socalfunplaces Chapter 132 : Chapter 132
Chapter 132 : Chapter 132
Chapter 132 : Revelation
Sal sat in his chair and felt his own helplessness as he watched them discuss Divinity's theory.
Quest seemed to regain his composure and soon switched to crisis management mode, trying to grasp as much information as possible about Bastion's infiltration.
His expression was exhausted.
Vitality seemed to drain away a little with every sentence he spoke.
On the contrary, Divinity looked more lively as she gained more context.
She sat with her legs crossed, recounting events Sal had missed over the past few weeks one by one.
"Anthony, who was on a team with Sal, wanted to learn how to make radio devices. He heard rumors that Bastion was communicating with refugees across the city and on the Darwin cruise ship using old-fashioned technology. But we couldn't track that clue deeply. Barry confided that he was approached by a Controller group promising to get him into the Savior Class. Barry said those Controllers were being supported by Bastion."
Quest raised his hand as if in doubt.
He was seriously distressed by the story he was hearing.
"How can you be sure they belong to Bastion? It's common for students to form factions within their fields. It's not strange that there's a Controller group trying to get ahead."
Quest paused for a moment and added a proviso.
"I know there is at least one cunning Controller, but I don't want to conclude that everyone is like that without evidence."
Divinity nodded.
"Barry is naturally suspicious, so he used his ability to secretly follow them. But it seems they didn't consider Barry worth scouting. A command came down from above, and one of the Controllers said he was a priority recruit, but didn't know the specific reason. According to Barry, they mentioned his personality could be a potential problem, and judged that since his current rank is high, he would be easy enough to pull up to the Savior Class."
Quest shook his head and leaned back in his chair.
"Is this all you know? Or is there anything else that could link them to Bastion?"
Divinity hesitated for a moment, weighing whether it was really good to say more.
Quest showed a weary smile.
"Even if you or Barry used somewhat dangerous methods to obtain information regarding a Bastion coup, I am more likely to reward you than scold you. Of course, that doesn't mean I want you to take risks. Such missions are originally burdens for the faculty to bear, not students."
Divinity’s shoulders relaxed, and a small smile spread across her face.
"Barry chased them for a week. He approached them using his ability to disguise himself as Darren Lenihan, whom my foresight confirmed would become a Savior in the future. Barry acted as if he was afraid to receive their help, and only after they tested him did they reassure him that a trustworthy sponsor was supporting them. They told Darren to use his ability directly, and Barry succeeded in mimicking that ability with illusions. Their approach was very cautious, and they insisted on meeting in a safe place to talk properly."
Divinity caught her breath before continuing, her cheeks flushing slightly as if a bit embarrassed.
"I simulated every possible outcome with Barry, and gave him all the information they might ask for in advance. Convinced that it wasn't a trap after Barry passed all tests, they finally revealed their identity. The truth was that Bastion wanted to help him achieve his goal. What they wanted in return were capable heroes who would welcome their return in the future."
Quest’s face turned pale.
"Return in the future? Are you saying they clearly said that?"
Divinity nodded.
"Yes, that is correct. The reason they target Controllers is because they demonstrate leadership on the battlefield. If they pull them up to the Savior Class, the probability of them becoming Guild Masters later increases significantly. Darren was promised resources like Q-Credits and express courses on all expeditions. Mentors from upper grades are helping directly to ensure top grades in classes too. Finally, the most concerning thing is the fact that they have already planted their own people within the 2nd and 3rd year Savior classes. They bragged about it as proof of their ability. Even with my foresight, I couldn't figure out who had received Bastion's support."
It took a moment for Quest to react.
He stared blankly into the air like someone who hadn't recovered from shock.
Sal squirmed uncomfortably in his seat and looked at Divinity.
She smiled at Sal as if to reassure him, but couldn't hide her nervous look.
Sal couldn't believe how much he had missed in a short time.
He wasn't sure if he could have helped with the investigation, but he still felt he wanted to have been part of it.
However, one thing was clear.
He could never have done what Barry did.
'Disguising as another student and acting like a spy inside Bastion?'
Just imagining it was terrible, and he was sure he would have been caught immediately.
"Do you think Barry Francis will join hands with them?"
Quest asked.
The question was directed at Divinity, but Quest cast a meaningful glance at Sal, dragging him into it as well.
Sal didn't know how to answer and looked at Divinity, who burst into laughter as if it was absurd.
"Barry hid his ability the whole time he was at the Academy. Because he didn't feel the need to reveal it. If he had really tried, he could have even gone up to the Savior Class. But judging by my foresight, he chose to stay one step back and watch how everything flows. One thing I've learned for sure watching him over the past few months is that Barry hates being ordered around."
When Sal burst into laughter, Divinity smiled at him and continued.
"See, Sal knows too. Barry won't join hands with them, but he would gladly step up to end them."
Quest smiled at Divinity’s firm conclusion, but didn't seem to genuinely agree.
Sal wondered if Quest thought Barry might be swayed like other Controllers.
"I don't think Barry will become a Bastion sympathizer. When we needed help in the dungeon raid, Barry didn't hesitate. You can clearly tell his sincerity and character just from that."
Quest nodded.
However, Sal felt embarrassed that he currently knew almost nothing about the group called Bastion.
Of course, he had heard stories exchanged during lectures and fragmentary explanations, but he didn't know why they were hated so much.
Rather, he thought now was a good opportunity to find out the reason.
Sal was not ashamed to reveal his ignorance.
"Why exactly should we hate Bastion so much?"
At Sal’s question, Divinity’s eyes went wide, unable to hide her surprise.
Sal felt that Divinity had lost a bit of trust in him at that moment.
Quest raised one eyebrow, then turned in his chair to face him.
"When the Portals first opened, we scrambled to protect people and defend our homes. No, to be precise, our parents' generation did, and their parents' generation did. Those were terrible times when we couldn't see ahead at all. Because no matter what we did, monsters constantly poured in. Back then, the Portals were weaker than now, spewing out only Vampires or the occasional Prowler. But it took only five years for the first Hulker to break through a Portal. And we were completely unprepared for that situation. During those five years, all the resources we had were not used for fighting, but wasted by political and social elites."
Quest let out a bitter laugh and leaned back against his chair.
"The government kept it hidden until the end, knowing exactly how we would react. The Bastion Project was originally advertised as a defensive sanctuary to protect us, something like a massive version of the barriers we use today. We were told that the ecosystem and agricultural systems were running stably, so there was no problem feeding hundreds of thousands of people. A wall that could stop whatever poured out of the Portals. Those words kept the people on the front lines going and boosted morale. Until the moment the Bastion Project was finally launched."
Quest continued, tapping his finger on the desk.
"But the true nature of the Bastion Project revealed was a refuge for the ultra-wealthy and the powerful. All the research they conducted, the achievements poured out by the world's best scholars... all vanished into thin air. That which was advertised as an orbital defense shield to protect us was, in the end, a space colony for them to outlive us."
Sal’s jaw went slack as if he couldn't believe it.
Divinity added the facts she knew, her voice filled with blatant anger.
"They shamelessly spread propaganda on the network saying they did it for the professors. Saying that the world's best brains were researching day and night in their space colony, so they would soon find a way to destroy the Portals. Not only did they abandon us, but they watched from above and still tried to control us. But Sal, as you know... as humans started awakening abilities, their message changed. They probably realized we were getting stronger without them, and knew that even if they returned, they would never be welcomed as heroes."
Quest smiled at Divinity.
"An apt point, Miss Divinity. Even though they abandoned us, we barely managed to hold on and survive. I grew up during the most horrific period of the war. Back then, we faced monsters of a completely different dimension. Abilities were just in their infancy, so those without power useful for combat were all pushed to the rear. That state continued for too long, and we fought on the front lines until our bodies wore out to protect our homes. In the end, it was barrier technology that saved us. No, it is certain that at least it bought us time to counterattack. The generation these days that has lived comfortably cannot understand the pain we suffered because of Bastion. There are even those who argue we should accept them back."
Sal frowned.
It seemed he was included in the 'generation these days' Quest mentioned.
The Headmaster burst into laughter and pointed at Sal.
"There is no need to feel guilty about things you don't know. I am just a person who grew up in war and became terribly tainted by the world. You grew up in the Silver Sanctuary, didn't you?"
When Sal nodded, Quest gestured to the scenery outside the window.
"Near the Academy and Guild Towers, there are nearly a hundred safety zones currently operating like sanctuaries. Thirty years ago, it was just a dream, but now it has become reality. I will never resent those who grew up without the trauma of war. Rather, that is our goal. Protecting the future, through each and every safety zone."
Sal’s mind was extremely complicated.
He acknowledged the fact that he grew up in a safe environment, and hoped everyone could go through the same upbringing as him.
But reality was different.
He was only now starting to realize how safe a fence he had lived within.
The first dungeon raid was a shocking experience that showed what dangers heroes facing monsters daily encounter, and what is required of students trying to walk that path.
Sal couldn't change the past, but he made up his mind not to become like Bastion.
Their self-interest practically drove humanity to ruin, but they were able to survive thanks to the blood and sacrifices his family shed during the war.
Sal’s parents hated bringing up war stories, so he had never asked deeply about their childhoods.
Perhaps because of that, he couldn't shake the thought that he was missing the context and hardships others had gone through over the past decades.
Things he had only heard as simple stories suddenly approached with a very realistic weight.
"Can barrier technology be developed further?"
At that question, Quest looked at Sal and smiled broadly.
"That is a topic to cover in your next semester, Mr. Salvatore. Make sure the effort I put into stopping the Doom Council from recruiting you doesn't go to waste. There are endless projects where your ability can help us in the future. But first and foremost, you must be able to think like a hero. For now, follow the curriculum well and learn as much as possible while you are here. Only then can we discuss in earnest what role you can play for the city."
Divinity looked at the sky outside the window and asked cautiously.
"Then, what is the method to prevent them from causing a power struggle if they just descend unexpectedly?"
Quest opened his arms wide and burst into laughter.
"We built Quest Academy on top of their launch base. We turned the safety zone they fortified to protect the Bastion Project into a beacon of hope. If they try to return, they will have to look elsewhere. Since there aren't many places where a structure the size of a small city can be built."
Quest turned his body to look out the window.
It was the same gaze Divinity was staring with.
"They have tried to send people down several times over the past few years."
Just as Quest was about to continue, the office door opened, and Neuro and Erica appeared.
Neither of them looked in a good mood.