Chapter 203

Professor Melt Wirathim.

With his scruffy gray hair and black horn-rimmed glasses, he looked every bit the scholarly type.

“Yes! Next, let’s discuss why the Endrak Kingdom has such a significant influence over the neutral border zone…”

He continued his enthusiastic explanation like a truly passionate scholar. The only issue was that most of the students weren’t exactly eager to hear it.

Yawns echoed from different corners of the room.

Watching this scene, Noa couldn’t help but chuckle.

‘This really feels like a school trip.’

Back when she was Yoomina, she remembered her own middle school trip just before the bullying began—her last moment of joy.

‘It was like this back then too.’

She recalled visiting various historical sites, being forced to listen to explanations she had no interest in.

Just then, as she was reminiscing about this nostalgic memory, Professor Melt suddenly cleared his throat.

“Ahem! Let’s wrap up the explanations here.”

It was as if he finally grasped the situation.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, he cleared his throat repeatedly and shifted to the main point.

“I’m sure many of you are questioning the schedule for this exchange. After all, it takes more than a week by carriage just to reach the destination.”

This was the question Ivella had raised earlier.

With that, Professor Melt turned to face a massive door, confidently striding ahead as he continued.

“But this time is different! We’ve completed a true magnum opus, the essence of magic engineering!”

After walking for a while, he finally stopped.

With a strangely self-satisfied smile, he flung open the gigantic door and shouted,

“Introducing the next-generation transport system made in Endrak, the Magic-Powered Train!”

As soon as his exclamation faded, the Magic-Powered Train appeared before the students. All eyes, except for Noa’s, widened in astonishment.

“……!”

It was a massive hunk of metal.

It looked like a giant carriage stretched out, pieced together in a long line. As they were mesmerized by its unique appearance, Professor Melt began his explanation.

“The Magic-Powered Train runs on charged Magic Stones as its power source and travels along magic tracks to reach its destination.”

This meant they could cover a journey that would normally take over a week by carriage in just one day—hence why the school trip schedule was set for eight days and nine nights.

And there was more to it.

“Last year, we had to wind our way around dozens of mountains, but now with tracks piercing through every mountain, there’s no need for that at all.”

Professor Melt added that the final demonstration run had been completed earlier this year, so there was no need to worry about safety.

However, almost none of the students were paying attention to his words. They were too busy staring at the magnificent Magic-Powered Train.

“Wow, it looks really heavy!”

“Is this really going to move?”

Exclamations erupted here and there.

The students gazed at the train with a mix of skepticism. Ulan’s group, except for Noa, reacted similarly.

“It’s almost time to depart, so everyone please board the train. We’ll continue the detailed explanation while we ride.”

With Professor Melt’s words, the students eagerly boarded the train, racing to find their seats.

A short while later, as the train began to move, cheers of amazement burst forth from all around.

“Wow, it’s really moving!”

“It’s faster than a carriage, how exciting!”

Ivella and Fertisha also gazed out the window, their faces lit up with excitement. The train loaded with students continued along the tracks towards Flute, the large city housing the Plume Academy, on the outskirts of the Endrak Kingdom.

4.

Late at night, past midnight.

In a deserted basement, there was someone lurking.

A middle-aged man with blond hair—none other than Count D’muehl Ron Dermore, the owner of the mansion.

“Master.”

Upon entering the basement, he bowed his head to the mud doll that appeared before him. He continued speaking in a most respectful manner.

“Have you achieved the objective?”

Just as D’muehl finished his question, the eyes of the mud figure glowed a menacing red.

The Lord of the Abyss, Lakus’s avatar.

Known as the Howling Eye, he looked down upon D’muehl and spoke.

“Indeed, I’ve left a fragment behind.”

“Does that mean…?”

“You could say it’s half a success.”

Lakus smiled with satisfaction.

About two days ago, D’muehl, along with Lakus’s avatar, had visited the Imperial Castle. It was to report to Crown Prince Chartang.

But there was another purpose. Following Lakus’s will, to make Chartang his apostle.

“Now all that’s left is to find out what the Crown Prince truly yearns for.”

If this plan was successful, Lakus’s scheme would unfold rapidly.

If he could manipulate the Emperor like a puppet, many things could be achieved.

Lakus chuckled with satisfaction.

As their conversation concluded, a sudden noise erupted.

Thud! Crick!

A thin corpse in the corner of the basement jerked to life. A ghastly voice echoed through the darkness.

[The Howling Eye of the Abyss.]

Despite the unexpected occurrence, D’muehl and Lakus didn’t seem particularly flustered.

As if this situation was something they were used to.

Meanwhile, the emaciated corpse glared at them with its violet-infused eyes. It continued to speak in its ominously unsettling tone.

[The king has delivered his message.]

This being was one of the Undying Minions.

Ranked number one among the minions under the Lord of the Immortals, it possessed the ability to inhabit a corpse imbued with the Power of the Abyss.

[Look clearly with your raucous eyes.]

Finishing its words, the minion opened its mouth wide.

Dense purple smoke poured out, forming inexplicable characters in the air.

And in that instant,

Lakus’s eyes widened.

“……!”

His eyes flickered like a candle flame.

It was a reaction as if he witnessed something shocking.

After a moment, the purple smoke that adorned the air vanished. The Undying Minion closed its gaping mouth.

[The message is complete. If future cooperation is required, contact through the worshippers.]

After finishing all its formalities, the gray smoke wafted away from the minion’s body. The corpse collapsed back onto the floor as if it had never moved.

Silence settled in the basement.

D’muehl, who had remained silent since the Undying Minion’s appearance, cautiously glanced at Lakus and asked,

“Is there a problem?”

“They say the Phantom Knights have fallen.”

“……What?”

D’muehl’s eyes widened in shock.

That was a perfectly understandable reaction.

The Phantom Knights had been just fine until last week. As D’muehl was taken aback by the sudden news, Lakus squinted his eyes.

“How could that be? The Spirit of the Abyss shouldn’t have that kind of power yet.”

His gaze was filled with confusion.

Then a thought suddenly crept in.

One of the biggest variables interfering with Lakus’s plans.

“Could it be the heir of Rudrik?”

A barbarian, Ulan Bator.

As he mentioned Ulan, Lakus’s eyes sparkled with intensity. Suddenly, a counter-argument came.

“Huh? But based on what you said earlier, didn’t you mention that normal weapons wouldn’t work against the Phantom Knights?”

“True. According to the predetermined future, he shouldn’t be able to defeat the Phantom Knights.”

That would be the norm.

But how on earth had they been defeated? Lakus’s eyes turned clouded with questions.

After a brief silence passed, he spoke again.

“……D’muehl.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Guide me to the Source of Magic. I need to find out why the Phantom Knights were defeated.”

D’muehl silently bowed his head.

Just so happened that the Arsen Academy was empty due to the school trip schedule. Now was the perfect time to investigate what had transpired.

“Moreover, pass the message to the worshippers.”

“What should I tell them?”

“Inform them to collaborate with the Undying Minions and precipitate the fall of the sixth star as swiftly as possible.”

At the present, the Phantom Knights’ defeat was an unexpected variable that Lakus hadn’t foreseen.

And variables tend to call for more variables.

To prevent further disruptions to his plans, Lakus resolved to hasten the goals that had been dragging on.

The sixth star, which would awaken as a hero in the future.

This was to eliminate Sven Isaac.

5.

The train barreled through the darkness of the night.

Inside the pride of Endrak, the Magic-Powered Train was far more impressive than its exterior.

Just looking at the interior space, it was spacious enough to accommodate over two hundred people.

And that’s not all!

There were private sleeping quarters and even a simple bathing area. It was the perfect scale for a revolution in transportation.

But the surprise didn’t last long.

For some unknown reason, perhaps because it was late at night or they had departed early, most students were worn out and fast asleep.

However, not everyone was slumbering.

Some students were still awake, and Ivella Elea’ad was among them.

“Yawn.”

After releasing a short yawn, she leaned against the soft glow of the Magic Light and meticulously examined the itinerary for the school trip.

As she did, her brow furrowed.

‘Ugh, I heard about it beforehand, but…’

This schedule was remarkably tight.

Aside from the expected arrival date, most of the itinerary was filled with visits to magic engineering facilities and exchanges with Plume Academy.

There was hardly a moment to spare.

‘Still, there’s hope.’

On the final day of the school trip.

That’s when they’d get a chunk of free time in the afternoon before departure. Upon realizing this, Ivella’s turquoise eyes gleamed with determination.

‘This is my only opportunity.’

Her only goal was clear.

To spend time alone with Ulan.

Though she’d loved to date him like in the capital, there was an even more important reason this time.

‘……Delia Arpen.’

Just recently, she confessed to Ulan her feelings last summer vacation.

Even though she hadn’t received an answer, she couldn’t shake off her anxious heart.

‘I want to share my feelings too.’

Ivella’s gaze turned resolute.

She was already sure of her feelings for him. However, fear of rejection had kept her from confessing until now.

But this time, things were different.

There was no room for hesitance.

So during this school trip, Ivella planned to create an opportunity to honestly confess her feelings to Ulan.

‘Luckily, the situation is in my favor.’

This school trip would be done in groups.

And Ivella was in the same group as Ulan. This meant they’d have ample time together outside of sleep.

‘I should get Noa and Silfi to help me out.’

Those two girls were also in Ivella’s group.

Moreover, they both had no feelings for Ulan, making them trustworthy allies. Especially Noa, who even made a vow of mana.

Afterward, if she could outsmart Delia and Fertisha with their cooperation, Ivella’s plan would be practically foolproof.

‘Alright, let’s do this.’

With a clear goal for the school trip set, Ivella stored away the itinerary and stood up. Sitting too long made her feel stiff.

Just then, the door to the bathroom swung open abruptly. Emerging was a girl with ash-gray hair, Silfi Rudrik.

“……!”

She widened her eyes in shock.

Then, as if startled, she exclaimed,

“I-Ivella?!”

“Huh? Why are you so surprised?”

“No, it’s just that you appeared out of nowhere…”

Stammering her response, Silfi quickly sought a different topic of conversation.

“Oh, it’s a perfect time to wash up! The bathroom is completely empty since everyone else is asleep.”

“Really? Then I should quickly wash up.”

She had been feeling rather grimy.

Ivella walked towards the bathroom, and a moment later, as the door closed behind her, Silfi let out a long sigh.

“Haaa.”

All the tension inside her seemed to dissipate.

Leaning against the wall, she recalled why she could only be flustered upon seeing Ivella.

‘…Could she really be the hidden daughter of Count Deorg?’

She learned this fact by chance during their conversation.

While Ivella seemed unaware of the past events between Silfi and the Count, the discomfort in her heart remained unabated.

‘So during this school trip, I should keep a low profile and try to stay out of sight.’

No need to stir up unnecessary trouble.

This was Silfi’s plan for the school trip.

Meanwhile, feeling frustrated and letting out yet another breath, there was a pair of eyes observing her.

Those were Noa’s eyes.

‘Silfi Rudrik.’

Bloodline of Kazan Rudrik.

A person presumed to be the successor of the Desert Order.

‘I never thought I’d end up in the same group as her.’

This was an opportunity. A chance to approach Silfi and extract information about Kazan Rudrik. Realizing this, Noa’s eyes sparkled like stars.

‘So my goal for this trip is…’

To build rapport with Silfi Rudrik and uncover information about Kazan Rudrik.

Noa resolved to make this her mission.

Meanwhile, it wasn’t just the three of them setting their goals for this school trip. Ulan also gazed out the window with a serious sparkle in his eyes.

“I’m hungry.”

He eventually muttered in a serious tone.

“I need to hit the dining hall as soon as we arrive.”

As they reflected on the goals they had each set, the train rushed on through the darkness.

Moments later, after a long night, morning arrived.

Chapter 47. School Trip

---