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<01/20/1972 – 08:00 | Lennith City, Junon Region, Sprawn Valley>
Jane slipped awake into the next morning in the bed of her hotel room. Just a single night here cost 120 credits, which didn't include any additional services. After eating breakfast through her remaining MREs, Jane got herself dressed in an alternate dress sphere she saved for the occasion. It took several minutes to fix her hair, but at least she managed to wash up well last night despite her enduring exhaustion. Jane thought about cutting her hair shorter, making it look nicer, but today wasn't going to be that day.
To follow up exactly as Claudia said yesterday, Jane carefully and casually made her way towards the Lennith Training Facility in the northwest section of Lennith City. There were different divided up sectors of the place for everything, and Lennith's facility had its own specified sector that officially belonged to the government. Jane had to make her way to the back of the building this time, without being spotted by any sort of school guard or curious Leray agent. People don't normally patrol the perimeter of the school anyway, but the fact that Jane was entering illegally gave her something to feel nervous about. Being overly cautious couldn't hurt this time.
The training section on the outside of the facility was large and spacious, the floor brightened cement instead of grass. There was a large stone square with arches and half-circles drawn on the shaven ground below her. The lines were drawn using white paint, and Jane quickly got the idea that this boxed section was some sort of arena area they use to train against other people outdoors here. It was an exciting thought for sure; first year students don't actually get the chance to have a Leray battle against any other people, but above the level of basic, wielders get to fight others all the time. It should be legal after receiving first year's basic training to use stray magic, if it is to spar with other students for the purpose of intense training exercises.
Jane tried not to get distracted. She came up to that metal door Claudia showed her before. This was defiantly the same place. The door wasn't automatic, though neither was the front of the building, and it didn't appear as if any sort of security system was installed into its unit. There is just a handle as a nob, carrying an engraving that resembled a basic lock.
Jane took a deep breath and pushed down on the lever. The door then slid backwards after another soft pull. Claudia did say she would leave the door unlocked, but Jane wasn't so sure if she cloud be trusted just yet. Without having anyone around her, Jane felt tenser by how easy this was so far.
After walking inside and shutting the door behind her, Jane was suddenly subject to see the inner workings of the building. Somehow, this looked like any other ordinary school. Jane was still in the hallway section, lit with fluorescent white lights and formed in the usual long rectangle with doors on each side. Jane needed to stop and look around more. One of the rooms has a specific number on it; 2202. It must be a system of rooms in hallways that is numbered by numerical sections, dropping down in value the closer to the front of the building one gets. Despite how normal and unattractive the side split hallway was, the building itself was deceptively huge. They also kept everything a lot cleaner here. The floor glossed without any moisture, not a single dust bunny to be sighted.
As Jane continued walking towards the end of this hallway and onto the main hall, she kept reading each room number to herself and doing her best to remain quiet. Practically nobody was around right now, but the lights in most of the rooms were on. Claudia didn't give her that much instruction on what to do after entering the school, but if she could find her specific classroom, all should go well. If anyone finds her right now though, it could be a big problem. Jane could occasionally pick up on a few voices muffled behind the walls. Those voices still projected, indicating they belonged to teachers lecturing their classes; there were so many though. So many different subjects can belong to the studies of Leray magic instead of just the primary use of magic itself, and this facility seems to have it all.
The room number she needed to get to, Jane remembered what that was from her conversation earlier. If this all works out, Jane's new room number will be 1607, and Claudia will become her new teacher. Of course that's to assume this isn't some kind of cruel joke. Jane couldn't shake the feeling that this was some kind of setup; that Claudia had been lying to her earlier. It was the excuse that made no sense though. What would be the point in a prank? Claudia would be willing to risk her own career, add a student to the roster for free, and personally train that student, all because of what? Because I can use Redemption? Because I passed Route 96 like everybody else would have? Or because I got caught in an incident with Patrissa? None of those all mixed together or apart should be enough reason to personally train someone. Jane would never do the same if she were in that position. It's no big deal to do what she did earlier, and it all ended in failure anyway.
She didn't want to think anymore. In everything she tried not to screw up, Jane only made things worse. Now she was separated from her two only friends, she stole from a man's license and can't pay it back, and the Den of Purity is now blocked by some invisible or crazy field, or something... What the hell was that Harris guy talking about anyway? Even the General Army soldier failed to give her a full explanation of what was really happening in the Outback. If Jane was going to have any chance at this now, she needed to both be stronger and find some way to sneak into the Outback. Or, it might be better to just give up and wait here for Danny and Taylor to show themselves.
Room 1607. Jane's chain of thought was interrupted by finally arriving at the classroom number. She could hear more lecturing voices inside, so there was defiantly an ongoing class there. But what if this isn't Claudia's classroom? What if she was lying this whole time? If someone suddenly finds out that Jane is here against school policy, it might land her in a fine of debt, and for such a highly secure front entrance, it was wildly suspicious that a simple side door with no electronic functions was seeded right into one of the side hallways of the facility. She had to go through with it now; Jane already came this far.
Jane twisted the golden nob on the door, opening herself to the classroom. As she did, everybody suddenly stopped talking and diverted their eyes her way. The students, every one of them turned around in their seats to find out who was walking in, but their curiosity was a response to that of their teacher doing the same. Jane didn't recognize anybody, except for their designated instructor in charge. It was Claudia, wearing such an elegant and beautiful dress sphere too.
Jane's attention was scattered towards the background of the classroom. It seemed so different than the one at her old school. The setup had arrays of desks on a nice carpet floor, but the incline of the ground ascended upwards slightly towards the back of the room, carrying three times the normal volumetric area of any classroom to her memory. At the end of the room was a gigantic gray board and a projector above it, displaying notes from files uplinked from a computer. There was some kind of small podium at the top of the incline, almost built as if the teacher was standing on a stage. Jane had never seen one before, but the setup was a lot like that of a college classroom.
Claudia casually reported on her behalf, defusing the situation quickly. "Why Jane? You appear to be several minutes tardy."
Jane didn't realize that she was late today. She wasn't even supposed to be here at all! Everyone except for Claudia seemed to be holding confused expressions on their faces. This was to be expected too; Jane was a total stranger to everyone here, as they were to her as well. The thought of her latency returned to her. Jane realized that the class today began at eight A.M., but Jane was here at eight fifteen. Did Claudia not realize this was her first time in the building? Or was she just asking that to act casual? "Uh, sorry miss Claudia."
Claudia nodded at Jane while standing at the front of the room. For the size of the place and how far apart the desks were to the podium, Claudia's voice somehow projected well, more than it should have. Either the design here was great for speeches, or she was just wielding a hidden microphone.
"Please. Call me Claudi."
"Claudi?" Jane thought it was a bit strange for a teacher use nicknames, but she ignored it and took her seat. There was an empty desk and chair close to the front of the room. Several other students surrounded her, all judging Jane by everything. Her clothes, her hair, her looks, age, etcetera, but the fact that Jane was here illegally was what made her more nervous than anything. This is what Claudia meant? To just show up to class as if Jane were an ordinary student at Lennith Academy? What about the paperwork? What about license verification standards and graduation protocols? Jane wanted to scream it at the top of her lungs, to demand answers from her teacher right now! Why did Claudia want to personally teach Jane for free? What does Claudia get out of this?!
Claudia stood straight at the upper level of the floor, only about a two foot difference in height above everyone else. The projector was active, displaying slides on the grey board behind her, but Claudia needed to make sure everyone was on the same page. "Everyone, we have a new student joining us today. I don't believe we will have to worry about recovering anything or going over old information. So I trust you'll all make her feel welcome in Lennith's tier three level."
"Oh yeah? What's your name?" One of the younger girls turned her seat, asking Jane directly. She was sitting just left of her, so it was easy to hear her voice and see her face.
Jane checked out the person asking first. She was about the same age as Jane, but with shorter, darker hair. Jane had pitch black hair, so it was impossible to see it darker in someone else, but Jane had no choice but to accept that small detail of reality. And that dress sphere... Everybody's dress sphere was different, but all of them were very fashionable, including that of Jane's. There was a clear difference in quality, allowing Jane to potentially name the price tag on every dress or item of clothing. Jane's outfit probably seemed to be of the lowest value despite her looking good in the casual outfit, though it made her realize the downsides of not having designated school uniforms. "I'm Jane Venn." There wasn't any point in hiding that from others. Nobody in this entire town knew who she was. Claudia may have been the only exception, but she isn't a normal person either.
The girl slightly bobbed her head forward in agreement. "I'm Alyssa." She chose to keep wearing the small glasses on her face, Alyssa using them to see properly and clearly. Alyssa then held out her hand in front of the new student.
Jane was a little confused. Alyssa wanted a handshake? Why was she being so friendly towards her? Jane shook her hand quick, trying not to seem surprised. At the same time, she realized that at Dakota academy, everybody knew her well, and they knew how hard she trained every day, but here, she was just another ordinary girl in a level three class. It made a little more sense now, but being the mysterious transfer student washed her thoughts between the sense of belonging and the desire not to.
While it seemed like Alyssa wanted to ask Jane more questions, the continuation of the class brought on by Claudia's lecture postponed her plans. "Our lesson today does review a little bit about dark magic, but we're going to be adding equation conversions this time."
This was getting interesting fast. Did Claudia take that to mean she was teaching dark magic? No, she couldn't be that insane. Jane still had to ask, and raised her hand to try and remain formal. "Uh, dark magic?"
Jane's question sounded more like she had never heard of the term before, and everybody around her began sighing in stress. Claudia picked up on this quickly, and tried to decide how to explain this without wasting too much time. "Dark magic is a different type of magic than Leray magic. It differs in the sense that it is an illegal—"
Jane interrupted Claudi mid-sentence, "I know what it is. I don't understand what context we're talking about though."
Did nobody pass Jane any notes on the class? "It's more like defense against dark magic," Alyssa filled in.
Jane turned her head in surprise. "Is that even possible?"
Claudia cleared her throat. She knew she would have to re-explain things after all. "What do you know of dark magic, Jane?"
"Just what everyone tells me."
Claudia exhaled. It wasn't the answer she was looking for. Come to think of it, Jane didn't really answer at all. "We all know about the history of Leray magic, including where it comes from originally, and what makes up the Leray veil of protection."
"Right?" Jane leaned.
Claudia continued, "But dark magic is different. It derives its energy from the same source Leray magic does, but operates on a negative waveform coefficient. That means, dark magic has the ability to inflict harm on other people while bypassing the effects of the veil at the same time. In other words, it is common knowledge that those who are knocked out against powers only using dark magic are actually killed instead of kayoed. It is forbidden magic because it completely ignores that which protects people from death in these lands, the only magic capable of causing real time damage."
Jane already knew most of this, but she didn't want to interrupt. It's true what they say. Dark magic is that which can kill any living person on contact, and there are multiple ways to get killed from it. Jane used to think it was magic that can be used outside of the continent, but that's not how it works. Sprawn Valley is the only one place in the world that is protected by the Leray veil of protection, but that protection comes with additional perks; the ability to invoke Leray magic. However, the people here can somehow adapt that magic and convert it into what is known as dark magic. Dark magic cannot exist without Leray magic, thus without the presence of the protection veil. That's why it's almost ironic that it can completely ignore the properties of the veil and kill people with its magical damaging capabilities. However, neither Leray magic, dark magic, nor pure magic can be used outside of the Leray veil of protection, more specifically, outside of Sprawn Valley.
"There are a lot more ways than one in which dark magic can kill you. Even if you're hit with just one stray attack from dark magic and sustain little real time damage, passing out from successive Leray attacks after the fact can still end your life. It all depends on how it happens. That's why loonies with that knowledge are dangerous, just as much as dark magic infusion is."
Jane raised her hand again. "I got to ask, what is dark magic infusion? I've heard of it before, but..."
None of the students currently had objections to Jane's barrage of common questions, but Claudia knew the reason for that was the review it was giving everyone. Students are tested on this after all, and these are the specific side lessons this group learns. "Dark magic infusion is a different process, perhaps more deadly and dangerous than normal magic powers. Infusion is the process of imbuing dark magical energy into a specific area, an area that affects the land that is imbued by its powers. When land becomes imbued by dark magic, it creates a negation zone, which is a zone that contains, spits out, and harbors dark energy in the ground and air around that area. The best common example of this would be that Alpha Zero in our backyard."
Alpha Zero? Jane heard of that before; it's what they now call the Outback. How did Claudia know about that though? Jane didn't actually mention that term to her yesterday. "Alpha Zero? You mean the Outback?"
Alyssa and others glanced at Jane with annoyed expressions. Jane did just join the class, but on what qualifications was she accepted here so late? Did Claudia have something to do with her being here?
"You mean you haven't heard?" Claudia dispensed. "That's all the Outback is now. It's just a large portion of land that has been imbued with dark magical energy. That's why it's too dangerous to get near it right now, and why all of the wildlife there has perished."
"Perished?!" Jane didn't mean to outburst so intensely, but that couldn't be real. The Outback is supposed to be a vast array of wild lands, only thin forests with limitless grass lands and a few ponds inside. The wildlife there is incredibly abundant. Wait, is that what people meant by dark zone? Somebody imbued dark magic into the entire area of the Outback? Who the hell would do something like that? Jane couldn't process her last outburst, too surprised by the sudden realization. She knew she was just scratching the same itch earlier, but Claudia really did know more than the rest of the idiots walking around town!
"It means they're gone," Alyssa translated. "The Outback, I mean Alpha Zero is nothing more than a dead desolate field of dirt and shriveled brown twigs." Didn't anyone tell Jane these things? She can't have come from Lennith City or anything surrounding it to be this clueless.
"And the Alpha Zero," Claudia informed, "is just what our military has decided to call it. The unofficial name today is just the dark zone."
"The dark zone? It's the same as Alpha Zero?" Jane repeated. How does everyone here know this if they aren't allowed to get anywhere near the place?
"Alpha Zero is called such because the dark zone there swallowed up most of the land north of this city. It's nothing more now than the largest section of uncolonized land in Sprawn Valley that is just a large field embedded with dark magical energy. Because that energy has been there for over two months, the wildlife in the zone has not survived. Instead, the land has been replaced with death, bloodthirsty monsters that spawn frequently, and even monsters that shouldn't exist. Weather locking properties there bring about dark waterless clouds of smoke in the sky that blocks the light from above. The sky there turns blood red, providing little light even in the day time. Nobody can go there because of the danger. The sudden appearance of monster attacks threatens anyone there. The monsters may not use dark magic to fight others, but so long as you are in a technically declared dark zone, simple Leray magic can still cause real time damage."
"Whoa whoa whoa!" Jane stuttered. "This doesn't make any sense! I've heard about what happened, but what the hell are you talking about? Where did all of this come from, how is that possible, and how do you even know about it?" Jane suddenly felt embarrassed by her question once everybody was now staring at her. It was like she was the alien in this conversation. How could she of all people not have heard about this? That's the atmospheric vibe right now.
"Calm down," Claudia eased. "There is no shame in being misinformed. Should I explain everything again?"
Jane took a calming exhale and replied politely. "I just don't understand what's going on. All I remember is that the Outback is a wild land safe for travel, but I don't understand all of that death and monster spawning nonsense."
"Okay Jane. It's like this." Claudia stepped down from the elevated floor, allowing her voice to fill the room more easily. "Dark magic and dark infusion are not exactly the same thing in Sprawn Valley. The dark zone designated as Alpha Zero is special for a reason. Other than the unusual size in the zone itself, it is common knowledge here that any such dark zone is dangerous to everybody's health. That danger comes from the fact that the zone itself, powered by the infusion of dark magic energy - negates all effects from the veil of Leray protection, and replaces that zone with an invisible aura known as dark energy. You could see this as a magical veil using dark magic as the format. Are you with me so far?"
Jane nodded, and Claudia took that to know when to keep talking. "Inside of that dark zone, people who use Leray magic still use Leray magic. This energy format is not converted into dark magic under any circumstances, but their properties in general are still affected. In a normal area in Sprawn Valley, a Leray attack will cause Leray damage, which is just a way of saying that such damages are limited by the veil itself. But dark magic is not restrained, which explains why it can negate those effects no matter where on the continent you are. Dark magic doesn't just cause real time damage. It is also twice or three times more powerful than the force and power levels of Leray magic, which is the reason criminals and vigilantes prefer to use such violent warfare, but inside of a dark zone, everything changes."
This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.
Claudia gave herself a second to breath. "The Leray veil of protection still spans through the entire continent of Sprawn Valley, and for that purpose, magic still coexists inside of places that are even affected by the dark zone. However, the veil does not protect people from harm or death inside of those dark zones, which explains why dark magic and Leray magic can still be triggered within these zones. Though at the same time, Leray magic itself is reduced on a power scale while used in a dark zone. A Leray ability that is normally as effective as it should be is only half as effective inside of dark zones."
"I think I get it so far, but what about that one in the Outback?"
"Criminals sometimes use dark zones to try and change their odds of success, whether that is to escape, capture, or steal something important. But dark zones are usually no more than two or three hundred meters wide in radius, and never last for more than a day... Alpha Zero is special. This is the first time in history that a dark zone has ever become this massive by size and volume. That's why this one affects the weather, and why dangerous monsters are spawning in and out of phase there. That's also why people who jump in there don't come out alive. The army put a stop to travel the moment they caught wind of it. If you are inside of a dark zone, and something knocks you out that isn't just from Leray damage, you won't wake back up to see another day. The monsters in that area probably use methods other than magic to kill people. Luckily, they cannot travel outside of their own dark zone, and neither can the desolation of wildlife. That alone may actually suggest the possibility that the creatures which used to exist in the Outback were transformed into such malicious beasts. But even so, we think that Alpha Zero might be growing bit by bit. All of this information has been traded to this school by the military scouting reports. It's not exactly a secret around here."
"Hold on," Jane demanded. Everything sort of makes sense so far, except for two things. "If it's so dangerous and special, than who is the one doing all of that? Wouldn't the suspect be on the most wanted list, and isn't it the job of the General Army to take care of national problems this big? Why aren't they doing anything about it?"
"You don't think they've already tried?" Jane remained silent after the rhetorical question, noticeably tensing in fear. Claudia already knew of the many death reports that happened there. "It's still a level four instead of a level five danger zone, but that's only because the zone isn't growing at a rapid pace. The soldiers that have all been sent in there have not returned, except for one, I believe, and all he did was scout the area with a patrol he also lost."
Jane had this all figured out with vague structure at best. "So, the General Army can't do anything about a problem this big?" This has to be the start of a practical prank. If an area so dangerous exists, and the General Army can't fix it, wouldn't that mean the end of the world? Nobody else seems panicked by this?
Alyssa thought about it all again silently. She learned about this a while ago, but never really gave the situation much thought, not from the potential perspective of the soldiers themselves. The person in charge of that operation must be freaked out about the whole situation. Still, Jane is such a novice. She doesn't sound intelligent at all.
Claudia answered with an added perspective. "Imagine the trouble it must be. Scouts don't return. Patrols and elite warriors don't even come back alive, and that is because Alpha Zero is just another word for - one really massive dark zone. You die inside of there, and you don't come back from that. You're health probably doesn't even need to drop down to zero percent in order to lose consciousness. No matter what, the damage you take in there is considered real time. If something cuts open your skin, you bleed and the wound remains unsealed. Rumor has it that being barraged with bullets is said not to kill you right away in Alpha Zero, but it would still hurt three times as bad compared to Leray spells performing similar tasks, while leaving open flesh wounds. Siriean domes don't activate there, and the magic orbs have apparently restricted effectiveness in the field."
Jane never could have imagined such a difficult place, and she thought Route 96 was bad... It all makes sense now. It's why people no longer call the Outback by its normal name anymore. It's why those GA soldiers are blocking the north exit all the time, and even why the General Army has no current solutions to the problem. Nobody is strong enough or brave enough to challenge a guy or a monster who can use deadly magic. It would take another dark magical user to oppose such a powerful mage or beast. Still, how could someone be allowed to do this? "Am I to guess that the person responsible is inside of there? How is he even alive?"
"As you may or may not know, only one official structure exists inside of the Alph— I mean the Outback."
Jane's heart sunk, forcing a soft whisper out of her just before Claudia was going to finish that sentence. "Noooo."
"A place known as the Den of Purity. Officially, it was once the one and only place in the world to go in order to reverse permanent spells attached to people who no longer want them, but now it's out of reach, no longer an option for wielders. Instead, it's where that bastard is hiding."
"Who?"
"Professor Brightworth."
Alyssa chimed in to explain it to Jane. "That's the man, I mean mage who is supposed to be the one who does spell inversions, but he's now the one responsible for the creation of Alpha Zero. At least, he's the primary suspect."
"In other words," Claudia elaborated, "Brightworth is the national criminal involved in the incident. He is on the most wanted list, and nothing can yet be done since he is hiding inside of his own protected lair of danger. We believe he is the reason that the dark zone still exists after so much time. The General Army has been trying to arrest him, but with no luck at all. Kind of hard to reverse the dark zone when vile spawns from hell are trying to kill you every few minutes. I don't think the entire battalion sent in at once stands a chance. As bad of news as that might sound, it is the reality of our situation."
Just as Jane felt the situation couldn't get any worse, it managed to unfold spikes all around her aura of hope. Can nothing be done to save her of this hell? Still, it's mildly surprising that Claudia, no - an entire class of students around her own age know about this, given they have not ventured the area themselves. "But how do you know all of this?"
Claudia asked Jane the simple sided question. "Have you been keeping up with the news on a regular basis for the past two months?"
Jane lowered her head in shame towards the floor. "No." Jane became depressed quickly, giving her more latency to explain herself. "I've been training instead, training to get better with Leray magic." Jane did recall the news bulletin regarding the Tilsit incident, but she actually missed a large portion of that show, thus most of the information, but Claudia said two months ago, so that program time also was irrelevant.
"I see," Claudia responded casually. Jane is supposed to have a lot of potential, but maybe she really does focus far too much on training. Hope it isn't true. Nothing good will come of taking that kind of road. "Too much time training and not enough learning. I think we can break that habit of yours. We're a class of balance. You don't pass or graduate from here by learning as many abilities as possible. You must also prove your knowledge on the inner workings of Leray magic." Jane had no response or objection to that statement, but Claudia loved to speak it. It was one of her favorite lectures. People who have no understanding of Leray magic are not ready enough to use it, even if they are powerful. That's how certain people view the learning experience.
Though Jane appeared to be soaking in everything Claudia was saying, she was really lost in a looping thought. The one person she needed to go to is not only unreachable because of a deadly magical field, but he is also the one responsible for that field. Just great! Even if Jane could make it to the Den of Purity and survive all of those monsters, would a dangerous reclusive criminal really help her out? Was her entire dream of becoming a Leray master ever even a possibility?
Alyssa became distracted by another detail... Jane's sudden lack of attention. Is she so depressed by this news? Why bother sulking into it anyway? She must have some kind of business or plan to go there someday. Of course, those plans would have to be canceled. The world won't end over this though. Eventually, those army soldiers will plan a way inside and fix everything.
"I know it might look like the General Army is just sitting back twiddling their thumbs, but I say no way," Claudia announced. "They haven't tried anything daring recently, but that probably means they're developing some kind of plan. I hope none of you worry about the dark zone in our backyard, because it won't be there forever."
"I'm guessing it's forbidden to enter the dark zone under any circumstances?" Jane knew the answer already, but she still had to try. This Brightworth mage might be a criminal, but perhaps he would still be willing to help her in particular. Even if he didn't, Jane could just force the guy to fix her problem, perhaps even pretend to bribe him with secrecy for his actions.
Claudia put a finger on her lips in thought. "Other than the General Army's executive and those under orders from the Elite Five, then yes. No civilians, agents, investigators, or regular Leray wielders have business there anymore." She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but her words have changed Jane's expression in just seconds. After the talk about dark magic and the Alpha Zero, it's as if Jane lost all of her life, her expression and confidence all sunk away. Or maybe there was some kind of bad memory haunting her about something else, but it wouldn't seem right to ask now. "I think we've heard enough about dark magic for a day. How about everyone be ready in five to head to the dark room?"
Jane's head perked up immediately. This wasn't just a history class after all. Dark rooms imply training exercises and learning activities. Every school has them, but she couldn't begin to guess how different one from this facility will look like. All wielders call them dark rooms for having the unbreakable reputation of remaining invulnerable to Leray magic damage by structural design.
"Jane? It will be normal training and continuation free-style lessons. Room E43."
"I think I'll just follow you guys," she spoke. There was no denying the defeated sound in her tone, but what would anyone else expect? They just crushed her one and only chance at reversing this curse affecting her with just a few minutes of knowledge. Sure, they might have advanced training, free lessons, and a special dark room, but Jane would never be able to just get by with this. Her endurance would always be cut into a third of what it should normally be. What more is there a reason for staying here?
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Chapter Theme Shift: Calm Mind Reflected in the Pupil ~ Star Ocean 3 OST
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Dark rooms are rooms specifically designed to house an entire class of people and allow them to train using magical powers freely, though most dark rooms are all the same. They all have a massive size for just one room, impressive magnetic locks on their doors, and walls made out of special metal material designed to completely absorb any type of magical power. The one thing Jane always loved about dark rooms is the unique lighting system they have here. Thousands of small blue lights without an actual form or point of origin filled the ceiling. The lights are non-physical, emanating from special magical energy that never seems to need recharging. Without blinding anyone in the face with them, the entire room was well lit with a soft radiant glow of cool colors that imitated a fog, one without the ability to reduce depth of field to the eyes.
Room E43 was the plate on the outside of the room. Though it means nothing special, just a name tag for designating which classes get which rooms. This room was anything but some big empty cube. Multiple wall attachments and sections on the ground were made with columns and barricades set with interesting patterns. The design was to give everybody to aim at something, while enhancing their movement skills at the same time. Other sections held more open space, as they were designed to exchange magical fire between multiple parties, though a few sections existed to the sides of these areas for the main purpose of storage. As Jane entered with the rest of the class, she was too busy looking around to realize that people have already chosen their own stations.
Stations are other sections in the same room, providing different types or styles of training, such as multi-player close combat, long range aiming with other people as moving targets, or just the standard free-style dome sections that allow students to develop new abilities without harming others. Claudia appeared to have her own section. Actually, Jane soon realized that it wasn't a training section Claudia was heading to. It seemed more like a private office without any walls, with a desk on the outside, dressers behind it and a small bookshelf full of books. The section was all wedged against the back wall near the corner.
Claudia took her time walking towards her desk. Everyone around her was already beginning to train some more. Thunder Strikes and Tri-Attacks were apparently the favorite of today, but she also caught Jane walking more slowly behind her. Jane seemed to be taking it all in still. She never actually did say what her school was like. If Jane comes from Fronas, that means she graduated basic from Dakota, but in a makeshift town like Fronas, it should be safe to assume that Dakota has much less governmental funding.
When she arrived at her work place, Claudia turned around facing Jane. It's not like Jane knew of what to do right now, but she was glad that Jane was about to ask her. She needed to talk about this right now anyway. "Jane?"
Jane saw Claudia in front of her, standing while leaning back on her desk. Claudia told her to come closer using her hand motions. Jane simply went along with this for now. "Lennith's facility is so much nicer. I can see why the entry cost is impossible."
Claudia attempted to set the plan up with Jane, but it wasn't going to be as simple as she thought. "So Jane, this is what our class is made of. In this facility, I can personally train you all sorts of new abilities and special powers. I can even show you a few techniques if you're ready for it all, but I still need to know something other than your choice to stay or not. I need to know where you would like to begin."
Jane placed her hand on her hip, then slowly turned around in her thoughts. "To be honest, I have no clue anymore. I like the place though, and I like the class too. I wouldn't mind staying here with you and training all the way until I can't learn anymore."
Way to dodge the question. "Sounds good," Claudia answered. "I can make that happen. I will be a lot of work though."
"But..." Jane knew this wasn't going to work. It doesn't matter how much training she receives. Without the ability to remove this curse permanently attached to her endurance, nothing will allow her to excel, and with that, no hope of becoming a Leray master remains. "It doesn't matter how you train me, or what way you approach this." Jane turned around, head turning in decline. "I can't ever be a great Leray wielder."
"Now you're just kidding yourself." Claudia's tone didn't even sound surprised, like Jane's hint had not registered for a moment. "You're forgetting the reason I let you in here like this. You're a different learner - a quick learner at that. If you can make it through Route 96 in just a day, and do it with nothing but a few days after basic training, and take down Patrissa's forces even by accident, then you have what it takes to pass my class with flying colors. You just need the motivation."
Jane pointed at her teacher in denial, pulling back her arm with rage. "You just don't get it, do you? I'm not this great Leray wielder you think I am supposed to be. Whatever dream I had of becoming a Leray master, it's all gone now."
"And why is that?" Claudia folded her arms, awaiting the explanation. Jane doubts herself way too much, such is her current downfall.
"You—" Jane looked away, too embarrassed to even say it. "You wouldn't understand."
"People who walk on long roads like 96 don't just go on through without taking rest stops, not unless they have a very good reason to do so. And dreams of becoming something great are not things people just go and throw away without reason either. So I think it impossible to see how I of all people would not understand. I know more about the life of a wielder than you think I do..." Claudia took a deep breath, allowing herself to reset while Jane sulked in process, but the moment reminded Claudia too much about her own past, of all the experiences she had. "Jane? You can talk to me, if not as a teacher, then as a friend."
She sighed before doing anything. It was her fault in the first place. Jane knew using an unknown spell bomb like that could have negative consequences. She knew that by using an unregistered battle designed to activate a spell bomb was in itself breaking the law. She broke protocol, and even now is she still paying for that one mistake. On every single battle she has ever tried after that incident, before reaching Route 96, Jane lost fights against rookies and low level fighters in the most humiliating way. And at long last, her suspicion that it was not normal for her endurance to betray her was proven true. Danny and Taylor really have no clue either; Jane made sure of that. Why does everything she touch lately turn to trash?
"I promise that your situation isn't as bad as you think."
Nobody in this entire city has a clue either. Nothing Jane could do would work. Plan A through Z has failed. Jane has nothing anymore. Nothing at all! Her heart began pounding while the feedback forced her skin to shiver in place, but Jane couldn't shake away the thought any longer. Fine! Claudi wants the truth, she can have it. All it will do is make her look more stupid than she is right now. "You want to know what happened to me? I messed up!"
Claudia didn't expect Jane to be so hostile about it, but Jane kept her volume level down a notch, not wanting to become the center of attention. She stood in closer to Claudia and elaborated on what she meant.
"I used an unknown spell bomb on myself shortly after graduation. I had no idea what it did or what it was, but I had some indication ahead of time that it was dangerous. And instead of keeping it out of harm's way, I used it on myself thinking it would bring me more fortune. I'm the idiot here! It's the reason I have no future."
Claudia squinted, "A spell bomb?" Just when she thought she heard it all, this girl tells her that a spell bomb wrecked her future?
"Correct. Now I lose almost every single battle I have against anybody, no matter what. I'm not sure what it was designed for, or what type of spell it has done to me, but it's permanent. The reason it's a bad thing is because it cuts my natural endurance into a tiny fraction."
"Th—that's impossible!" Claudia denied. "Come on. You're telling me that the reason you're upset is because you used a spell bomb on yourself that cuts your health down and makes it harder to win? Spell bombs don't work like that, not without offering some kind of sacrifice in return."
"And what would you know about spell bombs anyway?"
She cleared her throat, Claudia standing an inch taller than she was before. "You're forgetting that I'm an expert in teaching Leray magic, and I've been on this seat for almost twenty-five years. I don't just sit around counting the hours when school is out. I can identify just about any spell bomb in the entire world." At that, the girl in front of her froze in expression.
Jane, unable to control her sudden excitement turned to her teacher, her eyes wide open. "You mean, you know what it is that affected me?"
Now she was being put on the spot, but it surprised Claudia at all that just knowing exactly what happened to her got Jane this excited at all. "Well I would first need to see some more data on your claim. The one thing I dislike most about spell bombs is that they disappear from the physical world after using them, the same way healing orbs do. Therefore..." Claudia at first got lost in her thoughts, but then came up with another idea. "Jane? Have you already tried to figure out the effects with a scan? You're energy scope can—"
"Tried it!" Jane knew where this was going. Taylor already ran a scan with Jane's energy scope. Yet despite the rules of all spell bombs, this one eluded the scope completely.
"And?"
What else could she say? "Well, I know for a fact that the spell did affect me in at least one way, but the energy scope cannot find any difference. I basically have an unknown spell bomb with unknown effects, that is somehow powerful enough to not register on the change log of an energy scope."
"Well, that's not good."
Jane saw Claudia's expression change. Her teacher now held a finger to her lips sideways, trying to think in silence about what it meant. Jane figured she knew at least something. "What do you know?"
Claudia stared at Jane curiously. "All legally registered spell bombs are magically coded and designed to show what effects change in the energy matrix of all people it affects, permanent or not. If your own energy scope failed to report that change, then it means one of three things."
"Three things?"
Claudia elaborated her idea. "The first possibility is that the orb actually had no effect on you at all, but seeing as you are convinced it did, it's less likely to be that."
"And the other two?"
"Spell bombs are not all distributed by one company alone, but because of their differences, all spell bombs have designed security measures in place. You wouldn't believe how rich one can get if they suddenly got the idea of mass producing spell bombs by copying others."
Jane interrupted, "Is that even possible?"
"It is," Claudia replied. "Though copying a spell bomb or an orb is very difficult. A digital functioning security system is set up to prevent that from happening, but there have been a few times where those systems were bypassed by criminals. It's illegal to copy an orb or a spell bomb, because that means you are making new ones and damaging the market for the product, despite the cost of resources for production of those copies."
"I get it."
"Jane, who was it that gave you this mysterious spell bomb? Why would someone give you an illegal product?"
Claudia did have a good question. Jane still never found out anything about what happened with that guy on that day. He just showed up, gave Jane a dangerous present, told her to protect it, and then ran off. There were two strangers chasing after him, but it was supposed to be for the orb? Agh! This doesn't make any sense. "I don't know. I didn't get his name, and he rushed in and out in a hurry. I think he said it was dangerous in the wrong hands? Something like that."
"And at that moment, you decided it would be a great idea to use it on yourself, knowing nothing about the orb or its powers?" Claudia's question sounded more rhetorical than Jane was expecting.
Was she insulting her choice? Jane knew it was the wrong thing to do, but she couldn't ever take it back right now. "Look, I already told you it was a mistake."
"Right..." Claudia seemed a little on edge now. This whole time, Jane must have been pondering this little mystery in her head. If her endurance level really is cut, what then allowed her to drill through Route 96 so successfully? There isn't a lot to go on here. "This spell bomb, maybe it wasn't illegal after all. There always remains the remote possibility that it was legally made, though illegally obtained. Companies make new spell bombs all the time, but they keep their prototypes locked up in heavily secure vaults so that the engineers can edit them later. If this thing was stolen, and you used it on yourself, I'd hate to find out how much damage in costs that would have done."
Jane didn't even want to ask if that was some kind of threat. Claudia still brought up a curious point, but a prototype? Perhaps that is the reason nobody knows what the hell it was about. It did shoot a massive beam of moonlight energy down from the sky after activation. Jane however left that part out. Claudia doesn't need to know much more than what she does now. "But if it's a prototype, is it still impossible to reverse?"
"Well that's—" Claudia froze, connecting several dots that were isolated as enigmas to her mind before now. The reason Jane was interested in learning more about Alpha Zero, and the reason she looked so depressed after hearing those explanations, it's all connected to this one topic! "Hold on a second. That's what this is about isn't it? You want to get to the Den of Purity to reverse whatever that thing did to you."
"That was the plan," Jane admitted. "But now this Alpha Zero thing is right in my way, and you're all saying that Brightworth is a criminal, or that he's the one responsible, I don't know anymore." Jane's voice was getting shakier, indicating that she was seconds away from crying. "I can't get through it. Even if I could sneak past those guards, with this spell affecting me in the way that it is, I'd never make it!"
"How is it affecting you though? Did the activation have some sort of logo or symbol? What did it do?"
Claudia was beginning to sound more desperate, like she cared more about the spell than Jane's problem at the moment, but Jane didn't mind that. Maybe if she could find out what it did, certain spell bombs can negate the effects. "I don't know much more." All Jane truly learned about the spell was what she learned in her failed battles, and what she learned on the research terminal at Tilsit's library. "It just cuts my endurance way down. My defense is horrible when it shouldn't be. I thought at first my magical attack power might have doubled, but it doesn't seem consistent with the Amahar spell bomb."
"You think it's the Amahar spell bomb?"
"I don't know. It was the only lead I had, but some things still don't seem consistent," Jane explained.
"There's something I fail to understand," Claudia announced. "If your endurance is bad, and you keep on losing fights, is that how you got through Route 96? I mean, it doesn't seem possible that you could have—"
"I used armor." Jane cut her teacher off there, already aware of the question. "I knew I needed an extra edge for Route 96. I wasn't even that focused on the battles. I just wanted to get to Lennith City so that I'd be closer to the Outback. So I taught myself some more powers and abilities, and I bought some really powerful metal armor plating to make up for my lost defense. But the people there just kept forcing me to battle. I soon had no more choices, and by the time I had to battle Patrissa, that metal suit was destroyed, with its passive ability being damage eater."
Claudia glared at Jane, speechless as she processed everything her new student was talking about.
"You okay?" Jane checked.
Claudia knew Jane was exceptional, but perhaps she did make some sort of miscalculation. Learning new abilities so quickly was cool, but if Jane made it through Route 96 with such armor, then she really wasn't as powerful as she thought, right? Jane's story on the other hand is more interesting at the moment. "Yeah, let's just move on to the spell thing."
Jane stopped her right there. "There isn't anything else to talk about. I don't know anything else about that stupid ball of bad luck. I came here, I tried, figured out that my hopes and dreams are impossible, so now I quit."
"Jane, you chose to be in my class."
"So?"
"So—" Claudia pushed off her desk again, explaining what she wanted to in the best way she knew how. "I know my offer in here was a bit... Unusual. But people in my class sign up to get stronger, and that's exactly the intention you had coming here."
"But I already told you it's useless." Jane would continue to argue on and on the same point forever. There isn't a damn thing Claudia could say right now to change that.
Claudia wasn't finished though. From the total situation, it sounds like what Jane did to herself is terrible, and what worse, Jane cannot reverse this mysterious spell bomb at the Den of Purity anymore, with such bad timing and all. However, the Den of Purity is not the only place or method in the world of negating effects from harmful passive effects. "But maybe it's not. If what you have really isn't the aggressor spell bomb, then we still don't know all of the effects it actually has on you yet. If we can figure out those effects, then all we would have to do is train you how to compensate for—"
"How are you going to figure it out?!" Jane's voice level was now attracting the rest of the class, making it obvious that the tensions were high. "Claudi, it's immune to a scan. Nothing we do will help me figure out what that thing did to me."
"That's where you're wrong." She knew exactly what to do, and finally Jane was calming down enough to listen. Maybe she never thought there was another way to look at this, but at last, she stole Jane's full attention. "I'm as interested in figuring out what spell bomb has ailed you. If something specific happened in a way that was illegal, something that messed you up, I'm obligated as a magic wielder to report that, and as an expert on many local spell bombs, I've developed a method of testing passive effects in a way that is more... traditional."
"What?" Jane didn't know what to say. Was Claudia being serious? Is there really another way to find out?
"Follow me." Claudia began walking, heading for one small arena pit set up in the same large room. She had Jane follow her, preparing herself to perform the test she knew would show some better results than any old stupid computer.