Chapter: 75. Threat Level 10
“Chairman, this magical fluctuation is—”
The command room of Area 1 of the Artificial Academy Island.
The originally calm and orderly environment is now enveloped in the piercing sound of alarms.
In the center of the main control console, a huge holographic projection hovers, displaying a three-dimensional model of the island.
On the model, a strong red pulse wave spreads from a certain area, almost covering the entire island, with data continuously fluctuating, and warning signals scrolling across the screens like raindrops. The flashing red light on the projection makes everyone’s faces shift between pale and blood red.
“We have detected high concentrations of magical reactions in multiple locations! Dangerous levels are being calculated for each magical reaction—First location, the southwestern edge of Area 6 of the Artificial Academy Island, estimated threat level above 7!”
Operators around the room are frantically tapping on the control panels.
On the screens before them, complex data and formulas are rapidly scrolling, while the Ark Academy’s supercomputers are running the corresponding model calculations.
“Second location, the central area of Area 13 of the Artificial Academy Island, near the old warehouse No. 79, threat level… above 9, 9!”
Operators look at the conclusion from the computation model with disbelief.
Upon hearing this news, the other operators present all turned pale in unison, with even some stumbling to support themselves on nearby chairs.
The “Crown Class” with authority generally has a threat level of around 8.
A threat level of 8 is sufficient to severely damage an entire city and paralyze all its facilities.
A threat level of 9 and above often means the opponent possesses the power to destroy an entire city in an instant.
Extraordinary disasters at level 9 and above are extremely rare.
In the chairman’s mind, the last time they encountered such a high-level extraordinary disaster was in a remote small city named Kawanokamiyama.
It was briefly revived on a new vessel under the planning of the remnants of the End of Days.
In a wave of panic, the chairman still stood tall in the command room, his back straight as always.
His calm demeanor helped the personnel in the room to somewhat calm their emotions.
But from a perspective not visible to others, the chairman’s fingers were pressing tightly against the desk beside him, turning white from the force.
“…Is this also part of your plan?” the chairman murmured, his expression grave as he looked at the three-dimensional model flashing red before him.
“Verify the data of each magical fluctuation and determine if these magical energies are emitted by our people.”
“Y-yes! Chairman!”
Just as the operators rallied and turned back to the control console—
“T-the threat level for the third location has been calculated—” suddenly, another operator shouted in terror.
His voice trembled from fear, making it difficult for everyone present to immediately understand what he was saying.
Until a blinding light and alarm sound replaced his explanation.
The emergency lights, which had just been flashing red on the wall, turned to a constant bright glow at the same moment.
Casting a layer of crimson color over the entire command room.
At the same time, the sharper alarm pierced the air, and a line of prominent text jumped onto the projection—
“Detecting an extraordinary disaster above level 10 is currently occurring. The highest leader present must make a judgment immediately! Repeating, detecting extraordinary disaster above level 10…”
“…..”
The command room, which had just been filled with noise, fell silent in an instant.
Only mechanical warning sounds echoed in this space.
Under everyone’s gaze.
The chairman released his grip on the desk and walked to the center of the main control console.
A threat level 10 extraordinary disaster is also referred to as a “Divine Disaster.”
Although it is only one level higher than a level 9 extraordinary disaster, the threat it represents is completely different in magnitude.
While level 8 and 9 extraordinary disasters can still be dealt with by dispatching one or multiple ACE-level supermen, when it comes to level 10, it is no longer a gap that can be bridged simply by the quantity of supermen.
Only the most elite ACEs are qualified to confront it.
Therefore, whenever a calculation model indicates a level 10 extraordinary disaster, the highest responsible person present must verify its authenticity through human judgment.
If confirmed, this alarm will be simultaneously sent to extraordinary organizations worldwide, and the three major academies or the special areas will dispatch their strongest supermen to handle it.
The few steps felt incredibly long to the chairman.
By the time he reached the main control console, sweat was already forming in beads on his forehead.
On the main control console screen, a glaring red dot was flashing.
It was located at the coastal edge of Area 12 of the Artificial Academy Island.
The data and text rolling beside it were efficiently and timely adjusting all recognizable parameters through complex algorithms.
This magical fluctuation reached the maximum density detectable by the instruments.
At the same time, the authority detection instruments also pointed towards maximum values.
Based on the unique operating manual for such situations, the chairman methodically adjusted various values and considered the possibility of false readings against the final results.
But unless the equipment was malfunctioning, this meant that a fantasy creature with a threat level above 10 had come to the Artificial Academy Island along with its authority.
As the current highest responsible person of the Ark Academy, the chairman should have immediately pressed the red button beside him, and this information would be sent worldwide, prompting the three major academies and special areas to dispatch the most elite ACEs immediately.
But at this moment, the smile of that “man” flashed through his mind.
If he notifies the other organizations now, then his existence will be exposed to the three major academies and special areas, and his plan would immediately fail.
In those brief seconds.
The chairman’s hand paused over the—green button.
The red lights in the command room extinguished, and the atmosphere of the whole space calmed down.
“Device malfunction, it seems to be due to the recent burst of high concentration magical energy causing some damage.”
The chairman turned to announce to those present.
He decided to trust “that man,” the savior who once saved the world.
Trusting that he would, like before, save everyone on the Artificial Academy Island.
—As long as he gets that black box, everything will be resolved.
With this thought in mind, the chairman once again looked at the massive holographic projection floating above the main control console.
Several red dots were flashing in different locations.
Tonight is bound to be an extraordinary night.
—————–
This is a dream.
Kanon realizes this quite clearly.
As the Azure Dragon quietly condenses the power of authority.
Kanon senses a marvelous reaction.
He feels as if he is gradually peering into the mind of the Azure Dragon.
This is a capability he has never seen before.
It takes Kanon a while to realize that this comes from DD’s power.
“Retrospection” not only restores Kanon to the third-person perspective he had at the time but also replicates another ability of DD at the same time.
“That guy even had a backup plan?” Kanon thinks in astonishment, feeling his consciousness slowly drifting away from his body.
“Do you think the battle is truly over? I am waiting to condense the power of authority, and what are you waiting for—”
As the voice of the Azure Dragon echoes.
Kanon already feels his feet touching another piece of land.
Surrounding him, the indistinct mist, combined with the slightly dim scene before him.
Further confirms Kanon’s thoughts.
This is the world of dreams.
Kanon stands in a distinctly representative Japanese garden.
Beneath his feet is beautifully manicured grass.
As Kanon tries to concentrate and observe his surroundings, that layer of vague mist fades away.
In the moonlight, the garden seems draped in a thin veil, appearing particularly serene.
In the center of the garden stands a thriving black pine, its branches curling like a coiling dragon, whispering softly in the night breeze.
Though this is a dream, the information his senses can receive is strikingly detailed and real.
As Kanon slowly walks toward the center of the garden, he can even see moss stones of various sizes adorned around the black pine, arranged in what seems like a random manner yet subtly revealing a sense of rigorous symmetrical beauty.
A winding path paved with small stones runs through, edged with moss.
This wonderful experience makes Kanon feel inexplicably familiar.
There was a time when he felt he had a similar experience.
Just as Kanon tries to recall when he had such a similar experience, a series of footsteps from afar draws his attention.
“Azure Dragon-kun, did you get into a fight with someone again today?”
“…This matter has nothing to do with you, Yako.”
As Kanon turns his head, the sight before him is that of the young Azure Dragon and Yako.
