189 Confrontation

Wallace wanted to avoid any confrontation with any magicians specializing with the Soul Art.

First, he was already aware of his soul's abnormality due to the Cube's arrangement when he set foot on this world.

Next, he had been using his Divine Sense that is probably a technique unique to their path. This might cause some complication if it was confirmed by the instructors and learned by his parents. After all, he won't be able to explain the origin of his Soul Arts.

Lastly, people who trained in Soul Arts were somehow capable of affecting someone's mind. Wallace wasn't exactly sure how they were doing it but he had seen and experienced it before.

It happened first when he met Miya at the Red Star Town together with his family. After that incident, he had his Avalon research about the Celebrity Idols and he found out that there was an unpopular article about them telling that these idols can make mental suggestions to any person within a limited range.

He didn't think that his mind was strong that could ignore the Soul Art user's mental suggestion. It was all thanks to his equipment given by the Pathfinder.

[ Fervor Timepiece ]

[ A pocketwatch containing mysterious energy

Effects: Protects users from the magic that affects the human mind. ]*

This item that he always has with him had this effect aside from the Brain Burst and Physical Burst. He just didn't think too much about it until he experienced this type of magic.

Of course, he doesn't know to what extent this item could protect him. If he met someone who was more senior than Miya, his item may not be capable of protecting his mind.

It wasn't even a stretch if they could cast a soul-based magic spell... and he doesn't like to be in that situation. It was fine for him if he was the one doing the probing but if he was the one getting probed by something similar to his Divine Sense, he wouldn't like it.

It was simply because he was fully aware of what kind of information a Divine Sense could give to the user.

Unfortunately, trouble might be coming in a moment.

Instructor Elaine finished her lecture about the unique Artifact Forging Device. She had given them homework to study a number of artifacts that have passed or failed the NMTI's qualifications.

It would indeed be a good reference once they tried making their own original Mana Artifacts in the future.

"Hello, Instructor Elaine. Do you have a student named Wallace Ravencroft?"

"Yes, you are?"

"I'm sorry. Let me introduce myself. I'm Lind Taylor, 5th-year student of Idol Training Class, student body president of our curriculum, and a rookie idol under FLT Entertainment."

Then the man flashed a dashing smile showing his perfect white teeth to leave a good impression on the beautiful instructor. The man has long black hair like a female, he was taller than Wallace and had the same handsome face but this 5th-year student was more docile looking face. His skin was pale white, smooth, and almost no pores can be seen on it.

Many of Wallace's classmates curiously observe the man while thinking the same thing.

'This man would be even more popular once he graduated and had become a full-time celebrity.'

This man might not be taking large projects right now in consideration of his studies.

"Yes. Wallace, come here. Someone is looking for you."

After saying that, instructor Elaine left the classroom. She didn't ask the student's purpose and left everything to Wallace. Although she wanted to ask his purpose, she surmised that it's normal to ask for Wallace's attention now that he's gaining a reputation in his field.

That's right, news about the 5th apprentice accepted by Slaine Allusia, one of the three Grand Arcanists of the country, has spread far and wide this morning. The name Wallace Ravencroft was one of the top searches now online.

Wallace steps out of the room to speak with Lind.

"Our instructor would like to speak with you after your class today."

"Mhm... May I ask the reason?"

"I'm not really sure myself. You can ask her later. She said that it wouldn't take much of your time."

"Fine... What's your instructor's name?"

"Ah, right. It's Miss Chamber. She said that you can meet her at the Tier 1 Training Room in our building at around 3 PM. Do you have club activities?"

"I'm fine. Tell her I'll be there." Wallace smiled as he sends off the 5th year student.

As soon as he returned to his room, his classmates immediately asked him what had just happened.

***

"Argh... So you really don't know, huh." Ericka disappointingly said after confirming that Wallace was saying the truth.

"Yes. I didn't bother to ask more questions to Lind since he was only delivering a message."

"Mhmm... You're lucky, man. There will be a lot of beauties there... I'm sure. If you meet Miya, then that's even more amazing... Sigh~ Can I join you?" Gilbert added.

"Sure, I don't mind."

"Nah, I'm just kidding. I'm not invited. I'll be nervous just standing in there."

"Oh right. Have you heard the news about the 5th apprentice? It seems that he has the same name as you." Ericka excitedly said after remembering part of the news she heard this morning.

"Really? I saw the news but I didn't get to hear the full details. So his name was also Wallace?" Gilbert said as he wasn't that particularly interested in the news from the far capital. Most news there wouldn't affect their city anyway.

Wallace only amusedly smiled at his classmates and didn't bother to correct them.

***

Slaine Allusia was now together with a group of powerful magicians to explore the deeper part of the northern continent.

He looked behind him and saw his subordinates' faces filled with vigor. There are 46 of them on this expedition. The weakest of them even had the strength of a peak Adept Mage. They also brought two Mage Doctors that specialize in two different paths in Materia Medica. One was proficient at 'Enhancement' who was capable of repairing bodies using various magic formulas and potions. The other was a doctor proficient at 'Alteration'. This doctor was quite special as he brought his two strongest bodyguards. The two don't have a complete human body. One of them has metal right-arm and metal left-leg and the other one even has a mechanical left-eye that never blinks.

Within this group, only Slaine and the two Mage Doctors have Spatial Bags with them. The other materials or supplies that could not fit within were being carried by some of their vehicles.

Slaine looked at his front and saw two Steel Knights leading their group to a large forest. The outer edge of the northern continent was relatively safe but once they passed through this Giant's Forest, they will lose any form of communications to the outside world.

But this doesn't matter, in fact, all of them were a bit excited to explore this mysterious place and even wanted to meet those legendary Celestial Beings.

"Everyone, beyond this forest is our first objective in our expedition. There will be a lot of danger passing this forest. I won't be able to guarantee everyone's safety, even my life can't be guaranteed..."

All of them were aware of this already so they only smiled and nodded after hearing this.

Slaine saw this and he chuckled before he continued.

"But there's one thing I assure you... Once we claimed our first objective, it will be our victory. We will be experiencing less danger and we can go even deeper within this land... just like Sir Aeolia."

Slaine no longer said more words as he instructed the Steel Knight to enter the forest. Behind him, the vigorous Magicians roared in excitement as they march towards the Giant's Forest.

***

Wallace knocked on the door of the Tier 1 Training Room but no one answered. After noticing that the room wasn't locked, he decided to see if there's someone inside and if none, he would just leave the place.

Before finding this room, he gained a lot of suspicious look from the trainee or students of the curriculum. After all, his uniform tells that he is a student from an Artifact Forging Class.

No one said a word to him but it made him uncomfortable.

"Hello! I'm Wallace... I'm looking for Miss Chamber."

The room was bright and was quite big. The front wall was even made of mirror, probably essential for practicing within the room. It was very different from their curriculum's training room.

"Oh! I've been waiting for you, 5th Apprentice. I'm Instructor Chamber. Thanks for coming here."

Wallace sighed seeing the woman.

'She's the one who detected my Divine Sense... We really can't judge a book by its cover, huh.'

The woman was in her early thirties. As an instructor of the idol trainees, she was impressively not wearing any makeup and only with her bare face. Also, she probably didn't hear his knocks due to the sound from her headphone. She also wears a green and white tracksuit that covered almost all her skin. She was a very plain and simple lady in Wallace's opinion.

"Have you seen enough?" The lady said and smiled mysteriously at Wallace.