186. Common Foe
Rocky Hills Zone 4, Border of Braria Country, Far West of Ludonia Kingdom
Atop a rocky hill, crude cemented buildings had been erected by the military as temporary outpost and for the past 12 hours, Chinooks of varying sizes had been dropping of platoons of military personnel and resources to construct a defensive barrier to contain an impending Class C Spatial Tear burst.
For normal Spatial Tears, regular Warriors would be enough to eradicate every monster that would come out of the abyss but today, two countries will cooperate to defend against the highest level calamity the secular world must face.
Class C Spatial Tears would not even pose a challenge for 4TH Circle Mages but in the secular world, the highest one can normally find are 2ND Circles.
Currently, the world has six Mages School and it is not that they would not like to send a 3RD Circle but the world of Mages has an unwritten rule that anyone above 2ND Circle must not interfere in the secular world and better of severing their connections otherwise they will be hunted and executed if they’re found out to be causing trouble for no reason.
Thousands of years ago when mana was abundant, it was common for people to abuse their powers to oppress the weak and thanks for other people with strong sense of justice, they defended the masses. With the passage of time and with the dwindling mana in the environment and with no one’s intentions, Mages unknowingly created their own world.
Since mages are birthed from the secular world, Mages’ Schools would still interfere but the strongest they will send out are 2ND Circles.
Today, Erindal decided to send out a low level Inscriptionist they recently expelled. He is none other than Clay hiding in the guise of Theodore Rosenthal.
Clay stood on a corner beside a 2ND Circle Mage called Terrence from the military and an attendant of the royal family. They are currently inside a conference room and at the center is a long table where seven influential people are currently seated.
A few days ago after travelling from Erindal, he was disappointed it was not Master Kraus who greeted him but some bigshot and a prince at that.
Since Erindal sent him alone, he went back to his old self and pretended to be mute again to avoid conversing with people. Aside from the prince, he had not uttered a word and created a dumb and unsociable image to ward off those superficial nobles and aristocrats who was seeking attention.
It was excruciating he had to endure the past three days but today, he was finally brought to the location of his mission and to his surprise, this briefing session has some interesting guests.
Who would have thought this world have Elves again. Just staring at their handsome and beautiful faces is making his fist itch.
“For those unfamiliar, my name is Greyfus Ludonia II, second price of Ludonia Kingdom. To my right is Jules, son of Duke Guilligar and to my left is Lukewar, son of Duke Plaridel and behind me are outstanding figures who will be lending us a hand.” Greyfus looked at everyone as he introduced.
Meanwhile, on the opposite of the table are four figures who have yet to take their seats as well.
“The name is Lieutenant Liezdem. We will be representing Braria Country. To my left is Major Dugal.” With a deep voice, a man with thick eyebrows and classic beard introduced his fellow representative.
“Trevor of Levastat Family”
“Noma of Eurik Family”
“And I am Mara from Redivem Magi School and I am a Terrestrial Elf and behind me are fellow Apprentices sent by Redivem pardon us if we are not very good with formalities but before we start the briefing, I ask everyone should they have plans on inviting us to any human affairs not related to the our mission, please cease those thoughts.”
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“Mhhhaaha. You can be assured no one shall distract you of such mundane binges.” Greyfus maintained a warm smile and not to make things awkward, he turned towards the scientist who will brief them of the mission. “If this friend can start.”
“Oh yes. Please, be seated.” Said a middle-aged man wearing glasses. From his outfit, he looks like a professor from a prestigious university. “My name is Reubin and I’m a scientist from Nohar. Now, I’m not gonna bore with details but let me get straight to the point.”
After Reubin finished his sentence, the room slightly dimmed as a huge television screen was turned on revealing an image of a hideous monster that looks like a dragonfly.
(My God!)
(Are you kidding me?)
(Goodness heavens!)
“Mrrgggghhh” Reubin cleared his throat. “For those who doesn’t know, it’s called Ordonata Nubela Demon and they are absurdly strong and the only people who can face them head on is our guests from Redivem. Everyone else’s task on the other hand, is this- Ordonata Larvae.”
After another second, the image on the screen was replaced with scorpion-looking monster with a body of snake.
“The good news is, this is the 78TH instance this Spatial Tear signature has burst since it reached its first 4-2-1 limit and based on Thwaites Hypothesis, we will only be dealing with one Spatial Tear which means, their movement patterns is quite predictable but nevertheless, dangerous. There will be variants but from our calculations, they will be subdued easily by our Runic Guns.”
Clay was busy observing the circulation circuits of the Elven Mages and when he heard 4-2-1, his thoughts were disrupted.
Four-Two-One otherwise known as Collatz Conjecture back on earth. The reason Clay remember this is because it was Math Problem presented to him by his dad to spark scientific curiosity in him but sadly, his father met an accident shortly after.
Basically, the idea is to pick any positive number. Then, if the number is odd, multiply the number by 3 and add one. Then, if the number is even, divide the number by 2. Then apply the rule to the resulting number and continue over and over again. The result is a never ending sequence which always ends in 4-2-1.
For example, pick 7 for instance. So 7 is an odd number so we multiply by 3 then add 1 and it is equal to 22. Given 22 is even, we divide it by 2 and it is equal to 11. Then keep doing the same rule until the sequence arrives at an answer of 8 which is an odd number then divide it by 2, so 4, then divide it again by 2 so we get 2, then again so the answer is 1. Now 1 is an odd so multiply it by 3 so we get 4, then odd again so divide it by 2 and again so 1.
8 odd number , so divide it by 2 equals 4
4 odd number , so divide it by 2 equals 2
2 odd number , so divide it by 2 equals 1
1 even number so multiply it by 3 plus 1 equals 4
4 odd number , so divide it by 2 equals 2
2 odd number , so divide it by 2 equals 1
1 even number so multiply it by 3 plus 1 equals 4
It is a beautiful and unsolvable math problem which no one had been able to figure out but who would have thought that this mysterious Math problem is being used to track down Spatial Tear Outburst.
Looking at the images and the Math presented by Reubin, he did not need to be a scientist to understand that 78TH instance of Spatial Tear Burst would be one abyssal portal which means that the next burst will be a 4 abyssal portals where monsters will be spewed out.
Seeing everyone’s serious faces, Clay remained silent and kept his thoughts to himself.
(That’s great. We’ll stick to your plans so there won’t be any complications but assuming there are, …)
(There won’t be any complications. Have a little faith.)
(This is not about trust. It’s a matter of order. Just because we have qualified Mages from Redivem that we feel complacent. I know it’s not necessary but have a few capable men on standby in the event we need reinforcement.)
(You seem to underestimate real Mages, my Prince. Let me remind…)
(That’s enough Captain. Do as the prince say. Since I’ve submitted to your request, can you at least hear mine?)
(Go ahead.)
(If this was a normal Tear, I don’t mind having kids and amateurs joining our ranks but you see, the people I’ve brought would be distracted by the sight of a kid on the frontlines. I don’t care who he is ..)
(He’s the Inscriptionist sent by Erindal and pardon my disrespect Lieutenant but if you question him again, there will be complications.)
“Alright!” Reubin interrupted. “I think we’ve discussed everything that needed to be talked about but seeing that everyone is tired and needed to rest, please, you may go. We’ll talk again after a three months.”
Hearing the two sides argue, Clay maintained an innocent look. Earlier, as a representative of Erindal, he should be seated beside Greyfus but he did refuse and even asked this prince he does not attend however, the prince insisted.
Clay’s initial refusal was not again to avoid people but knowing that people from the west have reached digitization age, it was natural that the morals of their community has evolved as well. During his last night with Kraus, he was watching a debate and seeing how they call each other doctors, that is a big clue of other professions dealing with well-reasoned arguments protecting children.
He wanted to laugh and wondered what would his life be had he been born on the other side of the world.