Chapter 147: First Act 18: Unexpected Entry

"Uwah...!"

A guard yawned heavily, stretching his back with a tired expression on his face.

"You should really pay more attention, Roly," reprimanded a man next to him, adorned in the same black uniform—a mixture of black and gold outlines with the Estelle Academy logo on the back.

"Chill out, Lomin. It's not like the boss will visit this place whenever, and besides, who would have the guts to enter the dungeons when there are practically hundreds of us stationed here?" Roly responded nonchalantly.

They were both members of the official guards of Estelle Academy, responsible for its security, defense, and safety. Known as Estelle Academy's guardian knights, or the 'black units,' they were led and managed by Klaus Heinrich.

Once a famous warrior celebrated for his strength and valor in his adventurer days, Klaus had chosen to retire and dedicate himself to guarding Estelle Academy.

The black units of Estelle Academy had earned quite a reputation, standing as more than mere guards.

They were a formidable force of expert knights and mages, adding a significant military strength to the academy.

Apart from the combat-focused students and renowned professors, the black unit was considered one of the academy's most potent defenses.

Each member underwent a thorough verification process by Klaus Heinrich himself, ensuring the utmost competence and reliability.

Presently, Roly and Lomin found themselves assigned to guard the front entrance of the dungeon.

While the black unit typically roamed and guarded the dungeon's perimeter, the duo had drawn the short straw, confined to a position that could be considered the most monotonous.

They were prohibited from straying more than 10 meters away from the entrance, regardless of the circumstances.

The frustration etched on Roly and Lomin's faces was palpable.

Their colleagues, tasked with patrolling the perimeters, enjoyed the freedom to move wherever they pleased.

Officially on duty during the night, some even ventured beyond the boundaries to relish a few moments in the city. The stark contrast in assignments fueled jealousy within the two guards.

As the dungeon's entrance remained eerily quiet, Roly sighed heavily, exchanging glances with Lomin.

The monotony of their task weighed heavily on them, and they couldn't help but resent their less restrictive counterparts.

The distant sounds of their colleagues enjoying the freedom of movement only intensified their frustration.

"Haah... man, I want to see my wife," sighed Lomin, the weariness evident in his voice.

"Man, I feel you, haah! I just want to see my girl right now... by the way, how is Brenda doing?" Roly inquired nervously.

"She's doing fine, but why do you ask?" questioned Lomin, a note of suspicion in his tone.

"Nothing, I just thought that she might have been having a few problems since she's having your second child now, right?" Roly replied, attempting to sound nonchalant.

Lomin's eyes narrowed, confusion etched on his face. "...??? You, how do you know Brenda is pregnant? I never told anyone yet," he said, scrutinizing Roly coldly.

"H-huh? Brenda told me when we met last Monday at the Heiron store," Roly answered, now feeling the weight of Lomin's suspicious gaze.

"...."

"... Is that so? But... Brenda was with me last Monday, though," Lomin responded, his tone growing colder.

Roly gulped, feeling like his throat was dry. The atmosphere between them turned tense, and the way Lomin was glaring at him made Roly fear for his life if he uttered another questionable statement.

In that awkward moment, Roly's mind raced to come up with an excuse or an explanation that could salvage the situation.

Lomin advanced menacingly toward Roly, his intent clear in the narrowing of his eyes.

As he reached out to grab Roly's collar, their looming confrontation was abruptly interrupted by a thunderous explosion that rocked the area.

"Boom!"

The deafening blast erupted right beside them, its shockwave powerful enough to send them stumbling and crashing to the ground.

Reacting swiftly, they enveloped themselves in a protective aura, their hands instinctively reaching for the hilts of their swords.

Disoriented and still trying to comprehend the sudden chaos, Lomin and Roly scrambled to their feet, scanning their surroundings for any signs of danger.

The thick dust cloud that billowed from the epicenter of the explosion obscured their vision, adding to the confusion.

Their training kicked in, and the two guards assumed defensive positions, swords at the ready.

The uncertainty hung in the air as they exchanged glances, both puzzled by the unexpected turn of events.

They couldn't ascertain if the explosion was an attack or merely a failed attempt, given that it hadn't directly hit them.

Despite the lack of clarity, Lomin and Roly knew they had a duty to fulfill.

With their senses heightened and adrenaline coursing through their veins, they cautiously approached the remnants of the explosion, their eyes scanning for any potential threats or clues about the nature of the blast.

While the questions Lomin harbored about Roly lingered in the back of his mind, the urgency of their current situation demanded immediate attention.

The deafening explosion had shifted their focus from personal matters to the potential threat that loomed around them.

With unspoken agreement, Lomin and Roly discarded their previous discourse.

Curious about the magic Mila had employed to incapacitate the guards, Siena inquired, "Oh, and what was that magic just now?" It was the first time she had witnessed such a spell.

Mila explained "It's a pretty old magic of mine, Mental Freeze. It's a type of celestial magic that resembles dark magic's Sleep; his brain is basically frozen right now. Though it only works on beings weaker than me, though."

Siena nodded approvingly at Mila's explanation, acknowledging the complexities and risks inherent in wielding powerful magic.

The world of magic was a vast and intricate realm, and as the potency of a spell increased, so did the potential consequences.

Celestial magic, in particular, was a field that remained elusive and challenging for many practitioners to master fully.

'I guess, the more powerful the spell, the greater the consequences, but isn't her set back a bit too weak? She can basically one shot anyone weaker than her' Siena internally remarked, reflecting on the delicate balance that mages had to navigate.

The arcane arts were a double-edged sword, offering incredible abilities but demanding an equally high price.

Celestial magic, with its ties to the cosmic forces, often carried both great potential and unpredictable outcomes.

'I've known her for years now but she never showed me this...... for some reason I'm kind of pissed'

Siena's mind drifted to the dangers of high-grade magic, exemplified by spells like the notorious Blaze Inferno.

Its destructive capabilities were immense, capable of incinerating everything in its path. However, its unrestrained power posed a significant challenge for the caster.

The flames could spiral out of control, consuming even the hands of the magician attempting to wield such formidable magic.

This inherent risk and unpredictability contributed to the scarcity of mages proficient in high-grade magic.

Many hesitated to venture into such territory, wary of the potential consequences that accompanied the pursuit of greater power.

Siena understood the gravity of these challenges, having herself experienced the burning aftermath of potent spells gone awry.

The prestigious title of Archmage, reserved for those who had mastered the intricacies of high-ranking magic, stood as a testament to a mage's expertise and control.

Achieving such a status was no small feat; it required not only raw magical talent but also an unparalleled understanding of the mystical forces at play.

Siena understood all of this but somehow, 'Mila must've worked hard for her to acquire all the extensive spells she has but....' she can't help but feel that her partner was a little unfair, for other mages.

"Let's go," Siena suggested, her focus shifting back to their original purpose.

"Yeah," Mila agreed.

"But before that" Mila said as she fired off another Mental freeze this time at Roly.

As they can't have him waking up unexpectedly.

With efficiency born of familiarity, the two guards were quickly positioned on the side of the entrance, out of the way by Mila.

Silently, Siena and Mila entered the dungeon, leaving behind the unsuspecting guards who were still frozen in the aftermath of the mysterious celestial magic.

....

"B-boss, w-what is that?" stammered Mila, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

"Haha... don't ask me, I have no idea either" replied Siena, her gaze fixated on the grotesque and pulsating fleshy cocoon that lay before them.

A dark red aura enveloped the cocoon, casting an eerie glow, while the ground beneath it withered, as if life itself was being drained away.

Stench-filled corpses lay scattered around, and a group of six-legged fleshy creatures gathered nearby, preying on smaller monsters.

"It seems we stumbled upon something we shouldn't"

Siena remarked, astonishment evident in her voice.

Her initial goal had been to investigate the demonic presence she had sensed and, if possible, capture the demon responsible.

However, the scene before her now suggested a far more sinister and unsettling discovery.

As the reality of the situation sank in, Siena considered altering her plans. The repulsive and odorous cocoon presented an unexpected situation that surpassed her expectations.

The air was thick with a sense of foreboding, and the creatures surrounding the cocoon hinted at an unnatural and malevolent force.

White aura slowly began to envelop Siena, her ashen gray eyes glowing silver.

As Siena poised herself to draw her blade, a sudden force of mana telekinesis enveloped her hands, effectively preventing her from attacking the monstrous cocoon.

A moment of confusion gripped her as the unseen power held her actions at bay.

"Stop, Siena," came a voice, and as she turned to look, surprise flashed across her face at the unexpected presence.

There, walking towards them with an air of casual authority, was none other than the principal of the academy, Victoria.

"What are you doing, Victoria?"

Siena questioned, her eyes narrowing with a mix of curiosity and suspicion.

The encounter with the principal was unexpected, and the timing seemed peculiar, given the ominous scene before them.

Meanwhile a boy with golden eyes was watching the scene secretly with a huge smile on his face.