The students lingered around the underground shelter oblivious to the rusted cogs and gears that struggled to keep their Academy running. In many way all their hopes, dreams and futures were on the shoulders of the thirteen teachers who kept those gears turning. As much as he hated their lazy attitudes and lacklustre grades, Azarat couldn’t help himself wanting to fight for them. He gripped his sword and longed to return to the surface, but he had other matters to deal with: he was next in the chain of command behind Rembrandt Payne and Amber Thorburn. He stepped up onto the command platform, cleared his throat and stamped a boot on metal grating to get the attention of the students as Yuki played a whispering melody on her flute to help calm their nerves.

“This is a critical state of affairs,” he said, his commanding tone quelling even the most dissident of students, “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?”

A trio of first years had been spied sneaking off, and Ms Clarke slipped out of the shelter to find them. Two more juniors had vanished, but their names and the names of the missing second years didn’t surprise Azarat one bit.

“You know where Phantasia is,” said Lucia James, “But I’m missing Ceres Mendoza and Korrigan Wedekind as well… Don’t question my authority, okay?”

“Well there’s a surprise,” whispered Sabeen, “Natalie’s not here either. Looks like her little coven are up to their usual tricks again.”

“Best get ready for another mind wipe,” said Valentine with a sigh, as h swirled a half-empty flask around.

“It was to be expected,” replied Azarat, trying his best not to show contempt but the corner of his mouth curled into a sneer instinctively.

Before the students could drown out the shelter with their gossiping again, Lucia chirped up with red eyes flaring to life. “Can I go blow that thing up now?”

Azarat chuckled. “We’ll deal with this as a team,” He wasn’t about to let the ‘Magic Gun Alchemist’ steal all the glory, and they worked better as a pair.

Lucia anticipated his desire and turned to leave. Then the entrance vanished, as if melting away into stone. The students were quick to realise and Yuki began another melody to contain their panic.

Lucia placed her hand where the doors had been and cursed. “It’s transmutation! I—I can’t counter it! Whoever’s responsible is well better than me, or at least better prepared! I CAN’T EVEN DETONATE ANYTHING!”

Azarat couldn’t see the game of molecular chess playing out inside the walls but he knew that, if they were up against someone more skilled than Lucia James, then the Academy – and Phantasia Celeste – was in worse danger than he’d anticipated.

***

The giant overshadowed the swimming pool, its faceless head watching Phantasia as she balanced on the tip of the mesh fencing, contemplating her first move. This monster was as large as its underground cousin, but its brown body and green limbs reflected the field around it. Whatever these things were, there was no doubt they were formed from their surrounding environment.

For whatever reason, the creature was as motionless as a statue, much as the one guarding the underground citadel had been until approached. Given her last encounter, Phantasia wasn’t prepared to be cautious. She hunkered down, like Hermia or Korrigan preparing for a sprint, and focused her strength into a protective barrier, as she’d been training herself to do. The creature didn’t have a chance to react as she threw herself at it like a javelin, releasing her gathered strength at the point of contact. A one-hit KO.

Chapter 40
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