Fire Mage



Chapter 594: Departure

'A while ago, I was chasing a sneaky rat named Charles and killed him after battling. But during that battle, I was injured heavily and lost memories. No, something feels off.' At that moment, Professor (Charles) tried to use his 'wisdom power' to search the surroundings but felt very hard to do it.

He also tried to enter his Inner World but felt a strong resistance from his soul. He also tried using the [Fate Swap] skill but felt no effect!

'What happened?! Although my body strength remains the same, I think I somehow lost most of my wisdom power, and all abilities. Wait, that's realistically impossible, right?' He clenched his fist and punched the floor.

A moment later, the stage shook violently, and cracks appeared.

'Oh? Surprisingly, my strength is still the same. Does that mean I've no choice but to increase my wisdom power again?' 

While thinking, he soon noticed another piece of information in his head.

'Even though I lost my memories, I can understand why. It must be due to Charles's Mind Fire. That fire is indeed a scary one.' By looking through his scattered memories, he also found that he had intended to leave this place earlier.

'I need to leave this city within twenty hours? That means my plan must have failed.' He quietly stood up from the lotus position and stepped down from the auditorium stage. After a while, he left the auditorium and walked towards the Magus Center.

At that very moment, an overpowering stench of blood inundated his senses, assaulting him from every possible direction and causing him to wrinkle his brow.

Embarking on the street, he was confronted with a ghastly tableau—a dreadful sight that shook him. The lifeless bodies of countless individuals were strewn along the sides of the road, their presence evoking a symphony of anguished screams and mournful wails that reverberated from all angles, engendering an overwhelming sensation of disorientation and queasiness.

"What the hell happened when I was passed out? How did they die? Did an accident near the auditorium result in massive death all over the surrounding areas?" He noticed similar scenes as he walked towards the main road.

"What the hell happened? Don't tell me the whole city is like this?" He couldn't help but take a deep breath.

His silver bracelet suddenly vibrated and notified him about the upcoming communication call.

As he used his 'wisdom power' to attend the call, a familiar voice came from the other side.

"Professor?! Are you there?!" He could feel a trace of panic in that person's voice.

"John? What happened? How did so many people die?" Professor asked in a hurry.

"You didn't see the creepy eye?" John asked in a surprised tone.

Meanwhile, Professor took a deep breath and told him about the memory loss.

"Although I don't know how I fell unconscious, I can vaguely tell that it must be due to Charles's last resort to harm my soul. Anyway, tell me more about the current situation."

"Yes, Professor. When we were trying to create panic all over the city, the Defensive Array System suddenly got activated and started attacking civilians randomly. All the Divine Order members and even Tower Mages got killed without mercy. But that was just the start." John deliberated for a moment and then continued.

"After that, a strange eye incarnation suddenly appeared in the sky and told everyone that a new City Lord had been registered. The big accident also happened at the same time. For some reason, the eye incarnation suddenly released its spiritual power all over the city, which resulted in the death of one-third of the city's population."

"Spiritual pressure... Although Legendary Rank or even Demigod Mystic's spiritual scan could harm damage to a mortal's body, it won't kill them like ants. There is only one answer to this. This city core must have the power of True God's strength!" His expression turned grim.

"John, find a way to get an airship ticket for me. I need to leave this city within a few hours. Although I don't know who this new City Lord is, I don't want to take risks anymore. Damn It, I should've listened to that old hag's advice." Saying so, he cut off the communication call and fastened his footsteps towards the Underground District.

...

Miracle City's Airport, Underground District.

Three hours later.

Professor stood in front of the half-egg-shaped building and quietly walked inside. Unlike before, the whole airport building appeared vacant, and only a few people appeared here and there.

Meanwhile, John stood next to him and spoke with a thoughtful look.

"After the big accident, almost all airships were in a hurry to leave this city, sir. But due to the security issues and the death of many airport staffs, none had left the airport yet." He paused for a moment and soon added.

"Thankfully, I used my identity and asked the airport manager to let one airship leave in advance to inform them what happened here to the outside world. Moreover, I also brought a ticket for you, sir." 

While saying so, he took out a palm-sized id card and gave it to him.

"Airship ticket? Oh? Ticket number: SE4532453, Zone 3, Seat no: C24. Hmm? Isn't it Sacred Empire's airship? Hmm, why do I feel like I'm returning home?" Professor furrowed.

'If I'm not wrong, Sacred Empire is controlled by two Lawful Gods: God of Order, Filo, and God of Truth, Eyer. Filo... No wonder I feel somewhat safer. The truth is Filo is my other clone. After all, only his abilities match mine among all the lawful gods. I had long guessed he must be my avatar but didn't dare to get in touch with him for fear of exposing my identity to other members.' In truth, Edhen Children members were not united. Although their goal was to complete Project X, it was not their only goal. Everyone was scheming behind their back, waiting for every opportunity like a hawk.

'I'm Asthar, the God of Fate and also called Fate Professor.' He quietly stored the ticket inside his spatial ring as he organized his thoughts and soon squinted his eyes.

'Now that I think about it, why am I wearing another spatial ring? Maybe Charles's? Still, why couldn't I remember anything about the final battle?' He felt a strange sense of uneasiness.

'After returning to a safe place, I must try to regain my strength and find out what happened before.' He muttered to himself and quietly stepped into the airport's terminal.

Although the security checkups were a bit tighter, he used his identity as Security Departmental Head and moved toward the check-in hall. 

Afterward, he went to the airport receptionist, got the boarding pass, and confirmed that the airship would take off at 7.30 P.M.

He quietly took out the silver pocket watch and checked the time.

'6.20 P.M. There is still more than an hour left for departure.'

He didn't stay in the check-in hall and started walking towards the Boarding Gate through the concourse.

A few minutes later, he reached Zone 3 and saw chairs arranged for resting.

He quietly moved towards the back and sat on the corner seat. The whole hall would have been bustling with laughter if it were before. But now, only gloominess and silence appeared. Even though more than 200 people stayed in the hall, only whispers and sobbing were heard. 

After glancing at them awhile, he shook his head, closed his eyes, and waited.

Minutes passed quietly, and soon it was 7.15 P.M.

Suddenly, a blonde-haired lady in her blue suit opened the door on the left side and announced.

"Attention! Ladies and gentlemen. Sacred Wings announces the departure of flight SW45325 to the Sacred Holy Land. We request all passengers booked on this flight to proceed to stand in a queue.

Boarding will begin shortly. Passengers are reminded to have their boarding passes and identification documents ready for inspection. Please ensure that you have all your personal belongings with you before leaving the gate area.

Passengers requiring special assistance or families with young children can approach our gate agents for priority boarding. 

Thank you for choosing Sacred Wings, and we wish you a pleasant journey."

One by one, passengers stood up from their seats and formed a queue. Professor also joined the queue and waited for his turn.

After 15 minutes of waiting in line, Professor soon arrived near the lady attendant and showed his identification card and flight ticket.

After getting approval from the lady, he quietly walked through the gate and soon arrived at the airport ramp. 

Following that, he and other passengers quietly moved further on the ramp and soon saw a bluish airship. 

The magnificent airship stood at an impressive height of 100 meters, commanding attention and awe from all who looked at it. Crafted with a blend of elegance and mystique, it exuded an air of enchantment that captured the imagination.

The airship's hull, constructed from sturdy materials and intricate enchantments, boasts a seamless fusion of artistic design and functionality. Adorned with ornate patterns and decorative motifs inspired by arcane era mythology, the vessel reflects the timeless allure of a bygone era.

At the heart of the airship were its four colossal magic propellers, each imbued with potent mystic energies. These propellers, spinning gracefully and silently, harness the power of magic to propel the airship through the skies with remarkable speed and maneuverability. They were intricately carved and adorned with glowing runes, pulsating with a soft ethereal glow as they harness the forces of magic.

The airship's upper deck featured an expansive observation area, allowing passengers to marvel at breathtaking vistas above the clouds.

The passengers quietly moved up through the illusionary staircase and entered the airship. Professor also entered the airship and found his seat in two minutes.

After that, the airship pilot made another round of instruction. 

As the airship prepared for departure, an air of anticipation filled the atmosphere. 

The airship's four magnificent magic propellers, imbued with ancient runes, emitted a soft pulsating glow. 

As the crescendo of magic built, the airship began to stir. It levitated gently from the platform, defying gravity's hold. A shimmering barrier enveloped the vessel, protecting it from the elements and harnessing the magical energies within.

The airship ascended with a graceful motion, guided by the combined efforts of the crew and the enchanted propellers. The propellers spun faster, drawing upon the mystical forces around them. Trails of sparkling energy swirl in their wake, propelling the airship higher into the sky.

The crew, attuned to the mystical currents, fine-tuned their control over the airship's navigation and control system. They guided the vessel along its desired path with gestures and focused concentration.

...

[End of Volume 5: City of Miracles.]