Chapter 266 - Four Towers

Waiting outside patiently and nervously, were the lower-class students. It was a big day for them and for many of them, it would be there first time ever taking on or fighting against a beast.

They mostly lived sheltered lives in their homes and even in Roland, they were away from the threat of the shadow plague.

So unless a student had decided to actively go hunting before they had come to the academy, it was unlikely that they would have a met a beast before.

The only students that weren't nervous like everyone else were the upper class who stood off to one side.

That's when one of the younger teachers, teacher Flynn had arrived to talk to them.

"Okay, you four listen carefully." Flynn said, "although you are all upper-class students you are not to act unless a student's life is in danger. If you can, you are to accompany me or any of the other professors at all times. Do you guys understand?"

"Yes sir." The students responded.

Before turning around to check on the other students, Flynn looked at Blake and just wondered why he was asked to be on this assessment. The professors knew of Blake's cruel personality, yes he was strong but he defiantly wasn't suited for something like this yet professor Del was adamant about bringing Blake along. 

Just as the students were starting to walk into the hall, Max had spotted another professor and at the same time, she had spotted them. It was Springett and standing next to her was a girl wearing a hooded cloak that covered her face so it was hard to tell who it was.

"Do you know, it looks professor Springett hates your guts?" Bliss asked, "You didn't just attack her randomly in the hallway like you did me, did you?"

"I already apologised for that," Ray said his face a little red.

After Ray had done his little trick with the magic circle, it seemed like wherever he would go the professor was around the corner keeping an eye on him. After asking Bliss about the magic circle, he had suddenly realised what Lenny had done.

But the fact that Professor Springett would be at the hunting ground with the students keeping an eye on them, meant Ray had to be extra careful. One wrong move and she would immediately find out who he was.

****

Inside the training hall, the preparations for the magic circle had been completed. In the centre of the magic circle was a fairly large beast crystal that was emitting a strong energy off it floating in the air. It was ready to do its task.

As the students filtered in the room slowly Ray and his group had arrived.

"Wow look at that thing, that crystal must have cost a fortune," Max said looking up.

"I hear there are four more crystals like this in the towers," Bliss said.

"The towers?" Ray asked.

"I forgot, even though it's your second year here you're only a first-year student. There are four towers of Roland surrounding the academy. If you were to look at Roland from above you could see that it looks like its own city that's in a rectangular shape." Bliss explained. "In each corner is a large tower with a powerful crystal and inside each of them is a powerful magician protecting those towers."

"Yes, and I have heard they are very powerful," Kaito added. "Those four tower masters alone are said to be enough to take on the Alure army."

After hearing what the others said about the towers in the academy, Ray couldn't help but think that maybe one of the crystals that were being on guard was the divine being. It would make sense to also give them a strong guard.

It was the only hint he had received so far and was his best shot. The only problem was, would Ray be strong enough to face a tower master?

As the group were waiting for further instructions and for the rest of the students to enter the room, Kaito was busy staring at the large magic circle that covered most of the room.

"This formation, I've ever seen something like this before." Kaito thought, "What's the need for all the extra set of instructions?"

"Hey Nes," Kaito called, as Ray's name was called out, he walked forward.

"Do you see this, I understand this part of the magic circle, but then I don't see why they have added this. Not only that I'm not even sure what these set of symbols do over here. I was hoping you being a top student would help me out."

Ray wanted to take a step back and run away. It was fine when he had Lenny helping him out but the truth was Ray knew nothing of magic circles.

"I'm sorry I don't know what to tell you, but I'm just as stumped and confused as you are."

After hearing Ray's words, Kaito felt a bit better about himself. He too was a top student and a part of him was hoping Ray wouldn't have been able to figure it out.

*****

Standing on the second-floor balcony of the training hall. Del was currently looking at the magic circle he had finished creating and all the students. That's when a Roland assistant wearing white robes appeared.

"Professor Del, all the students from your class have arrived in the training hall safely, including the upper-class students. The other classes are making their way in now with the other professors."

"Looks like the preparations are complete," Del said with a smile on his face.

And at that moment, a true infected appeared behind the white robbed assistant. A blade was struck through the man's stomach and slowly the shadows from the true infected stated to surround the man and consume him.

Del looked at the true infected and started laughing like a mad man.

"It looks like I chose the right side after all."