The Space Beyond the Wall Was Dark
Beyond the wall lay a dark space. A room like a warehouse, with not a single ray of light filtering in. Yet it was surprisingly well-equipped, relying on the same soft artificial glow as the outer lab.
Maness swallowed a curse as he checked if his companion had made it in safely. Well, the contract was complete, after all.
Page was nowhere to be seen. He was probably waiting back in the professor's office, listening for any screams to gauge the situation. They'd agreed to go their separate ways, but Maness couldn't shake a twinge of disappointment.
"Let's see..."
Shaking off thoughts of his petty senior, Maness scanned the room. At a glance, it looked no different from a standard lab. It was small by comparison, but plenty adequate for small-scale research.
Is that light coming from deeper in?
The source of the artificial glow was hidden behind a partition. As he approached, he spotted a figure enveloped in a warm cluster of light.
A baby fox. Curled up asleep inside a transparent box, its soft pale sky-blue fur bundled neatly.
Is this a magical creature too?
Curiosity drew the intruder closer to the animal. As he peered at its face, the fox's plump tail seemed to twitch lazily.
Mesmerized, starting from the tail and working his way up, Maness suddenly staggered back.
The little creature's eyes gleamed with crystalline clarity.
"The knight's armor went back to its spot and stopped. Guess it gave up."
Maness whipped his head around at the sudden voice, exhaling in relief. Page had confirmed it was safe and was already poking around the room.
"What spooked you like that? Something there?"
As Page stepped behind the partition, Maness checked the box again. But unlike the unease he'd felt, the fox was sleeping peacefully with eyes closed. Quietly, as if it had never woken before.
"It's a magical creature."
"Yeah, but doesn't it feel... off somehow?"
Page stroked his chin at the question.
"Nah."
It was probably just his imagination. The dedicated lab, the atmospheric lighting—plenty of elements to spark illusions. Maybe he'd just gotten sentimental. Even that eye contact with the fox. Easier to chalk it up to a trick of the mind.
"Anyway, first time I've seen a separate research space like this. Maybe there's something special, like you said."
At his senior's insight from experience, Maness ran through possibilities.
"Needs isolation from other magical creatures, or environmental issues. Plenty of reasons for a private lab."
"...Yeah, that makes sense."
It wasn't weird at all upon reflection. Research that couldn't tolerate outside interference was common enough. Best to conclude it there—it suited the situation.
"Let's find the way out."
"Already scoped it on the way in."
Page tapped near his eye.
"My eyes pierce even the dark."
"Get to the point."
"There's an exit on that wall. Probably links to the emergency stairs outside."
Relieved, Maness nodded in satisfaction.
"Then let's head out."
"What about that?"
Page pointed to the secret door they'd entered through, still wide open.
"Closing it'd mean rearranging the books again, and we'd get locked in."
"True."
"Can't sacrifice one of us either."
For a perfect crime, they'd contrive some way, but it wasn't worth the hassle. Entering the professor's office required professor-level mana anyway. It'd play off like they'd forgotten to lock up last night and headed home. That was the hope. Wasting more time and energy here was reckless.
Page approached the emergency door and pulled tweezers from his pocket.
"Lucky. No different from the drawer."
"Wouldn't be. Who puts complex locks on an emergency exit?"
Before the final hurdle, Maness swept the room once more.
"And it's not a solo space—non-professors probably use this door."
Multiple white coats prepped and ready. Books not neatly stacked in one spot. The clues backed it up.
Click.
With a satisfying sound, the emergency door swung open. Cool wind rushed in from outside, sweeping away the heat clinging to their bodies. It felt like stepping into a new world. For a moment, lost in the sensation, Maness felt a pang of déjà vu.
This freshness... I've felt it before.
Like when he'd emerged from the Library of Memories. It hadn't exactly been pleasant. Breaking through ordeals to claim your prize, escaping unscathed. Not the kind of thing a student should experience.
Sweet reward after hardship? Bullshit. Hardship just leads to more hardship.
It wasn't just a mood. Life seemed wired that way.
"Alright, we're done here. I'll lock up the keys myself."
The thief twirled the keyring in farewell. Maness gave him an expression he'd never used before.
"Good work, senior."
Page waved it off awkwardly before vanishing into the shadows—a fitting exit for a Thieves' Guild alum.
"Well then..."
Gazing at the moon still high in the sky, Maness let out a deep breath. Tension easing, he felt like he could collapse any second. But one anticipation squeezed out his last reserves.
"Time to hit the hay."
The reward: actual sleep this time. Nothing better. * Though he collapsed into bed in the late wee hours, sleep came easy enough. He could skip morning classes and savor the sweet slumber. Just reach the school gate before lunch ended. Packing was simple—clothes and personal items. The school would handle essentials, and he'd grab what he needed en route to the Magic Tower. Trinkets were easier and better quality from there anyway.
"And..."
Maness carefully lifted the familiar's egg from the windowsill. The staff could go in sub-space, no issue. But the egg was different. With an unknown travel time ahead, stashing it deep in the wardrobe or leaving it with a professor like Hiteri was smartest to avoid loss or theft.
But familiars hatched on their own schedule. It already recognized its master, so no handover mishaps, but keeping it close was wise. Wouldn't want it getting sulky.
As if sensing his thoughts, a faint warmth emanated from the egg.
Screech—
As he opened the door post-prep, Maness bit back another curse.
"Damn, you scared me."
Boltman had been waiting who-knows-how-long, hoisting a massive backpack off the floor.
"Been waiting."
"...Go on ahead."
"Ridiculous. How could Gail's second son abandon a friend?"
Boltman shook his head smugly, then lowered his voice.
"Besides, there are seniors there. Scary without you."
Maness swallowed his retort. It made sense. To a first-year, seniors were loftier than the sky.
"What's with all the luggage?"
"That's what I wanna ask. Why are you empty-handed?"
Boltman ticked off fingers one by one.
"Pajamas, pillow and blanket, every stitch of clothing, writing supplies..."
"You heading into exile?"
Thorough was good, but this was overkill. Good thing there was a baggage cart—backpacking that would've been a disaster. Boltman's face, which should be thrilled, wasn't exactly beaming.
"Need help carrying?"
"Absurd! Gails accept no aid!"
"...Suit yourself."
Inefficient and oblivious to atmosphere. Lunchtime was for eating and relaxing outdoors, not classrooms. To students, Maness and Boltman looked plenty provocative.
"...Just give me the bag?"
"Hmph, as if."
With misunderstandings brewing, asking for the bag would've been weird, so Maness endured the stares. The gate felt unnecessarily far. Grumbling inwardly, they reached it. A student waved from afar—green necktie marking third-year.
"The punk's joining? Earlier than expected!"
The senior matched his upbeat first impression.
"Hello."
"H-Hello, sir!"
"No need for formalities. Treat me like your buddy there."
Patting tense Boltman's shoulder, the senior whistled.
"Whoa, what's with the load? Enough for the eastern continent."
"Packed everything I could!"
"...Alright, better than short. No valuables in here?"
He stuffed Boltman's bag into the cart.
"M-My pajamas..."
Maness elbowed him before more slipped out.
"Don't worry. Where do we board?"
"Third cart. First's for fourth-years, seconds, and profs. Second's scholars."
"Th-Then we ride with you..."
"What, don't wanna?"
Teased by the playful third-year, they followed to the third cart. Peeking into the first, Maness spotted a woman with endlessly black hair. Her red eyes locked on his, freezing him solid. Second-year, judging by the contrasting red necktie.
"Senior."
"Call me Abel."
"Yes, Abel senior. Know which prof's coming?"
Abel opened the door, ushering them in first. Spacious for four.
"Professor Almond's joining."
Almond. Solid as any prof.
"You know—enchantment specialist."
"Th-The weird one?"
"Pfft!"
Boltman's quip burst Abel's laughter.
"Spot on! You've got a way with words, kid."
"Thank you!"
"She's 5th Rank, right? Needs rank renewal soon."
Smart move for Snowrobe. Send lazy Almond to the Magic Tower, kill two birds.
"Even if she doesn't want to."
"Tower'll push it. Ranks show skill, but also hierarchy. No point keeping top talent low."
True. First-years had been disappointed Almond trailed Metaph in rank. Better match Snowrobe's image—even profs couldn't hit 7th Rank.
The cart jolted as wheels turned, vision swaying faintly. First step to a new chapter.
"Get hyped."
Abel's face bloomed with a grin.
"We're headed to the Magic Tower, after all."