CHAPTER 271: NOW OR NEVER

"Come in."

With Korvus’ permission, Hal entered, a stern yet determined expression on his face.

"So...I assume you’ve decided to enter the location on the hide map and try your luck there?" the deputy headmaster asked.

Of course, Hal nodded, as this was indeed the reason why he approached Korvus today.

This was the most probable reason why he would seek them, especially now that he possessed Advanced Aethersight, rather than the Basic Aethersight he had expected.

Perhaps it was the antenna of the variant Secteed he used in his last attempt to craft the artifact that made all the difference.

"Come, then. Talk to your master."

In the next moment, the scenery changed, and Hal found himself standing in front of Isolde.

She was busy scribbling things as usual...

"Hmm?" the headmistress began, scanning her eyes at the two after noticing them before locking eyes with her student. "Hal, what brings you here? Is this about the ancient hide map?"

"Yes, master."

"I see..." Isolde then sighed, looking at Hal with a hint of pity and guilt.

Such talented youngsters should’ve been given more time to develop like the previous generations, but due to the worsening situation of the empire, they were forced to face challenges they should’ve had no business taking on for a while this early.

As much as Isolde wanted to give her student the most optimal of situations, the empire was indeed running out of time.

They could only support Hal’s courageous decision and pray that he would succeed.

Even Kalna didn’t dare take on such a difficult trial until his fifth year as a combat wizard and second as a Magna Prospect.

In fact, it wasn’t only Hal who was taking on such absurd challenges.

Almost all the Magna Prospects are, especially the younger ones who didn’t know how to process the heavy information relayed to them by their masters regarding the true state of the war against the fell race, especially after the disaster in the east.

A considerable number had already thrown their lives away, and there were more whose fates were still unknown.

The moment the map was rewarded to Hal, Isolde and Korvus already knew what the empire’s plan was.

They were risking everything for a small chance at victory, and honestly?

It was the only logical thing to do now.

Unlike humans, who can only have nine awakened Magna marks at a time, the fellkin can simply evolve to become a Seres, though this doesn’t mean the enemy’s path is easier.

It was far more difficult for a Seres to emerge from the fell race.

The Magna Novem had always outnumbered the Seres of the Fellkin, and this was partly why the Imperium had been surviving.

The problem was that lately, there had been more and more anomalies born among the fell, like the now vanquished Kurava and Yisu, who recorded a new and strange case of evolving post-prime-years.

The longer the war goes on, the slimmer the chances of the empire emerging victorious.

It had long been clear that the initial plan of waiting for the ultimate line-up of Magna Novem before counterattacking and bringing the war to the Fell Continent was nothing short of delusional optimism.

It was now slowly being accepted among the top brass of the Imperial Wizard Army that the empire would have already long fallen before such a thing would happen.

The best chances they have to shoot their shot at victory are now.

They had the invincible Kalna, an above-average lineup of Magnas, and the upcoming Hal Fennec and Ennya Kasai.

There were also many promising seeds about to be officially appointed as Magna Prospects next month, such as Liora Whitemane, Donner Rakurai—problematic as the young man’s attitude still was—and Vyse Vandralis, who suddenly began to show quite the insane rate of improvement.

Aside from this, there were a great number of rising wizards in the Imperial Wizard Guild, transparency and one mandatory order from the empire away from joining the war.

New intel about the fell race’s limitations was also being confirmed, though it would take some time to do so.

The situation was deteriorating for the Imperium.

However, at the same time, the stars were lining up for one last, fierce stand before humanity fell.

It was now or never.

"Well, there’s nothing I can do aside from bringing you to the entrance of the ancient underground temple, as there’s a mysterious force blocking entry for those aged twenty-five and above.

Also, take note that although you will be able to exit without any problems, you can only enter once.

The mysterious force will also stop you from re-entering after you leave.

Of course, everything you obtain inside will be yours, and you don’t even have to report to the empire about them. Just...come back alive... If you feel that you can’t handle what’s inside, just return.

The empire still has quite a bit of such locations. There’s no need to throw your life over this one."

Isolde then fell silent, observing her disciple’s reactions and nodding in satisfaction.

It seemed that Hal easily understood even the underlying meanings in her words.

"If you’re still determined to push through this soon despite everything I said, then return once you’ve finished all your preparations. Also, I’m not sure if your wolf companion would be granted entry, but if you want to, you can try to bring him. We’ll just send him to your mother if the temple doesn’t allow him to enter."

"Thank you, master."

Hal indeed had a few preparations and obligations to take care of first before heading out.

He had to make sure that his union would continue to function, inform Maximus that he might be gone again for a long time, and, of course, spend the Chaos Points he earned to improve his arsenal.

With his shitty-looking but extremely effective Advanced Aethersight Goggles, Hal had temporarily broken through his bottleneck and could wholeheartedly focus on growing stronger again in his own unique way.

He had to be ready for every possible situation that might occur inside the ancient temple.

After all, he didn’t want to waste this opportunity.

Who knows? This might be yet another situation arranged by the mighty entity watching over him.