Neo was about to meet up with Percival and others when he noticed Lucas speaking to Percival.
A thought occurred to him.
He took out his device and messaged Felix.
After receiving the reply, he joined the group.
"—we apologize for the commotion inside the hall. It was entirely our fault," Lucas said.
"It's good you know that," Percival frowned.
"Why are you late? I remember telling you to come out quickly."
His displeased expression made it clear he wasn't playing games.
It was completely different from the friendly demeanor he showed in the library.
"I apologize for being late," said Neo.
"Good. At least you know you shouldn't make excuses."
Percival looked down at the two groups.
"All of you will be fined 10 credits per person."
"I don't remember giving you the permission to talk, Jack Hanma rank 1721.
"If there are any problems relay them to your team leader and ask him to deliver those issues to me."
Jack lowered his gaze under Percival's glare.
Percival glanced at them.
"Does anyone have an issue with the fine?"
Christian stopped Mars before he could speak up.
Percival noticed their actions.
"Neo Hargraves, extra 5 credits fine to your team."
Percival left after collecting the fine and giving them one final warning against creating a public commotion.
Mars and Jack held downcast expression.
"Just be careful from next time." Neo patted their shoulders. "Anyway, let's go to the mission venue."
Harrison glared at Neo's team while Lucas spoke to his own group.
On the way, he noticed Mars, Christian and Jack were drained physically and mentally.
'The strain on their Divine Energy reserves was bad enough and they lost their moral after losing the credits.'
"Don't think too much about the credits. We can recoup our losses later easily."
"I know. It's just that I don't like how we got the short end of the stick when it was Harrison who started everything," Jack said.
"Well, let's just wait and see. There is a reason why people call karma a bitch"
Jack didn't understand the meaning behind Neo's words.
'I'm not letting them go after this,' Neo thought.
He was going to fuck them up nicely.
The Mystica Fauna Preserve was a wildlife sanctuary.
It was created by Derek Palmer to study the evolution of mystical beasts aka monsters.
Due to the aim of the research, the sanctuary housed unique beasts rarely found in the outside world.
The beasts living in the sanctuary required extensive care.
Often times Derek would need the Academy's assistance to take care of them.
It was the same for the young phoenix.
Derek welcomed Neo and his group when they revealed their reason for coming to the sanctuary.
"Please, follow me inside," Derek said.
They walked down the path made of vines.
The forest was filled with an aromatic scent and the noises of beasts echoed at regular intervals.
While they walked, Derek continued to peak at Mars.
"What is it?" Mars grunted.
"O-oh, it nothing. I was just surprised to meet Mars Everhart in the flesh."
Derek was caught by surprise when Mars spoke to him.
He regained his composure after a few seconds.
"It's related to my research.
"Magical beasts can use only a few Spells and they can't learn more of them.
"Despite this, they are stronger than demigods.
"It's because of their high mastery of Spells and their refined control of Divine Energy.
"You are similar to monsters in that regards than to demigods—"
"I would appreciate it if you can take us to the phoenix quickly. We are in a hurry."
Neo's interruption made Derek realize he had been rude to Mars.
"I'm s-sorry. I didn't realize what I was saying."
"I don't mind it to be honest," Mars spoke.
While his current strength was on par with Morrigan, he had reached his limit.
He could not grow stronger.
It was why the Ares Clan had him choose the 100th rank.
Everyone in the academy would soon surpass him.
"Are you okay?" Neo asked.
"Yeah," Mars grinned.
He hid his emotions behind his smile and focused on the mission.
The group reached the end of the vine road.
The appearance of the forest changed.
From lush trees to burnt barks and charred ground.
From fragment air to ashen scent.
"This is a biome created for the phoenix."
He told them about the biome and stopped when they reached a giant burning nest that lay on the ground.
"The phoenix is inside there.
"We can provide you fire-proof clothes..
"However, they will impede the transfer of Flame-element Divine Energy.
"I would suggest going in there as it as if you have Adept master of Flame element."
"Please give us one suit," Neo said.
Derek nodded and took it out of the bag he carried.
Seeing the same suit as he used during the Salamander Bee mission brought unpleasant memories.
He suppressed them and opened his mouth.
"Thank you. We'll take it from here."
"I'll leave if that is the case. There are more beasts that require my attention."
After Derek left, Neo wore the fire-proof suit.
"I'll go with Mars while he feeds the phoenix. Christian and Jack will secure the perimeter."
"Do we need to secure the perimeter? I doubt the Harrison and his team will do anything after the Student Council President scolded them."
"You can never be too careful."
'Besides, Percival was angry because we created a public commotion. He was never angry about the fight,' Neo thought.
"Mars, you can enter the flames without the suit, right?"
"Yup, I'm at Adept-mastery. These flames are no problem."
Neo stepped into the nest with Mars.
The heat made him frown.
They encountered the phoenix.
It looked like a chick with flames instead of features.
"That's the phoenix? It's smaller than I imagined," Mars said.
"This one hasn't gone through a single rebirth. It will grow stronger and larger every times it dies and revives."
Phoenixes were unique among the magical beasts.
They were hybrid of living souls and Spirits.
Spirits disintegrated into Divine Energy upon death and souls went to Underworld.
When a phoenix died, it would crumble into Divine Energy and reform into a stronger soul instead of dying forever or going into Underworld.
One could say a Phoenix cheated Death.
It was why the situation in front of Neo was weird.
He was a wielder of Death.
He could kill an unkillable being like Phoenix.
The Phoenix should've been afraid of him.
However, it stared at him in fascination.
"As I thought this phoenix…."