Ch 26

Leyfin's body was made of mana from Flauren. This ensured compatibility with her soul and enabled her use move smoothly. In addition, the mana body could take on the appearance of the soul. She appears to be the same as usual, but now she could roam freely without the ring. Aside from that, it granted her the ability to use mana again.

On the next day, Areth brought Leyfin out to an excursion.

The military had blocked the Rift leading to Flauren. They have just started to explore it.

To Areth, it was a piece of cake to get in. They just walked through the barricade and entered the rift unnoticed. The familiar sky have evoked a strong feeling from Leyfin. One of the magic circles activated and casted a spell to produce a tiny droplet of water, ejecting it at the eyes in response to her emotion.

"I'm back." She said.

They saw tents built in the surroundings. Hunters and the military worked together to build the new base. No one paid attention to them as they strolled pass the boundary and flew into the sky.

Leyfin have started to notice something. The trees were felled down and some were still giving off fresh embers. When they got higher, she finally saw that terrifying crater, she could barely see the edge of it from her current height.

For a moment, she just stopped moving and just stared with mouth agape. If not not for the familiar mana in the air, she wouldn't believe that this was Flauren. Speaking of which, something seem to have changed in the ambient mana as well.

She tried to cast a simple fireball spell. It was very natural, she have done this procedure countless of times. She couldn't have been more familiar with this spell.

Areth nervously look on as as a faint fireball appeared in front of her body.

Although the spell was successful, Leyfin experienced a slight resistance.

"Something's wrong." She said. "It's seemed that demons have manage to corrupt the mana here. Although the presence a bit different... Perhaps it was another kind of demon."

Areth was focused on the massive crater, calculating its diameter in his mind.

Leyfin then put her attention to the crater. She scanned the familiar mountains and managed to identify their current location, although some mountains seem to be missing as well.

"This was the Lilac Kingdom's territory. The Flower Plain." Leyfin said as she looked at the massive crater. Her eyes in deep recall and sadness begin to surface.

"Humanity was already on the losing side before I got sent into the rift. A powerful demon, one that is higher than demon generals, have single handedly destroyed our kingdoms."

She looked toward the distance and said, "Maybe some of them survived."

"..."

"What's wrong?"

Leyfin asked after she saw his complex expression.

"N-nothing. I just find this large crater frightening. One must be very awesome to cause this."

Leyfin nodded seriously. It was certain that a cataclysmic event had occurred here, and it did not seem to have occurred just recently. The damage it had caused could be seen clearly. Some mountains were missing, trees in the surrounding was burnt crisp, while the rest were laid flat on the ground. Their leaves still green.

"Come, let's explore further."

Leyfin led the way and Areth tailed behind. An hour later, they could finally see the edge of the crater. Leyfin's hair stood up in horror. Her heart felt cold and despair took over. Only now could she have a vague estimate of the power that created this crater.

"Ridiculous...to think we've been fighting against such force. No wonder, no wonder. Our defeat is sure and our resistance have been futile all along."

Frightening, terrible...there's no way to resist such power. Even the strongest version of her fireball could not even come close to such might.

In silence, the two of them flew farther. Leyfin was emitting a gloomy aura.

When they finally came into a halt, they saw a ruin half submerged in water. Areth flinched and glanced to the side.

He heard he sound of a soft cry, and Leyfin's voice turned to pitiful sobs.

"My teachers...my colleagues, families, friends..."

She faced fallen tower with grief. Water had entered through the entrance. Equipments and some papers were floating on the surface.

"Magic Academy..."

She could not hold her voice and she finally broke down. She started bawling loudly, shouting curses to the demons in a mixture anguish and rage. She had long expected this result, but seeing it for herself was devastating.

Areth gently tapped her with his fingers. "They might not be dead you know."

"Shut up!" Leyfin spoke loudly, she turned to him with red eyes. "What does a kid like you know? You are just lazing around, playing games, slacking off despite the threat of demons! Have you ever taken my words seriously?"

She took a deep breath to calm down and Areth calmly handed her water contained in an ice. Unfortunately, she was not yet done.

"That is what you do! Do you think I don't know that you were mumbling something about being the ultimate being and unlocking your sealed powers when you are alone? Even when you dream, I could hear you laugh creepily and mutter something about being the King-"

"Stop!" Areth did not give her a choice. He just grabbed her and silence returned. His adrenaline was still circulating in his bloodstream, and his breathing was rough. It felt like a million sword has stabbed his heart.

"Let me show you something."

Areth descended with Leyfin in his hand, trying to struggle free.

The water made way as they head deep into the ruins. At this point, Leyfin also seem to have noticed something and calmed down. Hope shone in her teary eyes.

They arrive in the remains of the castle. The rubles around it formed a clear path. Areth noticed some strange marks carved all around the floor and on the debris. If Areth had not casted his spell back then, they would still be in good condition.

"This... Could it be that they were able to escape too?" Leyfin was already released and scanned the strange markings. She immediately realized their function.

Areth walked to an inconspicuous area and placed his hand on empty air.

"Hey, this is no time to act cool... Huh?"

Gradually, a massive opening in the space was revealed. It grew larger and larger until it had enough size to accommodate ten adult humans, standing side by side.

"A rift!" Leyfin jumped around in excitement. "They might still be alive!"

Areth felt the mana from the other side. There were no traces of dark mana. It was a world not yet discovered by the demons.

In fact, a demon fetus arrived in the world and absorbed every other demons before they could explore the place further. As a result, a powerful monstrosity was formed, but it was the only demon in the place and it was later destroyed by Areth.

"Kid, do you know the way back home?" Leyfin said, staring at the rift

"I'm not a kid. If you want to go, I can accompany you."

"I know that you are somewhat powerful, but it could be dangerous in the other side!" Leyfin was starting to panic. The kid does not know what is good for him. "I am aware that you know some tricks, but you have never experienced any real battle. Although I could feel that there are no demons inside, there are creatures more dangerous than them."

She was afraid that they would encounter danger. If Areth died in there, how would his family feel.

"You don't need to worry. If worse comes, I am 100% confident to leave safely!"

Seeing that he would not listen, she decided to bring him along.

"Alright. But you must follow my instructions. Don't be rash an let us first gather information about the other side. Is that clear?" Leyfin said with a stern expression.

"Clear."

"Good. When I tell you to escape, you escape. Understood?"

"Understood!"

The two looked at each other for a while. Leyfin was trying to determine whether Areth mean what he said.

"Fine, I'll go first. I'll inform you if it is safe."

Leyfin started walking toward the rift. Areth did not argue and secretly shot a split soul inside.

The light of the sun first greeted him. There was nothing but tall trees anywhere. Drawn on the ground were similar marks found in the castle, meant to conceal the rift. Seeing that it was safe, he did not stop her from entering.

Leyfin finally got through the other side. She sensed the warm light and the breeze of fresh air.

"It's good!" She spread her arms started flying around.

Areth also stepped into the new word. The concentration of mana was denser, and the at felt cleaner.

"A good start."

School was cancelled today because of the monster tide, allowing students to rest their troubled heart a little. It was a good time to explore.

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(I may not be able to update more often. I just found out that I have a stack of online quizzes and activities piled up in my classes. (T_T)