11:50 PM
GreenWood Region, Verdant Haven.
Gertrude, an individual exuding an air of distinction, commanded attention with his brown hair, black eyes, and well-toned tan skin. Dressed in a tailored beige tuxedo that accentuated his tall and fit frame, he projected an aura of professionalism that matched the gravity of the situation.
Standing at his side were three Magitists and three B-Ranked Magicians, all affiliated with the esteemed Sapphire Guild.
The Magitists, impassioned seekers of magic, science, and technology, were industriously engaged in repairing the Aether-powered drone. Clad in light blue science coats, they exemplified the guild's devotion to the convergence of magical prowess and scientific ingenuity.
Simultaneously, the trio of B-Ranked Magicians collaborated to weave a potent seal spell, channeling their collective energies. Adorned in light blue suits with elegant gold accents, they mirrored the guild's commitment to both precision and style in their magical endeavors.
Their coordinated incantations created a shimmering barrier around the portal, aiming to prevent any malevolent entities from escaping and wreaking havoc beyond its confines.
In Sylvestria, each of its five regions boasts unique Guilds, representing organized communities of skilled Magicians.
These Guilds function as colossal clubs, fostering camaraderie among members who share common interests.
Take, for instance, The Sapphire Guild, renowned as the premier association dedicated to the exploration of Science, Magic, and technology. It stands as an ideal haven for Magitists seeking to delve into the depths of these disciplines.
While not exclusively reserved for Magitists, the guild occasionally opens its doors to Combat Magicians, albeit sparingly, given the nuanced differences in their pursuits.
Adding to the allure of these Guilds is the distinctive attire worn by their members. In the case of The Sapphire Guild, members don light blue suits that serve as a symbol of their affiliation.
Unbeknownst to them, Dominic arrived precisely at 11:50 P.M., responding promptly to Gertrude's call.
As Dominic approached, Gertrude turned, offering a respectful nod.
"Sir Dominic, it's good to see you."
"Good to see you, Gertrude. What's the situation?"
"The drone used by the Magitists to scan the portal's contents was obliterated by the monsters inside. Luckily, it managed to relay crucial information about the mana emissions from the Stargate."
Stargates, akin to monsters, were classified based on the mana they produced and their size. Ranging from E to SSS, these rankings served as a crucial metric for assessing magical phenomena.
"And what's the rank of this one?" Dominic questioned, eyeing the door-sized star-shaped pink portal.
"It's classified as D-Ranked based on size, but the mana it emits is on par with an A-Rank."
"!"
Dominic's eyes widened; such an anomaly had never occurred in Sylvestria's recorded history.
"But how is this possible?"
"I don't have an answer, Sir Dominic. Even the Magitists are baffled."
"Are they certain? Could there be a technical glitch with the drone?".
"No, Sir, the drone they used is the latest model and can scan mana levels in a Planck instant. There's no room for technical discrepancies."
Gertrude affirmed, emphasizing the advanced magical and technological capabilities of Sylvestria.
Dominic's expression grew more serious as he considered the unprecedented situation before him.
The intersection of a D-ranked portal with A-rank mana production was an anomaly that demanded immediate attention.
Dominic now understood why Gertrude had called for him. As the current Magus Supreme of Verdant Haven, he was the strongest magician in the region, and unexpected situations like this were best handled by the Magus Supreme.
"Gertrude, I need to get closer and assess the situation. Can you provide me with the latest data the drone collected?"
"Of course, Sir Dominic."
Gertrude then handed Dominic a crystal-infused tablet displaying the real-time data and Mana readings.
As Dominic studied the information, he noticed irregularities in the patterns of mana emission. The fluctuating waves indicated an unstable convergence of magical energies within the portal.
"Ngh!"
"Gah!
"KRRH!"
Dominic and Gertrude swiftly turned around, alarmed by the strained sounds. Their eyes fell upon the three B-ranked magicians, who were visibly struggling to maintain the integrity of the sealing spell.
Dominic sensed the palpable decline in their mana.
Seeing them struggling, Dominic thinks that it's time for them to rest.
"You three, stop."
The trio ceased their efforts, collapsing onto the ground, panting, with sweat coursing down their foreheads. The once steadfast seal spell was now broken, leaving the portal vulnerable to the emergence of monsters.
Dominic directed his gaze to the Stargate.
'I should close the Stargate,' Dominic contemplated.
"Gertrude, did the drone scan for an Alpha inside the Stargate?"
Each Stargate had its own "Alpha," similar to bosses in a dungeon video game.
There were two methods to close a Stargate. The first involved forcibly closing the portal with Magi-Tech devices, a lengthy process. The second required defeating the Alpha, which would slowly close the Stargate.
"Yes, Sir, why are you ask-" Gertrude cut himself off as his eyes widened, realizing what Dominic was about to do.
Dominic smirked upon seeing Gertrude's reaction.
"See you later, Gertrude!"
"Sir, wait!"
Ignoring Gertrude's plea, Dominic sprinted toward the Stargate.
As he entered the portal, Dominic found himself in a realm with vibrant pink clouds, a stark contrast to the world he had just left behind.
In the ethereal realm, Dominic could feel the overwhelming surge of mana enveloping every inch of the vibrant pink clouds.
"So, where is the 'Alpha' of this realm?" Dominic muttered to himself as he started looking around.
Dominic began his journey through the surreal landscape, the vibrant pink clouds undulating with magical energy as he traversed the ethereal space.
The air was thick with an otherworldly ambiance, and the expansive scenery seemed to stretch endlessly.
As he ventured deeper, the surroundings captivated him with swirling hues, creating a challenging yet mesmerizing atmosphere for his search.
Dominic remained vigilant, attuned to the subtle fluctuations in mana that might guide him to the elusive Alpha.
However, amidst the enchanting colors, an unexpected threat materialized. Ten skeletons emerged, brandishing swords with an eerie determination.
"Trace."
Dominic quickly assessed their mana output, determining them to be of E-rank – not a significant threat to his expertise.
The skeletons advanced toward Dominic with swords raised.
Effortlessly, Dominic dodged their attacks, showcasing his agility and mastery over magical combat.
In a swift and calculated move, he delivered a powerful kick to the skull of one skeleton.
The skull soared through the air, resembling a pinball as it collided with the others, resulting in a domino effect of destruction.
Now reduced to scattered bones, the remnants lay on the ethereal ground.
"Weird, why would skeletons appear in this beautiful realm?"
Dominic mused, pondering the unusual presence of such creatures amid the enchanting scenery.
"Oh my, it seems my Skeletons were killed, what a shame," echoed an unknown deep feminine voice, resonating through the ethereal realm.
The vibrant pink clouds suddenly breezed past Dominic, catching his attention. As he turned around, the clouds began to coalesce, gradually transforming into an ethereal figure.
Before him stood an 8-feet woman, adorned with long curly pink hair styled in thick ringlets. Bright black eyes defined pink lips, and pale peach skin added an otherworldly elegance to her appearance.
She wore a strapless, floor-length gown in shades of white and pink, with multiple layers resembling the petals of a rose.
"..."
Dominic stood in stunned silence, captivated by the beauty and ethereal presence of the woman before him.
"Trace."
Despite her enchanting appearance, he couldn't ignore the powerful aura emanating from her – an unmistakable A-rank mana output.
"So, what brings you here, human?"
The woman's voice, gentle and tender, carried an underlying elegance that resonated through the magical realm.
Dominic, maintaining a cautious demeanor, responded, "I'm here to close this Stargate, and you must be the Alpha of this realm."
The woman chuckled, her laughter echoing like a melodic whisper in the ethereal space.
"Indeed, I am. I am Elara, the Guardian of the Pink Ethereal Realm. But why would a human like you want to close my Stargate?"
"The disturbances from this realm are affecting the balance of mana in my world, and it has the potential to bring out monsters to our world. I need to put an end to it."
Elara's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she asked, "How?"
Dominic, with confidence, revealed, "For the gate to close, I must kill you."
"..." Elara didn't say anything, a mysterious calm in her eyes.
Dominic waited for her response, and suddenly…
"Hehehe!"
Elara started to chuckle, covering her mouth.
"HAHAHA!"
The chuckle escalated into hearty laughter, echoing in the realm.
"You puny human, you think you can kill me?"
Elara's laughter resonated, causing the realm to flicker from a pink shade to a dark grey hue.
The clouds turned chaotic, forming tornadoes with strong winds.
Dominic remained calm as he witnessed the violent swirling of the dark grey cloud around Elara, the once beautiful realm now appearing eerie.
"You made a mistake by exposing your plan to me, Human."
The violent cloud dispersed, revealing a transformed Elara.
Her once ethereal appearance had changed dramatically—grey skin, piercing red eyes, a flowing black dress, and ominous black veins coursing through her body.
Dominic remained unfazed by the drastic transformation.
"So, you've seen my true form, human. Do you still believe you can close the Stargate by defeating me?"
Elara, curious and confident, scanned Dominic's Mana output, only to find that he didn't emit much.
"HAHAHA! Do you think you can defeat me with that pitiful mana, human? How laughable!"
Dominic sighed, then casually started stretching his arms upward. Elara, infuriated by his nonchalant demeanor, couldn't comprehend his calmness.
"You dare underestimate me, human!?"
With his stretching complete, Dominic grinned and replied, "Yep."
"WHY YOU!"
In response, Elara summoned 200 10-foot skeletons armed with claymores.
Dominic, seemingly unimpressed, whistled and commented, "That's some fancy bones you got there. Hey, do you perhaps have a bone kink or something?"
"Trace."
Analyzing the mana output of the skeletons, Dominic found that they were emitting Mana from around B-rank to A-rank.
"ATTACK HIM!" Elara commanded.
The skeletons, magically enhanced, started running toward Dominic at Mach 4 speeds.
As the skeletons' claymores were about to touch Dominic, he suddenly disappeared.
His sudden disappearance left Elara surprised.
CRACKLE!
Suddenly, all 200 skeletons were effortlessly sliced, leaving Elara in a state of shock.
"HOW!?"
Elara was certain Dominic didn't possess a substantial amount of mana, and his display of power left her baffled.
"I know you're shocked, but you should be," Dominic's voice echoed through the ethereal realm.
Elara swiftly turned around, expecting to find Dominic behind her, but he was nowhere to be seen.
"I'm right here!" Dominic's voice came again, this time from a different direction.
Elara, frustrated, turned around once more, only to find herself facing an empty space.
"You coward! Fight me!" Elara demanded, her patience wearing thin.
"Heh, it seems someone is being a crybaby," Dominic's voice taunted, seeming to come from all directions at once.
Elara, growing increasingly frustrated, demanded, "Tch! Tell me then, how can you move so fast with that pitiful mana of yours?!"
Dominic, grinning confidently, responded, "Well, Elara, I trained my physical prowess to the point I can move at Planck times."
In Sylvestria, the people are split into three categories: Manaless, Manaficial, and Magicians.
The Manaless, born without innate mana; the Manaficial, lacking natural mana but relying on technological means to create an artificial substitute; and the Magicians, individuals born with the gift of natural mana.
And Dominic is a Manaficial.
However, the Manaficial face a challenge as their magical capabilities may not match those of the Magicians.
Artificial mana, crafted through technological processes, might not seamlessly integrate with the individual's soul, lacking the inherent harmony of natural mana.
The infusion of artificial mana may fall short of replicating the intricate, holistic connection present when mana is naturally bestowed from birth.
For them to compete with those who possessed innate mana, they had to use magical weapons or push their physical limits to the extreme. The downside was the risk of mana leakage if they got a cut.
Yet, despite these challenges, Dominic broke the mold. He worked tirelessly to reach his current status, defying the notion that Manaficials couldn't match their natural counterparts.
"Try surviving this with-"
Fwoosh!
"!"
Elara was abruptly cut off, her surprise evident as Dominic appeared instantly in front of her, leaving her momentarily speechless.
THUD!
Elara felt a sudden impact on her chest. She looked down, shocked to see Dominic's fist piercing through her torso, his arm extending through the other side of her body.
Elara began to bleed, her trembling hands reached out to Dominic in a feeble attempt to retaliate.
Dominic, unfazed, pulled his fist back, causing Elara to collapse onto the floor.
With a victorious smirk, Dominic looked at the blue orb in his hand.
As Dominic contemplated the A-rank Orb in his hand, he acknowledged its lucrative value in the market. These orbs were not only symbols of a monster's power but also highly sought after in various magical trades.
"An A-rank Orb, this would sell pretty high."
Each monster possessed a magic orb that was integral to their abilities, powers, or even their existence.
Dominic knew that extracting these orbs could render the monsters lifeless, and in this case, Elara had become vulnerable.
"Kuh!"
On the ground, Elara mumbled incomprehensibly, her strength waning.
Dominic, looking down at her, adopted a carefree demeanor and remarked, "You underestimated me, and you paid the price."
With a playful wave of his hands, Dominic initiated Elara's demise. The once formidable Guardian of the Ethereal Realm began to disintegrate into dust.
'To be defeated by a mere human with low mana is embarrassing! I must not be defeated this easily!' Elara's thoughts echoed as her body faded away.
Dominic, seemingly uninterested in her struggles, casually walked away from the dissolving figure.
He twirled the A-rank Orb on his index finger, whistling a tune.
Dominic had a penchant for toying with opponents he deemed weaker, reveling in the satisfaction of his victories.
***
Dominic emerged from the Pink Stargate, and as he stepped outside, the portal seamlessly closed behind him.
"Sir Dominic!" Gertrude hurriedly approached him.
Turning to face Gertrude, Dominic held the A-rank Orb in his hand, his expression nonchalant.
"Gertrude, I defeated the Alpha of that Stargate. We won't have to worry about A-Class monsters coming through in this area."
"Yes, I'm aware of it."
Dominic handed the orb to Gertrude.
"Consider this as a bonus. You might fetch a good price for it."
Magic Orbs, categorized from E to SSS, varied in quality and price. The higher the rank, the greater the quality and the more expensive the orb.
"Thank you, Sir Dominic."
"No problem."
Dominic proceeded to stride toward the trio of Magitists.
"Greetings, esteemed Magitists. How is your drone faring?"
All eyes turned toward Dominic, and one of the Magitists responded, "It's performing admirably, Sir."
"I'm pleased to hear that."
Dominic then approached the three B-rank Magicians.
"How are you three holding up?"
The Magicians stood up quickly, a mix of anxiety and respect in their expressions.
"W-We're doing well, Sir Magus Supreme!" one of them stammered, while the others nodded in agreement.
"I'm glad then."
As the interactions with the Magitists and B-rank Magicians concluded, Dominic couldn't suppress a yawn that escaped him. He covered his mouth politely before addressing the group.
"Well, it seems the situation is under control now. Thank you all for your efforts," he said, his voice slightly muffled by the hand covering his mouth.
The Magitists and Magicians nodded in acknowledgment, grateful for Dominic's intervention.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, it's been a long night. Good work, everyone."