Thunderwing Fossil and a Letter from Robed
"Aleck, come on over here."
As I sensed the waves of power emanating from the lower levels of the lab, my eyes gleaming with interest, the middle-aged researcher who'd gone down earlier climbed back up and called for me.
I followed him underground.
Oh...
Before long, I faced an entirely different atmosphere in the research room.
All of these are fossils related to ancient species.
The fossils scattered abundantly around the room were all fragments of ancient species fossils. Alongside them were the latest research equipment. I could tell this was the core facility of J Lab.
And the main one among them...
That's it.
In the center of the lab stood a massive glass tube. In the middle of the bubbling green liquid floated a gigantic fossil fragment. The familiar power I'd sensed was emanating directly from that fossil fragment.
A fragment of the Thunderwing fossil...
It was one of the fragments from Ultio's memories—the corpse of the "Thunderwing" that the mysterious mantis(?) man had divided into three parts using his sorcery.
To think this would be here.
Was the connection between Ultio and me truly fated? I never imagined I'd lay eyes on a Thunderwing fossil tied to Ultio so soon.
If Ultio learned this was here... she might have charged in recklessly to reclaim the fragment, consequences be damned.
"It's a truly beautiful fossil, isn't it?"
At that moment, the owner of a soft voice addressed me.
I turned toward the source and saw a researcher nearing elderly age.
The director of this lab.
I immediately deduced her identity. The lab director's seal was prominently affixed to her gown.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Jebril, the director of J Lab."
"Yes, nice to meet you. I'm Aleck, a new trainee from Chung Hak Gwan."
I shook the hand she extended.
"A new trainee who managed to procure lightning tree fruit—impressive. You're from Mantis Hall, right? I can tell just by looking."
"Yes, that's correct."
She smiled faintly at my confirmation and continued.
"Was it thanks to a presence reduction trait? Even so, it must have been incredibly dangerous. Well done."
"No, it was just luck."
She was making assumptions, so I played along with the luck excuse.
Researcher-like, indeed. She seemed intensely curious about how I'd obtained the lightning tree fruit, but I kept my mouth shut.
The odds were high that brushing her off like I did with the night insect soldiers wouldn't work on her.
"Anyway, I was even willing to pay extra to get that lightning tree fruit. Thank you so much. You've really taken a load off my mind."
She looked a bit disappointed at not satisfying her curiosity but soon smiled warmly, expressing her gratitude for the fruit.
I had no idea what it was for, but it must have been urgent.
"Could I ask what the fruit is for?"
I ventured casually.
"Hm, my curiosity isn't satisfied yet either."
She chuckled wryly at my question. She was still dying to know how I'd gotten it.
Well, no helping it. If telling her my source was the price for an answer, I'd have to give up.
That's what I thought when—
"But I'll tell you anyway. In return, I hope you'll help us out again next time."
I chuckled and nodded at her words.
In the end, she was the desperate one.
"It's for this guy right here."
She approached the tube and stroked the glass wall.
"Ah! You don't know what this is? It's a fossil of an ancient species called 'Thunderwing.' We estimate Thunderwing was a powerful entity that had few equals, just like the well-known ancient species."
Her eyes took on a dreamy glaze as she gazed at the Thunderwing fossil, her expression like that of someone in love.
"This fossil is alive without being alive. When we provide it with lightning tree fruit, it absorbs the thunder ether contained within."
"...!"
I was startled by her words.
I'd guessed the fruit might relate somewhat to Thunderwing research, but for it to directly absorb the ether from the fruit?
How is that possible if it's not alive?
Moreover, in Ultio's memories, the Thunderwing was definitely dead. That fossil was part of the divided corpse.
Yet it sucked in ether like it was alive. Was this connected to the sorcery that mysterious man used? Or had it not truly died back then, but merely split and sealed its body...?
Come to think of it, that Titanoptera was in a sealed state too.
I vaguely sensed some connection between them. Nothing concrete, but if the chance arose later, it might be worth investigating thoroughly.
"Ahem, fascinating, right? That's why I can't help but love this fossil."
She smiled brightly, gazing at me.
"Our lab plans to uncover everything about Thunderwing through this fossil someday—its exact size, appearance, reproduction methods, larval growth stages..."
She spoke with the excitement of a girl dreaming of the future, sharing her ambitions.
Hm. Thinking about it, I'd already seen and experienced most of what she aimed to research in Ultio's dreams.
A strange feeling, like I shouldn't tell her. It was knowledge I'd gained from a single communion with Ultio, while she devoted long years to study. It almost made me feel guilty.
Well, the research itself is meaningful happiness for her.
What did it matter? She looked so joyful in the process. For her, the research was probably happiness incarnate.
"Anyway! I'm truly grateful to you, Aleck. Bringing two lightning tree fruits—no small feat. We were going to credit 3 miles per fruit, right? I'll specially request an extra mile from the budget."
"Thank you."
Oh, jackpot. I bowed my head in immediate gratitude.
That made a total of 7 miles earned. Combined with what I had, 27 miles now.
I'd gathered over half already, and I hadn't even been at the academy long.
I need to grab miles whenever I can.
At this rate, I could haul back a fossil fragment before the first quarter ended. The thought of what power I'd gain from the Megaera Mantis fossil fragment thrilled me.
Wait, if I brought that Thunderwing fossil to Ultio... could she absorb its power?
A sudden idea struck. A powerful intuition flashed that it just might work.
It'd be great if I could snag the Thunderwing fossil too.
Hm, no matter how I pondered, no immediate path presented itself. Still, staying here might bring opportunities. If one arose, I'd seize it without fail. The resolve etched into my mind.
Beep.
"Aleck, confirmed."
I held my assigned card to the security device at the dorm entrance. A spell-like voice rang out, and the door opened.
It's fascinating every time.
Strikingly similar in principle to Earth's electronic locks, but powered by sorcery—which made installation and maintenance exorbitantly expensive, from what I'd heard.
Thus, only places like Chung Hak Gwan could afford it.
High tuition means top facilities.
I thought so as I entered the dorm. It was luxurious no matter how many times I saw it. Hexagonal like a honeycomb outside, inside it brimmed with the latest spell-infused artifacts and gear for peak condition.
Furniture and decor were all cutting-edge. Compared to Mantis Hall dorms, the amenities were night and day—like fireflies versus the sun.
Like a 9-star hotel on Earth? I showered immediately upon entering, washing off the grime, then sank into the bed laden with spells for comfort, freshness, temperature control, humidity control, and more. I smiled contentedly at the coziness.
This is paradise.
After intense battle, the refreshment of a clean body on soft sheets was indescribable bliss.
Time to rest for today.
A self-reward. Part of me argued I shouldn't waste even a minute resting, but...
Rest is training too.
Didn't Norton say as much? Proper rest leads to faster, higher growth.
As I drifted into languid sleep for the first time in ages—
"Mail has arrived."
The alarm from the ceiling speaker jolted my eyes open.
What now?
Frowning, I rose from bed and approached the door. In the mailbox sat the mail.
A letter?
A pink envelope scented like a fresh spring day. Drawn to it, I pulled it out.
The moment I held it, a face flashed vividly in my mind.
Robed.
Her dazzling, pure white, beautiful face. Thinking of her made my chest itch faintly.
For the first time in ages—or perhaps ever—I felt a pleasant, heart-fluttering excitement. Clutching the letter preciously, I returned to my room.
Hey, Aleck. It's me, Robed. How have you been?
It's already been... since you left for Chung Hak Gwan...
Lately, well, Kind and Bishier's lovey-dovey antics are getting out of hand. Makes you feel lonely if you're not a couple...
Ruslan's totally immersed in training. Everyone expects him to break into Juvenile Stage soon. He might be the third in our cohort to do it!
...Your absence feels huge lately. I miss your face!
Instructor Norton and Assistant Instructor Bardwin look a bit empty without you too.
...Take care of yourself until we meet again!
P.S. Don't forget to reply right away.
I read her letter meticulously, savoring every word, as if I couldn't miss a single one.
Everyone's doing well. Looks like things are really heating up between Kind and Bishier. Ruslan's about to hit Juvenile Stage too.
A faint smile tugged at my lips.
Had I grown that attached? I already missed them all: Norton, Bardwin, Karimru, Monahan, Ruslan, Kind, Bishier, Geri... and Robed most of all.
Connections I couldn't reach before regression. After Mantis Hall's fall later on, there'd be no chance to bond. I never dreamed they'd become this deep in this life already.
In this life...
I'd ensure Mantis Hall never fell. With my own hands, I'd protect these bonds. No matter what.
Shaaa...
In the thick fog, a silhouette moved cautiously.
"Kirin..."
Her low murmur carried aching longing for the target.
Are you really there?
Overlooking the fog-shrouded buildings below the cliff, Kiria’s eyes flashed sharply.