Uncle Martin ran quickly...
As if, he's trying his best to avoid something.
He's hardworking and everyone knows that.
But the look on his face displayed with a frightened expression didn't seem like it is indicating something normal at the very least. He's scared about something that everyone doesn't know. And Nile doesn't realize that yet.
"Boo!" Stell suddenly appeared in front of Nile
"Ack! Stell what the?"
"What the hell are you doing here you look like you've seen a ghost or something. Is there anything wrong at some point?" Stell asked. He noticed that Nile has been staring at something with a blank face.
"Oh uh... Nothing. Uncle Martin left me here." Nile answered while scratching his head.
"I see. Well, I already said goodbye to my mother. Shall we go then?"
"Alright... Let's go." The two agreed.
The crowd is not that large anymore, after spending like 3 hours into signing up, it's expected that most people would go home. But on the contrary, those parents who signed their kids up will have to stay for some departing goodbyes.
"I'm not sure where this track leads on. What about you?" Nile asked while walking slowly.
"Hmm? I'm not sure either, but let's just keep going. I think there must be something important there." Stell answered.
"I really do hope that's important. The path is leading us on the other side of the capital gates. It almost feels like we're going to exit it." He continued.
"You're right... That's weird I thought they're just going to hold it inside the capital. It must've been special, don't you think?"
"I don't really know if I should really consider it as a special something though..." Nile softly said with a confused smirk.
"Haha! Come on, man. Just be optimistic sometimes. You shouldn't overthink things all the time." Stell patted Nile on the back with a little force that made him cough.
"Well, I can't really help it. After that experience inside the cave, I'm starting to doubt all of the things even though I know what will happen somehow." Nile responded.
"Really? Well, I guess you can't really help it. That's normal after all. But that kind of mindset doesn't suit you though. Being overcautious is not your kind at all. You're a clever keen guy who can see things and think carefully about it. Sometimes, you can even predict what will happen on certain scenes." Stell managed to remind Nile of who he is.
"Really? I don't really see myself as that kind though."
"Don't be dumb, I know you always study things because your powers aren't activated in the past. Well, now that you already have it, I guess things might change on your own perspective." Stell said while looking forward.
Nile nodded as they walked. They've crossed a lot of streets until they reached an area that is restricted.
"Are you sure this is the right path at all, Nile?" Stell asked while viewing.
"Well, yeah! The path led us here. Now we just need to look around if we can see them." Nile responded as he placed the map guide back on his bag.
It took them some time to look. There's nothing that they can see so far. However, while they're looking around, they've pinpointed a spot where a portal can be seen.
"Hey, Nile... Look at that." Stell noticed it.
"What?"
"There! On that spot behind the rocks. Some kids are entering it. I think that's the place that we should go."
"That's weird, why would they guide us here in a far place where no one can see if they can just use the portal back on the capital?" Nile was dumbfounded.
"Anyway, let's just go." Stell didn't waste any time. He rushed in to line up where the other teens are going followed by Nile who's running as well.
There are three kinds of portals in Raiaterra. The first portal is called 'Blink'. This portal can be cast by anyone with a spatial magic aptitude that is embedded in their elemental magic. Some of them are learned and can be studied within 2 days with adequate practice outside. The next portal is called the 'transportation portal'. This portal can be only cast by advanced magicians with upgraded spatial magic aptitude. It is often used for emergencies and important matters. The difference between the two is that Blink portals can only transport them nearby, while the Transportation portal can let the user travel anywhere.
The third portal is called, 'The Underworld portal'. This portal lets you transcend otherworldly areas on the other side. Time inside the underworld portal is ten times slower than of the overworld. This means that if you stay in the underworld for like 1 hour, it will be only 10 minutes on the outside.
Nile and Stell managed to enter the portal. Their vision became blurry for a second but after a while. They saw a lot of wagons waiting for them to ride it.
"Welcome to the Mana Zone secret transportation area." A voice can be heard.
The kids who entered the portal stopped their murmurings and momentum when they heard it. All of them are carrying their bags full of things that are needed for the program as well as the forms and requirements.
The view inside the portal is pretty distinct; They could see the outside world but at the same time, they can see some reflection. It almost looks like they're inside a mirror or something that provides some safety.
"Now, you guys must be wondering. Why are we situated in a secret area that can be only accessed on a blind spot? Well, the reason for that is because we're trying to keep the program's confidentiality from the attackers, thieves, bad guys, and elitists. You guys don't want them interfering and roaming here, am I right? Well if you guys wanted a peaceful term then we shall use this method." The guy finally showed himself. He used his magic to levitate from the ground to see all of the kids who have gathered.
"The original plan wasn't actually approved by the administrator. We cannot do our tasks and training inside the capital anymore. That's because numerous murders and acts of terror are reported for the last 3 weeks before the opening. To provide adequate safety for all of you who wished to be strong enough to change the country or any desire you wanted to achieve, we will conduct this illusion magic all the time." He continued.
"Hey, Nile. What's illusion magic?" Stell whispered.
"Hmm... If I recall, It's a special magic that is not considered in the 12 zodiac clan. It's something unique that changes the perspective of someone or someone's reality. They can manipulate a person's mind and break them. It's simple magic but too dangerous and scary to use." Nile answered.
"So that means, this world we're currently in, and that spatial magic portal that we entered... All of those are just an illusion?" Stell asked again.
"Probably, I'm not sure. But if this reflection is real, then that means we're still inside the capital, but for those people who's outside this illusion, they cannot see us or hear us. That's the basic concept of illusion. A deception of reality that can be used to fool a person." Nile answered while looking at the other side.
"Heh... That's awesome."
"Now then, this secret passage is not visible to people outside the portal you've come in. The training grounds are actually located far away from the capital. I'm not going to dwell into the details because that's going to be explained by your advisors. But the point is, you're going to say goodbye from your home until the term ends. The association that is supporting this program will provide you everything to survive, like shelters, foods, and more."
The kids started cheering as they heard the actual good news and important details.
"Well, I told you it's not that really bad at all." Stell poked Nile on his chest with his elbow.
"Yeah... I guess you're right." Nile responded with a smile.
"Now then, it's going to take a long ride, but please get inside the wagons now. The Mana Zone recruitment training will commence in about 5-6 hours." And thus the beginning of the enrollment has successfully ended without any commotions and troubles.
Meanwhile, Uncle Martin have managed to catch up with the proposed meeting that Arthur said. He opened the door to Captain Lennon's room. He is panting really hard and all of the board members and other captains are looking at him.
"I'm sorry... I'm late..." He said.
"Nevermind that, I'm glad that you came. Take a seat." Captain Lennon ordered him.
"Now then, let's start the meeting." Captain Lennon said as he brought up a paper.
"For the last 3 weeks, the other divisions have been reporting that there's a lot of attacks that's been causing trouble for the town. They notified us as a neighbor that the group behind these acts of terror are made by the one and only, 'X'." Captain Lennon started the meeting directly to the point.
"Anyway, I apologize for the interruption, but, what is this 'X' group that you're talking about?" One of the members of the royal group asked a question.
"X is the name we've given for the organization that we're tailing for the last 5 years. These are a large organization that's been doing a lot of crimes but they're still not captured yet. They are dangerous people who can possibly wipe out an entire town with ease." Captain Lennon answered.
A short pause...
"Because this organization, is connected to King Yama."
A sudden breeze suddenly entered the room that gave them chills.
"To put it simply, after King Yama's intervention in the northern capital Verdana, A large increase of crimes had been part taking. This can only mean that King Yama has started recruiting and building his own empire while at the same time hiding from us to recover his powers. But the whole reason of why we suspected them to be connected to him is because of their clothes and symbols. These 'X' members are often wearing a dark cloak with a symbol of X in their hand or wrists. These two important factors are what makes King Yama distinct from the rest of the Zodiac clans." He continued.
"So they've been moving around lately because of something, I guess?"
"That's our initial findings at some point. It's either because they're running out of supplies for their hideout, or worst-case scenario is that they've been utilizing their advantages and been pillaging the town to make our forces smaller than them. We're not sure yet, but if they keep doing these crimes then that will serve as enough evidence that King Yama..."
"Will wake up soon..."