Chapter 261 - Point Break
The dense mist enveloped Sylvie and her friend, Jasmine, as they walked through the mysterious landscape of Phantom's Land. The mist seemed to shroud everything, creating an atmosphere around them.
After they had spent their night together, Irina and Astron were doing something that was far more complex than she had thought, so she got bored.
So she went to get some fresh air if it could be called fresh, and there she met Jasmine and her group.
And thankfully, they let the two do their own thing without objecting much.
And now, here they were.
Jasmine, glancing around with a sense of awe, remarked, "This place is so surreal. It's like we're in a dream or something."
Sylvie nodded in agreement, her senses on high alert. "Yeah, it's unlike anything we've experienced before. I never expected the test to be like this."
Jasmine chuckled, "Well, at least it's not boring, right? But seriously, what do you think about all this?"
Sylvie pondered for a moment before responding, "I don't know. It's fascinating and a bit overwhelming at the same time. Astron seems to know a lot about this place, though."
Jasmine raised an eyebrow at Sylvie's mention of Astron. "That guy?" she inquired, a curious glint in her eyes. Well, considering his prowess at the library, it seemed like he was at least intellectual enough.
"Yeah. They are discussing something with Irina right now?"
"He is with Irina? That Irina Emberheart?"
"Yes."
"Do they get along?"
Sylvie hesitated, her expression becoming slightly complicated. "Well, you know how they are. It's a bit... complicated. They either bicker like there's no tomorrow or... well, it's not like they're best friends."
Jasmine chuckled, sensing there was more to the story. "Complicated, huh? That sounds interesting. What's the deal between those two?"
Sylvie sighed, trying to find the right words to convey the intricacies of Irina and Astron's dynamic. "Irina is…..Well, it is really hard to explain. But their personalities clash, you know? Irina is all about authority and rules, and Astron, well, he's not exactly the obedient type."
"Yeah, he doesn't seem to be the obedient type, certainly."
That guy was pretty rude, both to Sylvie, to her, and to others.
But at the same time, Jasmine remembered something. Her friend's expression when she was with him.
"Are you okay with it, though?" So, she asked.
Sylvie looked at Jasmine, a puzzled expression on her face. "What do you mean, okay with it?"
"I mean….These two are together alone in the bungalow, you know?"
Sylvie still didn't understand. "They're... together in the bungalow?"
Jasmine chuckled, "Yeah, you said they needed some 'alone time' to discuss strategies, I suppose. But you know, being alone in a bungalow, it could lead to... other discussions."
Sylvie's eyes widened as the realization dawned on her, and her cheeks turned a shade of pink, understanding what she was saying. "You….What are you saying? They are not like that."
She wanted to tell her friend that there was no way these two were like that, but at the same time, she suddenly remembered their feelings when they bickered.
'That….No way, right?'
THUD!
But just as her thoughts were about to drag away further, suddenly, she heard the sound of someone falling to the ground.
"Huh? Jasmine?"
Turning towards the source of the voice, she noticed that Jasmine was lying on the ground.
Sylvie rushed towards her fallen friend, panic creeping into her voice. She knelt beside Jasmine, gently shaking her shoulders. "Jasmine, wake up! What happened?"
But there was no response. Jasmine remained unconscious, and Sylvie's worry intensified. Panicking a little, Sylvie shouted for help, hoping someone nearby would hear her.
"Help! Somebody, please help-!"
She was about to shout more, but then she realized where they were. Right now, they were inside the fog of the Phantom's land, and they couldn't see much.
Sylvie, her worry escalating, gazed down at Jasmine, trying to comprehend what had just transpired. The misty surroundings of Phantom's Land added an eerie touch to the unfolding situation, making it even more unsettling.
She felt a creepy sensation rising upon her skin and face, but she couldn't focus on that right now.
Focusing her attention on Jasmine, Sylvie attempted to use her healing powers to revive her friend. She placed her hands on Jasmine's shoulders, closing her eyes to channel mana through her fingertips. The soft glow of healing energy enveloped Jasmine, but to Sylvie's surprise, there was no immediate response.
Panic crept into Sylvie's voice as she continued to shake Jasmine gently. "Come on, Jasmine, wake up! What's happening?"
But suddenly, her world turned cold for a second.
'Calm down, Sylvie.'
As if something inside her was calling her out. No, it wasn't something but herself.
'What are you doing, Sylvie? Are you going to mess up everything again?'
She knew for a fact that right now, they weren't in the perfect position to get help, and neither did they need to. She was a healer herself.
'You must always remain calm, regardless of the situation. This is the most important aspect of learning how to fight, but it applies to everything.'
Remembering his words while he taught her how to fight, she knew if she wanted to be any help to others she needed to keep her calm.
'Start with finding the source of the problem.'
Focusing her attention on Jasmine, Sylvie attempted to use her healing powers to perform a quick check-up on her friend, her friend.
However, as her hands moved over Jasmine's body, she couldn't discern any apparent injuries or ailments. It was perplexing.
The misty environment, coupled with the mysterious nature of Phantom's Land, seemed to obscure the true condition of Jasmine. Sylvie could feel a dark aura enveloping her friend, but its origin and implications remained elusive.
"Something's not right," Sylvie muttered to herself, a sense of frustration and helplessness settling in.
This was no natural thing. Right now, the thing that was surrounding her friend was definitely out of the ordinary and a phenomenon that she had encountered for the first time.
The dense fog distorted her surroundings, making it challenging to comprehend the situation fully.
SCREECH!
The sudden, ear-piercing sound echoed through the misty landscape, sending shivers down Sylvie's spine.
'What?'
As if in response to the unsettling noise, a phantom materialized from the fog, lunging towards Sylvie with menacing intent.
Fear gripped Sylvie, her senses on high alert as the phantom approached.
SWOOSH!
However, a reflex born from her training kicked in. Without conscious thought, Sylvie's body moved, a fluid dance of evasion that narrowly avoided the spectral creature's attack.
The phantom passed through the space Sylvie had occupied just moments before, its ghastly form dissipating back into the mist.
"Haaaah…..Haaah…."
Sylvie's heart raced, a mixture of fear and adrenaline coursing through her veins.
"Calm down, Sylvie," she whispered to herself, remembering the importance of composure in moments of crisis.
'Now phantoms are around, this is not good.'
The encounter with the phantom only intensified the urgency of the situation, urging Sylvie to find a solution for both Jasmine and herself.
'I need to find a safe place.'
And instantly, she remembered where they could protect themselves.
SCREECH!
The unnerving sound of the phantom's screech echoed once again through the misty landscape. Annoyance flickered in Sylvie's eyes, and a surge of frustration boiled within her.
"Shut up!" she shouted, an unexpected burst of anger fueling her voice. In a reflexive motion, Sylvie swung her hand through the air, as if swatting away an irritating insect.
To her astonishment, a radiant white-yellowish light intensified at the tip of her fingers. The light expanded, forming a protective barrier that enveloped the phantom.
In an instant, the ghastly creature dissipated into nothingness, vanishing into the mist.
Sylvie blinked, bewildered by the sudden manifestation of her powers. It was an instinctive reaction, an outburst of magical energy that seemed to emanate from within her.
"Huh... What just happened?" Sylvie mumbled to herself, staring at her hand in disbelief. The misty surroundings held an eerie silence as if even Phantom's Land itself was surprised by the turn of events.
'This…..'
Realizing that her newfound ability might be a key to dealing with the phantoms, Sylvie focused her attention back on Jasmine. The dark aura surrounding her friend persisted, and Sylvie felt an urgency to find answers.
"We need to get out of here," Sylvie muttered, determination replacing her earlier sense of helplessness.
She reached for the small watch strapped around her wrist. She opened it, revealing a magical compass that always pointed towards their accommodations – the bungalows.
"Haaaaah…..Come here…"
Taking a deep breath, she grabbed her friend and put her on her back.
"Ack! You are heavy."
But her friend was a little heavier than she had taken, though after imbuing herself with mana she was able to carry her easily.
'Now, let's go.'
Sylvie followed the gentle pull of the compass needle, leading the way through the thick mist. The path was challenging, with obscured visibility and eerie shadows dancing around them. However, Sylvie pressed forward, carrying the unconscious Jasmine on her back.
SCREECH! SCREECH!
As they moved, spectral shapes materialized from the fog, phantoms drawn by the mysterious energy permeating Phantom's Land. Sylvie, now more composed, swung her hand with purpose each time a phantom approached. The radiant light emanated again, dispelling the ghostly creatures effortlessly.
The journey was not easy, as the mist played tricks on Sylvie's senses, and the constant encounters with phantoms tested her resolve.
'Don't stop Sylvie.'
Despite all the challenges, the determined healer pressed on, guided by the needle of the compass. After all, there was no way she could abandon her friend like that.
Finally, after navigating the maze-like terrain, Sylvie arrived at the familiar sight of the bungalows.
The bungalows stood as beacons of safety amidst the spectral landscape. Sylvie, relieved to have reached their destination, approached her bungalow with Jasmine still on her back.
"Haaaaah….Finally….."
She carefully opened the door, anticipating the comfort and security within. However, what awaited her inside was not the peace she expected. Irina lay on the ground, unconscious, just like Jasmine. Sylvie's eyes widened, and a feeling of dread washed over her.
"Oh no… Irina!"
Leaving Jasmine on the ground, Sylvie rushed to Irina's side. She checked for any signs of injury or ailment but found none. It was as if an unseen force had rendered both Irina and Jasmine into a deep slumber.
"No! Don't tell me….."
A sense of urgency gripped Sylvie as she realized the gravity of the situation. Leaving the bungalow, she ventured into the small town area of Phantom's Land, only to find that everyone else—students, instructors, and staff alike—lay unconscious on the ground.
"No, no, no, no, no..."
Even if she needed to calm down, how could she?
"Something's terribly wrong… What happened to everyone?"
After all, inside this misty fog of the Phantom's Land, only she was awake right now…..
Chapter 262 - Point Break (2)
With a heavy heart and a sense of urgency, Sylvie returned to her bungalow, contemplating the mysterious circumstances that had left everyone unconscious. As she gently laid Jasmine and Irina side by side, a deep worry etched across her face.
"What is happening here? How did everyone end up like this?"
Sylvie pondered the possible causes, but the mysterious nature of Phantom's Land seemed to shroud the answers in uncertainty.
No matter what she thought, this situation didn't make any sense at all. But, one thing was certain, in this place of Phenomena only she was awake now while others were not.
'And there are phantoms.'
The fact that she was attacked by phantoms countless times just on the way alone made the place dangerous as well.
'After the time comes to 06.06 P.M...'
She knew what this implied. The phantoms outside of the bungalows became infinitely more rampant and dangerous after that time.
'And many students must have lost their consciousness outside of the bungalows.'
They came to this land with the academy, and there were at least 200 students here right now, and she couldn't possibly carry all of them back to bungalows.
Let alone carrying them, even finding them in this mist would be quite a challenge.
'I can't possibly leave this place to call help either.'
The academy didn't provide them with possible ways to return since the students were meant to stay here all the time. Therefore, they had no way of knowing how to get out of Phantom's Land.
In the midst of her contemplation, Sylvie's attention was abruptly drawn to Jasmine's resting form.
From the spot where Jasmine lay, a mysterious distortion in the air manifested, taking the form of a phantom.
SCREECH!
Before Sylvie could fully comprehend what was happening, the phantom lunged towards her, catching her off guard.
"What the—"
The ethereal creature's attack sliced through the air, aiming for Sylvie. Instinct kicked in, and Sylvie, driven by a mix of fear and determination, reacted swiftly.
THUD!
With a forceful swing of her hand, she managed to smash the phantom down before it could land its strike.
"Hah..."
Panting slightly, Sylvie realized that this was no ordinary phenomenon.
As she caught her breath, another disturbance caught her attention.
SCREECH!
A phantom emerged from Irina's unconscious form, its spectral presence sending a chill down Sylvie's spine. Without hesitation, Sylvie focused her energy and swiftly dispatched the phantom, ensuring it dissipated into the mist.
"What is going on? Why are these phantoms appearing from our friends?"
The unsettling realization that the phantoms were somehow connected to the unconscious students deepened Sylvie's concern. Adding the fact that they could appear in the bungalows made everything more and more dangerous as well.
'Just what is this?'
She couldn't think of anything else as she sank into the couch. All of these things were taking a toll on her mind.
The chilling encounters with phantoms emerging from her friends only added to the mysterious and perilous nature of Phantom's Land.
As she pondered the situation, a realization dawned on her—a realization that could potentially be the key to unlocking the mystery.
Amidst the chaos, a thought surfaced in Sylvie's mind. Out of all the students in Phantom's Land, only she was awake, and her unusual powers seemed to play a role in her safety.
'First Lord's Authority…..'
The soft glow emanating from her hands caught her attention, reminding her of the unique abilities she possessed.
"What if..." Sylvie murmured, her eyes narrowing in focus. "What if I can use this power to wake others up?"
It made sense. After all, if what she thought was correct, then if she could implement how she did to herself, then everything would be okay.
As a healer who loved to experiment with herself, she closed her eyes and slowly started exploring her own body first.
The gentle glow of her healing powers intensified as she focused on the source of her abilities. As her consciousness delved deeper, she encountered a peculiar sensation—an obstruction within her own heart.
A black aura seemed to swirl around a specific area, creating a barrier that prevented her from getting grasped by the same black misty aura that was covering others.
'I see...'
Then she realized that this was the reason why she wasn't affected by it. Something inside her was autonomously protecting her from the dangers, even if she wasn't reacting to it at all.
Sylvie, realizing the protective barrier within her own heart, saw an opportunity to extend this safeguard to others who lay unconscious in the mysterious mist of Phantom's Land.
She first looked at Jasmine, her friend who was with her.
'No….'
But she knew her friend. In this situation where many other lives were in danger, she needed to be logical and should never think with emotions.
Her gaze shifted towards Irina, the rational and analytic mind that could prove invaluable in this situation.
'Yes. If it is Irina, then….'
She needed to accept. She wasn't the smartest person out there, and someone with a clever mind was needed right now.
"Haaaaah...Let's do it Sylvie."
Approaching Irina with determination, Sylvie took a deep breath, ready to apply her newfound understanding of her powers.
Placing her hands gently on Irina's shoulders, she closed her eyes and focused on the barrier within her own heart. The gentle glow of her healing powers surrounded both of them as Sylvie attempted to share this protective shield.
Initially, the attempt seemed to falter. Sylvie's brow furrowed in concentration as she struggled to extend the protective aura to Irina. It was a delicate process, requiring a deep connection and understanding of the other person's inner workings.
But Sylvie didn't give up.
After several attempts, a breakthrough occurred. The protective aura expanded from Sylvie to Irina, enveloping her in a soft, yellowish glow.
"Haaaaaah....Haaaah….."
A gasp escaped Irina's lips as she jolted awake, breathing heavily as if she had just emerged from the depths of a drowning nightmare.
Sylvie looked at Irina with a mix of relief and anticipation. "Irina, are you okay? Can you hear me?" The success with Irina filled her with hope that she could replicate this process and awaken the others from their unconscious state.
******
Irina's daily grind, you know, the usual 'normal' stuff. Every morning, she'd get up with the sun peeking through the window – a bit of warmth, a bit of frosty air, setting the tone for the day. Breakfast served by the household staff, quick and routine, nothing extravagant.
Then it was off to her private study, surrounded by dusty spell books and crackling fireplaces. Hours lost in the arcane, pages turning, and mentors lurking around. Magic, etiquette, governance – a mix of responsibilities and expectations weighing her down, you know?
But there were those brief breaks, those moments of fleeting escape. Sometimes, the gardens provided a respite – blossoms and fragrance, a welcome distraction from the heavy air of the manor. Other times, she'd venture into the streets of Arcadia Dominion, where chaos and magic clashed in a dance of humanity.
Yet, no matter the respite, the weight of responsibility loomed large. Tutors, tower inspections, galas – a constant reminder of her role as the Emberheart heiress. A delicate balance, a dance between duty and desire, each step forward a cautious journey towards an uncertain destiny.
Sometimes, she would steal away to the gardens, where blossoms bloomed in a riot of color, their fragrance a welcome reprieve from the stifling confines of the manor.
And today was one of those days when she decided to escape from her house just as before.
And then, as the sun dipped low, the discontent brewed. Through opulent halls, a silent rebellion unfolded. Maids, tasks, and grumbling under her breath about the constraints of her scripted life. Always cleaning, always obeying – it wasn't the life she wanted, you get me?
So, she slipped beyond the manicured gardens into the wild embrace of the forest. The untamed, the unscripted – a sanctuary away from the mansion's polished walls. The scent of damp earth, the rustling leaves, a soothing balm for her restless spirit.
"Always cleaning, always obeying," she muttered to herself, resentment bubbling beneath the surface. "Do they not see how suffocating it is? This isn't the life I want."
And then came the cliff, the moonlit perch overlooking the city lights. A defiant climb to the highest point, where city sounds turned to distant murmurs. A whispered rebellion to the night air – "I won't be confined by their expectations. This is my life, and I'll shape it as I see fit."
At the peak of the cliff, where the city lights below shimmered like distant stars, Irina found herself caught in a moment of rebellion and self-discovery.
The night air was cool against her skin, and the echoes of her whispered defiance lingered around her.
And then, in that solitary defiance, a small movement caught her attention. A tiny squirrel, its fur aglow in the moonlight, scurried across the rocky ledge.
Irina couldn't help but feel a sense of relief as she watched the creature, taking a moment to forget about her responsibilities. "What a cute little thing," she thought, a rare smile forming on her lips.
The squirrel seemed unfazed by her presence and continued to nibble on an acorn. Irina decided to approach the tiny creature, taking careful steps towards it.
As she marveled at its tiny paws and fluffy tail, the worries of her daily life faded away.
Irina cautiously approached a squirrel, finding solace in her family's grand expectations. She admired the simplicity and beauty of the tiny creature when something extraordinary happened.
But just at that moment, the squirrel emitted a soft, glowing yellow aura in the moonlight, leaving Irina awestruck and confused.
Before she could make sense of the surreal scene, the glow intensified, blinding everything in its radiance. Irina felt a sudden tightness in her chest as the luminous yellow engulfed her senses. The air became thick, almost suffocating, and an unexplainable weight pressed down on her. As the vibrant glow intensified, she panicked, feeling swallowed whole.
Just as she thought she couldn't bear it any longer, the brilliance vanished, leaving Irina disoriented and gasping for air. As her eyes adjusted, she realized she was no longer on the cliff. She looked around, finding herself in a bungalow with the air still tinged with the scent of damp earth and the distant echoes of the forest.
"Irina, can you hear me?"
Chapter 263 - Point Break (3)
"Irina, can you hear me?"
Irina's eyes fluttered open, her vision blurry as she gradually regained consciousness. A dull throbbing pain echoed in her head, and she instinctively brought a hand to her temple, trying to soothe the ache.
"Haaaah... What happened?" Irina mumbled, her voice groggy as she attempted to piece together the fragments of her memory. The misty surroundings and the unusual glow in Sylvie's eyes added to her disorientation.
"Sylvie?" she uttered, her gaze meeting the concerned eyes of her friend and teammate.
Her mind was blank as if some pieces of something were constantly going around her mind.
'Just what is this?'
She couldn't understand at all. A
'I feel like I just woke up from a dream.'
In the pieces of her pictures, she saw her house, the maids…..The memories were blurry, and she wasn't able to understand everything clearly, but it was like waking up after a dream.
"Sylvie, what's going on, right? Why are we here?" Irina's words were accompanied by a pained expression as if the foggy haze in her mind mirrored the mist that enveloped Phantom's Land.
Sylvie's relief was evident, but at the same time, she was having a hard time understanding everything herself, so her face hardened at the mention of recent events.
Recognizing the need for Irina to cool down and gather her thoughts, Sylvie fetched a glass of water for both of them.
'Sigh….What to do…'
She handed Irina the glass, urging her to drink while she took a sip from her own.
"Take your time, Irina. It's a lot to process, and I don't have all the answers either," Sylvie said, her voice comforting yet tinged with uncertainty.
As Irina composed herself, Sylvie began to explain the strange occurrences in Phantom's Land. She recounted how people had suddenly lost consciousness, the eerie encounters with phantoms, and the protective power she had discovered within herself.
"People are unconscious outside, and I think it's related to these phantoms. Somehow, I have this power that protected me, and I managed to wake you up," Sylvie explained, her gaze focused on Irina.
"People are unconscious, huh? Have you checked everyone?"
Irina asked, looking around. She also had a hard time getting a hold of her head, but she forcefully calmed herself down after utilizing a mana circulation method for such cases.
'So, she has a unique power. I knew it.'
Even though it wasn't the time to make such assessments, Irina couldn't help but think. After all, out of all the people here, only Sylvie was awake, and that meant she was exceptional to the point that she defied all the geniuses here.
"Yes. After leaving Jasmine here, I looked for possible Instructors or Professors, yet everyone I saw was unconscious already."
"I see….."
Everything didn't seem to add up.
"So, according to what you're saying, these phantoms are somehow linked to the unconscious state of everyone. Normally, the Phantoms are unable to enter the bungalows, as we all know. But after some time passed while we were unconscious, some phantoms appeared from our bodies and attacked you, correct?"
"Yes. That is right." Sylvie confirmed.
Irina continued with her line of reasoning, her analytical mind at work. "If the phantoms emerged from us, it means the unconscious state of the people is somehow producing these creatures. The fact that they can appear even inside the bungalows after a certain time makes staying here unsafe as well. We can't afford to let others remain unconscious.
It's not only a danger to them but also puts everyone else at risk."
Sylvie's expression tightened as she grasped the gravity of the situation. "So, staying in the bungalows won't keep everyone safe. We need to find a way to wake them up and deal with the phantoms at the source. But how do we do that?"
Irina paused for a moment, pondering the available information. Then, she turned to Sylvie with a determined look. "Sylvie, can you use your power on others? If we can wake them up, we might be able to gather more information and solve this mystery."
Sylvie nodded, her eyes flickering with uncertainty. "I can try, but..." She hesitated, a sudden dizziness washing over her. "I can feel it. The light surrounding me has already diminished. My mana reserves are almost depleted. I won't be able to wake up others without enough mana."
Irina's brows furrowed as she processed the information while checking Sylvie's mana reserves. To a trained mage like her, she could easily discern from the body symptoms, and she saw what Sylvie was saying was right.
"So, the power consumption of forcefully waking others up is so high….."
That meant two things. The first one is that Sylvie wasn't talented enough with her powers and used a lot of unneeded energy. That could be possible, but from what Irina had seen, even if Sylvie wasn't that smart, she had a talent for utilizing mana.
'That means….'
The enemy they were facing, the possible spell that Sylvie had mentioned, was just too strong.
She turned to Sylvie with a questioning look. "The spell you saw, it covered other people's hearts, right?"
Sylvie nodded in confirmation. "Yes, it seemed like some kind of dark aura was surrounding their hearts. That's what I tried to dispel."
Irina's expression grew serious as she decided to investigate the phenomenon herself. She approached Jasmine, who was still unconscious and focused her magical senses on the mysterious energy surrounding the girl's heart.
'This…..'
The moment she delved into it, Irina felt a surge of complexity and darkness that almost overwhelmed her.
"Urgh!"
Immediately, she increased the distance between her and Jasmine. Her headache intensified for a second while her whole world shook.
'Just what the hell is this?'
It was so complex and dark that she couldn't find anything inside it at all.
"The energy is ominous, black, and insanely complex. I've never encountered anything like this," Irina admitted, withdrawing from the probing with a hint of exhaustion in her eyes. "It's not just a simple spell; it's something far more intricate and malevolent."
However, Irina had an idea.
Inside her head, she felt something ominous appearing.
Irina, feeling the weight of the situation, excused herself momentarily from Sylvie to check her notes.
She navigated through holographic diagrams and equations that Astron had prepared for her, but her mind was restless, and something tugged at the corners of her memory.
'What am I missing?' Irina pondered, her fingers dancing over the controls as she scrolled through her notes. As she flipped through the holographic displays, her eyes caught a familiar set of calculations related to Phantom's Land.
The recorded data and the expected data for the land's characteristics were neatly organized on one of the holographic papers. As she compared the two, a realization hit her like a bolt of lightning.
'This… It can't be.' Irina's eyes widened as she retraced the calculations and cross-referenced her findings.
Just as before, she had initially assumed that she had made a mistake about her theory since the expected results didn't match the ones that were recorded.
However, what if she hadn't made a mistake?
What if the results were actually true, and the only thing wrong was the perspective they were looking at?
What if, even from the start, everything was right before their eyes, and they just refused to see it?
In a sudden revelation, she understood that Phantom's Land wasn't a natural phenomenon.
It wasn't a random occurrence or a magical anomaly that happened out of nature itself.
Instead, it was the manifestation of an incredibly potent entity's influence.
"By the spirits... Phantom's Land is shaped by a powerful entity residing here," Irina muttered to herself, the pieces of the puzzle falling into place.
The malevolent aura Sylvie encountered, the phantoms, and the unnatural complexity she felt while probing Jasmine's heart – all of it pointed to the presence of a sentient force.
"And all the time….We have been missing this."
To the point that this entity was able to fool countless different mages, even Archmages' eyes.
'And it's not a friendly one.' Irina's mind raced as she considered the implications.
The entity's malevolence explained the dark, intricate nature of the spell Sylvie had encountered and the complexity she felt while probing Jasmine's heart.
The gravity of the situation sank in. Phantom's Land wasn't just a mysterious phenomenon; it was a territory ruled by an entity with intentions unknown and potentially dangerous.
As she contemplated the enormity of their adversary, a realization struck her – the entity's power far surpassed anything they could comprehend.
The fact that it could influence Phantom's Land to this extent and maintain the unconscious state of everyone within its grasp indicated a strength beyond conventional understanding.
'We need more than just Sylvie and me to face this threat,' Irina acknowledged. The two of them, no matter how talented, were insufficient to confront an entity of such caliber.
That was the natural conclusion. No matter how prideful Irina was, she wasn't arrogant enough to think that she could face such an enemy all alone.
Well, she might have thought that in the past, but that was no longer the case.
'But, who should we…..'
And at that moment, a seemingly annoying figure popped into her mind – a boy with black hair and purple eyes.
'Why?'
She couldn't help but ask herself, getting annoyed. Why was this guy's face popping out of nowhere?
Even after excluding all the professors and the instructors, the most rational decision would be to wake up Victor, the strongest person out of all the students.
But why did his face come up?
'I see….'
Then she realized the reason. That guy, with his unconventional approach and irritatingly insightful observations, suddenly seemed like a potential asset.
For some reason, she knew whenever she was with him, she knew he was composed. Never once in her life had she seen him panic before.
'As much as he gets on my nerves, his mind might be the key to understanding and combating this entity,' Irina thought begrudgingly.
If anyone could unravel the complexities of Phantom's Land and devise a strategy against the malevolent force, it might very well be Astron.
There was also the fact that they could only find his location exactly.
"Tch….."
Well, these were only the logical reasonings…..While there was another reason she would never admit.
Chapter 264 - Point Break (4)
"Tch…." Irina clicked her tongue in annoyance, unwilling to admit the less rational reason behind her choice.
"Sylvie," Irina began, her expression a mix of frustration and determination, "I know who we need to find. It's Astron. As annoying as he is, his unconventional thinking might be the key to understanding and combating this entity. Plus, he's always composed – I've never seen him panic. We need someone like that in this situation."
Sylvie raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise in her gaze. "Ah…." It was not that she disliked it, but more of a fact that it came out randomly. "Astron?" She asked.
Irina nodded a bit begrudgingly. "Yes, really. Despite his quirks, he has a unique way of approaching problems. I've seen it before, and I believe he might have insights that could help us."
"I see…." Sylvie nodded her head, inwardly feeling a little relieved. In this academy, there were only a handful of people that she could talk to, and one of them was definitely him. So, she didn't want something to happen to him, and she had been feeling uneasy about it for a while.
"Even if you didn't say it...I was going to look after him, as well." Hearing this, Irina squinted at Sylvie a little but then didn't say anything.
"But…..How do we find him?" Sylvie asked, looking around the misty landscape from the windows, her eyes searching for any sign of Astron.
After all, since he wasn't in the bungalows and had left earlier in the day, it was going to be a challenge.
However, Irina had already considered this in her decision from the start. After all, if they were going to waste immense hours just for searching him, his value would diminish a lot in this radical situation.
Irina's frustration shifted to a thoughtful expression. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small watch provided by the academy.
"Remember this watch? It has two compasses inside – one always points to the direction of the bungalows, and the other always points north."
"Yes, I remember," Sylvie replied. This was how she had found her way to bungalows, after all. "But, what will they do for our situation?"
Even then, she couldn't help but be skeptical. They didn't even know which direction Astron went, so how could this prove anything?
Irina nodded, acknowledging Sylvie's skepticism. "You're right; these compasses won't directly help us find Astron in this vast mist. But have you ever thought about what's underneath these compasses?"
Sylvie furrowed her brows, puzzled by Irina's question. "What's underneath? They're just compasses, aren't they?"
Irina smirked, enjoying the intrigue she was creating. She flipped the watch open, revealing the backside of the compasses. There, engraved into the metal, were intricate symbols and lines forming a detailed enchantment.
These compasses are more than just navigation tools," Irina explained, her fingers delicately tracing the engraved symbols and lines forming a detailed enchantment on the back of the compasses. "There's a hidden enchantment on the back. Watch closely."
With a determined focus, Irina activated the enchantment, causing the symbols to glow softly. She then looked around the bungalow, ensuring Sylvie observed the reaction.
"Notice how the compasses point towards another enchantment," Irina pointed out, the glow on the back of the compass subtly aligning with a point in the middle of their own bungalow. "It's not just about finding north or the bungalows; it's about revealing an enchantment in the very heart of this place."
The idea may be that the compasses would point out in the direction of the magnetic field, but in Phantom's Land, the physical features of the world also did change. So, Irina was curious about how the academy handled these compasses and found these enchantments.
Sylvie's eyes closed in realization as she followed Irina's explanation. "So, the compasses lead to an enchantment in each bungalow. But what does that have to do with finding Astron?"
Irina smirked, pleased with Sylvie catching on. "Now, imagine if I reverse the process. Instead of seeking the enchantment in our bungalow, we use the reverse. Utilizing this enchantment, we could see where Astron is. After all, he also has the same watch as us, which means his watch should be connected to this enchantment as well."
Her words made sense. Irina knew this was the most likely way that Academy would be able to trace the students inside the Phantom's Land and move effectively if something had happened to them.
Sylvie didn't know that, but the watches were also linked to another enchantment, which was a lot more complex and hard to understand. This was probably the one that was connected to the center of the town.
'I think they were even expecting us to understand how this worked.'
There was no way that any students would normally be able to understand normal-level magic-engineering products, but simple things like these seemed to be intentionally spread around.
Students with good theoretical knowledge and skills could reverse the process easily, which was why Irina did it.
Though, it wasn't that it mattered now.
Irina wasted no time and immediately began the process of reversing the enchantment. Her fingers moved deftly, tracing symbols and manipulating the magical energies within the watch. The soft glow from the engraved enchantment reacted to her manipulations.
'Wow…..'
Sylvie observed with a mix of awe and anticipation.
The speed movements of magic Irina performed seemed complex, yet she was determined to see if they could locate Astron using this method.
After a minute of focused effort, Irina's eyes lit up with success. The glow on the back of the compass changed, aligning with a new direction. She looked at Sylvie with a triumphant smile.
"It worked. Now we have the enchantment pointing towards Astron's location within Phantom's Land," Irina announced a sense of accomplishment in her voice. "We should move quickly. Time is of the essence, and who knows what kind of danger that guy might be in."
Just as Sylvie and Irina were about to leave the bungalow, Irina placed a gentle hand on Sylvie's shoulder, stopping her in her tracks.
"Sylvie, I think it's best if you stay here and keep an eye on Jasmine. Besides, you need to recover your mana as fast as possible. If something happens, I'll return immediately, but for now, I'll handle the situation with Astron," Irina suggested, her tone carrying a mix of concern and authority.
Sylvie looked a bit worried, torn between 'wanting to assist' and recognizing the validity of Irina's points.
However, she nodded, realizing that looking after her friend and restoring her own strength would indeed be crucial.
"Alright, Irina. Just be careful…." Sylvie replied, her eyes reflecting a mixture of trust and concern.
Irina gave her a reassuring smile before heading out into the misty landscape of Phantom's Land, determined to find Astron and unravel the mysteries that surrounded them.
*******
Irina, armed with the enchanted watch guiding her toward Astron's location, stepped out into the eerie mist of Phantom's Land.
The compass on the watch pointed her in a specific direction, and she navigated through the fog-shrouded landscape with a determined pace.
'This guy? Why is he venturing this far away?'
Considering his rank, even if Astron was quite good at combat, he shouldn't have been overestimating himself, yet he did it anyway.
'Sigh…..'
As she ventured deeper into the fog, the atmosphere grew thicker, and the fog seemed to cling to her surroundings like a tangible presence.
The strange phenomena of the Phantom's Land intensified, creating an otherworldly ambiance.
FLINCH!
Suddenly, a shiver ran down Irina's spine, and she felt a subtle shift in the air.
Before she could react, shadowy figures emerged from the mist – phantoms.
These spectral entities materialized in front of her, their eerie forms reaching out with their long arms.
SCREECH!
As they immediately lunged at her, she couldn't help but shake her head at herself.
'This is why I hate creepy places.'
It was not because of the strength of enemies but because of the tenseness of the atmosphere. The beings that didn't even have a second of right to stand before her could now dare to bear their fangs.
"Just disappear."
SWOOSH!
With a nonchalant wave of her hand, Irina unleashed a surge of intense flames. The fire danced through the air, instantly dispelling the phantoms as if they were mere illusions. The ghostly figures dissipated in the heat, leaving only the faint scent of burning mist in their wake.
Irina easily dispersed the phantoms but felt uneasy in Phantom's Land. As she moved forward through the thickening fog, she found Astron unconscious.
She crouched down beside him, finding no visible injuries but sensing that he was lost in the mysterious energies of the place.
As Irina crouched down beside Astron's unconscious form, a peculiar sensation washed over her.
Despite the eerie atmosphere and the danger they were facing, his face looked strangely peaceful and relaxed in repose. It was a stark contrast to the usual observant and sometimes annoying expression he wore when awake.
"He looks kind of... calm," Irina mumbled to herself, feeling a strange shift in her own thoughts.
For a moment, she saw Astron not as the persistent and inquisitive individual she knew but as someone vulnerable and at peace. It was as if the mist of Phantom's Land had momentarily lifted something off him.
'What am I even thinking?'
However, she quickly shook off the unusual musings, realizing that her thoughts were wandering into strange territory. Focusing on the situation at hand, she channeled her mana into her body, coating herself.
With a swift motion, she utilized her telekinetic abilities, gently lifting Astron and securing him on her back. Despite the weight, her magical prowess made carrying him seem effortless.
With Astron securely on her back, Irina activated the enchanted watch once more. The reversed compass pointed the way back to the bungalows, and immediately, she started navigating through the thickening fog.
********
CREAK!
As the door of the bungalow opened, Sylvie immediately went there to check who had come, and there she saw Irina with Astron on her back.
"Sylvie, we found him. He's unconscious, but I think he's alright," Irina announced, entering the bungalow. She gently lowered Astron onto a nearby bed, ensuring he was comfortable.
"Thank lord."
Mumbling that she followed her steps.
Sylvie looked at Astron with a hint of worry and then turned her gaze to Irina. "Irina, you look exhausted. Rest for a moment; I can keep an eye on them."
"I am fine. We can't waste much time."
Irina mumbled, drinking the water in her cup. "Have you recovered your mana enough?" Then, she asked Sylvie in a small hope. However, Sylvie's response wasn't something hopeful at all.
"No…..I am not sure why, but the mana potions I had don't seem to have recovered the specific type of energy I have been using,"
Irina's expression turned serious upon hearing Sylvie's response. It was an unexpected complication that added to the challenges they were facing.
'Her power is different from mana.'
This was something that was quite a revelation itself, but for the time being, she didn't have the time.
"That's odd. But we can't dwell on it now. We need to figure out our next move," Irina said, determined to find a solution.
As she pondered their options, an idea sparked in Irina's mind. Recalling the dreamlike state she experienced before waking up in Phantom's Land, she suggested a plan.
"Sylvie, there might be another way. I was in some kind of dream state before waking up here. If I can enter Astron's dream, maybe I can help him wake up. It's worth a shot," Irina proposed.
Sylvie's eyes widened at the suggestion. "Entering dreams? That's an advanced magical territory, Irina. Are you sure about this?"
"We don't have many options. Besides, on the way, I was thinking of ways, and I think it will work. But…."
"But?"
"You will need to use that remaining power of yours."
Sylvie hesitated, looking concerned. "Irina, I don't have much power left. How am I supposed to protect you and myself from the phantoms if I don't have any energy left?"
Irina offered a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Sylvie. Remember the preparations we made? We bought herbs that can repel phantoms without relying on mana. You should stay in the room and use those since you will only be dealing with Jasmine's phantom if what we know is correct. I'll be back as soon as I can."
Sylvie's expression eased a bit as she recalled their earlier preparations. "Right, the herbs. But what if something happens to you in Astron's dream?"
Irina's gaze held a hint of determination. "I'll be careful. Besides, it's our best shot at waking Astron up. We can't afford to waste time. Trust me on this, Sylvie."
Sylvie nodded, accepting Irina's plan. Her eyes were filled with determination as well.
"What do I need to do, Irina?"
Irina explained the plan. "You need to pierce that black spell with your power for just a second. Create an opening, and at that moment, I'll slip my consciousness into Astron. It's a complex rank-4 spell called phantasmic transfer. Once I'm inside, I'll try to navigate through Astron's dream and wake him up. It's risky, but it's the best chance we have."
Sylvie nodded, understanding the task at hand. "I'll do my best, Irina. Just be careful in there. If something goes wrong, or if you need to come back, let me know immediately."
Irina nodded in return. "I will. Now, let's get ready. Once you create that opening, I'll initiate the transfer. We need to synchronize our actions. Ready?"
Sylvie took a deep breath, her determination shining through. "Ready."
SHINE!
And at that moment, Irina felt her consciousness swirl away…..