Oripathy is the primary cause of Catastrophes.
Essentially, the outbreak of Catastrophes is caused by high-density Oripathy crystal micro-dust in the environment.
And high-density Oripathy crystals will gather nearby Oripathy dust, increasing the density of Oripathy in the vicinity.
The appearance of obsidian disrupted this pattern, and the Catastrophes stopped.
But this is only temporary; Catastrophes will still occur when the Oripathy density reaches a certain level.
“We must hurry,” Ivan said.
…Ivan turned around and took a deep breath.
He returned to Zima and Rosa.
They had been somewhat bewildered by his sudden Get up, but now they sat down again.
“How was the discussion?” Ivan asked, trying to keep his voice calm.
Zima and Rosa exchanged glances, seemingly reaching a consensus in the brief silence.
Zima spoke, concise and to the point: “Our answer is: yes.” She accepted the plan to evacuate tomorrow.
But then, Rosa looked up, her azure eyes filled with deeper concern.
She softly raised the most crucial question: “But what happens after the evacuation?
Where do we…
go?
Rhodes Island?” This was not just about leaving this school; it was a choice concerning everyone’s future.
Ivan looked at them.
“That depends on yourselves.
You can go back to your families, or you can choose to stay at Rhodes Island.” Let’s go.
For today, everyone should rest well and conserve their strength.
Tomorrow morning, we depart on time.
Returning to the classroom temporarily used as a base, Ivan clearly informed everyone of the preliminary evacuation plan for tomorrow.
Surprisingly, this time, the anticipated strong opposition and doubts did not appear.
Perhaps the act of distributing food earlier had earned some trust, or perhaps people in despair were more willing to grasp at any possible straw.
Civilians and nobles alike listened silently, occasionally exchanging glances, and ultimately acquiesced to the decision.
After finishing his instructions, Ivan turned around and, from that magical pocket, pulled out two rosy apples, unceremoniously stuffing them directly into Zima and Rosa’s hands.
“You two definitely haven’t eaten yet, have you?” His tone brooked no refusal.
“Eat quickly, then get some rest.
You’ll need your strength tomorrow.” Next, Ivan took out all the remaining apples and piled them on a relatively intact desk in the center of the classroom.
Soon, a few more students hesitantly and cautiously came forward, each took a few, and after a quiet thank you, silently retreated.
“Ugh…
I can’t anymore, Rada is full…
even though I only ate a few…” Truth also pushed up her glasses, analyzing rationally.
Her tone carried the same confusion: “Me too.
My intake is far below daily requirements, yet my hunger has completely disappeared.” A long-lost, almost luxurious atmosphere of peace permeated the classroom.
“Do any of you want more to eat?” Ivan looked around.
Everyone shook their heads, indicating they were already full.
“It’s just so strange…” Someone whispered, “It’s just an ordinary apple…
why is it more filling than all the food we’ve eaten before?” …Night completely fell, and the exhausted students huddled in corners, one by one falling into a deep sleep.
Their breathing gradually became even.
Just as Ivan was about to close his eyes and immerse his consciousness into the block world, an extremely faint rustling sound reached his ears.
Ivan squinted, and by the faint light from outside the window, saw a figure silently stand up.
Carefully, she bypassed the sleeping crowd, pushed open the door, and walked out.
Ivan slowly stood up and followed her like a shadow.
Ivan saw her at the end of the corridor.
The girl had her back to him, standing in front of a broken glass window, the cold moonlight outlining her slender figure.
In her hand, she tightly clutched a gleaming paper cutter, its tip trembling slightly.
Hearing the subtle footsteps behind her, Rosa shivered violently like a startled deer, hastily stuffing the paper cutter into her coat pocket.
She turned around, a perfect smile quickly forming on her face, though the smile appeared exceptionally pale in the moonlight.
“Mr.
Ivan?
Aren’t you resting yet?” “Aren’t you awake either?” Ivan slowly walked over, his tone calm.
The moment he got close, Ivan’s movements were almost too fast to see.
Rosa only felt a slight lightness in her pocket, and the cold paper cutter was already in Ivan’s hand.
Rosa merely watched him with a smile, a smile as fragile as a layer of glass about to shatter.
“What are you doing?
Give it, give it back to me.” Her voice held a hint of imperceptible plea.
Ivan sighed, his fingertips tracing the cold blade.
“Death solves nothing, Miss Natalia.” Ivan’s voice was low and clear, “Instead of dying alone meaninglessly, it’s better to live and try to do something to help others who are also struggling.
Perhaps, joining Rhodes Island would be a good choice?” In Rosa’s eyes, a fleeting, extremely faint glimmer of light, like a momentary spark, flashed at these words.
But then it quickly dimmed again, enveloped by deeper confusion.
“…I’ll consider it,” she replied softly, avoiding Ivan’s gaze.
“Get some good rest,” Ivan said, putting away the paper cutter, “I’ll confiscate this for now.” Rosa nodded and silently turned to walk back into the classroom.
Just before pushing the door open to enter, she suddenly stopped, turned back, and looked deeply at Ivan, her expression complex and difficult to decipher.
Watching her disappearing back, Ivan leaned against the cold wall.
Indeed, spiritual wounds are the hardest to heal.
Ivan thought silently.
While it might not be possible to heal past scars, at least…
we can create a new future.
“This time, I’m here,” he muttered softly to the silent corridor, as if making a vow, “No matter who it is, I hope…
you all can have a perfect ending this time.” After standing quietly for a while, letting the night wind blow away the heaviness in his heart, Ivan also returned to the classroom.
Ivan found an empty corner and sat down against the wall.
Closing his eyes, his consciousness once again detached, sinking into that world made of countless blocks.
“This time,” Ivan’s thought was the last before entering.
“I really need to grind hard.”