Chapter 8: The Field Trip(1)

The morning sun streamed through the tall windows of Celestia Academy's lecture hall, casting a warm glow over the rows of students. Luciel sat near the back, his attention divided between the faint hum of the system in his mind and the murmurs of his classmates. Aria was doodling absentmindedly on the edge of her notebook, while Arthuria sat upright, her silver hair catching the light as she listened intently to Professor Jadestar, who stood at the front of the room.

After the virtual reality experience, Arthuria started hanging out with Luciel and Aria. This surprised Aria and Luciel, who thought she liked being alone. Of course, they didn't have a problem with this.

"Good morning, everyone," Professor Jadestar began, her red eyes scanning the class. "I have an important announcement to make. Next week, all first-year classes will be embarking on a field trip."

The room erupted into excited chatter. Field trips were rare at Celestia Academy, given the academy's focus on rigorous training and theoretical study. Aria perked up immediately, her green eyes sparkling with curiosity. "A field trip? Where are we going?"

Professor Jadestar raised a hand to silence the class. "You'll be visiting the Aeternum Forge, one of the Union's most advanced weapon manufacturing facilities. It's where artifacts—tools and weapons infused with mana—are designed and created. This is a unique opportunity to witness the process behind the equipment many of you will one day wield in battle."

Luciel's interest was piqued. Artifacts were a cornerstone of humanity's defense against the demons, and the chance to see how they were made was invaluable. He glanced at Aria and Arthuria, who seemed equally intrigued.

"The trip will last three days," Professor Jadestar continued. "You'll be traveling by bus, and accommodations have been arranged near the facility. This is not a vacation. You'll be expected to observe, learn, and participate in workshops. Consider this an extension of your training."

As the professor handed out detailed itineraries, the class buzzed with excitement. Aria leaned over to Luciel, her grin wide. "This is going to be awesome! I've always wanted to see how artifacts are made. Do you think they'll let us try some out?"

Arthuria, ever the voice of reason, interjected. "It's a manufacturing facility, not a playground. I doubt they'll let us handle anything dangerous."

Luciel chuckled. "Either way, it's a great opportunity. We might learn something that could help us in the future."

The days leading up to the field trip were a flurry of activity. Students were instructed to pack lightly but bring essential items, including their academy-issued combat gear. Luciel spent his evenings reviewing his notes on artifact theory, wanting to make the most of the experience.

Aria, on the other hand, was more focused on the social aspect. "Do you think they'll have a gift shop? I want to bring something back for my little brother," she said as they walked to the dormitory common room.

Arthuria raised an eyebrow. "A gift shop? At a weapon factory?"

"Why not? They've got to make money somehow," Aria replied with a shrug.

Luciel shook his head, amused by her enthusiasm. "Just make sure you don't get us in trouble. Remember, this is still part of our training."

...

The morning of the field trip dawned clear and bright. Students gathered in the academy courtyard, their bags slung over their shoulders as they waited for the buses to arrive. Luciel stood with Aria and Arthuria, the trio chatting idly as they watched the vehicles pull up.

The buses were sleek and modern, their exteriors emblazoned with the emblem of the Union. As the students boarded, Luciel couldn't help but notice the undercurrent of excitement that ran through the group. Even Arthuria, usually so reserved, seemed to be looking forward to the trip.

They found seats near the middle of the bus, Aria claiming the window seat while Luciel sat beside her. Arthuria took the aisle seat, her posture as impeccable as ever. As the bus pulled away from the academy, the chatter grew louder, students speculating about what they would see at the Aeternum Forge.

Aria turned to Luciel, her eyes shining. "What do you think we'll learn? Do you think they'll show us how to make our own artifacts?"

Luciel smiled. "Maybe. But even if they don't, just seeing the process will be worth it. Artifacts are a big part of what keeps us safe from the demons."

Arthuria nodded. "It's also a chance to see the Union's resources in action. The Aeternum Forge is one of their most important facilities. We should consider ourselves lucky to be allowed inside."

Aria, deflated like a balloon, all of her enthusiasm vanishing into thin air when she heard their answers, which made Luciel and Arthuria smile in response. Luciel put on the headphones he had received from the school and started to listen to music. Aria took out a tablet and started to draw while Arhria read a book. Like this, they fell into a peaceful silence that wouldn't be disturbed until Luciel fell asleep.

When Aria and Arthuria noticed this, they stared at his sleeping face without blinking even once. Their thoughts were unknown. When they finally noticed each other staring at him, they blushed faintly and turned their focus back to whatever they were doing previously. 

...

After several hours on the road, the buses finally arrived at their destination. The students stepped out onto the paved lot of a large, modern complex surrounded by high walls and guarded by soldiers in Union uniforms. The Aeternum Forge loomed in the distance, its towering structures and smokestacks visible even from afar.

But their first stop wasn't the forge itself. Instead, they were led to a nearby lodging facility—a sleek, utilitarian building designed to house visiting personnel. The students filed into the lobby, where they were greeted by a stern-looking woman in a Union officer's uniform.

"Welcome to the Aeternum Forge outpost," she said, her voice crisp and authoritative. "You'll be staying here for the duration of your visit. Rooms have been assigned, and you'll find your keys at the front desk. Dinner will be served in the cafeteria at 7 P.m. Until then, you're free to settle in. Remember, this is a high-security area. Unauthorized access to restricted zones will not be tolerated."

The students murmured their understanding as they collected their keys and made their way to their rooms. Luciel, Aria, and Arthuria were assigned rooms next to each other. The rooms themselves were spacious but sparsely furnished, with a bed and a small table.

In her room, Aria flopped onto her bed, letting out a sigh of relief. "Finally! I thought we'd never get here."

In the other room, Arthuria set her bag down neatly by her bed and began unpacking. When she finished unpacking her back, she walked out of her room. At the same time Aria walked out of her room, they turned to look at each other, and awkward silence took over.

Aria goughed slightly and asked, "Were you planning to go to Luciel too?"

Arthuria simply nodded, her expression unreadable. Then, without warning turned around and walked to Luciel's door and knocked. Aria let out a sigh but quickly followed behind. After a few moments, the door opened, and Luciel stood behind the door, wearing a confused look on his face. 

" What are two doing here?" He asked, surprised by their visit. 

"We can't come to spend time with our friend?" Aria asked, feigning anger. 

Luciel let out a helpless sigh and let them in. Turning around, he walked over to the window, which offered a partial view of the Aeternum Forge. The facility was even more imposing up close, its structures glowing faintly with mana-infused energy. He couldn't help but wait for tomorrow's tour.

...

Far from the bustling activity of the lodging facility, in a dimly lit room, a hooded figure knelt before a holographic projection. The figure's face was obscured, but their voice was clear and reverent as they spoke.

"Everything is proceeding according to plan," the figure said, their tone low and measured. "The students have arrived, and security protocols are in place. Tomorrow evening will be the day of reckoning."

The hologram flickered, revealing the silhouette of a tall, imposing figure. "Good," the figure replied, their voice deep and resonant. "Ensure that nothing goes wrong. The Union must not suspect anything until it's too late."

The hooded figure bowed their head. "It will be done. By this time tomorrow, the whole human domain will see that the union can't protect their prospects."

The hologram faded, leaving the hooded figure alone in the darkness. He rose to his feet, his movements deliberate and calculated. As they turned to leave, a large group of people emerged from the shadows and walked behind him.

The hooded figure smiled wickedly. "Let us begin the purge."

...

Unaware of the shadowy plot unfolding nearby, Luciel and his classmates settled into their accommodations. Dinner in the cafeteria was a lively affair, with students chatting excitedly about the next day's activities. Luciel sat with Aria and Arthuria, the trio discussing their expectations for the visit.

"I heard they have a prototype artifact that can channel multiple elements at once," Aria said, her eyes wide with excitement. "Imagine what we could do with something like that!"

Arthuria shook her head. "Prototypes are unstable. It's better to focus on mastering the basics before experimenting with advanced tools."

Luciel listened to their banter absentmindedly, his thoughts elsewhere. His awakening process had reached 70%, and he couldn't help but be wary of the things that might happen when it reached 100%. The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind was fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown. Luciel wasn't an exception to this.