“Still nothing….”
Soliette frowned, staring out at the vast, frozen wasteland.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
The steady sound of hooves againsy snow echoed through the air. She turned to see a group of mages in robes approaching on horseback.
“Archmage!”
They dismounted swiftly and saluted. Soliette slammed her staff into the ground and pointed toward the icy expanse.
“Mark this territory,” she ordered. “Even if our search hasn’t been fruitful, the scrolls led us here for a reason.”
“Understood, Archmage!”
The mages quickly set to work. They struck their staffs against the ground and began chanting. A massive, glowing magic circuits spread across the wasteland, marking the area with circuits
A few moments later, they finished and returned to Soliette.
“I believe we’re close, Archmage. The mana in this area keeps fluctuating,” one of them reported.
“Nonsense,” Soliette said. “It’s just the usual signs of Zen’s comet approaching our stellar system.”
“Then…. does that mean?”
“Yes,” Soliette nodded.
The frozen wasteland before them had no name, no marked territory, and wasn’t even on any map.
Yet, the fluctuating mana in the area was something intriguing.
It was highly likely one of the uncharted locations where mana naturally fluctuated during the comet’s passing.
“….”
Still, Soliette frowned. This wasn’t the result she wanted. Ever since becoming the Archmage, she had felt an immense pressure unlike anything before.
No, perhaps, it was a burden that no Archmage in history had experienced—except the previous Archmage, who had passed away fifteen years ago.
The first Archmage, Zen—the progenitor of magic—had once faced a catastrophe beyond imagination.
A mythical creature known as the Black Dragon.
The Black Dragon had mysteriously appeared over 1000 years ago, bringing nothing but destruction that altered the course of the entire world.
The Great Epoch.
A catastrophic event that erased centuries of history, nearly wiping civilizations from existence.
The survivors passed down their stories and helped to rebuild parts of the world’s lost history. Their accounts allowed the current generation to piece together fragments of the past.
However, fully restoring the complete and accurate history from before the Great Epoch remained impossible.
From the recounted tales, Archmage Zen had done everything in his power to mitigate the disaster, but he couldn’t defeat the Black Dragon.
Instead, he had done the only thing he could possibly do.
He had sealed it away.
“….”
But there was no such seal that lasted forever.
Seals needed constant replenishment of mana, and sealing a being of such immense power required an extraordinary amount of magic and an unmatched level of control.
Thus, the title of Archmage was born. Not just as a mark of prestige, but as a duty. A duty passed down through generations to maintain the seal.
The Black Dragon had been sealed deep within what was now known as the Araxys Catacombs.
This was Zen’s final act before he succumbed to his injuries, forced to create magic under the relentless pursuit of demons, with barely any mana left to protect himself after sealing the dragon away.
Ultimately, he had trapped himself within what became known as the Fractal Dimensions to escape the demons.
It was rumored he had perished there.
In the current generation, the Araxys Catacomb now stood as a museum. Tourists visited it, admiring what they believed to be the original seal holding back the Black Dragon.
But those within a certain circle—the Great Powers—knew the truth.
The Black Dragon was gone.
It had mysteriously vanished during the reign of the previous Archmage.
Afraid of causing mass panic, they had created an elaborate replica of the seal and convinced the entire world that the dragon was still imprisoned.
In reality, the Great Powers had one true purpose.
To find the Black Dragon before it was too late.
“….”
And Soliette was at the center of it all.
Her era as the Archmage felt like a complete failure.
“I need to find it at all costs.”
The scroll she followed had led her here.
A scroll she believed was closely tied to the lost Archives of Haven. A library rumored to hold the secrets of every world, every universe, every galaxy.
A lost mythical place that had survived the Great Epoch.
Soliette was certain that within the library’s pages laid the answer to the Black Dragon’s whereabouts.
There was the possibility of the dragon perishing after years in confinement, but then again, demons were still making their appearance. That meant, the dragon was still alive and breathing.
If the dragon was truly unsealed, the world would face catastrophe once again.
The weight of that responsibility was soul pressuring.
An Archmage who failed to stop the Black Dragon’s return would be remembered as nothing but a disgrace.
No, perhaps, there would be nothing to remember.
According to their estimates before the dragon disappeared, they only had nine years left before the seal would shatter.
“Nine years….” Soliette whispered to herself, clenching her staff. “I have to find it before then.”
* * *
Zen’s comet, a magical phenomenon that orbits the sun and becomes visible to the naked eye, was first recorded over 900 years ago. It was named by Archmage Rudra in honor of his master, Archmage Zen.
Based on its consistent pattern over the years, the comet’s next predicted appearance was set for October 13, 2022.
That day was today.
While festival preparations were still in progress, Astrid managed to take a break from her club committee duties.
Most of her club members weren’t part of the committee, so they had managed to squeeze in the trip on their schedules. However, not everyone could join.
Those confirmed for the trip were Charlotte, Ezra, Sophia, Elysia, Arnold, and Ethan.
“Astrid~!”
Sophia, carrying a pile of luggage and wearing sunglasses, climbed into the van. Astrid had arranged to pick everyone up.
“You….” Astrid, already seated, stared at her in disbelief. “Why do you look like you’re going on a vacation?”
“Isn’t it?” Sophia grinned. “Besides, you never know when you’ll need an extra outfit.”
“Extra outfit?” Astrid peeked at Sophia’s bags. “It looks like you packed your entire wardrobe.”
“There are outfits for several types of occasions,” Sophia confidently said. “Like hiking, casual sightseeing. You mentioned there was a pool too, right?”
“No?” Astrid raised an eyebrow. “What kind of trip did you think this was?”
Sophia shrugged and got in the van, still grinning. Astrid sighed and continued picking up the others.
First, they stopped for Arnold, then Ethan, followed by Elysia and Ezra, who both lived in the university dorms.
As they settled in, Sophia looked around. “Charlotte isn’t here?”
“Nope,” Elysia said. “She’s busy helping Professor Vanitas with their new house for now.”
“Is that so?”
Moments later, they had arrived at a location not too far from the university. It was close enough, but still private.
Standing by a large gate was Charlotte, wearing a small beret. Beside her were a couple of trolley bags, and next to her stood Professor Vanitas.
“Aww~ cute~” Sophia cooed, grinning. “He’s here to see his little sister off.”
She spoke confidently, thinking Professor Vanitas wouldn’t hear since the van doors were still closed.
Just the other day, Sophia had been called for a recitation by Professor Vanitas. The memory still made her shudder, recalling how embarrassed she was when she got the answer wrong.
Astrid eyed her for a moment, chuckling. Moments later, Sophia’s face paled.
The van doors opened, and Charlotte stepped inside, placing her bags neatly by the side.
“Good morning,” Charlotte greeted with a polite smile.
“Morning~!” Sophia said cheerfully. “All set?”
“Yes.”
“Good morning. You can sit with us,” Astrid said.
After their greetings, Charlotte nodded and took her place next to Elysia. Just as she settled in, the van door opened again, and Sophia’s face paled.
“Huh?”
The others, except for Astrid, Ezra, and Charlotte shared similar reactions as they watched Professor Vanitas climb into the van and settle into the front passenger seat.
Slam—
The door slammed shut. Vanitas exchanged a brief nod with the driver before turning his gaze to the students in the back.
“All set?” he asked.
“….”
“….”
“Yes,” Charlotte nodded.
“Didn’t know you were coming, Professor,” Ezra said casually, as if nothing was out of the ordinary.
Astrid, on the other hand, grinned triumphantly. “Glad you could make it, Professor.”
Vanitas glanced at her, noticing the mixed reactions from the others. His expression clearly said, ‘You didn’t tell them?’
Astrid met his gaze without missing a beat. Her eyes were practically saying, ‘They wouldn’t have come if I did.’
Vanitas let out a long sigh and leaned back in his seat. He didn’t care what the others thought. He was coming for the comet’s effects and to keep an eye on Charlotte.
Nothing more.
* * *
Mori Forest.
An expansive stretch of lush greenery, with towering trees, covering over 320,000 square kilometers.
Owned by the Imperial Family of Aetherion, the forest was known for its rich resources and the variety of magic beasts that habituated the environment.
For generations, the Aetherion family had used this land to test their magical abilities and conduct experiments.
But today, they were here for something else—stargazing.
“We’re here,” the driver announced as the van came to a stop.
Vanitas closed the book he had been reading and tucked it into his bag. He glanced back at the students, most of whom were still asleep, except for Astrid.
“Nnh….”
The others slowly woke, rubbing their eyes as Astrid gently nudged the sleeping Sophia on her shoulder.
“Wake up,” Astrid said, shaking her lightly.
Sophia groaned, stretching with a yawn. “Just five more minutes….”
“Nope. We’re here,” Astrid replied, standing up to stretch. “Come on, everyone, let’s get moving.”
Vanitas watched them with a neutral expression before stepping out of the van, taking in the fresh forest air.
“Hoo….”
Indeed, the mana here was much denser, and the air felt different from what he was used to. Just one deep inhale made his lungs feel cooler and more refreshed.
‘If I were exposed to this more often, would it slow down the cancer cells?’ he wondered.
“Wow~” Sophia stretched as she stepped out of the van, taking in the forest’s breathtaking scenery.
“Huukh! Sophia, why do you have so many bags?!” Ethan groaned.
Meanwhile, Arnold and Ethan struggled with several bags. They had made some sort of bet earlier—and lost. As a result, they were stuck carrying all the girls’ bags.
Astrid walked past them, and Ethan quickly turned to her. “Astrid…. could you, uh, maybe—”
Before he could finish, Astrid ignored him completely, pretending not to hear. It was obvious he wanted her to use her telekinesis to help.
Vanitas sighed, stepping forward and grabbing one of the heavier bags.
“Give me that.”
“Ah.… okay, professor,” Arnold said, handing it over hesitantly.
Vanitas noticed the shift in Arnold’s attitude. It was different from before. Maybe his thesis had changed their perception of him.
Just the recognition it brought was enough to validate everything he had said in the past.
“Uh….” Arnold hesitated. Ethan, standing beside him, looked like he wanted to say something too.
Vanitas glanced back at them, waiting.
“We’re sorry, professor.”
Vanitas was silent for a moment before nodding. “It’s fine. I didn’t think much of it anyway.”
Relief washed over their faces, and they quickly resumed carrying the bags.
Nearby, Sophia placed her hands on her hips and grinned.
——Wow, I didn’t expect that. The professor’s really different outside of the lecture hall, huh?
She whispered to Astrid, who simply placed a hand on her hip with a triumphant smile.
——Of course. As his favorite student, I can testify to it.
‘Huh?’
Vanitas just looked straight ahead with an incredulous expression. Favorite student? That was nonsense. As far as he was concerned, they were all equally annoying.
Shaking his head, he adjusted the bag on his shoulder and kept walking, pretending he hadn’t heard anything.
——Come on! The campsite is just ahead!
Astrid led the group forward. Charlotte, pulling her trolley, walked beside Vanitas.
“Don’t worry. Astrid told me a separate lodging was arranged for you. Meanwhile, we’ll be setting up tents and camping outside.”
“Is that so?” Vanitas glanced at her.
“Yes.” Charlotte nodded, looking around. “This place is really something. The concentration of spirits here is high.”
Vanitas observed the surroundings, noting the subtle changes in the air.
“Yeah, the mana quality is fluctuating. The spirits must be thriving on the mana essence right now.”
Charlotte then glanced at Arnold, Ethan, and Ezra, who were still carrying the heavy bags, before turning back to Vanitas.
“Looks like everything worked out in the end,” she said. “I talked to them a few weeks ago. They wanted to apologize to you but couldn’t find the right time. I’m glad they finally did.”
Vanitas remained silent for a moment before responding. “It doesn’t really matter anymore.”
Charlotte smiled gently. “Even so, it’s nice to clear things up, isn’t it?”
Vanitas simply hummed in response, focusing ahead as they approached the clearing where the campsite would be set up.
The area was surrounded by towering trees. Sunlight spilled through the canopy, the rays casting subtle lighting onto the grassy ground.
A perfect spot for their trip.
* * *
Indeed, the forest had been renovated to accommodate even the Imperial Family, perhaps for their occasional retreats or vacation.
A grand mansion stood at the heart of the forest. The trees had been cleared to a certain extent, and the place seemed to serve as their vacation house.
“Your room is here, Sir Vanitas,” a servant said with a polite bow.
Vanitas nodded, stepping inside. He placed his bags by the door and sat down on the bed, letting himself relax. The room was quite grand and spacious.
After about thirty minutes of rest, he stood up and decided to explore. Eventually, he made his way outside to the garden, where the students seemed to be setting up camp.
He saw no reason for it at all. They could’ve just stayed inside the mansion. However, they seemed to be quite eager to experience even a bit of outdoor life.
Especially Astrid, who seemed quite excited by the entire arrangement.
——Yes, set it up there!
——Hold that steady, Arnold!
——I am holding it steady!
Nearby, Sophia seemed to be fumbling with her tent’s fabric as her face twisted in frustration.
“This stupid thing doesn’t make any sense!”
“Maybe because you’re holding it upside down,” Ezra pointed out, not bothering to hide his amusement.
Sophia glared at him. “You think you’re so smart, huh? Then help me!”
“Pass.”
Meanwhile, Charlotte seemed to be struggling with her tent as well. What’s wrong with this generation?
He walked over and knelt beside her, picking up the tangled mess of fabric and poles.
“Let me see.”
Charlotte looked up, embarrassed. “I followed the instructions, but it still doesn’t look right.”
Vanitas glanced at the instruction manual she was holding upside down and flipped it the right way.
“That might be your first mistake.”
“….Oh.” Charlotte’s face turned red as she quickly looked away.
Vanitas started assembling the tent. First, he secured the poles then fastened the fabric. Charlotte watched closely, trying to learn.
“You don’t have to do it all for me.”
“I know,” Vanitas said, securing the final stake. “But it seems like the tent we bought was too complicated for you.”
“Thanks.”
Vanitas stood up, dusting off his hands. He glanced over to where Astrid was setting up her tent—suspended in mid-air.
“….”
She was clearly using her telekinesis to make the job easier.
“Could you do mine too, Astrid?” Sophia asked, still struggling with her tent.
“Yeah, once I’m done,” Astrid said, as she skillfully set up her tent, occasionally sneaking glances at Vanitas.
“….?”
Was she looking for approval?
* * *
As the evening settled, and everything was set up, the group enjoyed their lunch. Astrid then led them out to follow the itinerary she had planned, allowing them to experience some of the special activities the Imperial Family often enjoyed in the forest.
Meanwhile, Vanitas remained in the mansion’s living room, sipping his coffee while reading a book.
“Sir Vanitas,” a servant approached hesitantly, with a few others standing behind him. “If it’s not too much to ask, may we make a request?”
Vanitas set down his coffee and closed the book halfway, glancing at them.
“What is it?”
The servants exchanged nervous glances before one of them spoke.
“A few days ago, there were some disturbances in the forest.”
Vanitas’s brow twitched slightly.
Sensing his concern, the servant quickly added, “Ah, please don’t worry. It happened far from the main grounds, and the young miss is aware of the restricted areas. There shouldn’t be any danger.”
“I see.”
The servant sighed in relief and continued, “We sent some of the mages assigned to protect the forest to investigate, but…. they haven’t returned since.”
Vanitas leaned back slightly. “And you want me to look into it?”
“Y–Yes, sir. With your expertise in magic, we believe you might be able to figure out what’s going on.”
Vanitas glanced at them, tapping his fingers lightly on the book. “Why haven’t you informed the Imperial Family?”
“We did,” the servant replied. “But there’s been no response from the Emperor. Considering he hasn’t visited in over a decade, it seems this place isn’t a priority for him anymore.”
Vanitas rubbed his chin in deep thought. Moments later, it happened.
———「Special Act: Mori Forest」
「Rewards:」
◆ Understanding: +25%
◆ Purification: +10%
◆ Mental Fortitude: +20
————————————
It had been a while since he last received an Act trigger. But this time, it truly caught his interest.
Several rewards appeared—ones he recognized from the game. They started showing up all of a sudden.
If that was the case, just how challenging would this Special Act be?
And more importantly….
“Uh-huh.”
Could he take full advantage of it?
After thinking it over for a moment, he nodded.
“Alright. I’ll take a look.”