I created my own system

Chapter 154 Journey to the East

As Alicia held onto the folder, her friends at the back couldn't help but look at it. They too were curious about what announcement it contained.

With their expectant gaze, the girl reluctantly opens the folder taking out the paper with it.

"Good day, students, the two great academies of the empire joined hands to expand the learning of its students. In a seven-day tour, Aster Academy will send its first-year students to experience the wonders of the East. While the Eastern Academy shall provide services and lectures to the guest students.

We hope that by doing this we can enhance the student's learning and relationship with other people"

Alicia said as he read the first part of the announcement though it was enough to make the entire class crazy.

"Wait we are actually having a field trip!"

"We should start packing!'

"Wait let Alicia finish reading the announcement!"

"It has been a while since we travelled, maybe we should take this time to clear our heads from all the stress" Alya happily suggested while already thinking of things they should do.

"Actually this was announced at the event a while ago however your class was the only one who wasn't present so they sent me to give that to you"

Amongst their cheerful planning, Professor Adolfo told them.

"The date of your departure will be after the three-day break the Academy gave. So use your free time with your family and friends, because after this tour you will be plunged into the second quarter of your lessons. So enjoy while you still can"

He finally left however there was one thing the lower class wanted to ask.

Their test for his subject Advancement and Physical training never occurred and now they are unsure of what will happen.

"We will pass his subject right?"

Arabella worriedly asked while their professor's figure slowly disappeared. His lone silhouette cast a shadow through the setting sun making his back a bit melancholy.

"I wonder why he looks a bit kinder than usual"

"Is he dying or something?"

"Don't say that Braiden that is a bad omen!"

"He must be sick"

While they have all sorts of ideas the rest who were silent were focused on the paper on Alicia's hand. Listed on the said paper are the activities and lessons they will have to take once they arrive at the Eastern Academy.

"We should make a plan before our departure but for now let's fix the camp" Agnes said while taking Niko and the rest back to the kitchen.

Some of the boys decide to head towards the stock room instead of the kitchen, while Alicia and Apollo remain where they are still looking at the piece of paper in her hand.

"It's included in here" the black hair girl began to say which made the boy beside her speak.

"Yes, that place is in the perimeter of the World Tree"

"They are deliberately trying to get us closer to it"

"Yeah"

"So tell me Apollo what's the connection between you and the World tree?"

"What?"

The boy was suddenly taken aback by her question making him unable to answer immediately.

"I know the situation is dire with the Word tree dying but it is not to the point it needs for you to be involved, from the information I got from the emperor the Mage association and the Mage tower will handle this case. You don't really need to include yourself in it, unless..."

Her ruby-like eyes pins on the boy beside her making the latter nervous.

"Something is forcing you to get involved, go on say it I might be able to help you"

Her calm and unbothered expression made the situation worse since Apollo looked pressured.

"To tell you the truth I really am not sure"

"Then tell me whatever you are sure of or anything you know, and I'll listen"

"Well the thing is the World tree is dying"

"I know and?"

"It needs a sacrifice to be saved...."

Instead of continuing Apollo stopped for a minute looking deeply into those crimson-red eyes. For a moment he began to think about what expression she could have if she found out he was chosen as a sacrifice.

"What about the sacrifice?" seeing his silence Alicia began to ask.

"The sacrifice... I think they want me to become the sacrifice"

Apollo waited for her reaction, and slowly her calm and neutral expression began to change. There was a sudden expression of disbelief, then became concerned, and from that, it turned into anger until it resulted in her usual nonchalant expression.

The boy with her was surprised due to the emotions and expressions she had just shown in a matter of seconds.

"You okay?" he can't but asked which the girl immediately replies.

"I am but it seems you are in danger, Apollo"

"Will they hunt me down or something, I don't know if I will be forced to submit to them"

"It's not really like that, the kingdoms from the east will cherish you but the forces who plan the death of the world tree won't. I am certain they will target you just like what they did from the past sacrificial candidates"

"Wait so I wasn't the first one?"

"Yes, the problem was already escalating for three years so they already thought of a solution, however with a mysterious organization appearing and the Monastery making its move, the empire's forces were divided making the problem unsolved.

It turned even worst when hundreds of breakout incidents happen almost every week, and to include the incident in Evaristo which cripple the workforce of the entire continent"

"All those things resulted in the World tree to look like this"

She handed a small photograph to Apollo which the boy took.

Since his time inside the tower, he had already seen the five images of the five World trees and knew exactly what they looked like.

"What the"

Apollo felt weakened for a moment when he saw the glorious sacred tree weakened and had barely any leaves.

"This is not good" he can only say.

The state of the tree decides the fate of the empire's mages and the life of all the magical beasts. They are after all relying on mana to strengthen themselves. Of course, people can produce them but the ones that come from nature not only provide strength but also nutrition to the body. Which even plants and other life forms relied on to continue living.

Just the thought of mana decreasing already puts the supply of food and environment in danger. The balance will be broken and the ecosystem will experience a massive shift.

"The World tree handles and filters the mana of every living and dead being, without it the cycle will be disrupted and the souls of the deceased will also be affected. Spirits will disappear and the uncontrolled energy will run havoc with no place to flow in"

The boy said while clenching the photo. Seeing his state Alicia spoke again.

"Do you have any idea what method they thought in order to save the tree?"

"No" he only said suddenly becoming expectant but before she could even speak a familiar sound of footsteps came in.

"It seems your conversation is getting a bit longer"

Alger said as he came out of a pillar.

"We still have three days, let's not think of problems when your friends are still out there trying to relieve their trauma. Come now young ones we don't want this night to be wasted by some problems"

Apollo wanted to say something knowing the importance of the said tree however seeing his grandfather's expression he decided not to.

"Kids are meant to play and not worry about adult problems"

The old mages stated while walking beside the two. Then as they arrived at the open field at the back of the dormitory, the three were welcomed with twenty grown adults lying flat on the ground.

"What's going on?" Apollo can't help but ask.

"They look tired?"

Alicia noticed so they decided to walk closer.

"Hey stand up we still need to set up two more tents"

Marisa a senior mage groaned while pulling herself up.

"Are you guys tired already?"

Blair asked while Keith went to fetch some water.

"Sorry but physical stuff is not our forte" Gavin said while taking the drink from Keith.

"But you guys barely made a tent stand?"

"Forget about it boy, Let's just get some bedding from your rooms and we will set up an anti-insect spell here to remove the mosquitoes" Arthur suggested.

Seeing their tired expression they all agreed and took their camping beds.

Apollo can't help but shake his head, mages are after all weak in terms of physical activity. They might lack in that aspect but make them do some absurd calculations and they can do it for an entire day.

"I am only good at hand-to-hand combat because of my system without it I might be in a similar situation as them"