Chapter 124

After Ulan took Delia’s hand.

The Observer’s eye soon vanished in the direction where the fog lingered. It must have been heading towards the spot where the black smoke had been spotted.

“So, what do you see?”

“Not yet, nothing at all.”

It was far too early to expect to see anything.

The Observer’s eye had just entered Zone 2. So, even if everything went smoothly, it would take at least thirty minutes to reach beyond the fog.

And even if something were visible…

There was no intention to share it right away.

Delia’s shy smile blossomed like a flower at her lips. It was a satisfied smile.

“Alright then. Let’s wait a little longer.”

Meanwhile, Ulan nodded his head.

The Source of Magic was expansive enough to justify being called vast. Of course, it would take some time to find the exact location.

Just as he understood the situation and was about to pick up the pace again—

“…What are you two doing?”

Suddenly, Ivella’s voice echoed.

A cold voice like frost.

She glared at Ulan and Delia with a face radiating chilling vibes.

“Why are you holding hands?”

“Ah, that’s—”

“I didn’t ask you.”

Ivella cut off Delia’s attempt to explain without hesitation. She then locked her gaze onto Ulan and spoke.

“Tell me what’s going on.”

Her eyes bore a strange pressure.

Yet, Ulan remained unfazed.

As if he didn’t feel the frost that Ivella emitted one bit. So without hesitation, he answered her question.

“That’s just how it is.”

“….”

Some time passed after that.

The explanation of the circumstances came to an end.

From seeing something suspicious beyond the fog to Delia casting magic to find out what exactly it was—everything was laid bare.

On the other hand, Ivella still looked perplexed. After a moment, she shot a displeased look at Delia.

“So, couldn’t you just pause for a moment, cast your magic, and then move again?”

She wasn’t entirely wrong, either.

However, Delia had different thoughts.

“If we delay our movement, it’ll be a nuisance for everyone.”

“Just for a moment, everyone will understand, right?”

“No, we can solve it without stopping, so there’s no need to.”

After shaking her head repeatedly, Delia suddenly took a half step to the side.

That naturally brought her closer to Ulan, causing Ivella to immediately raise her eyebrows.

“What are you doing?”

“What do you mean?”

“Is it really necessary to stick that close?”

“This helps me concentrate better.”

“What kind of nonsense is that…!”

Just when Ivella was about to raise her voice.

Delia tilted her head.

“Why does that not make sense?”

“Of course it does…”

“Do you know more about magic than I do?”

A sharp remark swiftly silenced Ivella.

As someone who was clueless about magic, she couldn’t refute Delia’s statement.

“The concentration consumed by magic is influenced by psychological stability.”

“….”

“And for me, the only one who provides stability is Ulan. You get what I mean?”

Delia beamed a smile.

In other words, it was a message to not disturb her as she was helping Ulan.

Feeling understood, Ivella shivered and quickly turned her head. She wanted to verify if what Delia said was true.

“Noa!”

“Uh, uh-oh?”

“Is what she said true? Is it true that stability is necessary for casting magic?”

Ivella pressed for a response.

Noa smiled awkwardly.

Of course, to some extent, it’s true.

To cast spells or maintain magic, concentration is necessary, and a stable environment is even better for sustaining that concentration.

But…

This applies mainly to average mages.

On the other hand, Delia was a genius. Moreover, she was a magic user blessed by the love of mana.

Thus, even if it was the first time using magic, she wouldn’t fumble or struggle with it.

Last time, she executed it flawlessly.

Last month, when the Abyssal Rift opened.

At that time, Delia used a 7-star Stellar Magic, Meteor Shower. Even though it was indeed her first time, she successfully cast it without issues.

So why did Delia give such an answer?

The only possible reason was simple.

It must be to monopolize Ulan.

Like Ivella, Delia also had feelings for Ulan. Meanwhile, as Noa remained silent, Ivella pressed Delia further.

“Come on, just answer already. Is that statement true?”

“Mmm, well…”

A crossroads in decision was set before her once more.

Depending on whose side she took, someone’s feelings were bound to be hurt. Thus, as if troubled, she began to stammer her response.

“That’s a factual statement.”

“…!?”

Someone interrupted with a response.

Was it the sudden voice that startled Noa and Ivella?

They were taken aback as a man with an awkward expression stepped forward.

“Sorry about that. I didn’t mean to surprise you.”

The voice belonged to Count Dermore.

The two girls waved their hands in dismissal as he bowed apologetically.

“Ah, no, it’s fine.”

“But wait, what did you just say…?”

Before Ivella could finish her question, the Count chimed in with an answer.

“For all actions that involve assembling magic formulas and calculating the required magic power, high concentration is necessary.”

He made a definitive statement.

“To exert maximal concentration, the caster’s psyche needs to be stable. Therefore, what that girl said is true.”

“Oh, I see.”

Ivella resigned with a sigh.

Since Count Dermore was a magic user of considerable skill, she judged his words to be correct.

Of course, she didn’t back off easily, though.

Leaving her with a rather frustrated face and looking for a chance to retort, Noa sighed with relief in silence.

Phew, well, I dodged a bullet there.

Thanks to the Count providing a timely answer, she managed to escape from an awkward situation.

Just as she was feeling relieved again.

“By the way, Noa.”

“Uh, yes?”

“How’s life at the Academy?”

Suddenly, the Count inquired about her well-being.

Noa smiled brightly and replied.

“Thanks to you, Count, I’m really enjoying it. I’ve made a lot of friends too.”

“That’s good to hear. No inconveniences?”

“So far, it’s been fine.”

“Understood. If there’s ever something you need, don’t hesitate to ask. You’re the disciple of my precious friend, after all.”

“Yes, thank you for your kindness.”

With that formal exchange over, the Count returned to the investigation team’s location. As Noa watched his retreating figure, her eyes narrowed.

…That’s a lie.

His claim of being her precious friend’s disciple was a blatant fabrication. The reasoning behind it could be easily explained by recalling what the Count’s true agenda was.

The purpose of Count Dermore.

That was to resurrect his daughter, who had died unexpectedly from an illness about three years ago. Furthermore, to find a vessel for his daughter’s soul.

In this case, the vessel referred to a human body.

Moreover, the owner of that body needed to be of a similar age to his daughter and capable of wielding mana. Only then would the chances of his plan’s success increase.

In other words, the reason the Count is being nice to me…

Was because he viewed Noa as a possible vessel for his daughter.

Knowing this well, Noa always maintained a certain distance from the Count. As she shook off her thoughts about him, a sudden memory resurfaced.

Ah, right.

A different girl whom the Count had marked as a candidate for a vessel came to her mind.

Silfi Rudrik.

A person using the alias “Silfi Rudhina.”

But in reality, she was a descendant of Kazan Rudrik and one of the successors of the Desert Order.

Noa had given up trying to investigate further since there was no suitable information or resources available.

Speaking of which, I haven’t seen her around lately.

To be exact, she hadn’t seen her since the delegation from Eloden visited. Although she had a rough guess about the reason.

Well, she’s a cultist after all.

It wouldn’t be beneficial for someone who detests the Desert Order to meet students of the Holy Nation.

Just as she wrapped up her fanciful musings.

The guiding professor explaining the Source of Magic to the Eloden students turned around.

“This is the very end of Zone 1.”

They had arrived at their destination before they knew it.

This was also akin to an announcement that the tour was coming to an end. Of course, Ulan’s group, who decided to cooperate with Count Dermore and the investigation team, were exceptions.

“Well then, we’ll conclude today’s tour here. If you have any questions…”

Before her words could even finish, someone shot their hand up. A girl with teal hair, it was none other than Laurea.

“Ah, Laurea? Do you have a question?”

“No, not a question.”

“Huh? Then…”

“I want to explore Zone 2.”

“…Excuse me?”

The guiding professor blinked in disbelief.

She responded with a flustered face.

“B-but that’s…”

“The Abyssal Rift.”

Laurea interrupted again.

She mentioned the incident that had occurred in Zone 2 last month, her golden eyes shining brightly.

“I want to check out the place where that incident happened. Just in case, I’ve got permission too.”

With a smile from Laurea.

Ian immediately pulled out something from his coat.

Three envelopes. Inside were permits granting access to Zone 2.

“…!”

They were indeed real permits.

The seal of the Magic Department’s head, Diplyn Cernio, confirmed this.

“W-when did you even…?”

“I got it yesterday. We have a very proactive senior on our side.”

With Laurea’s response, Teron, the student council president of Eloden, shrugged his shoulders.

As a result, the guiding professor was taken aback.

The unusual situation produced in a split moment led her to lose her powers of judgment. Meanwhile, Count Dermore, who was observing from the side, interjected.

“Allow them to extend the tour.”

“C-Count?!”

“After all, the Holy Nation needs to be informed on this matter.”

His brown eyes gazed at Laurea.

Afterward, the Count continued.

“Most importantly, we’ll accompany you to Zone 2, so there won’t be any dangerous incidents.”

No, in fact, it may be even more dangerous.

As he wished to voice this, Noa clenched her teeth and kept her mouth shut. Meanwhile, after a moment of hesitation, the guiding professor exhaled and nodded.

“…Understood. Then, only the students with permits will be allowed to enter.”

Three entry permits in total.

This meant that only three students were allowed to enter Zone 2. And it was practically predetermined.

Teron Shulagen, the student council president of Eloden.

Next, the next Saintess, Laurea Ro Sharvel.

Finally, Ulan, the escort, Ian Marcus.

Thus, once the final group was determined.

The group split into two.

One headed outside to conclude their scheduled tour, while the other entered Zone 2. Each group set their steps toward their respective destinations.

“Then we’ll proceed to enter right away.”

With the guiding professor’s words as the signal, Ulan’s group marched forward, along with the Empire’s investigation team. They would head toward the place where monsters had poured out last month when the Abyssal Rift opened.

The Source of Magic, Zone 2.

Meanwhile, around that time.

In the Source of Magic, Zone 3.

The dense fog that blocked sunlight made it so dark that one could barely discern what lay ahead.

At that moment.

Whoosh!

A small flame appeared, eating through the darkness.

The flame was a Magic Light. Shortly after, a wailing sound echoed nearby.

“Oh, my aching bones.”

Repeated groans filled the air.

The owner of the voice was a girl draped in a gray robe with apricot-colored hair.

Diplyn Cernio, the head of the Magic Department.

With her moans, she busily waved the staff she held. She was trying to draw a magic circle on the floor.

After quite some time had passed.

The staff, which had been moving relentlessly, finally came to a halt.

“Phew, I’m almost done.”

All that was left was to place the Magic Stones and inscribe the enchantment. With a sigh, Diplyn seemed ready for a short break, sitting on a nearby rock.

After wiping the beads of sweat from her forehead, she glanced at the object set in the center of the magic circle.

“By the way, what in the world is that?”

The object’s identity was a black pendant.

It was an item presented by Abyss Worshipper Ertel three days ago, asking for it to be used as a sacrifice to open the Abyssal Rift.

“I wanted to find out what it was…”

But ultimately could not uncover its identity.

The only thing she could gather was that the pendant contained the Power of the Abyss.

And since entering Zone 3, the pendant had been continuously emitting black smoke.

The aforementioned Power of the Abyss.

“Well, it’s not like it concerns me anyway.”

Ordinary mages would feel fear and confusion merely from seeing the Power of the Abyss.

But Diplyn was different.

Though she used to be similar in the past, since interacting with Abyss Worshippers, she had grown accustomed to seeing such things without a care.

With an easy shrug of her shoulders, Diplyn redirected her focus elsewhere.

“More importantly, I’m looking forward to what’s to come this time.”

Her eyes sparkled like stars.

Currently, her attention was fixated on the upcoming opening of the Abyssal Rift.

Because today, a far greater array of bait was prepared to captivate the eyes of the Abyssal creatures than last time.

Last time there were only two.

Delia Arpen and Noa Darshen.

The mere presence of these two girls, who were favored by mana, had led to an influx of over a thousand Abyssal creatures pouring through the rift.

Additionally, a colossal dragon believed to be a Minion of the Abyss had appeared as well.

However, this time, the same conditions applied, plus there are two new pieces of bait added.

First, it was the Empire’s investigation team.

These individuals were all composed of mid-tier mages, and their leader, Count Dermore, was also a highly skilled mage.

While not quite at the same level as Delia or Noa, he was sufficient to grab the attention of the Abyssal creatures.

And the second bait is…

The student delegation from Eloden Academy.

Among them, the standout would be Laurea Ro Sharvel, known for her status as the next Saintess.

According to the Abyss Worshippers, the Lords of the Abyss hold an intense hatred for devotees who serve the Divine Being.

Let alone a next Saintess, who is the divine envoy closest to the Divine Being. This made her the perfect bait to provoke the Lords.

So…

When the student named Teron Shulagen came by to inquire for permits yesterday, it felt like a stroke of luck that had rolled in effortlessly.

Thus, without the need for any tedious procedures, she issued the three permits he requested.

After finishing this line of thought.

“Now, shall we wrap up the work?”

She needed to finish the task before the Empire’s investigation team entered Zone 3.

Jumping off the rock, Diplyn grasped the Magic Light and headed straight for the magic circle.

She was about to resume her work.

However, perhaps due to being too engrossed in her tasks, she failed to notice something.

On the boundary between Zone 3 and Zone 2, a small orb was approaching through the dense mist hanging above the surface.

The orb emitted a soft glow.

It was none other than the Eye of the Observer.

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