Chapter 275: Internal Threats

Erica walked down the hallway in the library of the ice city.

This place had ice constructions of all kinds and was normally quite cold, but when they entered such buildings the atmosphere changed.

The interiors were comfortable and pleasant, furnished in different ways following all kinds of modern standards.

Her own room was furnished in a modern style and now the library she found herself in had a similar style.

The city was not a building designed for humans, but was clearly intended for magical beasts and ice elementals.

That was because the library was immense, enchanted with space magic to spread its interior expansively and impressively.

Among the sideboards that held hundreds and hundreds of different types of books, theses and magical research divided into sections and at the front of each book was a small floating light.

Elementals or magical beasts who wished to read a book only had to use those lights by ordering which book they wished to read, then those lights would read the books to them.

She had heard that the Andes Mountains were the best place for a mage to train, but now Erica believed that those who mentioned such an idea were aiming at this site and not the mountain range itself.

The individual who built such a magnificent city had Erica’s appreciation and all respect.

To see magical beasts of all kinds with an affinity to ice magic lying around, listening to the lights, narrating books to her, was certainly impressive.

Not to mention the elementals that some had no forms, but were flying overhead looking for something of interest to them.

Maybe an ice magic spell book would not be useful to her because they mastered magical energy and controlled the element at will, but learning from the attacks and spells of humans, was very useful for battle.

It was the same for Erica, understanding how elementals controlled the ice element at will was the step she needed if she wished to become an Archmage... After all, only S-rank mages were known to control it at will.

Erica had made the most of all her time in her training.

Fighting, training, and in these hours reading.

It was why right now she selected several books on ice magic that prioritized two types of spells.

The destructive ones and the small-scale ones.

They were two thick books with thin pages and the remarkable thing was that such books were not created with modern materials.

“Remember, if you have a book you wish to share, it is always welcome. Every contribution is accepted.”

As she was about to leave, Erica was not startled by the voice coming from one of the lights, but, still, she paused momentarily.

It was hard to get used to.

Leaving the place, sighing that automatic light that spoke to humans, Erica left the library.

Walking through the streets that looked as if they were made of crystalline ice bricks and contemplating the houses created of thick ice that concealed their interior, she again let out an astonished sigh.

This place was unknown to the public, and it was possible that it would remain that way for some time.

She had even been informed that when she left, she would be made to sign a magical contract not to report on this place.

Sure, it was a weak contract and was more of a formality, but in that way they were letting on that they wished to remain hidden.

Although its existence may remain hidden from the public, it was generally possible for ice mages or some authorities to know about this place.

However, knowing about it was not the same as finding it... Even Erica, who had a holographic watch by which she could communicate, could not find its position.

She had tried searching for her location using her GPS out of pure curiosity, but her holographic watch had failed to identify her location.

Looking at the few human visitors and being watched by ice-type magical beasts, she arrived at her residence.

The place was small compared to the places she was normally used to, yet it was quite cozy and nicely furnished.

Kitchen-dining room, with a small living room and her bedroom with the bathroom.

Erica put the books down on the table and set to using her holographic watch.

She was noting down the books in this place and comparing them with those she had at home to see if it was possible to make a copy of hers and donate them.

She had heard that on Terra nova magic books were expensive and studying magic was difficult for average Terranovians.

Although they had an innate magical ability and the ability to level up by killing creatures, they didn’t have the means that globalized the world like Earth.

At least that was what Erica knew from the players who went to Terra nova long ago.

After accomplishing all that, she called out to Clémentine using her communication crystal.

“Am I disturbing you?” Erica asked after saying hello.

The communication crystal projected Clémentine into her own room.

“No, I have already finished my training,” Clémentine replied, giving a long exhausted sigh.

It was obvious from her pallor that she had worked hard to improve in her area, and that made Erica smile.

Unfortunately, they could not meet before, but at least now it had been possible to establish a line to communicate in their free time.

Now that psionic was training and seemed to want to go all out.

“By the way, did you know that Aurora's and Alice’s birthday is this month?” asked Erica, curious and seeing the look on Clémentine’s face, she added. “Akira reported for the group.”

Clémentine’s expression became half hard... She had gone back to her training, and it was possible that she wouldn’t be able to go out for quite a while, unless she wished to stop training.

Erica gave a wicked laugh at the sight of that expression.

The truth was that they were all focused on their training at the moment, so they were having a hard time getting back together.

However, compared to Clémentine, she had an advantage.

It was the same with Nicole and Andrés, leaving Leslie in a rather difficult position due to the fact that her training had started with everything.

The latter was in a similar position to Clémentine, only being in the military it was stricter.

“By the way, already in a while, the departure of the expedition is going to start,” Erica said, changing the subject and seeing Clémentine’s eyes sparkle, she pointed out. “The two expeditions have time difference, but the Europeans will go first and Professor Cécile is among the members.”

Clémentine was French, and the abyssal portal had appeared in her native country.

She had been surprised when she heard about it, but now, unlike before, they had the communication crystal, so it was easy to inform herself.

Erica set the stage with her holographic watch and the communication crystal... All to relay what was happening to that young psionic woman.

After all, even though this was not the first portal, it was certainly going to be an important event.

******

“Remember that you have the chance to collect your reward. Though truthfully I think I would be the one to benefit.” -TheSimplicityOfLife

Aurora sent that message with an amused smile.

Her recipient was Kairos, with whom she had been talking to during her morning break.

The topic of conversation was what he was doing and what she was going to do, simple conversation.

Aurora had informed him that she would be about to start a mission, so there could be times that she would be delayed in responding to his messages.

Of course, she also emphasized the fact that he could call her to collect his ‘reward’ for his good work at the store.

Her new equipment had already arrived, and the work went extremely fast, making it clear that Kairos rushed everything.

A video call was somewhat embarrassing, but Aurora no doubt thought she would enjoy it more that way than simply by message.

The view was too appealing!

“I doubt it. The beneficiary is undoubtedly me... It’s too incredible a reward, due to the fact that it’s not every day one gets a video call with someone so beautiful.” -KairosCosmos.

Aurora’s lips quivered at that flirtatious message from the other party.

This was a flaw of messaging... It let the other party be as flirtatious as he wanted to be and since he couldn’t be seen; he had no shame.

Aurora was sure that right now that the young man was blushing and such a scenario made her lips turn up in a big smile.

She was grateful for her imagination, but there was certainly nothing like the real thing.

Seeing him embarrass himself by trying to ‘resist’ her flirtation and striving to return it by trying to give a dominant appearance was the best thing about a straight conversation.

“Aurora, it’s all about to start already.”

Aurora was about to respond with a fierce slayer’s smile when the door tried to open and then Alice’s voice sounded on the other side.

As if she was doing something ‘embarrassing’, she turned off her holographic watch as if nothing had happened and only a moment later, she realized that she had closed the door.

“I’ll be right out,” Aurora reported in the calmest voice she could give.

Her senses were alert to see if she heard retreating footsteps, but all was silent, making it clear that her sister was still on the other side.

She was feeling like a husband who was doing something dirty or worse, like a husband who was cheating on the pretty wife.

“I have to retire. I’ll talk to you later... You can talk to me too. It’s always nice to chat with someone so handsome.” -TheSimplicityOfLife

Aurora typed and sent her message at a high speed and after receiving the parting reply, she left her holographic watch.

When she got up, she checked her expression in a mirror and tried to put on the most nonchalant look possible, then walked out.

“...”

Alice, who was waiting outside, looked at her.

If at first she gave a curious and attentive look in case she was doing something worrisome, it only took a moment for her gaze to change.

She had noticed her expression, and it was even possible that she had noticed her emotions or thoughts!

-That’s over the top.

Her system gave her comment with a certain amused touch, but she was nervous enough to think of such a thing happening.

“Come on. It’s all starting already,” Alice pointed out and before Aurora could sigh in relief that she had escaped, she muttered. “Just remember that perverts are bad.”

With such words, Alice opened a bag of chips and walked forward, leaving Aurora behind.

Aurora’s expression turned red and got worse as Alice gave her a slightly mocking, victorious smile.

Clearly, her sister had realized she was doing something and was now trying to tease her.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to tell her that she had a suitor, but she was too embarrassed to do so.

And more so when she had called him a pervert... Aurora simply took a deep breath and then continued onward as her expression improved.

When she reached the living room, she could see Liam sitting on the single couch as he watched TV eating some snacks.

Aurora had already gotten used to his presence and living next to him, so she just sat next to her gluttonous sister, who was already devouring her bag of chips.

With the crunching sounds beside them, the three of them watched TV.

The news was showing the expedition group that was highly equipped as if they were going to war.

They were carrying several space rings with all kinds of supplies and also their equipment was the best they could get.

Each one was S rank and was well balanced.

The abyssal portal to the European area was not as large as the first one, but there was still that ominous feeling in its blackish color.

There were no speeches or anything of the sort.

When the time came, a spell stopped surrounding the abyssal portal, opening the way for the ten S-rank members of the expedition to enter.

That spell was likely to be the one that the Falion Empire had created and Duke Kristoph had used, with the only difference being that it was now engraved in a magic circle as a matrix to hold such a powerful spell.

Aurora watched the participants until her gaze focused on Cécile Leroux, who wore a solemn expression.

The expedition had prepared all sorts of supplies to survive for a long time and also carried various safety items.

From scrolls containing spells, some technological or psionic items for defense, and countless potions of all kinds.

They were also equipped with mental magic artifacts to establish communications with any being on the other side without the need to learn the language.

They also carried tents with basic comforts and experimental equipment to see if it was possible to initiate communication from the other side and even to maintain communication between their members, even if they were far away from each other.

All possibilities had been analyzed and the European government provided all the necessities.

They did not know their destination, but some difficult environments could always be foreseen, and the knowledge of the Terranovians made it possible to cover such scenarios.

Was the other side a place full of monsters or were they affected by ‘Chaos’?

Such questions were to be answered at this time.

The expedition group entered the abyssal portal in silence, disappearing completely.

Then they waited.

The idea was that they would report back after arriving and securing their position.

The silence stretched on and seconds turned into minutes until a priest informed the authorities outside that they had arrived successfully.

Such words got sighs out of the reporter and for her part Aurora also sighed.

The Russian expedition would also be moving and the same success was expected, at least on arrival.

Still, that start was a good one.

Aurora, for her part, simply let out a long, exhausted sigh.

All she could do now was watch and hope for the best all while working.

“Now it’s our turn to get ready,” Aurora said earnestly as she regained her professionalism and looking at her companions, she stated. “We need to get moving.”

They had work to do too, and she would not sit idle while the abyssal portals were dealt with.

After all, she didn’t have to forget that even though there was an external threat, the internal threats never ended.