Chapter 13: The Ancient Forge
The crimson warning lights continued flashing across the Research Division.
A deep rumble rolled beneath the academy, shaking shelves and sending loose tools clattering onto the stone floor.
No one spoke.
Every researcher stared through the workshop windows toward the eastern hills, where the pillar of pale blue light continued to rise into the night sky.
It looked less like mana...
And more like something awakening after centuries of silence.
Kael’s translucent System window remained suspended before his eyes.
[Hidden Quest Triggered]
Ancient Forge Awakening
Objective: Investigate the source of the abnormal mana surge.
Difficulty: Unknown.
Reward: ???
Kael frowned.
Unknown rewards had never appeared before.
His System always identified possible gains, even if they were vague.
This time...
There was nothing.
Vice Principal Aldren turned toward the gathered researchers.
"Workshop personnel will remain inside the academy."
His voice was calm but firm.
"No one approaches the eastern ruins without authorization."
Several instructors immediately nodded.
The emergency procedures were already familiar to them.
Students began evacuating through the outer courtyards while academy guards rushed toward the eastern walls.
Master Garrick folded the black invitation envelope and slipped it back inside his coat.
"It seems Guild business can wait."
Aldren looked toward him.
"I’ll need your assistance."
"You have it."
The elderly craftsman, Master Dorian, adjusted his gloves.
"If the old seal truly failed..."
He paused.
"...then we’re dealing with something older than this academy itself."
Kael listened carefully.
Older than the academy?
No history book he had read mentioned ruins beneath Oakhaven.
Someone had hidden this place deliberately.
Before he could ask another question, his System pulsed again.
A smaller blue notification appeared.
[Passive Analysis Activated.]
Ancient Mana Signature Detected.
Compatibility: 18%
Recommendation: Approach Source.
Kael’s heartbeat quickened.
Compatibility?
The System wasn’t simply detecting the ruins.
It was reacting to them.
Aldren noticed Kael staring into space.
"The System again?"
Kael nodded.
"It wants me to investigate."
Neither Garrick nor Dorian looked surprised.
Instead, the three older craftsmen exchanged silent glances.
"So it chose him..." Dorian murmured.
Kael caught the words.
"What do you mean?"
The old man hesitated.
"Nothing."
Aldren answered instead.
"Long ago, before the kingdom existed, Artisans weren’t ordinary craftsmen."
"They were Builders."
"They created relics capable of shaping entire cities."
Kael remained silent.
He had never heard that term before.
"Builders?"
Aldren nodded slowly.
"Almost every record about them disappeared after the First Cataclysm."
"No one knows why."
"Only fragments remain."
Garrick crossed his arms.
"And every fragment mentions one place."
"The Ancient Forge."
Another tremor shook the building.
This one was stronger.
A loud crack echoed outside.
One of the eastern watchtowers collapsed in the distance, sending dust into the night sky.
An instructor burst through the workshop doors.
"The eastern gate has fallen!"
"What?"
"The barrier crystals shattered!"
"Several creatures are emerging from beneath the ruins!"
The room instantly became tense.
"What kind of creatures?" Aldren asked.
The instructor swallowed.
"We don’t know."
"They don’t match any monster recorded in the academy archives."
Kael immediately understood.
This wasn’t another dungeon break.
Something sealed long ago had awakened.
His System flashed again.
[Emergency Mission Updated.]
Reach the Ancient Forge Entrance.
Time Limit: Before Complete Mana Stabilization.
Failure may permanently lock the hidden pathway.
Kael looked toward the eastern hills.
"If I don’t go now..."
"The opportunity disappears."
Aldren followed his gaze.
"I know."
For several seconds neither of them moved.
Finally, the Vice Principal spoke.
"You’ll come with us."
Several researchers gasped.
"Vice Principal!"
"He’s only Level Seven!"
"He shouldn’t leave the academy!"
Aldren didn’t raise his voice.
"Neither should any of you."
Silence followed.
No one argued again.
Outside, the academy grounds had become chaotic.
Students hurried toward shelters while instructors formed defensive lines.
Mana lanterns illuminated the streets.
Emergency bells echoed across Oakhaven.
Kael tightened the straps beneath his sleeves, feeling the weight of his Shadow Iron Armguards.
His Hybrid Cannon-Spear rested securely across his back.
He checked his storage pouch one last time.
Boss Core.
Reinforced Chitin Plates.
Venom Crystals.
Enough materials to improvise equipment if necessary.
The System quietly displayed another message.
[Portable Scrap Processor: Ready.]
Stored Materials: Sufficient for Emergency Crafting.
A small smile appeared on Kael’s face.
Whatever waited inside those ruins...
He wouldn’t face it empty-handed.
Aldren stepped toward the workshop entrance.
"We leave now."
Without another word, Kael followed him into the cold night.
Above them...
The ancient blue pillar continued piercing the heavens.
As if calling...
Not to everyone.
But specifically...
To the Scrap Artisan.
To Be Continued...
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