Chapter 210 - Future Excursion Mission

Nathan Evenhart:

As we stepped out of the carriage, finally back at our home in Apsalon for the weekend, I felt a refreshing chill in the air, and the silence was a stark contrast to the constant hum of the city.

"I promised myself I’d study... but I think I’ll end up napping," Kinue murmured with a tired sigh.

“Is third year really that tough?” Chloe asked, curiosity in her eyes.

Beside me, Cylla walked quietly, her gaze cast downward. She still seemed affected by what had happened earlier.

“From third year onward, we have monthly theoretical exams covering all the material…” Kinue replied, sounding drained. I made a face, imagining the grueling hours of memorizing information ahead. Spending hours drilling that stuff into my head didn’t sound like fun.

As we crossed the expansive grounds, I glanced around the neighborhood. It was a peaceful area, set back from Apsalon’s center and reserved for political nobility or those with businesses tied to politics. Our mansion stood among well-tended trees and garden beds, surrounded by an extensive garden my mother meticulously cared for.

“AH!” Kinue jumped back, dodging something.

Chloe laughed. “Watch out. Those plants love to grab at anyone’s hair if they’re not paying attention.”

A carnivorous plant lurked in the shadows, its slender neck stretching out of the bushes before it retreated again. I looked at it with a mix of fascination and nostalgia. When I was younger, I’d spend hours playing with smaller versions of these plants, completely unafraid of their little bites.

“Is Aunt Katie putting more of these plants around?” Kinue asked.

"Ever since what happened to me, she’s been creating these ‘guards’ nonstop,” I replied, noticing the concern in her eyes.

We’d told Kinue about the attack, even though it had been more than two weeks since it happened. The third assassin seemed to have backed off for now. But feeling truly safe felt like a fantasy; being constantly on guard was our new normal.

One of the closer carnivorous plants stretched toward me, bringing its thorn-covered face close to my hair, almost as if it recognized me. I smiled as I identified this particular plant—it looked far more monstrous than the others.

“Is it you, little sister? Looks like Mother finally put you to work,” I murmured, stroking its knobby surface. This one was larger and more robust than the others, having absorbed my mother’s mana over the years, making it especially powerful. I remember once feeding it a monstrous rat, which it crushed within seconds.

As I petted the plant, a prickling sensation washed over me, as though a pair of eyes were watching us, tracking every move. Cylla, beside me, seemed to sense it too and took a subtle step forward, positioning herself as if ready to react.

“Did you guys feel that?” I asked, keeping my voice casual, though my hand had stopped petting the plant.

Kinue and Chloe gave me puzzled looks, but Cylla gave a slight nod, her eyes gleaming with a determined light.

I bolted towards the house, an anxious impulse coursing through me.

“There’s a strange scent in the air…” Cylla whispered, staying by my side.

“What’s going on, Nate?” Chloe called, worry edging her voice.

I ignored the questions, pushing myself to run faster.

Mother! A sudden urgency to protect flooded through me. I knew I was the target, but that didn’t matter. They were my priority.

As I reached the entrance to the mansion, the door swung open before I could even touch it.

“Welcome home, young master,” one of the maids greeted me with a slight bow. “We have guests.”

A wave of relief swept through me, loosening the tension in my muscles. Moments later, Chloe and Kinue, who now had her halberd at the ready, appeared behind me.

"I think I was mistaken…" I murmured, feeling a bit embarrassed by my overreaction.

We stepped into the mansion, and my mother came rushing toward us, her face lit up with a mix of joy and relief.

“Children!” she exclaimed, immediately pulling me into a tight embrace. She didn’t hesitate to pepper my face with kisses, and each time I tried to pull back, she only held me closer.

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

“Mom… enough…” I tried to protest, but it seemed to encourage her even more. Finally, she stopped, giving me a thorough once-over, her hands moving over my arms as she examined my face closely.

“You’re fully healed… what a relief,” she murmured, pulling me into an even tighter hug. “I had such a terrible dream last night.”

“Aunt, who’s visiting us?” Chloe asked.

“A couple of friends you all know,” my mother replied, moving to hug Chloe and then Kinue, who returned the gesture with a shy smile.

She knelt down to greet Cylla, but the cat brushed her off, trotting up the stairs toward our room without a second thought.

“What’s wrong? She’s usually more friendly,” my mother observed, a bit surprised.

“It seems someone touched her with bad intentions,” Chloe remarked.

As we walked toward the sitting room, I explained, “Someone grabbed her with a greedy look, seeing her as an object. Somehow, she sensed it and got upset.”

“I’ll have Martha prepare something special for her,” my mother said, signaling a maid who stepped forward to take my coat.

“Come, let’s go in,” she guided us down the corridor, and soon we could hear voices chatting in the drawing room.

As we entered, I saw three unfamiliar faces: two adults and a girl slightly older than me, dressed in the academy’s uniform. Martha was speaking with them, and I noticed Natty and Catty were there as well. Since our schedules were different, they must have arrived earlier for the weekend.

“Martin and Clara, look at how much they’ve grown. I bet they look so different to you now!” my mother said with a warm smile.

At that moment, it all clicked, and I remembered who they were.

“Children, this is the Norfolk family. You met them when you were little, right after the prince’s party at the underground transport port,” she explained, looking at us fondly.

They're one of the families in charge of producing healing potions! I really need to thank them for making that miraculous liquid—I feel as good as new.

“Pleasure to see you again,” Martin said, standing from the sofa to greet us, followed by his wife, Clara, and their daughter, Nora.

“You’ve grown so much,” Clara remarked, smiling warmly. “You two have become lovely young ladies.”

“Th-thank you,” Kinue replied, while Chloe, slightly embarrassed, murmured her thanks.

Nora, their daughter, approached us, her expression a mix of excitement and anticipation. “I’ve been a bit anxious and couldn’t wait to talk with you all,” she said.

“Talk with us?” Chloe asked, a little surprised.

My mother stepped closer, explaining in her usual calm tone, “It seems you’ll be working together on an academic project soon.”

“I’ll bring you something to eat,” Martha announced, quickly exiting the room.

We sat down and began chatting with the Norfolk family. I took the opportunity to ask a few questions about the process of making healing potions—something that would be on the next test.

Who better to learn from than one of the experts behind the production? I thought, holding back an internal chuckle. Chloe noticed my intent and immediately joined in, asking strategic questions. Martin, visibly delighted to share his knowledge, eagerly began explaining every detail.

Martha returned with a tray of sweets and cookies, placing it on the coffee table. As I watched her, I felt an intense gaze on me.

Alright, you crazy thing, I’ll touch the tray.

The moment I touched it, an identical copy appeared in Athena’s hands, who chuckled, satisfied. “Thanks, Icarus,” she said before starting to eat.

At least now a single touch duplicates the whole tray; before, I had to touch each item individually.

We continued the conversation, gradually understanding the purpose of the visit. Nora, who was a year older than Chloe and me, mentioned the upcoming collaboration between the classes.

“Oh, I get it. This is going to be so much fun,” Chloe said, visibly excited.

“That’s why I’m getting ready and giving you guys a heads-up. I want to be your upperclassman guide on the excursion,” Nora said with a smile.

She explained that there would be a group excursion to the dungeons, a kind of practical mission allowing second-year students to invite first-years to join their teams. Nora’s class had performed exceptionally well and earned this privilege, and now, as mentors, they were eager to share the experience with the newcomers.

The thought of descending into the Inverted Tower, facing challenges alongside experienced students, and learning through hands-on experience started to intrigue us all.

The inexperienced students would only explore the upper floors, known for being safer and housing museum-like areas with exhibits and archaeological remnants. Advanced students would accompany us to ensure safety and provide guidance. From what I understood, each group had to include a minimum number of students from each academic year to be approved.

“That’s why I wanted to know if you’d be interested in joining,” Nora asked, her gaze hopeful. “We need to invite a few freshmen, as our task will be to guide you and explain the history behind some of the ancient civilization’s excavations. And, to be honest, you’re the only first-years I really know.”

These dungeons are relics from the ancient people—the same people connected to those dark figures with glowing eyes, the giant serpent sleeping inside me, and Cylla’s lineage. More than ever, I need to see what information I can find down there.

“I’d love to,” my cousin said, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

“Me too,” I agreed, feeling a growing curiosity.

Kinue, already familiar with the dungeon explorations, mentioned that the upper floors functioned almost like a living museum, where ancient relics and remnants of old structures mingled with smaller, relatively harmless creatures. However, she warned us that as we descended to the deeper levels, the creatures grew increasingly fierce, requiring experience and skill to face.

So, it should be perfectly safe… and there’s a chance I could uncover more about Alfheim, Jotunheim, and Midgard. In theory, I’m descended from Alfheim and Midgard. So, is Kinue’s origin partly in Jotunheim? And Cylla… what exactly is she? Cylla can grow huge too, so maybe she’s part Jotun as well?

“Kinue’s in a more advanced class than mine, so I’m not sure if she’ll be able to go. We’re only required to invite a few freshmen. But there will be students from all years, so there’s a chance she might end up in the same group as us,” Nora explained.

Our fox friend looked a little disappointed but nodded in understanding.

These dungeons are at the heart of what connects the three realms and hold cultural significance from the ancient times. If the Founding Emperor drew inspiration from the ancient civilization and this place is protected by the academy as a symbol of unity between races… perhaps, somewhere down there, I’ll find a clue about this ancient people and why my people are called the 'Norse' by those shadowy beings.