Chapter 140 — A Garden Full of Poisonous Herbs
1
Kael, Anais, Melanie, Emerson, and others.
The first-year mages had kicked off their league with an impressive victory, making a strong start.
Fighting various skilled opponents was a unique experience for them.
This week focused on dueling, but next week, they would be hunting monsters.
The following week involved external missions, though first-years wouldn’t start until the second semester, making it a week of honing their skills.
The final week would be reserved for end-of-month evaluations, as per the curriculum.
“This month’s end-of-month evaluation is right after next week’s monster hunting, so it’ll be over quickly.”
“Ugh, this is exhausting.”
“Now the real competition begins.”
Moving from first-year to second-year status was a milestone only a few could achieve.
Some students would drop out rather than continue paying tuition fees without showing results.
These students often realized their limits or the vastness of the world and chose to leave.
On average, only about 70% of first-years advanced to second year.
Surviving in such fierce competition was harsher than expected.
Which meant, they needed to get stronger.
“Let’s go there today.”
“Shall we?”
“Yeah, and let’s go with the seniors too.”
Kael was the first to speak up.
It was time for them to grow stronger again.
In order to dominate the competition, they couldn’t afford to hold back, no matter the method.
The others nodded in agreement, especially Pearson.
Recently, he had been spending a lot of time reflecting on what he could contribute.
Whenever others were hurt or struggling, he found himself standing idle, unable to help.
‘I wish I could do something too.’
The usually bright-faced Pearson had started losing his smile more frequently.
Kael, being less sensitive, hadn’t noticed, but Anais, who was always by his side, picked up on his subtle changes.
Or perhaps it was because she was experiencing a similar struggle.
She had noticed how Pearson had been more worried lately.
As they all made their way back to the dormitory, Anais called out to Pearson.
“Hey, something’s been bothering you lately, hasn’t it?”
“Nothing really. Just worried about the future, that’s all.”
“What is it? Tell this big sister about it.”
Anais adjusted her pace to match his.
Pearson gazed at the setting sun, sighing as he spoke.
“Lately, every time I go to the tower, I feel like… I’m too weak. Everyone else has these special abilities, but I—”
“Yeah, it feels like nothing’s good enough, right? I know exactly how that feels.”
“Well… yeah, something like that.”
Anais chuckled softly.
In times like these, there was one person who could help.
But she was starting to feel like they were relying on him a bit too much.
She wanted to help her friend.
Pearson had been there for her when she was struggling.
Although, Pearson probably wasn’t even aware of that.
If she could pass along what she had learned from Manus, maybe Pearson could find his own answers.
“Why don’t we head to the tower and push ourselves? I think you’ll find your answer.”
That’s what happened to me, after all.
Pearson forced a smile at Anais’s words.
Would climbing the tower really provide an answer?
There was no way to know.
But one thing was certain: if you didn’t keep moving forward, nothing would change.
Pearson knew that too.
As they climbed the tower, they were slowly becoming more driven.
“I just hope the tower gives me something soon. If it does, I’ll personally bring it down.”
“Planning to destroy the academy?”
“That’s not what I meant! Anyway… let’s head there tonight.”
The adventure to a new stage.
In order to grow stronger, adventure was always necessary.
And to find answers.
2
“Manus. Kael says they’re going to the tower today. Are you going?”
“Yeah. It’s about time.”
Guillermo, who shared the same dormitory as Manus, came looking for him.
Manus stored the paper he had been reading into his pocket dimension and nodded.
Guillermo also informed him that the others would be waiting in the tower’s lobby.
The second sector.
The area guarded by the second Apostle was dominated by plant-shaped demons.
With each new sector they entered, the environment of the Erosion Zone changed as well.
As they stepped into the gap between worlds, a strong smell of plants filled the air.
“A garden?”
“Is it always like this?”
“It’ll change more as we go further in. I suspect it’s the influence of the Apostle.”
“That makes sense…”
Guillermo frowned as he glanced around.
Twisted vines coiled around the entire tower, and mask-like objects hung like fruit, all facing downward.
It was as if worshipers of death were hanging from the walls, staring down at them.
Manus, too, felt unsettled by the eerie atmosphere.
The entire world seemed transformed.
It was like a glimpse into Mythos Academy after the apocalypse.
The two of them trudged through the ankle-deep vines, heading toward the lobby.
Inside the tower, the fresh scent of greenery remained thick in the air.
Kael and the others were already waiting.
“Senior, you’re here.”
“Is everyone here now?”
“Wait, where’s Trace?”
Alano, realizing the group wasn’t complete, mentioned the missing piece.
Everyone turned their heads, looking around for Trace.
They all clearly remembered his innocent face—the boy who wielded two swords.
Is he not going to show up?
Just as that thought crossed everyone’s minds, something came tumbling out of the dark entrance.
“Whoaahhhh!”
“Pearson! Watch out!”
“What the—?!”
[Necto]
Manus, who had spotted it first, completed his casting swiftly.
Clank!
Mana chains shot out, binding the figure that had stumbled out.
Covered in grass, dirt, and dust, the person they had been looking for, Trace, appeared.
“Ugh, my body—”
“Trace?! Did you go in there alone?”
Alano hurried over to him.
As the mana chains dissolved, Trace dusted himself off and gave a sheepish grin.
He nodded slightly, causing Alano to let out a deep sigh.
Her instincts kicked in once again.
Trace looked so fragile, so alone.
How long had he been wandering the Erosion Zone by himself?
Why did he choose to isolate himself in such a dangerous place?
Gripping his shoulders firmly, Alano spoke sternly.
“Why did you go in there alone? Do you know how dangerous that place is?!”
“I-I just thought—”
“Don’t ever go in alone again. Got it?”
Trace nodded.
It was rare to see the usually gentle Alano so angry.
Her stern demeanor silenced the rest of the group.
Alano even cast a healing spell on him, and soon, Trace was fully recovered and bowed his head.
“Thank you so much. Uh… hello, everyone.”
“Nice to meet you. Are you a student at the academy too?”
Anais extended her hand toward Trace.
Awkwardly, Trace reached out and shook her hand.
It was warm, like the soft glow of a campfire.
For the first time, Trace realized just how comforting human contact could be.
The smiling faces before him looked so beautiful.
But the light in their eyes was too bright, and Trace found himself lowering his head.
“Why are you being so shy? You’re a first-year too, right? Then we’re friends! I’m Pearson, nice to meet you.”
“Ah, yes, I’m Trace.”
“Come on, loosen up! We’ve got too many mages, so it’s great to have someone like you. Let’s make it flashy!”
“Haha…”
To Trace, all of this felt surreal.
Talking, sharing, connecting with others.
What seemed so ordinary to most people was new and fascinating to him.
He didn’t want to let go of this connection he had found.
He didn’t want to become a burden to these people.
He didn’t want them to see him as useless.
In this Erosion Zone, at least, he could help them.
“Well, I do take classes at the academy. But no one really notices me…”
“Are you not on the attendance list?”
He nodded quietly.
The mood among the group grew more serious.
At the same time, they began to harbor small doubts about Trace’s true identity.
Who exactly was he?
Still, no one voiced those concerns directly.
He could just be an unfortunate child.
For now, it was enough that Trace was coming along with them to climb the tower.
That was all that mattered for now.
“It’s strange. You only appear in the Erosion Zone?”
“Alright, let’s not waste time. We should get going.”
They decided to split into two parties again.
One group would be led by Alano and mostly consisted of first-years, while Manus’s group, comprised of seniors, would lead the other.
The seniors’ group, with Manus among them, was clearly the stronger one.
They would depart first and cover more ground.
Since they had entered a new sector, it was time to seek out different artifacts.
There were plenty of useful items scattered throughout the tower.
‘It’s about time we found some armor.’
Starting in the second sector, artifacts that functioned as armor appeared.
These artifacts only activated their effects within the Erosion Zone.
“Alright, let’s head up.”
“Are we starting from the first floor again? That’s a bit demoralizing.”
“That just means stronger enemies await. Trace, what did you see further in?”
With a grim expression, Trace began explaining what he had encountered inside.
His face showed clear discomfort, as if he was recalling a nightmare he’d rather forget.
“It was mostly plants. All of them were wearing masks.”
“So the masks are still there.”
“Plant-type demons, huh… that’s unsettling.”
Trace described his experiences dealing with some of the demons.
In short, they had to destroy the mask directly.
He also mentioned that some masks were hidden beneath thick layers of leaves and vines, making them hard to spot.
Listening to the firsthand account of someone who had already ventured further was invaluable.
Manus smiled slightly as he watched his comrades strategizing on their own.
[Kyaww!]
Albion nudged him, craving attention.
The dragon had grown quite a bit, and its weight was significant now.
Alano’s phoenix, perched on her shoulder, seemed to gaze at Albion with admiration.
“Looks like it’s time to teach you some new skills.”
[Groar!]
Albion was now level 38.
At level 40, it would begin learning proper combat techniques.
It would soon be able to hold its own in battle.
“Let’s go.”
With Manus’s words, the entire group began moving.
The garden was open, welcoming them in.
As they ascended with tense expressions, Manus recalled the setup of this garden.
‘The Lovers, The Empress, and The Hermit.’
Ah, that’s right.
He should probably warn them.
Leaving them in the dark wouldn’t be the best idea, after all.
This was reality, and it was always better to account for variables.
“Before we enter, there’s one thing I need to warn you about. I just remembered.”
All eyes turned toward Manus.
With a serious expression, he gave a grave warning.
“Be cautious of the Ninth Arcana. Avoid fighting it if possible.”
“The Hermit…”
His words weighed heavily on the group.
Manus had never once told them to avoid a fight before.
“The Hermit is mine to deal with.”
And with that, he declared.
He would protect all of them.
–TL Notes–
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