ocean-life Chapter 26: Fountain Of Magic (1)
Chapter 26: Fountain Of Magic (1)
Chapter 26: Fountain Of Magic (1)
"The building ahead is the Lion's Hall."
After leaving the Student Counseling Division, Ulan followed the Inspector to his destination. Just as he was about to express his gratitude, the Inspector spoke again, "In sequence, first is the main building, then the cafeteria, then the library, and then the dormitory. The area with flags hung on the outer wall is where freshmen are allowed to enter."
An unexpectedly detailed explanation of various buildings. After a moment, having finished all his explanations, the Inspector stared intently at Ulan with a serious expression. "Stay away from any other areas."
The Surveillance Unit, an organization attached to the Military Studies Department. Not long ago, they had received a special mission from Head Berge to manage and take care of Ulan, the barbarian before him.
Not a difficult task, they thought; merely observing a young barbarian and reporting his daily activities seemed like a simple task.
But.
Through the incident that occurred in the auditorium today, the Surveillance Unit realized without a doubt that this mission was far from easy. Therefore, they quickly made a judgment call to limit Ulan's range of activities.
The places mentioned earlier were the areas under the watchful eye of the Surveillance Unit. Even if another incident were to occur, they believed they could handle it from their vantage point.
"Do you understand? Absolutely do not go anywhere else."
"Um, I'll take note of that."
"No, don't just take a note..."
"I'll be on my way now. Thank you for the guidance."
The Inspector tried to get a more definite answer, but Ulan was quicker. Watching his retreating figure, the Inspector's gaze held a hint of unease.
Still, though
Since he had been so explicit in his warning, Ulan surely must have understood --- that was what the Inspector believed.
Only after Ulan entered the Lion's Hall did the inspector finally turn around.
Shortly after entering the Lion's Hall
Ulan headed up the stairs to the second floor.
He'd heard that the class assignment procedure was supposed to be happening in the hallway on the second floor. However, once he arrived at the hallway, no one was there.
It wasn't long before he realized why he couldn't see any students.
"The class assignments must be over."
There was a bulletin board with lists of students and their assigned classes. Ulan narrowed his eyes and scanned the list to find his name.
Ulan Bator: Class-3
As soon as he saw the number 3, he felt a strange sensation. Because this number was the same as the order in which he had joined the party of Heroes in his previous life.
A simple coincidence, of course.
He set off in search of Class-3 Fortunately, it wasn't difficult to find the class. From outside the class, he could faintly hear conversations. It seemed that the students who had just become classmates were chatting about various things.
Without hesitation, Ulan opened the door.
Creak! Drrrrr!
The moment he stepped inside the classroom
all conversations abruptly ceased.
"..............."
The classroom fell silent.
The atmosphere turned chillingly cold, as if someone had poured ice water over them.
No one opened their mouths, and no one dared to meet Ulan's gaze. It was because of the incident in the auditorium.
Ulan didn't mind, though, and scanned the room. He was looking for a place to sit. As he searched, he spotted an empty seat.
He had a feeling that it might be his seat.
So, as he briskly walked toward it, he suddenly locked eyes with a familiar face a girl with pale golden hair tied back.
Ibella?
Ibella Elearde, the future Swordmaiden.
It seemed she was also in the same class.
However, unlike others who avoided Ulan's gaze, Ibella's eyes widened slightly, and her expression shifted into a suppressed smile.
Why is she acting like that?
He couldn't understand, and shook his head.
Soon after, he sat down and noticed something familiar in the seat next to him.
Hair as black as the night sky.
It was a very familiar figure.
Even Noah is in the same class.
He felt an inexplicable sense of relief.
Noah was very knowledgeable, and she was right next to him, so he can ask her anything he needed to know.
Just as he was thinking that.
Out of the blue, Noah slipped something to him.
It was a small note.
"Everything okay?"
It seemed Noah was aware that Ulan had been taken to the Student Counseling Division. Her slightly worried expression was evidence.
Ulan nodded, "Nothing happened."
Although it wasn't entirely true, he didn't want to bother explaining. So, he brushed it off vaguely.
Just then, the classroom door opened.
Creak!
A man in formal attire entered.
The ID badge hanging around his neck shimmered golden in the sunlight. The fact that the badge was gold indicated that this man's status was that of a professor.
"Pleased to meet you."
His dignified voice broke the silence.
Standing at the podium, he casually swept his gaze across the students and introduced himself briefly.
"I am Miel Goulakas, a professor in the Magic Department, in charge of third year. Please take good care of me for a year."
"There is a legend that if someone who walks the path of magic spends a night at the Fountain of Magic, they can gain mana equivalent to a thousand days."
The Fountain of Magic, Arsen.
It is a sacred place where pure mana gushes forth, a sanctuary where the source of magic slumbers. Perhaps that was why such stories circulated among mages.
If one could see this place at least once before dying, they would have no regrets, it was said.
Ulan nodded as if he understood.
Then he looked at Noah again, "I see you're looking forward to it, too."
"Ahaha, I'm a shaman too, after all."
Noah chuckled elegantly.
But that wasn't the only reason.
Thats because the Fountain of Magic contained hidden pieces.
There were three of them, to be exact.
Of course, being hidden pieces, they're extremely difficult to obtain. The conditions were very demanding.
But it just so happens that..
At this very moment, the conditions to obtain one of the hidden pieces was in place.
It was the first tangible opportunity she's had since entering the Arsene Academy.
'I can't afford to miss this opportunity.'
Noah's eyes glittered like stars; her eyes were brimming with anticipation.
That evening.
After an early dinner, the new students gathered one by one in front of the statue.
All dressed in simple casual clothes.
On the other hand, Noah's attire was slightly different she wore a thick coat, boots, a backpack, and even carried a handheld staff.
"Ah, Ulan!"
Noah waved at the familiar face.
Ulan, always dressed the same. But not today. Noah walked towards him with her usual stride and asked straightaway.
"Where's your axe?"
"Axe?"
"The axe my master gave you."
Noah unexpectedly inquired about the well-being of the axe.
Ulan replied nonchalantly, "I left it in my room."
"Well, you better go get it. We still have time before 6 o'clock."
"Why the axe?"
"There'll likely be a use for it if you bring it along."
A somewhat random reply.
However, Ulan didn't inquire further.
Most of the time, Noah's seemingly random statements held some form of foresight. And following her foresight hadn't caused him any harm so far.
So, he soon went to retrieve the axe.
Some time later.
Ding! Ding! Ding!
The bell rang, indicating it was exactly 6 p.m.
Shortly after, a familiar silhouette appeared. It was Professor Miel, the lizardman in his gray robe.
"Is everyone here?"
There was no need for an answer.
The Lizardman had good eyesight.
It took him less than two seconds to identify all twenty-five people.
In the midst of this, Professor Miel narrowed his eyes as if he had spotted something unusual, "But it seems there's someone who misunderstood what I said. I mentioned a field trip, not a picnic."
His gaze was fixed on Noah.
Soon there was a chorus of laughter. Noah tried to put on a straight face, but she couldn't stop her ears from turning red.
Was it the students' reaction?
He turned to Ulan next to her, "Looks like this one is ready to charge into a battlefield."
".............."
However, this time, no one laughed.
In fact, some even took a step back. He was scary enough with his bare hands, but with an axe in his hand, he was somehow more intimidating.
"Pftttttt!"
Except for Ibella.
She burst out laughing, but quickly realized her mistake.
As the awkward conversation ended, Professor Miel immediately turned around, "Enough. We don't have time, so let's get going."
The students obediently followed Professor Miel, knowing that there was a time limit on how long they could stay at the site.
Towards the Fountain of Magic, Arsen.
T/N Notes:-
Field of Study and Curriculum can be used interchangeably.I'm thinking of replacing 'Inspectorate' with 'Surveillance Unit'.
(End of Chapter. . . . . . . .)
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