Danmachi - Infinite Mana System! - Chapter 167 - Altena 07.

[Chapter Size: 1800 Words.]
Third Person POV
Altena.

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In the highest tower of Altena, Lucius and Riveria were in a meeting with the Atena family, discussing the abandoned world. The two adventurers from Orario explained the situation they had encountered in the heart of the abandoned world.

The headmistress of the academy arrived shortly after the meeting had begun, having just settled things at the school. The conversation proceeded without many secrets, explaining what had been discovered at the site a few days prior.

"So, this is a fragment of the dungeon you found?" The goddess Atena looked ahead, observing the piece torn from the dungeon's root. While gripping her staff, her thoughts churned internally about the matter, recognizing the danger it posed to this world.

Lucius replied, pointing to the fragment of the root. "Yes, you can examine and confirm it with your family. I'm sure you can study this piece of the dungeon, assuming you haven't already acquired parts of it through your trade with Orario."

"This was in the ancient city of the abandoned world?" Atena questioned, her intrigued gaze fixed on Lucius, clearly wanting more details.

"Yes. It was where the city's old energy core once resided—the same energy core you now use to power Altena with the dungeon crystals from Orario. Some dwarves excavated the area and found a root of the dungeon, but be careful. Monsters of level 2 emerge when the root is damaged, just like in the dungeon itself. This led to the deaths of several dwarves seeking wealth... Don't be surprised by the bodies you find there," Lucius explained, as Atena exchanged serious looks with her family.

"We will need to investigate this," Atena said to her daughter, the academy headmistress, who showed a clear expression of concern.

"Yes, if this is true, the world is in danger. Perhaps not in the short term, but in the long run, the continent will be destroyed. Maybe even the entire world. After all, we don't know if these roots can extend across the sea and reach other continents," the headmistress remarked, while Atena nodded, agreeing with her reasoning.

The goddess looked at Lucius with greater intensity. "You discovered this. What do you think we should do?" she asked.

"Honestly, I don't think there's any alternative but to destroy the dungeon itself. I don't believe anything—or anyone—can stop this. After all, the dungeon feeds on the world," Lucius said with a serious tone.

"But... this would affect Altena," murmured one of the family members, clearly uneasy, as the city depended on the dungeon crystals. Without them, there would be no more energy to sustain Altena.

"A reasonable price to pay. Better than letting the entire world be destroyed, don't you think?" Lucius raised an eyebrow at the speaker, who fell silent, while Atena appeared deep in thought.

"I don't think we can resolve this so easily—not in just a 20-minute conversation..." Atena replied. "We need to investigate further. Besides, the dungeon isn't something that can be destroyed so easily. No one has even managed to defeat one of its creatures created within it, let alone destroy the dungeon itself," she said reasonably.

"Well, I believe we're done here," Lucius said, standing up.

"I think not," Atena countered, turning her serious gaze back to him, raising an eyebrow. Before he could say anything, she continued, "You caused quite a commotion in my academy. Moreover, you stole a teacher's uniform, something that is not tolerated here in Altena." Her words made it clear that the matter was far from settled.

"And that same teacher gave you vital information," Lucius countered, as Riveria stood serious at his side. He smiled at Atena, who was surrounded by eight members of her family. "And I don't think you can do anything to me. After all, you could send all your level 3s, 4s, and even your level 5 leader. I doubt you could stop us. After all, as you said, I am the most powerful mage in the world," he said calmly.

Of course, there had been more powerful mages before him. Bell Cranel's aunt, Alfia, for example, had reached level 7, and her magic was considered level 9. However, even though Lucius was still at level 7, it wouldn't take long for him to surpass all his predecessors.

Those words immediately made the Atena family stare at him with a serious expression. Everyone silently prepared for an imminent confrontation, but Atena's staff struck the floor, interrupting the tense atmosphere.

"Stop it! We are not here to kill each other. Behave yourselves!" she said firmly, her gaze shifting to Lucius.

"I do not wish to seek conflict with you, Mage King, but I am intrigued by your current magical strength. I've always been interested in humans with magic," Atena declared, turning her gaze to Riveria. "However, elves have never been particularly welcome by me… and you," she continued, looking back at Lucius, "appeared out of nowhere with a strength I had never witnessed in a mortal. Since then, I have been observing your stats and growth, receiving information from Orario as you began to stand out…" She paused briefly before continuing.

"A man who, until six months ago, was considered a level 1 without talent, quickly advanced to level 2 in just over a month, becoming a mage with a few spells. Shortly after, you evolved to level 3, defeating far more powerful opponents, destroying entire families that were much stronger and larger—all of this, alone—until you reached level 4, facing the three executives of the Loki Familia simultaneously."

She narrated while everyone remained silent, their serious gazes fixed on Lucius.

"However, what is most shocking is that your magic has never been depleted—not once. No matter how long you fight or how many powerful spells you use, you never even need to recite incantations. It’s as if your very being is pure, inexhaustible energy. That should be impossible for anyone in this world… but clearly, this rule does not apply to you."

The members of Atena’s family kept their eyes on Lucius the entire time, while Riveria seemed increasingly worried and even slightly impressed beside him.

"And what do you want from me?" Lucius asked, his serious gaze betraying no hint of disturbance at what he had just heard.

"I propose an exchange. I will allow you access to any knowledge Altena has, as long as you allow me to understand your magic and study your body," she declared, surprising everyone.

"Study me? That’s a bit strange," Lucius muttered, grimacing slightly.

"Don’t misunderstand me," she said, her tone flustered, closing her eyes as a faint blush spread across her face. It was a delicate matter; as a virgin goddess, it was absurd for him to have interpreted her request so wrongly, an interpretation that would be considered inappropriate. She sighed before continuing.

"I want to understand your magic. How can a body contain so much energy? Do you understand that?" she remarked, observing Lucius intently.

After all, using her magical eyes, Atena could see that Lucius was like a beacon of energy. It was practically impossible to discern another magical source in the room, as his energy shone so brightly that it overshadowed everyone else, even Riveria, a level 6. Her magic, impressive as it was, paled in comparison to the brilliance of Lucius, whose energy was unlike anything Atena had ever encountered.

Lucius remained silent as everyone waited for his response. Even Riveria looked at him with a slightly complicated expression, awaiting his words. Finally, he smiled at the goddess.

"Very well, I accept your proposal," he said.

She could even take his blood; it didn’t matter. After all, he doubted that anything could truly harm him. His greatest source of energy came from a place untouchable by any god in this world—it resided within his soul. After all, a being far more powerful had sent him here with this power. It wasn’t as though they could steal it. And if he could help Atena and her city in some way, he saw no problem with it.

"One more thing. Since you were giving a combat lesson to the academy students, I'm sure you won’t mind doing the same with my family," she said, surprising her family members, who stared at her in astonishment from all sides.

Atena wanted to strengthen her family, and Lucius seemed like a valuable resource for that. In terms of magic, perhaps they could learn something from him.

"So be it. As long as you don't disturb Riveria, I see no issue with that. Also, I want access to your entire library, all knowledge, magical products, and created items. I want to copy all your books while I’m here," he said calmly.

Even on a mission outside Orario, Lucius had already completed it and could still make demands. He could spend some time in Altena before continuing his journey. After all, the city was unique.

"Copy our books? Well, you can try, but no one is going to help you," the headmistress said with an ironic tone.

Lucius almost laughed at her. He already knew that his magical elves could handle all the work for him, and in a month, he would have a significant portion of the library in his possession.

"Very well. Those are my terms," Lucius stated.

Atena nodded. "I will grant you full access to the city. Although I don't like elves, I will make an exception for your companion. However, I require a few meetings with you while you're here," she said.

Lucius simply agreed with a nod.

"Drius, take Lucius and his companion to one of the dormitory floors. Choose a suitable guest room for them. From this moment, they are honored guests of Altena," Atena ordered.

A man stepped out of the group, nodded, and gestured for Lucius and Riveria to follow him.

Lucius and Riveria followed the man out, while Atena watched Lucius’s back before sighing.

"Goddess Atena, are you sure you made the right choice? This man could harm the city with our knowledge..." one of the family members questioned, worried.

"I know it’s risky, but I cannot miss the opportunity to understand him better. You may not understand, but what he represents is far greater than anything I’ve ever seen in this world," Atena murmured, her magical eyes glowing.

The family could not go against their goddess’s will and merely nodded in agreement.

Lucius left the room with Riveria, and as they walked down the corridor, a red-haired woman stood waiting outside, accompanied by other family members who had not been allowed to enter. The woman’s gaze was more intense than anyone else’s—it was Victoria, the student who had been in his class before the commotion began.

Lucius simply shrugged and continued walking, looking ahead, while Riveria followed him silently as they left that floor.