Chapter 182: Some News

  Abu and Abel walked side by side down Pine Street, their pace slow and relaxed as they spoke.

  The town bustled faintly in the background — distant conversations, the creak of wooden carts, and the faint scent of wood and flowers filled the air. The two apostles seemed unaffected by the noise, their conversation occupying their thoughts.

  Abel glanced at Abu with a small smile. “I’m glad to see you,” he said sincerely. “And... you seem stronger now.” He narrowed his glowing eyes, observing the faint pulse of energy that lingered around Abu like a faint golden mist.

  “Although... your strength feels different — almost incomplete.” His gaze sharpened. “It’s like you can store mana, but it doesn’t seem to have the depth or flow of a true mana pool.”

  Abu gave a sheepish chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah... it’s complicated,” he admitted, his voice carrying a hint of embarrassment. “I guess you could say I’m in a... strange situation.”

  Abel raised a brow. “Strange how?”

  Abu exhaled, his expression turning a little more serious. “I became an apostle... sort of,” he began. “I can naturally hold mana now — enough that I’ve surpassed a pseudo. But...” He paused, frustration briefly flickering in his eyes. “I can’t form a proper mana pool. And without that, I’ll never be able to manifest my first rune.”

  Abel frowned slightly, understanding the implications. A proper mana pool was the foundation of any Apostle’s growth. Without one, Abu’s advancement would be nearly impossible.

  His gaze drifted upward as if recalling distant memories. “Back during that expedition, we were both a part of… when I was meditating and observing avian creatures in that strange illusory world, a spirit of an eagle somehow... fused with me.” He tapped his chest. “It’s what gave me the ability to store mana in the first place — otherwise, I’d have probably stayed a pseudo forever.”

  Abel’s brow furrowed. “So what exactly is holding you back now?”

  Abu gave a bitter smile. “The Dirt Eagle eye that I had first successfully implanted on myself in the very beginning of my path,” he muttered. “It’s become my greatest shackle.”

  Abel's face turned serious as he listened keenly.

  Abu sighed. “Because the Dirt Eagle... It's weak, lacking profoundness. It’s barely stronger than an average magical creature.” He shook his head in frustration. “If that creature had been more powerful, I might’ve been able to build a proper mana pool, maybe even form my first rune. But as things are...” He trailed off, looking away as if the thought irritated him. “I’m stuck — not quite a pseudo, but not quite a proper apostle either.”

  “Still,” Abel said after a moment, “You managed to climb higher than most.” He grinned. “And I doubt you’re the type to just give up.”

  Abu chuckled again, this time more genuinely. “Yeah... let’s hope this isn’t permanent.”

  Abel listened closely, taking in Abu's words with quiet intrigue. It was fascinating — Abu had also left the illusory world with something valuable, just like himself and Ronald. The expedition had changed the fate of more people than he’d realized.

  “So what about Luke?” Abel asked after a pause, remembering the group he went into the expedition with. His tone was inquisitive. “He was with us back then in that illusory world… but he didn’t break through like we did.”

  Abu’s expression darkened, his gaze drifting to the cobbled street ahead of them. He shook his head grimly. “Luke... didn’t make it,” he said, voice low. “In fact... a good portion of the people from our recruitment group — the ones who didn’t become apostles — are gone.”

  Abel felt a weight settle in his chest. He hadn’t been particularly close with Luke, but they had trained together and pushed through difficult times together. Knowing that so many others had been lost left a bitter taste in his mouth.

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  “I guess I was lucky,” Abu continued, forcing a faint smile. “That eagle spirit... It saved me. Without it, I’d probably be in the same place as the others.”

  Abel nodded slowly, understanding the gravity of those words.

  Abu sighed and shifted the conversation. “Anyway... after all that, the tower gave me two choices. I could either become part of the faculty — teaching, helping train recruits in the tower — or I could take a position as an institute head.” He gestured at his dark blue robe. “I chose this.”

  Abel raised a brow. “The institute head role? Why?”

  Abu’s expression softened slightly. “It felt like the better choice. Even if I’m stuck in this limbo — not quite a proper Apostle, but not a pseudo either — this path gives me options. I still have access to resources, funding for my own research, and... a chance. A sliver of hope that I can one day break through and create a real mana pool.”

  “Smart move,” Abel said with an approving nod. He understood now why Abu wore the dark blue robes of the faculty — not as a teacher, but as a figure straddling the line between the faculty and the apostles.

  “I’m not here to step on your toes,” Abu said, his tone sincere. “I know Reinhart’s been your territory for a while now, and I’m just here to do my job. I’m hoping we can cooperate — honestly, I might end up needing your help more than I’d like to admit.”

  Abel smirked. “Of course. We’re not strangers, Abu. If you need something, just ask.”

  “I appreciate that,” Abu replied, relief clear in his voice.

  “Any idea if the tower’s sending anyone else?” Abel asked. “I know they’ve been busy trying to reorganize things after the earthquake.”

  Abu shook his head. “I doubt it,” he said. “They’re still scrambling to fill institute head positions across Bask. I don’t think they’ll be sending more people here anytime soon.”

  Abel had a thoughtful look on his face as he took in the things Abu had said.

  Abu’s expression was unreadeable as they continued down Pine Street. “Things are changing,” he said, his tone almost distant. “The age of ignorance… it’s ending.”

  Abel glanced at him, curious. “You mean because of the institutes?”

  Abu nodded but then shook his head. “The institutes are important, sure... but they’re just the start. The tower’s pushing for something bigger — something that could change the entire region.”

  Abel’s interest sharpened. “Bigger how?”

  Abu’s voice lowered as if sharing something not yet widely known. “They’re planning to introduce a new type of badge — one specifically for specialized Apostles. Apostles who can share or teach unique knowledge — something that helps others break through or unlock power safely.”

  Abel’s brow furrowed. “Safely?”

  Abu nodded grimly. “The tower’s not just handing these out to anyone. There’s going to be a dedicated group to evaluate the methods people submit — make sure they’re legitimate, and more importantly... less prone to corruption.”

  Abel crossed his arms thoughtfully. “Sounds risky.”

  “It could be,” Abu admitted. “But the potential benefits are massive. These specialized Apostles would gain certain privileges, plus a monthly supply of rare materials to support their research. It’s a way to push growth... not just for Apostles, but for the whole region.”

  Abel’s mind spun with possibilities. “Specialized apostles…” he murmured. His thoughts drifted back to the ritual he had received from the Grand Library of the Tower — the knowledge book.

  Back then, it had seemed foreign and complex, something far beyond his skill level.

  But now, with his growing understanding of magic and mana manipulation, he realized he might be able to refine it — simplify it even — to create a safer and more practical method for it.

  Maybe... maybe that was his path.

  Abu’s voice broke through his thoughts. “There’s already someone out there making waves — an apostle who’s been successfully implanting hearts into certain people with specific traits, creating a stable mana pool for those who couldn’t form one naturally.”

  Abel’s eyes widened slightly. “You’re serious?”

  “Yeah,” Abu confirmed. “It’s experimental, but it’s working. If something like that gets perfected... imagine how many people could break free from being stuck as mundane or pseudos.”

  Abel nodded slowly. The idea lingered in his mind. Could he find a way to contribute to the tower’s efforts? If this new system proved reliable, Apostles could become stronger faster — and that meant Bask would grow more powerful as well.

  They rounded a corner, the mayor’s office coming into view in the distance.

  “You think the tower will really be able to manage something that ambitious?” Abel asked.

  “I think they might be desperate,” Abu replied. “After the earthquakes and the growing number of anomalies, they know they need stronger Apostles — and fast.”

  Abel exhaled, his mind still lingering on the news.

  “Guess I better get to work then,” he muttered under his breath.

  Moments later, they pushed the doors open and stepped inside.