Briar didn’t even need an alarm, though, since she awoke before any of the others were awake. Using this chance, Briar took the opportunity to meditate. Like the time before, over half the mana she gathered around her was siphoned off into the magic bag.

Probably the stone recharging, huh? Briar surmised. Considering how it had managed to transform Yukikage, Briar did not feel aggravated by the slowdown in mana replenishment, though, because the mana down below the earth was much thicker than what breezed about on the surface.

There was also the mana from the lava lake nearby, but it really was a rather volatile sort of energy. It could usually be taken in small amounts, but too much could result in mana poisoning, unless one was particularly suited to fire magic.

When one has mana poisoning, even the smallest of spells could suddenly explode in your face, or die out at a crucial moment. It was much safer to absorb a calmer, more stable form of mana, like that which comes from the earth, instead.

Not to say that there was a thing like elemental mana. Mana was mana, no matter where it came from. But, depending on its surroundings, it could have a different frequency of movement.

The spontaneity of fire, the calmness of water, the formlessness of air, the stability of earth: mana that is among a great amount of a certain element can take on such extra characteristics as a kind of habitual movement that it has become accustomed to.

That is why some magicians immersed themselves in a certain environment, since the characteristics of the elements can be felt more keenly in these areas.

That was also the reason why Grandpa Thur had to rest so often. It took little to no effort to absorb mana, but to separate and repel the volatile mana which came from the lava lake nearby caused a mental strain.

If there had been no fire lake nearby, then they could probably have finished all of the characters in one day. But one day or three days, they’d get out eventually, right? Briar wasn’t particularly bothered by it.

Perhaps it was due to her mana veins, but Briar found it much easier to reject the more volatile ‘fire’ mana. Not only did she have a large mana capacity, but she also was able to take in more at once than normal magicians. Of course, this was all simply normal for her.

Actually, Briar noticed that the fire mana she was repelling was being sucked into bag along with the other mana. It seemed that for the stone, it didn’t matter what type of mana it was, so long as there was mana.

Well, at least it’s not picky. She let it go, as she absorbed more and more mana, re-directing the fire lake’s mana towards the bag, since that was easier than simply repelling it.

Having finished her meditation and replenished her mana, Briar then addressed the situation with the magic bag. It was already way past the time when Yukikage would have awoken and come out, yet she had not done so.

So, it is suspended animation, as I had suspected. Briar nodded in confirmation. It wasn’t altogether too shocking. There were stories about such things being among the ancient heroes possessions.

But for something like that to appear in the current era, well, it seemed that she would have to look into it once she returned. It was likely the result of an ancient monolith, or of an artifact.

If it was a monolith, then she would easily be able to acquire the secret herself, if given directions, because monoliths were famous for not being able to be moved by magic or by strength. Even the ravages of nature and time could not destroy them. And they often held hidden pieces of history upon them.

But, if it was an artifact, then it would be rather difficult to research, due to the danger of the situation. Artifacts were highly coveted, and if anyone heard that someone was in possession of an artifact, then trouble would most assuredly be doomed to befall them.

Ah that’s right! Briar remembered. I was looking for a power source for the portal magic! Briar hastily began digging through her things again.

“Hold on, this is perfect!” She exclaimed, withdrawing something within her clenched fist. It glowed, making her hand look bright pink as the light illuminated her hand from within.

Thinking of the surprise she was going to give those three, she couldn’t suppress a wide grin from forming on her face.

----------------------

“First we missed him when he travelled through our area, and then we missed capturing his apprentices when they passed through as well. Although I’ve known him to be hard to find, there was always some small trace that could eventually be followed. But, for all of them to up and disappear like smoke for two months!? How incompetent do you have to be!?”

The black-cloaked man’s forehead was covered in sweat as a chalice of wine just narrowly missed grazing his head.

“My apologies, Master. It appears they have acquired the aid of a magician of rather high rank. King Darrin’s men did mention a powerful magician who left the same day as The Ranger and his disciple. Unfortunately, they soon lost track of both parties.”

Noticing full well that his Master’s patience was growing thin, the cloaked man added, “But, we did find out where they were going! One of Darrin’s men overheard the apprentice saying something about attending the Ten-Year Student’s Contest while she was out buying weapons. She also said that the other apprentice was sure to show up there as well!”

The hand unclenched and a finger thoughtfully drummed upon the table as the shadowed man ruminated upon this information.

“You’re sure of all this?” He asked, pointedly.

“He heard it quite clearly, since he was the one selling the weapons to her.” The cloaked figure added, nodding his head.

“Very well…It has been a while since I’ve been out and about…Ready your swiftest steeds. We’re heading out.” The shadowy man said, rising from his throne.

“Consider it done! Our destination?” The cloaked man bowed.

“Obviously, to the Ten-Year Students Contest. If we start now, we’ll probably only just make it in time. I think it’s about time to give out and gain a few prizes of our own.” He strode out of the room.

“Yes, master.” The bowing cloaked man suddenly vanishing like smoke.

-------------

Laura stopped for a brief moment at the peak of the mountain she had been climbing. Master Thales got up from where he had been sitting while waiting for her to arrive. Laura was lying down, panting from the effort she had put into it, but Master Thales had not even broken a sweat to climb to such a height.

If Briar had been there she would have said that the mountain was as high as Mount Fuji. But, unlike Mount Fuji, its shape was more like that of a clam’s shell, or an ocean wave. The mountain leaned out over the land below, making it a difficult challenge to climb. Moreover, it wasn’t simply one mountain, but a whole huge mountain range.

Laura had just finished climbing up the inner curve of the mountain, so the rest of the mountain was bound to be much easier.

“By my calculations, you should be able to start feeling your arms around now.” Master Thales noted.

“Ugh! You’re a demon lord! An absolute demon lord!” Laura groaned, wincing as circulation brought a stinging, tingling sensation like fire ants crawling back into her arms.

“What was that?”

“…Nothing.” Laura had learned that repeating what she had said was not a good idea with Master Thales.

“Recall, who was the one who asked me to train you? Who wanted to be able to beat a certain someone? Hmm?” He pressed.

“…It was me.” Laura admitted, inwardly cursing herself in the past. I wish I had never asked. But that little sentence remained un-said. The training was painful, but if it managed to help her to get stronger, then it was indeed worth the trouble.

“It seems your arms have returned enough feeling in them. But the cold is making it hard for the blood to fully circulate through. It’s time for a quick massage before we descend the mountain.” Thales decided.

Laura’s face went pale as cold sweat started to pour out of her head.

“Wait, Master, you don’t mean-UWAAAAHHHHH!!!!!”

----------------------

Entire flocks of birds took to the air at the horrendous sound which echoed down from the mountains that day.

Moreover, the people in the villages at the foot of the mountain range, witnessing this great flight of the mountain birds were filled with great concern. Upon consulting the village oracles, it was discovered that it was a sign of a great test. Whether the results became good or bad, would depend upon their devotion to doing good.

The villagers were greatly disturbed and collectively decided to offer sacrifices of their best food and drink, burning them within a great raging bonfire. They did this every year as a renewed promise to be good.

As a result of this, a good ending came about.

A hundred years after this began, an evil merchant would pass through the village. During this time, the few villages had grown and developed into a place that had the best food and drink for miles around.

The evil merchant, seeing all of this, was greedy for it, and fooled the villagers into thinking he was a trustworthy man. Even the head of the village could not see how black the merchant’s heart was.

The time of the bonfire grew near, and everyone was preparing their best to throw into the flames. But the merchant thought that they were preparing it for a feast, and thought to poison the village head, and take over so that all of these good things would be his. He poured a powerful poison into a flagon of his best wine, planning to present it to the chief.

During the time for sacrifice, the merchant mistakenly presented the flagon to the chief, who kindly threw it into the fire for him, since the merchant did not know the custom.

But at this time, the flames grew dark, and black smoke ascended to the heavens, due to the poison in the wine. And so, the merchant’s evil heart was revealed and the villages were saved from a great calamity, thus ending the Time of the Great Test.

After that day, they still continued to have a bonfire every year in memory of that event, although food was no longer tossed into the flames.

This story was passed down from father to child until the Festival of the Bonfire became thoroughly engrained in their culture. Years later, this place would become a popular tourist area, with the story of the ‘Time of Great Trial’.

And, the legend goes that anyone who is of evil will, should he stand before the bonfire, it will once more turn black: as black as the evil in his heart.