n

n

nThe old man stopped somewhere at the bottom of the battleship. There were no signs of stairs that they can use so Slaine was curious how they would enter the large vessel.

nIt didn't take long before a circular platform slowly descended to receive them.

n

"It's floating... I can't sense any mana fluctuation at all...

"

nThe Grand Arcanist was curious how this thing works as he can also see using his own enhanced vision that there weren't any strings or ropes attached to the platform.

nHowever, he maintained his professionalism as he noticed that his apprentice was calm and collected at the situation.

n'Did he not sense that there was no mana working behind this? Impossible, he already has an Arcane Link...'

nAlthough he wanted to learn more about it, there was a time and place to ask his questions. In the meantime, he followed the old man and stepped on the platform.

nThen, without any signs of giving a command, it floated up again to bring them inside the battleship.

n'I see... Someone must be controlling this elevator. They should be observing us without my knowledge...'

nHe no longer bothered thinking about the logic behind this platform as he gawks at the exquisite internal structure of the vessel.

nThe inside has a luxurious design and it seems like they have entered a high-class hotel instead of a battleship.

nThe old man leads them to a spacious room that only has a few chairs and tables at the center. Looking at the corners, they can see several cabinets made of glass that was filled with bottles of unknown content.

nThe room was a bit unique but they can't properly point out the difference.

n

"What room is this?

" Slaine couldn't help but ask.

n

"Oh, did you sense it?

" The old man looked at his guest as he gestured them to have a seat.

n

"Not really, I just felt that this room wasn't as simple as it looks.

"

n

"Is that so? Well, you're correct...

"

nSlaine went silent for a moment before asking another question.

n

"Sir... May I ask if you are the same Aeolia Schien of the past?

"

n

"Haha... I can understand where you're coming from... Don't worry. I'm the same Aeolia. I didn't think that someone would be brave enough to impersonate me.

"

nHe admitted it without any hesitation.

nNow, the Grand Arcanist wanted to know why did this person leave the southern continent to live his life here. Did he make this tower? Did he make this battleship together with the natives here? What was his purpose for living and hiding here?

nAs he was about to ask another question. The ground trembled a little but with their sensitivity honed on their bodies, it didn't escape to their sharp senses.

n

"This place was starting to be too cramped...

"

nThe old man said as he looked on his left. He doesn't seem to be looking at the wall but somewhere far away from here.

n

"Is the tower on the surface about to collapse?

"

n

"Collapse? Not really... Its the Mana Calamity I've been holding back for many years.

"

n'Mana Calamity?!'

nWallace and Slaine were surprised that he can hold back a Mana Calamity. It was an entirely different concept to stop the formation of Mana Calamity and to stop a genuinely formed Mana Calamity.

nFrom Aeolia's words, it seems that he was capable of stopping it with his unknown methods.

n

"Impressive...

" Slaine softly muttered.

nWallace wasn't as surprised as Slaine because he hadn't had many clues about what it could do to them and his only reference was the Illusion of the Venarian Town and the floating island he saw outside. The latest information about that was the existence of something similar to EMP being emitted around it. Aside from that, there was nothing else.

nOf course, he was sure that the Mana Calamity wasn't as simple as it shows since the other survivors of the expedition dreaded such an incident. There was definitely something more to it.

nAnyway, they seem to have the time to discuss many things inside this room. Aeolia doesn't seem to be hurrying and so the Grand Arcanist stopped himself from being too excited to ask many questions.

nWallace also wanted to show the logbook he has in his possession but before that, he wanted to ask about the bottles that have been giving off a different pressure to him. He noticed that the Grand Arcanist wasn't experiencing the same thing as he completely ignores the bottles that were safely placed inside the cabinets.

n

"Sir Aeolia, it is great news to hear that you're still alive and looking well. May I ask what kind of plans you have right now?

"

n

"Nothing... I'm just waiting for something to happen. I've already done my part...

" Aeolia smiled mysteriously. He didn't add more words so it seems that he didn't want to fully discuss his plans.

nWallace paused for a moment and looked at the Grand Arcanist before asking another question. It was to make sure that it was fine for him to lead the conversation. The latter didn't mind him and just nodded his head. Slaine wasn't in a hurry to ask his questions.

n

"I see... How about those bottles? They... They're giving off a menacing pressure.

" Wallace actually wasn't sure about the pressure he was feeling since his master couldn't feel it. He was doubting a little bit about his own senses.

n

"Impressive... You're really impressive. I've been away in the southern continent... Did it improve by this much already? Were your senses and physique more common now?

"

n

"Eh? No... I'm a bit special... I guess.

"

n

"That's too bad. It would be better if there would be many young practitioners as sharp as you. Haha...

"

nAeolia seems to be enjoying himself but he didn't forget to answer his question.

n

"Those bottles, huh... You can say that they're the seventh...

"

n

"Seventh Generation?

"

nWallace and Slaine were gaping their mouth at the sudden news. The Sixth Gen was just recently developed through the many clues they obtained. As for the Seventh Gen, it wasn't even being studied yet.

nThe Sixth Gen wasn't even fully explored yet!

nThere were still many things they could make and discover from it. Once many people used the 6th gen, they will surely discover more about it and improve them in due time.

n

"That fast?

" Slaine blurted out after Aeolia's words sink in.

n

"That's not even fast... Hoho... Anyway, isn't it about time to tell me more about your purpose here? Right, I'm already old and weak. Don't expect too much that I can help you here.

"

nSlaine acknowledged this and requested for the old man's advice.

n

"Sir, is it possible for us to utilize the strength of the Celestial Beings? I believe that their power would be a game-changer in the predicted invasion on our land.

"

nAeolia went silent before he asked in confirmation.

n

"Do you have an idea about the possible invaders?

"

nIn truth, Slaine wasn't really sure and he couldn't even give proper evidence that there would be an invasion at all. It was also the same problem he had when he tried asking for help from the government.

nWallace saw that his master went silent so he decided to join the conversation. He opened up his palm and retrieved the copy of the logbook he has in his spatial bag.

n

"I believe that the invaders would come from a distant land...

"

nThe young man said before showing the logbook to the two.

n