Child of Destiny

...…

On the third day since the students and representatives of different powers entered the tomb for exploration, the atmosphere outside the ruins was solemn and heavy.

It might be quiet, but there was a heavy and dreadful air looming around everyone.

Everyone might be calm on the surface, but all of them were on their nerves due to the recent event that occurred at Ace City.

The raid that the Black Serpent Mafia had launched on the Magic Ace Academy, the attempt to steal some data, materials, and subjects from the World Research Center, and trying to abduct the Head Researcher Henry, were all big events.

Then there was the appearance of the Great Demon Jan Mateo, who was a notorious individual around the world.

Then an even more ridiculous individual followed after him – Adam, the Heavenly Demon. This man not only made an appearance but also killed a group of powerful Demonic Practitioners, but also beaten up the Great Demon one-sidedly.

These events shook everyone, particularly those who came from other countries. They just came here to get a slice of the pie that Soaring Continent had found, but who would have thought that two powerful 'world criminals' would appear?

There were only three had passed since those incidents, so the people had yet to move on, especially those people who had witnessed them.

There was also the powerful Demon Pillar that briefly appeared, but it was immediately buried when no one found anything about it.

As these people were still trying to move on from those incidents, another one shook them all.

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

At the entrance of the tomb, people came out one after another, making those people wait outside to become fully awake.

Moreover, they were all shocked when they saw the current appearance of the students and representatives running out of the tomb.

Some of them were seriously injured and they had to be carried by makeshift stretchers and carriers. Others who were running even had a missing arm or leg as they made their way out of the tomb.

The rest seemed to be infected by an unknown disease as some parts of their bodies were rotting.

The medics and other healing mentalists on standby quickly moved and went straight to these people while carrying their tools.

The situation quickly became hectic due to this.

…

On the side of the students from the Magic Ace Academy, Cloe led the surviving students along with Arthur, Leonard, and the rest of their class.

A single glance was more than enough to realize that more than half of the students who entered the tomb were missing. This included those seniors who came alongside them.

Old Man Lin quickly headed in their direction when he saw this. He swiftly went straight to his discipline and asked with a grim expression. "What happened."

Cloe tried to regulate her breathing for a moment and relaxed a little. Now that she was around her master, she did not need to be too tense.

Old Man Lin did not rush her as he could see the heavy fatigue from his discipline, who was supposed to have more stamina than others after undergoing intensive training under his supervision.

Moreover, she was supposed to have a special technique that could further increase her limits than others. Along with her solid foundation, her limit should be twice or even thrice as much as other people on the same level.

It was the same for her mental fortitude which was forged thoroughly before coming here.

After catching her breath, Cloe looked around before replying to her master. "Master, we can discuss this later. But please help the others since most of them were in a critical condition."

"I will also report everything that happened inside the tomb in full detail," she paused for a moment as she swept her gaze in the surroundings once again before continuing. "There are still others that decided to continue the exploration just like Big Sister Shiella."

"The other seniors from the elite clubs and student council are also left behind with her as they found something within the tomb. But I can only tell the details once the others can't hear us, Master."

Seeing the serious look from Cloe, Old Man Lin nodded his head while turning to the faculty members of the academy to move all the injured and bring them back to the academy as soon as possible.

"Sir Lin, I think we have to rush to the nearest hospital right now. We don't think that these people infected by some sort of disease will last until we reach the academy," said one of the faculty members attending the injured students.

"Hmm?" Old Man Lin raised his brows when he heard before asking. "Tell me more details."

Another faculty member from the academy, who was also a researcher from the World Researcher Center, answered instead. "These students were infected with 'XZY-01 Virus'. It is something that we have recently discovered."

Old Man Lin fell silent before asking. "What kind of virus is it?"

The researcher quickly responded. "It is not something contiguous through air or normal physical contact, but it could infect others once they are wounded and exploded to it."

"It attacks the energies of an individual and poisons them in the process. There were no clear symptoms at first, but once a person got exposed to it long enough, their internal energies will slowly weaken while their Golden Cores or Niwan Palace will get corrupted."

"This virus also attacks the immune system of a person while also poisoning the blood of an individual. The natural healing ability of a person will gradually drop the longer this virus lingers within their bodies, making it harder for them to recover themselves from any wound."

"In serious cases, the infected will worsen their wounds, just like what is happening to these students. Based on their current state, it is highly likely that they have been infected with the virus for at least two days already."

"It can easily be dispelled through regular cleansing techniques in the early stages. But these kids had been seriously infected, and it is impossible for us to heal them unless with have the vaccines and regular equipment."

The expression on Old Man Lin's face instantly turned grim. "Go! Transfer them now!"

After that, he turned back to Cloe and said. "Little lass, come with me for a second. I have something to tell you."

Cloe did not know why, but her body suddenly tensed up for some unknown reason. She felt that whatever her master was trying to tell her would be something serious, especially with the tone that he had.

She gulped hard as she nervously followed her master.

Similar cases were happening in different group circles. The information about the virus also quickly spread to these organizations and they quickly moved accordingly, rushing to the nearest hospitals while the medics and healing mentalists were doing their best to maintain the 'best' conditions of the infected.

While everyone was in chaos, a group of soldiers approached Arthur, who was trying to recover himself.

Arthur and Leonard, who were resting beside him, quickly noticed the group but they were too tired to stand up and greet them.

Arthur looked at them as the leading soldier reached them a gave him a salute.

For some unknown reason, Arthur had a bad feeling about this. He could not explain it, but he felt something ominous with the appearance of this group.

"Young Master Arthur, can you please come with us for a moment? It is an order from your family," said the soldier, who seemed to have the rank of lieutenant.

Arthur did not immediately reply as intently stared at the soldier for a moment, especially gazing at the badge that the latter hard. It was a special badge that was only limited to the most secretive group within the military force under the Springfield Family.

From his knowledge, there were very limited instances when these units revealed themselves.

Arthur gulped hard as he was unable to open his mouth. He also happened not to like the atmosphere surrounding the group. He was even feeling a little nauseous for some reason.

His blood was also running cold as if his bloodline was trying to tell him something. He was even scared for no reason.

He even instinctively wanted to run, so he tried to refuse. "I still have to report to the academy about our-…"

But before he could even complete his words, the lieutenant quickly added. "Don't worry, young master. The family has already arranged everything."

"They have already informed the academy, so can come with us without worry," he added 'reassuringly'.

Arthur subconsciously clenched his fists. He then closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. When he opened them once again, there was a resolute expression on his face as he nodded his head. "Alright."

He turned to Leonard before saying. "I will be going with them. I leave Cloe and the others to you."

Leonard could also that there was something wrong with the atmosphere, so he nodded. "Don't worry. You can leave it to me."

"Let's go," said Arthur as he stood up and followed the soldiers.

...