章節 1282: Veil
With the User of the Second Magic at their side, it was a simple matter to transfer directly from the Clock Tower to just outside Stonehenge. Here, Vahn opened the gateway between the Surface and the Subtexture of Avalon, creating a massive spatial rift that could easily accommodate the entire group.
Solon was already aware that Avalon was hidden away and, having spent a considerable amount of time within the Wandering Sea, the existence of Subtextures was not unknown to them. This was the same for Director Atlasia so, while others might be surprised by the spatial gate between textures, they passed through with composure and veiled intrigue.
As all gates in and out of Avalon met within the Transfer Room of the castle, Vahn turned to the trio immediately after passing through, saying, "I'm certain individuals of your caliber are already aware of it but, so long as you are inside of Avalon, it is impossible to escape notice. Even if you try to use the Second Magic to hide outside the axis of Time and Space, trust that your actions are being monitored."
While Zelretch could wander freely almost anywhere else, Avalon was one of the sole exceptions as it was a Space entirely under the influence of unique Laws. He would have been able to get away with it in the past but, now that Leviathan watched over the entire Subtexture, it was beyond his means to escape notice. The Watcher had the ability to know everything within a given area and, the moment Zelretch tried to step outside the Time and Space axis, he would essentially be forced to reenter from outside of Avalon.
Zelretch was tempted to put Vahn's claim to the test but, as there was no sense in doing so at the present moment, he just stroked his beard with a sly grin on his face. He didn't think Vahn had a full understanding of his capabilities and, while it may be exceedingly difficult to move unnoticed, there was no such thing as impossible when it came to True Magic. If he put in a concerted effort, the only inaccessible places to him were those that had a fixed spatial fabric, something Avalon clearly lacked.
Vahn could tell that Zelretch was tempted by his words so he gave the elderly man a warning look before explaining, "We're currently located within the Ivory Castle. I will show you around for a short while before allowing you to explore on your own. So long as you do not try to gain access to any restricted areas, it doesn't really matter where you go. Just keep in mind that I'm very protective of my people."
Hearing Vahn's words, Director Atlasia raised his brows, asking, "You're going to let us walk around on our own? Do you think that wise...or are you just that confident in Avalon's security?"
In response to Director Atlasia's question, Vahn issued a light chuckle before holding out his hand, upon which a small blue humanoid had manifested itself. The moment the three peculiar Magi saw the creature seated atop Vahn's hands, Zelretch and Director Atlasia directly froze up while Solon had a look of sheer incredulity on their face. Even without Vahn explaining who the blue creature was, they suddenly felt like inconsequential existences trying to grasp the breadth of the Heavens...
With a casual smile on his face, Vahn lightly caressed the top of Alaya's head as he introduced, "This is the manifestation of Humanity's Will to Survive, the half of the Counter Force known as Alaya. She will be watching you very closely so I'll have to ask that you behave. You'll find that, even with access to True Magic, there are some forces in the World that you cannot directly oppose."
Even as Vahn's finger stroked her head, Alaya glared at the three with her violet eyes, sending shivers down the spines of all three Magi. Zelretch had even turned pale as, better than most, he was aware of just how powerful Alaya was. He had seen her Counter Guardians wipe out entire countries in the span of a single evening and, during his youth, had even tried to contend against a few. They all had unbelievable might and, due to their connection to the Counter Force, some could even counter his Kaleidoscope.
Of the three, Solon was the first to speak, a subtle shift detectable in their vocals as they stated, "It seems we underestimated you to the very end...well, at least we can confirm you aren't acting in your interests alone..."
Hearing Solon's remark, Vahn shook his head and, after placing Alaya back on his shoulder, stated in a calm tone of voice, "I have no interest in the world outside of making it a safer place for all children to live. I believe everyone deserves the chance to succeed in life so, even if I must uproot an entire forest of old trees, I will do so to ensure the saplings of the next generation can thrive..."
The meaning behind Vahn's words didn't escape the trio and, after the revelation of Alaya, they knew he wasn't embellishing facts. Rather, the existence of the Counter Force is something that has put pressure on Magi since the Age of Gods. It was something even the most powerful Magi feared and, in many cases, the existence of Alaya and Gaia was the primary reason behind why the Root was inaccessible...
---
Rather than just stand around making threats, Vahn made good on his promise to show Solon and Zelretch around while Director Atlasia accompanied Da Vinci to observe some of her creations. He would not be allowed within the Workshop, or the Projection for that matter, but the entire island was filled with examples of Da Vinci's work. She wanted to get his input and, as it wouldn't be long before the Atlas Temple was working closely with the Empire, it was an opportunity for her to build rapport with the current Director.
Vahn didn't mind allowing Da Vinci the liberty to act as she pleased as, more than anyone else, she put the proper amount of consideration into everything she did. The odds of her erring and getting put into a compromising position were infinitely close to zero and, while Director Atlasia was a very powerful individual, he wouldn't be able to do anything outside of their notice. If he tried, the only fate that awaited him was something far worse than death. Depending on the circumstances, Vahn might even throw him to Azathoth to spend the rest of his immortal existence.
Still, to absolutely guarantee nothing happened, Vahn asked Scáthach to watch over Da Vinci until their guests left Avalon. She could make multiple copies of herself so, even without Alaya watching over the trio, they would have to deal with a Purple Demon haunting them. If they tried to get away with any kind of subterfuge, they would quickly find their bodies pierced by several spears. Though Zelretch seemed to be vaguely aware of her presence, the restrictions on his abilities while in Avalon all but guaranteed that even he wouldn't be able to escape having become her target...
Fortunately, Zelretch and Solon had the wherewithal to avoid doing anything suspicious, even after Vahn allowed them to freely wander the island. Thus, after warning them not to antagonize Heracles, he assigned them Companions as escorts.
Solon seemed hesitant to have an adorable creature following after them but, as it wasn't really optional, they were paired together with one of the most recent iterations, a version with smooth scales and slightly squishy flesh that was meant to emulate a True Dragon. As for Zelretch, he was far more enthused to have a Companion accompany him, ultimately deciding upon an owl version with light-grey feathers.
Once they had been given Companions, Solon wandered off to explore the areas where Spirits had gathered to form communities while Zelretch teleported over to the castle town. Though he was not able to make full use of his abilities, Vahn didn't mind allowing the old man to teleport around a bit. All that really mattered was that he stayed outside of the restricted area.
---
While his guests were exploring the island, Vahn was watching all three of them through his link with Scáthach. Since he was doing this from within the Projection, all of their actions were in slow motion so it would be very difficult for them to take any action outside his or, more specifically, Scáthach's notice. Still, they were all extremely capable individuals so, as long as they were on Avalon, Vahn was unable to rest easily. This was especially true with Zelretch teleporting very near areas where he was not allowed to enter, obviously with the intent of messing with him...
Fortunately, while Zelretch seemed to discern the existence of the Projection, he had enough sense not to enter inside. Had he tried, the consequences would have been rather severe as, for the time being, Vahn didn't want outsiders entering into the domain where his children resided.
Vahn knew it was only a matter of time before some people tried to use his children to serve their own ends but, for now, he would not expose them to such characters. While they would eventually have to familiarize themselves with these types in the future, they would be allowed to gain experience by dealing with their peers before having to socialize with adults. If any disreputable types tried to manipulate or accost his children, Vahn wouldn't even hesitate to completely break them...
While it may seem somewhat hypocritical coming from him, Vahn believed that the most stable type of relationship was between people of similar age groups. Though this became less important when the parties involved reached a certain age, he felt the first two decades of a person's life was a period of instability and uncertainty. This sometimes even extended into their late twenties so, while it was only a matter of time before one of his children had a relationship with someone several times their own age, Vahn would not allow it this early.
With this in mind, Vahn began to think about his children's coming school days as, while he would be present during the staged expeditions, they would be left to their own devices at other times. If he watched over them every second of every day, their growth would be restricted. Because of this, outside of their primary class, they would be allowed to freely attend the lectures of other Professors within the Clock Tower.
The education provided by the Clock Tower may be flawed in many ways but, so long as you didn't treat everything they said as irrefutable truth, it was still pertinent information. At the very least, you could use it as a test to determine whether or not you can see through the inherent flaws of a given theory. If your understanding was adequate, any magical formula could be seen through in a single glance and, at higher degrees of comprehension, you could completely invalidate their function with a few small changes.
The best example of this was Waver Velvet, the former Lord El-Melloi II, as he had developed his theoretical knowledge to the point that he could break apart and invalidate many spells just by understanding the flaws. This made him extremely hated by orthodox Magi but, as they could not outright refute the significance of his achievements, they could only grit their teeth and develop new methods that were not so easily seen through. Since even Luvia had been a victim of this in the past, Vahn knew that, so long as you did not allow yourself to be fooled by false information, you could actually learn a considerable amount from the other Departments within the Clock Tower...
Imagining the reaction of the various Faculty members that were about to have all their theories torn apart by Da Vinci's curriculum brought a smile to Vahn's face. He couldn't wait to see the bitter looks on the faces of the orthodox Magi as the methods they had secretly clung to for thousands of years were quickly made obsolete. Soon, the illusion of their power they had upheld for generations will be broken and, while conflict would undoubtedly arise as a result, they would ultimately be forced to grit their teeth and adapt if they didn't want to be destroyed...
(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Zelretch is a troll','Seat of Powah','RIP Orthodox Magi, you will not be missed')
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章節 1283: Brink
As watching over Solon, Zelretch, and Director Atlasia for a few hours translated to literal days from Vahn's perspective, it wasn't long before he decided it was time to send them on their way. He was certain the Zelretch had mapped out much of the region by now and it was obvious from Solon's interactions with the Spirits that they were no longer as stressed out as before.
With Companions at their side, Solon and Zelretch returned to the castle shortly after Vahn shared his intentions. They knew better than to try and overstay their welcome so it didn't take them long to finish up what they were doing. The only one who took marginally longer was Director Atlasia as he was quite taken with many of Da Vinci's inventions. It was unfortunate for him that, while Da Vinci had no problem exchanging some information, she had no interest in detailing the intricacies of the most important systems she had developed.
By the time Director Atlasia had made his appearance, Vahn had been keeping Solon and Zelretch company for nearly twenty minutes. He used this time to inquire about their opinion on Avalon's development, earning quite a few compliments from Zelretch and a few dismissive remarks from Solon. The latter felt that Avalon should be home to only Spirits in the future as they did not want to see this land tainted by humanity.
In response to this, Vahn calmly explained, "Avalon will become a bastion for all species that seek a better future. I'm not going to discriminate and anyone based on the preconceived notions as that will only lead to a social divide later down the line. So long as they follow the laws dictated to them, anyone will be able to call Avalon home, at least for a short while."
To further clarify, Vahn detailed his intention to turn Avalon into a massive Academy and Sanctuary. The only permanant residents would those living and working within the castle while everyone else calling the island home will only be able to stay for as long as they are contributing to the system. When they were ready to move on from their studies, the people educated in Avalon would be able to make a name for themselves in the outside world using the knowledge and resources provided to them by the Empire.
Unlike existing systems, the Empire had the ability to supply the necessary resources for everyone to advance their research. The only restriction on resources would be the person's capabilities as, if they were unable to handle dangerous or delicate materials, they would not be given access to them. This would prevent waste and encourage those who sought greater heights to push themselves further.
Solon was obviously skeptical, as things rarely went as expected, but they could at least agree with the idea of making Avalon into a scholarly utopia. The Clock Tower, Atlas Temple, and Wandering Sea had been stagnating since the advent of the Modern Era so it would be extremely beneficial for the development of Magecraft to have fresh ideas introduced. This also explained why Vahn wanted to send his children to the Clock Tower as, in the future, the existence of the special class hosted by the Empire would serve as a vetting program for the first generation of Avalon Academics.
Understanding this, Solon asked, "How soon until you announce the existence of Avalon? Will you manifest a physical representation of the island in the real world?"
As most Subtextures of the world had an access port anchored within reality, it would be difficult for the Empire to exercise its authority if their power could not be seen. People may instinctually fear the unknown but, when you could see the wealth, power, and prosperity of another country, it increased the amount of influence you had on countries. After all, while power and authority were wielded by a select few, they could still be pressured greatly by their affiliates and countrymen. Even Vahn wasn't free from such influences as there were a number of people that could sway his opinion with just a few words.
In response to Solon's question, Vahn paused for a moment before answering, "Once the existence of Magic has been made known to the rest of the world, I will bring Avalon to the Surface. This island will become a symbol, the very heart of the Empire. Here, Magic and Science will blend together to create a world where all sapient creatures can survive and prosper. It will not be an easy transition but, for the generations that follow, it is our duty to make the world a better place."
Hearing Vahn's words, Solon released a heavy sigh before giving him a deadpan stare and saying, "Everything you say is extreme and overbearing...well, it doesn't really matter. Someone comes along every now and then to try and unify everyone under similar ideologies so we'll see how far you can go. I just hope you don't forget your current convictions with the passage of time..."
With those parting words, Solon passed through the gate that had been opened, leaving Zelretch and Director Atlasia behind with awkward smiles on their faces. The former seemed to want to pat Vahn on the shoulder but, after lifting his hand, he retracted it under the pointed gaze of Okita and Jeanne. As for Director Atlasia, he just lightly chuckled before commenting, "The Atlas Temple will be open to you in the future. For now, I'll be sending some students to attend the Clock Tower. I believe that the curriculum Madam Da Vinci has developed will revolutionize what it means to be a Magus. I'm quite looking forward to the results."
Like Solon, Director Atlasia left after his parting words, an expectant smile on his face as the cape he wore flared behind him. This left only Zelretch remaining who, prior to passing through the gate, asked, "Alaya isn't the only powerful force backing you, is she? I can sense something watching us, something horrifyingly powerful..."
Rather than answer Zelretch's question, Vahn just smiled knowingly as he turned his head toward the ceiling, expanding his domain through the castle to where Leviathan resided. It was actually weaker than entities like ORT and Alaya but it was still a Tier 5 existence. Since it had dominion over Space and Time, it wasn't that surprising that Zelretch was able to sense it observing him. Rather, if he was unable to do so, Vahn would begin to suspect that the Second Magic was a lot weaker than it ought to be.
Zelretch's aged body shivered as he turned his attention toward the sky, goosebumps spreading across his arms as the hair on the back of his neck stood on end. He couldn't locate Leviathan but, now that he followed Vahn's gaze, an overwhelming sense of dread passed through him. It wasn't as terrifying as the pressure given off by Alaya but, much like when he faced Crimson Moon in the past, Zelretch felt a genuine threat to his life.
After staring at the ceiling for a few seconds, Zelretch adopted a smile as he said, "Honestly, I hope a time where your backers are revealed never comes. It's a shame that I can't see the future along the axis of time you exist in...I'm certain it would be an eye-opening experience, hahahaha~"
Following in the footsteps of Solon and Director Atlasia, Zelretch passed through the gate, his laugh still echoing for several seconds until his figured vanished entirely. This left Vahn in the transfer room with Okita, Jeanne, Gareth, and a small entourage of Companions.
Once the gate had closed, Vahn visibly relaxed but, as there were still a few things that required his attention, he said, "We'll return to the Edelfelt Manor shortly. Before that, however, I'll be visiting the Daycare to spend some time with my children. The three of you should go relax. We'll regroup here after two hours have passed in the Projection. I'll send you a telepathic message when I'm preparing to leave."
Though they preferred to stay at his side, even Okita knew better than to stick around when Vahn was spending time with his children. He didn't like distractions and, with how they behaved, it made things a little awkward when he wanted to just cut loose. After all, he didn't really act like an Emperor when he was spending time with his children so having people wait upon him was troublesome. This was something they had become accustomed to so, after a series of bows, the girls departed, leaving their Master in peace.
Vahn appreciated the girls' understanding so, after picking up Skoll and a few other Companions, he made his way toward the nearest mirror that connected to the Projection. He was actually in a good mood but, knowing that major changes were afoot, he was a little worried deep down. Though there were no forces that should be able to oppose the Empire, that didn't mean they wouldn't try. There was always a chance that something would go wrong and, considering some of his children would be in the direct line of fire, Vahn couldn't help but worry.
With a lazy expression on his face, Vahn let his mind wander a bit as he muttered, "I'll need to have Da Vinci upgrade the girls' Companions with updated security measures..." Then, with a glimmer in his eyes, Vahn picked Alaya from his shoulder, making eye contact with her as he asked, "What do I need to give you in exchange for guaranteeing my children are safe? You might not be able to give me power, but you can grant it to others, right...?"
Alaya no longer resisted being handled so, even though she had a lazy and annoyed expression on her face, she allowed Vahn to dangle her as she answered, "The minimum amount of Magical Energy to make someone into a Counter Guardian is one-trillion units. As a result of your previous order, the reserves you had stockpiled have all but depleted at this point. I would also need to form a contract with the recipient of my power as the Counter Force can only be wielded by those that have a direct link to myself and Gaia."
Vahn wasn't really surprised by Alaya's words as her answer coincided with the conversations they had in the past. He also wasn't upset by the fact that his reserves had depleted as it went towards ensuring that tragedies all over the world were avoided. There had been millions protected by the intervention of Alaya at this point, greatly increasing his amount of Karma since it was by virtue of his order that their fate had been changed.
Since there wasn't a simple solution to the problem, as Alaya wouldn't accept outside mana from people like Maxwell, Vahn rubbed her head with his index finger before placing her back in her usual position. She wasted no time in nestling into his neck, her teeth pricking his without causing Vahn to flinch in the slightest. Rather, at this point, Alaya's presence had become completely natural, to the point that he would sometimes look around, feeling as if he had forgotten something if they were separated for too long...
---
Though his thoughts had started to wander a bit, Vahn's focus immediately returned upon entering the Daycare. There, he found Ereshkigal watching over most of the children on her own, assisted by Isanna and Naavi. At this point, both girls looked to be around eight years old so, upon seeing him enter the room, they sprung up with childish smiles, Isanna taking to the air as she flew over and hugged him with her tiny arms. She looked exactly like a childish version of Ishtar so she was an exceptionally adorable girl that always brought a smile to Vahn's face, even if he was always a little worried about how fast she was developing...
With Naavi always trotting over to be picked up, Vahn carried both girls in his arms as he made his way over to join the smiling Ereshkigal. She practically served as the Guardian and Caretaker of all the children as, while none of the mothers were exactly 'bad', Ereshkigal's maternal instincts were on another level. Thus, when others needed a break, she would always happily babysit, a loving smile always visible on her face. Since Vahn had a great appreciation for mothers in general, he couldn't help but see Ereshkigal in an increasingly positive light as time continued its eternal march forward.
(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Solon, the Skeptic','The 30km long whale that can destroy the planet is a scary existence? Never would have guessed o3o...','Ereshmama is best mama...?')
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