Chapter 170 School Trip [3] [Alakin's Heart]

What he saw as the princess of Etheria led the way was a preserved monster's heart, but it was still beating as a green light was emanating from it, though it was dim. The heart looked like a hardened core because it came from a golem that was slain in the SS+ Rank Peak Dungeon Tower, which could be cleared with an average duration of thirty-six weeks.

Although, for some reason, it's considered an artifact. Russell read its description, making sure that it was the same as one of the Easter Eggs he had written about in his unpublished novel, which checked out as he read the description that the museum staff had given it.

The first one was the Seed of Chaos, which turned out to be incredibly important because of the underlying mysteries that were surrounding it. Although this artifact's function was significantly lesser compared to the benefits of the consumable Seed of Chaos, it's considered a great prize for being an Easter Egg.

'This will be the second Easter Egg I'm aware of.'

It became a display in the museum because of one reason — it couldn't be used.

[Alakin's Heart]

Description:

The heart of a small natural golem that lived for a long time. It is considered useless because its function is unknown until this day...

Russell read the seemingly lengthy description if one was tired of reading stuff. It also said that various scientists tried to figure out its function, but came out with nothing, but wasted time.

"Are you interested in that?"

Elizabeth asked, cutting off Russell's little reverie. He's like someone who saw wonderful things for the first time since he couldn't take his eyes off the golem's heart.

"Perhaps. Is it for sale?"

Elizabeth looked at Russell, stupefied.

"It'll be up for auction today. Just so you know."

She replied, causing confusion to be painted on Russell's face.

Because he never expected that this Easter Egg would be going to an auction! Although he knew that auctions were a thing in a royal country, it was something he didn't anticipate.

Without waiting for him to answer, Elizabeth added, glancing at everyone behind her as she turned her body.

"Monthly, some of the items in this museum are being repeatedly auctioned, until sold, in the Ethereal Auction House. The reason is simple since these are artifacts, instead of displaying them here to rot, it'll be rather better to make use of them.

"Anyways, if any of you is interested in participating in the auction, meaning that anyone is allowed, it'll be later after dinner. Uh, based on the itinerary, from 8:30 P.M. onwards, we're going to be in the Wanderer Hotel, but to tell you in advance, we'll have free time until midnight, so enjoy!"

Elizabeth delightedly spoke being a guide as she was.

"Uhmm, there's no one buying that item, why?"

Russell, just a second or two after Elizabeth's words, couldn't help but ask. Since it's a monthly auction, and the items here were occasionally being sold, at least someone like a noble should have bought the Alakin's Heart even just as a memento to be gifted to someone special or to become a collection.

"It's simple, there's no practical use for it, and since it does not have its use, no one's buying it."

Elizabeth casually responded to Russell's inquiry.

After a few moments, walking past the Alakin's Heart artifact glass storage, Elizabeth guided them diligently to the other area.

***

"Amery should have been with you if she didn't drop out."

Amelie casually spoke to Freya. This time, being a Disciplinary Officer, Freya was also in charge of being a guide. Although she barely knew anything regarding the inner architecture or displays for entertainment inside some parts of the Royal Palace of Magia of Etheria, her main job was to check and assert control over the students. Apart from that, they were being guided by an official palace worker unlike on Elizabeth's side, who probably knew every nook and cranny of this majestic, magical architecture.

"Perhaps, but she set her mind on a certain goal."

Amelie couldn't help but let out a sigh upon hearing Freya's serious tone.

"I don't know what's the problem between you two, but I remember what you said when you punch your older brother before after experiencing the f*cked-up kidnapping we never expected.

"What is it again... Ha!

"It's never about us... something like that."

Amelie cheekily, but somewhat seriously said, causing Freya to remember what happened back then. Her emotions seemed to slightly subside, letting her cognitive thinking have more freedom to function.

'It's not about us... but our Mom and Dad...'

Freya thought as she fell silent and didn't respond to Amelie's words, which goal was to push Freya to do something instead of letting her emotions feed within her.

'I'll talk to him later. I'll hear first his side of the story.'

Freya resolutely thought, glancing at Amelie.

"Thank you."

"It's nothing to worry about."

With a faint smile, Amelie spoke, understanding the meaning behind Freya's gratitude.

"Welcome to the Royal Palace's gallery!"

A woman in his late thirties cut off the two's conversation as the palace's staff spoke diligently.

***

Exactly two hours had passed and the designated groups, whether they were from the Obelisk Academy or the Sky Academy, left the Royal Palace's unrestricted locations — Museums and Galleries, and went to the Ethereal Guild's Headquarters.

Similar to the renowned tourist attraction, the Wanderer Hotel, the Top 2 guild's main branch of the Ethereal Guild's Headquarters was a towering infrastructure, consisting of at least a hundred floors.

There were more than a thousand members of the guild, which were divided into divisions depending on one's standing and contribution to the guild. These players have undergone a thorough screening by considering the player's holistic wellness, to be accepted in such a guild.

"Good morning!

"First of all, I'd like to say that the Ethereal Guild will not be treating you as kids so all of you better behave yourselves."

In the vast lobby reserved for both Obelisk and Sky academy students, Harsh words landed on every student's ears, spoken by a handsome man with glasses, sharp yellow eyes, and a very fine body.

"Secondly, absolutely do not touch anything. It's for your own sake, just to be clear.

"And lastly, we'll keep an eye on every one of you."

The students didn't complain about the serious atmosphere in the morning because, even in their respective academies, the professors were reminded to not underestimate the students or future renowned players by looking at one's age, but rather, they were encouraged to look for the player's talent in all aspects about being a player.

Instead of taking the man in front to be a boring person or killjoy, some of the students seemed to understand the intent behind the last words of the man regarding keeping an eye on every one of them.

'Anyone near the princess will be mostly monitored.'

Russell thought about being scouted, which he didn't plan to answer because he already planned to establish his own, though he'd like to make connections first to Rosalin Flora herself, the queen of Nereia.

'Well, it's more like I need to guide Rumia to access the Cosmos Ocean in her dreams.'

Upon consuming the ancient pearl, and gaining the blessing of the Cosmos Ocean, labeling Rumia as an Ocean's Child, Russell concluded that it would be no problem to guide her through it.

'But I'll do it discreetly since I'll get suspected. Since it's an ocean with harmony and many mysteries, writing some literary words or poems as a clue will be fine, I guess.'

Russell thought after the orientation just ended. He was still separated from Freya and Amelie, as well as Ken. Additionally, it was restricted to leaving for the other groups, as they were told to make connections with the members of their designated group.

In other words, it's the simple high school stuff of separating the close ones to get to know the distant ones.

***

"Wow, it must be an honor to have the princess guide them, right?"

One of the students from Sky Academy spoke as they walked past Elizabeth's group.

"Do you think the princess is strong? You know, even if the queen is, the same thing cannot be said with her daughter."

'This is why I hate kids.'

Russell inwardly lampooned, hearing the chattering students, recalling the cliches and dramas of youngsters — the reasons why he couldn't just make friends with anyone, especially during the early days of the academy.

But due to his current predicament shrouded with more questions than answers, he was forcing himself to sacrifice his introverted personality to move forward and to make connections as much as possible.

'It's for me and my Chaos Companions' freedom, after all.'

"Alright! Everyone, please follow me."

Elizabeth cut off Russell's thoughts as her voice reverberated throughout the lobby. Many guild members were looking at her with awe and reverence, but they knew well that it was not the right time to bow to her because she was merely a guide and student at the same time.

Russell, Celiya, and a few more students followed the princess as they went to the testing grounds where the candidates to become guild members were being screened.

"Good morning, Princess."

One of the operators spoke. Elizabeth raised her hand, saying it was fine. The woman, operating the technology regarding the mechanism of the secluded, spacious white room, nodded before she explain to Russell and the others how such a thing worked.

"This room is simply called the Test Room, and there are three types of tests to be conducted here, but remember that these tests, if successfully passed, do not mean that the player candidate would be an official guild member.

"Anyways, I'll show all of you why that's the case."

The woman delighted spoke as though she was someone with a tourism degree that still exists in this world as part of the player civilian curriculum.

A few minutes later, various reactions were painted on students' faces.

"That's about it."

Inside the Test Room, a man with a well-built body underwent the three tests.

First, Gravity Sphere — which made the player candidate's weapon to become fifty times its original weight, and must strike and destroy a grey metallic sphere that appeared in front of the player candidate. By destroying this sphere would the weapon return to its normal weight.

Second, Gravity Body — which made the player candidate's body's weight be pressed under the pressure of gravity that's thirty times amplified, but the catch was that the player candidate's weapon wasn't affected in any way.

And lastly, Monster Subjugation — with the help of Monster Data Processing, virtual monsters, even dungeons, could be recreated. In this test, the player candidate, under the Gravity Body, must kill a weightless creature.

Although some of the player candidates passed the three tests, the operator said that they still failed because of sole reason...

"Some of them didn't listen to advice and let their pride get ahead of them."

In other words, when the test was being conducted, the operator would give some guides to the player candidate to clear the test. It was unusual as it would make the test seemed unnecessary if the answer was being forced into the player candidate's ears.

"It means that the Ethereal Guild mostly, if not only, accepts those who will follow the orders from above."

Elizabeth interjected casually.

"But don't be mistaken. Every member's profile would be thoroughly screened by the queen, so the final decision still depends on her."

She added before nodding to the operator.

'That's a cross mark for me. It's only common sense to follow the Guild Master's will, but some players are just prideful just by being a part of a large guild.'

Russell inwardly thought and knowing that he was someone who didn't want to take any "irrelevant" orders from others.

***

Hours had passed, and the last hours of being in Magia of Etheria were finally coming to an end.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen!

"Tonight, the monthly auction will now commence!"

The masculine voice of the auctioneer reverberated throughout the Ethereal Auction House.