Aspiration to the Heavens: Becoming the Supreme Mage Vol 2- Descent of Darkness

Episode 117: Mirror Hunt Begins!

*Lei*

Once the light had cleared, we saw that we were back in our old camp. Though the grounds were demolished. The dried lake was starting to replenish its contents, though. Likely from last night's intense rains.

"Where should we search first?" I asked, staring at the map uncle Euphonium had given us.

The forest was divided into five zones. The one forested area where we spent most of our time was called the 'River Forest'.

The mountain area was of course labeled as Mt. Rios and took up the middle of the map. The northern area meanwhile was the 'Land of Ruin'. While to the west of Mt. Rios laid the 'Swamps of the Lost'. Finally, to the east, was the 'forbidden zone'.

"Well, that 'forbidden zone' sure sounds promising," Tashunke said.

"Sure does!" his brother said, grinning.

"You two," Yuzuki said, sighing.

I snickered. "Take it they go into spots they aren't supposed to?"

"Yeah."

"Hey, it's come in handy from time to time!" they snapped.

"We should've sent them to look into the dark corridor at school rather than Renshu," Nyima said.

"That place was creepy..." they said in unison.

Nyima raised an eyebrow. "Wait, you're afraid of a dark flight of stairs but not a forest where dangerous beasts might roam?"

"Yeah! At least we have a slight idea of what to expect in the forest! Those stairs could've lead who knows where."

"They got a point there," I said.

"Hmm, when you put it that way, it does make sense, kind of," she said. "Especially since that place was covered in traps."

"We should check out the ruins first," Kun said. "My gut tells me that we might find something there."

My eyes darted back to the map. Was it just meant to mark the areas?

"What's wrong?" Yen asked.

"I think there might be a secret," I said. "Just like those maps Papa used to make for our treasure hunts."

"So something written in invisible ink?" both my siblings said.

Nyima stepped forward and extended her hand out. "Here, give me that."

I handed the map over to her and watched as she put both hands under it. A flash of light radiated from her hands. Various dots appeared across the map as the light passed through it.

"It is invisible ink!" Yuzuki said.

"Cool," Orion said, gawking.

My eyes scanned the various points on the map. There were approximately twenty points. Most of them in the swamp and ruin areas. While the forest and forbidden areas each had three. The mountain area had only one.

"Twenty points," Stella said, glancing at the map. "We should split up into groups."

"Not a bad idea," Nyima said. "I'll go to the swamp area. Kun, since you want to go to the ruins, you can lead that expedition."

My brother smiled. "Thanks."

"I'll go into the forbidden zone," Ayawamat said, glancing eastward.

"We'll search this area!" the twins yelled in unison.

"I'll join them," Kachina said, smiling at the twins. "Need to make sure that they don't get into trouble."