BXBX NOVEL Chapter 149: Mission
Some of them knew it was coming, they just don't know when. Well, now they have the answer to that. Yet despite expecting it to happen, they were still surprised nonetheless.
In the grand scheme of things, their mission was simple. Wasn't it just a simple patrol mission? How bad could it possibly be? However, these people grew up listening to stories of how terrible the Outer World was.
News flashes of Outer World Exploration Teams returning beaten and battered from their mission always make the headlines whenever they occur.
Their stories, the horrors they faced, the sheer difference between this continent and the rest of the world, and how they're grateful to be back even to the extent of sobbing in relief...people have been conditioned to relate the Outer World as something bad because of this.
The worst part is that they weren't lying. Every information they share with the public is the truth, even Acala agrees with them, and everybody knows that she's the personification of Prime Earth's consciousness.
That's why even though this mission was only going to be a simple patrol mission, the Freshmen couldn't help but feel extremely nervous and uneasy. The part where this was mandatory just makes it worse.
Among the 200 freshmen students, a handful of them took this notice with relative ease. Either because they were confident or they were just going with the flow.
Cedric belongs to the former, as he was already expecting this as well. With his senses, it is very difficult to keep a secret from him. He has heard hushed discussions of older students about the Freshmen Initiation set up by the Academy Staff.
It's like a 'Rite of Passage' more than anything. Orion said so himself, they're raising students to contribute to Humanity's well-being. They wouldn't waste time and resources with people who only seek glory and vanity. That's why this was mandatory.
He's not surprised when Orion says that they might die from this mission. Again, this was included in the agreement they signed when they enrolled here. There's no escaping this.
As cruel as this sounds, the Academy would rather see their students die fighting against demons than see them turn into a waste of space and air. It's harsh but they have a reason behind this. Given how long Starlight Royal Academy had been around and their contribution to humanity in general, who was he to question this?
The group chat was noisy. Cedric has to mute it because of the great flood of texts being sent by his batchmates. What's happening there could be summarized with a single word: Panic.
Cedric didn't read much but he knew that everybody was asking for help in whatever way they could to prepare for the trip.
Back at his dorm, Cedric rests on the couch, petting Aurelion who's nibbling at his fingers.
"...two weeks to prepare, huh? What can I do within that time frame?"
Cedric hummed as his mind went through several possibilities.
"I remember...there's this one time when Erica leaked a piece of information unconsciously. She complained that she had to carry a large bag filled with stuff because the boys of their team were all injured and couldn't carry them for a while."
"Although she didn't elaborate, I have a theory as to why she said that." He muttered, "I think that the Acala System becomes less effective the deeper you go in the Outer World. Her influence couldn't reach that far because the Demon Race claimed the lands for themselves and subjected it to their rule."
"Why else would she need to carry a lot of things when she has access to the Inventory? There's no way she could've forgotten that function even in a stressful environment like that. So that must mean that at a certain distance away from Humanity's civilization, the Acala System becomes less and less useful."
Nobody could confirm this theory for him right now but he had a feeling that he was right, just like with most things.
"...would my strength be affected too? I mean, a bulk of it was only possible because of the System. If the System's being affected out there, then it's safe to say that I would be too, no?"
This is another problem for Cedric. Sometimes, being too perceptive has its own downsides. Because now that he thought of this, he couldn't help but be worried when he was supposed to be relaxing right now.
"...I might as well use my advantages here. I have a Lv.8 System Authority for a reason." He muttered as he summoned the System Interface.
Very quickly, he searched for articles that detailed the situation on the Frontlines.
He spent half an hour looking through articles and documents before feeling confident that he knew enough.
"I was right." He sighed. "Using the System Functions at the border would be risky."
What he learned goes beyond his assumptions. While it is true that humans can't use the Inventory and become weaker the deeper they are within the Outer World, there are bigger reasons for this.
The Inventory is a minor pocket dimension granted by Acala to Superhumans for the sake of convenience. Everybody has it and through secure channels managed by the System itself, they are connected, further increasing its efficiency.
Using the Inventory was only safe within Human Territory because Acala's presence is the strongest here. Beyond the walls of this continent's border, the Inventory becomes a liability.
The Demon Race is always looking for an opportunity to bypass Purgatory and invade Prime Earth to do real damage to humans. Their main targets are the 'Risks' because 'Risks' could turn into 'Nodes' after experiencing certain requirements, allowing real Demons to descend.
Since the Inventory was a pocket dimension, it is subjected to the Laws of Space. It would've been great if Humans were the only ones who could comprehend that Law but unfortunately, that's not the case. Demons could use the Laws of Space too, and they use it very well.
If a human were to use the Inventory outside of Human Territory, a place where Acala's influence was weakest, the Demon Race would take advantage of it and will invade Prime Earth this way.
Using the Inventory out there was similar to lighting up a beacon for all demons to see. It's shouting; 'I'm here, idiots! Come and get me! I want to die!'
In the documents he read, he saw numerous people who fucked around and found out — the hard way, why this was inadvisable. So much so that it became a Military Law. Soldiers will have their System Functions and, more importantly, their Inventories sealed until they are discharged from their service.
That then begs the question; 'If they can't use the Inventory, then what do they use?'
The answer to that would be: 'Runic Spatial Rings'.
Runic Spatial Rings were invented by the Lifestyle Guild to replace a Superhuman's Inventory. Contrary to one's belief, this ring doesn't operate under Space Laws.
The Lifestyle Guild Master was the one who invented it through the use of Runic Symbols and Modern Technology - both of which are concepts that the Demon Race does not understand completely.
How the Tech God achieved this is a closely guarded secret, and it's better that way. What's important is that they work, and the Military has been using them since then.
Runic Spatial Rings are one of the few pieces of technology that operate normally in the Outer World...because yes, human tech tends to malfunction out there too.
Sadly, the Military applied for control over the production of these rings, and the government approved of it. They imposed strict rules over who could own these rings and sadly, not even Cedric who has a Lv.8 System Authority could get his hands on it.
"I'm guessing that the Military Law will also be imposed on us when we arrive there." Cedric whispered to himself.
As for Humans becoming weaker out there, that's because of Acala's weakened influence over the lands she used to have. It's normal since the deeper someone is through the Outer World, the weaker Acala's presence becomes and in extension, her blessings as well.
"It shouldn't weaken us too much." Cedric muttered, "After all, our mission was just a simple patrol. We're not gonna be exploring the depths of the Outer World."
This made him relax a bit at least. There's no way Orion would lie about something like this. If anything, he should expect a fierce battle in there, but any greater responsibility (military-wise) wouldn't be expected from them during their trip.
"Well...in general, there's a chance that I'd feel much weaker when we arrive there and I'd be forbidden to use the System. It sounds bad but not enough to kill me. I've been through worse so this should be doable."
"Besides, it's not like they'd leave us to our own there. There would be supplies and support available. And since it's just a patrol mission, getting access to those shouldn't be difficult."
Cedric patted Aurelion's head and placed him back on the Beast Soul Space. He stood up, stretched, and made his way to his training area.
"There's that, I guess. Now, it's time to enter Tier 4."