Endless Journey: Infinite Realms

Chapter 498 Interlude: Asteria“s typical day as a student part 15

[[[The almost torturous trip for Kuro’s class continued as the ship plowed on, showing the students and Kuro more and more reviling imagery that were enough to make their stomachs turn.]]]

[[[They were only able to heave a sigh of relief when they reached the first leg for their field trip.]]]

[[[A massive turtle shell the size of several galaxies lay in front of them, with the upper, curved portion of the shell facing their direction. Numerous holes the size of planets peppered this turtle shell, with these holes showing signs of intense activity.]]]

[[[Every now and often, countless Abyss Monsters enter and exit through these holes, with their movements stirring the already rich Abyss Energy surrounding the turtle shell. These monsters, which were the epitome of nightmares, all had expressions of ecstasy on their faces after they exited the turtle shell. It was as if they experienced extremely blissful things inside the turtle shell, a notion that made Kuro shiver.]]]

[[[This turtle shell seemed to also pulse as time passed by, with each pulse spawning and giving birth to countless monstrosities. These newly-born creatures occasionally end up as snack for some wandering Abyss Monsters, but some were lucky to grow fast and escape certain death.]]]

[Everyone in the class]: ....

[[[In face of this humungous structure, everyone in the class were able to forget the nauseating things that they witnessed earlier. After all, this turtle shell was the closest thing to an orderly object here in the Abyss Realm, something which had been missing since the class started their field trip. But of course, the shell was still able to make them feel sick, although it was to the point that they can still bear it.]]]

[[[Once Kuro had seen that her class has calmed down, she looked at her students as she decided to start the ’entertainment’ section of their trip.]]]

[Kuro]; Okay everyone, we have arrived on the first leg of our trip. W-welcome to the Imperial Abyss Palace, where we will-

[Celeste]: Teacher! This is the Imperial Abyss Palace? But this place doesn’t even look like one!

[[[Doubt could be seen on Celeste’s face as she stared at the turtle shell with trepidation, something that the whole class seemed to share. For them to act like this was just natural, as there was nothing special or even ’Imperial’ about the turtle shell in front of them]]]

[[[In fact, this turtle shell looked more like a fossil of a dead being that was just used here in the Abyss Realm as a makeshift structure. There was really noting special about it, save for the fact that many Abyss Monsters seems to benefit from what was inside it.]]]

[[[Even Kuro seemed to share the same sentiment too, although she did not allow herself to be swayed by what her students were saying.]]]

[Kuro]: I know what you are talking about Celeste. You don’t need to point it out to me. This is really the Imperial Abyss Place, whether you like it or not.

[Celeste]: But-

[Kuro]: We’re about to enter this place, and you don’t want to go in? Does that mean that you want to be left here on the outside than to enter with us? Hmph, if that’s what you want, then feel free to loiter here!

[[[After Kuro said these words, she pointed her tiny finger at the transparent windows behind the spaceship, which are all displaying the disorder that had littered the empty space on the Abyss Realm. Seeing this disorder was enough to make Celeste sick again, a phenomenon which Kuro had been banking on to happen.]]]

[Celeste]: Huhuhu teacher! P-please don’t leave me here! I-I don’t want to see those fractal shapes for any longer! Huhuhu, I won’t complain anymore teacher! Just, just please don’t leave me here!"

[Kuro]: Good. That’s what I want to hear from you, Celeste. And I am also saying these to the other students. If you don’t want to enter the Imperial Abyss Palace, then you’re all free to stay here!

[Everyone in the class]: !!!

[Kuro]: So, who wants to be-

[Everyone in the class]: Teacher! We’re all okay going in with you!

[Kuro]: Hehe, good, good, good. That’s what I want to hear from all of you! Now then, zip up and-

[[[Kuro was about to start her classic tirade of instructions for her students, but before she could even start, someone from her students began talking loudly, an action which obviously interrupted Kuro.]]]

[Asteria]: I understand your plight, Celeste. But don’t think that this shell is useless. Even if it looks like that, that shell is an important treasure! After all, that is the shell of a Realm Turtle! You cannot easily find this anywhere else!

[Kuro]: Oi Asteria, what are you-

[Asteria]: An alive Realm Turtle is strong, especially when it supports a Realm on its body. But once its dead, all of its body parts can be used as a treasure, and that includes its shell. Hmm, from what I know, the shell can be used to create a pocket space inside it, and the size of this space will depend on the size of the shell itself...

[Kuro]: Oi!

[Asteria]: On the other hand, the soft tissues of the dead Realm Turtle are said to be usable as food, although from what I remember, the Scavengers will quickly consume those before anyone else can benefit it. They will only leave the shell, which will be fought upon by other people...

[Kuro]: Asteria, if you don’t stop talking, I will-

[Asteria]: The Abyss Realm is lucky to get one shell, which they had been treasuring ever since. After all, Realm Turtles are rare, and even dead ones are rarer! Hehehe, from what I heard, someone from the Monarchs wanted to buy this shell, but the Abyss rejected him! Hehehe, in my opinion, those old fogeys must have-

[Kuro]: Asteria, there’s no need for you to flaunt your knowledge here. We already know that you had been here, so why don’t you just zip your mouth and let us ’enjoy’ this trip?

[Asteria]: Okay, I’ll be quiet now, teacher... But are you really sure that you’ll enjoy this trip? We’re just barely starting the field trip, and almost all of you are already sick. What do you think will happen once you see what’s inside this shell? Do you think my classmates can handle it?

[Celeste]: W-what do you mean by that Asteria? Mu... you’re scaring me with that words!

[Kibou]: KI! KI ki kiki!

[Kuro]: Asteria, just don’t. Don’t talk anymore. Just let your classmates... see this.

[Asteria]: Are you sure about that teacher? What if they get traumatized by what they see inside the Imperial Abyss Palace? Will you take any responsibility for that?

[Kuro]: Of course I will, Asteria. But you should not worry about them.

[Asteria]: Hah? Are you really sure about that? You haven’t even teste-

[Kuro]: Asteria, have you seen what’s inside the IMperila Abyss Palace?

[Asteria]: Um, yes I did. Wait, why are you asking tha-

[Kuro]: How did you fare once you saw that? Were you able to recover?

[Asteria]: Of course I did! Can’t you see me acting normally now?

[Kuro]: There, that’s my assurance for your classmates! With you as the example, I’m already confident about their chances!

[Asteria]: What?

[Kuro]: If you, someone whose mind is that of an immature kid, can recover from the trauma of seeing the inside of the Imperial Abyss Palace, then your more mature classmates can recover too! Sure, maybe it’s your immaturity that saved you from the trauma... but even with that, I still trust your classmates. After all, you’re all my students! Something like entering the Imperial Abyss Palace is not enough to break you all! If you did indeed break, then that means that you’re not fit to learn under me!

[Asteria]: ...Wow.

[Everyone in the class]: ....

[[[Nobody inside Kuro’s spaceship made a sound after that, as they all realized that Kuro was serious about what she was saying. Kuro seemed to have made this trip as a makeshift test for her students, a fact that made everyone in the ship complain inwardly.]]]

[[Of course nobody from them complained, including Asteria, as that will just be provoking Kuro more. They can only stay silent as their spaceship began to approach one of the holes on the turtle shell, which seemed to be trembling with anticipation for their arrival]]

Bloop!

[[[The students can only close their eyes in trepidation as the ship entered the hole, with them wishing luck for their endeavor.]]]

[Everyone in the class]: ...

[[[Whether this luck will help them is still unknown, as basing on the place that they were currently in, luck is not something that they might have.]]]