Chapter 86: Close Calls

It was a machine room, filled with so many complicated devices that Stevens’ head started spinning.

It must’ve taken years to build anything like this, if not longer. The runes alone were so specific that Steven couldn’t even recognize them.

They were probably invented only for this ship; it was the first place with no other usage beside it.

But just from its form, it looked like it was used as the energy source to power such a gigantic ship, allowing it to travel.

From the distance he could see that even Qwenz was confused about the whole room, probably not knowing why Alem had brought him here.

Stepping a bit closer, he could hear the giant finally speak again. "Professor, what are we doing here?"

But Alems continued his way, only stopping in front of a smaller machine glowing fiercely red. "I have to check on something; just stay back."

The professors finally answered while placing his hand on the machine, which only began to burn brighter.

As suddenly multiple runes started activating all around them, Steven took a cautious step backwards.

But just as abruptly as it started, did it end, as Alem took his hand off while shaking his head disappointedly? "Seems like we got a few more unexpected visitors than initially thought."

Hearing his words, Stevens’ heart sank to his feet; being able to hear his own heartbeat, he wasn’t sure if maybe the others could hear it too.

But Alems stayed too relaxed; if he really knew someone had entered with them, he wouldn’t stand completely still.

Qwenz didn’t seem to be bothering much either, simply staring at the professor. "How do you know?" He finally asked.

As with a soft metallic bang, Alem tapped on the device. "The allows us to scan to ship for mana sources, so if anyone enters it without asking, I will know."

As Qwenz seems to grow excited, barely able to stand still. "Do you know where they are?"

But Alems shook his head in disapproval. "Sadly not directly only placed; they remained for some time for their mana to spread out enough to be detected."

"You can try it too if you want." The professors added moving out of the way, allowing Qwenz to try it.

Steven was already sprinting through the room silently; he had stood there for at least a few minutes, so if anyone was to check now, they for sure would know he had entered the room.

As Qwenz’s hand moved onto the runic device, it began to glow, only brighter, while Steven was already readying himself to get found.

But a second passed, then another as the giant stood there silently; even Alem seemed to grow visibly uncomfortable from the lack of movement.

"Everything ok, kid?" The professors spoke while grabbing Qwenz’s shoulder, who finally seemed to snap back to reality. "Can be confusing using it the first time." Alem added with a comforting voice.

But Qwenz’s gaze had changed to something more serious as he turned his head to directly where Steven had stood not too long ago.

As Alem followed the students’ gaze, Steven could only watch as Qwenz opened his mouth to speak.

But before he could, a powerful shaking threw them all nearly off the ground as Alem crashed against a wall.

"What was that?" Steven mumbled under his breath as another quake threw him through the room.

Landing not too far away from the professors, he could barely focus on keeping his invisibility up as he watched Qwenz sprint towards the giant iron doors.

Alem quickly recovered from the initial shock, jumping up and following his student quickly towards the doors.

"You are going to stay here," the professors yelled to his student as he was about to catch up to Qwenz.

"While should I listen to somebody like you? Whatever is out there sounds fun to me." The giant answered while laughing.

But they were both forced to stop at the rune-filled doors; as long as Alem didn’t use his keys, Steven doubted Qwenz could escape.

"What are you waiting for, old man? Open the door." The giant yelled, trying to force them open with brute force.

But his attempts were meaningless, as with each hit the runes only grew stronger, seemingly draining Qwenz’s power.

As the giant slowly began to stumble backwards, his face filled with annoyance.

"Like I said, you won’t get out of here if I don’t want it." Alem scolded him, pulling out the key from his pocket.

But instead of giving up, something changed in the gaze of the giant, now purely focusing on the keys inside Alems’s hands.

"Give me the key; I won’t ask again." Qwenz stated as his spirit suddenly appeared at his side.

He was really ready to fight Alem just to get into a new fight. Steven couldn’t believe what he was watching.

Just a moment ago they had been on good terms, and now suddenly the giant was going crazy again.

If it came down to it, he might have to help Alem with fighting the diamond class student.

Just comparing their manas wasn’t fair at all; Qwenz had nearly double the one of his teacher without his spirit helping him.

Even when Alem might have more experience, talent was always superior in a direct fight.

Even then, did he expect his teacher to fight the student? But he was disappointed as Alem raised his arms in surrender.

"Ok, ok, relax, we don’t need to fight; you can have them." As he offered the giant the keys, he happily grabbed them.

"You made the right call, old man; we don’t want you being hurt before the event even starts."

Fumbling the keys into the runic lock, Qwenz was filled with anticipation as the doors slowly began to open.

But before he could even take a singular step outside, Alem let out a disappointed sigh.

"I really had greater expectations of you." He spoke as Qwenz turned around confused.

But before the giant could even react, the professors had already moved as he delivered a single strike to his throat.

Qwenz tried to breathe but couldn’t get any air into his lungs; as his leg slowly gave up, he dropped to his knees.

Only letting out a pained groan. "How... How did you..." But before he could even finish his sentence, his body gave up.

Falling to the side unconscious, Alem moved towards him with not a worry in the world as he grabbed the keys from the young student’s hand.

"Thank you very much, but sadly I have to go." The teacher spoke ironically as he stepped through the giant doors.

But before leaving completely, did he turn around once more, staring into the room, his gaze conflicted?

Continuing to stand at the door until it was fully closed, Steven wasn’t able to escape the place in time.

As the doors closed with a loud metallic bang, Steven let out a few curses. "Perfect, I am trapped with this fucker now."

Even then, did he decide to check on Qwenz’s well-being, who was in perfect condition except for the fact he was unconscious?

"Healing fist? Not bad for a teacher." Steven whispered, impressed; he had thought Alem was more on the theoretical side of magic than combat, only teaching defense because he must.

Shifting his gaze from Qwenz towards the locked door, he instantly felt his mood collapsing.

"I guess you are the real problem in my way." Steven spoke to the door, but of course it didn’t answer him. It was a fucking door after all.

Trying to force his way out could lead to the runes activating some kind of trap or alarm, which Steven didn’t like one bit.

He, of course, could also wait for Alem or someone else to return to check on Qwenz, but he doubted it would happen soon.

If he was honest with himself, he found himself in a great situation; no normal student would be able to escape from here.

Which meant the fingers couldn’t blame him for being stuck inside of here and not finishing his designated mission.

He couldn’t have hoped for a different situation, as he was already settling down on the ground to wait for Qwenz Mana to change.

"Fuck it, so soon already?" He couldn’t believe the guy was waking up so early already, but it was most likely due to his spirit being summoned.

As the giant jumped up from the ground, letting the ground tremble under his feet, his body had already begun the fusion with his spirit.

Even though he wasn’t fully awake yet.

"This is going to be bad... Really bad." Steven spoke to himself; if the spirit was able to gain full control of the body, they might ac...

But before he could even finish his thought, the air turned freezing cold.

Each molecule of water turning into ice.

And with a sudden shift of mana, it flew towards as trillions, if not more, small ice shards.