In the Forest.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Ron continued his descent down the stairs, the heavy gate above closing automatically behind him with a low rumble. The darkness around him was thick and oppressive, but he moved forward, unbothered. The air was cool and still, and the only sound was the soft echo of his footsteps on the stone steps.
After a while of walking, Ron finally reached a heavy door. He paused, then gripped the handle with his right hand. Even for someone of his strength, it took considerable effort to budge it.
Click.
The door groaned and creaked as it slowly swung open, revealing the vast space beyond.
The sight that met Ron's eyes was a long, huge hall-like room. The ceiling was not that high, and the room stretched far into the distance, filled with various training equipment and stations.
Children, their ages ranging from as young as three to as old as sixteen, were engaged in different forms of training. Some were practicing combat techniques, while others were honing their mana control or engaging in physical exercises... while some others were doing a few rather peculiar things.
Ron scanned the entire facility, his eyes taking in the familiar sight. He had seen this place many times before, but it never ceased to impress him.
Although the sheer effort it had taken to build this facility was obvious, it wasn't what made Ron so fascinated.
He looked above and there he saw lines of fluorescent lamps affixed to the ceiling... Yes, the room wasn't dark nor do it had any form of fire torches but was gleamingly illuminated through these modern lights.
'Magic technology... '
He thought inwardly.
Magic technology, or what many call it magi-tech.
This wondrous innovation was first discovered a little before the stampede of 2043, in the later part of year 2042, by an elite group of researchers under the leadership of Frank Williams.
While in hopes of recreating the lost technology of the world now bygone, they incidentally stmbled upon this new contrivance.
The researchers, after realising that recreation of the past technology is not only an arduous task but also inefficient, shifted their focus on this new branch of tech and industrial science.
Since then, the researchers have been ardently researching it's principles and possible applications.
Although Sophie reported that it was still in it's infancy, it doesn't mean they didn't achieve any form of success in it.
But at the end of the day, even though there were some breakthroughs, there wasn't any substantial progress made over the years in the project.
Ron admired the sight for a bit but then started moving to his right.
He soon reached near an earthen wall and like before, started manipulating and channeling his mana in a particular way.
Soon, intricate patterns and lines, similar to those on the door above, began to emerge on the walls in a faint and lighter shade of oxblood but in a smaller area.
After a moment, a hidden compartment in the wall revealed itself as a small window sized gate opened up.
Within the compartment lay a small, lustrous black orb, about the size of a fist, emitting faint traces of a monster's wild mana. The orb seemed to glow with an uncanny energy, radiating an eerie presence.
Dozens of extremely thin threads, resembling wires, were attached to the orb and extended upward into the ceiling of the small compartment, vanishing into the concrete above.
The sight appeared to be both astonishing and intimidating at the same time.
Ron's gaze shifted to the lights on the ceiling of the room and again to the orb in the compartment.
'A single core from a 2-metre class is enough to power this many of them for months huh... ' He thought inwardly.
Monster Cores, or what many call them Mana Cores or even Ascendants Cores, are the fundamental difference in existence of Ascendants from normal humans and animals.
The process is different for both as wherein humans convert and evolve their hearts into Mana-storing containers known as Mana Hearts Or Mana Cores, monsters follow a different evolutionary path.
It's believed that during the 'third change,' the event that marked the first emergence of Ascendants, animals and other life forms on Earth, aside from humans, began forming distinct mana cores. Unlike in humans, these mana cores are not the result of evolution or mutation on any pre-existing organs.
These Mana Cores, monster cores in case of Monsters, are not an adaptation of a pre-existing body part but rather a new organ altogether, essential to their survival and growth.
Over years, studies have shown that not only do Monsters does not require the presence of any other of their kind to produce offspring, but the progenies produced by them are born with inherent Monster Cores.
This has led to the understanding that, unlike humans who must undergo a transformation to develop Mana Hearts, monsters naturally inherit the ability to manipulate Mana from birth.
'Just what kind of relation and mechanism exist between these Monster cores and the way they manipulate their Mana... ' Ron thought to himself.
Currently, much is unknown about the evolutions of monsters and their interaction with Mana.
Another layer of curiosity emerges when delving further into their ranks progression.
After gaining a Monster core, although they can advance in rank over time, there seems to be an hereditary limit placed upon them which restrict them from advancing beyond a certain point.
Humans too have limits of their own, but it's different in case of monsters. The limit is not placed upon the individual itself but onto the species it belong to.
The ape monster that attacked the girl Zilya would be a good example. Their kind are acknowledged to be unable to go beyond the 3-metre mark.
However, this too can't be confirmed with certainity as over the years, there have been many exceptions documented to these rules.
Despite extensive research, much remains unknown about Mana as the secrets it contains seem to hide itself behind a thick veil of mystery.
'There are many questions but perhaps, only time will give us the answers... '
Ron debated internally.
'However'
His expression turned solemn as he once again looked above at the ceiling.
Although there were many questions, there was one stand out amongst them all that he desperately wanted an answer to.
These fluorescent lamps, also known as tubelight, were modern electrical appliances that ran on electricity!
So just how was it possible for Mana to be able to power them!?
This one phenomenon has tormented even elite researchers and scholars like Frank and Sophie for years.
In the first place, they shifted their focus onto Magi-tech because with lack of all kind of resources needed, recreating modern technology proved out to be an impossible task.
In their hour of despair, this newly discovered characteristic of Mana, which provided them with the opportunity to create an alternative, shined as a glimmering ray of hope.
But alas, they were unable to come up with a reasonable conjecture on this phenomenon that may help them proceed deeper in this field.
Well, actually, over time they did come up with an possible explanation....
'I should get to the work at hand.. ' Ron thought and started moving ahead.
It had to be remembered that it had been a few minutes since Ron entered the room but none among the children has noticed him.
From opening to the gate to masking his presence...he was just that masterful.
Step.
Suddenly, a step echoed in the room as the hundreds of children present in the hall all snapped their heads to the source simultaneously.
They were completely on guard and were about to attack the intruder when someone among them spoke out.
"Stand down. It's Marshall Ron."
Upon hearing the voice's words, everyone widened their eyes a bit but soon got back to their work with their heads hung low in shame.
It was obvious that they were ashamed since no one among them was able to sense Ron coming in.
Ron, who had now lifted his presence, raised his hand a bit, indicating for them to continue with their training.
All the children immediately got back to their training, and this time, with even more intensity; hoping to impress their trainer and leader, and receive some personal guidance.
He started moving further, scanning the all too familiar surroundings.
To be fair, the lights above and some of the advanced training equipment that were preserved from the old world were the only modern things about the facility.
The ground was just some rock solid mud and wasn't paved with anything. Same to go for the earthen walls that make up the perimeter.
It won't be wrong to call the whole facility just a large cave with some decorations.
But still, no individual seem to complain and they all went about their daily activities. Some adults would help them in chores like making and distributing food.
Yes, other than the children, there were also some adult present in the facility....
These were people who have absolutely no combat ability and had miraculously survived the Stampede of 2043 despite not being Ascendants.
Since they were useless up on the surface and will only be discriminated against, they were used as caretakers for the children who were extremely young and also help the grown ones with everyday tasks.
And to also teach them about the ways of the world....
They were the only adults, aside from the Generak and Ron who knew about the details of this 'grand plan' and unlike the children who were allowed to go outside once in a while, were absolutely banned from this privilege.
They had seen the monstrous strength high ranked Ascendants possess firsthand and didn't dare to disobey any rules set by them lest they desire to have a sorrowful parting with their lives.
As Ron passed by them, they bowed their heads as low as possible in respect; fear apparent in their eyes.
Ron didn't bother with them one bit as he continued to survey his surroundings.
"They're doing better than I thought... " He muttered under his breath. Unknowingly, a small smile has already appeared on his face.
"Marshall!"
Suddenly, a cute and young voice, obviously belonging to a girl, was heard by Ron as he looked to his left from where a young girl, no older than eight, was approaching him with a big smile on her face.
"Aiko." Ron said the girl's name as he didn't prevent her from approaching him but rather, welcomed her with open hands.
The girl came close to him and hugged his legs. She wasn't even able to measure upto his waist. The scene was a bit comical and cute at the same time.
The girl had auburn hair and similarly colored eyes. She looked at Ron with childlike innocence.
Only after did Ron pushed her back by holding her hair did she let go.
"Aiko, you shouldn't do that."
"Ouu.. " She cried softly as Ron flicked her forehead as punishment.
"But leader hadn't shown up for so long and I wanted to show you something... " Aiko protested softly as she massaged her head with both of her little hands.
Ron just watched her rubbing her head with a gentle gaze. It was surprising since he rarely showed this many expressions. He asked after a bit "What is it that you want to show me?"
The girl smiled widely in joy at his words, forgetting all her pain in an instant.
"Hehehe, watch me!" She smiled mischievously and started gathering Mana in her outstretched hand. The amount of Mana she was gathering was rather impressive for a Recruit rank.
But soon, the Mana in her hand started to behaved strangely. It swirled and changed it's form. At the same time, the temperature around the girl's hand started to increase.
Crisp.
Soon, a sizzling sound was heard as her Mana completely changed it's form.
What appeared in the girl's hand now was a..... tiny flame.