Danmachi - Infinite Mana System! - Chapter 172 - Altena 11.

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

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"Well, it's quite different from the old city in the abandoned world we visited..." Lucius said calmly, observing the structure before him. They were at the lowest point in the city center, where a core sustained a large part of Altena's society.

"How does the energy replenishment work?" Lucius asked the director, who was accompanying him by his side.

"Well, we purchase crystals directly from Orario and reinforce them in our core. The core absorbs all the energy from the crystals, transforming them into mere empty stones," the director explained.

"Unlike the abandoned world, where there was only one pure crystal directly from the dungeon, here we use thousands of them to achieve an equal or even greater potential. As the guild of Orario’s largest buyers, we use these crystals to power the entire city. They energize all items and artifacts, for without an energy base, nothing would work. When the energy runs out, we replenish the city core and other reactors. Of course, there isn’t just this main core; there are many generators spread across other towers throughout the city. However, this is the primary one, filling the central area."

"Well, that's interesting," Lucius said, analyzing it attentively. He knew he would need to implement something similar in his magic tower in Orario. Determined to learn more, he began studying the workings of the core as part of a request from Altena’s goddess. After discussing his plans for the future and his magical tower project in Orario, he left the goddess visibly stunned, prompting her to demand more explanation.

"Impressive, isn’t it, master?" Victoria, who was also present with Lucius and the director at the site, asked while Lucius ignored her, focusing on analyzing the place.

Lucius was satisfied as he observed the entire site, studying its structure. Using his mana zone ability, he examined the energy matrix to understand how it functioned. With ease, he could see how the energy flowed.

"Well, I think that’s enough," he said, interrupting his analysis. There was no reason to stay any longer. He had spent about an hour examining the location and now made his way to the surface with the two women by his side.

"Master, the goddess of Altena has granted me permission to accompany you during your journey," said the girl beside him.

Lucius looked at her, surprised, before asking, "Did you even consider that I might not plan to take you as my apprentice?" He couldn't help but question her persistence.

"That’s something I didn’t consider," she replied. "But I won’t let you leave Altena until you accept me as your student," she said stubbornly.

"You really don’t know when to give up, do you?" Lucius said, his tone tired.

"I won’t give up until you take me along. I’ve already spoken with my family and obtained the goddess’s permission. I’m ready to travel with you to Altena and then to Orario. I’ll be the best apprentice you could ever choose," she declared.

Lucius looked to his right, directly at the director, who merely shrugged, clearly unwilling to get involved in the discussion.

"Even if I wanted you as an apprentice, you’re not coming with us. This is the last leg of this journey. I’m heading to Orario, but I still need to visit some regions up north," Lucius said calmly.

"Great, then I’ll head to Orario and wait for you there," she replied determinedly.

"Why do I even try to argue?" he sighed. "Do whatever you want," he concluded, resigned.

They left the core. "Well, I’ll head back to my apartment tonight. Tomorrow we’ll be leaving," Lucius said as they wrapped up.

"I’ll be ready," the girl responded.

The director, who had been watching the scene, concluded, "Very well. I’ll inform the goddess about this."

Lucius simply nodded before continuing on his way.

"You’re back." Riveria, waiting for him in bed, commented as she saw him enter. She placed her book aside, on the nightstand, as Lucius began removing his cloak.

"Well, I think we’re about to leave Altena tomorrow. Are you ready?" he said, heading to the bathroom to take a shower. Though he could use a high-level cleaning spell, he couldn’t resist the pleasure of a good shower.

"Of course, we've already been here for an entire month..." she replied.

After returning to the bed where Riveria was waiting for him, she asked, "Did you enjoy your stay in the city?"

"I don't have much to complain about," he replied.

She looked at him for a moment before suggesting, "How about we celebrate a little, since this will be our last night here?" She said this while rising from the bed and leaning over him.

"You want to have sex on top of two towers again?" he asked, recalling some of the adventures they'd had as a couple.

"Why not? I love the night wind," she replied with a smile.

Lucius couldn't help but smile as he held her, and in an instant, the two disappeared, reappearing atop the highest tower, with a spectacular view of the entire city.

"Well, how about we do this a little differently?" Lucius suggested with a mischievous smile as he began to float with Riveria in his arms.

"In the sky, Lucius?" she murmured, a bit surprised, before he gave her a grin.

"Why not? No one will see us up here," he teased.

As the two hovered high above, sharing this intimate moment, Athena watched them from the main tower. Her eyes sparkled as she sensed Lucius's presence, his magical aura so strong it appeared like a beacon in the sky. Though she clearly didn’t want to witness such an intimate scene, she couldn’t look away.

"Those two, doing something like this in the sky above my city... how respectful!" she murmured with some dissatisfaction.

But she couldn’t help recalling how Lucius and Riveria acted together, always close, clearly sharing mutual feelings. "So, this is what it means to love someone?" Athena murmured to herself.

It was a strange thought for her. After all, she had never been open to such feelings and had always disdained men and love.

"Why am I thinking about these things?" she murmured again, feeling something unfamiliar and unsettling. She then turned away and left them in peace, while the sound of the wind drowned out Riveria’s moans.

The next day, Lucius was leaving the main tower with Riveria by his side. The place was bustling with people. Given Lucius's fame in the city, many had come either to see him, attempt to catch his attention, or simply to bid farewell to the most powerful mage in the world.

"Well, it seems we're finally leaving your city, Goddess Athena," Lucius said as he approached the group.

"Yes. You've done a great service to this world with the discoveries you've made in the abandoned world. I hope we can resolve this together in the future when we hold a meeting with the gods," Athena replied. "As soon as I find more evidence and research further into the dungeon's manifestation, I’ll be able to share my conclusions with everyone," she added.

"All right. I'm sure we'll meet again in the future, then," Lucius said. Though he wanted to uncover many details, he decided not to press Athena now. There were no clear records of the dungeon's origins, but Lucius was certain the gods knew more than they let on. Still, he decided to save his suspicions for another time, aware that he wasn’t yet in a position to confront her.

"Well, I suppose you're also taking Victoria as your apprentice?" she asked.

Lucius's gaze shifted to the red-haired girl carrying bags full of luggage. He raised an eyebrow. He said nothing at first but finally replied.

"If she really wants to insist, then so be it. Come to Orario in a few months, not now. Perhaps I'll find something she can help me with. In any case, can I expect your investment?" he asked, turning back to the goddess.

"Of course. Your magical tower project to create teleportation portals is truly incredible. No one in the world has come close to something like this, and I wouldn't believe it if you hadn’t shown me your theory. The knowledge you’ve gained from the ancient ruins is an invaluable gift. That's why we'll be investing 4,000,000 valis into your project," she said with conviction.

Lucius couldn't have been more satisfied with this. That amount would cover the entire investment from Hephaestus, and Loki had already promised her part. Though Freya had also shown interest in investing, he hadn’t negotiated anything with her yet.

"There’s one more thing," Athena said, changing her tone to something more serious. "There’s a certain group of elves trying to enter the city, but we’ve barred them. They’re certainly looking for you, Riveria," she informed, looking directly at the elf beside Lucius.

Lucius exchanged a glance with Riveria before thanking her. "All right. Thank you for letting me know."

"And you all... Well, we’re leaving. It’s been good training, and I hope you grow stronger because of it..." he said, addressing the members of the familia, who waved goodbye.

"Lord Lucius, thank you for everything! Although... could you go a little easier on us?" one of the members of Athena’s familia murmured.

Lucius smiled but replied, "Stop being lazy. You need to become strong if you want to protect this place. Keep up with the training, and I’m sure you’ll grow much stronger."

The members nodded, slightly motivated by his words.

"Let’s go, Riveria," he said, pulling her closer. Without another word, Lucius shot into the sky, soaring between the towers. Everyone in the city below raised their heads to watch him disappear into the horizon.

"He’s certainly more than he seems. To think a human can do all this..." the director and commander of the familia murmured as she watched.

"That’s true... Maybe next time, I’ll learn more about his secrets," Athena said quietly, her eyes fixed on where Lucius had disappeared.

Lucius and Riveria moved swiftly out of the city.

"What are we going to do, Lucius?" Riveria asked, concerned. She clearly wasn’t sure how he would handle the elves.

"Isn’t it obvious? If they’re looking for us, we’ll greet them and see what they want. Since it was your father who sent them, it’s better not to ignore this," he replied calmly. "That elf was such a gossip, not to mention snobby..." he murmured, recalling the elf who had seen them together as soon as they left Orario.

"Do you think you can hide much about this relationship we have? In every city we pass through, everyone sees us together," Riveria said.

"Even so, you didn’t even try to hide it," Lucius countered.

"You know I’d never hide it," she said finally. Lucius nodded, satisfied.

As they flew, they spotted a small group near the city gates. Lucius wasted no time and shot toward the group at full speed. The elves looked up, surprised to see someone flying so quickly toward them.