"But that brings us to the question, what is the researcher using something that only sucks in mana to do?" Blake's question put everybody into deep thoughts.

"As it said in the journal, it doesn't go well with organic matter meaning it can't be too close to the user, thereby removing the idea of an equipment..." Brian said.

​​

"Well, that leaves us with the same idea we all have, war." Castiel and Brian nodded to Blake's words.

[According to the journal, it mentioned the nova crystals undergoing multiple tests, meaning they surely have many uses just that we don't know about them.

As for your conjecture, you are right about it being for war. They could be used to make very powerful artifacts with devastating effects that could easily turn the tide of battle.] The system said.

"I would have love to take a closer look at the nova crystals, but who knows what would happen to me when I come in contact with one." Blake shook his head in disappointment when he realized that such a groundbreaking discovery in the field of forbidden magic couldn't be studied.

Unknown to all of them, the nova crystals were more like portable mana reactors with bottomless capacities, which were currently being charged.

(AN: If you are wondering why I called it a reactor instead of a battery, it will be explained soon.)

If the assigned trigger was activated, their polarities would be reversed causing them to pour out more than 10 times the amount of mana they had accumulated over the centuries.

After close to 30 minutes of trying to find new info about the nova crystals, the trio returned to the laboratory and began planning their next move.

"From what we've seen so far, we are most likely in a research facility, but considering how deserted it is, the universal language used in the journal, and the number of years the researcher had spent on the nova crystals, it is safe to say this is a secret ancient research facility..." Blake said.

"We haven't seen any creepy thing so far, so let's keep our fingers crossed that this isn't one of those creepy ones we read about in web novels." Brian's words sent chills down their spine when they remembered ugly stories they had read back on Earth.

"Back to the topic…" Blake was the first to snap out of his reverie. "Does anyone of you have any idea of the layouts of a research facility, magical ones, or those back on Earth?"

"Don't know much but one thing I know is that those on earth have multiple exists for people to evacuate the facility in case an accident occurred and also for the firefighters to easily access the building..." Brian said.

"But in this case we are underground and the only way people could evacuate is through a tunnel or a warp gate." Blake said. "As for the shaft I am not too sure because we have no idea how deep underground the facility is and since it is supposed to be a secret, I don't think anyone would want to give away their position by making a tunnel."

"If that is so, then our journey will be quite troublesome because if this place was meant to be a secret then people wouldn't be able to warp in and out of here easily in other to prevent traitors and spies from divulging information." Castiel's line of thought made Blake ponder for a while.

"Meaning there should be warp gates at selected parts of the research facility just like the magic school..." Brian said in a delighted tone, this was the first good news he had gotten in a while.

[Hold your horses, before you guys do anything you should hear my own part.] The system had Blake communicate with them.

[You guys are correct about the warp gates, but one thing I know for sure is that guards, in most cases golems and other forms of mechanical security are usually placed at the entrance and exits of every research facility.]

They are even meant to be patrolling the corridors, but since we have arrived we haven't even caught a scent of one, making it very odd. So, I advise that whatever decision you guys take, you should bear in mind that things are out there.] The system advised.

The system's words made the trio seriously consider their next cause of action because the research facility had a lot of question marks written all over it.

One important question they asked themselves was, what could cause the entire place to be deserted without leaving any signs of a battle. The thought made them shiver because everyone knew that something that could have such a level of control was beyond them.

After 30 more minutes of planning, the trio decided to continue their journey the next day. According to the systems time, they had spent close to 2 days in the research facility meaning they still had quite some time before they ran out of food.

Blake hadn't gotten to rest after he cracked the last array causing him to doze off after dinner.

The next day (According to the system), the trio set out on their journey to locate the exit, but unlike last time they didn't meet any array even when they arrived at a junction that branched to the right.

Without bickering, the trio kept moving straight because according to their maps they were on the outskirts and it was logical to cover the outer layer before going deeper.

When they reached a double door similar to the one they just came from, the trio was afraid that they were stuck in a loop.

[They are similar arrays protecting the doors, but I am pretty sure they are different things.] After the system had confirmed they weren't in a loop, Blake immediately went to work, while Castiel and Brian began cultivating.

"First 2 down, now for the main thing." In less than 30 minutes, Blake was surprisingly done with the least troublesome arrays and was about to face his two arch enemies.