The underground shelter was lit by rows of lights along the wall and was big enough to hold at least five times as many students as were currently there. One wall was lined with folded tables and stacks of chairs, while another was home to a large screen, sitting above a podium as if waiting for an army commander to issue tactical orders to gathered troops. There were bathrooms, antechambers and barracks, and even a bar and canteen at the far end of the room, as if the shelter were also designed for holding all-night parties. Presently, however, the amenities were dead and most students were huddling together in their social groups, whispering about the stone giant and the white-haired magical girl. Joel and his friends swooned into the open centre of the shelter as they would on arrival at a nightclub. If only Dante could be so bold.

A heavy stamp echoed through the wide chamber and, one by one, the students turned to face the podium. Azarat Haan had taken up the position of the army commander and was watching over his juvenile troops with sharp eyes. “This is a critical state of affairs,” he explained, “I want all of you to stay here while we deal with the situation at hand. Can all teachers please confirm that all students are currently present?”

There were eight students missing, including Phantasia. Three were first years had been noticed sneaking off in the commotion and Ms Clarke left to track them down. The others included two more first years, Ceres Mendoza and Korrigan Wedekind. No one went to search for them and, with the scowl on Mr Haan’s face, Dante wondered if he was glad they were missing.

“Can I go blow that thing up now?” asked Ms James, causing a ripple of chortling and the odd cheer.

“We’ll deal with this as a team,” said Mr Haan, almost smiling.

And then the room sealed shut.

***

If there was ever the need for proof that the Academy needed tighter defences, this was it. Azarat Haan clenched a fist around the hilt of his sword, the tremor of his rage picking up in magnitude as the situation played itself over in his head.

“It’s not often my older brother looks so tense,”

Azarat huffed as his brother, Sabeen, detached himself from the flood of students washing into the shelter.

“That thing caught me off guard,” said Azarat, “Had it been hostile those children would be dead,”

The mob of students became a trickle and the brothers joined the remaining teachers as they descended into the shelter after them.

“It ain’t just your fault, Az,” said Valentine Baudin, twirling a hipflask around in one hand, no doubt contemplating alcohol as an escape from possible responsibility, “Amber’s our best seer and she ain’t here,”

“We need upgrades,” said Sabeen, “Godhand really did a number on us.”

“Maybe this will convince SEELIE to help us,” said Yuki Shimomura.

“Yeah, like they’ll waste their resources on the worst Academy out there,” replied Valentine, who then gave into his obvious urges and took a swig from his flask.

Chapter 40
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