COI C7

Somewhere in the forest out from the existing highways of the city, storms shattered the sky with relentless winds covered the view among the heavens. The sight of the first kill of the so-called feral goblins, by the striking hit from Ironno.

"A week of training turned to this, why did he accept the changed?"

Ironno thinking about during his first days in the city while in focus to taken down hidden monsters. The ferals seeing the sight of a quick strokes by Ironno's pickaxe, and the dead feral's head still stuck on to it. They begin to run where the storm plays its strong tunes.

The city guild members have witnessed it, and seeing him over exert to kill a monster.

"Hey man, it's just a weak monster and please pulled out that monster's head out from your f*cking pick"

Ironno places his pickaxe down, stomp the head, and slowly pulling it out until the right time to quickly spurt out the guts.

"Geez, that some "clean" hit"

Behind them were the students covering each other by the storm where magic shields appeared above their heads. Ironno already soak in the storm and respond to them.

"Feral goblins may be weak, but they are still ravaging creatures"

"Ravaging? they just runaway once we see them"

The storm kept going where the students are not willing to search in this harsh condition. The adventurers are with them and other special heroes come along to their side.

"It's good to see the students handle their safety, don't worry everyone, us heroes can protect you to any problems out there"

The city guild releases a group of adventurers all in different ranks. Hardly to see any lower ranks, and higher ranks are here because of a famed relatives or connections. 12 A ranks and 4 S ranks adventurers who are capable to supervise hundreds of these students. They are known to be their best escort missions.

"Is this all the adventurers? for the 300 students, can you really handle them?"

"We were already prepared. Besides we did a little game before coming here"

"And were those people after your little game?"

"Pretty much like that, it's more of a vacation than work if you ask me"

The adventurer is talking to the chemistry teacher, Alche, who is the only teacher left to tag along Haw's mission.

"Remember this is a full long week of training, right?"

"Yeah yeah, I'm kind of a girl who is prepared anyway"

She opens up her camping set from her UI where quickly pop up in front of her, while Alche is seeing her convenient items, he saw the other adventurers doing the same.

Haw was already ahead and scouting inside the forest. The storm did block the view on his sight but the rain already soaks away the dirt of any hidden materials within the trees, and more to his eyes to ever find random edible foods to forage. This continent is truly and endlessly blessed of vegetation, and comes along with the quality of its ingredients. The dark sight of the storm today is still the afternoon where nothing to see but the creatures hiding from the rain. With his potions set in a clear for combat, it will be harder to find the core ingredients.

They come back to the students all soak from the storm and were wearing their raincoats beside Haw and Ironno.

"Hey, do you want to dry off?"

One of the adventurers offer some help as they pull out their own magic items.

"It's fine lass, and you little ones could learn something good here"

Ironno pulls out some towel, made from isekai city, and started to absorbing the water from their body and gives it to Haw. Haw took it and nod as it absorbed the water from him.

"If you little ones have this kind of set, there are other good items to bring"

Haw did bring out something they thought it is the same with Ironno's.

Haw pulled out a glove and wear it on his hand.

"Then what kind of magic glove is that?"

"It is a safety glove for crafting"

The adventurers thought and the students did the same, then the other students ask Alche

"Uh teacher, what are we supposed to do now?"

Alche looking around the storm touches the soil that it leaks down to form puddles or streams.

"We supposed to make a camp"

The adventurers seeing the area being closed to be flooded and the students are prepared setting up their things for the campsite.

"Are we going to set up camp here?"

Haw raised his hand

"No, the adventurers had told me"

He pointed out one of them as she prepares.

The storm was almost deafening to hear to everyone, lightning flashes and thunder roars as it closed by in every moment.

"I was recommended by the adventurers to provide the secure place for camping"

The students are getting excited what the adventurers can do as they set up.

"Especially your camp sets"

The city guild adventurers have something special to them that both neither labor nor materials needed, and what they brought along someone who could do it. The students honestly ask one another in whisper

"Where can we camp during this storm?"

Haw heard them in the middle of the sound of the storms.

"Even how loud in you're in, I can hear you”

The students didn't even say that, but the one who asked within their group were surprised but remain quiet.

"It's alright, these adventurers are protecting your camps and you could make a network out of it from what I heard"

The city guild adventurer summons a portal to a small realm for the encampment as the students follow along. Enter within the realm as the small portal kept in the shields of the adventurer, and the students prepared to set up their camps. Ironno witnessed such modern structures that this realm they made.

Inside the portal, it’s empty and the people who are there starts to fill up to anything possible to set up their camps. Hundreds of people are inside, and somehow it has more rooms than they could see. Haw and Ironno watch the realm being built, and see the adventurers can handle the use of their mana. They already stop being surprised of what mana they are capable of, and they want to know what the limits they have. Alche greets them

“The adventurers are gaining more abilities than I thought”

“You mean, this portal they made is new?”

“I think so”

The adventurers are busy making a house, but it is more like a lounge with adding luxuries to see. Questioning them to make an encampment like that or is it possible to make camp during a terrible storm. Ironno thinks that they made it to show off in front of the students, while Haw expects of their reaction due to this forest for being weak for them to stay cautious. The students thought the same as the adventurers, and what they saw to be more like them with their bountiful materials around them. Alche didn’t thought about it.

“I think they over use that magic inventory”

“How big is their inventory?”

Haw asks, and this quietness continues that more things appeared.

“I thought we are going camping”

“Yeah well, with this inventory. Why not be prepared for everything”

“laugh* We are in a D rank forest. What will happened to us?”

“I hope we could learn something about it instead without doing anything”

“If that is true, then I’ll better go home”

The students are talking about this realm, being well protected from the dangers from the outside. The portal is the only way get in and out, and the adventurer who made it. Carefully sustain the portal or else they will be force out. The adventurers mingled to themselves.

“Would we tell them that this portal won’t work in the wilderness?”

“Some monsters won’t go near the portal, but it caused a lot problem when inside the dungeon”

“You heard that teachers?”

“Yeah”

Haw responded to them, but Ironno is confused and mentioned only with Haw

“You can’t?”

“Let them be, I think they don’t know how to make safe rooms inside . . .”

“Sorry, but they mention dungeons”

“Prison? There is no prison in the wilderness”

Alche explains to them

“It means places they want explore that are dangerous”

“Uhuh, this is going to be a long talk”

The encampment is complete, where many were pleased made their own individual designs and personal taste. Haw and Ironno first witnessed the sight of Isekai's finest

"Kinker, there is a bizarre way to build up this kind of base"

"I don't know, we can't even explain to the guild from what we see"

The students all gather where the two stationed for sometimes after their observations. The adventurers and students are now here with them as Alche who is behind the rest of the students. Haw speaks where the others are busy talking to each other. Haw pulls out of one of his potions and began to say in such a roaring voice.

"All of you ready"

An unsettling danger erupt to their ears and others almost given into the eerie voices.

". . . This part of the forest maybe the weakest. Never let yourself lived in a comfortable life to become adventurers where there are other regions that no Kinteinou have travel like the Rebels from the north east of your city"

Haw speaks a more frightening tone where everyone can't ignore him speak in ghostly sounds.

"Remember that we are also not prepared beyond this region, if you want to colonized the empty lands of the entire world. Then your people must survive first"

The city guild adventurers heard him right, a land they can own and a place they could call their own. Alche was the first to ask

"What about the dangers?"

"No dangers ever come to set foot to the lands where the portals marked it. But there is a surprising reason of why Rune Isles had strict portals"

Everyone didn't know about Rune Isles, but only the view of its apocalyptic ruins of each island floating from a cataclysm.

"No portals had stay for long, Enders Bridge, even it stands and protected"

They feared again from Haw's voice from his enhanced voice.

"Future adventurers, you know this is some ordinary training against the weaker creatures. I only warn you that there is more dangerous than the wilderness and the monsters within . . ."

Everyone paused as they could believe to be the monsters among the dungeons, and the high rank adventurers themselves have their struggles. Ironno and Haw knew only the failures of previous guilds who entered the Rune Isles, like the Isekais' expedition.

"Truthfully by your only weaknesses will be shown by yourselves. You will be going to witnessed someday the cruel apocalyptic world had to offer"

Haw stops and the others try to understand what he meant.

Ironno's turn to spoke out to them, bringing the rune once used to properly speak, and told them the basics of survival. Meanwhile the rest of the adventures are busy bringing Haw to their side where a peculiar interest about seizing their own lands.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

"What you said back there, is it true?"

"I only knew what Lord Lori'es told us about colonizing in Rune Isles"

"Then Kinteinou isn't one of them"

"Perhaps, since your city already occupied in the southwest coast. I have nothing to keep secrets where the city states already had their own sovereignty"

Haw and the others continue further in their conversation, a few wouldn't understand all the details but the rest only kept in notes to study back at the city.

"Then these other regions can only be safe if the other states recognize its existence"

"Like Enders Bridge, you said that the city is mostly home by humans. Which is to prove about their rights as founders"

"According to the city states, yes"

"Then why all humans on that city then"

All of them get into the topic whereas Ironno finished advising among the students and joined their circle.

"Ironically, a home to the descendants of otherworlders . . ."

"What!? Really!?"

Ironno said it without any further explanation and Haw only knew it as a story.

"The only suspicion of all this is the apocalyptic world that ceased of all life except the monsters arose or survived"

Alche and the other adventurers have no obligation to understand that statement and adding more mystery through their thoughts.

"Maybe your people advanced enough to survived and . . ."

Ironno cuts her off

"and? our cultures and traditions were heavily bound together. Between us and those other people you met are too different yet all of them understand each other"

"Then what's the problem Ironno?"

"Nothing, if you see the difference between us now and my other guild members during the tournament. We can't explain why that Rat did that"

They nodded about the rat but they were not convinced

"Yes, your guildmember, why was his reasons though? Do you know why?"

Haw agreed what Ironno said, as himself, he is just an alchemy apprentice and open thug in Mountaiwall who eventually enter a job by four women.

"Ironno stop, we had enough of speculating. It would be best to know the whole thing, besides, the rat is an explorer"

Ironno stopped as the others ask something else.

"Is there something else to say? Haw!?"

The S rank adventurer, giving off a strong presence like some saint warrior in their terms, as they started to learn more about the Enders. Haw then pulls out his hidden stash.

"Then you know about this"

A strange crystal was shown to them. It shines a small light from it where the others pulled closer to see it.

"It's a crystal"

Haw's eyes began to glow where the mana couldn't recognize by them.

"What the?"

Then Haw pulled it back hidden by his grasp.

"Do you know what crystal is it?"

All of them paused and one of them shakes their head, and Ironno knows it but follows along.

"I am human, but a different kind of human"

One of the adventurers groaned

"Please, get to the point about that crystal"

Then Haw pulls back what he said and stare at the crystal again, the shine shows no reaction but himself gives a glow of his eyes again.

"The crystal known by a few of goblins that it contained power called soulfate"

They only saw his eyes glow, but never imagined to contain any power beside that.

"This power however deemed to be useless, but the fragment of these crystals will fool anyone"

"Uh huh? you mean these crystals are fakes?"

"Worse than fakes, it was from another world and proven to be strong. It gives a punishable reality when using it"

"So far, I used it as casting my magics. Better than a magic scroll yet it depends during the moment"

"Hmm, like what? I’ve never seen this in any magic shop in other cities"

"That’s the mystery of this crystal. There are no sources of what kind of mana it is using, it replicated any magic as it gathers power from thin air"

Ironno held it in of how mix his truth were

"Then how about you said other than human?"

"When you get a hold of this crystal, people like me who has no mana, will become the same people where the crystal came from"

Haw witnessed their reaction with a sense of power. Yet, the crystal already felt it in surging in his grasp.

Haw kept it in where the crystal started to reacted around him, as it seeks anything that mana contained. His control with the crystal made him sure who is the safe candidate to use it under their watchful eyes. Ironno can't see what he did, but he know he used it. Alche turns around the topic to something about the crystal.

"If it were true then can we be reliable of its uses in Rune Isles?"

The other adventurers began to speak after him

"It might, but the creatures will consume us because they are mana eating monsters"

"The new explorers did find their tests near the shores of Enders Bridge"

The conversation changes as Haw excuses himself

"Sorry, but I have something to do. I'll be back"

The others continue on.

"So, how's the tests?"

Alche went along the conversation, where the two left outside of the portal. Once out, Ironno and Haw argued a bit

"Exposing another one, and it’s the soulfate crystal. Are you gone mad after giving those kids with one of your powerful potions last week?"

"Ironno, I know, but"

"But what, we are not here to give them anything and we should have recruit one of them. We are already in the predicament of showing off this crystal"

Haw pulls out the crystal again. The storm remains and the glow of the crystal shows differently. In the aura of the crystal, an invisible shield blocks the rain from them like a shelter.

A strange force shield dome appeared where the crystal raised as Haw grasp slowly weakens as it was used on him. Ironno let him be. Haw finally stops where the rain again comes back to wash them down.

"So, this is what magic you used, those adventurers might recognize it if they come along"

Hidden away through the storm, Haw's body was exposed and remained unflinching by the tremendous power of the soulfate.

"Let our Lord Lori'es must know about it, the soulfate crystal have learned from one of those adventurers without them using any of their powers"

Haw responds out of the blue

"Glowing eyes? do you remember any magics or abilities to have that effect"

Ironno didn't think of something about glowing eyes.

"There is some, but eyes that shines . . ."

The two kept to themselves that the difference between them from the adventurers, and the glowing eyes is one of them. Including the S rank adventurer who followed them in secret and saw something familiar

"Is that my forcefield? how did the crystal can copy my . . . "

She pulls herself away where the two are moving back to the portal. She swiftly backs step and when she appears into the camping realm, she rushed to her team and explained from what she saw. Using instant teleportation, she accidentally crashes herself to a wall.

"Silf what's wrong?"

"Haw and Ironno were outside of the camp and . . . we need to inform the others"

"Slow down, we already report about it"

"No, there's more"

Her colleagues saw her nervous expression and helped her

"Alright Silfa"

Silfa brought the other adventurers including Alche. It was Dinner time, and Alche thought he was invited.

"Hey, why am I the only one invited. I know those two won't accept it, but I least we could ask"

"One of our members want to talk, and since you are part of the school, it would be advice to help us a bit"

"Ok?"

Alche followed along and the rest of the A ranks joined in.

"Ok Silf, what this is about them?"

While waiting for them to have dinner, they first ask her what she saw.

"Remember about the crystal that Haw showed us"

"Yeah, it's a magical crystal that he mentioned"

"Yeah about that, I saw him using it and I saw my magic being cast"

"Really like what?"

"My forcefield magic"

The adventurers couldn't believe it

"Really!?"

"How did he used it?"

"Is it powerful? Or just a gimmick"

"I heard it doesn’t require mana"

"Maybe he has some mana potion on him to use it"

"Impossible, our magic is too unique to replicate to theirs"

In the middle of their talk, Alche intervene their discussion.

"Calm down, let's just say he can"

"Alche, do you believe me?"

"This is a man from Enders, and much so I know little about him besides being an alchemist"

"An Alchemist!?"

"Respectfully, but I like to remind you all that this world is still a thriving apocalyptic world. I spend time with him and the other people who come to Isekai City. I let you know, that Haw always show us the real dangers of those items. Partially, ha"

He laughs a bit to himself but it didn’t help them assure about him.

"He's right, others are far too different. Like the weapons from other cities and the Rebellion from the East. I've been to most bounty missions as an A rank and I can't even use their weapons except my own"

"Same goes to our tech that can't be used by them"

The other adventurers are more what they learn in their quests

"What is crazy that most of them in this never lied about those facts. I’m still skeptic about it, they did mention about demons or goblins acting strange around our city"

"Then are we going to trust them now, there are other races show concern for us before, until . . ."

The A ranks got stuck from their past experiences of having to trust the Horsin World. Their past knowledge of trust still remained in their doubts. Silfa broke it off

"Alche, is there any doubt from Haw's crystal?"

"Haw recently showed us a moment ago, I don’t want him to use it inside a city"

The S ranks laugh a bit

"I hope so, I remember those days our own people making it worse because of their magic"

"Anyway, one of my co-workers told me he is trustworthy. That’s all I can say to you"

"Ok back to the point, the crystal"

"Yeah, that's I want to know as well. He is the one who save the first expedition, he might use the crystal"

The adventurers remember it, and Alche has some doubt about it

"I really want to know more to his rescuees than him. Comparing those four from what he did to help them really gives you a suspicious idea what he can do"

"Alright? Then you mean we need to ask them to explain his behavior, right?"

Alche was thinking about since Haw's first day entering Sister's Hope Highschool. Because of Haw exposing himself again, and this time to the city guild. What's odd to hear where Alche heard Ironno's complaint before heading out hunting during the storm. His words were

"You're not bringing your bottles"

Back to the meeting,

"Alche, are you sure? We are going to confront your and our superiors about this"

Silfa don't want to waste this opportunity and neither for Alche's understanding this situation.

The next day, Alche has no time for waiting for the city guild to respond. He headed to Haw and Ironno as they are lying outside, storm still rages as they wash it down with no signs of discomfort.

"Why didn't you guys go back to the campsite?"

"We are just standing guard"

Alche gives them a confused look and explains to them.

"You know we are in the weakest part of the forest, in our term to be called D rank area"

He continues as they remained in their place

"We have a large number of adventurers that are about 16 of them"

Ironno responds to that claim.

"We are not going to change even if we are surrounded by your best"

Alche sighs and quickly ask them what he talk about yesterday.

"So, about that crystal"

Haw reply to him without any hesitation

"Yes, it can do more, but I don’t want to use it carelessly"

"Then why didn't you told them more about it"

"Yeah, yet the crystal can do more what I can gain. Besides, it is still useless for your kind since the crystal need something to feed on to have reaction"

Ironno added more for Alche's interest

"Either it kills you or reserve your mana for the future, this once called powerful thing from another world. Make you realized how it has potential in Rune Isles"

Alche who kept the secret for the city guild and after hearing that it reserves mana. He asked

"Yeah, I heard about from one of the adventurers that copied their abilities"

A smack from the head, Ironno gives a spectacular sight where the water effects spraying along the swing of his fist to Haw. Alche was surprised and Ironno complained

"Again with your antics, Haw, what are you trying to pull on that thing"

Haw stood still and pulled out the crystal and throw at to Alche.

"If you really want to know then study it or let the city guild find out"

Alche held the crystal felt the immense pressure from the crystal.

A big sense of impulse of him being paralyze as it quickly shocks him. Ironno and Haw saw him in distress, they kept staring at him. Alche remained still until his mana was drained. He fell to his knees with his clothes drench in the rain and feel the cold storm flowing through as he feels the reality of this world. Most people with isekai powers are used to endure uncomfortable environment from the outside world. For Alche, he is no exception. He pulled himself up with the crystal in hand, not showing any signs of grief and he ask them.

"Do you have mana?"

Both of them shakes their heads and continue to stare at him.

Alche grins without any magic to bear.

"Understand, thanks for the crystal"

He moves back to the campsite and never felt this weak as he slowly goes into the portal. The environment he is experiencing is like using his own personal strength. Once back in, the adventurers saw him such a sorry state.

"What happened!? !!!, is that Haw's crystal?"

"Yeah, but don't touch it. You see how I look. You know how it goes"

They bring him the others without any of the students' notice. Once they reach their lounge, Silfa, who saw Haw yesterday, was shocked seeing Alche becoming so weak.

"What happened? I can't even sense your mana"

Alche looking a mess and his own skin turns pale for some reason.

"Let just say I have the crystal, and we can study how it can do"

He placed the crystal on the table, and once he let it go, his powers return in such a short time. Alche remained his curiosity

"Interesting, I just hope it won't kill me though"

One of the adventurers couldn't believe of how is it work, and Alche could only explain one thing.

"A crystal from another world, we should be careful handling something this strange to ever exist"

On that point on, Alche explained to them what he felt and the rest he knows. Regarding about replicating their powers only question of how it drained his power as well. The rest of the days continue on studying about the crystal. Until Haw comes in asking for his crystal.

"Did you learn what it can do?"

Alche and the others have scarcely found something and ask him.

"Where did you get it?"

"From Enders Bridge, honestly, this kind of item are forbidden in Purissarwell and Mountaiwall"

"And"

"Because those cities are mana dependent"

That explanation questioned about Mountaiwall for having mana, as they carry only runes, the crystal had shown more of its capabilities. They felt another reminiscent of a discovery like anything they miserably did.

"Then how didn't affect in your city"

"Because mana in my city is segregated. Yours that I don't even dare try"

Alche continues to proceed as much what research they could get.

"One of our tests found out that it mostly leaching the mana. You said it can use magic"

One of them gives his crystal back with their special protective gloves. Haw held it and begins to replicate one of the adventurer's abilities. A large ring of divine magic, he stops it momentarily and the rest where shock that someone uses an ultimate ability from a person they know.

"You use someone's ultimate without any thought"

Haw looks at them and gives his observation.

"Hmm, I might explain a bit"

Alche and a few of them ignored their shock as they want to hear about the crystal.

"Tell us"

Haw keeps the crystal and hid into his belt.

"It can truly replicate. I grasp from the crystal giving me images of magic from you. I don't know for sure as I see from it, plenty of magic and powerful abilities that I will make but know nothing about its effects"

They turn to the someone they know who can use that kind of power, and that same person clap their hands to show their gratitude from thought

"Yeah, I wouldn't use it too"

"Luckily that this crystal won't replicate for long. Even if it has unlimited mana, but the requirement that is needed to form such a magic rely heavily who experienced using it"

"You mean the divine magic won't replicate again"

Haw is not sure, yet he has experienced using it like that.

"By experience yes, it would use it for a second time, if I know how to. You could try asking other Enders if you want to know more"

They persist, but Alche thinks it would be better off not going to far as it is as tempting than the dangers Haw told. They are hoping they could use it someday.

"Can you at least lend us a bit more?"

"I won't, it's better try asking the others if they have one. This one was a gift after becoming a member in a guild"

"Raker Mawn, seems like . . ."

As Alche says it, Haw stops him

"It wasn't Raker Mawn, but rather a different guild"

Alche paused a bit and the others went along.

"I could say which guild, but it is probably personal that I shouldn’t. Maybe someday we find someone who knows those crystals"

Haw left without any further interruption. The other city guild members came rushing hearing that the crystal was already taken away.

"Did you guys really let him have it?"

"It's his crystal . . . what's with that look?"

The A rank adventurers look terrifying as they have seen something unimaginable.

"That crystal contained the pieces of the powerful resources for the city guild's project"

Alche stops them as they are going after Haw.

"I don't want to interfere but . . ."

"His right, and what's more intriguing that it is ban from a few cities as well"

"That's what we trying to tell you, it is the same crystal that causes problems in east mountains"

Alche is lost what they claim, and they are referring something he didn't know. A message popping up from their city guild notification put themselves a new dilemma.