Free Web NovelChapter 178: Phlegra Continent [2]
Chapter 177
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Episode 42 - Phlegra Continent [2]
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When I passed through the Portal Door, an intense cold ran through my entire body.
I used mana almost instinctively, covering myself and forming a layer around my body.
Before me was a vast hall filled with doors. There was even heating, but the cold was still piercing.
’Damn, it’s this cold even inside here. How cold must it be where we’re going?’
The cadets around me shivered from the cold of the place. They soon used mana and stopped trembling.
Before long, we gathered together and returned to our ranks. Then Professor Ashly shouted, drawing everyone’s attention.
"Welcome to Orlock City, located at the northernmost edge of the Phlegra Continent."
"And before you say anything, cadets, no, this is not where we’re going. Our destination is quite far from this city, so we’ll be taking an airship, since access by magic or any other method is not permitted."
"It will take about twenty hours of travel to reach our destination. Now, everyone must follow the professors."
On both sides of Professor Ashly, the professors from the different classes began walking and leaving the hall where we were.
Shortly afterward, the cadets standing in line followed the professors.
"An airship, wow, we’re really going to ride something like that."
Beside me, Rinna spoke excitedly, probably because she had never left the Imperial Capital. She had never had the chance to board an airship.
Perhaps even most nobles hadn’t either, because they seemed very excited.
"Yeah, I’m really excited. They say the views are incredible."
Julian said from beside her. Rinna nodded and said:
"Mhm, but we’re on this continent, and there’s nothing but snow here, right?"
"Oh, that’s true. I guess we won’t see any good views."
As I listened to their conversation, I shook my head.
At first glance, to anyone, the Phlegra Continent appeared to be nothing more than a vast expanse of ice, snow, and mountains, with nothing else in sight.
However, because this continent is plagued by natural disasters created by a massive disturbance in mana,
different vast locations have been formed that, anywhere else, would be tourist attractions or even landscapes straight out of fantasy or science fiction.
’Ah, I’m blind and can’t enjoy the scenery. I wonder if any of the locked effects of Eyes of the End can restore my sight.’
As I walked, we soon exited the building or structure where we had arrived.
Outside was a massive plaza with a statue in the center.
Snow fell from the sky, the ground was covered by a thick layer of snow, and people walked around wearing heavy coats.
Without wasting time, I put on the coat I had prepared, a thick one lined with warm fur on the inside.
Some cadets who had listened to Professor Rein’s advice also took out thick coats.
"Hey, wait a minute, how come you have a coat?"
"Now that I look at it, aren’t these the guys who were wearing summer clothes?"
"Wow, that’s true. Damn it, they probably knew we were coming to this continent." frёewebnoѵēl.com
"What are you talking about? Professor Rein gave us advice on Friday, don’t you remember?"
"The part about bringing coats and all that. Now that I think about it, I should’ve listened."
While some complained, others who had come prepared raised their heads as if they were superior.
".....?"
I let out a long sigh.
Orlock City had fairly modern architecture, similar to that of the Victorian Era.
Perhaps because it was another continent, there were no structures typical of a fantasy world.
It was more as though the Victorian Era had appeared out of nowhere.
The cadets around me had finally noticed the city’s architecture.
Exclamations of amazement reflected their emotions.
Standing beside me, Clementine opened her mouth in surprise, forming an "o" as she looked around.
"So this is what it feels like to travel somewhere other than the neighboring cities of the Imperial Capital."
She murmured quietly, unheard by anyone except me, of course.
"After all, we’re no longer on the Holy Continent."
Upon hearing my words, Clementine was surprised for a moment that I had heard her. However, she quickly composed herself and nodded.
"Yes, but how do you know?"
"What do you mean by that?"
I tilted my head slightly, pretending not to understand her words.
Clementine said:
"I mean about this place being different, of course."
"Mhm, I don’t necessarily need to see something, you know? I have ears."
As if her question had been foolish, Clementine apologized.
I waved my hand, brushing it off.
Meanwhile, we continued following the professors and eventually arrived at a large area where dozens of airships were stationed.
Most of the cadets were impressed, while the professors directed us to board.
The airship we boarded was enormous, with a capacity of five thousand people.
’According to my memories, I understand that this thing is cutting-edge magical engineering, so it can’t even be compared to the airships from my era.’
In any case, the professors gave us the keys to our rooms.
We received a few instructions and rules that we had to follow.
Finally, Professor Ashly said that there was a restaurant that would be serving food in about thirty minutes.
Then everyone went their separate ways in search of their respective rooms.
As I wandered through the corridors, I followed a few other cadets.
A couple of thoughts crossed my mind.
Partly about the objective in this place and partly about my observation in Lumina.
’The Quest Window should appear at any moment.’
The airship had not started floating yet, so I assumed the Main Quest would appear once we began moving.
’The main enemy of this Quest will be especially strong. I’m not sure how many difficulty stars the Quest will have.’
Honestly, the difficulty of this mission was quite variable.
Because in this mission, Lumina worked together with the player, and every time the player teamed up with her,
it was because the Main Mission would be truly difficult to overcome.
’Anyway, whether it’s difficult or not, my current problem is how the hell I’m supposed to find my room.’
At some point, I had stopped without knowing where to go.
Since the number of each room was written on its door, I couldn’t see them without someone else’s help.
’I shouldn’t have separated from the others.’
I let out a sigh, and besides, I wasn’t carrying any luggage.
So there was really no reason to look for my room right now.
I decided to head back to the airship’s lobby, but just as I turned around, my body froze in surprise.
’What the hell? She managed to escape my senses again.’
Standing in front of me was none other than Lumina. She was staring directly at me.
"....?"
"You’re... Lumina."
Lumina did not speak immediately, but after a few seconds, she finally said:
"Yes, it’s me."
I remained silent while searching for something to say next, but before I could even think of anything, she said:
"You’re looking for your room, right?"
"Yes."
"I can help you if you want."
My help ticket had arrived. Without hesitation, I nodded.
"Ah, that would help a lot. Thanks."
Lumina simply nodded, making a small "Mhm" sound as she started walking.
I followed behind her in silence. We walked for a couple of minutes before stopping in front of a door.
She held out her hand toward me and said:
"The keys."
"Ah, right, here."
I took the keys out of my pocket and handed them to her. She then opened the door with a click from the lock.
Shortly afterward, she stepped inside.
".....?"
’At least ask for permission.’
I entered the room, following behind her.
We arrived in a large living area, and she began describing every part of the room: the bathroom, the bedroom, the living room, and the rest of the suite.
After a few minutes, she turned toward me without saying anything.
"....?"
She was staring at me so intently, and then suddenly...
Clap! Clap!
Lumina walked toward me. I took a step back as I said:
"Is something wrong?"
She said nothing and kept walking toward me. Suddenly, as I continued backing away, my back touched the wall.
’Wait, wait... What’s going on?’
"....?!"
Lumina raised her hand toward me. For an instant, I thought about running away, though I didn’t know why.
But then her hand landed on my hair, and she began brushing it lightly.
"You still have snow in your hair. I usually see your fairy sleeping up here."
"....?"
My heart, which had started beating strangely at some point, calmed down instantly.
I let out a sigh of relief without knowing why.
’Ah, so that was it. Damn it, I thought she was going to do something to me.’
Maybe she suddenly wanted to ask me something about my identity.
Considering that I’m an anomaly to her, a regressor.
Fortunately, that wasn’t the case. Even so, her sudden approach made me realize something.
’Lately, my emotions have been becoming more and more sensitive.’
From what I can tell, the Mastery of my Trait seems to be decreasing slowly, but at the same time, for me, it’s happening quite fast.
My emotions are simply being suppressed less and less.
And because of what happened back then in the Memory Gate, my Without Emotions Trait dropped an entire Mastery rank.
’Although I don’t mind experiencing emotions again, I know that emotions in a dangerous battle are a variable.’
So I didn’t know whether I should feel good or bad about being able to feel my emotions again.
In any case, Lumina stopped cleaning my hair. Then, with her hand still raised, she paused over my bangs and asked:
"Have you ever thought about changing your hairstyle or cutting your hair a little?"
I shook my head.
"I don’t really care about that."
Honestly, I had never really cared about my appearance.
I cared more about recovering my memories, the Main Missions, my Dark Destiny, protecting the main characters, and the many other things that would happen in the future.
And besides, it’s not like I openly show my face to all the cadets.
’Well, in my memories, my face is very attractive. Even my own sister told me so.’
"I understand."
Finally, Lumina lowered her hand.
