Nile and the other 3 decided to walk until they reached the lineup. There's been a lot of young teens who have gathered outside the area as well. It's not that much unlike the lineup from the capital earlier.
The size of the whole secret area is actually 500 yards equivalent to 5 football fields. It is quite big for some programs like this that has any confidential information. But aside from that, there's a lot of people coming over as well starting from the top 100 strongest magicians in the continent of Raiaterra.
All of the wagons have started to depart after they dropped off the other kids. There are some supervisors and teachers guiding them on their path while the other guards are securing the path and helping them exit and enter the central building.
Well as expected from the announcement earlier, if some of these kids were to behave unnaturally then that means they're going to get expelled and will be going back to the capital sooner.
"Everyone seems to be acting normal and good, recently," Stell said while gazing all around the whole area.
"Well duh, of course, they are going to be like that. The announcement earlier was pretty scary. Not to mention that we're here out of nowhere and I couldn't tell if there's a town or city nearby." Adara responded.
"For something like this to be here, they must've put a lot of effort into building this thing." Aella joined in while looking around as well.
"Yeah... you're right." Nile answered in a monotone voice. He was also in awe when he saw the whole area for the program.
"Hey, look at that!" While they are in the middle of the conversation, Stell suddenly stopped their momentum when he saw something. The three of them also stopped to look at what stell have seen.
"That is..." Adara said.
There are at least 30 horses approaching the land. All of them wear some kind of a uniform that is pretty distinct from what the high rankers and magicians are wearing. The uniform's color was white, it is a cloak with some vest inside and a belt and their pants were also in white with some chains on it. On top of their head, they're wearing a hat or some sort. The color of the hat is in white as well with a black belt in the center. Some of them are also wearing thick masks made out of some clothing.
"Those are the top magicians, right?" Aella asked.
There is a little rumbling on the ground indicating that there's more horse coming towards them. They are not in a wagon or some sort for some reason.
"They finally came..." Suddenly, while they're standing in the vicinity, a man wearing the same uniform but with different color blinked right beside them. His hair is blonde and it is pretty long.
"You... You're..." Aella saw the guy.
"You're Luong!" She followed.
"Huh? Luong?" Stell asked while looking at him.
"Luong, the world's top 10 strongest magician. From the clan of Leo..." Adara answered.
"Oh my oh my, You guys know me pretty well." He stared at them with a smile on his face.
"Of course, you're the one who beat a lot of criminals singlehandedly without any help or reinforcement. Other than that, you've also acquired the 10th position because of your natural talent at manipulating pyrokinesis, making you the mightiest fire elemental user." Adara said.
"Wow, you know a lot of things." Stell responded with his left eyebrow raised while looking at her with a scorned expression.
"Duh... My parents are also a descendant of the Zodiac Clan Leo. We know a lot of things about our own blood and some history. Not to mention, if there's anything related to fire, we're the first one to be brought up in the discussion." Adara answered as she glared back at him.
"Well sorry, I don't know that...tsk" Stell responded back with flicked. His tone is not that sincere when he apologized.
"Now now... Haha, anyway. Since you guys know a lot of things, why don't we head back inside and start giving out your forms on the supervisors? They're over there. It's pretty dangerous if you guys will stay out in the open, there might be any spies somewhere." Luong said as he calmed the mood.
"Okay, sir." Nile responded.
The four decided to head back. While they're walking, Luong took a peek on Nile's finger. He saw the Elemental Ring he's wearing. He gave a little startled expression as he watched him pass by. He doesn't know the reason why Nile has one of the Elemental Ring when in fact, it should be given to the leaders of the four strongest zodiac clans.
"Luong..." After a while, the guy riding the horse on the front line called him.
"Oh... You're here, Mach." He responded as he sighed.
Mach Cavial. Top 43 Lightning Elemental user. He's one of the front-liners who were deployed in the fight somewhere on Verdana. He's also one of the best strategists and the most resilient scout in the entire forces thus earning to be the commander in the whole pack.
"Why the long face? Is there something wrong?" Mach asked.
"Oh, nothing. Anyway, tell the others to wait in the central hall. We're going to gather everyone there to announce the news, and to tell them the other rules and regulations." Luong said.
"Right... I'm so amazed that the royalty has managed to fund something big like this." Mach started to appreciate the look of the whole area.
"Yeah, well, they're rich so... It's also for them." Luong responded.
"Alright, we'll get prepared." He departed.
Luong decided to head back. The gates were now closed and all of the young students who joined the Mana Zone program have gathered inside the central building which is in the middle. The night sky remained quiet with the moon shining brightly. The clouds were beautiful as well and it is blending with the stars.
On the other hand, the lampposts outside the area have closed and a magical barrier appeared. In order to keep its consistency stable and its confidentiality, they've managed to cast another spell to make the whole land transparent and invisible. In that way, even spies will have to destroy the barrier first which will trigger a signal and they'll be able to know quickly if there's someone outside trying to break in.
Meanwhile, inside the central building. There's 1 path going through the living room. The whole room is so spacious that it can handle 1000 people at the same time.
There is also a stair leading to the 2nd floor on the left and there is also one stair on the right side of the living room leading to the 2nd floor as well. These stairs have a decorative design and a yellow carpet.
The walls of the whole building were covered in white color. The windows do have a great architectural design as well making it look as if it is they're in a castle or some sort. It has a lot of great designs. The ceiling also has a big chandelier where a yellow-orange light source can be found shining on top of their heads.
All of the young kids including Nile and the other three were surprised about the look. They've thought that the whole area looks normal. Aside from the beautifulness of the whole building, there's a lot of rooms to go in either. There's one room over on the left leading to a potential dorm and the other room in on the right leading to a potential archive or shaft.
After a while, Luong made his grand appearance on the 2nd floor where the stairs are leading. He didn't do a blink, instead, he just casually walked as he welcomes the young teenagers who came.
"Good Evening, my fellow children. Did you enjoyed the 3 hours ride earlier? Well, I'm sure most of you are concerned about the trip and most of you are also asking; Where are we?" He exclaimed with a little excitement. His hand gestures and some body movements are in the way making the children look at him with a little disdain expression.
'This guy is annoying to listen with that accent...' Stell have though the same thing while he's looking at him with a disgusting face.
"Anyway, pardon my acting. It's a habit I'm trying to stop doing. Well, in case you're still wondering. We are in the middle of Raiaterra. Yes, that's right, we're in the middle of our own continent. To tell you the truth, we are insinuated here so we can do our job efficiently without any disturbance from any localities nor the capital nor the castles." He said.
"If you're here, then that means you've agreed to one condition. And that is... To be stronger..." He followed with a monotone voice that gave them a slight shiver.
"But in order for you to be stronger, you must also be aware that you're going to spend your term here, training and doing some excessed exercise and magical spell practices. But of course, you're not just going to do this on your own. We've invited some of the top 100 world's strongest magician to help you out with your journey here. As for the reason why we're doing this eh, well, I'm going to tell you one reason." He stopped at the best part.
He suddenly stepped back, and while he is doing that, Mach approached the balcony. He removed his unique uniform and he showed his full face at everyone.
His hair color is blue, he emits strong mana that can be felt even if they're not near him. His body is not that muscular but has a great posture. It's just like what a commander should be.
"Who's that?" Nile asked.
"This is your commander officer. Mach Cavial, Top 43 Lightning Elemental user. He's going to explain to you the reason why you were brought in here." Luong said.
"Ehem, so as you have heard, we're to make you youngling stronger and be more productive and develop some kind of a special ability." He started.
"Ophiuchus, the clan that started the deadliest war, 700 years ago. King Yama who was leading it was sealed by the Elemental Rings. However, things have gotten serious. 13 or 14 years ago, he was unsealed for some unknown reason. He took the advantage to find one of the elemental rings and he used it to conquer Verdana, northeast side of Raiaterra. There are 4 countries in total that have subsequent divisions in which every zodiac clan is leading it." A followed explanation.
"These 4 countries are Berg, Hadal, Peraflora, and Ruth. Each country has its own Mana Zone program as well. In case you're wondering, we are currently staying outside our country, all of you originated from Berg, and its capital was Terrabada. These countries are led by the 4 leaders who own the 4 main zodiac clans. Leo - Fire zodiac clan, Taurus - Earth zodiac Clan, Gemini - Air zodiac Clan, Scorpio - Water zodiac clan." He said.
"I see, so each clan has its own country." Stell has managed to understand the meaning of the statements.
"On the other hand, each country have their own respective states and division. That being said, these leaders aren't allowed to consume all of the divisions. In each country, there are 2 divisions, and every 2 divisions have their own respective subcategory of the other zodiac clans."
For Berg:
Aries - Lightning zodiac clan
Saggitarius - Wood/flowe zodiac clan
For Ruth:
Virgo - Energy/force zodiac clan
Capricorn - Light Zodiac clan
For Hadal:
Libra - Time zodiac clan
Aquarius - Ice zodiac clan
For Ruth:
Cancer - Moon zodiac clan
Pisces - Shadow zodiac clan
"In any case, that's the outline of each country and how they work. Now for the main reason of why you're here." And finally, the most asked question is now going to be answered.
–
Captain Lennon's office door suddenly opened.
"Oh... you're here. So what the hell happened out there and how's the situation?" Captain Lennon turned his chair around and placed his legs on his table while smoking.
"God, I hate it when you smoke." Captain Lich said as he looked at him with a scorned expression.
"Sorry, so what happened?" He asked again while taking out his smoke and placing it in the bin.
"I've noticed the figure earlier when we arrived here. That's why I stepped out. And yeah, I've chased him down the alleyway and luckily I sealed him." Captain Lich told the details.
"Is he that fast that it took you some time to arrest him?"
"Well, his elemental power is Moon. I'm guessing that he is from the Cancer Zodiac Clan." Captain Lich answered. He approached the table and took out some chairs to seat on. Captain Lennon dropped his legs and started staring at him.
"Moon huh? They're quite interested in fast elemental users." He continued.
"Yeah, anyhow. According to him, he was from a town that was destroyed by the organization. He said that all of the spies that are scouting everywhere were recruits. The organization probably took the advantage to use their powers to scare and to make them a slave."
"That's absurd..."
"I know. He doesn't have any choice or any hope and options. His family is tied up and he needs to do his job. They were forced to wear the same cloak and have an X symbol on their wrist as well."
"Did they also commit those crimes?"
"Not really, they're only spies. Those death crimes were probably caused by the real members of this organization. And the ones that they're recruiting are baits." Captain Lich answered with a sigh.
"Well, what do you think they're aiming for?" Captain Lennon asked.
"Well isn't that obvious...?"
"They're preparing for the war and have been sending some warnings to us..."
"The whole world is in danger right now. The only possible solution we can do is to train you guys to become a warrior that will reprimand these bad guys, and that includes, King Yama." Mach declared.