The Academy's Barbarian-Chapter 80.1 - A Changing Future (3)

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Around the time when the first exam was in full swing, Professor Dirac arrived at Zone 3.

The ambient light was scarce, impeded by the inability of sunlight to permeate the area. Yet, Dirac, seemingly at ease in such obscurity, kindled a lantern he had readied in advance.

With a resonant *Fwoosh!* the lantern cast a feeble radiance, just enough to discern a few paces ahead. Unfazed by the dim surroundings, Dirac navigated his way to the ultimate destination.

"Then, let's divide the tasks."

"I'll be in charge of collecting the Phosphorus stone," Sylphie replied as if she had been waiting for it.

Dirac tilted his head, "You? Can you do it?"

Yes, I have learned the identification method."

"That's not what I'm asking, I'm asking if you can gather eight kilograms. You don't seem very strong......." Dirac frowned slightly; With an expression that was not very reliable.

Sylphie, on the other hand, nodded, not the least bit intimidated, "It's okay, there's a way around it."

"Hmm, I understand. Then, I'll leave it to you."

"Yeah, I'll be back when I'm done collecting."

With that, she grabbed the small lantern and slipped out of sight. She still had an untrustworthy back, but Dirac soon dismissed it from his mind.

'Most importantly, now is...'

There was no time to spare.

Just before entering here, Dirac and Sylphie drank a specially made potion.

It was a potion designed to ward off hallucinations, and auditory delusions, one of the hallmarks of Zone 3.

'The effect is up to 1 hour.'

Going beyond that would pose difficulties. With no spare potions and, even if there were, consecutive consumption wouldn't enhance the effect. Therefore, Dirac headed straight for the lakeside.

One of two goals to gather Cryogenic Water.

When he finally arrived at the lakeshore

the clear green water greeted him. The water was so clear that the inside of the lake was visible, but it was not to be touched or drunk.

'There is a high concentration of mana inside.' Nearly the equivalent of an intermediate to top-grade mana stone, for each drop of water contains mana.

Contact with the skin would cause internal mana fluctuations, rendering the ability to use magic impossible for a while and increasing the risk of mana runaway.

If one were to drink that

without a doubt, mana poisoning would occur.

Therefore, it was necessary to avoid skin contact as much as possible when collecting water. Although not an easy task, Dirac had a solution.

'Arma's Disguise.'

An artifact resembling a leather waterskin, a costly magic tool with the capacity to contain up to 50 liters of any liquid. Upon making contact with the water's surface through its lid, it exhibited the remarkable ability to absorb liquid until reaching its maximum storage capacity.

"I'll have an ample supply within an hour."

Observing the swift absorption of water, Dirac maintained a tranquil smile. Now all that was left was to watch the water fill up.

Of course, he could go help Sylphie gather the Phosphorus stone, but he didn't bother. She had been confident enough earlier.

"Haaaah!"

Was it because he hadn't slept the night before? Dirac yawned lazily. As he gazed sleepily at the lake, a rather unusual sight suddenly came into view.

In the middle of the dimly lit lake, in stark contrast to the rest of Zone 3, a particular area radiated an unusual brightness, as if it were the only place touched by sunlight. Dirac narrowed his eyes, trying to fathom what lay there.

"......Zone 4."

A magical realm far more dangerous than this one.

Because if you use magic there, there's a one-hundred percent chance of mana poisoning.

However, strangely enough, those who have reached the realm of Master or Archmage can use mana in Zone 4 without any abnormalities.

For reasons unknown...

And...

his gaze shifted beyond Zone 4.

There, at the perfect center of the lake, unlike elsewhere, there existed a pond filled entirely with a newt-green hue. It was the source of mana, Zone 5, a true 'Fountain of Magic.'

According to records, the term 'Fountain of Magic' originally referred only to the pond near Zone 5. However, as time passed, the mana emanating from the Fountain of Magic gradually increased, influencing the surrounding lakeshores significantly.

And the result.

The surroundings became severely contaminated, to the extent that humans could hardly survive.

The guardians protecting the Fountain extended the term 'Fountain of Magic' to include the entire area affected by its harmful influence. Moreover, the intensity of the influence led to the division of the lake into zones, ranging from Zone 1 to Zone 4.

As Dirac pondered while gazing at the lake

"Hmm?"

his eyes suddenly widened; he sensed an unusual change in Zone 5 he had been observing just moments ago.

"Wait, just now......."

the water surface rippled. Of course, if the wind blew, the surface of the pond might ripple, but this was Zone 5an area renowned for its stillness, untouched by any light or wind.

Due to this, legends had emerged.

If the waters of Arsene stirred, it foretold the imminent opening of the Gates of the Abyss.

Did I see it wrong?

Dirac blinked in confusion. He looked back at the surface of Zone 5. Then, at that moment, the water's surface rippled once more.

"......!"

He had not been mistaken. This time, he clearly saw it. Why was the water's surface rippling? Had the records erred in claiming no wind touched this place?

All sorts of questions raced through his mind as he continued to gaze at Zone 5.

And from that moment, he began to feel strange.

How could it be described? As time passed, a hazy feeling washed over him, like waves crashing. It felt as if he were quickly succumbing to something, becoming lethargic.

'I want to keep watching.'

Why was the water's surface rippling? What lay inside? Questions he wouldn't usually ponder dominated his thoughts.

As he couldn't tear his gaze away...

Oh, one who peers into the Abyss.

Suddenly, a mysterious voice echoed. No, it wasn't heardit resonated directly in his mind. Normally, he would have been alarmed and wary, but the current Dirac didn't react that way. He simply accepted the voice without question.

Do not take your gaze off the abyss.

This is the only path that leads to the truth.

Come forth. I will give you what you want.

The more he listened to the voice, the more he felt his consciousness being drawn away; his body grew heavy, and drowsiness enveloped him. As his consciousness began to fade...

"Professor!"

a sudden urgent cry rang out.

At the same time, someone hugged his waist.

"Come to your senses, Professor!"

It was a familiar voice.

The moment he recognized it, Dirac snapped out of it.

"Huh......?"

The first thing he saw was the transparent green water.

The next thing he saw was Sylphie desperately hugging him around the waist. Blinking, Dirac mumbled in a daze, "What... is this situation?"

"You were suddenly trying to go into the lake, so I came to stop you. Are you okay now?!"

"I was trying to go into the lake?"

"That's right. Don't you remember?"

He didn't remember. It couldn't be.

He knew better than anyone the dangers of the lake, the Cryogenic water, of Zone 3.

However, there was one thing that was more certain than anything else.

"This is......."

The place where he was currently standing.

If he had taken one more step forward, he would have fallen into the lake immediately.

Gulp!

He swallowed hard, feeling a chill run down his spine.

He tried to recall what had just happened, but strangely enough, he couldn't remember it. All he could remember was staring at the lake.

I feel like I heard a voice

A voice that washed over him like waves. However, he only remembered hearing the voice; the contents remained elusive. Could it be that the potion's effects had worn off, causing him to hallucinate? While pondering this thought, Sylphie's voice tapped at Dirac's ears.

"Phosphorus stone. I've gathered it all."

A bag filled with Phosphorus stone; a total of 10 kilograms, which seemed like a lot.

It must have been challenging to find them in the darkness, but Sylphie had managed to collect such a quantity in such a short time. The reason for her confidence was now evident.

"It seems the cryogenic water is also fully absorbed."

Arma's disguise, which could no longer absorb water, was carefully closed, and Dirac lifted it out with mud. However, he couldn't move it far. Naturally.

The effect of Arma's disguise was limited to merely storing 50L of water. However, it couldn't make the water lighter.

After a while, having completed the collection goal, Dirac posed the question that had intrigued him.

"Now how are we going to carry them?"

"Well, we'll use this."

Sylphie pulled out a mysterious, green-glowing stone from her bosom. Dirac immediately recognized what it was.

"Is that a return stone?"

"Yes, it is. It normally takes us to the main gate, but the count had it modified so that it would take us to the northern outskirts instead."

The return stone was a magical tool that could only be used within the Arsene Academy. And if they went to the outskirts, they would be less likely to be seen by others.

"And there will be a carriage waiting for us at the north gate, so you don't have to worry about anything else."

Dirac was relieved to hear this. It meant that they had a perfect way to get back to the mansion.

Just before they left, Sylphie turned to him with a curious look on her face, "I have a question."

"What is it?"

"I saw some mana stones near the border of Zone 4. Were they yours, Professor?"

"Mana stones?"

"Yes, they were mostly top-grade mana stones. I'd say there were about six of them."

Six top-grade mana stones.

The moment he heard about them, a greedy glint passed through Dirac's eyes. Top-grade mana stones were not only valuable items but also essential materials for his research.

Was that why? Dirac coughed in disbelief, "Cough! Yes, they were mine."

A lie told with a naturally virtuous face.

Without changing his expression, he continued to answer her question, "I had left them there temporarily because I had too much luggage the last time I was here."

"Ah, so that's what happened, I see."

After a silent nod, Sylphie turned away.

"Well, I'll be going now."

"I see. Give my regards to the Count."

"Yes. Please be careful."

After a brief farewell, Sylphie used the return stone, holding the bag full of Phosphorus stone and Arma's Disguise.

Paah!

A blaze of pure white light soon erupted and a moment later, Sylphie was nowhere to be seen, and at that moment, Dirac kicked the ground in a hurry. He had somewhere to go.

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

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