TTIGRAAS: Predator

Chapter 26

Now that the waterworks were done, we headed toward the city gates.

The morning air was crisp and refreshing, the streets not nearly as busy as usual since it was quite early. With the tense, nervous excitement permeating my students' moods, the lack of a crowd was a very welcome thing.

Briefly waving at the guards as I passed through to outside Rura, we walked over to the magic circle I'd hidden nearby, which thankfully appeared undisturbed.

"What's that? It's so big and fancy!"

"It's a magic circle I made that we'll be using to travel quickly. Step inside, all of you, and I'll trigger it."

"Um... Professor? Doesn't this sort of thing require an extra magic source? It's so big... and all of us at once? I remember learning that using spatial magic on more than one person at a time is very difficult." Gale seemed doubtful, but there was nothing to worry about.

"I promise it's safe."

"Our Professor is so cool..." Ryota muttered.

"Flashy show off..." Alice grumbled, "He did sound cool, though." she said more quietly.

I gestured again toward the circle and they all stepped inside with a little bit of room to spare. I joined them right after and sent some magicules into it.

Also, using [Great Sage]'s [Parallel Processing], I simultaneously casted a second spell just to reinforce the protection on my students. When teleporting, that's a very important thing to include in a spell or the one getting teleported could get magicule poisoning mid-trip, and with these kids already struggling with something similar, I thought it best to be safe rather than sorry. This was suggested by the trusty sage, of course.

The next thing I knew, we were back at the other circle near Ramiris' place. Everything went smoothly, all the kids were intact, all's good.

"Whoa!"

"Why didn't you warn us!?"

"I felt like I was floating for a few seconds... so weird..."

"I think I'm gonna be sick...!"

"Where did we go?"

That pixie girl called herself Ramiris of the Labyrinth, right? So I guess this place is her Labyrinth and not just the 'Dwelling of Spirits'. That's a lot less of a mouthful, so let's just call it that.

"A mysterious Labyrinth with a pixie lady who wants to help you kids. I made a deal with her to give you each a Greater Spirit to help control that energy that's the source of your issues."

I gave them some further explanation of what the plan was too, using a bit of the sage's assistance to work out the finer details. They all listened intently, hopeful expressions on their faces.

"Are you ready?" I asked the group.

"I'm ready." Gale nodded.

"Yeah, me too!" Kenya shouted.

"Uh-huh... I'm ready." Ryota added.

"Pfft, of course I'm ready! Why wouldn't I be?" Alice scoffed.

"Let's go." Chloe stepped toward the door.

"I'll be right behind you guys, so go right ahead. All you have to do is touch the door."

Right before touching the door, I noticed Chloe shudder. "I'm ready," she whispered quietly to herself.

"3... 2... 1... now."

We were all pulled inside and I was met by the same ominous hallway scenery that I did last time I was here.