Radiance Blossom

There was a massive difference in the attitudes that first years had currently and the mentality they had before the excursion. They had confronted aberrants in their natural habitats and were able to overcome them.

The gift users may have fought aberrants at the entrance exams, but fighting aberrants in their habitats was different.

Though the dangers the students experienced were illusionary, the fear of aberrants was real. The students who were injured all recovered in a few days, but a couple who couldn't overcome their fear of dark mana were forced to drop out.

If you lost the will to fight when facing dark mana, you were useless as a mage, no matter how talented you were. 

All of the first years were able to enter the Hollow Forest. Even if they missed an excursion due to sickness, they were able to join the next group of classes afterwards.

As expected, the only three who hadn't undergone the trial were Alexia, Shivan and Chloe. The student body expected the three to be expelled soon.

Principal Terrano was being pressured by the staff to expel them as they were just a waste of resources, gift users or not. Natasha Terrano was being forced to realise that her granddaughter would be able to get what she wished.

Unconcerned about the rumours surrounding them, the trio were sitting in Alexia's room with Chloe being the centre of attention.

In her hands was a small cardboard box. She held it as if she was holding a precious jewel. Chloe was wearing a giddy smile on her face.

"So what did you want to show us, Chloe?" Alexia asked, curious about the reason behind her best friend's excitement.

Chloe opened the cardboard box, revealing a solid, black metal container. 

"Ta-da!" She exclaimed happily, showing the two the container.

"So... what is it?" Alexia asked confused.

"Well inside this container is something very special. It's a Radiance Blossom."

The duo looked confused initially before Shivan's eyes widened in realisation.

"Isn't that the flower known as the mana flower?" Shivan inquired.

Chloe nodded in response. "Yeah, it is."

"How did you get your hands on it?" Alexia questioned.

"You know that underground auction I went to a couple of days ago?"

"You got it from there?"

"Yeah. It was quite expensive. But thanks to your funds from streaming and money made from selling Verstimuline, I was able to buy it. Plus, it's not like many have an immediate use for it."

"Isn't it illegal to process mana flowers?" Shivan asked.

"Yeah. It's dangerous to handle, similar to radioactive materials." Chloe confirmed his suspicions. "That's why it's in this container. It is made of Haltine, an alloy that can isolate mana. That's how I was able to get it past security as well."

Alexia looked at Chloe thoughtfully. "What do you want to do with the mana flower?"

"I want to make a miniature Mana Fusion Generator and a Mana Extractor," Chloe responded with a smile. "It will be useful for my experiments."

Some organic molecules reacted differently when exposed to higher concentrations of mana. Chloe, who often worked with them had always wanted a mana generator.

Chloe couldn't use her mana for two different reasons. Concentrating on controlling mana while working with the materials she had was extremely difficult and taxing, not to mention Chloe would run out of mana eventually.

However, the second reason was the fact a human's mana was naturally impure. The impurity comes from their own will, experiences and emotions. Those impurities were what formed a mana signature.

Those impurities, however, would adversely affect the plants in negative ways, so it wasn't possible to use it. Radiance flowers emitted pure mana, the same kind found in the atmosphere.

While all mana eventually degenerated into pure mana, it wasn't usable in that state.

"You know to make Mana Fusion Generator and Mana extractor?" Shivan asked incredulously.

"Well..." Chloe looked at the ground sheepishly. "I have all the parts... It's not like I can check on the internet how to make an MFG or ME. I have also got some research papers, so I'm 90% sure it will work."

"Haaa...." Shivan sighed. "When are you going to make it?"

Chloe picked up her bag and took out a small contraption. "I made the structure a while back. I just need to make the ME and MFG components. Then I need to transplant the flower inside to use it as fuel."

Alexia inspected the contraption. "So how long will it take?"

"It shouldn't take that long." Chloe passed some papers.

"As I've said, I got the theory down. It shouldn't be that hard. The hardest part will be transplanting the flower inside the generator."

"What is so difficult about that?" Shivan inquired.

"Well, it's not difficult per se. It's the fact the Radiance Blossom releases a lot of pure mana. Anyone with a decent mana sensitivity would realise that something abnormal is going on. 

Even if I could disable the mana sensors, the Aces around the school would easily pick it up, not mention Principle Terrano whose a Champion. That's why it's in this container."

"So the reason you called us is that you need our help to solve this issue?" Alexia questioned Chloe.

She responded with a nod.

Transplanting the flowers on school grounds was a no-go. While doing it in the city trip several mana sensors.

Mana flowers emitted an extraordinary amount of mana per second, making it impossible to remove it from its container without alerting any active mages.

The mana concentration in that local area would spike by several notches, meaning an investigation would immediately occur.

"How about we transplant the Radiant Blossom inside the Hollow Forest?" Alexia suggested. "The fog will prevent any mana from leaking out, there are no cameras inside the forest and dark concentration of dark mana in the forest is always fluctuating, so it is perfect."

Chloe immediately wore a thoughtful expression on her face. She seemed to consider that idea.

"I can prevent the parts from corroding for at least a couple of hours if I place them in vacuum sealed box...

The plan is feasible. But how are we going to enter the hollow forest without anyone noticing?"

Alexia smiled smugly. "I know a way. I just need to borrow some of your tools."

Chloe just sighed. That smile meant that she was up no good. But Chloe knew better than to doubt Alexia. She had always delivered on her promises.