"Before one may command the mountain, one must first learn to hear its silence."— The Law of Earth
The Royal Academy had finally settled into its rhythm.
Morning classes.
Combat training.
Mana control.
Library studies.
Dungeon expeditions.
For most students...
Life had become predictable.
For Alen Beta...
It had become stranger every day.
Three weeks had passed since the Earth Trial.
Alen continued training with Professor Seraphine every morning.
His swordsmanship improved steadily.
Not quickly.
Not dramatically.
Simply...
One step at a time.
Exactly the way he liked it.
One afternoon...
Professor Rowan entered the classroom carrying an old map.
"The Midterm Expedition is approaching."
The room immediately became excited.
"Your destination..."
He unrolled the map.
"...Mount Vardis."
The classroom fell silent.
Even Darius looked serious.
Lyria raised her hand.
"Professor..."
"Isn't Mount Vardis forbidden?"
Rowan nodded.
"It is."
"Normally."
He pointed toward a valley at the mountain's base.
"The Academy has permission to study the outer region."
"You will not climb the mountain."
"You will not enter the ancient ruins."
"And under no circumstances..."
His voice hardened.
"...will anyone separate from their assigned group."
That evening...
Alen couldn't stop thinking about the map.
Mount Vardis.
The oldest mountain in Namidia.
The mountain that had appeared in nearly every dream since he arrived.
He quietly unfolded the map in his dorm room.
The System appeared.
[Location Identified.]
Earth Law Resonance Increased.
Current Resonance: 0.21%
Recommendation: Visit.
"...You don't usually make recommendations."
The System remained silent.
The next morning...
Group Seven prepared for the expedition.
Lyria checked their supplies.
"Food?"
"Packed."
"Water?"
"Packed."
"Emergency crystals?"
"Packed."
Darius adjusted his sword.
"I'm ready."
Alen looked toward the distant mountains.
"...So am I."
The Academy caravans departed shortly after sunrise.
Nearly two hundred students traveled under heavy guard.
The journey took most of the day.
As the sun began to set...
Mount Vardis finally came into view.
Alen stopped walking.
His breath caught.
It wasn't simply a mountain.
It was enormous.
Its peak disappeared above the clouds.
Entire forests covered its slopes.
Waterfalls poured from impossible heights.
Even from miles away...
He could feel it.
The mountain was...
Watching him.
The Earth Heart Fragment hanging around his neck began glowing.
Softly.
Warmly.
Only Alen noticed.
The System appeared.
[Earth Law Resonance: 0.25%]
Unknown Signal Detected.
That night...
The students camped in the valley.
Campfires dotted the hillside.
Laughter echoed through the tents.
But Alen couldn't sleep.
The mountain called to him.
Not with words.
With silence.
He quietly left the camp.
Only intending to walk a short distance.
The further he walked...
The quieter the world became.
The wind stopped.
The insects fell silent.
Even the trees stood perfectly still.
Then...
He found it.
A single stone archway hidden beneath vines.
Ancient.
Covered in moss.
At its center...
A weathered inscription.
To everyone else...
It would have looked like meaningless symbols.
To Alen...
It read perfectly.
"Only those who seek understanding may enter."
His heart raced.
"...This language..."
The System spoke.
[Translation Confirmed.]
Before Alen could step closer...
A voice echoed behind him.
"So..."
"You can read it."
Alen spun around.
Standing several feet away...
The old gardener smiled gently.
Only...
He no longer carried his broom.
Instead...
He wore robes woven from living stone.
His eyes glowed amber.
The air itself seemed heavier around him.
"You..."
Alen whispered.
"...Who are you?"
The old man bowed slightly.
"My name..."
"...has long since been forgotten."
"But once..."
"...I was known as the First Earth Sage."
Alen stood frozen.
"The First..."
"...Earth Sage?"
The old man nodded.
"I have been waiting..."
"...for a very long time."
He looked toward the ancient doorway.
"Not for someone powerful."
"Not for a king."
"Not for a hero."
He smiled warmly.
"I was waiting for someone who would stop..."
"...and read the sign."
The Earth Heart Fragment shone brighter.
The mountain rumbled.
Not violently.
Almost...
Contentedly.
The old sage looked at Alen.
"The Earth has accepted your heart."
"But it has not yet accepted your soul."
He pointed toward the ancient doorway.
"When you are ready..."
"...the First Sanctuary will open."
Then...
He slowly faded into drifting grains of light.
The breeze returned.
The forest awakened.
The mountain became silent once more.
Alen stood alone beneath the stars.
His hand rested against the ancient stone.
The inscription glowed softly.
For just a heartbeat...
A second line appeared beneath the first.
"Understanding is the first key."
The light vanished.
Alen smiled.
"...I think..."
"...I'm finally beginning to understand."
Far above...
The three moons illuminated Mount Vardis.
Deep within the mountain...
A colossal stone gate trembled.
Its ancient locks loosened ever so slightly.
One of twelve seals had begun to weaken.
The World Law Host had taken his twentieth step.
And the true journey...
Was only beginning.
End of Chapter 20