ALL NOVEL Dive into the darkness!
Around eleven in the morning, the group of four who were going to dive into the labyrinth, along with the headmaster Merlin, the other two members of Hero's Party, and Princess Tiara, gathered at the head office.
Kyouki, along with his three friends, had already reported an hour early. Only Austin and Saya arrived at the last minute.
Standing at the center of the room, Merlin didn't engage in conversation as per what Austin requested and went to commence the unsealing process while the others witnessed in silence.
The art of ancient magic was genuinely magnificent, on which even Austin hadn't gotten his reach. Drawing every circle physically through mana while chanting the spell was a sight to home a memory in the audience's mind.
Amidst the silence, the pretty blonde girl whispered in Austin's ear without turning her gaze.
"Strange not to see, Luna-san here."
Austin raised his brows since it was the first time Tiara talked about Luna to him. In the same whispering tone, he replied truthfully.
"The last thing I would want to see before diving in is to see her saddened face; that's why I asked her to stay back."
Austin was sure that Luna would grieve or even cry if she saw him jumping in the labyrinth, and that scene might weigh him down and his future decisions.
The best course of action was to not take Luna with him, and the latter also preferred the same since she also knew how hopeless Luna becomes when Austin gets involved in dangerous things.
Despite speaking in an incomplete phrase, Tiara understood clearly why Luna didn't come. And by no means was she pleased to hear that. Well, it was good that the Saintess left Austin for Tiara for some moments, but what made her pout was Austin's concern was directed only to Luna!
She was also dying of anxiety since she realized how she helped Austin get the permit of the Abyss. Not in a hundred years would she want to let Austin descend into that hell hole, but now the ship has already left the port.
Now what she could do is to pray for his well-being and beg her god that he returns safely to her.
**SHWISH**
With a whipping sound, the center of the room started disintegrating, with seven purple stones illuminating from different corners.
Those stones are the artifacts that Headmaster Merlin himself developed to strengthen the sealing magic. Everyone believes that the Barricade Grandmaster has drawn over the labyrinth is powerful enough not to break by even a Mythic Rank demon.
But well, that's just a rumor since some weeks ago, the seals were broken, and no High-Rank entity ever entered the Academy's premises.
'Woah… '
Kyouki's eyes went round as he saw the never-ending darkness dug just at the place which was vacant some moments ago. It truly gave the sensation of an Abyss, sending shivers down the spine of almost everyone inside the room.
Even Saya gulped in slight fret since she wasn't much good with darkness, and being in a situation where her Onii-sama would be watching her, made the woman restless.
"Okay then, Headmaster. I don't know how long we would be out, but on my way back, I would make sure to bring souvenirs."
With those words, Austin jumped inside only after he held his little sister's hand, much to the latter's astonishment.
"Don't use levitation since it won't…
Austin's shout trailed off since it seemed he had already reached a certain depth.
The expression on the others' faces reflected nothing but shock as they witnessed such a careless approach of Austin, or maybe he was too confident?
"Kyou-kun, here. "
Sicily suddenly took out something from her pouch and tied it around Kyouki's neck.
Lifting the small pearl at the adjoining point, Kyouki didn't have to ask before Sicily cleared his confusion.
"It's a family treasure that father asked me to delegate to you. He said, 'At times of darkness, this stone shall help you seek the right path. ' "
Kyouki nodded with a serious expression before he thanked the girl who had her eyes red forever he could remember. The same was for Lilia, who had been crying like a child even though Kyouki tried his best to coax her.
Giving a final hug of farewell to both, Kyouki was called by Headmaster as he saw the bearded mage extending a ring to him.
"This is a Spatial Storage ring that contains things you might find helpful inside the Abyss. Feed it your blood, and it will connect to your soul. "
Kyouki was surprised to receive such valuable gifts from both as he took the gold ring from Merlin.
After collecting his thought, Kyouki clenched his fist before he held Cordelia's hand. With a resolute nod, he spoke in a confident tone.
"I will not let these invaluable blessings go to waste. Okay, then. I will see you guys in a bit. "
Glancing again at Sicily and Lilia, Kyouki fell inside the hole with his hand connected to his friend in a tight hold.
The sizzling blizzards, along with an ominous sensation, spread through both of their consciousness as their body traveled at a controllable pace downwards.
Straightening their bodies, they gathered the remaining mana in their feet since, as Austin said, this place indeed suppressed their magical resource like a precious part of them was eaten out.
**DHAK**
After falling for more than ten seconds, Cordelia and Kyouki landed safely on the ground only to get stunned by sight, which emerged almost spontaneously.
With their grip on each other growing stiffer, they saw the rise of a being whom, despite being aware, they couldn't help but shiver upon witnessing.
[You mere mortal dared to enter my domain!]
____________…
A/N: - This labyrinth would bring out many secrets and mysteries which would connect to the future and origin of Austin.
Well, let's see where this goes~