The Eclipsed Order

Chapter 106: Chapter 106: The Eclipse Research Division

When the meeting finally came to an end, the officers began collecting the reports that had been spread across the table, while Vhan remained beside Ares.

"There is one more place I believe you should visit, Master," Vhan said. "The research division has made considerable progress during your absence, and several of their projects have recently entered a more advanced stage."

Ares looked at him with some interest.

"The research division?"

"Yes. Octavia has been overseeing the facility together with the researchers assigned to her. I believe you will find the recent developments worth seeing."

Ares nodded.

"Then I’d like to take a look."

"Of course, Master."

Vhan led them out of the meeting room and through another section of the headquarters. The further they went, the more restricted the area became. The ordinary members who had been moving through the main corridors were gradually replaced by personnel wearing specially designed uniforms bearing the emblem of the Eclipse Order.

Several guards stood at designated points along the corridor, and reinforced doors were positioned between different sections of the facility.

Ares glanced around as they walked.

So this is where they’ve been doing their research.

I knew the Order had a research division, but I never imagined they had expanded it to this extent.

They eventually arrived before a large door reinforced with several layers of metal and magical barriers.

Vhan placed his hand against a crystal panel beside it.

A faint glow spread across the surface.

Click.

The locking mechanism disengaged.

Beyond the door was a wide passage leading downward.

Ares looked at the descending corridor.

"You’re taking us underground?"

"Yes, Master. The primary research facility is located beneath the headquarters."

"Why underground?"

"There are several reasons. Some of the materials we study can be unstable, while others require controlled environments. Keeping the facility underground provides additional protection and allows us to isolate each research section from the rest of the headquarters."

"I see."

They continued downward.

The deeper they went, the more noticeable the difference became. Magical lights were embedded along the walls, illuminating the entire passage without the need for ordinary lamps. Every few meters, Ares could see another reinforced door, each marked with a different symbol indicating the department beyond it.

Eventually, the passage opened into an enormous underground complex.

Ares stopped.

"...Wow."

For several seconds, he simply looked around.

The facility stretched far beyond what he could see from the entrance, with multiple corridors branching into different sections and several levels connected by magical lifts and stairways. Through reinforced glass windows, he could see researchers working inside individual rooms, each surrounded by strange instruments, floating crystals, magical circles, and devices whose functions Ares could only begin to guess.

There were no ordinary candles or torches anywhere.

Almost everything was powered by magic.

Some machines had crystal components rotating within metallic frames, while others used several layers of magic circles that continuously moved as though they were part of a complex mechanism.

Ares had seen magic before.

He had even become familiar with some of the advanced techniques used by the Eclipse Order.

But this was different.

They’re actually turning magic into something that can be used like technology.

Ares slowly looked from one section to another.

How did they even build all of this?

Draven appeared equally impressed.

"Master, I knew your organization had developed considerably, but this exceeds what I expected. This is not simply a laboratory anymore. It is an entire research complex."

Cedric looked through one of the reinforced windows.

"There are more researchers here than I expected as well."

Ares nodded.

"Vhan, this is impressive."

Vhan gave a slight bow.

"Thank you, Master. The researchers have worked continuously to establish the facility, and every department has been given a specific field of study so that their work does not interfere with one another."

Ares looked at the various sections.

"What are they researching?"

"There are several major divisions. Magical energy, alchemy, magical materials, healing, artifacts, magical weapons, communication, and artificial cores are among the primary fields. There are also several restricted projects that require authorization from the senior officers before anyone is permitted to access them."

Ares nodded slowly.

"That makes sense. Keeping everything separated should make it easier to control the research and prevent accidents."

"That was precisely the intention."

Vhan continued leading them through the facility.

As they passed the different departments, Ares couldn’t help but become more curious.

One room contained researchers studying glowing crystals suspended inside transparent containers.

Another had several weapons placed within magical circles while researchers recorded their reactions to different forms of magical energy.

Further ahead, he saw what appeared to be a communication device composed of two crystal cores connected to a complicated array of magical circuits.

"What’s that one for?" Ares asked.

Vhan glanced toward the room.

"Long-distance communication. The researchers are attempting to create a system capable of transmitting information through paired magical cores rather than relying on messengers."

Ares’s eyes widened slightly.

"They can actually do that?"

"It is still experimental, but the current prototype has already achieved results."

That’s amazing.

If they can make something like that work over long distances, the Order wouldn’t need to rely on couriers every time information has to be sent between territories.

Ares looked at the device for another moment before continuing.

Eventually, Vhan stopped before another set of reinforced doors.

"This section belongs to Octavia."

The doors opened.

The atmosphere inside immediately felt different.

Several researchers were working around a large apparatus positioned in the center of the room. They wore identical research uniforms, and each person had a designated station filled with documents, magical instruments, crystals, and various tools.

At the center of everything stood Octavia.

Her silver-white hair was neatly arranged, and unlike the attire she normally wore during missions, she was dressed in the formal uniform of the research division. She was examining several floating displays when she noticed Ares entering.

Her expression immediately softened.

"Master."

She placed the documents in her hands aside and approached him before lowering her head.

"Welcome to the research division."

Ares nodded.

"Octavia, it’s good to see you. Vhan mentioned that you’ve made considerable progress while I was away."

"We have, Master."

Ares looked around the room.

"Could you explain what you’ve been working on?"

"Of course."

Octavia turned toward the large apparatus.

"This particular project is focused on magical energy regulation. We have been researching methods of storing large quantities of magical energy without allowing the energy to become unstable."

She gestured toward several crystals positioned around the machine.

"These crystals act as regulators. When excessive magical energy enters the system, the regulators distribute the energy evenly before it reaches the core. Without them, the accumulated energy would eventually become unstable and could damage the device or cause a magical discharge."

Ares studied the apparatus.

"So you’re basically creating something that can control a large amount of magic without needing a mage to constantly supervise it?"

"That is one of our objectives."

Octavia smiled faintly.

"If we can stabilize the system completely, the same principle could eventually be applied to weapons, defensive barriers, communication devices, transportation systems, and other magical equipment."

Ares looked at the apparatus again.

"That’s impressive."

Octavia’s expression showed a small hint of pride.

"Thank you, Master."

Ares then noticed another section of the facility through the glass wall.

"What about that room?"

"That is the magical materials division."

Octavia walked with him toward the window.

"They examine materials recovered by the field divisions, including monster cores, magical crystals, rare metals, corrupted materials, and other substances that possess unusual properties. Once their characteristics have been identified, the results are sent to the appropriate departments."

"So that’s how you know which materials can be used for your inventions."

"Precisely."

They continued farther into the facility.

Octavia explained each department as they passed.

One specialized in healing magic, where researchers were studying ways to improve the efficiency of restorative spells.

Another focused on magical weapons and armor, attempting to strengthen physical materials by continuously circulating magic through them.

Another was devoted to artifacts, where researchers examined ancient magical objects and attempted to reproduce some of their functions.

Finally, Octavia brought them to a chamber containing several strange devices surrounded by protective barriers.

Ares looked through the glass.

"What are those?"

"Artificial magical cores."

Ares became more interested.

"Artificial?"

"Yes. Unlike natural magical cores, these are constructed using several different materials. The purpose is to create an artificial source capable of storing, regulating, and releasing magical energy."

She pointed toward one of the devices.

"The current models are still unstable, but they have already surpassed our earliest prototypes. If we eventually succeed, these cores could become the foundation for many of our future inventions."

Ares stared at the chamber.

So they could basically create their own source of magical energy?

He had never considered that magic could be developed in such a way.

"I didn’t realize the research division had advanced this far."

Octavia looked at him.

"We still have much to accomplish, Master. Most of these projects are prototypes, and several require considerably more testing before they can be used outside controlled environments."

Ares nodded.

"Even so, you’ve all done excellent work. I didn’t expect to see something like this when I came here."

Octavia lowered her head.

"Your recognition is more than enough, Master. We will continue improving the facility and completing the projects entrusted to us."

Ares smiled faintly.

"Keep up the good work. I’d like to see what you accomplish once these projects are finished."

"We will not disappoint you."

Vhan then stepped forward.

"Master, I must return to the administrative section. There are several matters that still require my attention."

Ares nodded.

"Go ahead. I’ll stay here a little longer."

Vhan bowed.

"Understood. Once you are finished here, you may proceed directly to the dining hall. I have already instructed the staff to prepare a meal for you and your companions."

Draven’s expression immediately brightened.

"A meal?"

Vhan glanced toward him.

"Yes. I was informed that you and Sir Cedric have not eaten properly since earlier, so I requested that the kitchen prepare several dishes, including high-quality meat."

Draven nodded with satisfaction.

"Then you have my gratitude."

Ares sighed.

"You certainly became interested in that part quickly."

"There is nothing wrong with appreciating good food, Master."

Cedric remained silent, though the faint smile on his face suggested that he agreed with Draven.

Vhan gave Ares another respectful bow.

"I shall take my leave, Master."

"Alright. Take care of your work."

Vhan departed, leaving Ares, Draven, Cedric, and Octavia inside the research facility.

Ares looked around once more.

There were still countless rooms he had yet to see, each apparently dedicated to another branch of magical research.

He had originally come here simply because Vhan had suggested it.

Now, however, his curiosity had been thoroughly awakened.

He turned toward Octavia.

"Ahem... so, what else have you been working on?"

Octavia’s eyes brightened slightly.

"There are several projects I believe you would find particularly interesting, Master."

Ares nodded.

"Then show me."

Octavia bowed.

"With pleasure."

She turned and began leading them deeper into the facility.

As Ares followed, he couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of amazement.

The Eclipse Order had started as an organization hidden in the shadows.

Yet somehow, without him even realizing it, they had begun creating something far greater than he had originally imagined.

And judging from the number of projects still under development...

This was probably only the beginning.

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