Nero studied the picture, as well as everyone's reactions. He was still new to the concept of dinsions, and his dad had recently only promised him that he would not need to worry about dinsions until he was
at least
a Mystic, but if appearances were anything to go by, he was dead wrong.
Due to his largely lack of knowledge about dinsions, Nero did not have a large reaction to the appearance of new dinsions, though he was interested to learn that not all dinsions could be accessed from everywhere.
The others, however, were taken aback, as if their very understanding of reliant had been challenged. There were
so
who had no reaction at all, as if they already knew - Vanessa being one of them.
"For those of you who do not know," Jas said, looking towards the soldiers rather than the researchers, "Priveil is the na of our dinsion - the one that we exist in. It is one of many dinsions, though by far it is the most stable existence. Alternate dinsions are a source of many valuable resources for us, as well as a potent weapon against curses, so you can probably guess that with the appearance of a physical entrance to a new dinsion, we at Fordham base moved quickly to explore.
"Now, I know you all understand that everything I am telling you is all highly confidential. Soone will administer the relevant oaths at a later date. What is important for you to understand is why I am sharing this confidential information with you to begin with. After all, you don't necessarily need to understand the details of a mission to complete it."
Jas' gaze remained on the standing soldiers, who all put on a solemn expression, while none of the researchers seed to be surprised at all.
"I have judged that understanding the mission will motivate you even more. Lieutenant Earl assures that a chance to earn honour for your country, and contribute to its growth shall never be given up by a warrior of Kolar."
For a brief mont, Nero felt like the scientist looked specifically and specially at him just a little longer than others.
"We learned a few things about this new dinsion we have titled Perilith. The first thing that we learned is that this wooden cabin, which serves as the entrance to Perilith, is dissipating from existence. We estimate that, at most, in a few months, the cabin will disappear completely.
"Considering that we have yet to discover another way to enter Perilith, we can consider for the ti being that we only have a small window to access the opportunities that Perilith provides - and its opportunities are extrely plentiful."
The scientist reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a piece of purple ore, still covered with rock, only small traces of the actual tal within visible.
"This, my dear fellows, is called Valefor. Are you familiar with it?"
Nero furrowed his brows as the na sounded too familiar. Where had he heard it before? Nero had only begun to ponder when a soldier suddenly exclaid, "The Hamr of Valefor!"
Everyone in the room was suddenly stunned as they recalled that legendary weapon, wielded by one of Neires heroes!
"Yes, the Hamr of Valefor. The legendary weapon used by General Astarties - one of Emperor Iskaunders most trusted followers. Actually, this ore is nad specifically after his hamr, which he discovered in the Eldrim ruins. No one has ever been able to discover what tal, or alloy the lost weapon was actually made from.
"Yet upon procuring this sample, and after running a few tests, we discovered that this ore carries the exact sa qualities as the hamr, and so we have taken it upon ourselves to na the ore Valefor - since we are the ones to discover it.
"This ore is but
one
of the many treasures that Perilith has to offer, and so I'm sure you can imagine why it is in the army's interest to explore this new dinsion as much as possible and reap all it has to offer. Yet there is a problem. It is not a coincidence that Perilith has been nad so.
"Indeed, this new dinsion is one of the most dangerous dinsions we have ever encountered, and we have already lost an Ascendant and several Mystic card masters while exploring it."
A heavy, solemn silence hung over the room as they all heard Jas' revelation. They lost an Ascendant? Had they even lost a single Ascendant in the literal world war they just had? Honestly, they probably had, but the details were kept under wraps. Yet to suddenly lose an Ascendant while exploring a new dinsion? It filled them with shock!
Yet Nero did not react just yet. Instead, he narrowed his eyes. What could they want from a bunch of Neophytes if even Ascendants had died? Unless…
"Yet their sacrifice was not without gain," Jas continued after a sufficiently long pause to let the weight of the matter set in. "We learned sothing very important. While the topography of the dinsion never changes, sa as with its many bounties, the danger within Perilith is not constant. Instead, it is determined by the level of the strongest person to enter.
"So to say, if a team of Neophytes enters the dinsion, the dangers within will be of the according level, while the rewards stay the sa."
Understanding suddenly dawned on all the soldiers, and the Neophytes in the room were suddenly filled with a sudden resolve. None of the Neophytes here were weaklings.
Each and every one of them had served in the war, each of them had faced death, and each of them had survived. While the majority of Neophytes who entered Lumina either faced death or severe injury, there were a few who erged stronger, strengthened in the ancient crucible of despair.
They were the elite, the ones who did not shy away from a challenge, but rose to the occasion. Nero had noticed that while he had his accolades sewed onto his uniform, he was not alone in that regard.
Bael, Clarissa, and all the others had
at least
one other badge on their uniforms besides just participating in the war.
"As we speak, a requisition order has been sent forward to the table of Sage Morphius, and all capable Neophytes across the country - especially the ones who proved themselves during the war - have been requested. But of course, whether that works out or not is not up to us, nor is it any of our concern.
"With all the pieces in place, the approval for the mission has arrived and we will set out for Perilith at the break of dawn. While other teams may follow, we only have to focus on our current mission."
The image on the screen behind Jas changed once more, and instead of one image, the screen was split between six images which showed various items.
"These six ingredients are our imdiate and highest priority, and retrieving them will be your primary mission. Secondary and tertiary missions include exploring and cataloguing Perilith so that each subsequent excursion into Perilith becos much easier.
"The details of these six items are classified. How to handle and store them is also classified. All of that will be handled by the researchers we will be sending into Perilith with you, who will handle the actual procurent and retrieval. All you only have one mission - to escort and protect the researchers!"
For a brief mont, Jas had a very serious expression on his face as he looked at all the soldiers, but soon enough he broke into his characteristic, warm smile.
"Of course, I still think the result of the mission will be a little better if I share
sothing
with you. So allow to tell you that these six items… are ingredients that are used in Sage level Eldrim cards."
The entire room was stunned, the researchers and Nero included, though for very different reasons. The researchers couldn't believe that such highly confidential information had been so easily revealed! If that kind of information was leaked, they could literally face an invasion from a neighbouring nation, or at least so psychotic organisations such as the rising Clear Path!
"Now, allow to elaborate on so of the threats you will be facing in Perilith. For the most part, while the dangers of the dinsion will be fixed according to your level, staying within the dinsion after dark is akin to death. You also have to watch out for the changing weather patterns…"
Jas, without giving anyone enough ti to completely get over his massive revelation, began explaining the details of the dinsion. Nero, understanding the dire situation he was now in, paid close attention to everything the old man said.
But instead of being concerned, Nero relaxed a bit. As soone extrely attentive, he had noticed that there were so people who had sowhat expected such a revelation. While this more or less confird Nero's theory about the old man being a sly, conniving geezer, at least he wasn't senile.
Now he just had to uncover what was
really
going on, and make sure to survive it all.
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