Published at 21st of July 2026 9:14 am

Chapter 1861: Channing’s Hypothesis

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Channing Oakley’s office looked more like a private archive than a professor’s workspace.

Bookshelves lined every wall from floor to ceiling, packed with history books, travel journals, maps, and ancient records.

Scrolls and stacks of papers covered much of the desk, while several maps hung on the walls with notes scribbled in the margins.

The scent of ink and old papers was pleasant, and every spare corner seemed occupied by yet another pile of books awaiting study.

When Adam entered his office, he was fascinated by the number of books that filled every corner of the chamber. And most, if not all, of them were related to the history of this world.

"Interested in history, young man?"

Channing asked with a light smile as he took his seat behind the desk.

"I suppose I am," Adam replied absentmindedly, running his fingers across the book spines lining the shelves.

His fascination with history, things and beings that had already come and gone, was not something he possessed in his youth. He had never cared for such matters growing up.

It was an interest he developed after his transformation.

Along with a high attunement with the concept of gates, Adam found himself strangely drawn to history.

As for what the true nature of that connection was, he had yet to discover it.

But if he had to trace it back to a single thing, it would be that mysterious river.

River of Yesterday, he thought to himself.

He somehow knew that was its name.

An instinct.

Or perhaps something... deeper.

He didn’t know.

"Ah, forgive me." He turned around and offered an apologetic smile. "I got lost for a moment there."

He found the old scholar and the astutely sharp young woman had already taken their seats.

This woman...

Adam felt a slight unease.

It’s as if she’s seen right through my soul.

He had to make a conscious effort not to reveal his true thoughts and feelings in front of Genevieve. It felt as though she was calmly observing every little detail about him — and she was.

His first impression of her was equally clear.

Beautiful.

That was the first thing anyone would notice.

But more than just a pretty face.

Unlike many others, Adam did not consider beauty to be her most dangerous trait.

No, it was her mind.

She was intelligent, perceptive, and possessed a frightening ability to read people. During that brief conversation alone, she had already pieced together far more about him than most people managed in months.

Worse still, she seemed to do it effortlessly.

Behind her graceful smile and impeccable manners was a woman constantly observing, analyzing, and drawing conclusions.

In Adam’s eyes, that made her very dangerous. So he couldn’t help but be cautious in front of her. And at the same time, he also had to make it seem that he wasn’t wary of her at all.

But she’s probably seen through that already, he thought.

How troublesome.

He took a seat beside Genevieve and leaned back into a more comfortable position.

"So, Professor," he began. "What did you want to discuss?"

Channing’s expression turned solemn.

"Very well." He nodded as he gathered a few parchments on his table.

"Esmond and I are putting together a team of capable young adventurers," he continued, his gaze switching between Adam and Genevieve.

"The objective may appear simple at first glance: enter an ancient ruin, locate a missing person, and return."

Adam’s brows creased together slowly. For a moment, he stopped bothering about masking his true emotions in front of the auburn-haired young woman.

"So a rescue mission?" he asked.

"Precisely." Channing nodded. "But this is also a mission to explore an ancient ruin."

He paused briefly, slowly shaking his head. "Unfortunately, nothing about this expedition is simple."

"Why so, Professor?" Genevieve asked.

"Firstly, no one knew the entrance to this ancient ruin," the old scholar replied. "That is because the entrance, or maybe even the ruin itself, is constantly shifting."

He shifted his gaze to the raven-haired youth.

"But after years of research, we have found the entrance to this ancient ruin."

"So where is it?" Adam asked.

"We know the general location," Channing explained. "But as I mentioned, it is constantly in motion. However, based on my research, I have deduced the time that it might appear."

"What’s dangerous about it then?" Adam asked, leaning forward slightly.

"Is it the threat level inside the ruin?" he ventured a guess.

"No, I don’t believe so." The old scholar shook his head, his gaze shifting between the two young Magi.

"Herein lies the true danger," he continued after taking a deep breath. "To date, not a single person who has entered this ruin has ever returned."

Genevieve’s eyes narrowed, her light blue eyes flickering with understanding.

So that’s why he was so adamant about me not going...

But then another question surfaced.

Why did he allow it in the end?

The answer soon became clear.

"However," Channing added. "I believe I have found a way to return from that place!"

Adam’s lips curled upward involuntarily. "You believe?"

"Yes, I am not certain," Channing spoke frankly. "But I believe there is a very high probability that the method to return is the same as the method of entry."

Something inside Adam’s mind clicked.

Method?

A map and a method...

He recalled the vampire’s words.

So he couldn’t help but ask, "Is this related to the item Master Greene brought back with him?"

Channing intently looked at the raven-haired youth. He then nodded with a faint smile. "That is correct, Magus Constantine."

Genevieve cast a side glance at Adam before returning it to Channing.

"Professor," she began. "What’s the danger level inside the ancient ruin? I believe you said it shouldn’t be something a Mana Core Magus shouldn’t be able to handle."

"Indeed." Channing nodded.

"I’ve conducted extensive research about the people who have entered this mysterious place. I’ve even spoken with their friends and family. There was one common thread connecting all that were lost."

He paused briefly before saying, "Every one of them was Mana Core Rank and below."

His fingers tapped lightly against the desk.

"Therefore, I believe that place cannot sustain the existence of Magi or Paladins above that level. In other words, anyone who exceeds the Mana Core Magus or the Cavalier Paladin ranks is either unable to enter or is somehow rejected by that place."

Listening to Channing’s hypothesis, the two young Magi fell silent.

"So..." he said after a long moment.

"Do the two of you still wish to enter this mysterious place?"

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