Ch.223Chapter 223: Age of Chaos (7)

# Chapter 223: Age of Chaos (7)

Right after the Emperor’s full mobilization order was delivered to the Academy.

Near Elder Master Aaron’s training ground, Professor Aaron was hurriedly preparing to head to the battlefield with a serious expression, before Valt could even calm down from the excitement of reaching the 8th Circle.

The Emperor’s orders were absolute, and the Academy’s professors were also subject to mobilization as the core of the Empire’s magical military power.

A state of emergency was declared throughout the Academy, and professors who normally devoted themselves to research and academics were now busy gathering magical tools and belongings, saying farewell to their families.

The Academy had begun to function like a rear base for a massive military organization.

Students were not subject to mobilization, so they were either evacuating amid the chaos or engaging in their own training.

Professor Aaron also left brief but meaningful advice and final greetings to Valt and Liris before hurrying to the battlefield.

“Remember, Valt. Who you are, what you are. Think about it carefully. That will lead you to the 9th Circle.”

The weight of the calamity that had befallen the continent could be felt in his departing figure.

After finishing his training with Professor Aaron, Valt immediately gathered his team members.

Liris who was originally with Valt, along with Lisa, Arias, Solpin, Yuria, Airine, Lati, Victor, and Robin.

All the core team members who had completed missions together in the East and Gerontia, as well as those with whom they had formed friendships at the Academy, gathered.

The princess had naturally been incorporated into the Emperor’s forces, and Seirun Caldrian, son of the Northern Margrave, was the same.

Riduin had also returned to his affiliation with the Magic Tower.

Those without affiliations were the disciples of the Seven Heroes, Valt, and the princesses of different races.

Surprisingly, Lisa did not return to the Valentain family to participate in the war. It was because she didn’t want to, and she wasn’t included in the mandatory conscription.

What was unexpected was that Shukbil, the disciple of the Creator, headed to the Magic Tower due to his friendship with Riduin.

In the end, those gathered now were all who remained.

In the midst of the Academy’s emergency situation, their faces showed tension along with trust in Valt.

“You’ve all heard,” Valt said in a low voice.

“His Majesty the Emperor has issued a full mobilization order against the Dark Society. A full-scale war has begun.”

Solpin growled, shouldering his massive claymore.

“So it’s come to this. Those Dark Society bastards… Did things escalate because of us?”

Yuria smiled eerily.

“Khuhuhu… A continental-scale event. This will be quite entertaining!”

Lisa, acting as the strategist, said:

“Most of the Academy’s professors will be mobilized too. That means we’re the only ones left.”

Her gaze turned to Valt.

“Isn’t it too dangerous?”

Several others seemed to agree with Lisa’s concern.

But Valt shook his head.

“Arias’s homeland is there too. Can we just stand by and watch our friend’s homeland being trampled, regardless of the Dark Society?”

Arias seemed touched by Valt’s words.

Yuria laughed and said:

“Huh? Our homeland is there too? It’s not just elves living there, you know?”

“Did you know our beastkin homeland is also near the Great Forest?”

The Western region had a relatively large population of different races.

Many of Valt’s companions’ homelands, comprised of various races, were located there.

“Yes, this is not just about stopping the Dark Society, but also about protecting our friends’ homelands.”

Everyone nodded at Valt’s words.

Valt looked into the eyes of each team member.

“Lisa, what do we need to confront the Dark Society in the West?”

Lisa opened her mouth.

“Well, first, a justification? Since Academy members aren’t included in the mandatory mobilization.”

Valt nodded at Lisa’s words.

As students, they weren’t included in the Emperor’s full mobilization order.

But to fight against the nation called the Dark Society and to protect their friends’ homelands, they needed an official justification to advance to the battlefield.

As members of the Academy, joining as a team carrying out a mission assigned by the Academy was the most realistic approach.

“First, I’ll have to… ask the Chancellor. We’ll continue the meeting after that. Wait here for a moment.”

“No, let’s all go together. We are princesses of different races and disciples of the Seven Heroes. It will be more persuasive if we go together.”

Valt nodded at Arias’s suggestion.

“Right, then let’s go together.”

***

Valt’s group immediately headed to the Chancellor’s office, which was operating like the Academy’s emergency headquarters.

The Chancellor was still continuously communicating with the Empire’s military, various Academy branches across nations, coordinating the situation.

Inside the office, other high-ranking professors and military officials were moving busily.

“Chancellor.”

The Chancellor briefly turned his gaze from the communication device to look at Valt’s group.

He tried to guess their purpose, but in the emergency situation, there was no time for lengthy contemplation.

“Valt? Why are you all here together? You should be in the evacuation zone.”

“Chancellor,” Valt said once more.

His voice was filled with determination.

“Our team… has decided to continue the mission of pursuing the Dark Society. We want to join the expedition to the Western Great Forest, the stronghold of the Dark Society… to thwart their plans.”

The Chancellor looked at Valt’s group, surprised by his unexpected decision.

“Valt…. His Majesty’s mobilization order is directed at the faculty. Students… should remain in a safe place. The Great Forest expedition… is a full-scale war with forces from across the continent. If something happens to you while participating unnecessarily, we cannot avoid responsibility.”

Valt didn’t back down.

“I understand, Chancellor. But we are not ordinary students. That’s why we need your help.”

Valt’s voice grew stronger.

“We have directly faced the reality of the Dark Society… we know what they’re aiming for and what they did in Gerontia. And with our team’s abilities… we can strike at the core of the Dark Society in a different way than a large-scale frontal war.”

After a moment’s hesitation, he made his request.

“Please establish an Academy-specific mission so that our team can officially join the Great Forest expedition.”

If they moved under an official Academy mission, the Academy wouldn’t need to take responsibility for their actions.

“If you entrust us with a mission like ‘Support for the Western Great Forest Expedition and Investigation of the Dark Society’s Core,’ there would be no reason for the Academy or the Empire to take responsibility. Moreover, it would give us justification to operate as an independent unit.”

Even if they participated in the expedition, this was the only way to bypass the Emperor’s orders.

The Chancellor pondered over Valt’s unexpected request and the resolve in his eyes.

As Chancellor, he hesitated to send students into a dangerous battlefield.

But in the face of the unprecedented threat of the Dark Society, Valt’s team’s special abilities and understanding of the situation could be more valuable than any Imperial legion.

If they, who knew the truth about magical energy… and in the current situation where most of the Academy’s professors were being mobilized and leaving their posts, there was also the practical reason that a capable team was needed to carry out dangerous missions in the name of the Academy’s honor.

After a moment of silence, the Chancellor made his decision.

His face showed fatigue along with determination.

“…Very well, Valt. I accept your request. This situation… in a way, it would be unreasonable to ask you, who are deeply connected to the Dark Society, to stay out of it… And… you’ve achieved the 8th Circle, haven’t you?”

The Chancellor could immediately recognize the change in Valt’s strengthened power.

The 8th Circle for an Aura user was at the Master level.

With such skill, he was at a level where the Empire would be begging for his help.

“Are you confident you won’t get hurt?”

Valt smirked at the Chancellor’s words.

“That’s like telling someone not to get wet when going to the sea, Chancellor.”

“Haha, true. Are you confident you won’t die?”

Valt’s eyes flashed.

“Absolutely. I’m confident I won’t die.”

Valt’s confidence had its reasons.

In the end, the Chancellor had no choice but to entrust the next banner to this young generation.

‘Times change. Perhaps I’m being overprotective of those who will lead the continent.’

The Chancellor nodded.

“I’ll establish an Academy-specific mission. ‘Academy Special Mission in the Age of Chaos: Support for the Western Great Forest Expedition and Investigation of the Dark Society’s Core.’ I entrust this mission to your team.”

The Chancellor immediately instructed the secretary professor beside him.

“Provide this team with official documents, necessary supplies, and information through the Academy Intelligence Department. Minimize procedures as this is an emergency situation.”

“Yes, Chancellor!”

The secretary professor moved immediately.

With the Chancellor’s permission, Valt’s group immediately began preparing for the mission.

They secured the latest information on the Dark Society’s movements, expedition assembly points, and information about the Great Forest from the Academy Intelligence Department and Lisa.

They received necessary supplies and official documents certifying them as the ‘Academy Special Mission Team Against the Age of Chaos.’

The team members gathered together for the first time since returning to the Academy, strengthening their resolve for the upcoming journey.

The Academy was now transforming into a fortress.

It was busy with professors and military officials heading to the battlefield, and students entering emergency training.

Amidst all that chaos, Valt’s group left through the Academy’s main gate as the official ‘Academy Special Mission Team Against the Age of Chaos.’

As they exited the fortified Academy gates, the outside world was already transforming into a battlefield.

In the sky, large fleets of airships were moving toward the West, and on the ground, endless processions of troops and wagons stretched out.

It was a magnificent yet tragic sight announcing the beginning of a continental full-scale war.

Moving toward a different location than the assembly point for the Emperor’s forces or the allied forces, Valt’s group once again felt the weight of their power and mission.

Their footsteps headed into the massive wave of the continental full-scale war, toward the unknown realm of the Western Great Forest. With justification, to find clues to save the continent fallen into chaos.

“Are you afraid?” Valt asked his team members.

But there wasn’t a single such person here.

“I asked a needless question. Let’s go. Think of this as our graduation project.”

Everyone smiled at Valt’s words.

“Hehehe, we’ve barely enrolled and we’re already graduating?”

“That sounds good! Graduation project!”

“I still wanted to stay at the Academy much longer!”

Valt smiled slightly.

“Let’s go.”

The smallest special unit that would become the biggest variable in the Great War against the Dark Society set foot toward the Great Forest.