FALLEN ORACLE

**Chapter 5: Meeting the Headmaster Again (5)**

As Linda's footsteps faded into the distance, Chen Yi was left alone in the vast B4 space. After making another thorough check, he carefully transformed into Lynde and walked down the walkway.He examined the surroundings and, sure enough, found a modest door in the spot Linda had unconsciously glanced at.Chen Yi pushed the door open and saw the familiar spiral staircase again.Descending the steps, he noticed that this B5 seemed darker. As he moved further away from B4, the stairwell grew dimmer, as if passing from daytime into night.The stairs soon ended. Unlike the previous floors, what appeared before Chen Yi was an ornate, carved double door.The style of this door seemed somewhat out of place in a government facility that prided itself on simplicity and efficiency.Chen Yi pushed the door open and entered a wide but dimly lit corridor where a guard and a mage were standing."Chief Lynde." The two gave Chen Yi a crisp military salute."Hmm..." Chen Yi nodded slightly and walked forward slowly, trying to project the air he imagined a "Chief" should have.On this seemingly secret B5, as expected, there was another magic mirror. Without a word, Chen Yi stepped in front of it as a matter of routine.The mage beside him activated the mirror, and its blue light shone unpleasantly on Chen Yi.He could sense that the psionic detection magic embedded in this mirror was far stronger than the similar artefacts at the entrance to Redblade Avenue and the Lower Realm Management Office. Obviously, B5 contained secrets that the federal government did not want outsiders to know.Though the magic engraved in the mirror was powerful, it was not enough to see through Chen Yi's disguise. As the blue light faded, he was granted entry.Ten metres directly opposite the detection point was a tall, closed double door, matching the style of the one at the floor entrance – elegant and tasteful.Looking up, Chen Yi saw three large characters: **Auction Hall**.This secret B5 of the Suss Federation government was hiding nothing more than an auction hall?He tried not to let too much surprise show on his face, strolling around the hall as if deep in thought.Apparently, no auction was taking place at this hour, so B5 was very quiet and empty, with only Chen Yi and the two vigilant guards.Soon, Chen Yi noticed a modest display board on the right side of the auction hall, apparently used to announce details of the next auction.Most of the board was taken up by a magical portrait of an elderly man. Seeing it, Chen Yi was deeply shocked.The magical portrait showed a kindly old man whose eyes behind his gold‑rimmed monocle looked deep and wise, his silver‑white beard making him appear approachable.The bold line of text below the portrait confirmed what Chen Yi could scarcely believe even with his own eyes – **Morin Lance, the Strongest Mage of the Lower Realm**.The protagonist of this private auction, held in the most hidden part of the Lower Realm Management Office, was Headmaster Morin?Why was the headmaster at an auction?Was he the consignor or a bidder?Or was he being coerced by the federal government, forced to preside over the auction?How had he been living in the upper realm these days, and why was he appearing at an auction organised by the Lower Realm Management Office?Had he learned the truth about Divine Communion and the relationship between the two realms?If he could make contact with the headmaster now, would it mean that he no longer had to fight alone?Should he try to attend the next auction and find a way to get in touch with the headmaster?A torrent of questions exploded in Chen Yi's mind.Ever since he had gradually come to understand the upper realm, Chen Yi had made some guesses about the fate of the "ascendants," including the headmaster.It was easy to imagine that, since the Celestial Race could not draw mana from the environment, they would bring Fallen Race mages of considerable power to the upper realm to help them extract mana from the air for their own use.That, Chen Yi suspected, was the true meaning of "ascension" for the people of the upper realm.Of course, given the disparity in status and power between the two sides, this process of "help" was probably not voluntary.Though the ascendants – including the headmaster – were revered in the lower realm, they likely became cheap "magical labour" in the upper realm.*"But if the headmaster can be the star of such an auction, perhaps he is not doing too badly here,"* Chen Yi thought.He continued reading the display board to determine the headmaster's role in this auction.Soon, in the upper‑left corner of the large characters "Morin Lance," he found a line of text, not too large and not too small, indicating the headmaster's status in the auction –**"Grand Finale Lot:"**Suddenly, Chen Yi felt dizzy. His blood churned; he almost fainted. But in front of the two guards, he forced himself to control his unsteady body and continue reading:**"Grand Finale Lot: a mana core refined from Morin Lance, the Strongest Mage of the Lower Realm."****"Morin Lance was the headmaster of Rongqi Academy, the most authoritative magical academy in the lower realm. He had mastered many Wondrous‑rank spells, including Thunderstrike. Starting to study magic at fifteen, he became the universally acknowledged strongest mage of the continent of Alpha around the age of fifty. Morin demonstrated unparalleled magical power among the Fallen Race."****"For over forty years, this diligent magic researcher devoted himself to advancing his studies and deepening his understanding of the essence of magic. He accompanied my family through long years."****"After I asked Mr. Rich to secretly bury a female Blade Beetle on the campus of Rongqi Academy, Morin Lance almost single‑handedly repelled tens of thousands of Blade Beetles and their Behemoth variants. This shows that his power and mana control are second to none among the Fallen Race."****"Thus, after refining his body, we obtained, as expected, a top‑grade mana core. It not only stores the immense mana he accumulated over nearly a hundred years of life, but also has very high conversion efficiency. Due to temporary financial difficulties within the family, I reluctantly consign this core to the Lower Realm Management Office for auction, with a starting price of 500,000 silver coins."****"The gentleman or lady who successfully bids for this core will also receive, as a complimentary gift from me, Radik's Magic Necklace. Radik was another outstanding Fallen Race mage who came to the upper realm fifty years ago and was made into a psionic magic necklace."****"Though after fifty years of use the necklace now contains little mana, I recently discovered that it has a wonderful resonance with Morin's core, enhancing each other's mana output. After some research, I suspect this may be because they were close friends in the lower realm."****"Respectable ladies and gentlemen, bring out your silver coins and attend this auction, and witness their friendship together!"** **– Consignor: Thomas Kaeln**