioning it as casually as one would talk about the weather.

In her eyes, I must have seemed reckless, perhaps even mad. She probably thought me one of those eccentric, wandering wizards—delusional enough to believe I could journey to such a place without understanding its weight.

As her silence deepened, I felt a strange tension in the air. Her shock was palpable, but why? Had I said something wrong?

“Hmmm,” I muttered under my breath, observing her closely. Her surprise had not gone unnoticed. Something in my words had stirred a reaction, and I wondered what it was. Did I inadvertently tread into dangerous territory by speaking of the Ancient Redwood Country so freely?

Her confusion remained, but she gave nothing more away. If she feared me or thought me a fool, she kept it well-hidden, her guarded expression betraying little. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that my journey had just taken a more complicated turn.

“My name is Gloria Moody,” she finally introduced herself, her voice firm but measured. Her eyes locked onto mine, the weight of authority suddenly present in her tone. “This place is under the jurisdiction of the Small Alliance Nation, and the Ancient Redwood Country you’re so casually mentioning is far from here.”

She paused, as if gauging my reaction, before continuing in a more solemn tone, “If you truly intend to go to the Ancient Redwood Country, you must first make your way to the headquarters of the Small Alliance Nation. That is the only place where you might find transport or permission to travel further.”

Her words gave me pause. In an instant, my scattered thoughts began to align, a sense of clarity washing over me. The veil of unfamiliarity around this region started to lift. I had been ignorant of the delicate political landscape here, but now pieces of the puzzle were falling into place.

Unlike the autonomous and often isolated countries from my homeland, this region operated under a different system—one where numerous smaller nations had banded together, forging an alliance for survival.

This union, the Small Alliance Nation, owed its safety and continued existence to the Ancient Redwood Country, a superpower looming like a giant over the land. Every year, these smaller nations paid tribute to the Redwood in exchange for protection. Their allegiance was more than just ceremonial; it was vital for their continued existence.

As I absorbed this, I realized how careful I would need to be. Unlike the wild, untamed regions I had traversed before, this place was intertwined in a web of diplomacy and control.

To simply waltz through the Small Alliance Nation on my way to the Ancient Redwood Country would be reckless. Each step would need to be calculated. Every interaction might be scrutinized, not only by the people here but by the powers that ruled from afar.

Gloria’s caution now made perfect sense. I had treated the name of the Ancient Redwood Country with nonchalance, unaware of the weight it carried here. To her, my attitude likely bordered on arrogance or naivety.

But now, I know better. Before I could even dream of setting foot in the Ancient Redwood Country, I would have to navigate the complex politics of this alliance, moving carefully among those who lived in the shadow of a giant.

This journey was no longer just about reaching a destination. It was about understanding the currents that shaped the world around me—and ensuring I didn’t drown in them before I ever saw the Redwood trees towering on the horizon.

I looked at her directly, keeping my voice steady and respectful, “Thank you for telling me. Could you explain more? How exactly should I go there?”

Gloria furrowed her brows in response, her gaze sharpening as she studied me. She had shared those details initially to gauge my reaction, and now, seeing that I was serious about reaching the Ancient Redwood Country, her curiosity seemed to deepen.

Her expression hinted at a silent calculation, as if she was trying to unravel the puzzle of who I was and why I would embark on such a dangerous journey.

For a moment, she hesitated, lost in thought. Then, as if arriving at a decision, she spoke with more weight in her voice, “There are certain procedures required, especially for someone like you—a foreign wizard.

The Ancient Redwood Country doesn’t just allow anyone to enter, particularly from outside their sphere of influence. Permissions are needed, and certain… safeguards are put in place to ensure you’re not a threat.”

Her words carried a gravity I hadn’t expected, hinting at the complex bureaucracy and suspicion toward outsiders. It wasn’t just a matter of traveling—it was navigating layers of red tape, power dynamics, and perhaps even proving my intentions. I could feel the challenge growing larger, but I held her gaze, determined to push forward.

She then added, “You can come with us to our city. I’ll explain the details there and help guide you through the process. It’s not something you can handle alone without the proper connections or understanding of how things work here.”

As she finished speaking, I heard a low rumble from behind her. The Black Tiger Monster, which had been silently watching our exchange with predatory vigilance, let out a deep, resonant roar.

For a moment, its eyes locked onto me, its alert stance unnerving, as if it had been waiting for any sign of aggression or betrayal on my part. Its sleek, black-striped fur rippled with power, the creature embodying the wild strength of this region.

But as Gloria extended her invitation, the Black Tiger seemed to sense the shift in her mood. The beast’s tense posture relaxed slightly, its sharp gaze softening. The message was clear: I was no longer considered a threat—for now.

It was an unspoken pact, sealed by her offer and the creature’s acquiescence. I had earned a tentative trust, though I knew it was fragile. Any wrong step could shatter it. Still, this was a beginning, and I needed allies, or at least guides, to navigate the labyrinth of this region’s politics and powers.

“I’ll come with you,” I replied, my tone calm but resolute. I could feel the weight of what lay ahead, but for now, I had taken the first step into this new world, and there was no turning back.

In one fluid motion, Gloria mounted the massive Black Tiger Monster with a grace that spoke of long familiarity. The creature, now under her command, let out a low, rumbling roar that vibrated through the air—less a warning, more a signal of readiness. Its powerful muscles tensed for a brief moment, and then, with a single bound, it ascended from the ground, effortlessly rising into the sky.

I watched in silent awe as the creature’s great wings—black and glossy like onyx—unfurled from its sides. It wasn’t just a terrestrial beast, but something capable of aerial mastery, gliding effortlessly above the treetops as if gravity held no sway over it.

Its sleek, muscular body cut through the air with elegance and precision, its rider, Gloria, appearing entirely at ease on its back. She barely glanced back, focused on the path ahead.

Without hesitation, I activated my own flight ability, feeling the familiar rush as the ground fell away beneath me. I lifted off and soared into the sky, following in the wake of the Black Tiger Monster.

The wind whipped against my face, carrying with it the scent of earth and wood from the vast wilderness below. I had traveled great distances before, but something about this moment felt different—more significant.