Chapter 137: An Evolved Body

"The structure of the magitech circuit has largely been analyzed. It's a dual-source array. As long as we can puncture it from both the inside and outside simultaneously, we should be able to handle it."

Wiping the sweat from his forehead, the technician quickly reported on the current analysis of the barrier. There were a large number of technicians working in parallel, and their progress was far faster than expected.

As they deciphered the magitech circuits of the crimson barrier, it gradually became clear how they could force it open without triggering the mire of quicksand after which such barriers were named.

The dual-source array had a mana supply node on both the inside and outside. If they could destroy both sources of mana, the quicksand barrier would lose its power supply and begin to degrade on its own. By continuously using low-power attacks that wouldn't break the barrier to drain its energy, they could eventually dismantle it.

"Have we figured out the source of this mana? It seems to be appearing out of thin air. Teams One to Four have already delivered their reports, haven't they?"

The technician prepared a piercing spike to penetrate the barrier. If the interior was a mana-free zone, they couldn't use magic that passed through the barrier to destroy the internal mana source. Using magitech devices powered by mana crystals would be the only option.

The logistics officer nodded. "Yes, we've mostly figured it out. The fleshy roots and the small creatures that the other teams have been handling are likely the source of it all. They're being sacrificed and converted into mana."

"'Sacrifice'? That's usually something done for gods, right? Valuable entities can be sacrificed and converted into various forms of matter or energy through the void. No wonder those small creatures aren't very strong and haven't caused much trouble. They're more of these 'deities' that Selwyn has created. Just how many of those damn things do they have?"

"It's unclear. Given the characteristics of these fleshy roots, the deity responsible seems to be the Font of Life, Erphine, who was previously confirmed extant. Our investigation of the sewers might not have been thorough enough, or perhaps it wasn't in the sewers at all. The worst possibility is that it's everywhere."

𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

"Let's not worry about that for now. Everyone's ready here. Let's begin."

"Alright."

Carefully placing the spike against the surface of the barrier, the technician activated the counter-circuit he had just engraved to disrupt the barrier's magitech circuits. A small hole was opened in the crimson barrier without causing excessive damage, allowing the spike to pass through.

"Done! Simultaneous destruction in five seconds." The technician gestured to his colleague, who nodded and aimed a similar spike at the barrier's external mana source.

The spike made a crisp sound as it shattered into pieces under the infusion of mana. As the magitech circuits within the spike activated and disintegrated, the external mana source exploded as well.

"Got it!" The technician's colleague excitedly waved his arm as he watched the mana source's magitech circuits burst apart. A few seconds later, the silence from the technician made him turn back. Had something gone wrong?

The first technician, meanwhile, was looking at the shattered spike in his hand, his expression grim. The spike's magitech circuits had successfully activated, but there were far fewer fragments than there should have been.

"Our understanding of the mana-free zone within the barrier was too simplistic. It's not just straightforward prohibition of mana: all magic and mana are completely ineffective within. This level of suppression isn't something an ordinary curio can achieve. It has to be a strategic-level curio."

The technician had activated the spike once it successfully penetrated the barrier, but it had vanished completely thereafter. The effects of the mana and the mana itself—everything vanished without a trace.

Of the shattered spike, only the pieces that broke off outside the barrier remained. The technician watched as the part of the spike that remained embedded in the interior of the self-repairing barrier was swallowed up and digested by the barrier itself.

"A strategic-level curio—then we must have an idea which one it is. The only curio that can accomplish such a feat..."

"Yes, the Silent Forest. This is even more troublesome than we feared—there's no way for us to break it now. As long as the internal mana source is within the range of the Silent Forest's effect, we won't be able to destroy it."

"Damn it. Once these unreasonable curios get involved, things become a nightmare. Let's focus on building a complete counter-circuit. That's our only option now, isn't it? Since shortcuts won't work, we'll have to rely on brute-force methods. How long do you think it'll take?"

The technicians glanced at each other glumly. The Silent Forest's existence had shredded all hope that they would be able to dismantle the barrier quickly.

They would have to rely on the most primitive and most troublesome method: completely unraveling the magitech circuits that made up the barrier. The difficulty was secondary to the massive amount of time it would take.

"Over two hours, at a conservative estimate..." The technicians grew grimmer.

The barrier should have taken twenty minutes to crack, if that. Their estimates had ballooned thanks to the influence of the Silent Forest, and it was increasingly likely that there would be no survivors within the academy. Even so, there was no other choice. Doing something was better than doing nothing.

Gritting his teeth, the technician put the mana lens back on. The complex magitech circuits reappeared before his eyes. He raced against time as he began the long, arduous process of cracking the barrier.

A question arose in the technician's mind: what exactly was Selwyn trying to achieve with this attack on Stevenson Academy of Magic?

While Stevenson Academy of Magic was indeed one of the capital's most important organizations and a significant source of power, its strategic value in the war between the two kingdoms was rather limited, all things considered.

Both kingdoms were in similar situations, and their main forces had already been deployed to the frontlines in a prolonged stalemate.

While they hadn't reached the point of all-out war, small and medium-sized conflicts and maneuvers were constantly occurring at the frontlines.

As an organization dedicated to training researchers and mages, the most valuable asset of Stevenson Academy of Magic was hardly the institution itself but its staff and students, wise scholars and researchers, but books, archives, and records alone weren't sufficient to turn recruits into true powerhouses. While the research conducted within Stevenson Academy was undoubtedly important, the royal library's collection was equally impressive, and the two institutions shared resources and records.

And as long as those resources and talents persisted, even if Stevenson Academy of Magic were destroyed and its archives burned, everything could be recreated.

Most of the mages and professors with practical combat abilities were already at the frontlines assisting in the war effort. Those remaining at Stevenson Academy were primarily responsible for guarding it or lacked combat capabilities themselves due to physical or age-related limitations.

The risks of attacking a heavily fortified institution like Stevenson Academy of Magic were indeed greatly mitigated with the Silent Forest, an anti-magic curio, but was the reward really worth the risk?

The Silent Forest's presence on the frontlines would be decisive, allowing Selwynian forces to completely nullify the threat of magic within a certain range. Aleisterre's proud magician corps would be a joke in the face of this curio.

Using it to attack Stevenson Academy of Magic, which held little strategic value, seemed foolish.

Even if Stevenson Academy of Magic were to suffer a devastating blow, if Aleisterre were to gain this curio as a result, it would be a worthwhile trade for the Aleisterre forces on balance.

More importantly, if the destruction of the Stevenson Academy of Magic were to lead to a catastrophic disaster that threatened the kingdom, the Ryders and their mystical abilities would have foreseen the threat.

"Just what are they thinking...?" The Nightblade technician shook his head. While he had a general understanding of the war, this wasn't his area of expertise.

He focused on the task before him, resolving to do his best and minimizing any unnecessary losses caused by delays. Protecting this city, this kingdom—that was the duty of the Nightblades.

As the technicians concentrated on dealing with the barrier, their task greatly complicated by the Silent Forest, Edward was frowning as he searched for Wang Yu.

"He was just here. Where did he go? And where's Charles? What are they up to?" Edward had been discussing the situation with the logistics team.

He was frustrated to find that he and Wang Yu couldn't contribute much. This barrier wasn't something amateurs like them could handle.

He had turned to Wang Yu, intending to suggest that they help other Nightblade teams deal with the fleshy creatures within the city—only to find that Wang Yu had vanished without a trace.

"Where did everyone go...? Well, I trust them. They must have had their reasons for not including me. I'll just do what I can."

A hint of irritation rose within Edward's mind before being quickly suppressed. Edward knew how reliable Wang Yu was and that Charles would never drop the ball at the wrong time. Whatever they were doing had to be important. For now, all he could do was assist the Nightblades in dealing with the fleshy creatures within the city.

Clenching his fist, Edward quickly ran toward the areas where those creatures were appearing in large numbers.

"Bang!" Wang Yu, who had suddenly appeared through a spatial rift, kicked Vanessa hard in the back and slammed her against the stairs' railing.

The immense force instantly dented the iron railing, and a spray of red liquid erupted from Vanessa's body. Her limbs twisted unnaturally.

Wang Yu immediately reached out with his mental energy, attempting to activate the Spellweaver's Tome at his waist. He planned to use his usual Fireball to deliver a devastating blow to this creature, which was undoubtedly a part of Erphine.

However, the Spellweaver's Tome didn't respond to his mental energy at all. Wang Yu was momentarily stunned but quickly distanced himself from Vanessa.

"The Spellweaver's Tome is useless. This isn't like the restriction on wizardry—it's not just about using my own void energy. Even the mana stored in mana crystals can't be used in this mana-free zone. Any effect related to magic is suppressed..."

Wang Yu sighed. In the end, he had grown too accustomed to the use of this incredibly useful magitech device.

He kept a wary eye on Vanessa, who was slowly getting up. Wang Yu didn't believe for a second that she had been finished off.

Quietly, he began mobilizing the powers he could still use. Fighting spirit—no problem. Physical strength—no problem. Void energy... it was being suppressed, just like during the incident at the manor. He could barely replenish it, leaving him with only a pitiful reserve.

The situation inside Stevenson Academy was far worse than he had imagined. The complete nullification of magic meant that all the anti-magic arrays, golems, and other defensive mechanisms within the academy were completely useless.

"I can't use Bloodburn Drive recklessly..." With his void energy severely limited, so too would be his most powerful enhancement ability. Wang Yu's current strength was roughly equivalent to that of an early-stage official knight.

He had little confidence in facing Erphine, whom even Hugin had to transform into his Smoke Demon Knight form to kill.

"I'll try to find a way to retreat... then find Avia. My first priority is to get her out." Wang Yu's goal was crystal clear. He wasn't here to stop some grand conspiracy or play the hero who would save the day. His objective had always been straightforward: ensure Avia's safety.

His muscles bulged as he channeled his fighting spirit to amplify his strength. With a burst of effort, he tore two steel pipes from the staircase railing.

Taking aim, he hurled the pipes with tremendous force, sending them flying toward Vanessa, who had just gotten up and was now twisting her neck to look at him.

The pipes pierced through Vanessa's body without resistance, pinning her to the wall.

There was no time to ponder why Erphine's avatar would be so fragile. Wang Yu seized the opportunity to sprint away from her. He needed to find a way into his mindscape to locate Avia using his unique abilities.

With a single leap, propelled by the enhanced strength of a knight, Wang Yu cleared an entire flight of stairs in one bound.

As he landed at the top of the stairs, Wang Yu glanced back. The two pipes he had driven into Vanessa's body hadn't done much to restrain or harm her.

She wasn't bleeding where the pipes had pierced her. Instead, her flesh writhed like a living thing, forming hollow spaces around the pipes. Vanessa effortlessly freed herself from the wall.

"I recognize you. You're one of the people who were with that smoking man who destroyed my original body. Perhaps I should thank him. He made me choose an utterly ordinary person as my vessel—and forced me to break my shackles."

Vanessa turned toward Wang Yu, her expression stiff and eerie. The words she spoke confirmed her identity: she was undoubtedly Erphine.

Wang Yu maintained his habit of not engaging in unnecessary conversation during combat.

Without pause, he dashed into the hallway and moving away from Erphine, setting off after Avia "Huh?" Wang Yu's pupils contracted as he almost immediately spotted Avia at the other end of the hallway, holding her gun. The sudden encounter caught him off guard.

However, Avia, who was aware of Wang Yu's arrival via her Wizard's Eye, had been prepared. She steadied her gun, loaded with special ammunition, and gestured to Wang Yu.

They were so in sync that they didn't even need to communicate verbally. Wang Yu immediately understood Avia's intention and pressed himself against the wall, giving her room to act.

The crude barrel of the gun emitted a dazzling flash of light as the specially treated ammunition shot out, bursting into a spray of intense flames mid-flight. The flames grazed past Wang Yu, streaked down the hallway, and struck Erphine, who had just entered from the stairs.

The adhesive fuel not only burned fiercely but also clung stubbornly to Vanessa's body, resisting her efforts to brush it off.

Seizing the opportunity, Wang Yu quickly moved to Avia's side. Together, they watched as Erphine began to burn.

Wang Yu frowned. Erphine's behavior was strange. Vanessa's body lacked significant strength and was easy to attack. Moreover, Wang Yu hadn't detected any fluctuations in the void from her since the beginning of the fight.

And then there was the mention of "shackles." The Lady of the Night had also used that term. What exactly were these beings created by Selwyn trying to achieve?

A charred piece of flesh fell to the ground, followed by more scorched tissue. A yellowish, slightly sticky liquid dripped down, extinguishing the flames upon contact.

The charred tissue that had fallen off was nothing more than useless, superficial layers of Erphine's flesh. Within ten seconds, the fiercely persistent flames had been snuffed out.

"Humans are always so arrogant, thinking they can achieve everything with magic and the void. But you couldn't even detect the things I've hidden throughout the city, things you don't consider supernatural. And without magic, these magicians are utterly defenseless.

"Being weak isn't the problem—arrogance is. They defined me as the Font of Life, but that was just a shackle. The essence of life is evolution."

Erphine's words caused Wang Yu to frown. The creature before him had managed to evolve to counteract Avia's flames in the blink of an eye, and without even relying on the void. Erphine's actions made his sense of danger tingle, then flare.

"Damn it, and you're cultured too, huh..."