The Mage of Primordial Chaos

After settling down for a bit, Sylvoir folded her arms and leaned back on the couch, sitting beside me. I recalled Lorelei back into my soul space, and my expression grew serious.

"So… about the conversation you were eavesdropping on earlier."

"… Do you want to know what it is?"

I gave a nod. "That's the real reason you called me here tonight, right? You're not petty enough to have me stay overnight just for calling you Sylvie. You predicted my every move and acted accordingly to make ordering me here natural, but in reality it was all planned."

"Not bad. You pass."

"Right. So, can you tell me about it now? I passed your test, Sylvie. If I go back empty-handed after coming all the way out here, I'll be pretty pissed. What's the scoop?"

"That… are you sure you want to know?" Sylvoir asked, still refusing to look at me.

"What's the matter? Why wouldn't I?"

"The topic they are discussing is very difficult. Should they ever find out the information is leaked, they will do everything in their power to hunt anyone who knows about it down. When that happens… you…"

"I'll be fine," I reassured. "I may be only Ancestral Mage in name, but I can hold my own even against Holy Emperors. You should know that well."

Actually, I could technically be considered 'half' a Golden Monarch since I had a Battle Soul named Hun Xu, but… I just couldn't summon it without Xuan Yu here as well. Either way, with or without it, my strength level was on par with an early-stage Holy Emperor at the very least. Against a stronger opponent who wasn't part of the Saint realm, I was also confident I could at least run away if not defeat them.

Sylvoir, seeing my confidence, gave a sigh.

"… Well, if you insist. Just don't say I didn't warn you."

"Enough with the cliche lines. Tell it to me straight already."

Sylvoir took a deep breath, before looking around. "This is not the place. No one can hear us here, and I do not sense any eavesdroppers, but… follow me. Just to be safe."

Saying that, she cut the air with her finger, creating a circular rift, and stepped through the portal. I followed after her after some deliberation, and the gap in space closed after me.

*****

On the other side of the portal, we arrived at what looked like a minimalist's office. The nameplate on the wooden desk wrote 'Ms. Sylvoir' on it, so naturally, I knew who this room belonged to. Just… why did we come here, instead of something like the Infinite Realm?

But as I voiced that question to Sylvoir, she looked at me as if I were stupid.

"… Are you serious? I can't just warp us both to the Infinite Realm. That would cause way too much of a commotion. Opening a gateway to another realm requires lots of energy, even if it is a mere subsidiary one. While teleporting to the Infinite Realm will be more secure, this should serve."

"Uh… right. I didn't think of that."

"Take a seat," Sylvoir said, sitting down in her comfy chair about two sizes too big for her body before inviting me to do the same across from her. I complied obediently since there was no reason to refuse, and waited patiently for her to begin her explanation.

"… First off, you should know this already, but… not everyone in the IMF agrees to the Council's final decision of establishing this academy."

"Oh? Why is that?"

"Other people have their own views on matters," Sylvoir stated. "Some, for instance, claim it'd be better for mankind as a whole to move into a isolated small world using the help of an artifact."

"Artifacts like that exist?" I asked, blinking in surprise.

"Of course. They are exceptionally rare, but they do exist. As the IMF, it is not too difficult to get their hands on one. However, I'm sure you can imagine the consequences and disadvantages of choosing this method to deal with the Hex."

I gave a nod. "That's akin to putting all of mankind's lives on one single artifact. If that artifact is damaged somehow by any means, all of humanity may be wiped out… not to mention pride too. We're not even trying to fight them—we're running away before the fight even begins."

"Right. The people in the other room are precisely the ones who dislike the idea of fighting against the Hex head-on. In other words, they think humanity does not stand a chance in the first place. Their aim is to overthrow the IMF and take control of the world, steering it onto the path they view is right. And to begin… this school, which is the IMF's central focus at the moment, is their top infiltration point."

"I see… if they can rig tests and outdoor training lessons to 'get rid of' some students, they'll have an excuse to say the IMF is unreliable—and will then use that to gather the people's support around them."

"Correct. You're quick on the uptake, at the very least. Now, naturally, I am not on their side, but…"

"… There is little you can do on your own, and without proof."

Sylvoir sighed. "That's right. The Terron Records cannot be used as proof since no one else can see them except for me, and… well. Even I am not confident I will be able to defeat them all by myself."

"Speaking of the Terron Records… why didn't you just use that to eavesdrop on their conversation earlier? Why bother putting your ear to the door like that?" I asked, confused.

"Ah… about that. The Terron Records are not exactly omnipotent, you see," Sylvoir explained, averting her gaze. "While it is true, nothing can hide from it… there are some methods to cloud its vision, if that makes sense."

"You mean… Barriers made from magic?"

She nodded. "Precisely. Although no barrier can block the Terron Records completely, they can make things muffled and unclear depending on how strong the barrier is. Just now, in that room, the person who placed down the Sound Barrier was only a Holy Emperor, but his skill in Enchantments, especially Sound Element ones, are equivalent to that of a Saint—hence why I was forced to get closer to hear clearly with the Terron Records."

"But I could too. Does that mean…"

"… Huh?"

"Like I said, I heard what they were talking about in that room as well. But I thought only you could use the Terron Records?"

"…"

At this, Sylvoir fell silent, pondering my words. After a brief pause, she looked into my eyes and lowered her tone.

"Forget about it. I'll explain that to you another time. For now, I need to make sure of something. If my guess is correct, then…"

She trailed off, not offering anything more. I was confused, of course, but knew it was time to back off.