Chapter 75: Scenario VI

Ryan left the training room after finishing his evaluation.

Captain Alden had told him that the registration process would take a few days, so there was little reason for him to remain at the headquarters.

However, before leaving, Ryan made one final request.

"Captain, is there a place where I can study the League’s research records once my membership is confirmed?"

Alden nodded.

"Of course. The League has its own research library. It contains records collected over thousands of years, including reports from previous expeditions, research on ancient spiritual creatures, and documents concerning unusual spiritual phenomena."

Ryan became interested.

"Are there any restrictions?"

"Naturally. Some records are available to all members, while others require special authorization. The more sensitive documents are restricted to senior members and researchers."

"I understand."

Alden handed him a small identification token.

"Keep this for now. It will allow you to enter the main building while your registration is being processed. Once your membership is confirmed, you’ll receive your official identification."

Ryan accepted it.

"Thank you, Captain."

"You’re welcome. I’ll contact you once everything is ready."

After exchanging a few more words, Ryan left the headquarters.

Over the next three days, Ryan spent his time exploring the academy grounds and visiting a few places he hadn’t had the opportunity to visit during his studies.

He also met Daniel and Elara once again.

Daniel had already accepted an invitation from a Spirit Summoning Association. He was scheduled to leave the academy within a week.

Elara, meanwhile, had decided to continue her studies at a medical institution affiliated with the academy.

Both seemed satisfied with their choices.

Ryan didn’t mention the mysterious spiritual fragment to them. He wanted to investigate it first before discussing anything related to the League.

On the fourth morning, a notification appeared.

[Your registration with the League of Guardians has been approved.]

[Membership Confirmed.]

[Position: Junior Research Guardian]

[Access Level: Level 1]

[Additional Information: You may now access the facilities and records available to Junior Research Guardians.]

Ryan examined the notification before taking out the identification token Captain Alden had given him.

Its surface had changed. The silver emblem was now accompanied by his name and membership rank.

’Finally.’

He put it away and headed toward the League headquarters.

When he arrived, the receptionist recognized him immediately.

"Good morning, Mika. Your membership has been confirmed. Congratulations."

"Thank you."

She handed him a small booklet and another identification card.

"This contains the basic rules and regulations of the League. It also includes information about the different departments and facilities available to you."

Ryan accepted both items.

"Is Captain Alden available?"

"Yes. He is currently in the research division. You can find him in the eastern wing, second floor."

Ryan thanked her and followed the directions.

The eastern wing was noticeably different from the training area he had visited during his evaluation. There were several laboratories, storage rooms, and research offices along the corridor.

Some researchers were examining strange objects, while others were discussing documents.

Ryan eventually found Captain Alden in a room filled with shelves.

"Mika? You’re here."

Alden looked up from his desk.

"Your membership has been confirmed, I see."

"Yes. I received the notification this morning."

"Good. Welcome to the League of Guardians."

Ryan nodded.

"Thank you, Captain."

Alden gestured toward a chair.

"Take a seat. I have already submitted your request regarding the spiritual fragment."

Ryan immediately became attentive.

"Was it approved?"

"Partially. The research division has agreed to let you examine it under supervision. However, you won’t be allowed to remove it from the research facility or perform any major modifications."

"That’s understandable."

Alden stood up.

"Come with me. I’ll take you to the storage laboratory."

Ryan followed him through another corridor.

They eventually arrived at a heavily secured room. A circular emblem was engraved on the door, and several protective formations surrounded its frame.

Alden placed his identification token against a small panel.

The door opened after a moment.

Inside were several transparent containers arranged on metal shelves. Each contained a different spiritual object.

Some were crystals, others were fragments of ancient equipment, and a few appeared to be parts of spiritual constructs.

Alden walked toward a table near the back.

The transparent box from Ryan’s evaluation was already there.

"This is the fragment you examined earlier."

Ryan approached it.

"Has anyone discovered anything new about it?"

"Not yet. The research division has been studying it for several decades, but its original purpose remains unknown."

Ryan looked at him.

"Several decades?"

"Yes. It was recovered from an ancient underground facility during an expedition. Unfortunately, most of the facility had collapsed, and the surviving records were severely damaged."

Alden paused.

"Some researchers believe it was part of a communication formation. Others think it was connected to an ancient defensive network. There are several theories, but none have been confirmed."

Ryan nodded.

He had already suspected that the fragment belonged to something much larger.

Alden placed a document beside the container.

"These are the research records collected so far. You can examine them first. If you need additional materials, submit a request through the research division."

Ryan picked up the document.

There were several reports detailing the fragment’s properties, its spiritual energy flow, and the various attempts made to stabilize it.

He began reading.

The first few reports contained nothing particularly unusual.

However, one of the older documents caught his attention.

It was a damaged expedition report written by a researcher several centuries ago.

Most of the text was difficult to read, but a few lines had survived.

[...the central chamber contained numerous silver threads extending into the surrounding walls...]

[...each thread was connected to a separate spiritual construct...]

[...the entire structure appeared to be functioning as a single entity...]

Ryan stopped reading.

He looked at the spiritual fragment inside the container.

’Could this be related?’

He continued reading, but the remaining pages were too damaged to provide any useful information.

"Captain, do you have the complete expedition report?"

Alden shook his head.

"Unfortunately, no. That’s all we recovered. The original facility was destroyed, and the expedition team couldn’t retrieve everything."

Ryan looked back at the document.

"Do you know where that facility was located?"

"An abandoned underground ruin beneath the northern mountain range. The entrance has been sealed for a long time because the surrounding area became unstable."

Ryan’s eyes narrowed slightly.

An ancient facility.

A network of spiritual threads.

A structure that functioned as a single entity.

He was beginning to see a connection.

Ryan placed the document back on the table.

"Captain, would it be possible for me to examine the remaining records related to that expedition?"

Alden nodded.

"Certainly. I’ll arrange access to them."

Ryan thanked him.

He then turned his attention toward the transparent container.

The fragment remained motionless, its faint silver light barely visible.

However, Ryan now had a better idea of where to begin.

He needed to find the original facility.

Perhaps the answers to the Ancient Spiritual Network were still waiting inside those ruins.