n

n

n

"We should be safe here from that attack...

"

nWallace announced and had a look at the surroundings. The place wasn't dark at all due to several glowing crystals lighting it up.

nThe ground floor they were at was quite simple if it was carefully observed, only the glowing crystals were unusual.

nAside from being dusty and partly mossy place, this floor was actually constructed very well if it was cleaned.

nThere was a section for the receptionists in front and there were stairs leading to the upper floors. Looking closely, there was even a suspected elevator on the right side.

nAs they searched for possible path onwards, they saw a wrecked door just behind the receptionist's table. But this seems to lead them further inside the ground floor.

nThey have to take a path going underground.

n

"Follow me, there's another door on the left. It leads further down.

" Wallace said as he took the lead and started walking.

n

"Elaine, do you think that he has detected our presence here?

" Yumi asked referring to her cousin as they followed the young man.

n

"He should be. But Wallace mentioned that something was blocking his senses. It may be weak but he should sense that we're getting closer.

"

n

"That's good.

"

n

"But if he can't just move up here... He must be in a tight spot, so we have to be careful.

"

nIt made a lot of sense. Everyone hasn't revealed their trump cards yet as they were saving that with their encounter against the organization behind Avery, one of the leaders behind the terrorist attack in the city.

nThey were expecting that the headmaster was either guarded by a small of group of strong criminals, so they had to be ready.

nIn any case, Elaine's blood tracking skill was one of a kind so they were sure that the enemies were unaware of their moves at the moment.

n

"It looks empty...

"

nThe first underground floor they entered was only an empty space. It was opposite to their expectations.

n

"Wallace, I thought you've said that there's a number of beasts here?

"

n

"Mhmm... Yes... They're on their way. We don't have to engage with them right now, just follow my lead, we'll pass through them.

"

n

"Hannah, Elaine...

"

n

"Yes!

"

nThey understood Yumi's intention so they quickly cast all support spells they have.

n

"Wind Haste!

"

n

"Mana Boost!

"

n

"Earth Trace

"

n

"Overload

"

nThe Wind Haste gives them boost on their speed while Mana Boost was another coat of mana that helps the magicians maintain their Mana Shell without any troubles.

nThe Earth Trace and Overload was cast by Elaine and the former was used so they can easily run even by using walls to step on and the latter was used as an alternative for Mana Shell but this Overload was also capable of deflecting some attack back to the sender.

nSoon, Wallace and his group run through the dizzying floor full of turns and paths.

n

"What kind of place is this?!

"

n

"Is this tower full of maze?

"

n

"I hope that it wouldn't be like this on other floors...

"

n

"That's true...

"

nAs they leisurely moved forward, they suddenly heard a creepy sound of crawling insects getting closer to them.

nThe sound suggested that they were small creatures but their numbers seem to be increasing every second.

n

"They're behind us... Let's hurry...

"

nYumi didn't like the sound of the nearing insects. Although they hadn't seen them yet. She was sure that they were disgusting creatures.

n

"Oh right... Clint! You have Lava Mines with you, correct? Use that to eliminate some of them or just to halt their advance.

"

n

"Sure!

"

nClint agreed to Yumi's suggestion as he focused his mana to one of his bracers and activated its unique spell.

n

"New Lava Mine!

"

nHe repeated this for four more times before they noticed that the noise lessened for little bit.

nThe four usages was his limit so his movement speed would not be affected.

nUnfortunately, it would trouble him to cast more than that in the meantime.

nAfter all, they can't slowdown yet in this kind of situation.

n

"We're almost there. Keep it up...

"

nWallace encourages them as his ability senses that the room they were about to enter was quite special. It was very different to other rooms and constructed in a much more delicate hallway.

nThere was a door blocking them and opening it up might take a few seconds so they have to defend themselves against the insects in that short moment.

n

"Everyone, we need to open a door. Its about 200 meters away from here... I'll do something about the insects. Just find a way to make it happen. There was a lever on right but I'm unsure whether it would help or not... Right, there's a special path going underground inside that room.

"

n

"Oh? Something like a shortcut?!

"

n

"Don't worry. We'll find a way to open it... How long can you hold?!

"

n

"Half a minute, perhaps...

" Wallace said after thinking for a moment.

n

"You better take on your words!

"

nThey believed that half a minute was more than enough to open a single door so their moods lifted up.

nAlthough they might be capable of fending off these insects. It would consume a lot of their Mana and they might use their hidden cards if that happens.

nTheir group hurried and as soon as the door was in the vicinity, Wallace slowed down and took the rear of their group.

nHe takes a deep breath as he slowly maximized the first stage of the AOTL, he then clenched his fist to ready the second stage of his Secret Art...

n

"Lightning Break!

"

nBoom!

nHis fist became a source of lightning as it pass through the hallway and eliminated all the nearing insects.

nUnfortunately, only a small part of them was affected as the insects were still flooding the hall crazily

nThey do not care whether their fellows in front was obliterated or not as they were constantly chasing them madly like they have smelled something they wanted in their group no matter what the cost.

n

"This is troublesome, but... I can do this for all night!

"

nWallace only used the Lightning Break as he realized that it was very effective against the bunch of insects.

nThey were being burned to crisp or completely paralyzed as soon as the lightning hit them.

nDue to the thick carapace of these 20 legged insects, only the ones in front were taking serious damage while the ones behind still has intact shells but burned inside. Then, they will get stepped over by the insects further behind them.

nWallace realized that Yumi and the others were having trouble opening the door since he noticed that the half a minute he provided to them was almost over and they were still helpless.

n

"Avalon... Are you still unable to find anything...

"

n Nothing. This tower is not operated by electricity, nuclear energy, and other source of energies that I can easily detect.

n

"If that the case, what kind of energy was being used? Is it similar to Veda's machine?

"

n What did you do to that machine? Did you destroy it?

nThe voice behind Avalon was suddenly changed as Wallace realized that it has been taken over by Veda.

n

"No, it is in a safe place...

"

n I understand. I can no longer connect with that terminal and I must remind you that it was made with very good materials. It would be a waste if you just destroyed it.

n

"Oh... Alright.... but can you help us first?

"

n Of course.

nSoon, the door surprisingly opened with a creaking sound and the other magicians were taken aback as they didn't know what they did to make it happen.

n

"So, you can really help, huh...

"

nWallace said though he realized this already. It was after Avalon translated the text at the entrance but seeing that Veda can truly accomplish it was still something entirely different.

n