[The Secret Beneath the Ground]
‘Something’ lay dormant beneath.
While remnants of the Lekrust and Halman families might be behind the kidnapping.
As various possibilities surfaced, we eventually decided to venture into the academy’s underground.
“This way,” urged Principal Abigail, leading our way through the dimly lit corridors.
Anxiety gripped us when we reached the archive room where we’d been trapped the day before. However, Principal Abigail nonchalantly bypassed it, guiding us further into the depths.
Eventually, a heavy door came into view.
“This way leads further underground.”
She lightly touched the door, and to our surprise, it began opening on its own.
“This door can identify individuals?” I inquired.
“Yes, it’s just one of many security measures in place to prevent intrusion,” replied the principal. She had mentioned the facility’s importance to the kingdom. They must have built the academy right on top of it to deceive prying eyes.
Passing through the door, my initial reaction was a breathy “Wow…”
I supposed I should say as expected of a facility meant for testing the latest magical and items. The place was more amazing than the academy’s research building on the ground.
As we proceeded through the underground facility, an unusual sensation washed over me.
How do I put it…? It was an oddly prickly feeling…
As I cocked my head in puzzlement at this strange sensation,
“This place… inhibits mana manipulation, doesn’t it?” Tayte asked Principal Abigail.
Suddenly, a realization struck me, prompting me to grip the hilt of the holy sword. Yesterday, when we searched for Madeline, I used the holy sword to track her mana, guiding us to the archive room. I tried to do the same again, but–
“Huh? I can’t detect anything…?” I muttered, unable to sense any mana presence, let alone Madeline and Jarvis.
“There’s a barrier in place to block out mana, so even if an intruder sneaks in, they won’t be able to do anything untoward,” explained the principal.
I nodded in understanding. So, that’s the reason.
――However, if that were the case, locating Jarvis and Madeline would prove challenging.
But knowing the principal, I had a feeling that she had some sort of plan up her sleeve.
“Principal, about Madeline and Jarvis…”
“They’re probably… in there.”
“Huh?”
Principal Abigail abruptly stopped and pointed towards a door.
What could be behind the door? We straightened our backs and waited nervously for the principal to open the door.
The principal opened the door using the same method as before.
Then, an unexpected sight appeared in front of us.
“Th-This is……!?”
It resembled the interior of a cave.
No, ‘dungeon’ seemed more fitting to describe it.
Either way, we were met with exposed rock walls and ground, a stark contrast to the impressive construction of the testing facility.
“C-could this be…”
Was this the ‘something’ the principal had alluded to?
“Well, kind of, but not exactly. The thing I mentioned is located deeper inside… In any case, the kidnappers must have brought Jarvis and Madeline in here.” Principal said, guessing my question.
[The Secret Beneath the Ground]
‘Something’ lay dormant beneath.
While remnants of the Lekrust and Halman families might be behind the kidnapping.
As various possibilities surfaced, we eventually decided to venture into the academy’s underground.
“This way,” urged Principal Abigail, leading our way through the dimly lit corridors.
Anxiety gripped us when we reached the archive room where we’d been trapped the day before. However, Principal Abigail nonchalantly bypassed it, guiding us further into the depths.
Eventually, a heavy door came into view.
“This way leads further underground.”
She lightly touched the door, and to our surprise, it began opening on its own.
“This door can identify individuals?” I inquired.
“Yes, it’s just one of many security measures in place to prevent intrusion,” replied the principal. She had mentioned the facility’s importance to the kingdom. They must have built the academy right on top of it to deceive prying eyes.
Passing through the door, my initial reaction was a breathy “Wow…”
I supposed I should say as expected of a facility meant for testing the latest magical and items. The place was more amazing than the academy’s research building on the ground.
As we proceeded through the underground facility, an unusual sensation washed over me.
How do I put it…? It was an oddly prickly feeling…
As I cocked my head in puzzlement at this strange sensation,
“This place… inhibits mana manipulation, doesn’t it?” Tayte asked Principal Abigail.
Suddenly, a realization struck me, prompting me to grip the hilt of the holy sword. Yesterday, when we searched for Madeline, I used the holy sword to track her mana, guiding us to the archive room. I tried to do the same again, but–
“Huh? I can’t detect anything…?” I muttered, unable to sense any mana presence, let alone Madeline and Jarvis.
“There’s a barrier in place to block out mana, so even if an intruder sneaks in, they won’t be able to do anything untoward,” explained the principal.
I nodded in understanding. So, that’s the reason.
――However, if that were the case, locating Jarvis and Madeline would prove challenging.
But knowing the principal, I had a feeling that she had some sort of plan up her sleeve.
“Principal, about Madeline and Jarvis…”
“They’re probably… in there.”
“Huh?”
Principal Abigail abruptly stopped and pointed towards a door.
What could be behind the door? We straightened our backs and waited nervously for the principal to open the door.
The principal opened the door using the same method as before.
Then, an unexpected sight appeared in front of us.
“Th-This is……!?”
It resembled the interior of a cave.
No, ‘dungeon’ seemed more fitting to describe it.
Either way, we were met with exposed rock walls and ground, a stark contrast to the impressive construction of the testing facility.
“C-could this be…”
Was this the ‘something’ the principal had alluded to?
“Well, kind of, but not exactly. The thing I mentioned is located deeper inside… In any case, the kidnappers must have brought Jarvis and Madeline in here.” Principal said, guessing my question.
