Chapter 682: After Six Months
Vale was momentarily confused by Faith's unexpected request.
The idea of establishing his own Academy had never crossed his mind, especially considering he had not even graduated from the Academy himself.
However, as Faith indicated having the necessary materials, he contemplated the possibility of bringing the plan to fruition by enlisting the right individuals to oversee its operations.
Anyway, he wouldn't be the one instructing the students, making the idea more feasible.
"I believe that you'll do better than me in this mission... You possess immortality and a significantly longer lifespan. I, on the other hand, am uncertain of my survival in the impending Abyss Realm's Invasion. I genuinely believe this is the best course of action. Additionally, if possible, I hope you can work to alter the image of Dark Arts Practitioners... It may be challenging at present, but I have faith in your ability to effect positive change..." Faith articulated.
"You mean want me to change the perception of other people on Dark Arts Practitioners?" Vale repeated, acknowledging the magnitude of the task ahead.
Although many people recognized that the Dark Magicians were just another version of Arcanists, many of them still had prejudice over their existence. This was certainly a lot more difficult than building an Academy!
'How am I supposed to change our reputation?' Vale sighed as he shook his head.
After careful consideration, Vale still nodded in agreement. After all, he was the one who asked Faith to request her reward.
"I understand the importance of this responsibility, Faith. However, we must address the imminent Invasion from the Abyss Realm first. Once we have safeguarded the Human Realm, we can then turn our attention to fulfilling your request." Vale proposed, emphasizing the urgency of preparing for the impending demonic threat.
After all, the request she made needed several years to be completed.
Faith finally smiled after hearing Vale's answer.
As they diligently readied themselves against the impending Invasion, six months swiftly slipped by.
***
"How am I supposed to find that Mysterious Castle?"
Maya grumbled to herself as she landed in the town near the Cursed Forest.
The airship could only land here due to the extreme peril posed by the forest, a testament to its sinister reputation. There have been many rumors surrounding this forest ever since the Ruri Kingdom's new king was throned.
He had prohibited Rogue Arcanists or any Explorers from disturbing the people living deep inside the forest. They could only visit the periphery of the area, and that had certainly caught many people's attention.
Anyway, Maya's mission would have to break that rule.
Accompanying her were two individuals cloaked in garments befitting a gentleman. Their appearance exudes an air of mystery and sophistication that suggests that they were possibly Arcanists as well.
The first person had an imposing stature, with a tailored coat and a top hat that shaded his rugged features. The second figure was a woman, her attire comprised of a high-collared gown and a veil that concealed her countenance.
Their enigmatic presence added an aura of intrigue to the already eerie surroundings.
That's right, the town they landed in feels eerie... There were just too many Magic Artifacts being circulated!
"This is weird..." Maya muttered.
Her own appearance had already undergone a complete transformation, a deliberate measure to ensure that she remained untraceable to her family. Her once recognizable features were now concealed behind a shroud of anonymity.
She was once known for her warm and amiable personality and sporting luscious blonde locks, but she now bore a strikingly different appearance.
Her hair was now dyed a black hue, cascading in loose waves around her shoulders in stark contrast to its previous golden hue.
Her once bright eyes were now concealed beneath a dark veil, lending an air of enigma to her countenance. The gown she wore, a sleek and tailored ensemble in shades of somber navy, was adorned with intricate lace details and elegant ruffles, a departure from her previous vibrant and cheerful attire.
Nevertheless, her veil also suggests that she was indeed part of the Church of the Lord of the Secrets.
Indeed. At present, Maya was on a mission assigned by the Church of the Lord of the Secrets to seek out the Immortal residing within the Cursed Forest.
Their primary objective was to establish contact with the elusive being, with the ultimate goal of obtaining the knowledge necessary to transcend into an Immortal herself.
Soon, Maya and her companions made their way through the town, their somber attire standing out amidst the more colorful and lively garments of the locals.
However, because the locals could tell that they were from a specific church, they didn't think too much of it.
They sought to gather information about the Cursed Forest, hoping to confirm the current situation and devise a plan to reach the enigmatic Immortal dwelling within its depths.
"Excuse me, Sir..." Maya addressed a weathered merchant waiting for customers to buy his products. "We're seeking information about the Mysterious Castle in the Cursed Forest. Do you have any news of recent activity or any advice for travelers?"
The merchant regarded them with a cautious gaze before responding, "Don't think about entering it without preparation. Only a few who enter that place can return. But if you just want to contact those mysterious people, you'll want to wait for their Merchant Airship..."
Maya smiled at this since she already knew about the Merchant Airship. What she needed to know was the specific date the ship would arrive.
After talking to several townsfolk, they also confirmed that there really was no other way to meet those people. Furthermore, they were warned not to take merchants on that ship lightly as they were also incredibly strong.
Soon, Maya and her companions decided to settle in the small town to wait for the Merchant Airship. They also decided to check the Magic Artifacts and Tools being sold in the town.
However, as they were exploring the town, little did they know that a cloaked figure was silently trailing them, observing their every move...
Unseen and unnoticed, the mysterious watcher trailed them through the town's winding streets, their gaze never leaving Maya and her companions.