"So, I guess that's how it is," Morgan explained.
He and Cillian talked in Captain Mathilda's office in base one —each squad had their own base. Only three were in the room talking about the same thing, a special mission for Morgan.
"However, since you've reached the senior instructor stage, you've already exceeded the Arcana class qualifications," Cillian explained.
"Arcana class?" asked Morgan.
"The Monarch Academy of Magic has two types of classes, the Arcana and Rune classes. Arcana class is a special class intended for students with a Magic Arcana rank above four and a maximum of seven," Mathilda replied, helping Cillian explain the matter to Morgan.
"So, the Rune class is for students with a lower rank, is that right?" asked Morgan, confirming.
Cillian and Mathilda nodded slowly. He took a file from his magic storage, handing the document to Morgan, who sat on the long couch beside Cillian.
Morgan opened the file sheet by sheet; there were tables and detailed mission descriptions. Also, it seemed that Arthur had already approved the conduct of this particular mission.
The middle sheet of the document was open, Morgan's eyes were focused on the five images of a person displayed on the paper, with the title of the page written as alleged suspects.
"Who are these people?" asked Morgan, curious.
"Noah Johnson, head of the Alchemy Department. Then two high instructors named Beatrice and Clovis, and two Arcana class students named Nathan and Natalya," Cillian explained.
"According to the information from my men, those five are allegedly involved with the presence of the Child of Crown's traces at the Monarch Academy," Cillian added.
"Your main task in this mission is to find out who the mastermind of the group's presence at the academy is and then kill him if you get the chance."
"But if you're not sure you can kill him, then inform the first squad and let them carry out the assassination plan."
'It seems like those five are quite strong. I can't directly confront any of them,' Morgan stated.
"Alright, I got it," Morgan explained, closing the file again and storing it in his magic storage bracelet.
"So, when am I joining the Academy?" Morgan asked.
"Before you do, I need you to wear this ring," Cillian requested, pulling out a mysterious ring that he took from his magic storage bracelet.
Morgan felt a strange sensation when he saw the ring, a sensation like something great would happen to him. However, Morgan could only fully believe what Cillian said.
Morgan's hand took the ring and put it right on the index finger of the left hand. Suddenly, an electric shock went through Morgan's body, making his eyes widen with both palms clenched tightly.
He fell to his knees on the floor, his breathing ragged with the red magic aura radiating from his body. Morgan could see the flow of his own red magic aura entering the ring he had just worn, as if the ring was meant to absorb the magic power.
"Wh-What happened?" asked Morgan, looking exhausted.
Cillian smiled slightly, rising from his seat on the couch as he stepped closer to Morgan, "Show me your Magic Arcana mark, Morgan."
"Alright," Morgan replied briefly.
[Mark Activated]
[Stage: Magic Arcana 2]
[Title: Novice]
"Uhuk!" Morgan coughed up blood after wearing the ring. A significant difference occurred when he wore the ring and before he wore it.
Morgan gasped. The sun-shaped mark, or people know as Vergina Sun, only has two patterns, a sign of the lowest stage with two early ranks.
"Wh-What? Two Novice Stage early patterns? What have you done to me?!" snapped Morgan, trying to get up and pull Cillian's collar.
"Easy, Morgan. This is part of your mission," Cillian explained.
"My mission? You made all my training for nothing!" snapped Morgan.
"If you wanna regain it all, all you have to do is remove the ring again."
Morgan paused for a moment, then released his hold on Cillian. The young man continued to stare at the ring and dared to remove it again while taking a deep breath.
The magic flow originally stored in the ring was returned to Morgan, and Morgan rechecked his Magic Arcana mark.
[Mark Activated]
[Stage: Magic Arcana 9]
[Title: High Instructor]
The pattern on the mark no longer showed two patterns but nine. Morgan squinted, knowing the function of the ring.
"This ring suppresses my power by absorbing some of my magic energy. Is that how it works?" asked Morgan, Cillian nodded.
"Since we can't work with the Academy because of their neutral stance, we have to find a way to trick them," explained Cillian.
"But why does the ring make my Magic Arcana fall to two patterns? Why not at four so I can get into the Arcana class?" Morgan asked.
"Getting into the rune class is part of the mission objective. The Child of Crown's recruiters will aim for weak students because they are easy to persuade and trick, unlike students of the Arcana class," Cillian explained.
'It's true. Desperation makes weak students easy to deceive,' Morgan said, continuing to watch the ring closely.
Morgan closed his eyes. The mission this time was much more complicated, something much different and more dangerous.
"The academy won't notice. Once the ring is attached to your finger, it won't be visible to anyone except you," Cillian said.
He walked over to Mathilda's desk, where she stood leaning against the edge of her desk with her arms crossed. Now, Cillian stood right next to Mathilda.
"The mission's success will greatly impact the operations of the Golden Crown Order members. They will have difficulty operating due to a member shortage," Cillian explained.
"Then, what about the seventh group?" Morgan asked Mathilda.
"Don't worry. I'll arrange that," Mathilda replied.
Morgan fell silent again, still looking at his Magic Arcana mark and the magic resistance ring in his other palm. The young man's eyes were closed, trying to figure out whether he could carry out this mission well or not.
'Putting the mission aside. If I study at the magic academy, I can improve my skills and gain more magic battle experience,' Morgan explained.
'I have to take this mission,' said Morgan.
"Alright. I will accept the mission," Morgan explained, full of confidence.
"That's good. The Monarch Academy of Magic was located in the northernmost region of the UK, on the island of Unst Shetland. The academy owns the entire island, so you'll feel comfortable there," Cillian replied.
"The academy's new student enrollment will close in seven days. So, you may return to the Romarich residence and prepare. I've already told your mother about this; she doesn't mind at all," Cillian added.
"I got it."
***
Five Days Later.
London City Airport.
"Be careful. There will be many strong people there," Alisha explained.
Alisha and Mira came to the city airport to escort Morgan to arrive at the place. There were two days left before registration closed, while the distance from London to Unst Shetland Island was only about 3 hours away by plane.
Morgan fully understood Alisha and Mira's advice. Both knew that Morgan was going to the academy not just to study, but also to find information about the Child of Crown's existence.
"Morgan, let's go," Cillian explained.
He was the one who drove Morgan to the academy. Morgan nodded after saying goodbye to Alisha and Mira. The two boarded the plane that would soon depart, bound for the island of Shetland.
Mira and Alisha watched as Morgan's plane took off and left the city. Mira was touched by Morgan's departure far enough north; she turned to the side, seeing Alisha's eyes looking teary.
"He'll be fine, Alisha," Mira said, trying to soothe the mother's heart as she left her child to go far away.
Alisha smiled, her head looking up at the blue sky full of white clouds above London City, "Yeah. After he returns from the academy, he will definitely get stronger."
Mira nodded, wrapping her arms around her side to hug Alisha tightly. Cillian and Morgan had been sitting comfortably inside the airplane, seeing himself leaving his hometown made Morgan experience a particular turmoil in his heart.
Cillian, sitting next to Morgan, noticed the young man's attitude. Cillian smiled a bit as he patted Morgan's left shoulder lightly.
"Aside from carrying out missions, the academy is suitable for increasing your strength. Get first in the rankings there and become strong," Cillian said.
"Once I discover the group's whereabouts, I will hunt down King Alexander with my hands!" declared Morgan.
"I believe you can do that, Morgan."
As the journey continues, Cillian sleeps on the plane while Morgan opens books borrowed from the Trident library. The books explained historical details about legendary figures in the past, one of which was Morgana Le Fay.
'Being strong alone won't benefit me a lot. I have to make Morgana be able to do a second expansion,' Morgan said to himself.
[Forget about the second expansion. You won't be able to find my other sacred artifacts, boy]
Morgan didn't expect his inner words to be heard by Morgana. Unusually, Morgana responded to Morgan's words.
'It doesn't mean your artifact doesn't exist. I can find it for sure. You'll get your second expansion,' Morgan explained.
[Stubborn kid!]
Morgana's eyes opened. Currently, the woman was in Morgan's soul realm. The vast realm had a wavy roof like the ocean's surface, but the soul realm was not inside the ocean.
Large pillars with Anglo-Saxon script in fiery blue seemed to stand firmly in five rows, as if they were confining Morgana in a cage. With Morgana's mana manipulation, she could shape the surrounding area as she could visualize in her mind.
The throne was crafted from stone and decorated with creeping foliage. The area surrounding the throne was filled with grass and blooming flowers, reminding Morgana of Avalon Garden.
Morgana sat with her legs crossed on her stone throne, still wearing her sexy black rose-patterned dress with jewelry attached to it.
'He knows absolutely nothing about me,' Morgana complained, staring straight ahead, beyond the shackles of the stone pillars.
The woman spontaneously shook her head, realizing her master was naive enough to search for her sacred artifacts even though he had no idea what kind of artifacts he was looking for.
'That determination, maybe I can learn something good from it,' Morgana explained.
Elsewhere, Morgan continued to read the book, looking to see if any items from Morgana Le Fay's character could be the much sought-after treasure.
[If you can get my sacred artifacts and perform the second expansion for me, I will listen to your words.]
'Really?' asked Morgan, looking enthusiastic.
[Even so, don't expect to get any favors from me. You are still unworthy of being my master!]
'I will become strong and prove to you that I am worthy of you,' insisted Morgan.
[Whatever you say ]
The plane ride was over after three hours. Morgan and Cillian continued their journey to the first enrollment and talent test place on a small island north of the Shetland main island, known as Linga.
Traveling by boat, Morgan could see several buildings standing on the island, with a white flag bearing a gold-crowned red rose, the main symbol of the Monarch Academy of Magic.
"Welcome. Are you planning to enroll as academy students?" asked the officer who walked up to Morgan and Cillian; Morgan said yes.
The officer handed Morgan a form to fill out. Right after completion, Morgan was invited to enter a building for talent examination, ranging from basic elements to Magic Arcana levels.
"Hmm," responded the officer conducting the talent examination on the second floor of the building.
'As long as I wear this ring, they won't know my true abilities,' Morgan explained.
"You!" said the officer, Morgan reflexively swallowing his saliva deeply.
"Wind element with Magic Arcana rank 2. Put him in the Rune class!" said the officer. Several other officers came to take Morgan.
The officer in the examination building was seen doing another talent check on another candidate. Surprisingly, the officer widened his eyes to realize the student's talent before him.
Morgan stopped his steps, looking back at the young man who looked about the same age as him.
"Aiden Gallagher. Fire element with Magic Arcana rank 7," the officer explained, then pointed his hand to the side, different from Morgan's direction, "Arcana class!"
The blond-haired youth waltzed away with a haughty demeanor on his face. Morgan felt there was something strange about the young man named Aiden.
"What's so great about that?" asked Morgan.
"A new student with a Magic Arcana rank of 7 is a rare thing, very talented according to some," the officer explained.
"I'm sure he must be a potential candidate for the Great title," said another officer.
"Of course, that is if he can study well."
'The Great? The fourth highest rank in the history of magic arcana, only one stage different from Archmagus.'
'Is there no one who can break through the Emperor or Divine Magus stage?
'This is really interesting!'