Chapter 20: A Trip to Disaster VIII
Aetheris-Veston Border—Awakened Camp.
"Ehhh!?.... Ms. Instructor, why….!?!?!"
Sakurai's voice cracked like a broken speaker, her arms wrapped around Celeste's waist in a death grip.
The instructor's cigarette dangled precariously from her lips as she tried—and failed—to pry the girl off.
"No means no, dammit!"
Celeste growled irritatedly, pushing Sakurai's head from her, but despite this, the student still clung onto the instructor hearing the unfair treatment that had been delivered to her.
How the heck did she get a minus mark for trying to prove her strength? Very unreasonable!
She also glanced at the instructors with that same pitiful gaze of hers but was instantly shut down by them ignoring her outright.
Why!?
Though she hated to do this, but here goes...
She turned over to Shane, giving him a, give me a good reason as to why I got that low of a score.
And Shane who was not one to shy away:
"Bad execution. It may have been alright since you had informed your mates; however, you have yet to have full control over a Retainer-class vassal."
Shane, shooting her a side eye, had said that, making the exorcist flinch.
She had maybe, possibly, definitely tried to impress everyone—by using a power she couldn't fully control.
"But it worked in the end; what's the problem!?"
"With an uncontrollable power like that, forget your enemies; your allies might also be in danger, so I guess the instructors were factoring that in, so…"
Saying that, Shane spread his hands, as if explaining something painfully obvious.
Even if she were alone, unforeseen situations could occur.
In a situation whereby she's alone in a dangerous situation, even more so, cornered by adversity.
Depending on the control of her power, it can either save her or drive both her and her adversities into mutual destruction.
Such was how things went.
Hearing that, the girl flinched again, followed by an obvious silence as if to consider his words.
Then, after that moment of silence, she straightened, then gave a curt bow.
"Thank you very much for the advice."
Sakurai had said this before, promptly walking away with an obvious pout she didn't even try to hide in the slightest.
However, to her, she had achieved her goal.
Even with the low grade that was assigned to her, still, with what she had shown, she had more or less piqued the instructor's interest in her.
More so, her fellow students.
And naturally, in more than a few ways, it had worked.
But next time, she wouldn't make such a mistake like this anymore.
However, hold on a moment, '...how did he know that Raiho was a Retainer-class Vassal…'
Sakurai suddenly paused with widened eyes as she looked back at Shane.
"Next up. B-class, get your ass in front; it's your turn."
One of those who was most curious to see in action was no doubt the Rosebell.
Naturally—
As murmurs spread through the watching students, she simply smiled—a languid, self-assured curve of her lips as she gathered her team.
Since they were in an area where they had to find prey themselves, things like scout, reconnaissance, and intel were very important before battle.
And from somebody from the Rosebell family, they had used this method, and it had proven to be effective.
While the Rosebell did have the power and authority, their motto was to slowly encase their competitors in a rose of thorns.
Encircle the enemy in a rose of thorns.
Trap them. Break them. Bury them.
Gather intel on weaknesses. Exploit flaws. Use everything against the opponent.
Only when all other options were exhausted—when the enemy was cornered with no way out, then would brute force come into play.
And someone trained under this philosophy would, without a doubt, finish the job as elegantly as possible.
"Rosebell, huh? While her mana is certainly above the standard capacity for an Awakened, I wonder how she fares in actual combat."
"Well, it'd have been different were she fighting alone; however, it isn't the case."
"I can imagine her flawlessly leading her team to victory."
The instructors, Celeste, Vahn, and the remaining three instructors from the D to F class, had given their thoughts.
Moreover, Celeste, who had just spoken, tapped the ash from her cigarette, exhaling lazily.
Naturally, the Rosebell didn't look like the brute type, but rather the intelligent type, so they already had their expectations.
But, regardless of her opinion on the girl, Celeste wasn't one to place blind trust in expectations.
Additionally, something felt off.
"Damian."
Damian blinked, but obeyed without hesitation, stepping closer.
"Instructor?"
Celeste took a slow drag from her cigarette, exhaling through her nose before speaking.
"Don't worry, I just wanted to tell you to keep your senses high."
More so, there had been this feeling that had been bugging her for now.
Something had been bugging Celeste for a while now.
No...It wasn't just her.
Enma had been silent.
Too silent, even.
Enma rarely spoke unless necessary, but even then, there was a difference between his usual quiet and this kind of quiet.
Damian, after hearing that, immediately looked over to Kaiden, who nodded.
"Alright."
Shane also seemed standing slightly further away, also seemed to have exchanged glances with Damian.
A brief moment of eye contact.
Nothing was said. But it didn't need to be.
The message was received.
"Ms. Blackwood, what's the problem?"
Vahn, seeing Celeste's action, had asked that with a furrowed brow, but the woman had simply replied as so.
Celeste, still watching the field, replied without looking at him.
"Just be on your guard is all I say."
Her fingers tightened slightly around the cigarette.
She wasn't the type to get paranoid over nothing.
But this feeling—
She hadn't felt like this in a very, very long time.
The last time all the hairs on her body had stood on end like this was....
Yes... Back when she fell from grace.
Outside the Dungeon.
The entire compound—not just the dungeon—was a government-tier facility, a place owned and operated by those who controlled the supernatural world.
And it wasn't the only one.
Facilities like this were scattered across Helia and even further into its neighboring continent, Central Helia.
But there was a key difference between the two.
Central Helia wasn't built for development.
It was an administrative center, a continent filled with leaders, rulers, and those who dictated global supernatural policy.
It had fewer technological facilities compared to Helia, but it had something else—
It was home to the strongest Awakened in existence.
In every way that mattered, Central Helia was the center point of this world.
While Central Helia was an Administrative Center. Helia itself was the birthplace of progress.
It was here that mana-tech advancements were first discovered, making it the central hub for technological research and development.
And beneath this very camp, in a hidden laboratory, one of those advancements was still in progress.
A conversation was taking place.
"Any news from HQ?"
A researcher, clad in a dark lab coat, barely looked up from his monitor.
"No, not yet."
Another sighed, rubbing his temples.
"How about the device?"
A pause.
Then, a frustrated exhale.
"Haah… No progress yet."
It is no doubt evident from the interior. The researchers here focus more on technological inventions than other camp researchers, who focused more on biological inventions.
One of their inventions was the core and device, which powered the Economical Mega Hub—Second Float.
To sustain a hub so big like that would have no doubt used up Earth's resources.
After all, a city-like structure with twenty-four-seven, all-year-long power would have obviously drained the world's resources.
More so, with other floats that exist around the three continents.
Humanity alone wouldn't have been able to develop such things alone, obviously.
Mana Reactor.
That was their answer to solving such a problem.
However, the core from which these mana reactors were made was gotten from the cores of three of the most disastrous events to ever occur.
However, upon learning the fact that those particular cores could hold mana particles that drifted in the air to generate mana on their own.
Such an opportunity couldn't be missed.
Of course it was pointed out by other forces, and it caused quite the situation back then.
The ability to hold mana particles, which are different from mana themselves were almost impossible to control, could help one generate something close to infinite mana.
In other words, a mana reactor.
The moment it became known that these cores could theoretically produce infinite mana, various factions rose in protest.
The ethics, the risks, the uncontrollable nature of such a power source.
Many argued that the cores should be sealed away.
Some even demanded they be destroyed entirely before they became the cause of another catastrophe.
But in the end, the Magic Affiliates took responsibility. And with their authority, the research into Mana Reactors continued.
The resistance eventually died down. But never the concern.
Of course.
Knowing the risks, the Great Clans ensured that the Mana Reactors were hidden away, sealed within heavily fortified barriers, behind walls that no ordinary force could ever hope to breach.
It was the only way to keep them safe. At least—so they believed.
But since then, other researchers had been desperately trying to replicate the function of these reactors.
If they could create a safe, artificial alternative, they wouldn't have to rely on the unstable, dangerous cores buried deep within each Float.
It would be the next step in mana-technology. But despite years of research, no one had succeeded.
"Haha… I'm starting to think this might be impossible…"
"No way!"
"Say what you will, but trying to harness a power that only Transcendents can use… It's beyond us."
Two researchers conversed in the lab.
Before them was a table in front of them.
A high-tech, rectangular construct, sleek and lined with mana-circuit engravings.
This was their latest attempt. A compressed, artificial version of a Mana Reactor.
Of course it wasn't successful, as they were trying to compress the scale at which it would have been made.
But they continued.
Above ground, it was the same. They were as busy as the people below.
Managing dungeons, studying the fluctuation of mana to get humanity close to knowing what dungeons were and how they came to be.
In retrospect, humanity—especially those on top of the world—had recognised the type of threat dungeons pose even more than those who think they know.
By studying these in earnest and reporting their findings, they can compile the results across multiple places to study it.
Other than the ongoing research underground and the training within the dungeon, something else was happening.
Something subtle, but no less important.
Aetheris-Veston Camp—Reception Area
At the front desk, the automated sliding doors parted as two men stepped into the facility.
One was clearly important—dressed in a high-quality, tailored suit, the kind only worn by people accustomed to authority.
The other followed a step behind, exuding an entirely different presence.
A bodyguard. Unlike his companion, his outfit was more functional than stylish—a simple, dark uniform that allowed for ease of movement.
More importantly. His eyes never stopped scanning the room.
The receptionist, accustomed to high-profile visitors, greeted them with a polite, practiced tone.
"Welcome to Aetheris-Veston Camp. How can I help you?"
The suited man gave a small, almost disinterested hum.
"Hm. We have a scheduled meeting with the branch manager today."
The receptionist blinked, then quickly checked her system.
Sure enough—a meeting had been scheduled.
Monthly moderations like these were routine, conducted on behalf of the Great Clans. They loved having everything under strict surveillance.
Because if they didn't. The world wouldn't be as peaceful as it was. Or so they believed.
"Your ID, sirs."
The man smiled smoothly. "Ah, yes. Pardon me—here."
He handed over a sleek identification card, the edges embedded with mana circuitry for verification.
The receptionist scanned it, waited for confirmation, then nodded with a professional smile.
"Yes, your appointment has been confirmed. Please take the stairs on the left."
The man returned her smile, charming but unreadable, before turning away.
Without another word, he and his silent bodyguard headed toward the stairs.
Doing so, finally, the man who had been following behind like a bodyguard finally spoke up.
"That was easy…"
"Yeah. They keep their dogs on a tight leash, but they leave too many openings."
"What's the plan…?"
"Destroy the barrier covering us, then watch things fall into ruin."
The bodyguard didn't speak, nor did he even want to.
Due to the dangerous technology in the hands of even more dangerous people like the Great Clans—
It was their work as the Anti-Awakened or Anti-Order factions as most knew them as.
Even as they walked across the halls of the administrative building, they couldn't help but show scorn on their faces.
Mana, dungeons, and technology: each and every one is a danger to humanity that can't be ignored.
"... Boss. Do we start now…?"
"Hm. I see no reason to, our compatriots had already infiltrated already. Just a signal would do."
Yes. Just as influential as the Great Clan were, the Anti-Order factions were just as influential.
In a sense, you could say they were the dark horse or underdogs.
Many saw the Awakened as the elite, the untouchable ruling class.
The common people—powerless, struggling to survive in a world where power dictated one's worth—were naturally drawn to the Anti-Order's cause.
The numbers didn't lie.
If you were to look at the current criminal rate, you'd see that around seventy-five percent were all awakened.
That is how much impact it had.
Let's not forget that the Awakened Association is doing their best in maintaining order when it comes to that, but that doesn't necessarily mean they have the ability to sway the minds of the people.
Even if they had—no, even if they did have the ability to, they wouldn't use it.
What was more troublesome for the Association and the Clans was the fact that over ninety percent of the Anti-Order factions were made up of powerless people.
Naturally, their higher-ups were certainly awakened as they knew it, but they had successfully manipulated the minds of the inferior.
The clans and associates knew this to some extent, but they couldn't exactly do anything about it.
To capture them was the only thing they could do, and even then, they would go to extreme lengths when caught; one can imagine how.
And, it's not like the Association or the Clans could really raise their hands against them, as it would prove their point.
"The Clans had been cornered by us for a while, but because of their powers, especially those monsters, we couldn't make a move."
"So, we adapt. That's all we have to do. They are predators, and we are hunters."
Predators are mostly known to stalk their prey, set ambushes, and overpower their prey.
However, if hunters want to catch a predator, they go even beyond that, setting cunning traps, using tools, and observing their strength and weakness.
"All this time… we have lain low. It's time to make our names known once again."
Saying that, as he and his guard walked the hallways, he then removed a device from his pockets that crackled to life.
KSHHH!
"Men. Do it."
And like that, a loud explosion rang out as the ground trembled under a mighty earthquake.