Chapter 139
Chapter 139
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 139
Chapter Title: Surviving in the Sky Garden (1)
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In a world now lost to the Invaders, there was a legend.
It was said that the very beginning of magic came from the fairies.
Of course, since magic had existed since the dawn of history, there was no way to confirm if this was true.
Still, after various studies, it was proven that this claim was not entirely baseless.
In a distant antiquity, long before the famously long-lived dragons and elves existed.
The ancient magic used by the races of that era was similar to the magic of fairies.
The origin of magic was an imitation of the fairies' ability to create phenomena with magical power.
The magical scholars who discovered this strongly advocated for the protection of fairies.
They believed that the more they unraveled the fairies' yet-to-be-understood magic, the more room there would be for the advancement of current magic.
‘In fact, later on, they deconstructed and analyzed fairy magic, leading to the first technology that integrated science and magic. I’d say their judgment of its value was spot on.’
Intellectuals who abandoned the sinking ship and fled to Earth when their world was collapsing.
They had an uncanny knack for judging which choices would yield the greatest benefits in the future.
The only problem was… the fairies’ sensitive and fussy nature.
They’d get upset and run away at the slightest change in their environment. Managing them was bound to be difficult.
Therefore, the solution was to create an environment exclusively for the fairies, ensuring no intruders could reach them.
And the result of that endeavor was none other than the Sky Garden!
“Am I dreaming right now? What… what am I seeing?”
“Truly, it’s been one surprise after another since I came to take the Fixer exam!”
“This is less a garden and more… an island!”
But those who actually witnessed the Sky Garden couldn't help but be astonished.
The thought, ‘How is this a garden?’ naturally sprang to mind.
Visible through the airship's window was a massive island floating in the sky.
Its scale, large enough to hold dozens of giant soccer stadiums, was comparable to an entire city.
What’s more, this island existed several kilometers up in the sky, brushing against the clouds.
Even the pure white water pouring down like a waterfall from the island's edge looked like a work of art.
Just how much cost and effort went into creating and maintaining this?
The examinees could only stare blankly at the surreal sight that made reality feel distant.
“Khahaha! You all look quite surprised. Yes, this is the Sky Garden, created by the Fixer Association! We’ve been careful not to let it appear in any press or media, so this must be your first time seeing it! Even if you fail the test, you can count it as a good experience, can’t you!”
“Why does the Dragon Mayor suddenly seem so cheerful?”
“I wonder…”
Tempest shouted in a spirited voice to the examinees, who looked as if their souls had left their bodies.
He seemed much brighter than he did at the interview yesterday; perhaps he’d gotten a lot of sleep.
His gaze swept across the examinees before naturally coming to a stop on me.
Then, he flashed a conspicuous grin, wide enough to show his teeth.
What’s with him? Please don’t act like you know me out here.
Feeling burdened, I had no choice but to subtly avert my gaze.
“Alright, everyone off the airship. The Sky Garden is quite sturdy, so you don’t have to worry about it sinking, you hear?”
After the airship safely landed on the Sky Garden.
Following Tempest’s instructions, we stepped onto the grounds one by one.
And as we finally set foot on the massive island floating in mid-air.
We all expressed our wonder at the remarkably stable sensation.
“Wow, it feels just like being on the ground. There’s… no shaking at all?”
“Hey, you’re right. It’s incredibly stable even when I jump. I thought it would at least feel like being on a ship…”
“It seems some extremely sophisticated technology has been used here. It’s certainly far beyond the scope of my knowledge.”
Those were the words of Elizabeth, Alice, and David, respectively.
Their eyes widened in disbelief as they busily observed their surroundings.
Even on a ship floating on water, a certain amount of swaying is unavoidable.
But to feel as if they were on solid ground on an island floating in the air with no connections whatsoever.
They couldn't even begin to fathom the level of technology invested in the Sky Garden.
‘The environment is quite pleasant, too. I can feel a gentle breeze on my skin. I probably don’t even need a coat in this weather.’
The Sky Garden wasn't just about its solid foundation.
The temperature, humidity, wind, and amount of sunlight were all meticulously controlled.
It was fitting for a place meant to house the notoriously picky fairies.
The weather was so nice I felt like I could settle down and live here forever.
Well… if I stayed too long, the fairies would get uncomfortable. I’d probably be kicked out soon enough.
“So they designed it so magic and science don’t interfere with each other… Hmm, not bad at all.”
“…”
“Don’t you think so too, Yuria? Oh, I guess you can’t really feel it since you don’t have any magic, little one?”
What was that? She was totally looking down on me for not being able to use magic.
I gave Vespera, who looked full of mischief, an incredulous look.
Then I just shook my head and turned away.
It wasn't exactly wrong to say I couldn't feel any of that because I had no magic.
There was no reason to get upset with Vespera over something so trivial. Let her say what she wants.
“Hey, hey, you Fixer wannabes. Don’t wander off too far. I need to explain the fourth test, and it’ll be a pain if you’re all spread out.”
“Huhu… On the contrary, their energy is nice to see… It has the scent of fresh youth, you could say… I can feel the passionate spirit that can only be expressed at this age…”
As the examinees were marveling at the incredible Sky Garden.
Tempest's shout was suddenly accompanied by an unfamiliar woman's voice.
The examinees naturally stopped what they were doing and turned their gazes.
They spotted a strange woman standing next to the now-familiar old man.
“Whoa…”
“Sh-She’s huge…?”
She was an incredibly large woman.
What was huge? Her height, obviously. Stop your weird fantasies.
However… the extent of her size was slightly beyond common sense.
Was she about two and a half meters tall? She brought to mind an eight-foot-tall specter.
The examinees flinched once at her overwhelming presence.
And they flinched a second time at her skin, so pale you could see the veins, and the terrifying aura she exuded as she was backlit by the sun.
Slightly hunched, she felt less like a living person and more like a ghost.
Well… since she was a metahuman, that description wasn't entirely inaccurate.
That person was also a Fixer. If my memory served me right, she was a big shot, a triple-number Fixer.
With a trembling smile that seemed forced, she addressed the examinees.
“Hello… My name is Sayoko… I’m happy to meet you all today…”
“Uh, ah, yes…”
“A pleasure to meet you…”
“For the record, this one here is the proctor for the fourth test. Don’t be too nervous, alright? Believe it or not, she’s your senior. An active Fixer.”
“Huhuhu… Number 144… that’s me… It sounds like a dangerous number, so I’m personally quite fond of it… I look forward to working with you…”
A chilly atmosphere descended after Sayoko introduced herself.
Was it because she looked as frightening as a ghost?
Most of the examinees looked like they had no idea how to react.
So, I took the initiative and clapped my hands.
I knew that while her appearance was a bit scary, she was a very warm person on the inside.
Was it thanks to me setting the mood?
Alice and David immediately followed my lead and applauded as well.
And so, Sayoko’s introduction concluded in a relatively decent atmosphere.
“Well then, I’ll be heading off. See you later, Eight-Foot Lady.”
“Ah, yes… Senior… I’ll be in touch…”
Tempest gave a casual wave and left.
Since he was the proctor for the third test, he probably decided it was time for him to make his exit.
Thankfully, he didn't leave completely but moved towards the airship.
With Tempest remaining on-site in a situation where anything could happen.
For me, there was no more reassuring news. Hehe, this is great.
“Now, then… shall we… begin the explanation… for the fourth test…”
Left alone after Tempest's departure, Sayoko, with a timid movement that didn't match her large frame, looked around at the examinees.
Then, her gaze suddenly met mine.
Her grin, which seemed to say, ‘You’re my next prey,’ was utterly terrifying.
I had no idea why her eyes kept landing on me.
Was it a thank you for the applause? It was scary enough to give me nightmares.
“The fourth test of the Fixer exam is… making friends…”
Making friends, huh.
Fortunately, my knowledge of the original story seemed to be intact.
If things continue this way, I can handle it somehow.
I secretly clenched my fist, steeling my resolve.
*
The fourth test of the Fixer exam: Making Friends.
The content itself was, in a way, extremely simple.
The Sky Garden was a place where fairies of various dispositions and characteristics lived.
In other words, if you befriended one of the fairies residing here and returned, you would pass.
The only problem was that fairies were extremely sensitive and difficult by nature.
And they were highly sensitive to hostility or murderous intent, making the process anything but smooth.
In the original story, there was even an examinee who underestimated a fairy and tried to take it by force.
They ended up getting beaten to a pulp and thrown off the island, naked.
Well, there were staff members to prevent anyone from dying, but it just went to show that the test was by no means easy.
Of course, the Fixer Association was aware of these difficulties and provided items to reduce one's presence or things that fairies liked.
Still, the task of returning with a fairy as a friend without inflicting any harm seemed anything but easy.
“Hmm, it says here that fairies will never show themselves if there are two or more people together. It seems we’ll all have to split up.”
“The time limit is 12 hours… It will be a completely individual effort during that time. It seems collaborating like before will be impossible.”
Alice and David spoke as they reviewed the information transmitted to their watches.
This test was more like the individual-based second test than the first and third tests, where we could work together.
The wary fairies wouldn't approach a group, even if they had tempting items.
It seemed the two of them were a bit disappointed that the group, which had just gathered, had to split up again.
“The good thing is that attacking other examinees is forbidden, not just attacking the fairies. This means we can't try to reduce the competition like before.”
“Ah, what? Then I can’t stick with the little one either.”
“...!”
That was a relief for me.
It would be difficult to poke around the Sky Garden freely if someone was watching.
Not that I was worried, since I already knew the rules.
After briefly gathering to review the rules, we wished each other luck and went our separate ways.
Except for Vespera, who was hiding her true power, we all had a rough idea of each other's abilities.
No one seemed particularly worried, especially since this wasn't a combat-oriented test.
‘Alright, shall we begin?’
Alone for the first time in a while, I slowly raised my head to look at the sky.
As if it had no inkling of the great incident that was about to occur.
Along with the Sky Garden's characteristic gentle breeze, the high morning sky was perfectly clear.