Chapter 81: Morent

What is the first impression a city can give you? Even though Charles had seen it in future visions, nothing could compare to the impact of witnessing it with his own eyes. Towering skyscrapers stood in neat rows, the dazzling urban scene rushing toward him, making him feel as though he’d returned to the City of Magic.

Yet, the giant beasts flying overhead, lush vines crawling along the buildings, and the bizarre vehicles shaped like strange creatures traversing the streets—all these reminded him that this was Morent, not the City of Magic.

Unlike the City of Magic from his previous life, Morent was a classic academy city with a history spanning a century.

“A hundred years ago, the first dean, Gavin Rosa, chose this island as the academy’s site. Its total area is about the same as your imperial capital,” explained Lyle, whom they’d just met. After disembarking from the steamer and spending another hour on a smaller boat, the group finally stepped onto the island where Morent was located. Leslie had left earlier due to urgent matters, so Lyle, as their impromptu guide, introduced them to the customs and culture of the city as they walked.

“The entire city is centered around Morent Academy, with a population approaching three million. Eighty percent of residents are connected to the academy—either students, family members, or workers. Five percent possess the talent for spirit mastery, making this the place with the highest concentration of spirit masters in the world!”

The more Charles listened, the more astonished he became. The Harrison Empire boasted a population of a billion, with its largest city, the imperial capital, barely reaching five million—most of whom were ordinary citizens.

But this city rivaled the City of Magic in every respect, flaunting technology decades ahead of the outside world, and standing as the world’s foremost metropolis—without rival!

Most incredible of all, this was a city that had taken biotechnology to its extreme.

“That’s a Totoro public transport vehicle. Just call it Totoro. The academy bred this new type of transport from the Totoro totem beast. It needs two meals a day, plus one source crystal to sustain it for twenty-four hours.”

Charles and Irene stared blankly at the “vehicle” before them, mentally exclaiming in disbelief.

It couldn’t be helped—the vehicle was essentially a creature, merely fashioned to resemble a bus.

It had eight sturdy legs, its exterior covered in orangey fur like a tabby cat, hollow inside, with two enormous eyes and a license plate hanging from its head—number 112.

“This… this is incredible!” Irene, overwhelmed by wonder since their journey began, was now wide-eyed at this peculiar vehicle, a true country girl seeing the city for the first time.

Lyle chuckled behind his hand, evidently accustomed to such sights, and nudged them forward. “Don’t hesitate, get on board. It won’t eat you!”

“Oh, right, right.” The two hurried aboard, carrying their luggage.

“If you have a student ID, it’s free. Otherwise, it’s one coin per ride. I’ll pay for you this time, but don’t forget to treat me to a meal!” Lyle grinned, dropping three coins into a golden box at the front of the vehicle.

“The furry seats are wonderful!” Irene exclaimed, stroking the seat as she pressed her face to the window, gazing outside.

Such remarkable biotechnology!

Charles couldn’t help but marvel. The Totoro bus was ten meters long, offering nearly thirty seats inside. He had no idea what technology the academy used to create it.

The floor was soft, like a thick carpet, and the seats sported a layer of fur—genuine leather and hair.

“Don’t worry, sit down. The Totoro bus bathes every day, so it’s perfectly clean,” Irene explained with a smile, having guessed his concerns.

“Since Leslie brought you here, the procedures will be much smoother. I’ll take you first to the currency exchange so you can convert your gold coins into Morent banknotes.”

Morent had long abandoned gold and copper coins, adopting paper notes and the cheapest iron coins, much like in Charles’s previous world.

“Thank you so much. Once we’ve settled in, I’ll definitely treat you to a meal,” Charles said gratefully.

This girl had enthusiastically explained so much along the way, and he would still need her help with enrollment procedures, accommodation, and more. He felt he owed her a great debt.

“No need to thank me. As a senior, it’s my duty to help you. Every year, upper-year students volunteer to welcome new arrivals,” Lyle replied, waving her hand, then smiling. “If you need a totem companion or want to hone your combat skills, come find me. My brother, Bean, runs a totem dojo. When you have time, I’ll take you there.”

“Alright,” Charles nodded, making a mental note of this. He needed a variety of totem beasts for his research, and knowing someone connected would make it easier to find suitable options.

A clear chime rang out.

“Morent Academy West Gate—passengers for this stop, please disembark.”

At that moment, a crisp voice sounded from the front of the vehicle, prompting the three of them and their pet to hurriedly get off.

The Totoro bus moved lightly and silently; sitting inside, there was hardly any jostling, far more comfortable than any bus Charles had ever known.

He saw the source of the voice: it seemed to be an insect resembling a cicada, quietly perched there, emitting a signal at each stop—another marvel of biotechnology.

Following the crowd, they arrived at the academy gates, only to find that the entrance was lush and verdant, located beneath the roots of a towering tree.

The tree resembled a phoenix tree, yet soared a hundred meters high, with a trunk diameter exceeding twenty meters—grand beyond imagination, and crowds streamed through its roots like ants.

“The academy has eight gates, each with a colossal tree like this. It’s said these trees are ultimate-form plant totems, possessing unfathomable power. If danger ever threatens the academy, they will save it. But that’s just legend; no one has ever seen them move,” Lyle said, gazing up at the mighty tree, her eyes full of curiosity.

“Indeed, even ultimate forms shouldn’t be this large,” Charles agreed, nodding.

Actually, he knew these trees truly were ultimate forms—top-tier ones, at that. Together, the eight could merge into a super-evolved divine tree to repel countless radiation monsters!

But for now, they remained quietly here, appearing no different from ordinary trees.

At the currency exchange, Charles discovered a banking system similar to that of his previous world—even bank cards existed, though here, they took the form of wristbands.

When depositing money, the bank provided a wristband that recorded your mental signature, allowing you to withdraw funds or transfer money at will. It was no different from his previous world—indeed, even more convenient.

Everyone’s mental signature was unique and impossible to counterfeit, far superior to any anti-forgery technology he’d known before.

The efficiency was astonishing; in less than twenty minutes, the bag of gold and coins Charles had brought was transformed into a string of numbers on his wristband—3,600,000 yuan.