1416 Condition
The defensive layers of the so-called divination shop were incredibly tough to break.
Even though Varian used the power of slivers for the job, he wasn't able to create a way out even with the work of seven full days.
The kingdom's intelligence wasn't dumb. So, they already raied the location that Varian last visited. By that line of thought, they should've already discovered the divination shop he was locked in.
The problem, however, was that the moment he tried to break out, the Space Lock formation—the one responsible for preventing teleportation—began subtly teleporting away.
Since he's a space awakener, Varian could vaguely sense that they were going. This suicidal program was taking him straight to a barren region of the kingdom filled with ultra-dangerous blackholes.
Trying to salvage the situation, he used his space-time powers to change the direction of their journey.
On the good side, he managed to get himself away from that dangerous region.
On the bad side, the place he's going towards was a region overseen by Duke Kriad, one of Prince Rudolph's ardent supporters.
That in itself wasn't so bad. Duke Kriad, as long as he didn't donate his brain to lab research, would know that killing or harming Isadora's brother-in-law in any way would be detrimental.
The problem, however, was that this region very close to the Academy's Prime World.
Miss Calamity, who had been only suspicious until the lab incident, must've realized his true identity.
Varian could rest assured against any Duke with the threat of Isadora but against an Empire's genius, rank 9 or not, even Isadora's name wouldn't work.
Worse, this was Miss Calamity.
A woman he didn't know much about but from the little he knew, she's one of the greatest geniuses even in the Empire.
Even if he really got a divine ranking backer, that guy would not be immune from consequences if he touched Miss Calamity.
In short, Varian headed from ultra dangerous blackholes that would absolutely kill him to super dangerous Miss Calamity who might put him to a fate worse than death.
'Screw my luck!'
Varian tried to change the direction of travel again but the damn machine was already leaking out so much aura.
If he pushed a bit harder, it might crack and result in an aura shockwave. And that'd end whatever chances he had of drifting through this region in stealth.
"Logos, you stupid bitch!"
Lying on the ground with his limbs spread, Varian sighed in exhaustion. His face was pale and he looked disheveled despite being locked up for only seven days.
The sheer amount of pressure he endured to use the power of slivers for such a long period was unimaginable.
[…Host, why are you coming at the System now? Take care of your situation first.]
Varian panted heavily, his chest heaving up and down.
"That woman's words about fate really got me. If not for you, I wouldn't have believed something like fate."
[So you're saying it's all the System fault now?]
"That's exactly it!" Varian slammed the ground with a victorious grin.
It's the same grin that introverts would show after winning a debate in their head in their shower.
[Let's assume you're right for a moment. Then what? Think of a way out.]
"I tried everything." Varian raised his hand.
Steams of sliver powers shot out of his fingers and drilled into the walls. They struck something invisible—the space lock formation—and grinded to a halt.
The powers of Order and Chaos were released, exploding all the matter in the room into pure energy and using it as an explosion to break the barrier.
Boom!
Despite the dangerous shockwaves that could've killed rank 6s and even rank 7s, the translucent barrier did not budge.
The power of Order kicked into action again, recreating a sleek white room that's as eerie as it's elegant.
The powers of Life, Soul and Death were even less effective.
Even though Space-Time had were able to affect the room, it couldn't do anything beyond that.
"The formation can only be opened by brute force and that brute force needs to reach at least rank 9. The power of slivers I can use is…limited by my own power. I'd need at least two months to break out of this by myself and that's assuming I worked without stopping." Varian's eyes turned a bit dull and a hint of resignation rang in his voice.
[You're not worried about being locked up. You're worried about what could happen without you.]
"Phew~" Varian exhaled deeply.
Closing his eyes, he tried to tap into the Synergy's link. He did worry about himself but that's only second. His first worry was his family.
"If I can at least tell them to get away and go into hiding…"
Varian put aside thoughts about his own predicament and focused. Due to the nasty formations, even that was very difficult.
But as he kept trying to esablish a line, akin to throwing a rope to a mountain top and hoping it encloses a steady rock, he discovered the vague traces of a line that terminated before reaching him.
It's like stretching your hand out to the fullest. And realizing someone else was doing the same, trying to reach your hand. That both of you were seperated a few centimeters.
'Go!'
Varian's soul power soared and he connected their lines.
[V-Var?]
"Sarah? Are you safe? Is Enigma okay?"
[We're both safe but what about you? What happened?]
"I'm struck in a room that's floating in space." Varian exhaled.
[Send me the coordinates. I'll get there first.]
"Don't." Varian shook his head with a firm expression.
He's still in danger from Miss Calamity. Bringing Sarah here would only implicate her.
[I am getting there whatever you say!]
"I will break out sooner or later. But until then, anything can happen. So, prepare the escape methods, stay in the manor. At the first sign of trouble, use Hortus' connection and Isadora's card treasure and get out of there. I will join you guys later. We'll think about solar system later."
Varian didn't advise them to escape right away. If they did, it might send the wrong signal to the top echelon and might lead to a hunt.
Besides, it's not certain if them escaping right away could be safer than escaping a bit later.
The detterent of Isadora would keep them safe for a while, giving them some time to prepare for a less risky escape.
[…I see.] Her voice sounded low, as if she sensed the gravity of the situation that he wasn't talking about.
Despite Varian's assurance, Sarah started to wonder if he's in danger of his life.
[Just tell me one thing, who is it? Who did this?] There was a powerful murderous intent in her tone.
Even though he wasn't witnessing it in person, Varian could feel the flames of her anger.
Sarah didn't kill indiscrimately nor did she engage in torture of her enemies. But Varian felt that this time, she would do things that would scare even torture specialists.
"It's not anyone from the kingdom. It's the Jai Empire."
[Eshala's subordinate, Zahara Onyx?]
"Yes."
[Got it. No matter how hard it gets, please do your best to survive.] She pleaded in a pitiful tone.
Varian opened his mouth to answer but raised his head and noticed a powerful rank 9 aura locking onto the room.
'The stealth is exposed!'
Gritting his teeth, he ended the call. "I will."
