Chapter 175: The Gate of Goffin (2)
XEaTG0C“It’s estimated that Master went to heaven around 80 years ago. Do you know what that means?”Djnq0
BDuij“No, I don’t.”QtiFBR8
RI4“The rank assigned to Master by the Magic Association was different before he went to heaven and after he returned. In other words, he became an Archmage after realizing something in heaven. Every mage dreams of becoming an Archmage. Knowing this, it doesn’t make sense not to go to heaven.”9IHSla
2A93VbIShirone had to agree. If Arcane had become a third-class mage after returning from heaven, it meant there was something in heaven that had awakened him.YWoBxXc
SvepZ4eSeeing Shirone waver, Canis revealed the last piece of information he had.Pts0h
UAq“Most of the notes left by Master were just words, but at the end, there was a single sentence.”
“What did it say?”214
numpE“It was something like this: ‘That place is the origin of everything. The source of Schema and…’”nmh
5TPFRian’s eyes lit up.CkzQ
rEw“Schema?”3au
EAZ44CEIgnoring him, Canis continued.O4tb
NOfYJ“Forgotten ancient magic…”vlTH
HJChdAmy asked again.zzsVt
hc8txrg“Ancient magic?”PSpoPky
dz6hm“The ancient weapons lying dormant…”4oHrO
LedTess shouted.EGTn
7twPnvC“Ancient weapons!”uHdlNw
0YjBPNCanis frowned.UoA
rkTUP6“…Are you doing this on purpose?”Pb7jJJ
e8n1U“Hohoho! Sorry, please continue.”Ci7CJ5O
4r4vAnnoyed by Tess’s jest, Canis eventually recited the entire sentence.sGQYEqE
yaqop“It was written like this: ‘I leave this at Metagate.’”J2jMI
0AFPIt was a note left to prevent those unaware of heaven’s existence from accessing the information.MO8D6
nzKUEven Harvest, who inherited Arcane’s memories, had wandered the continent to find the secret location. The fact that he had gone to such lengths to obscure it showed how much he didn’t want this information to be known.pAM
GBMaNevertheless, he left a record… perhaps it was an inescapable mischievous streak.gDWRa
FqUtvsUThough it was just a single sentence, the note contained crucial information. First, heaven had Schema and magic. Therefore, it was likely inhabited by humans. Additionally, ancient relics would likely be piled high there.CeJqw
owbLmArcane was saying through the note: ‘Examiners and mages of the world, beyond the Metagate lie mountains of ancient relics.’h2GmF9R
OV7So, what were these ancient relics? No history book mentioned them.VpIiDY
HH2PShirone grasped what kind of place heaven was.ZTw
gzRo1u“Ancient magic. Ancient relics. The origin of everything.”rQiWJ
HRweQx“Yes. Master knew. When did humans first start learning Schema and magic? If it were a biological principle, animals should exhibit Schema too. But no matter how far back you go in history, there’s no mention of the birth of Schema and Spirit Zone. Do you know what this means?”c0r
1PGVip“Humans understood it from the beginning. It’s a paradox, but that’s what you’re trying to say, right?”jUZJ
871iT“Exactly. More specifically, Schema and magic existed even before humans. Kadum called heaven his hometown. It’s just a myth, but we must use myths as our compass from now on.”tuDRNl
ORAA prehistorical world awaited them. The origin of humanity, which no scholar had unveiled, might be hidden somewhere in the immeasurable sky.XgG6Cu
5ZJU6f“I’ve told you everything I know. The conclusion is, we will go there. To honor Master’s will and to further our magic. Arin and I have agreed on this. Whatever happens, there will be no resentment.”ejtcY0
XmL“I-I want to go too!”Cydqj
OV5Amy declared her intention to join.4fGO
q2n0eOpportunities to elevate one’s magic level didn’t come often for a mage. Also, the idea of being rivals with Canis and Arin from the same school influenced her decision. No matter how dangerous it was, didn’t they have the Metagate? It would be foolish not to even try when there was a way back.YWafVp
Ydj“If Amy’s going, then so am I! Shirone, let’s go!”KxAe
dFmcHoTess supported Amy’s decision. There was no reason not to go when ancient weapons awaited them.NTAH
UU4kx2The Metagate alone was immensely valuable. Ancient weapons were items made from metals not found in this world. Picking up even a single stone lying around would be worthwhile.KzhyFqi
fRtO“No. I’m not taking anyone. I’m not going either. It’s too dangerous. I don’t think going to heaven is the right choice for us.”cFrk
ldTkEveryone was dumbfounded by Shirone’s words.TvB
oPrIt was too precious to give up just like that. This was an opportunity that no mage in the world would ever have. Didn’t Arcane also reach the rank of Archmage after gaining enlightenment in heaven?fzgB1hN
f6ru“I know it’s dangerous. But doesn’t Canis have a way back?”qDsQ
0lIJwgj“That’s not the point. Whether there’s an exit or not doesn’t matter. Just because I can open the gate to heaven doesn’t mean I should put you all in danger.”sDYPklL
qN6fCanis gritted his teeth.icH1
AOXS7sJHe had known Shirone’s philanthropic spirit was like a cliff you couldn’t cross. That’s why he had crafted a meticulous plan to bring them to this point. But even this couldn’t break through her adamant resolve.a29UI4A
Pgn“If you’re that scared, then don’t go. But we had a deal. You have to let Arin and me through heaven’s gate.”kbvXUw
bdUm1Zh“No. I won’t let you go either.”4MN
6Zi2BjP“You bastard! Are you betraying us now?”x7QpR
Pn7LAo“Think whatever you want. But now you’re a fellow student at our school. I can’t open the gate and send you to your death.”4PyTGyn
h5ike6f“Who asked you to worry about my life? I’ll handle my own affairs! And we can always come back!”8JYTRIt
EaNvAmy, who usually respected Shirone’s decisions, sided with Canis this time.pk7Tp
sPfBWd9“Yeah, Shirone. It’s a great opportunity. And didn’t we agree to take on this level of risk from the start? You came this far to learn about Miro.”Eb06u
a7qQEx8Shirone raised his voice.jY5L
AmB“Put yourself in my shoes. If you were me, could you ask us to go through heaven’s gate? Could you ask us to go to the star we just saw?”yt5s
Htx‘No, not even if I died.’WZ6z53x
y8OThat was the issue. It was a matter separate from the risk.81GV
FpVHymIf Shirone had come alone and if the situation were as it was now, he would have entered heaven immediately.mJ1HAVN
T9zw08yBut as an Unlocker, taking his friends’ lives into her hands and leading them was an immature act. Shirone had the responsibility to make the most mature judgment among them.iH3P
Uorn5FLost in thought, Amy flicked Shirone on the forehead. Shirone, holding his stinging forehead, looked at her in disbelief as Amy spoke.oPDegp
NAb“Of course, I’d say let’s go to heaven. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”E7h
FObAmy was lying.w1ao
RBF4hXSWorrying about a friend’s safety also hinders clear judgment. She thought it best to lessen Shirone’s burden first.5LxjeTp
7ympvgBut Shirone saw right through her.XvpRv
IkD“Don’t lie. This is really dangerous. Even with the Metagate, do you know where it leads? We’re not going to come right back. The more determined we are to go, the greater the risk. Why don’t you understand that?”784CbF9
TBJ7“Then why did you bring me here?”wvpM
d7Map“What? That’s…”aSO
mc91“You said you’d feel reassured with me. Isn’t that why you came to my house? Or what, were you planning to go sightseeing with a girl?”Rt95MHu
hA8MQAmy aggressively pressed. Shirone was speechless. He had a responsibility for bringing a senior student here, wasting valuable time.udG
xHMiY0bTess pounded her chest and supported Amy’s opinion.JFdD4Y
P8bKj“I feel the same. Even if you open the gate, it’s my choice to follow or not. You don’t need to worry about that. Besides, if we’re going, Rian and I would be a great help.”m4yFlg
xb5pIn any party, a swordsman was crucial. They had the bravery and animal instincts that mages lacked. A second they created could be a life-or-death moment for a mage.I0Q
6oZuYfAs Shirone hesitated, someone knocked on the door.oJPD
KXRCanis hid the Metagate. The knocker waited for permission before entering.muacNrL
nYgjWhen Shirone allowed entry, Mahatu walked in. An unwelcome guest.ih4LE
VZAAs Shirone’s group watched, Mahatu hesitated before speaking.7VtDk
ValfUZh“I apologize for earlier. I came to formally apologize.”5nvb
y58“It’s fine, I’ve forgotten about it.”Nb1IhQ
vkuUxL3Of course, Amy hadn’t. But she let it slide, suspecting Mahatu had another reason for his visit.bHGpQa
qCthAs expected, Mahatu got to the point.91WJ
dP72SA“Are you going to heaven?”g6h3s
5ZWoQTShirone didn’t answer. Despite his friends’ strong persuasion, he still had doubts.TIL
0S1i“Please don’t go.”K6nHiy
Fb2yHis friends frowned.SNxBG
ANUAccording to the chief, Shirone was the key to the Kergos tribe’s fate. It was surprising that Mahatu, who knew this better than anyone, was dissuading them.gjZfW
hPgCanis, who thought Shirone had almost been convinced, spoke irritably when Mahatu interrupted.XxbJ
fQ1s“What are you talking about? Don’t go?”vKCyzK
GVBS24K“Please excuse me.”IMA
aokPMahatu crossed his arms. As he inhaled, his muscles swelled, and a powerful aura emanated from his eyes.USvhEh
00Y1It was an overwhelming presence.xKRG
aYqFBShirone’s group felt as if they were being pushed back. Maybe they were. If he had added killing intent, they wouldn’t have been able to breathe.kEYBq
a6DNot intending to offend, Mahatu quickly withdrew his presence. But the air was still heavy.cJr
oNmIq“I apologize for overstepping.”Lyy
srnIJHENo one thought Mahatu’s apology was sincere.Lh04RF
h66EmPThough there was no absolute measure of strength, there was a clear line between a master and a novice. Mahatu’s level indicated he knew his strength.00Sojqb
GBHvPo“I cannot go to heaven. I failed to prove my strength in the Room of Accomplishment and Sacrifice.”o4DoUt
yO04P24Shirone understood Mahatu’s intent. He was indicating the difficulty of heaven based on his own strength.YqzH
A7bCi0CWhile warriors and mages couldn’t be compared directly, his argument was persuasive enough.sismcA
DkCr“Do Kergosians also take the test?”jz9
fcOE“Of course. Proving one’s strength in the Room of Accomplishment and Sacrifice grants a Kergosian warrior the right to go to heaven.”T1exi
tET“But to go there…”Rb4N
P15“Yes. An Unlocker is necessary. When the gate to heaven buried in volcanic ash was restored, many went to heaven. But few returned. Therefore, Miro established the Room of Accomplishment and Sacrifice to verify strength. Though Unlockers are an exception, it’s best not to go unless you can pass the test.”gHz6
EmhvThe fact that few had returned was surprising, but it was even more shocking that Mahatu mentioned Miro’s name.Hbz2wr
88mC“How do you know Miro? Did you meet her?”QA4zYV
dCcc2D“No, but most leaders know of her.”nEMvv9
rMTe“Can you tell us more? We came here to learn about Miro.”doEoZg
Gwwpv8G“Indeed, I see.”ZcO6
3qXxMahatu understood why Shirone hadn’t been swayed by gold or women. Someone connected to Miro was certainly different from the usual indulgent Unlockers.tbsoS6
9UL6W17“500 years ago, the Kergos civil war broke out. It was a conflict between those who followed the angels and those who opposed them. The anti-angel faction won. But a sudden volcanic eruption nearly wiped out the tribe. The angel followers saw the eruption as a disaster sent by the angels.”ywp
DQmScholars were wrong to think Lupe started the civil war. The involvement of angels made it a top-secret known only to Kergo’s high-ranking officials.524
4yWs“250 years later, an outsider named McClain Goffin visited. He was an Unlocker like you, Shirone. He restored the Kergo ruins buried in volcanic ash and opened the gate to heaven. We call that gate Goffin’s Gate. But it caused another turmoil. The conflicts from 250 years ago reemerged. This time, the angel followers won, changing the regime. That’s the current Kergos.”t44
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