Chapter 193: Message

Since we entered, our group dispersed, and I was left alone in a strange place.

Arid and dry, everything seemed dead.

When we arrived, we found the night.

Everything was dark and the worst thing was that there were too many monsters.

Thanks to our communication devices, we could contact each other and regroup.

After performing the ritual to the Goddess of Order to warn of our successful arrival, we hid trying to plan our aim and in the end, after discussion, we decided to explore.

Then, the day arrived.

We would like to believe so, as everything looked gray and dark, as if dense clouds had covered it.

The monsters became more savage and began their unbridled attack.

They were not intelligent and that allowed us to move forward, but the more we explored, the more we realized the ‘Chaos’.

We came to completely corrupted areas where plants had come to life and attacked anything they saw.

Grotesque roots like tentacles of some vile creature were waving everywhere.

At every moment, it was difficult to perform a ritual because every time we tried; the monsters sensed the aura and came closer to stop us.

They had no intelligence, but they are wild and instinctive attacking everything in their path.

At night, it was freezing, and sometimes it was impossible to rest.

The worst thing is that time feels different... How do I put it?

How many days have passed on earth?

At that moment we have been here for three days and several hours if my sense of time does not fail me.

The place is big, our space mage says it doesn’t feel like a small dimension because this place is so stable.

We don’t understand our reason for being here; we haven’t picked up any signals and haven’t found anything but contaminated soil and monsters.

Why were the abyssal portals created?

We don’t know and in the end; I don’t think the gods will tell us.

Our first objective is to find the exit to prepare for our next moves.

Whether to receive reinforcements or to retreat, everything depends on this first step.

If it is possible, and we can perform a ritual, we will try to keep in communication.

-Leader of the first expedition in the Abyssal Portals.

******

Aurora read the letter with a solemn expression.

This was a copy of the letter that had reached the Church of Order that was waiting near the Abyssal Portals.

Using the Goddess of Order to communicate, those inside could send a ‘letter’ in the form of thoughts that the priest got through the power of his goddess.

That ‘letter’ as was the form of communication, was sent to the authorities and to Greece, getting Urfin to send it to her.

This was information that was considered confidential, and its distribution was strictly forbidden.

Despite trying to appear normal in the letter, Aurora could sense a slight anxiety from the other party.

What was worse was that the abyssal portals at the moment were self-sealed and would not let reinforcements in or anyone out.

Was this another calamity?

That question came to her mind.

“Oh, it’s good...”

“Yes, quite remarkable. One flaw or two, but she’s talented. I like the way she uses her combat aura.”

Two voices sounded near her and Aurora stopped thinking about such things and looked at her two elderly masters, who were watching Nicole’s sparring.

They were replaying Nicole’s fights throughout the international tournament.

Perhaps because this boundless white place seemed to have nothing and the old man only meditated, the old woman was encouraged by having something to distract herself with.

Aurora put the letter aside, as she knew she could do nothing but wait, like much of the world, and concentrated on the old woman.

The old woman was watching the fights and muttering about the mistakes Nicole was making, from ways of moving, controlling the body, and even the way she used magical energy and combat aura.

She was just watching a projection and was basically a spectator, but even from such the old woman could find mistakes with a simple glance.

“So what about it?” Aurora asked with a curious tone and an expectant look when it was all over.

“She’s good... Well, good enough for someone who, a year ago, was an inexperienced one,” the old woman said and looking at Aurora, gave a smile and commented. “I know you want it, but it’s hard for me to give it to you.”

Aurora wasn’t surprised to learn that the old woman knew her intention.

It wasn’t as if her masters could look at her like her system did, but it was very obvious.

This was the first time she had been shown the details of another student, and even when talking about her old teacher.

“Why?” Aurora asked sincerely, staring at her.

If someone were to say that she was stooping down to look at the old woman like a puppy begging for food, then she would certainly deny it, even if it was actually the opposite.

The old woman who was her master approached... Actually, calling her ‘old woman’ was just to be on equal footing with the old man, but the woman was quite admirable.

Her hair was grayish-white, and she was about two meters tall while she had a sculpted physique that showed certain muscles.

While she was an older-looking woman, it wasn’t enough to call her strictly old and even less so when she took such good care of herself.

Aurora had to lift her head to look the old woman in the eyes.

“I’m inside a dimension in the middle of...” the old woman said and paused as if she didn’t remember the place.

“Africa...” whispered the old man, his expression not changing.

“Exactly. Do you think I can teach someone well from this place?” Questioned the old woman and, crossing her arms, she looked at Aurora and stated. “I don’t like to take just anyone as my apprentice, either.”

Hearing those last words, Aurora couldn’t help but point to herself.

As if to say she was just anyone, and the old woman’s response was...

“Yes, I learn from my mistakes,” the old woman said nodding tensely and seeing Aurora’s expression tremble, she laughed and commented. “Before I choose my next apprentice, I wish to see her carefully before I act out of boredom.”

Aurora didn’t know how to feel at the response.

They sounded like a joke, but at the same time they were so sincere, she made the old man let out a well-hidden chuckle.

There were so many problems and flaws with the performance of her two masters, Aurora had many points to question.

From the overwhelming strength, skill, and ability that was unknown on earth or just this place being so ‘different’ in multiple ways.

“That being said, I like that child, but...” the old said woman and pointing to the silent elder who was sitting down to meditate, she added. “You know, we’re in this place and blah, blah, blah.”

She didn’t even try to go on with her ‘backstory’ and practically pointed out that she didn’t want to upset the old man and, for that reason, she stopped.

Both of them had maintained this lie for many years and Aurora truly respected her master and admired him despite the secrets and perhaps that was the reason why neither of them wished to reveal the truth.

Knowing it was a lie and both trying to keep it even though there were too many flaws was a way to keep their relationship the same.

Like Aurora, they were keeping their relationship with their system... Perhaps greater, because if one secret was revealed, then the other secrets would have to come out.

That meant that if she spoke to her master seriously, then her relationship with her system would have to come out.

“While I respect the old man, I like to see him get angry, so I’ll see the young lady for now. If I eventually like her... Well, maybe things will change,” the old woman declared and, giving a laugh, she announced. “It takes a lot of courage to try to stop me.”

Aurora, watching that woman having to lift her head to look her in the eye, nodded like a chick, agreeing wholeheartedly.

As someone who had tasted the old woman’s fists and endured the force, Aurora was sure that even the old man would not come out unscathed if he confronted her.

“For now, just tell her to try to further condense her combat aura into her armor. If it’s like a mattress now, why not make it as hard as a steel wall? And then a mountain? Her opponents would hesitate to engage in combat on someone with such a defense,” the old woman said simply, and giving a smile at the shocked look she wore, she added. “As for her burst of strength, it is peculiar, but I can tell that is not her limit. She has to practice it and control it, then push her limit even further.”

Aurora nodded, remembering all that advice and making sense of it.

When she hit Nicole’s armor, it felt like a cushion that repelled some of the force and reduced some of the impacts, avoiding causing damage.

Cutting weapons or stabbing weapons might have reduced velocity, but others could get through that defense.

However, the situation changed when she transformed into a steel wall, as her master mentioned.

Even a fighter who struck directly would have his arms numbed, let alone a swordsman whose sword could be stopped before it touched Nicole herself.

If to that defense was added the innate stamina of a fighter’s body, then Nicole truly would be a ‘tank’.

“As for her technique, just help her and train as you do with me,” the old woman recommended seriously.

Aurora’s expression quivered and looking at the old woman’s serious expression, she asked. “Basically beat her up?”

That was the ‘way’ she trained... Aurora would come to this place, get a beating from the old woman, and then another more methodical beating from the old man.

The old woman’s blow was more painful because basically, it was as if she was using her as a punching bag.

Of course, Aurora understood that this way was working on instinct, quick response, and muscle memory when defending herself.

The technique was important, but it was also clear that there were fighters capable of being terrifying just by using their instincts... In the same way, that some magical beasts were terrifying because of their keen instincts.

“Exactly. A swordsman uses his sword and they try to turn it into a third arm, but for us, our whole body is a weapon. To temper, our body and instincts are to sharpen our sword,” the old woman announced, and giving a smile, she added. “That’s why we call ourselves fighters and not martial artists.”

She was not belittling martial arts, but just like a swordsman, those martial artists had to put emphasis on their techniques.

A fighter was only supposed to focus on her body to resist the blows and use her instincts to compensate for the technique.

Aurora understood that this path was not the only one, and it was only the path that the old woman had taken and taught.

Very different from the old man who taught her the technique and the art in a quest to make her appreciate it.

“Thank you, master, for your teaching,” Aurora replied, bowing subtly and looking at both of them she stated. “And thank you both for helping me.”

The old man opened his eyes and, tapping his katana, nodded without saying too much.

For her part, the old woman only smiled as if it wasn’t a matter of concern.

Aurora, seeing them, disappeared and arrived at the hotel room.

Unfortunately, the tips Aurora had got were going to have to wait, because at this point, the semifinals were approaching.

******

Arriving at the door of a room, Aurora looked at Cithrel and Venali, who were accompanying her.

“Is that okay with you?” Aurora asked curiously.

She was pointing to a document that was in their hands and in which was the letter.

Passing these documents was forbidden and while Aurora received them for the simple reason that she worked for Urfin, she took its distribution seriously.

It was not for fear of the laws, but to avoid getting Urfin into trouble.

The Zerzura authorities had already obtained it through Cardinal Brousseau and now she wished to reveal it to Elder Kernen.

“Yes, no one will complain, even if they find out,” Cithrel replied, and giving a casual smile, she brought her face close and murmured. “Though I would like to ‘charge’ you for my services...”

Her tone carried a hint of ambiguity, and when Aurora met Cithrel’s gaze in predatory mode, she felt like an insecure little bunny.

Without her sister by her side, she was defenseless against the gallant knight’s tactics.

Without pausing at that moment, unlike before, Cithrel subtly reached over and, with her finger, stroked Aurora’s ear, causing her to turn red.

“Yes, you look cute, embarrassed. Better than that serious expression you’ve been wearing lately,” Cithrel said, smiling slightly amused.

Aurora, who had been getting embarrassed by the closeness and by the gallant knight’s very charming caress, froze at those words.

She could not deny that before such a beautiful woman everyone would fall for the charm, however, this time instead of blatant flirtation, she sought to encourage her.

Leaving Aurora speechless.

“I’m interested in you, I don’t deny it... In a way, you can’t imagine,” Cithrel announced and with a hearty smile, added. “But you are my friend. If it makes you feel good to reveal these documents, or if it makes you feel good for me to put you in contact with Urfin, then I will help you.”

Taking a distance as if their closeness had not happened before, she gave her a friendly smile.

“When you get to my position, it is very difficult to have friends. Either have interested in power, wealth, authority through my friendship, or they wish to get into my bedchamber for the future title of emperor or treat me as their ‘lord’,” Cithrel said casually.

Venali’s expression, who was watching as if she was an observer, turned serious as she heard about the interested parties and Cithrel continued.

“That’s why I cherish my friendships. My true friendships,” Cithrel revealed, and seeing that Aurora had a serious look of a different kind, she added. “Sure, you can try to get into my bedroom, too.”

Aurora’s expression quivered and, unable to resist, she laughed.

Cithrel’s last words were a joke that intermingled some truth in them and while they were said to reduce the seriousness of the speech and to make it not feel so heavy.

That Venali wanted to blend in so as not to disturb her Mistress didn’t help Aurora’s laughter subside.

“No thanks, I don’t wish to give Taqiyya competition,” Aurora commented half-jokingly and half-seriously, knocking on the door.

Before anyone opened the door, Cithrel came up to her ear.

“Don’t worry, Taqiyya won’t bother... She can even join in,” Cithrel whispered before turning away.

An alluring and ambiguous whisper, which managed to make Aurora turn red and tremble with embarrassment, being totally affected.

Even if she didn’t look it, Aurora was still a lady!

She had prioritized her work and goals so much that her first romantic approach happened with her ‘stalker’... And the way everything was going with her role-playing games, it certainly wasn’t anything ‘normal’.

“...”

The door opened, and Elder Kernen fell silent at the sight of her expression.

Aurora tried to cough away her shyness and Elder Kernen controlled his expression like an expert and, stepping aside, signaled for them to come in.

“Come in, come in. We are waiting for you,” the elder mentioned wisely, keeping silent.

Entering and thanking Elder Kernen for his kindness, Aurora couldn’t help but give a serious look to Cithrel, who was giving a smile as if she was enjoying this situation.

“Oh, Aurora, are you sick?” Rupert asked as he noticed her flushed cheeks and, hesitating for a moment, commented. “Is it hot outside? Come, eat something. You’ll recover.”

Cithrel chuckled subtly, and Elder Kernen shook his head with trembling lips, retreating to the kitchen quickly.

Aurora wanted to imagine that the laughter coming from the kitchen was her imagination and since she didn’t want to know the truth, she preferred to control her emotions and accept Rupert’s fruit.

“The mages at Merlin Academy are too scary,” Rupert muttered, turning his gaze to the large screen in front.

That large screen was divided into smaller screens, letting them see the entire battlefield.

Now the Merlin Academy Semi-Final was taking place against the Elementalist Academy.

They had faced each other before and even though the Elementalist Academy had improved and showed greater ability than before, the Merlin Academy was not far behind.

A war of mages versus elementalists was taking place on several small battlefields.

Like those who came second in the computer tournaments, Merlin Academy was using a communication network through technology and was showing impeccable ability.

Everything was heading towards the Elementalist Academy’s loss, and even though they were employing the weapons with powerful attacks that were lying on the battlefield, they could not turn the tide.

The terrain they were facing was a plain, so it was difficult to hide and it was a combat of ranged attacks.

Spells were flying on both sides like bright fireworks.

“Whichever academy wins will face a tough opponent,” Cithrel pointed out earnestly.

The next match would be Cernunnos Academy versus Heroes Academy... The former allies were about to fight and only one of them could go to the finals for a chance to become champion.

“It’ll be fun,” Rupert growled, and watching, Aurora revealed his teeth and announced. “So, do you trust your little ones?”

For a gorilla as big and powerful as Rupert, the students they were accompanying were ‘little ones’... It showed their closeness.

And while not all the students were Aurora’s ‘little ones’, when it came to the group of always, she would be proud to say that they were her peers and ‘her’ students.

So the only possible answer…

“Of course!” Aurora exclaimed and looking at Rupert, she questioned. “What about you? Do you think you’ll be able to beat us?”

Rupert’s gaze narrowed at that obvious challenge.

Being struck down by a massive and powerful three-meter gorilla would terrify anyone... Only this time they looked like children looking at each other as if they had a rivalry.

“Come on, stop acting like that,” Elder Kernen interjected and when they both looked at him, he laughed and declared. “We can always bet and let the youngsters decide the winner.”

They all laughed, and Aurora clearly agreed.

Make a bet using the students?

It looked wrong and might even be wrong, but it was a way to have fun that would only remain among the small group present.