Chapter 255: Outlanders

Layla quickly found herself being brought to the faculty to observe the so-called 'outlander', which apparently numbered at twenty five. These were the people she recognized, they were the ones who would come together with her and witness the nightmare of the bloodbath.

King Callan and her were welcomed by a thin-looking old man. The moment she saw the latter, Layla's eyes immediately attracted to the unique-shaped glasses hanging on his nose.

"Welcome, King Callan." He then looked toward Layla and asked politely, "Is this the girl?"

"Yes, Emmet. She's the one." replied the Arcadian King. "Brief her of what you told me before."

The old man, Emmet, even though looked so thin and decrepit at first glance, was actually much more energetic than Layla had expected. An excited look was apparent on his face as he began explaining what exactly he was doing.

Emmet, who actually preferred to be called Dr. Emmet, was one of the outlanders that had been stuck on this planet together for the last 20 years. During their time in this unknown and dangerous world, they had been helping the Arcadian King with many things about the existing other planets.

He told Layla that the twenty five outlanders came from eight different planets. In addition, all of the planets were apparently mid and low-rank ones, with less knowledge about the outside universe just like Arcadia.

They were different from the rest of the O District's residents who mostly originated from space. These outlanders arrived at this world from what appeared to be a portal situated at the Aesir Ruins.

"We have asked all of them and found out that all eight different planets they originated form have some history or myths about the Asgardian people."

Therefore, Emmet came into a conclusion that somehow, around five thousand years ago, the Asgardians made use of the Aesir portal to send some of their people to these eight planets, and for by some probable chances, their descendants arrived and returned to their origin world by the work of the reported Goblin Scientist.

Everyone in this group of outlanders had various levels of aptitude on magic, which made Emmet believe this was the reason as to why they and Layla weren't butchered on that nightmarish day. However, Emmet couldn't find anyone with better aptitude than Layla, and he also discover nothing out of ordinary from these twenty five people.

Therefore, after being mind-read and tested, Emmet told Layla that these people were decided and ready to be integrated into the O District, becoming another of its residents.

The things that Emmet explained was similar to something that Layla once heard from sci-fi novels or films. Hence, she could still somehow follow it. However, listening and believing were two entirely different matters, where the latter would certainly take more time for her.

After receiving the lengthy explanation and orientation from Emmet, King Callan gave Layla an opportunity to speak to the four people who had come from Earth with her. All of them were middle-aged men and women in a state of panic, fear, and confusion. 

These people had no connection with her whatsoever, other than the fact they were all boarding the same plane from Florida Airport. Hence, Layla only spent a moment to talk pleasantries with them before walking away again.

Later on, Emmet spent some time alone with Layla, asking some questions. The first one was about her family, which basically provided nothing as she had been in the orphanage since very little.

The second was about her knowledge of Asgardian history. Emmet asked Layla to tell him everything she knew regarding this topic, whether it was true or not. Unfortunately for him, Layla wasn't really a history nor mythology fan. The only word she knew which had some kind of connection with Asgardian was a certain Hollywood film, where a stunning guy with enviable hair and some kind of hammer as a weapon.

After this short session of getting into contacts with the outlanders, Layla had gotten some of her questions answered. But then, more questions popped into her mind.

"King Callan, I am very grateful that you gave me this chance. But why did you take the time to personally show me this amidst your busy schedule? What exactly do you want?"

Upon hearing her question, the Arcadian King unexpectedly flashed a smile and said, "You really are bright, aren't you?" He then looked at Layla seriously. "The fact that you have extraordinary aptitude for magic and your amazing progress make me think that you are the reason the portal managed to bring all those people here. To put it simply, I suspect the others arrived here simply because you were there at that time."

The words the Arcadian King spoke brought surprise to Layla due to its unexpectedness.

"Me? Are you sure it wasn't because of my brother?"

King Callan's expression changed a little when she brought up her brother. "As for your brother, I think he's a completely different matter altogether. Don't worry, I will definitely tell you when I know more."

Receiving the Arcadian King's promise, Layla could only nod her head and walk along as they exited the faculty.

King Callan told her that starting from tomorrow, she would be moved to a different class. The things that would be taught in this class were more advanced than the one she previously attended, which were surely something she would not reject.

The Arcadian King gave a sentence to Layla before he left for other matters. "Just listen to the mentor and train properly. Don't force yourself too much."

In the end, Layla was left with Dr. Emmet, who was instructed by King Callan to lead her to the O District and learn more about it because this district was the place she was supposed to be a member of.

She was given an identification designated for the district, so that she could come in and out as she pleased in the future.

There were a total of 846 people registered as part of the O District, with only 40% being given clearance to go outside of the district. They were all naturally those who were classified as outlanders. 

Even though they were labeled as such, some of them managed to reach exceptional positions in Arcadia, like Dr. Emmet and the ship pilot Zoe and Wash. Some of them even managed to actually join the Kingsblade.

Dr. Emmet explained to Layla that this O District was built by the Arcadian King 30 years ago as a way for him to understand more about the worlds beyond the sky that he never knew of. But of course, the main reason for the construction of this was still to prepare for any threat that might come along with the pursuit of knowledge.

That was the reason why there was a whole faculty dedicated as the place to research and develop the technology the outlanders brought when they arrived in this world.

Later on, Layla discovered she was given the grand tour of the entirety of O District. There existed an interesting marketplace, where many items originated and made by the outlanders being traded around. Various kinds of cuisines and beverages she would never imagine could be seen in this exact marketplace, while weird-looking, eccentric, exquisite, and many other kinds of architecture were seen all around the district.

In fact, her attention was completely caught when they passed a particular area that was completely filled with water, just like an aquarium. Noticing where she was looking, Emmit explained what the place was.

"That's the residence made for the outlanders who live in water."

Layla found this tour around the district to be very much interesting, just like walking around a sci-fi theme park. Before long, the group came across a certain building that seemed to be heavily guarded.

"What's that place, Dr. Emmet?" asked Layla while pointing her finger at the building.

"That's the residence for the 10% of the outlanders who were considered dangerous for Arcadia."

That explanation could only mean 'prison' and none other. She wanted to take a look because she was curious about prison.

With her talent for persuasion, Layla managed to get Dr. Emmet showed her around. At first glance, she could tell that the place was filled with very, very emotional people. But then, those who were locked up tended to be emotional with the passage of time.

Dr. Emmet didn't allow Layla to get into direct contact with the people inside. But even so, she still managed to see a really scary-looking door that was obviously not for humans inside that place.

When asked as to why such a dangerous facility was built inside the district and not somewhere far away like a dungeon or something, Dr. Emmet could only say that some of the most important findings the district gained had come from those people.

When it was late, Layla immediately returned to her residence and prepared for her new class tomorrow.