Masquerade (5)

Meanwhile, a state of emergency was declared at Stella's Magic Security Department.

"What? A 'real' Persona Gate has appeared in the Stella Dome?"

"Yes, that's correct."

Not only the Stella Knights but also the professors rushed to the Stella Dome.

Unlike the other fake Persona Gates that had been created for the students' entrance, there was one real Persona Gate emitting an ominous light.

"How is it possible for a real Gate to appear inside the Stella Dome? And why didn't we know about it yet?"

When a Persona Gate was formed, it emitted a distinct wavelength, which could be immediately detected by the Magic Department and propagated throughout the magical realm.

It allowed the magic warriors to be dispatched.

Although Stella Academy was an academy, it was an institution that boasted the world's top magic warriors and the best security system.

However, Stella Academy was unaware of the Persona Gate that had appeared within their territory?

Could anything be more embarrassing?

"That... the wavelength of the Persona Gate was completely undetectable."

"What?"

"It's as if someone has completely reversed the spatial wave detection system within Stella. The unique wavelength that accompanies the occurrence of a Persona Gate was completely masked. We are currently extremely bewildered. The security department is reinforcing measures right now..."

"Damn it, that's not important at the moment!"

As Instructor Lee Hanwol growled and shouted, someone from behind echoed his sentiment.

"Yeah, he's right. What's important now is who has entered that Persona Gate."

"... Commander Arein!"

In response to the eerie voice, Lee Hanwol turned his head.

Even at a glance, the man approaching with a chilling expression and a shadowy presence had a face that resembled that of a dead person.

It was Commander Arein Blackswan, the supreme leader of Stella Knights, the strongest magic knight order in the world.

The man who was said to have created a bloody sea with the corpses of dark mages, rarely appeared within the premises of Stella Academy.

He approached with a cold demeanor. "How is the situation? Is it possible for the reinforcements to enter?"

"Ah, no... it's impossible. It seems that the people inside are doing a challenge..."

"I see. So, we have to wait patiently until the students fail and die."

"That's not what I meant...!"

As Arein glared at them with disgust, the assistants trembled and lowered their heads.

It was said that he didn't treat weak and incompetent people as human beings, and now it seemed like the rumors were true.

"Stop it! Commander Arein. You know very well that the reinforcements cannot enter the Persona Gate, so why do you torment the staff?"

Arein stared at Lee Hanwol and gave a sinister smile. Others might not have noticed, but Lee Hanwol could tell.

It was a clear expression of ridicule. "You talk a lot for someone who can't even manage such a trivial task."

Those words infuriated Lee Hanwol, but he held it in. After all, that was Arein's usual personality.

"Enough. Let's stop the pointless argument. What is the level of the Persona Gate?"

"For now, it's estimated to be between Level 4 and Level 5."

"Estimated? Give me the exact figures."

"Well... originally, it was Level 4. But as soon as the students entered, it suddenly rose by one level."

"Unusual indeed. The Persona Gate is emitting fake wavelengths..."

What on earth was happening in Stella? It was hard to conceal the confusion and unease in their hearts.

"Bring me the list of students who entered."

"Yes!"

Shortly after, a list of students who entered as "C-7" arrived in the hands of Arein and Lee Hanwol.

"Hmm, this is..."

"Cough, ahem."

The professors couldn't hide their bewilderment as they looked at the list.

Among the other nobles, Princess Hong Bi-Yeon Adolveit was included in that list.

Stella Academy's training was notoriously harsh, and deaths during practical training were not uncommon. But, if Princess Adolveit were to die, it could have a significant impact on the reputation of the academy.

It was a difficult situation.

However...

"Well, it seems there's really no way."

A Persona Gate of Level 5. It meant that even seasoned mages would have to prepare extensively and strategize to overcome it. The students who entered were likely to have a high probability of not properly interpreting the patterns of that world.

No, even if they interpreted it completely...

Could mages at the level of Class 2 or 3 really accomplish it?

Arein clicked his tongue, turned around, and spoke.

"Prepare 16 body containers."

"Arein, what are you doing?"

"Why? It's just an instruction for efficient operations. I'm not guessing that the first-year rookies will successfully conquer the Level 5 Persona Gate. It's like saying ants could kill a tiger."

After saying that, Commander Arein disappeared with his knights, leaving Lee Hanwol clenching his fist.

Yes, logically speaking, he was right.

But Lee Hanwol wanted to believe.

"Some of the students who entered here are survivors of the Necromancer assault, which was Class 5. Even Baek Yu-Seol, who directly stabbed the heart of a Necromancer and killed him, is among the members."

Lee Hanwol closed his eyes and prayed.

'Please, let the kids come out safely…'