Chapter 216: Frequency Distortion
"What did you say?"
Nichole’s deep voice echoed inside the principal’s office, carrying a weight that made the air feel heavier.
"The mana frequency of the whole continent is getting distorted. It’s not much... only around 0.1% in the last week... but I have a bad feeling about it. You know very well what happens when the Gate watch detects even the slightest change in mana frequency..."
A somber mood enveloped the entire room as Mark, the Human Association Leader, spoke through the communication crystal. His words were not the kind that could be taken lightly.
"Is it something related to the demons?" Nichole asked, his mouth hidden behind his intertwined fingers, eyes narrowed in thought.
"Demons? I don’t know for sure... but our suspicions lean toward that possibility as well. I contacted the other continents, and nothing like this is happening there... except in the Neutral and Dragon continents. But you already know those are lawless zones where anything can happen."
Mark glanced away for a moment, his expression tightening as if someone had called for him. "I’ll talk to you later. I’ve already informed the other five. Ask Master about it—whether this is a good sign or a bad one. Though personally... I’ve already started preparing under the assumption that it’s bad."
"Alright, I’ll ask." Nichole gave a slow nod, and as soon as the words left his lips, the call was cut.
Silence settled over the office. Nichole leaned back in his chair, his thoughts swirling.
Although it’s only 0.1% distortion, it can rise to 100% in the blink of an eye. And this disruption didn’t occur in one small region... it’s spread across the entire Human Continent...
...is this going to be a...
-Knock!!!
Before the thought could even complete itself, a sharp knock on the door pulled him back. His mana perception spread instinctively, confirming who was outside.
"Come in."
The door opened and a familiar voice spoke, polite yet casual, "I hope you are doing well, Saint Principal."
Nichole sighed. "Just call me one thing... either Saint or Principal. And since you are a student, it’s better to call me ’Sir’."
"Ah! Yes Sir, certainly."
Nichole already had a hand pressed against his forehead, as though anticipating trouble. "So, what are you doing here? Don’t you have classes to attend? You already have far too many absences. Are you not attending lessons again, Ash Burn?"
Ash smiled with the innocent look of a fifteen-year-old who knew he was about to cause trouble. "Sir, that’s actually what I came here to talk about. The thing is..."
He began explaining how his presence in class had become a distraction—not for everyone, but enough that most students either kept talking about him or staring at him, and even some teachers seemed affected. Because of that, he had been avoiding attending any lessons.
"...so, what I want is your permission to still take the exams even if I’m not attending classes. To make up for the study part, could you give me some sort of special privilege... something that allows me to ask anyone in the academy for guidance?"
Originally, Ash had been about to ask much more directly for what he wanted, but the dark look forming on Nichole’s face made him soften his tone at the last moment.
"...umm, is that possible?"
"Why should I give you a privilege such as this? Give me one single reason to grant it to you. Even though ’Elder’ believes you are some sort of ’hope’, to me you are still just a kid. It makes no sense to give you such a privilege."
"Does that mean there really is a privilege like this? Nice... then I was just testing my luck." Ash smiled cheerfully, as if genuinely delighted by the discovery.
Of course, he was lying. He already knew such a thing existed. After all, Ray had been granted it in the novel—though that was in his third year, not in the first like Ash was attempting now.
Nichole’s lips twitched slightly as he heard Ash speak. Why do I feel irritated when he acts like this? That rude attitude of his was much better... right now it feels like I’m getting scammed or something...
"So, Sir... what do I have to do to gain a privilege like this? And don’t tell me to do something too drastic, because I honestly wouldn’t care even if you expelled me from the academy. I am only attending the academy for a single reason."
"Elysia."
’Elysia.’
Both of them spoke and thought the name at the same time.
Hearing that, Nichole’s irritation deepened, his voice lowering as he asked, "Are you trying to imply there is nothing you can learn here in this academy? Or that there is nothing worth learning here?"
"No, no, Sir, don’t take it this seriously. There is no end to knowledge... as knowledge itself is endless. There is always more to learn, and I know I can gain much in the academy. Isn’t that why I am asking for such a privilege? So that I can maximize my growth by learning from everyone here."
He paused briefly before adding with a faint smile, "And the reason I said I wouldn’t care if you expelled me is because the academy is not the only source for learning. I can always try other places."
Although Ash was trying to act like a normal student, his tone carried a quiet confidence that didn’t quite match his age. His true nature was starting to show through.
"And what are those sources?" Nichole’s voice was cold now.
"Who knows?" Ash tilted his head slightly, lowering it just enough to hide the smirk that tugged at his lips.
The air between them grew heavy, as though the very room was holding its breath. Nichole looked at Ash with a sharp gaze, as if restraining the urge to put him in his place.
Master said we should help Ash as much as we can... I would have given him that privilege after making him run a few dungeons. But now, I feel like dungeons will be too easy for him.
Yes... let me give him something more challenging. Something that will also serve as an experience.
"I can give you what you want, but you will have to run an errand for me. You have already traveled to the Elven Continent, so I want you to go to the Land of Forge and deliver an item there. It is something important, something the dwarves want."
Nichole paused for a moment before adding, his tone almost too casual, "The Land of Forge isn’t like the Elven Continent. The dwarves value strength and craftsmanship above all, but they are also... difficult. Outsiders aren’t always welcome. Their land is deep in the mountains, the air thick with molten heat, and the only laws that matter there are the ones they make. If they suspect you of disrespect, even a guest can vanish without anyone asking questions."
"Even if you are going there for delivery, you have to be careful. And there might also be many dangers along the way."
"So, can you do it?"
Ash’s smile faltered slightly in his bowing position, but only for a heartbeat before it returned. Looking up, he said, "Of course I can. Just leave it to me."
It’s good that I was already planning to go there... but why do I feel uneasy that things are going my way?
Does this mean something is about to happen...?
Although the thought of collecting the rune along the way was a relief, the fact that events seemed to be aligning so perfectly made him wary. Nichole had called it an "errand," but in Ash’s experience, jobs that sounded simple were usually the ones that turned into a storm.
***
Leaving the Principal’s office, Ash made his way towards the training grounds, his steps steady but his mind already wandering ahead. He was going there to inform Elysia about his upcoming departure. Though what will be her reaction, Ash didn’t know.
The afternoon air was calm, but before he could take more than a few steps out of the building, a small white serpent suddenly appeared in a shimmer of light, teleporting straight onto his shoulder. It coiled itself comfortably around his neck, its tiny, cool scales brushing against his skin.
’Mama’
"Yeah, yeah, we’re going on a trip," Ash replied casually.
Though there will be nothing but mountains, fire... and some crazy dwarves.
The thought brought a faint, dry smile to his lips.
As he walked, his mind shifted to Melissia.
I’ve already shown her the location through the dream... and she did look a little more spirited this morning. So, I think she’ll be fine.
It wasn’t a decision he had made lightly. Ash had already thought it through before giving her the location of the Holy Artifact. He wasn’t worried that Melissia would harm him or Elysia. In the novel, after she inherited the Eternal Flames and unlocked the true depth of her bloodline, her entire personality underwent a transformation.
That unshakable sense of justice she already possessed became something absolute. It was as if her very soul was reforged. The Eternal Flames had a nature of their own — they burned away all shadows of hatred and despair, leaving only clarity and light in the heart of a phoenix.
Perhaps that was the real reason Ash had set the wheels in motion so early. Maybe he simply didn’t want anyone to cry because of him. And even if someone did, as long as he never knew about it, he could live with it.
But once she inherited the flames, she would overcome her shattered self and rise again, reborn in fire.
Yeah... I did what I should. I can’t do much more now. I already have too much on my plate...
***