The Academy’s Barbarian - Chapter 81: A Changing Future (4)

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In every strand of mana, there exists a hue; different mages have different colors of mana, and the mana present in the atmosphere display an array of various hues.

Of course, it’s not yet known what the colors are based on.

Yet, there is one distinct color with a clear rationale — ‘Ashen.’

It bears the same shade as the remnants of burnt ashes. This particular mana color is beyond the possession of any mage. In fact, it is impossible for any living being, regardless of being a mage, to wield Ashen magic.

‘Why is that? Because this mana…….’

…exists only in the Abyss.

In other words, only creatures born of the abyss, monsters, or those who have forsaken their humanity in devotion to the abyss i.e, Abyss Worshippers can wield this unique mana hue.

However, at this very moment, a wielder of Ashen mana appeared before them. Professor Dirac emerged from Zone 3.

Immediately upon spotting him, Noah unconsciously took a step back; not only due to the ashen color of the mana but primarily because of the sheer quantity of mana.

Even from a distance, the overwhelming amount of mana was evident. Noah’s complexion turned pale in the face of the expanding mana, threatening to erupt at any moment.

‘He hasn’t turned into a monster yet, but…….’

…But she couldn’t let her guard down either.

If he had that much ashen mana in his body, it wouldn’t be strange if he turned into a monster at any time.

That’s why she couldn’t take her eyes off him.

Dilia shared the same sentiment.

“…….”

Her face stiffened like stone. Dilia stared at Professor Dirac with wary eyes. Meanwhile, she subtly completed her magic incantation. If Professor Dirac were to do anything stupid, she could use her magic at any moment.

On the other hand, Ulan’s reaction was different.

“It broke again.”

Ulan stuck his improvised mana detector into a nearby rock. He didn’t seem to care about Professor Dirac at all.

It was no wonder.

The only ones who realized that Professor Dirac’s condition was strange at the moment were Noah and Dilia, who could see mana with their naked eyes. Ordinary people like Ulan, who can’t see mana, wouldn’t feel any discomfort unless Professor Dirac turned into a monster.

“Ah, Professor, you have arrived?”

“Did your mission go well?”

As soon as they found Professor Dirac, the proof was the nonchalant words of the supervisors.

The ashen mana that flowed from him enveloped their bodies, but they didn’t seem to notice anything out of the ordinary.

“By the way, are you all right?”

“You don’t look well…….”

“Is there anything wrong with you?”

The supervisors sounded worried.

They had every right to be. By now, Professor Dirac’s complexion had turned jet black with no blood; his eyes were bloodshot, his skin was sallow, and he looked haggard overall. Professor Dirac nodded weakly, “I-I ……am not in good shape.”

A very hoarse voice came back, akin to scraping a sheet of iron.

Even without seeing his face, the condition could be felt just by listening to his voice. His voice was so raspy that it suggested a dreadful state.

“So, I’m wondering if I can leave the rest of the exam to you guys? My body has been feeling heavy since a while ago.”

“Oh, yes, of course.”

“Leave it to us.”

As a firm answer came back, Professor Dirac nodded slightly and then sat down in a simple chair arranged in the examination venue. Then, he lowered his head, showing no signs of movement.

By the time Professor Dirac had rejoined the exam, the second exam had been completed.

“We’ll start the written exam right away!”

“Everyone, please move to your designated seats!”

The supervisors pointed to the simple desks and chairs that had already been installed.

Noah and Dilia couldn’t take their eyes off Professor Dirac as they took their seats.

Some time later…

…after making sure all the students were seated—

“The exam begins!”

…the last exam of the midterm period — the written exam on mana detection — had begun.

* * * * *

Meanwhile, at that time…

…in a dim and damp cave where the sun’s rays never reached, hundreds of mages had gathered — mages of all ages, without distinction of gender or age.

They had two things in common: one is that they are all officially wanted by the Tower, and the other is that they are all the wielders of ashen magic.

This fact bore only one implication: they were all Abyss Worshipers.

“At last, the day has come.”

“Is this the fifth experiment?”

“I wonder what the results will be this time.”

The annual assembly of Abyss Worshipers was underway and today’s topic of conversation was definitely the ‘experiment’.

At this sight, Regens Autre, one of the elders of the Order and organizers of today’s gathering, silently observed the conversations among the worshipers.

And then…

…a soft voice tapped his ear.

“Me, Master.”

The voice belonged to a girl in her mid-teens; her hair was as black as the deep sea, and she was a disciple that Regens had taken in his old age.

She was also a mage of great talent and aptitude, and an Abyss Worshipper.

“What is it, Estelle?”

“What is an experiment?”

As soon as he spoke, Estelle asked the question as if she had been waiting for it.

At this, Regens tilted his head, “Hmm? I haven’t explained it yet, have I?”

“Yes, I heard it for the first time.”

“I see. Then let me explain it to you.”

The ‘experiment’ was one of the great works of the Order. It was a type of mission that all worshipers of the abyss must know. So Regens immediately moved his lips.

“In a nutshell, an experiment means to artificially open a rift.”

“What? A rift?”

“I mean a rift in the abyss.”

“……!”

Her pupils dilated in an instant. Estelle exclaimed, taken aback, “Is that, like, possible?!”

“Yes, it is possible. If three conditions are met.”

“What conditions?”

“A place, materials, and ability,” Regens’ eyes deepened, “Firstly, the location must be near the Gates of the Abyss. In other words, it’s only possible to conduct the experiment around the Fountain of Magic, Arsen.”

The location was challenging in itself. Currently managed by the world’s top educational institution, the Arsene Academy, the Fountain of Magic was declared a neutral zone through an agreement between the Empire, the Holy Kingdom, and the Kingdom Alliance. With so many eyes on it, it was not a suitable place for an Abyss Worshipper to operate.

“Next, as for materials, you’ll need six top-grade mana stones. It is used to place one at each pole of the sextuple star.”

The materials were also the same; top-grade mana stones weren’t something you could obtain with money alone. There were only a limited number of them available each year, while the number of mages who wanted them was like the stars.

“Finally, all that is required is a caster who possesses the knowledge and ability to open the rift in the abyss by utilizing the two conditions explained above,” Regens’ gaze deepened.

“……That last condition is the most difficult. Are there any such mages in the Order?”

“There is only one.”

“Who is it?”

“Deflyn Chernihiv.”

Dean of the Arsene Academy’s Department of Magic, and an archmage who has lived for over a hundred years. Although not officially part of the Order, she had built a close collaboration with them.

Estelle closed her mouth at the mention of Deflyn’s name, as if there were no room for objection.

But it was only for a moment.

She opened her mouth again and tilted her head, “But is there a reason to go to such lengths to open a rift?”

“What do you mean?”

“Even if we force open a rift, it doesn’t mean the Gates of the Abyss will open. So why invest such a large amount of funds….?”

Why are you trying to open the rift in the abyss? Estelle asked curiously, to which Regens stroked his beard, “I know it seems pointless, but this experiment is in line with our Order’s ultimate goal.”

“Really? In what way?”

“Because the more rifts we open, the sooner the Gates to the Abyss will open.”

“R-r-r-really?!”

“Yes. Perhaps in this era, we might witness the spectacle of the Gates to the Abyss opening.”

Estelle was dumbfounded by this answer. When she first heard the explanation, she didn’t think it had anything to do with the Gate to the Abyss, but this was a different story.

At the heart of Arsen, opening the Gates to the Abyss had been a long-standing desire and mission of the Order.

“I see. So that’s why…”

….this was why everyone was paying attention to the experiment.

Estelle finally seemed to understand and nodded. Regens gently patted his disciple’s head with a smile.

“And besides, there’s another reason for this.”

“What reason?”

“To secure the abyss monsters.”

“Oh, like Candira?”

“Yes. When the rift opens, we use beast carcasses and such as bait to lure abyss monsters from the other side of the rift into this world.”

At the moment Estelle heard this explanation, her eyes widened suddenly, as if she had realized something. After a moment, she spoke with a trembling voice, “You don’t mean to say that the Candira currently being raised by the Order…….”

“They all came through the rift,” Regens said as if to drive the point home.

It was the moment when the reason for the Abyss Worshippers’ ability to call upon Abyss monsters was revealed, even though the Gates to the Abyss had not yet been opened.

And then, at that moment, Estelle’s eyes shone again, “I have one more question.” Her eyes glowed with academic curiosity. Soon, the question came pouring in, “If we use humans, rather than livestock, as sacrifices for abyss monsters, will we be able to summon more powerful abyss monsters?”

“Of course. The grade of the sacrifice is determined by the concentration of mana. The denser the concentration, the stronger the Abyss monster that appears.”

As soon as Regens finished answering, Estelle gave him a questioning look, “So, if you sacrifice a mage, you’ll be able to……!”

“It depends on the level of the mage being sacrificed, but roughly speaking, assuming it’s an advanced-level mage, we should be able to summon abyss attendants.”

“……What? Abyss attendants?!”

Abyss attendants meant the direct subordinates of those who ruled the Abyss. They were monsters whose class was entirely different from ordinary demons.

“And if, when the rift opens, there are more mages nearby, there is also the possibility of the Ruler of the Abyss reacting.”

“……!?”

Estelle’s expression shifted from astonishment to amazement; calling the Rulers of the Abyss to this world was one of the Order’s aspirations, after all.

But it was only for a moment.

A sobering response was given to the elation.

“But in reality, it’s not possible.”

“What? Why…….”

“Think about the location where the experiment takes place. The answer will come to you quickly.”

The moment she heard that answer, Estelle finally had a realization.

Because the place where the rift in the Abyss opened was none other than the Arsene Academy.

A neutral zone attracting attention from all nations.

If a mage was to be offered as a sacrifice here? If that resulted in the appearance of the Abyss attendants? Then surely there would be a thorough investigation.

“…It’s going to be troublesome.”

“That’s right. That’s why we don’t attempt it.”

If that were to happen, the Abyss Worshippers’ position would become even more restricted. Perhaps the Empire would actively pursue and hunt down the Order.

So, it simply wasn’t done.

Regens drew a clear line.

Some time later, as the two priests concluded their conversation, there was a sudden report.

“Elder, we’ve received a message from Chernihiv.”

“She says the experiment is about to begin.”

The experiment was about to begin. Regens’ eyes sank at this report. He wasn’t the only one.

Estelle, as well as the other Abyss Worshippers in the cave, had a fierce glare when they realized what the experiment was.

“I wonder what the results will be this time.”

Hundreds of pairs of eyes glowed in the darkness.

The worshippers all looked to the south — to the center of the continent, the place where this experiment would begin.

— to the Fountain of Magic, Arsen.

(End of Chapter. . . . . . . .Thanks for Reading. . . . . . . . . )

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