Tbate: Resurgence

-Chapter 7 : Uncertainties-

Alea Triscan

I stepped into the grand chamber of the floating castle, my gaze sweeping over the familiar setting. The room was as imposing as ever, with its massive, round table at the center, surrounded by six chairs-each reserved for one of the Lances.

Sitting casually in one of the chairs, his signature arrogance radiating from him, was Barion Wykes-the human Lance, codenamed "Thunderlord." His arms were crossed, and he barely looked up as I entered.

I took my seat directly opposite him. The silence was heavy, charged, as it always was between us. Barion had always been insufferable with his smug demeanor, but that wasn't my concern right now.

"I thought I'd help out Lance Aya on Elenore for a mission," I began, breaking the silence, my voice steady but with a hint of curiosity.

"Do you know why Varay called us here?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me.

Barion raised an eyebrow, his fingers tapping idly on the table. "It's about something I found in one of the deeper dungeons in the Beast Glades."

Just as I leaned in and asked, "You found something?" Varay Aurae, the other human Lance-code name Zero-entered the room. Without wasting time, she took her seat across from us.

"Since it's just the three of us, I'll skip all the formalities," she began. Her tone was always so composed, cutting straight to the point. "The reason the Council and I decided to pull out from the mission in Eleanor is because we've discovered signs on the deeper levels of the dungeons. These signs aren't from any mages or adventurers of Dicathen."

I blinked in shock. "Wait, what? To my knowledge, it hasn't even been that long since we discovered the other continent," I said, my thoughts already racing.

Barion interjected, his voice low but firm. "That may be the case for us, but not for them..."

"That's not all," Varay continued, her eyes narrowing as she spoke. "The recent sightings of mana beasts have significantly increased over the past few months, and some abnormalities were found... It's not a stretch to say the recent signs of people from the other continent in the deeper levels of the dungeons are connected."

I leaned in, sensing there was more to this. "What kind of abnormalities are we talking about in these mana beasts?" I asked, my concern growing.

"Although not much has been discovered yet, there have been particular sightings of mana beasts far stronger than their bestowed ranks, and they are unusually wild," Varay explained, her tone grave. "Nevertheless, I've assigned Lance Alea to investigate this."

Barion clicked his tongue before I could respond. "Some of those recent cases are close to Sapin. I'll handle those areas and deal with those titanic bloodworms, as well as investigate the deeper levels of the dungeons," he said with confidence.

Varay nodded. "Good. That will ease the pressure in the region."

"I understand. My sensory magic will allow me to cover vast sections of the Beast Glades," I said, already considering the scale of the task.

"Exactly. But I must warn you, this mission is dangerous. You'll be on your own. I recommend waiting for Lance Mica's return from her mission in Darv to join you for support," Varay advised.

"I appreciate the concern, but I can't afford to wait. The lives of adventurers and students in the dungeons are already at risk. Securing the area as soon as possible is essential," I countered, shaking my head.

"I will start the investigation immediately."

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3rd Person Pov