The Academy’s Barbarian Chapter 27

(2)

4.

Leaving behind the slowly setting sun.

The third class of first year students walked to the fountain of magic. The start went smoothly. Except for one person, whose steps become slower as time goes by.

“Huh! Hehe! Phuuu!”

It was Noah carrying the backpack.

A face as red as a ripe apple. It’s only been 20 minutes since we left and it’s like this.

This is the result of being so excited by the idea of ​​obtaining a hidden piece that the stamina consumption penalty given to ‘Noah Darshen’ was forgotten.

‘Ugh, I was too complacent.’

I should have thought a little more calmly and reduced unnecessary baggage. The moment when I took heavy steps again with belated regret.

Huh!

In an instant, my burden became lighter.

It feels like my body is floating in the air. This was no illusion. In reality, her body was hanging in the air.

“Is this heavy?”

It was thanks to Ulan carrying the backpack.

After being freed from the heavy weight, Noah sighed as if he had finally survived.

“I am physically weak.”

“I know, but it’s serious. “I need to train myself a bit.”

“I want to do that too…”

Unlike Ulan, who was blessed with a blessed body, the stamina penalty on her was truly harsh.

Just walking consumes five times more stamina than others.

But is training meaningful?

When I was lost in gloomy thoughts, Ulan spoke again.

“do not worry. “I’ll help you train.”

“Uh, Ulan himself?”

“okay.”

A sudden feeling of anxiety comes over me.

I swallowed dry saliva without realizing it.

“······You’re not planning on asking me to run while holding a log or anything like that, are you?”

“That’s a little early.”

So that means I’ll do it someday!

Noah quickly changed the topic.

“Anyway, thank you. “Thanks to you, I survived.”

“It’s not something that deserves gratitude.”

“Still, I’m truly grateful.”

After giving an honest answer.

Noah clenched his fists.

“It may not be a return, but if Ulan gets into trouble in the future, I will definitely help him.”

“i get it. “Remember that.”

Ulan nodded silently.

By the time we moved for about ten minutes.

I saw a group of students.

“uh? Those guys…”

“They’re class 1 guys, right?”

Class 1 finished the field trip ahead of class 3.

Meanwhile, the professor in charge of Class 1 spotted Professor Miel and went straight to him. As if he had something to say.

So, when I stopped in my seat for a moment.

Someone from Class 1 came this way.

Let’s go!

A step full of dignity.

With her appearance, the surroundings became quiet.

‘Dilia Arpen.’

The princess of Arpen.

The genius wizard of the principality.

Among this year’s freshmen, the students, who were by far the most talked-about person, appeared, everyone closed their mouths and looked at Delia.

Then her steps stopped.

The person across from me is Ulan. Delia looked up at him and spoke with an expression of wonder.

“You were released okay?”

“That’s because you didn’t do anything wrong.”

“A joke, it’s not funny.”

A change occurred in Delia’s expression.

It was a faint but clear laugh.

“Are you okay?”

“I prepared in advance.”

Delia snapped her fingers.

An opaque protective shield soon wrapped around her body.

I don’t know what that is, but it probably means that the shouts were blocked with magic.

“Come on, everyone gather around! “Go back to the dormitory!”

We haven’t even exchanged a few words, and it’s already time to part ways. Delia pouted her lips slightly, but soon regained her original expression.

“See you later.”

Delia turned around and said goodbye.

As soon as she disappeared, countless eyes fell on Ulan. She looked at me with surprise and envy, as if wondering how she had established her friendship with Delia.

Among them was Noah.

‘No, even if Geomhee says so…’

When did you become so close to the Star Witch?

It was natural for Noah to be surprised.

Because Delia Arpen is such a difficult and difficult person to deal with.

『A silver rose blooming alone and elegantly, surrounded by layers of iron fences on all sides. For students, Delia Arpen was that kind of person.』

Introduction to the character of Delia Arpen.

That’s why the Star Witch is a very difficult person to get to know. She is someone who is difficult to even build up favor with unless you look for strategies.

‘But Ulan…’

We had a very casual conversation.

Just like talking to a normal friend.

‘Is it possible that they are connected by a bond of fate because they will become colleagues in the future?’

This incident was such a shock to Noah that he thought this nonsense.

But even for a moment. As soon as the group’s destination, the spring of magic, began to come into view, Noah’s attention immediately turned towards it.

“Wow, it looks bigger up close?”

“I know. “I would believe it if you said it was the sea!”

“amazing. “I can’t believe something like that exists on the continent.”

Students burst out in admiration.

The fountain of magical power was huge and exuded a mysterious atmosphere. A time when everyone was talking with excited faces.

“Now, pay attention.”

Professor Miel focused his attention.

With a face that has something to say.

“Before entering the Fountain of Magic, I would like to ask you one thing. “How much do you know about the Fountain of Magic?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“If you have any information about that place, please tell me. “Anything is fine.”

A somewhat random question.

The students looked confused, but soon began to give answers.

The source of a spring rich in magical power. A place where pure magic gushes. Secret places that wizards want to see before they die, etc.

A variety of answers poured in, but Professor Miel’s expression did not change. As if there was no satisfactory answer.

He let out a long yawn and pointed to the person who had never opened his mouth.

“You went there on a picnic.”

“Yes, four?”

“You also have to answer something.”

Noah was surprised by the sudden nomination.

A face with a clear look of embarrassment. But since I was pointed out, I had to answer something. And if possible, it would be better to get the correct answer.

So I answered.

“······The Fountain of Magic is a dangerous place.”

“Hmm, why do you think that?”

“As I said before, the Fountain of Magic is the sanctuary of wizards. However, at the same time, it is one of the four major demonic scenes on the continent. So I just assumed there must be a reason.”

Immediately after the calm answer.

Professor Miel laughed for the first time.

“I figured it out exactly. The Fountain of Magic is as dangerous as it is mysterious. “Do you even know the reason?”

“Maybe it’s because I have a lot of magical power? I saw this phrase in a book before. “Going too far is worse than not going too far.”

Eyes that have become bigger.

Professor Miel slightly lowered his head.

“I’ll take back the question of whether you went on a picnic.”

Noah’s words were correct.

“The fountain of magical power is a place where pure magical power constantly springs. That’s why it’s such a dangerous place. Look at the map over there.”

I wondered what kind of map the lake would need, but as Professor Miel said, a map existed.

A map divided into details like the growth rings of an old tree.

Just as I was wondering what on earth they had divided up like that, Professor Miel continued.

“The Fountain of Magic is divided into five areas.”

His hands pounded the air.

Then there was a clicking sound in the air where there should have been nothing. As if I hit something.

“This is a wall of protection. “It is an ancient barrier installed to separate the boundary between the fountain of magic and the outside world.”

He pointed inside the lake.

“The area beyond this until the water turns green is called Zone 1. Here, the flow of magical power easily becomes unstable, and the possibility of magical power runaway slightly increases.”

Mana runaway. The worst kind of accident that anyone who deals with mana would feel anxious about even talking about.

The students flinched at the scary words they suddenly heard. But the real thing started now.

“Next, the second area is from green water to foggy areas. From here, magic tools won’t work properly, and the possibility of runaway increases by up to 20%.”

20% chance. It’s not a small probability. Above all, because this was the first time they had heard this story, the students’ complexions gradually hardened.

“In Area 3, you may experience disorientation, hallucinations or auditory hallucinations, and the possibility of magical energy runaway increases to 50%. Also, there is a rare chance of magic poisoning occurring, so you must not let down your guard.”

Magic addiction is a phenomenon that occurs when an excessive amount of magic power is received in a short period of time.

It was a dangerous condition that suffered from abdominal pain, vomiting, difficulty breathing, and in the worst case scenario, could lead to death.

“If magic is used in Area 4, the magic power will definitely explode. “This is no exception, even if it is a knight’s mana sword.”

Professor Miel closed his mouth for a moment.

After quenching his thirst with cool water, he finished his explanation by pointing to the center of the lake.

“Finally, District 5. The wizards of Arsene call this place the true fountain of magic. “As you can see from the map, District 5 has a particularly small area compared to other districts.”

The area is only about the size of a pond.

However, I couldn’t let down my guard just because it was narrow. This was because of Professor Miel’s explanation that followed soon after.

“There have been no records of entry or exit into Area 5 for the past three hundred years. However, according to old documents, no one has ever gone there and returned.”

After the last explanation.

The hall suddenly became quiet.

It would be worth it. I had never heard of such a dangerous element in the fountain of magic before in my life.

Tension, fear, nervousness, anxiety.

As all kinds of negative emotions swirled around the students, Professor Miel chuckled and waggled his tail.

“There is no need to be so nervous. “Today’s field trip is only going to take a quick look around Area 1.”

We have no intention of putting new students in danger from day one. The students finally breathed a sigh of relief at his confident words.

“So everyone, wear this on your wrist.”

“what is this?”

“It’s a bracelet that suppresses magical power. As I said before, you can’t use magic in there.”

There is a possibility of magical power runaway even in Area 1. Students wore bracelets without warning.

Except for just one person.

“The bracelet is too small.”

It was Ulan. Because the wrists and fists were so thick, the bracelet couldn’t fit.

“Is there anything else?”

“I don’t have any.”

A sense of silence enveloped the surroundings.

After a while, Professor Miel sighed.

“Whew, I can’t help it. Whatever you do, don’t use mana. “I won’t let you in unless you promise.”

“I promise.”

“good. “Then this is the end.”

Is this really okay?

The students reacted in confusion, but Professor Miel continued speaking in a calm tone.

“We will form a group for the last time.”

“yes? Why are you suddenly sleepy…”

“There’s a reason for everything, so don’t gossip and get together with close friends. For reference, we are in a group of 5 people.”

I’m afraid those words will end.

First of all, most of them fell from Ulan. Like I never want to be in the same group.

On the other hand, there were also those who approached in the opposite direction.

A representative example was Noah.

In addition, Ibella also sneakily approached me.

As time passed, two men and a woman who had nowhere to join joined Ulan’s group.

“Uuuuuuuuuu…”

“Now, please take care of me.”

Among them was the girl with gray hair who had asked earlier if she could change classes.

When we finished saying simple greetings to each other. Professor Miel took out five stones from his chest.

“It looks like it’s roughly finished, so one person from each group should come forward and take this.”

“What is that?”

“A return stone is an item.”

A stone that emits a mysterious green glow.

Professor Miel’s explanation soon followed.

“It’s Dean Dipplin’s work. “It is only effective within the academy premises, but if you inject magical energy into it, it will immediately move to the main gate.”

All creatures within a 5m radius of the owner are targeted by the hearthstone.

As the explanation continued, the students looked at the return stone with curiosity. After finishing sharing the return stone, the professor added additional explanation.

“It would be nice to never have to use this, but if it is judged to be dangerous, use it at all costs. “If you don’t need to use it, be sure to return it later.”

There was tension in the students’ eyes at those words. Giving these items meant that the previous warning was not a joke.

“From now on, everyone will act in groups. Do not stay more than 5 meters away from the person who received the return stone. The explanation is over. “Do you have any questions?”

“Ma, what happens if an accident occurs and we end up in Area 2?”

“That won’t happen. “The boundaries of each area are guarded by the guardians of the spring.”

The guardian of the spring means a golem.

A combat weapon created with great effort by wizards. Each one is powerful enough to be compared to a high-ranking knight.

“Even if something like that happens, the guardians will come get you. Above all, entry is permitted today up to Area 1, so you don’t have to worry about that.”

Starting with the detailed response that came back.

Various questions flew in one after another. Although it may have been annoying, Professor Miel answered all the questions faithfully.

Some time after that.

Professor Miel lightly tapped his palm.

“Well, I heard that class 2, which I entered earlier, will be coming out soon, so I’ll just have one more question.”

No one raised their hand.

This was because most of my curiosity had already been answered through the previous questions. Then, at that moment, the person who had remained silent raised his hand.

A barbarian with reddish brown hair.

Professor Miel smiled in surprise.

“Okay, let’s listen to the terrorist’s last question.”

Everyone’s eyes were focused on Ulan.

An expression of curiosity about what question to ask. After a while, Ulan’s question came out.

“I understand that the Fountain of Magic is a sacred place for wizards. But is there a reason you have to go into such a dangerous place?”

“Oh, that’s a more legitimate question than I thought.”

Right after I blinked my eyes once.

His expression became serious.

“The reason new students tour the Fountain of Magic every year is because this is Arsene, and because you entered Arsene Academy.”

The answer is as difficult as a riddle.

When Ulan made an expression of not understanding, Professor Miel asked the students.

“Is there anyone here who knows about the purpose of establishing Arsene Academy?”

“yes! “This is so that the Empire and Kingdom Alliance can discover and train talented people together!”

“You’re half right. “It’s a superficial reason, though.”

Professor Miel nods.

“What I’m asking is why Arsene Academy was first established a long time ago, near the Fountain of Magic.”

Silence followed the words again.

It meant that no one knew.

Of course Noah knew the answer, but he deliberately didn’t answer. It was normal for a new student to not know anything about her.

“The answer is simple. To protect and guard this place. “This is the purpose of the Academy’s founding and the mission given to your predecessors in the distant past.”

After giving a meaningful answer.

His eyes turned to the fountain of magic.

“The day the gates of the abyss open. The era of humans will come to an end. “I’m sure everyone has heard this prophecy at least once.”

Of course I know.

It was the primordial prophecy and the oldest legend that those born on the continent had heard so many times that it was hard to hear.

“The abyss mentioned in this prophecy refers to the center of the spring of magic. In other words, the Gate of the Abyss means the fountain of magic itself.”

With eyes that became fierce for an instant.

Professor Miel’s voice became solemn.

“In summary, the purpose of the establishment of Arsene Academy and the mission of the students at the time are as follows.”

To watch over the Gates of the Abyss.

And to prevent the door from opening.

Lastly, if the door opens, risk your life to close it again.

After the explanation was over, the hall became quiet.

Is it because I was overwhelmed by the solemn atmosphere?

no. Most of the students reacted angrily. Because what Professor Miel just said was something I had read ad nauseam in history books.

In the first place, that prophecy is nothing more than a simple old story used only to scare children.

We are past the age of being scared by non-existent abysses and monsters of the abyss. So, I only vaguely listened to Professor Miel’s words and ignored them.

But only one.

There was someone who was agitated.

‘That’s the door to the abyss?’

Ulan’s eyes widened.

It was natural to be surprised. In his last life, he did not reach the gates of the abyss, but ended up in the abode of Largtan, the giant king.

‘I had heard that the Gate of the Abyss was at the center of the continent, but…’

I never thought it would be here.

If you think about it carefully, it made sense. Arsene Academy was also established in the center of the continent.

It would be natural for the places to overlap.

With the truth realized too late.

Ulan gazed at the lake.

My heart is pounding violently.

My breathing became heavier and my whole body heated up.

However, it was not a feeling of fear.

Crash!

With the sound of teeth grinding together.

The corners of the mouth twisted upward.

A very excited smile, the same one the students had when they saw the Fountain of Magic. He trembled with joy and gripped his ax tightly.

‘Fountain of magic, Arsene.’

This is an uplifting feeling.

It was the joy of a warrior facing the final battlefield, something he had not been able to achieve in his past life.

As proof, Ulan’s eyes burned brightly like flames. So much so that it swallows up the fountain of magical power, and even the abyss beyond.

‘A place where monsters from the abyss emerge.’

That place is right in front of you.

Ulan could not contain his excitement at this fact.

Because the reason to chase the monster of the abyss and to wander the continent in search of the lords of the abyss was gone.

‘Then I’ll wait here.’

And I will split their heads in the order they appear. The corner of Ulan’s mouth twisted even more viciously as he applied more force to the axe.

‘One day, the door to the abyss will open.’

What will end will not be the era of humans, but the era of monsters in the abyss. Ulan promised that he would definitely make it happen this time.

Bright red eyes turning wild.

The eye of a being that once cut countless monsters in half and slain one of the Lords of the Abyss.

It was the gaze of a barbarian.

Chapter 9. fountain of magic

fantasy,