Summoned with an SSS-Rank Portal Skill

The guard stayed quiet for a moment.

"I know you very well and I know you wouldn't be talking nonsense like this. How do you know they're that strong?" the Master Mage asked.

She had this doubt because the guard wasn't strong enough to know each of their levels.

He pulled a device from his pocket. It was a very powerful enchanted item that had been made by Master Xanyi.

"The device told me their levels," the guard explained. "You'll be able to see for yourself."

"Ask them to come up. I'll have a conversation with them."

"Of course, ma'am."

The guard bowed to her and then left, using the same elevator to call them again.

As soon as he reached the bottom, he explained the situation.

"You can go up to talk. You can leave your pet here beside us, we'll watch over him."

"Thank you very much," Lucas said, handing Bob over to them.

Before leaving, he spoke mentally with the creature. "Hold on a bit, soon you'll be in the lake."

Since the rain had stopped that day, Bob was more stressed than normal. Lucas wanted that permission soon to give him a good place to stay.

They followed that guard to the elevator, teleporting to the top floor where the Master Mage was.

The guard showed them the way but didn't enter the room with them.

"She wants to speak with you alone, so I'll be returning to my post."

Lucas wanted to ask something but the guard left quickly.

"It's a woman?" Lucas murmured.

As soon as the door opened, they saw the woman near the window. She wore blue clothes, and her hair was also blue, giving her a rather peculiar look.

She turned to look at them. William was the first to bow in respect. Lucas and Thompson did the same right after.

Even though in theory they had a higher level than her, the Master Mage still held a position of authority, and demanded respect.

She liked what she saw.

"My name is Bella, it's a pleasure to meet you. Please, sit," Bella said.

Despite appearing calm, inside she was very surprised by the level of power presented by the three. The guard really wasn't lying about their levels.

"What brings you to this beautiful city?" Bella asked. "I already know you need permission for your pet, and I'll grant it, before you ask."

"Thank you," Lucas said. "Actually, we came for a very specific reason. An old friend of mine, Master Xanyi. I wanted to find him to talk about some projects. Can you tell me if he's still in the city?"

Bella grew curious. "Oh? You're a friend of Master Xanyi? Few can claim such a feat. But I'm sorry to inform you, he's not in the city at the moment."

"What?" Lucas said, slightly agitated, but quickly composed himself. "Where is he? Is he alright?"

"Yes, yes, he's perfectly fine. But currently he's working on a project at a magic school in a more isolated city in the kingdom. The city was attacked a while ago and they needed his help to rebuild the magical protections, and take temporary control of the city."

They were already imagining how much this would delay their journey. Bella could notice the expressions on each of their faces.

"Don't worry," she said. "Before he left, he made a teleportation system that goes straight from this tower to the city. I can let you use it."

"You're being serious? Thank you, thank you so much!" William said gratefully.

Bella stared fixedly at William. She wanted to understand how someone at level 60 had two such powerful friends.

Not only that, but she noticed how the three sat on the sofa. William was right in the middle. It was clear that he was the leader of that group.

"How did he manage that?" she thought. "Is he hiding his power level?"

As much as she wanted to know, asking directly wouldn't be the best way to find out.

Bella decided to wait and discover it gradually. She was already very happy that this trio of powerful men weren't looking to cause trouble in her city. That was ideal.

"Sorry to ask, but where is the former Master Mage? You know, a really old guy named Lu."

"Ah, so you knew my master then?" Bella seemed to relax even more upon hearing that. "He retired because of his age. He must be enjoying himself somewhere out there in the world."

"Wish I had his luck," Lucas joked.

"Well, while I prepare the teleport for you, you can go downstairs and take your pet to a safe place. Do you have any idea where that will be?"

"It's an aquatic serpent, so I thought the lake? Is that a problem?"

"None at all. Just command it to stay deep underwater. There are some residents who like to fish in that lake, or swim too."

"Alright, let's do this," Lucas replied.

The three went together to the tower's entrance and led Bob to the lake in the city's outskirts.

It would be the best place for him to rest. The creature needed water, and while it wasn't raining, he hated being directly in the sun all day.

And Bob also caused fear and curiosity in people. They didn't want to draw that much attention, so keeping him at the bottom of the lake seemed like the best thing to do.

"Go on, big guy, and try not to cause trouble. If you need anything, send a mental message," Lucas said.

Bob flew over the lakes and dove right into the middle, causing an explosion of water that flew in all directions. He was very happy to be there.

After that, they returned to the top floor of the tower. That was where the teleportation device had been built.

Bella was in the hallway waiting for them.

"Master Zanyi built it in a room right here beside us. Since this floor is restricted, practically no one can use the portal. It's the best way to keep it secure," Bella explained. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"The cost to use it is quite high, so it can't be used all the time. But since you're special guests, I'll let you use it without issue."

Bella was doing everything to maintain a good relationship with them. That was what having high power meant. She didn't want to have strong enemies like Lucas and Thompson.

William was still someone she could defeat, since their levels were quite far apart. But that was only a matter of time.

Meeting so many powerful people ignited an even stronger flame inside William.

"There's no way I'm staying behind!" he thought.

Bella opened the room for them. There was a magical lock that was very difficult to open without the proper key. Another invention made by Zanyi.

In the middle of the room, there was a drawn magical circle, similar to the elevator in the tower.

But this circle seemed to emanate even more mana than normal. Bella had already positioned a high amount of mana-imbued stones around it.

"Just stand inside the symbol and the portal will activate, and you should appear inside the residence where Zanyi is. He might be surprised to see you there, but considering you're his friend, I think things will be fine."

The three headed to the portal, which began glowing brightly as soon as they stepped inside the circle.

They waited about thirty seconds for the portal to take effect. Bella watched everything and waved a little goodbye to them. She even gave a smile, showing her perfect teeth and her doll-like face.

And then, the three vanished from sight, teleporting from the tower and going directly to the city where Master Zanyi was.