Ten years have passed since Heaven Wars; life now feels more peaceful after the extinction of the gamma race. The horrors that once enveloped the world’s inhabitants are gone, and people now witness the sky adorned with the majestic roars of dragons soaring through the blue expanse, accompanied by the thunderous stampede of mammoth troops shaking the rooftops of their homes like rolling thunder. They celebrate their independence from that nightmare, remembering the time when Chaos ravaged the lands of Gaia. This dark period brought horrors and suffering that stole their freedom and hope, leaving deep scars on the souls of those affected. The atmosphere of the celebration is now filled with laughter and cheers, signaling that they can finally breathe easy in the long-awaited peace.

  "Rinoa, are you still busy reading that history book?" asked an older man.

  Rinoa fell silent, lost in her thoughts, as if the world around her had faded into a blur.

  "You know that history is written by the victors. There's no point in seeking the truth behind all your questions," the older man said, handing over a book about the history of the Atlantis School of Magic, adding that what was written within was a biased perspective, reflecting how narratives are often controlled by those in power.

  "Professor Elbert, this book," Rinoa said, her voice laced with concern.

  "Isn't it forbidden by the school to study this?" Rinoa continued.

  Elbert smiled.

  The Gaia and Earth nations have established a close collaboration in the fields of magic and science, leading to the foundation of a school called Atlantis, located on Lightheaven Island—one of the three main islands of the Gaia nation and a trading hub between Gaia and Earth, making it a vital meeting point for cultural and knowledge exchange.

  Previously, the Atlantis school was known as the strongest fortress in the world, called the Ark Fortress. History records that the Ark Fortress served as a sanctuary for warriors from the Gaia and Earth nations during their battle against the gamma nation, when the gamma forces sought to scorch the plains of Gaia. The Ark Fortress exhibited exceptional resilience against various types of magical attacks, making it an ideal school for magic.

  However, most enemies were compelled to defeat it using physical assaults, indicating that tactics and cleverness in warfare are far more critical than mere strength.

  It is important to note that golem stones do not react with other stones. The energy emitted by golem stones is extremely high; if a weaker stone is placed nearby, it will shatter within seconds. To prevent this from happening, the fortress was constructed on Esteran Hill, which possesses a composition and energy similar to that of golem stones, thereby reducing the likelihood of negative reactions between golem stones and their surrounding environment. Although the composition and energy are alike, the rocks from Esteran Hill remain unusable; despite their similarities, perfect fusion is never achievable, not even for identical objects. This demonstrates the complexity of material interactions within the realm of magic.

  “During the renovation of Fort Ark, Lord Esgal Mercury mobilized 100 knights to acquire the necessary golem stones. In his mission, Lord Esgal Mercury succeeded in obtaining what he sought, but at a tremendous cost: the scattered lives before him. Tragically, no one dared to speak of this, neither he nor the survivors. A total of 90 lives were lost in vain, their bodies so destroyed that no one could identify the remnants, leading to confusion and fear when attempting to inform the families left behind, illustrating the horrific consequences of war. The golem stones, born from the shedding of blood, were quickly transported to Thirtos; staying there was tantamount to suicide. Golems continued to pour in as long as the portal remained functional, resulting in a departure that left bodies lying unburied, creating a moral burden for the fighters and a deep psychological impact on those who remained.

  This tragedy might have been averted if only Lord Esgal Mercury had heeded the advice of Queen Iris.

  Since that incident, Lord Esgal Mercury has vanished without a trace; no one knows where he has gone. Only the sky and the earth are aware of his current whereabouts.

  The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  After successfully delivering the golem stone, renovations were promptly initiated. To honor those who fell, a steel-clad statue was erected at the entrance of the school building.

  Time passed swiftly, and now the construction of Atlantis school has been completed. The building now resembles a castle, featuring three towering domes; the interior has also been updated, adorned with paintings of heroes, world maps, and neatly displayed figures of the gamma people. Plush carpets stretch across the floors, and flowers are placed beside the windows along the corridors. The total number of rooms in this school exceeds 500, not including the large dining hall, the basement, and the planetarium located above.

  Historical cannons stand watch above, once used to drive the gamma people from the land of Gaia. The power of these cannons is equivalent to a plasma explosion, and they can fire two types of magic: solar sonar and moon sonar.

  The solar sonar is produced through sunlight converted into magical energy by a crystal stone. Its output is a force capable of destroying anything in its path. In contrast, moon sonar utilizes moonlight and possesses properties opposite to those of solar sonar, functioning as a mana blaster that attacks in a different manner.

  Atlantis now boasts 50 floors. The higher the levels, the more advanced the magic or knowledge learned, including dark magic, voodoo, chemical weaponry, biology, and similar fields. To reach the 50th floor, students must pass through several stages, including written tests, oral exams, and battles against their teachers. Currently, only one individual has managed to master the 50th floor.

  "This is how it is written in history," Elbert said, gazing ahead as if recalling all the events that transpired and their lasting impact on their world.

  "Deep within this history lies a myriad of mysteries surrounding magic that have never been mentioned," he continued, highlighting how much knowledge has been lost to war and biased historical narratives.

  In the lost journals of Atlantis, dark magic is known as a power emanating from the depths of the soul and the darkness of the universe. Legend has it that dark magic was first discovered when the bravest wizards of Atlantis began to unearth forbidden secrets to unveil the hidden powers lurking in the shadows. Mastering it requires a profound understanding of oneself and the consequences it entails.

  "I hope you can help me with this, Rinoa," Elbert said.

  "It will be easier for you to complete your studies by writing this thesis, where I will assist you."

  "The negative impacts of dark magic encompass energy imbalances within the witch, psychological disturbances, and environmental damage. One particularly concerning phenomenon is the 'Retraction of the Soul,' which occurs when dark energy absorbs part of the witch's soul, leading to a loss of the ability to feel empathy or remember their spiritual origins. This contributes to increased instability in society. Although dark magic can grant immense power, it can erode the essence that maintains the balance between life and supernatural forces, serving as a warning that every great power comes at a price, often involving tragic sacrifices."

  "Essentially, dark magic can damage the user's mind; however, it also grants access to knowledge about almost everything in the world. This is similar to your desire to delve deeper into your thesis concerning the gamma race," Elbert stated, firmly reminding the importance of weighing the risks before making decisions.

  "Practical methods for mastering dark magic involve the use of ancient artifacts, such as the 'Abyssal Mirror' which can manifest the past of an object."

  "Master Elbert, that's it!!!" exclaimed Rinoa.

  "Isn't that a great offer for you...?"

  "Rather than waiting for the paladin's decision," Elbert remarked, "wouldn't it be better for us to take the initiative ourselves?"

  Rinoa, gazing at the brightening sky, nodded slowly. "Are you sure we can handle this risk?" Her question reflected a deep-seated doubt born from bitter experiences of the past, creating an aura of tension between them.

  "We have no other choice," Elbert replied confidently. "Time is not on our side. If we wait any longer, they will undoubtedly get ahead of us." "Alright, if that's your decision," Rinoa said with a sigh.

  "But we need to prepare ourselves. This could be very dangerous," Rinoa added, her eyes radiating determination despite the underlying fear in her words.

  "I understand," Elbert responded, his gaze sharp. "We need to gather everything we need. Get your supplies ready; we leave tonight."

  "But who will go to that place?" Rinoa asked, displaying uncertainty on her face.

  "We can't do this alone." "We can rely on your friends for assistance," Elbert answered.

  "We'll gather them in the back meeting. Perhaps they too feel the same way." Rinoa offered a faint smile.

  "You always know how to motivate the people around you, Teacher Elbert," Rinoa said, standing up and walking towards the door.

  "I'm waiting for you, Rinoa..."

  Elbert smiled with a sly grin, hinting that behind his calm exterior lay a sinister plan in the works. This smile was not merely a facial expression; it was a sign that he had more than just motivation to offer Rinoa. With his eyes sparkling, he seemed to evoke a more aggressive call to action, suggesting that this yet-to-be-revealed adventure could lead them down a dangerous and deadly path. Although slightly suspicious, Rinoa felt drawn to the mysterious aura surrounding Elbert, as if she were on the brink of an undisclosed quest.