Chapter 35: Into the Core

Anna barely got any sleep, owed her excitement and trepidation that ran through her mind in repeated cycles.

But the morning still came. She may have been slightly tired, but finally, after much delay and obsessive preparation, it was time to destroy the core.

Tensions were high as their breakfast was eaten quietly, and glances were exchanged across the camp; everyone around them was a competitor.

If Jaxon wasn't there, Anna had no doubt violence would reign for the Apex Sigil, especially since there weren't any enemies.

But she made it into the good graces of almost everyone in the camp, receiving smiles and heartfelt greetings all morning. To say it didn't feel good would be a lie. It nearly eliminated her anxiety about stepping into the core's corrupted zone.

"I have to say," Jaxon interrupted their breakfast, standing in the center of camp with his arms crossed and the ghost of a rare smile. "I'm satisfied with this performance. Careful preparation and proper planning—essential parts of conquering the unknown. Although it's a damn shame that there weren't any corrupted for you to fight to truly test your mettle. Yes, even I was fucking surprised by that." He paused and drly chuckled, shaking his head. "But one of you is about to get the easiest Sigil of your fucking life."

That got a round of cheers and self-congratulations, getting everyone's spirit riled up. Anybody here had a chance to get it, something everyone realized last night. Nobody could predict who would walk away with that Sigil, even if some did have some confidence in their willpower.

Anna smiled gleefully—the Sigil would certainly go to Aria!

Once the group calmed down, Jaxon continued, "I got good news for you. Because this core was not what we expected, I will remove the cooldown for everyone other than the one who gets the Sigil." He nodded as if confirming everyone's thoughts. "Yes. You'll be able to participate in the next expedition. Assuming you don't get your asses beat."

And another eruption of cheers came from that.

That would have been a relief for Anna had she not known that she'd likely get into every expedition if she wanted. But she was happy for the others. Whatever error or misjudgment made the academy think this core was a good one to use for their first shouldn't hurt those who had the right to participate.

Although the coming competitiveness would increase tenfold, regardless of the cooldown wavered. Not just for the expeditions but whatever other excursions they were planning. Anna expected a significant amount of those in the camp wouldn't be at the next one.

Everybody finished their meals with renewed vigor. Chatting, eating, and the general merry atmosphere wouldn't give away the dangers they were about to experience. Or, maybe it would.

With no delay, it was time for Anna's ability. Jaxon wanted them to finish it within the afternoon since there wasn't any point lingering longer, though he seemed to be concerned with something.

Even Jaxon seemed affected by the strangeness of the planet—something he hid well from the others.

Anna bet it was that noise, but she didn't hear it last night! Part of the reason she wasn't able to sleep was because she wanted to hear it, yet the Sorana gods were cruel.

"Thank you, Miss. Annabelle."

"You're welcome!"

It would be a lie to say that helping the expedition people didn't feel good. Perhaps this was why Alice became obsessed with a healer's political position. In her position, she probably had worshippers!

Anna received a round of thanks and recognition for her decision to continue supporting, despite it meaning she would miss the Apex Sigil. This news would probably spread after the expedition, too. That might get her some benefits later down the line. Goodwill could go a long way.

"Really, thanks," said the next girl, bowing her blonde head.

"It's my pleasure," Anna replied absentmindedly.

It was hard to believe that something that would be the core of their strength for the rest of their lives was about to reveal itself. Anna realized something last night, too. What if it was a bad one?

Anna's black ring hummed around her wrist as nail-sized grey orbs formed in her palm before heading into her target's body.

"Thanks," the hazel-haired man said.

"You're welcome!" Anna sent him off with a smile.

Most would probably accept the Sigil regardless, but Anna intended to be patient with her own. No way the Apex Sigil in a random core would be good for her, a hybrid supporter with specific requirements. In fact, she didn't know what kind of Apex she even wanted.

It represented a problem for Aria, too—the girl seemed very specific about how she wanted to grow. Anna was envious of that confidence.

Regardless, Aria said she'd just trade the Apex Sigil in with Alisha, as was apparently common. But could they really do that so plainly? There was no way she could just get an Apex Sigil for no reason. Somebody was bound to ask questions!

But even then, that plan was a gamble since her opponents likely already knew she snuck into the expedition.

But it was all she could do.

Luckily, Anna got a new ability that would make that infinitely easier!

Everything pointed to Alisha being the one who gave her the Sigil, but Anna didn't believe so. Not only would Jaxon have said something, but Alisha didn't seem the type to do something so brazen while in the important stages of the academy's growth. Her position definitely wasn't that stable!

"Almost finished," Aria said, standing by Anna's side. She probably mistook Anna's absentmindedness for tiredness from the spell.

"You sure you can't make the mental attacks, like, less effective or something?" A cute girl asked, and Anna could see the nervousness in her brown eyes. "Dulling the… mind?" She seemed to realize how silly it was as she said it.

Despite being relatively well-performing, the prospect of mental attacks was enough to make even the strongest fearful.

Anna smiled warmly and shook her head. "Sorry."

Her eyes widened for a moment, and she quickly shook her head while saying, "No, no, this is waaay more than enough—thank you!"

Others asked the same question. It did make Anna feel slightly useless; pain nullification would only matter if they could actually break through the corruption zone. Well, unless the corruption had physical attacks, which she doubted.

Out of character, Ashton didn't say anything but smile and nod as he received his buff.

Lastly was Cole, who bowed his head and said, "Truly, thank you. The others may not understand, but I know how lifesaving this could be."

It seemed like there was more meaning behind that than just an understanding. Cole did seem like he had some military experience.

"You're welcome, Cole."

He nodded toward her, then walked away.

When Aria came up, Anna made sure people in Ashton's camp weren't watching, then decreased the pain nullification and boosted mana flow for her, just enough to not drain too much of her mana.

The orb that was produced was a brighter shade of grey than when it was just senses.

It still drained a lot, even with just a marginal boost.

Hyper Enhancement had a negligible cost when it came to altering senses and natural human processes, but when it touched on mana and ability properties, its cost increased significantly. Another misunderstanding the expedition had—her ability cost. She was not drained dry!

"Thank you," Aria said as the black orb dissolved into her body.

"No problem!" Anna stood up and dusted her hands, dismissing her rings in the process. "Now we're all ready to go."

Jaxon stood aside at the camp's exit toward the forest. "Go on, then. But be fucking careful around that core—scout it first, test its abilities. I don't want to bring back any bodies."

"Yes, sir!" Everyone shouted in unison.

"Good luck, everyone, and may the best man win!" Someone Anna couldn't see shouted.

Along with a bunch of shouts and affirmations Anna didn't pay much attention to, the expedition left.

They were in small groups with the friends they made during the expedition. Groups of three to six spread into the forest.

Suspiciously enough, Ashton was completely blended in with the crowd, not at the forefront nor in any leadership position.

"We'll leave last," Aria said, placing her hand on Anna's shoulder. "Speed means nothing."

Anna nodded. "Ok."

Good idea; she didn't want to be close to Ashton anyway since she couldn't understand what plan he could possibly have, save for an ambush. Unlikely, but best be careful.

Oh, well. She erased that fear from her mind. Jaxon was there, after all.

She took a few deep breaths and steeled her resolve, clenching her fists. Whatever that corruption was, she was prepared for it.

Before they left, Anna activated her ability on herself.

Testing at the academy revealed that she could use the ability to alter or enhance her senses, but the boosts to her mana were insignificant. It made sense—it was her mana, after all.

Alice said that some abilities could bypass that, but only if it altered her mana significantly enough before using it.

Which, only known to Anna, was likely impossible due to her purity. In fact, she feared no support spell would be capable of touching her mana or abilities.

Once the camp was clear, Aria led them out.

"Here we go…" Anna muttered.

"Stay with me," Aria said, placing her hand on Anna's shoulder. "I will protect you.

"T-thanks."

Aria wasn't in a rush, and her pace was just as it was during their scouting. She clearly believed nobody would beat the corruption, and they could take their sweet time.

Silently, slowly, they caught up with the rest of the expedition.

Once Anna saw inside the corruption zone and felt those odd emotions crawl back, she noticed that Aria was right.

Within that space, not a single student moved.

Jaxon stood atop a large boulder with his arms crossed and his senses heavily tuned to the 61 students in the forest. He had to be precise, so he poured mana into his ability.

His improvement in it had been phenomenal; from a silly ability to track targets to something he could terrorize even an overwhelmingly stronger foe with.

What started out as a simple Sense grew into something perfectly suited for a hunter.

It was a power he got from a corrupted beast that was able to detect even a fart in the wind. Killing it was challenging, and getting to it worse. If the corruption hadn't made it wild and out for blood, it would likely never have crossed his path.

Ever since he got it, he ignored pure strength gains and focused solely on upgrading Sense every opportunity he had. Every beast he slayed and essence he obtained went to it. Eventually, it evolved into something more.

His current self could attach a mark to up to 100 people and fully track them no matter how far on the planet they were. Their physical health, their location, their movements—depending on distance. If he put the mark deeper, he could even track their very being: their mana and how it behaved. But he rarely had the opportunity to do something that invasive.

If he had known Annabelle Frost had a so-called alter ego, he'd have done it to her… if Alisha allowed it.

He scoffed and shook that thought away.

Outside of his focus on the students, he kept the remainder of his senses as far into the gargantuan forest as he was able. At the very least, he'd be able to sense beasts.

The planet was irregular, even to him.

At first, it was the lack of any life and abandoned homes. Both night and morning, he swept for signs of habitation yet found none. Not even a bug in that forest. There were a few lakes with fish and small creatures, but that was it. 

Then there was that horn-like sound. That horrifying, unidentifiable sound. When he first heard it, he almost instantly woke the students and had them return. But he stopped himself; Alisha wanted the expedition completed, no matter what. All he should do is step in for outstanding circumstances.

But the planet made him feel uneasy.

That noise. He couldn't stop thinking about it, even while his students ventured into the forest.

Nobody informed him of it—the opposite; he was told that the planet was little to no threat.

The students wouldn't feel much from it other than the ordinary fear from the noise itself, but he was different. For Jaxon, it was the most terrifying sound he had ever heard. From his time as a cadet to now, nothing shook him to his core like it did.

Whatever creature could echo that voice across the planet could kill him with a sneeze. Yet, it didn't seem violent or angry. As Aria mentioned, it seemed bleak.

He stopped thinking of that as the first round of students approached the corruption zone.

"Good," Jaxon muttered.

All the others needed was one man to set an example—an example in Anderson, who took that final step first and with little hesitation.

Not to be outdone so easily, the others entered soon after.

One step, two steps. They advanced at a snail's pace, their bodies messes of fear and anxiety.

As expected, they paused.

Their hearts sped up, their breathing hitched, and they shook like frightened children. Some had it worse, but all were equally helpless. This was where the real test began.

Even Anderson, the one Jaxon expected to make the lightest work of the corruption, froze at the front of the group.

It was time.

Jaxon jumped off the rock and conjured his ring, which quietly, mechanically whirred around his forehead momentarily before silencing.

He expected all but a few to need rescuing, and even they may need saving at the core.

But he didn't make it to the forest's edge.

"No helping."

Jaxon reacted instantly, his skin turning a silver hue as he whipped around with his forearm up.

With a deafening clang, a powerful sword hit his arm and bent him backward with its force.

"Who the fuck are you?"

It was a man, clearly, with how deep and powerful his broken, older voice was. Jaxon didn't recognize him. He wore a mask of black and gold, an ominous mix of colors. And there was no sword, despite the force Jaxon felt on his forearm.

"Leave them."

The man jumped back, and Jaxon immediately poured his mana into maximizing his enhancements.

"Edgy fuck, how the hell did you get here?"

Jaxon's heart was nearly in his stomach. After letting Aria sneak through his senses, he adjusted them—nobody should be able to sneak through.

But he didn't feel this man until his hand nearly cut him in half.

Only a single exception existed; they were far, far stronger than he was.

"Don't have to die. Stay. Let them fight, grow."

"Suck. My. Dick." Jaxon mocked. Simultaneously, he felt his students—some in worsening condition. He didn't have the time.

"Fine," the man sighed, lightly shaking his head.

"Oh? Let me take my pants off." Jaxon activated his ability further, the silver hue coloring his disappearing into thin lines that spread around his body like tattoos.

Yet the man wasn't moving. He stood in his dark cloak, staring at Jaxon through the mask as if welcoming him to make the first move.

But Jaxon didn't, which also seemed fine for the man.

He wasn't so arrogant to think he even had a sliver of a chance to beat the man. This man was likely as strong as Alisha. At least, that was how far his senses could reach—both beings went beyond what he was capable of feeling.

His purpose was clearly to stop Jaxon from saving the students, something he had to do in an estimated 10 minutes.

"Son of a bitch," Jaxon whispered.

He prepared to activate his mark. Another of his abilities and one specifically used to hunt and terrorize his enemies before killing them. Or, that was how the beast used it—he was far more methodical.

Soon after, while they simply stared at each other, Jaxon felt Annabelle Frost and Aria enter the corruption.

A few minutes passed, and he was certain they'd freeze soon.

It was time, and he pulled on every ability he could for his charge.

His smile grew, his vision gained a low, reddish huge, and an overwhelming urge for destruction inched into every fiber of his being.

This man would learn why he had his position, even when he wasn't as powerful as others in the same spot.

"Abnormality." The man suddenly said as his head looked beyond Jaxon. "Impossible."

Jaxon felt it as well and was just as frozen at what he sensed.

Aria had stopped moving in the corruption—as expected—though further than the other students by a lot.

But Frost only paused briefly—a pause used to check on Aria—and did not stop.

She continued advancing without even heaviness in her step as everyone around her was frozen still. Her heart rate was normal, she wasn't shaking, and she showed no indication of fear. Impossible. Even people who hunt corruption every waking moment reacted to it. Even he reacted to it. Yet Annabelle Frost showed nothing, not even a twitch.

"Impossible," the man repeated. He disappeared after, his direction and intent clear.

"Nice fucking try, bastard," Jaxon growled as he appeared directly before the man on the way to the forest with a burst of mana from his palm.

The man didn't block nor did he move, the wind created by his small explosion simply blowing his cloak.

"Don't make me kill," the man said, looking into Jaxon's eyes. "Flee."

"We had this discussion already—get to fucking suckin'," even as he spoke, Jaxon gathered every ounce of his mana to prepare an all-out assault.

He had minutes before the corruption would leave an irreparable mark on some of the academy's best students.

"Fine, hunter. Die."

Jaxon felt no mana, heard no sounds, nor saw any movement; the surroundings just seemed to darken as if the sun was nearly blocked.

Exactly like an Eclipse.

He scoffed. "I love eating arrogant fucks."