n

n

n

"W-what are they?

"

n

"Is that an aftereffect for staying so long here in the outer space?

"

n

"Huh? No way!

"

n

"Then how can they have orange skins and horns?!

n

"Ugh… T-this… To think that the virtual world's introduction with foreign entities would be real…

"

n

"I had a hunch but… seeing them personally feels completely different.

"

nThe magicians who just landed their spacecraft at the Omen IV marveled at the sight of several Arians who were working on constructing the space fortress that Ace was planning to build.

nTheir knowledge about the vast universe was so small and most of it had come from the virtual game. After all, the Academy they attended was only focused on teaching them about practicing mana. There may have been topics about the stars and the moons but it was only superficial knowledge.

n

"I would like to see them closer…

"

nAs they alighted from the spaceship, many Arians took some curious glances at them. After all, they were clearly different from the members of the

"Xeno Collective

" that they were used to.

nThe Omen IV wasn't alone in this Lagrange point as it has a smaller asteroid where towers and facilities were being built. These facilities were covered by a large dome-like structure where the magicians would be staying at.

n

"Hey… I thought that this Lagrange Point only has this celestial body… That huge thing was actually a spacecraft!

"

n

"Yes… I didn't recognize it at first. But looking at it closely… It seems that it was just a camouflage.

"

nIt was natural not to easily recognize the Omen IV. The Arian's spacecraft was designed to look like an asteroid to avoid detection so it wouldn't be easily recognized as spacecraft unless it was carefully observed in detail.

n

"Ugh… It seems nothing compared to the spaceships that were built by Sir Traceless Hands…

"

n

"Oh… Maybe he gained the knowledge of building these advanced technologies through the help of the orange people?

"

n

"I don't think so… It felt like Sir Traceless used his brainwashing magic to gain control of them instead…

"

n

"Haha! What are you saying? Sir Wallace wouldn't be like that…

"

n

"Can we try approaching them? We may learn something from them…

"

n

"Oh? You're not afraid of them? You're really brave Hilda…

"

n The Arians are not proficient in your language yet so you don't need to speak with them.

n

"They're still studying our language? I knew it… It means that Sir Wallace couldn't have communicated with them… Is it done through you, Avalon?

"

n I can't answer this question.

n

"Hmph…

"

nHilda was curious about the orange-skinned people's connection to Wallace.

n

"Mhmm… I can see that several automatons were monitoring the Arians… Eh? Isn't that a Steel Knight... Oh! That's Radiant!

"

nHilda and the others found the Steel Knights that were used to test them during the event at the Mt. Raven.

nShe had used this specific machine during the simulation so she has a different feeling when seeing the majestic knight again.

n

"Is it being controlled by Avalon? It looks like they're being used to observe the orange people in their work…

"

n

"That's true…

"

nMany questions were on their minds right now and they couldn't wait to get an answer. However, Wallace was nowhere in sight as they were only being led by the automatons within the space fortress.

nThey were not even aware of what should they be doing here…

n We've arrived.

nThey heard Avalon's voice and were soon mesmerized at the place they were brought to.

nIt wasn't a hotel or a grand reception to accommodate them. Instead, they were brought to a dome-like building.

n

"Is this an arena?

"

nThe magicians were confused so Avalon started to give them some explanations.

n You have to get used to your spacesuits. It may be difficult to control your magic the first time and it may lessen your combat abilities as a result. There are things that the simulators could not imitate and would be best if you experience them first-hand.

nThese words were true… The spacesuit in the simulator was very comfortable to wear but wearing it now was completely different, it felt like they were inside a shell and that once it broke, they would easily die. The pressure they are feeling was completely different.

nThere were even some of them that had some difficulty breathing just by thinking of the worst-case scenario that could happen.

nThere's no air outside of this place… If something happened to their shelter or spacesuit, they might be able to survive as long as they perfectly managed their mana but it wouldn't last forever…

n Use the arena to your heart's content. Use your mana to the best of your ability. Use this time to ensure that you're comfortable in your suit. Test the limit of your spacesuits. Even if it did get damaged or destroyed, there's a lot of spares we can use to replace them.

nSoon, the automatons brought a lot of equipment, spacesuits, mana artifacts, and mana stones to refill their mana. It looks like they have brought a supply to last for a year.

nThe magicians were delighted to see this generosity from their employer.

nOn the other hand, Hilda was contemplating when she saw all of this…

n'So, we may actually be in a position where we need to fight without the Steel Knights or the cover of the spaceship?'

nShe wasn't afraid of it but it only shows how dire the situation is. Wallace hadn't explained to them the detail about the enemies but it only shows how careful his plans are.

nIn the meantime, Ace used a different path to visit the Arians. This will be the first time that he'll meet them personally.

n

"Avalon, do you think that they are willing to cooperate?

"

nAce asked the A.I. softly as he walks inside the Omen's hallway.

n Yes. As long as you showed sincerity, they would accept your proposal. It will benefit them in the long term.

nHe was received by the five automatons controlled by Avalon and was then brought to a room where Shreguc, the leader of the Arians, was waiting. He was also accompanied by two more Arians who seems to have a high position within their group.

nAs soon as Ace entered the room, Shreguc and the others were surprised.

n

"A human?!

"

n

"Federation? No, perhaps from the Empire?!

"

nThey hadn't seen the magicians that alighted from the spaceships a while ago since they were brought here by Avalon earlier.

nThey just didn't expect that they would meet a human here…

nAfter all, this place should be controlled by the Xeno Collective.

n