Chapter 27
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: Mana Spring
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With the slowly setting sun at their backs,
Class 3 of the first-years made their way toward the Mana Spring. The departure went smoothly. Except for one person whose steps grew slower as time passed.
“Huff! Heek! Phew!”
It was Noa, weighed down by her backpack.
Her face was as red as a ripe apple. And this after only twenty minutes since they set out.
She had been so excited about snagging a hidden piece that she forgot about the stamina penalty inflicted on “Noa Darshen.”
‘Ugh, I was too careless.’
She should have thought more coolly and lightened her unnecessary load. As regret hit her late, and she dragged her heavy feet forward again,
Whoosh!
Suddenly, her load felt lighter.
It was like her body was floating in the air. And it wasn’t an illusion. Her body was actually dangling in midair.
“Is this heavy?”
It was thanks to Ullan taking her backpack.
Finally freed from the heavy weight, Noa let out a sigh of relief, as if she’d come back to life.
“I’m weak in stamina, you know.”
“I knew that, but it’s serious. You need some training.”
“I’d love to, but...”
Unlike Ullan, who was born with a blessed body, the stamina penalty on her was truly harsh.
Just walking consumed five times more stamina than for others.
But would training even make a difference?
As she sank into gloomy thoughts, Ullan spoke up again.
“Don’t worry. I’ll help with your training.”
“Y-You personally?”
“Yeah.”
A sudden wave of unease washed over her.
She swallowed dryly without realizing it.
“...You’re not thinking of making me carry logs and run or something, right?”
“That’s a bit early.”
Which implies you’ll make me do it someday!
Noa hurriedly changed the subject.
“Anyway, thank you. You saved me.”
“Not something worth thanks.”
“Still, I really mean it.”
After her honest reply,
Noa clenched her fist tightly.
“It’s not much repayment, but if you ever get in trouble, I’ll definitely help you out.”
“Got it. I’ll remember.”
Ullan nodded silently.
About ten minutes later,
A group of students came into view.
“Huh? Those guys...”
“It’s Class 1, right?”
It was Class 1, who had finished their tour ahead of Class 3.
Meanwhile, Class 1’s supervising professor spotted Professor Miel and approached him immediately, as if he had something to say.
So they stopped in place for a moment.
Then, someone from Class 1 walked toward them.
Rustle, rustle!
Elegant footsteps exuding dignity.
As she appeared, the surroundings fell quiet.
‘Dilia Arpen.’
The princess of Arpen.
The duchy’s genius mage.
At the appearance of this year’s standout freshman with unmatched buzz, the students unanimously shut their mouths and stared at Dilia.
Then her steps halted.
Standing opposite was Ullan. Looking up at him, Dilia spoke in a curious tone.
“You got out unscathed?”
“I didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Joke’s lame.”
A change came over Dilia’s expression.
A faint but clear smile.
“You okay?”
“I prepared in advance.”
Dilia snapped her fingers.
A translucent protective barrier enveloped her body.
Whatever it was, it seemed like magic to block the cheers.
“Alright, everyone gather! Back to the dorms!”
They’d barely exchanged a few words, and it was already time to part. Dilia pouted her lips slightly but soon regained her usual expression.
“See you later.”
With a farewell, Dilia turned away.
As she left, countless gazes poured onto Ullan. Eyes filled with surprise and envy, wondering how he’d gotten close to Dilia.
Noa was among them.
‘Okay, the Sword Princess makes sense, but...’
How did he get so chummy with the Star Witch?
It was natural for Noa to be surprised.
Because Dilia Arpen was just that hard and prickly a person to deal with.
『Surrounded by layers of iron fences on all sides, a solitary silver rose blooming proudly. To the students, Dilia Arpen was such an existence.』
Dilia Arpen’s character description.
The Star Witch was notoriously hard to befriend. Without looking up strategy guides, even raising her affection level was difficult.
‘But Ullan...’
He talked to her so casually.
Like chatting with an ordinary friend.
‘Maybe because they’re future party members, connected by bonds of fate or something?’
The event shocked Noa so much that even ridiculous thoughts crossed her mind.
But it was fleeting. As the group’s destination, the Mana Spring, came into view, Noa’s attention shifted there.
“Whoa, it looks even bigger up close.”
“Yeah. I’d believe it if you called it the sea!”
“Amazing. Who knew something like this was inside the continent.”
The students burst into admiration.
The Mana Spring was that vast and brimmed with a mystical aura. As everyone chatted excitedly,
“Alright, pay attention.”
Professor Miel drew their focus.
With a look that said he had something to say.
“Before entering the Mana Spring, I want to ask you one thing. How much do you know about the Mana Spring?”
“What do you mean by...”
“If you know anything about it, speak up. Anything goes.”
A somewhat out-of-left-field question.
The students looked baffled but soon started answering.
A fountain rich in mana. A place where pure mana bubbles up. A secret realm wizards yearn to see before dying, and so on.
Various answers poured in, but Professor Miel’s expression didn’t change. As if none satisfied him.
Yawning lazily, he pointed at someone who hadn’t spoken once.
“You there, on the picnic.”
“Y-Yes?”
“Say something.”
Suddenly singled out, Noa jumped in surprise.
Her face showed clear fluster. But having been called on, she had to answer. And preferably correctly.
So she did.
“...The Mana Spring is a dangerous place.”
“Hmm, why do you think that?”
“As I said earlier, the Mana Spring is a sanctuary for mages. But at the same time, it’s one of the continent’s four great demonic realms. So I figured there must be a reason.”
Right after her calm response,
Professor Miel smiled for the first time.
“Spot on. It’s as mysterious as it is dangerous. Do you know why?”
“Probably because of all the mana? I read this in a book once: Excess beyond measure is worse than deficiency.”
His eyes widened.
Professor Miel bowed his head slightly.
“Take back the picnic remark.”
Noa’s answer was correct.
“The Mana Spring is a place where pure mana gushes endlessly. Which makes it equally dangerous. Look at the map there.”
What map does a lake need? But as Professor Miel said, there was a map.
Divided intricately like tree rings.
Wondering what it was divided into, Professor Miel continued.
“The Mana Spring is largely split into five zones.”
He tapped the air.
A knock echoed from empty space, as if striking something.
“This is the Guardian Wall. An ancient barrier separating the Mana Spring from the outside world.”
He pointed deeper into the lake.
“From beyond here to where the water turns green is Zone 1. Mana flow becomes unstable easily, and mana surge risk rises slightly.”
Mana surge. The worst accident that even mana handlers dread mentioning.
The ominous term made students shrink back. But the real stuff was just starting.
“Next, from green water to the foggy area is Zone 2. Magic tools malfunction here, and surge risk climbs up to 20%.”
20% chance. Not low. Especially since this was all new info, faces stiffened.
“Zone 3 brings loss of direction sense, hallucinations or auditory ones, surge risk at 50%. Rarely, mana poisoning too, so no slacking.”
Mana poisoning: absorbing excessive mana in short time.
Abdominal pain, vomiting, breathing issues, potentially fatal in worst cases.
“Zone 4 guarantees mana surge if you use magic. Even knights’ mana swords aren’t exempt.”
Pausing, Professor Miel quenched his throat with cool water and pointed to the lake’s center to wrap up.
“Finally, Zone 5. Arsen’s mages call it the true Mana Spring. As the map shows, it’s much smaller than others.”
Just pond-sized.
But no room for complacency. Due to what followed.
“No entry records in the last three hundred years. Old texts say no one’s entered and returned.”
After the final explanation,
Silence blanketed the area instantly.
Understandable. Never heard of these dangers in the Mana Spring before.
Tension, fear, anxiety, unease.
As negative emotions swirled, Professor Miel chuckled, tail wagging.
“No need to tense up that much. Today’s tour is just a peek into Zone 1.”
No intent to endanger freshmen on day one. His assured words brought sighs of relief.
“So wear these on your wrists.”
“What are they?”
“Mana-suppressing bracelets. Can’t use magic inside, as I said.”
Even Zone 1 has surge risk. Students donned them without complaint.
Except one.
“Bracelet’s too small.”
Ullan. His thick wrists and fists wouldn’t fit it.
“Got nothing else?”
“Nope.”
Silence enveloped the surroundings.
Moments later, Professor Miel sighed.
“Sigh, no choice. Don’t use mana no matter what. Promise, or no entry.”
“I promise.”
“Good. That’s it.”
Is this really okay?
Students were flustered, but Professor Miel continued calmly.
“Finally, form groups.”
“Huh? Groups suddenly why...”
“Reasons exist, so no whining. Gather with friends. 5 per group.”
As soon as he spoke,
Most distanced from Ullan. Desperate not to group with him.
Conversely, some approached.
Like Noa foremost.
Ivela snuck closer too.
As time passed, two unpaired boy-girl joined Ullan’s group.
“Ugh, uwaaa...”
“P-Please take care of us.”
Among them, the gray-haired girl who’d asked about switching classes earlier.
As simple greetings ended, Professor Miel pulled five stones from his pocket.
“Looks good. One rep per group, come get these.”
“What are they?”
“Return Stones.”
Mystical green-glowing pebbles.
Professor Miel explained.
“Dean Deplin’s work. Effective only in academy grounds. Inject mana, teleport to front gate instantly.”
All living beings within 5m of owner included.
Students gazed wondrously at the stones. After distribution, he added,
“Hope you don’t need them, but if danger, use without fail. Return later if not.”
Tension filled eyes. Meant prior warnings were real.
“From now, move in groups. Stay within 5m of stone holder. Explanation over. Questions?”
“W-What if accident pushes to Zone 2?”
“Won’t happen. Guardians protect zone boundaries.”
Lake guardians: golems.
Mages’ painstaking combat weapons. Each rivaled high knights.
“If somehow, guardians fetch you. Anyway, cleared only to Zone 1 today.”
With detailed answer first,
Questions flew. Though tedious, Professor Miel answered all diligently.
Soon after,
He clapped lightly.
“Class 2 ahead exiting soon, so one more question.”
No hands up.
Prior ones resolved most curiosities. Then, a silent one raised hand.
Reddish-brown-haired barbarian.
Professor Miel smiled unexpectedly.
“Good, last from the terrorist.”
All eyes on Ullan.
Curious faces. Soon, his question emerged.
“I get it’s mages’ holy site. But why enter such a dangerous place?”
“Oh, decent question.”
Eyes flashed, then serious.
“New students tour yearly because this is Arsen, and you enrolled in Arsen Academy.”
Cryptic reply.
Ullan looked puzzled, so Professor Miel asked students.
“Anyone know Arsen Academy’s founding purpose?”
“Yes! Empire and kingdom alliance to scout and train talent!”
“Half right. Surface reason.”
Nodding,
“I mean much earlier, why academy first built near Mana Spring.”
Silence again.
No one knew.
Noa knew but stayed quiet. Newbies shouldn’t know.
“Simple answer: to guard and watch it. Academy’s purpose and ancient mission to predecessors.”
After meaningful reply,
His gaze turned to Mana Spring.
“Day Abyss Gate opens, human era ends. You’ve all heard this prophecy.”
Of course.
Earliest legend drilled into continent-born ears.
“Prophecy’s abyss means Mana Spring center. Abyss Gate is the Spring itself.”
With suddenly sharp eyes,
His voice turned grave.
“In summary, Arsen Academy’s purpose and students’ mission then:
To watch Abyss Gate.
To prevent it opening.
And if opens, stake lives to close it.”
After explanation, silence fell.
Overwhelmed by gravity?
No. Most nonchalant. History books full of it.
Prophecy just old tale to scare kids.
Passed age fearing nonexistent abyss and monsters. So brushed off.
Except one.
Shaken.
‘That’s the Abyss Gate?’
Ullan’s eyes widened hugely.
Natural shock. Past life, died in Giant King Largtan’s lair before reaching it.
‘Knew it was continent center, but...’
Never dreamed here.
Made sense on thought. Arsen Academy at continent center too.
Overlapping locations natural.
With late realization,
Ullan stared intently at the lake.
Heart pounded fiercely.
Breath quickened, body heated.
Not fear.
Grind!
Teeth ground, lips twisted upward.
The same thrilled smile students had for Spring. He trembled joyfully, gripping axe tight.
‘Mana Spring, Arsen.’
Elation.
Warrior’s joy facing final battlefield unreachable in past life.
Proof: his eyes blazed like flames, to devour Spring and beyond abyss.
‘Where abyss monsters emerge.’
Right before him.
Ullan couldn’t hide excitement.
No more wandering continent hunting them and lords.
‘Then I’ll wait here.’
And cleave heads as they come. Axe gripped harder, grin more savage.
‘Day Abyss Gate opens.’
Not human era ending, but monsters’. He vowed to make it so this time.
Red eyes soaked in savagery.
Once split countless monsters, slew one abyss lord.
The Barbarian Hero’s gaze.
9. Mana Spring