Chapter 2: The World Today.
Aei boarded the bus-like vehicle, devoid of visible wheels, along with other Arcane borns who also had missions in the West zone. The interior of the vehicle concealed its true nature, appearing as a comfortable transportation device with neatly arranged seats equipped with seat belts. The thick glass shield at the front seemed impenetrable, requiring an immense amount of force to break. After stepping inside, Aei surveyed the surroundings and noticed a man in his thirties, of average build, standing and facing the entrance. Presumably, he served as an escort to the group, bearing a tanned complexion and brown eyes that betrayed little emotion. Judging by his age, he was likely an early sorcerer. He wore the New Order suit, adorned with six blue stars on his right chest.
Aei exchanged glances with the man and scanned the vehicle to select a seat. Eventually, he settled in a seat beside the window. Once everyone had entered, Aei observed the man he had seen earlier engaging in a brief conversation with the individuals at the controlling unit. Subsequently, the vehicle commenced its journey from the safe Central station to the outside world.
As the vehicle took off, the brown-eyed man began speaking in a somber tone, introducing himself as an Officer of the Arcane Federal Bureau. He emphasized his role in escorting and protecting the group until they reached Secondary station C404 in the west zone, where they would disembark and proceed to their respective missions. He mentioned the presence of two other rank 5 Early Sorcerers who were currently surrounding the vehicle to ensure their safety. Pausing to gauge everyone's attention, he continued, "During this trip, I will also provide you with various knowledge and information that may prove useful while you are out there. Until now, you have been trained on how to fight, but your actual understanding of the world and its origins is limited. I will begin with an explanation of why the world is as it is today: The Arcane Reversal."
"In the past, there was no magic, mutants, or the New Order like there is now. The occurrence known as the Arcane Reversal changed everything. The name itself holds little significance, known only to the higher-ups of the New Order. On June 23, 2023, a colossal white pillar of light mysteriously appeared in our solar system and shot towards the planet's south pole. Almost simultaneously, a black pillar of light emerged and followed the same trajectory. This event put nearly everyone on Earth to sleep, and after several months, people gradually began awakening. Those who woke up earlier discovered that they had gained magical abilities, with the seven sovereigns of the human world being the first to awaken. Those who woke up later possessed less potent abilities but were far from weak. The longer it took for someone to awaken, the less likely they were to develop an ability, and some individuals never woke up at all. As a result, the human world is now divided into two groups: sorcerers and regulars. However, the price humanity paid for these newfound powers was the emergence of mutants. These mutants we see today were once ordinary human beings like you and me, but unfortunate circumstances transformed them into monstrous entities with inhuman strength, preying on both magic and humans. The reason why some humans became sorcerers while others turned into monsters remains an unanswered question. Some speculate that the white pillar created sorcerers, while the black pillar created the monsters. Regardless, the world has been embroiled in constant war and chaos ever since, with humans on one side and monsters on the other," he paused briefly, sighing.
"You can imagine the chaos that ensued after the Arcane Reversal. If not for the seven sovereigns, the world would not be as it is now. They protected and sheltered the regulars following the phenomenon and led other sorcerers in defeating the monsters, establishing a world known as the New Order. The New Order has successfully brought order among humans and aims to create a better world free from the monsters that threaten us. As you are already aware, there are currently three central stations, the largest human settlements, each housing one of the three departments of the New Order. CS001, the station we just left, is where the Arcane Federal Bureau is located. The other two are the Research department and the Vitality department, responsible for food production. Now that you are official sorcerers, the New Order will no longer provide for your basic needs. Everything from food and clothing to resources and sleeping arrangements must be earned through S Points (Sorcerer Points). There are two ways to earn S Points," he explained, raising his index finger, "one is by completing missions," then his middle finger, "and the other is by slaying monsters."
He cautioned the sorcerers about the risks involved in the latter option, mentioning that every week they were obligated to take on a mission, as no station would accommodate a rank 0 sorcerer for more than seven days.As the journey continued, the Officer of the Arcane Federal Bureau delved deeper into the intricacies of the New Order and the world affected by the Arcane Reversal. He explained the existence of different zones within the human settlements and the presence of monsters in the outskirts. He emphasized the importance of staying within the safe zones and avoiding unnecessary confrontations with monsters unless on a mission.
As the vehicle traveled through the West zone, Aei gazed out of the window, observing the surroundings. The landscape was a mix of rugged terrain, overgrown vegetation, and remnants of the old world. Dilapidated buildings stood as a reminder of the pre-Reversal era. The Officer continued to provide insights into the West zone, noting its diverse monster population and the specific missions awaiting the sorcerers.
He mentioned that the primary mission for most sorcerers in the West zone was to clear out monster nests and secure the area for human habitation. The nests were typically located in abandoned buildings, caves, or underground tunnels. The goal was to eliminate the monsters and establish control over these areas, allowing humans to expand their settlements and resources.
The Officer also highlighted the importance of teamwork and cooperation among sorcerers. He explained that while individual strength was essential, working together as a team increased their chances of survival and success. Each sorcerer had unique abilities and skills that could complement one another, making them a formidable force against the monsters.
As the vehicle rumbled on, the Officer touched upon the hierarchy and structure of the New Order. He explained that there were different ranks within the sorcerer community, ranging from rank 0 to rank 5. The higher the rank, the stronger and more experienced the sorcerer. Advancement in rank was based on a combination of skill, performance in missions, and S Points earned.
The Officer stressed the importance of using S Points wisely. He explained that S Points could be exchanged for various resources within the New Order, including food, equipment, and even temporary accommodations in the central stations. However, he cautioned against reckless spending, as S Points were not easy to come by. Sorcerers had to prove their worth by completing missions and slaying monsters to earn them.
As the journey continued, the Officer addressed any questions the sorcerers had, providing additional information and guidance based on their inquiries. He remained vigilant throughout the journey.
" Moving on to the PAS watch. Every sorcerer must diligently safeguard their PAS watches as they are crucial for your survival in the outside world. These watches serve as your lifeline, alerting you to the presence of mutants within a 500-meter radius. The intensity of the light displayed on your watch indicates the strength of the mutant. Additionally, the watch acts as your identity chip, storing essential data such as your official sorcerer rank and S points. It is, quite literally, your second life, so it would be foolish to lose it.
Now, let's discuss the means to advance your rank as a sorcerer. Currently, all of you are rank 0 sorcerers. To attain the status of a rank 1 sorcerer, you will need to accumulate and exchange 1000 S points. As your rank increases, you will enjoy greater benefits and privileges. For instance, sorcerers who achieve rank 5 and above gain access to valuable knowledge on cultivation techniques, which they can practice to enhance their abilities."
The occupants of the vehicle, known as Arcane borns, displayed expressions of excitement upon hearing about the prospects of cultivation. Observing their reactions, the rank 6 sorcerer smiled subtly. He was about to continue his discourse when a passenger in the second-row seat on the left raised her hand, signaling her desire to ask a question. The man acknowledged her gesture with a nod, prompting everyone's attention to focus on her. She appeared to be a teenage girl with short hair tied back, seemingly unaffected by the societal emphasis on appearance in a post-Arcane Reversal world where survival had become paramount.
Amidst the watchful gazes, she maintained her composure and posed her question, "How many levels of cultivation are there?"
All eyes turned towards the man, eager to hear his response. He offered another light smile, finding their reactions somewhat amusing. Raising four fingers, he began his answer, "There are currently four known cultivation realms. They are Novice, Crusher, Molder, and Spirit. As Arcane borns, you are all currently in the Novice level by default." The man paused momentarily, perhaps a consequence of the restricted information he was allowed to disclose. Then, he concluded with a jest that failed to elicit laughter from the group, "That's all the information I can provide without risking the Order coming for my head."
Weekly Power Status
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