The buses reached the desired destination just as in the given time.
“Alright, everyone, we have reached our destination.”
Immediately after the announcement, the students left their seats. Even though some of them complained about how uncomfortable it was, most of them had excited faces on themselves.
After all, they were about to reach the rumored Phantom’s Land, the place where the souls of many disappeared.
“Cough….Cough….”
“What is this?”
However, contrary to their expectations, as the students stepped off the buses and onto the ground of Phantom’s Land, an immediate change in the atmosphere engulfed them.
“Haaaah…..haaaaaah….”
The air felt dense and suffocating as if the mana itself was resisting their intrusion. Whispers of discomfort rippled through the group, and some students exchanged worried glances.
The mana phenomena in Phantom’s Land hit them with an unexpected force, making it difficult to breathe. It was as if the very air was resisting their presence, causing an overwhelming sensation of lightheadedness.
Eleanor, who had experienced this phenomenon beforehand, remained composed. She swiftly moved among the struggling students, distributing a special herb that glowed with a faint magical aura.
“Chew this,” she instructed, her voice cutting through the strained atmosphere. “It’s a herb specially enchanted to help you adapt to the unique mana structure of Phantom’s Land. It will ease the discomfort and help you breathe more easily.”
The students, grateful for the relief promised by the herb, took the enchanted plants and began to chew. Almost instantly, the magical herb worked its wonders.
The air seemed to thin out the discomfort, and the students gradually regained their composure. The lightheadedness started to fade, making them return to normal.
The students, having adjusted to the unique mana structure of Phantom’s Land with Eleanor’s enchanted herb, found themselves in a surreal environment.
“Wow…..”
“Just what is this?”
“This is insane.”
The intense fog draped the surroundings, limiting visibility to a mere few meters. It clung to everything, creating an eerie atmosphere as if the world itself had become a ghostly illusion.
“There is no sun?”
The lighting was peculiar as if the absence of the sun was compensated by an ethereal glow emanating from the very air.
The students squinted through the thick fog, trying to discern shapes and shadows in the mysterious landscape that unfolded before them.
But, after everyone calmed themselves, they noticed the small shadows around. It was a small town within Phantom’s Land, where the students could see modest buildings scattered around.
The reason for the diminutive structures became apparent – it was nearly impossible to build anything taller than 25 meters in this place. The town was the designated stopping point, welcoming the students with its quaint charm as they disembarked.
Eleanor, sensing the curiosity in the students’ eyes, took the opportunity to start describing Phantom’s Land.
“As you can see, this town is a rare sight in Phantom’s Land. Building structures higher than 25 meters is quite challenging due to the unique mana density here. Now, let me tell you more about this mysterious place.”
As the students acclimated themselves to Phantom’s Land, a distinguished figure approached. Eleanor saw him and instantly stopped her talk.
“Allow me to introduce a prominent professor and formidable mage, Professor Eldorium,” Eleanor announced, gesturing toward the approaching figure.
Professor Eldorium, with a presence that resonated with authority and expertise, greeted the students.
He had a tall and lean figure draped in long, flowing robes adorned with intricate arcane symbols. Silver hair framed a weathered face, marked by countless experiences and years devoted to the study of magic. Sharp, intelligent eyes behind spectacles exuded both kindness and formidability. A well-maintained beard completed the look. His soothing aura added to the air of wisdom that surrounded him.
“Welcome to Phantom’s Land, young students. I oversee this small town and the magical wonders it holds. If you have any questions or concerns during your stay, don’t hesitate to reach out.”
With a nod of acknowledgment, Professor Eldorium left the students and Eleanor, giving them time to settle into their accommodations.
“As Professor Eldorium mentioned, make yourselves comfortable with the environment. Tomorrow at 12 P.M., a hearing will commence for those interested. It’s an opportunity to gain insights and ask questions,” Eleanor informed the students.
After Professor Eldorium’s departure, Eleanor resumed her explanations. She began painting a vivid picture of Phantom’s Land, explaining its unusual atmospheric conditions, the intense fog that enveloped the surroundings, and the peculiar lighting that seemed to emanate from the space itself. The students listened intently, absorbing the information that would guide them through their exploration.
“Your task during your stay here is to navigate through Phantom’s Land, observe the peculiar phenomena, and compile a detailed report on your findings. The experiences you gain here will not only enhance your understanding of mana but will also have a positive impact on your body and mana capabilities. Consider it an opportunity for training.”
She paused, allowing the significance of her words to sink in. The students exchanged glances, absorbing the dual nature of their mission—both observation and personal growth.
“Now, let me show you to your accommodations.”
Eleanor led the group towards a cluster of small bungalow-type houses nestled in the thick fog. Each house, though modest, exuded an inviting aura. Eleanor explained, “Everything you need for your daily life can be found within these houses. Feel free to settle in and make yourselves comfortable. You’ll be staying here until Sunday.”
Once inside, Eleanor distributed special watches to each student. She explained, “Due to the unique mana density of this place, regular artifacts won’t work. These watches will serve as your guide. One compass will always point to the location of your accommodation and the center of Phantom’s Land, while the other will indicate the north. They are enchanted to function seamlessly within this environment.”
With the distribution complete, Eleanor concluded, “Now, take your time to explore, observe, and document. You have the freedom to train and make the most of this opportunity. I’ll be around if you need any assistance. Enjoy your time in Phantom’s Land.”
With those words, Eleanor left the students to embark on their individual journeys, the fog swallowing her figure as she disappeared into the enigmatic landscape.
********
As the group dispersed and students began settling into their accommodations, I found myself standing alone in the midst of Phantom’s Land.
The fog, thick and ethereal, clung to every corner, creating an otherworldly ambiance. The small town, with its quaint structures barely reaching above 25 meters, looked like something out of a mystical tale. ᴛʜs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛʀ s ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛ ʙʏ novel(ꜰ)ir(e).nt
My gaze wandered, observing the peculiar lighting that cast an eerie glow on everything. It seemed like rather than the atmospheric sunlight refraction, here, the photon-type psions were the ones that were being refracted, influencing the atmosphere in ways that defied the relations of psychics.
‘It still feels uncomfortable, though it is interesting.’
Despite the discomfort from earlier, the unique environment piqued my interest.
‘This is Phantom’s Land, huh? No wonder it has its reputation.’
Just as Eleanor mentioned, the different conditions in this place seemed to change our bodies. Even now, I can feel like my mana pores and my mana core is changing.
‘Maybe the method of Starbloom Essence also came from here.’
It was just a random thought, but the possibility seemed to be high. When discovering something, most of the time, one experiences the said thing beforehand and then finds the rules and relations regarding that.
Physics rules, Chemistry rules…..Many others were developed in the same way.
“This fog is insane.”
Irina’s voice cut through my thoughts, and I turned to see her and Sylvie approaching. Irina seemed a bit uneasy, and Sylvie appeared to be composed.
‘Hmm?’
I felt like Irina’s reaction wasn’t as usual, but considering the environment we were in, it was kind of normal.
The fog, dense and ever-present, seemed to affect everyone differently.
Sylvie offered an explanation. “I think it might be the water attribute Psions compressed to create this fog. It’s a common phenomenon in dungeons.”
Irina, however, shook her head, her expression reflecting a deeper understanding.
“No, Sylvie, this fog isn’t that simple. I can feel something else in the air, something more complex. It’s not just water psions. There’s an underlying energy that’s different, something I can’t quite put my finger on.”
What Irina had said was correct. Most of us Awakened had the ability to sense the specific mana psions that we were compatible with a lot better. But even then, we could still sense the other psions.
That was especially the case for Irina, being a mage. And, I, myself, am not normal either, with my eyes and my newly increased sensitivity thanks to certain Senior’s help.
I could see that the structure of this place was a lot more complex, which was why it had yet to be solved.
Sylvie arched an eyebrow, “Different energy? You can sense that?”
Irina nodded, her gaze scanning the surroundings as if trying to discern the secrets concealed within the fog. “Yeah, it’s like an amalgamation of various elemental psions, each contributing to this atmospheric anomaly. Water might be part of it, but there’s more at play here.”
Hearing her explanation, Sylvie looked at me. It seemed she wanted to ask whether I thought the same or not, and the shrug as the answer probably did it.
“I think we should start by settling into our bungalow,” Irina suggested, breaking the momentary silence. Her gaze lingered on the fog, as if challenging the mystical atmosphere, and determination flashed in her eyes.
Sylvie and I exchanged nods, both in agreement with Irina’s suggestion. Despite the mysteries surrounding Phantom’s Land, the immediate need for comfort and a base of operations was undeniable.
“Right, let’s get to our bungalow,” I said, taking the lead and gesturing toward the small cluster of houses emerging from the fog.
As we walked towards our designated accommodation, the fog seemed to part, revealing the quaint bungalow with its inviting aura. The structure, though modest, carried a certain charm that resonated with the unique atmosphere of Phantom’s Land.
Upon entering, the interior of the bungalow held a surprising warmth. Simple yet cozy, the space was equipped with everything we needed for our stay. The furniture, though not extravagant, had an air of functionality, and the magical enchantments on the utilities indicated a thoughtful design.
“I’m glad they’ve made it comfortable for us,” Sylvie remarked, looking around appreciatively.
Irina, who had been silently observing the surroundings, nodded in agreement. “Yeah, at least we have a place to retreat to amidst all this strangeness.”
‘Interesting…..This place….’
I felt like there was a lot more here than to meet an eye. I could see the enchantments around, and there were some that I hadn’t seen before.
‘What are those?’
There seem to be dangers here that need to be fended off differently from outside. Well, considering the creepiness of this place, it felt like it suited here, but not knowing the details still bothered me a little.
The bungalow revealed itself to have three separate rooms, providing each of us with our own personal space. A quick inspection showed a well-furnished bedroom for each of us, a compact yet well-equipped bathroom, and a communal space that included a small kitchenette.
“Looks like they’ve given us our own rooms. That’s a relief,” Irina noted, visibly pleased with the arrangement.
I took the lead, entering my designated bedroom. The space, though not expansive, provided a comfortable bed with soft linens, a nightstand, and a small window that allowed a glimpse of the fog-shrouded surroundings.
‘Similar to our academy rooms in terms of structure.’
Though the facilities were different, the structure was the same. It seemed this wasn’t the first time someone had come here as well since I could see some marks on the walls.
‘This is at least 2-years ago.’
It seemed like things were about to get weird.
———A/N——-
A big arc is coming. Stay intact, I will try to supply you with at least three chapters a day.