CH 28

Meanwhile, in that very moment—

— while Ulan stared at the Fountain of Magic, not far away from them, a group of twenty or so students emerged. They were students from Class-2 who had previously been on a field trip.

"Uggh, I’m sorry, Professor Miel," an unfamiliar voice resounded, punctuating the air with its suddenness

Leading this cadre was the very Professor of Class-2 herself, her demeanor a blend of both earnest concern and a courteous expression of regret, "I'm sorry! Some students felt dizzy, which caused us to run a little late," she confessed, inclining her head in genuineness.

"It's alright. If that's the reason, there's nothing to be done," Professor Miel forgave her generously.

A mere ten minutes had slipped through the hourglass, hardly a matter of consequence.

"Was everything fine inside?"

"Yes! Apart from what I mentioned earlier, everything was okay."

"What about the levels of mana?"

"It's 0.8% below last week's average."

"Well, nothing to worry about then."

The two professors engaged in a conversation about the First Zone.

Suddenly, Noah felt an intense gaze upon her. With an instinct, she turned her head and beheld a young man, his glare a blend of disdain and something akin to pity.

This gaze, unfamiliar and yet uncannily penetrating, gave her pause. Because it was her first time seeing him. Curious about the young man's identity, she opened his status window to check.

━━━

[Name]: Himmel Deorg

[Age]: 19

[Grade]: B+

[Trait]: Grace of the Sword

━━━

Himmel Deorg.

It was a name she remembered. In the first place, Count Deorg’s family was renowned. It was even relevant to the main scenario.

‘And…..’

Himmel, as it turned out, was the lawful heir of House Deorg and the half-sibling of Ibella Elearde. The moment she recognized this, Noah realized.

It was not her that Himmel's eyes were fixed upon; rather, it was Ibella.

'I think something happened between the two.'

Yet, she couldn't think of anything.

She narrowed her eyes and tried to recall the character's backstory.

"Then we'll go back first."

"Yes, thank you for your hard work."

Before she knew it, the conversation between the two professors had ended.

The students from Class-1 strode away.

Only then did Himmel reap his ferocious gaze.

Soon after, when Ibella's exhaled sighs pounded in her ears, she heard Professor Miel's call, "Alright, we're about to enter the First Zone of the Fountain of Magic, Arsen! Move in groups as I instructed earlier."

Finally, they were entering. The students swallowed nervously.

Tension was palpable on their faces. Following Professor Miel's instruction, they formed groups of three or five. The same was happening in Ulan's group.

Once they crossed the threshold of Barrier of Protection, the students' expressions changed.

"Huh? What's going on?"

"Nothing happened."

It wasn't what they expected.

They were expecting something big to happen, but surprisingly, things remained the same. Just as they were about to shake their heads in bemusement,

"Wait, I feel a little heavy."

"Ugh, why is my back itching all of a sudden?"

"What? Itchy? Mine feels more tingly."

A few students began to squirm.

It started with a few, but soon there were a dozen or so. As the students panicked, Professor Miel calmly explained, "It's a sign that the flow of mana has become unstable. Each person feels differently, from a tickle to an itch to a tingle."

Professor Miel's tail wagged.

Perhaps he was feeling something special, too. Just then, a student asked curiously.

“How do you feel, Professor?”

"It's similar to when it's time to shed."

No, how do I know if you say it like that?

The student who asked the question made an awkward expression. At that time, Professor Miel's words continued again, "Do not use mana, but focus into the flow of mana within each of your bodies."

As his words trailed off, the students closed their eyes and concentrated.

Soon, surprise painted their faces.

"Wow, this feels completely different from usual!"

"It's like my mana is bouncing around in all directions."

"That is what happens when you get caught up in the unstable flow of mana. If you use mana at this time, the probability of failure is bound to increase."

Magic had a principle in which a certain amount of mana must be accurately channeled through a specified path to work normally. If the flow of mana was unstable, as it is now, it was not going to work.

"This isn't just a problem for mages. Anyone who manipulates mana suffers the same symptoms. The same goes for blacksmiths, craftsmen, and warriors.”

Professor Miel's gaze turned to Ulan.

"So, there's no need to force yourself to endure. You're probably feeling itchy or uncomfortable by now."

"No, I'm perfectly fine," Ulan answered, steadfast.

However, Professor Miel didn't believe it.

“Yeah, it wouldn’t hurt to put up with it for a moment. If you manage to hold out until leaving the First Zone, I'll reward you with shop points."

Arsene Academy has a point system.

Accumulate shop points for various benefits, while accumulating demerits gets you sent to clean the restrooms or hauled before the Student Guidance.

"I'll do it, then."

There was no reason to refuse.

After all, it was a chance to earn shop points.

As the wager between Professor Miel and Ulan was settled, a student eagerly raised their hand.

"Professor, is there an exception?"

"Exception?"

"Yes, I read in a book once that if you reach the realm of an Archmage, you can use magic even in places where the flow of mana is unstable."

"You read correctly. Beings who have reached the realm of an Archmage or even the level of a Master don't experience these symptoms of First Zone."

He was right.

Because that's exactly how it was for Ulan.

Unlike the students who were squirming in discomfort, Ulan felt nothing at all.

‘When you reach the realm of a Master, the nature of the spirit, or mana, changes.’

Mana is similar to water in that it constantly circulates through the body.

However, upon reaching the realm of a Master, its nature changes. To illustrate, it was similar to water transforming into ice.

'I'm not sure why exactly, but……..'

The mana of an Archmage or Master remains in a solid unless activated. This means that, unless they use a skill or a spell, their mana flow remains unaffected.

"By the way, aside from Archmages and those at the realm of Master, there's another class that isn't affected by the First Zone's effects."

"What class is that?"

"Those blessed with mana."

Professor Miel's eyes flashed.

"They have their own flow of mana, independent of the surrounding mana flow. Therefore, they remain unaffected up to the Second Zone."

Dilia Arpen was a prime example.

And Noah Darshen, too.

Like Dilia, she was a named character blessed with mana.

But unlike Dilia, who wore her talent on her sleeve, Noah hid it well.

‘Because I don't want to attract unnecessary attention.’

If it was revealed that she shared the same trait as Dilia, she would draw unnecessary attention. This wasn't what Noah desired.

So, intentionally pretending to feel itchy, Noah performed her act as if affected by the unstable mana flow.

"But those two groups have nothing to do with normal people like us. So just give up and go with the unstable flow of mana like me."

As Professor Miel mumbled somewhat self-deprecatingly, some students burst into laughter.

This helped ease the tense atmosphere. Perhaps he was trying to get them to relax.

Once the tension was eased, questions about the Fountain of Magic poured in from the students. Professor Miel remained gruff but kindly answered them.

How much time had passed?

Before long, the group reached a dead-end.

"Now, here we are at the end of the First Zone."

To be precise, it wasn't a true dead-end. Beyond it, another path existed.

"Beyond that is the beginning of Zone Two. But rest assured, unless something happens, you won't be going there."

As they gazed upon the green-tinted lake.

Tension once again gripped the students' faces.

This was due to the warning Professor Miel had given them earlier and the characteristics of Zone Two that had come to mind.

"If you're done exploring, let's start heading back. Class-4 should be arriving soon, and I'll answer any remaining questions on the way back."

"Yes, Professor!"

The students respond with smiling faces.

It was quite a friendly response, unlike the first time we met. As they began walking back toward the entrance together —

— suddenly, something happened.

Thud! Rumble! Rumble! Rumble!

A heavy object struck the ground, followed by a powerful shock that sent strong vibrations through the air.

"What, what was that?"

"An earthquake? Or……."

All eyes turned to Ulan. Probably remembering what happened in the auditorium.

"I didn't do it," Ulan shook his head.

Then where did the vibrations come from? Everyone looked around.

".........! Look, look!"

One student pointed to the center of the lake.

It was as if they had discovered something unusual. Following their gaze, everyone, including Ulan, turned their attention in that direction.

What they saw at the edge of their vision was the entrance to a cave.

The surroundings were shrouded in a hazy mist, and at first glance, it looked like a giant beast was opening its mouth to breathe.

"Huh? Was that there before?"

"I don't remember seeing it earlier..."

As they were exchanging views.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

A pair of flames burst forth from the entrance of the cave. It looked as though they were staring in this direction. And the instant their gazes met:

Shiverr!

Chill ran down their spines.

The reason remained unknown. All that filled their minds was a sense of danger.

The students' faces turned pale.

Noah's eyes glittered alone.

‘Alright, just as I saw in the guide.’

It was the start of a hidden event that occurs when certain conditions were met. And those conditions were as follows —

— The presence of at least three Grade-A or higher named characters in Arsene's First Zone.

This was a very demanding condition, as if it was not a hidden event for nothing.

Gathering three Grade-A or higher Named Characters in the confined space of Arsene Academy was certainly no easy feat.

Yet, Noa was fortunate.

‘It's all thanks to Ulan.’

His deviation from the main scenario and enrollment in the academy made things somewhat easier.

She also had a fair amount of luck.

Being in the same class as Ulan and Ibella was pretty lucky in itself. So, Noah nodded slightly in Ulan's direction.

It was a small gesture of gratitude.

‘The rewards for this event are quite good.’

Of all the rewards in Arsene Academy, it could be counted among the top five.

And there wasn't just one reward.

There were a total of three. Among them, there was one that Noah wanted.

‘A treasure that increases your stamina.’

Or, more accurately, a treasure that boosts your physical abilities. With this, the cursed stamina penalty would be somewhat removed.

Noah clenched her fists.

'Of course, I've heard it's just as difficult……...'

However, she wasn't too worried.

She had a Grade-SS+ Named, Ulan, and a future Swordmaiden by her side.

‘So let's move on to the next pattern quickly!’

The next pattern involved a giant wave. Afterward, they would be swept away by the wave into the cave, completing the sequence of the hidden event.

Before long, Noa's wish became reality. A huge torrent began to churn in the center of the calm lake.

"Wh-What?"

"Doesn't that look a little dangerous?"

"I think it's coming this way…….."

The students began to take hesitant steps backward.

Perhaps it was their instinctual response to sensing something. In that moment, the torrent transformed into a massive wave and surged straight toward the First Zone.

Kwugagaga!

It seemed as if the lake would be split in two by its momentum.

Just as the students were frozen in place by the sudden change, Professor Miel sharply shouted, "Use your Teleportation Stones! Right now!"

Did that snap them back to their senses?

The students infused mana into their Teleportation Stones. Soon, they were enveloped in a bright light and disappeared one by one.

The male student from Ulan's group did the same.

He used the stone with a confused look on his face. The only problem was that he was separated from the other four.

"Oh, no! I need to go too…..!"

The ashen-haired girl, realizing this, desperately yelled. But it was already too late.

Paaat!

There was a flash of light, and the male student disappeared.

This left Ulan, Noah, Ibella, and the ashen-haired girl huddled together.

A hopeless situation indeed.

The girl's complexion turned pale as death. But not all hope was lost.

"Everyone, get over here! Come on!"

Professor Miel had stayed behind.

Perhaps he was waiting for all the students to evacuate. The girl urgently tried to head in that direction, only to be obstructed.

Kwugagagaga!

In an instant, the wave swept through Zone One.

The wave precisely divided Ulan's group and Professor Miel. Caught off guard by the sudden despair, Professor Miel's expression turned as rigid as stone.

On the other hand, Noah inwardly celebrated.

If they were swept away by the waves, they would naturally make it to the cave.

‘She wasn't part of the plan, but……..’

Noah looked at the ashen-haired girl.

Even so, a variable like her shouldn't be a problem.

With such thoughts, Noah wore a content smile. And then, in an instant, the wave surged, carrying her away.

That was the plan.

But suddenly, she found herself floating.

"Huh?"

What had just happened?

Just as she was trying to figure it out.

"Cough! Cough"

Suddenly, her lungs felt tight. To the point where she couldn't breathe.

It didn't take long to realize why. Ulan had grabbed her by the scruff of the neck.

‘What, what are you doing!’

She wanted to shout, but her constricted throat prevented any sound. As a sense of unease settled in, Ulan bent his knees.

Then, with all his strength, he flung Noah.

Hwooooong!

Noah swiftly soared through the air.

At this rate, she was going to crash onto the ground, but luckily, that didn't happen. Professor Miel managed to catch her just in time.

"Cough, cough!"

After a series of violent coughs.

Noah blinked dazedly.

She had been separated from the effects of the wave. In the meantime, the remaining three were swept away towards the cave by the wave.

‘No, I have to go with them!’

Of course, she understood Ulan's intention.

He must have been worried about her.

However, it was an unnecessary concern. Being swept away by the wave was simply part of the event sequence. She wouldn't die from it.

Thus, she tried to jump into the wave, figuring that if the current hadn't slowed down, she still had a chance.

However, her body wouldn't budge.

"No! It's dangerous!"

It was because of Professor Miel, who had grabbed her wrist.

Noah's attempt to leap into the wave probably looked like she was trying to save Ulan and the others.

"Let go of me! I have to go too!"

"I can't allow it! It's already too late to rescue them."

"No, it's not about rescuing them..."

"I understand that you're worried about your friends. But if you do this, you'll be in danger too!"

"That's not what I'm trying to do!"

She shouted in frustration.

She wanted to shout that this wasn't a natural disaster but an incredibly special hidden event! But she held back her desire to scream in frustration.

Swoooosh!

The wave surged once again.

This was likely her last chance.

Noah swatted away Professor Miel's hand and just as she was about to jump into the waves —

".......Huh?"

— the landscape changed.

The waves were nowhere to be seen.

In its place were students sitting on the ground, sobbing. As Noah absently scanned his surroundings, a familiar structure caught her eye.

"Th-This can't be….."

The main entrance to Arsene Academy.

This meant that Professor Miel had used the Teleportation Stone. At the same time, the glimmer of hope in Noah's eyes faded into nothingness.

Whether she knew it or not.

Professor Miel used communication magic.

"Emergency! Three first-year students have disappeared due to a mana accident in the Fountain of Magic, First Zone. Requesting immediate assistance!"

After finishing the request for assistance.

Professor Miel approached Noah. Then, as if trying to console her, he patted her shoulder.

"Don't worry. Your friends will be safe."

"............"

"For now, let's go to the infirmary. You were nearly swept away by the mana accident, so you should get checked….."

"......it’s over."

"What?"

"Ugghhh, everything's ruined!"

Noah slumped in her seat, sobbing, and Professor Miel was quite taken aback.

But only for a moment.

He spoke again as if trying to comfort her, "Don't give up. There's still hope…..."

"No, no, no, I'm screwed!"

Noah began to wail; thick tears streamed down her face.

Her tears were filled with anguish at missing out on the hidden event she had been hoping for.

(End of Chapter. . . . . . . .)

T/N:-

A very happy Independence Day to my Indian brothers out there !!!