Chapter 134: Back Burner

Zach slept through the majority of the classes the next day, but he couldn't care less. He might lose a mark or two, but it wasn't like that hadn't happened before. And he had still broken the record for grades during his first year. He didn't see a reason why he shouldn't be able to do the same thing during his second year. Sёarᴄh the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

He did, however, make it in time for the club activities. He left Alzara in the lab.

It seemed like she had missed crafting things since she barely even noticed when he left. Zach had a feeling she wouldn't mind staying there for as long as she could.

'I guess it's similar to how Yanael doesn't mind training.' Zach was a little happy to have found something in common between his two familiars. They both had their interests that made them forget about the outside world.

The other club members felt that something was missing without Alzara's tall figure looming behind Zach. It was like looking at a painting of a castle with one of its towers removed. Zach walking around with his maids was so natural that they didn't even notice Alzara's absence at first. They just realized that something was off.

Nessa was the only one who knew where Alzara was and didn't think anything strange of it.

The others soon realized and asked. Zach answered. She was busy. With what? Things. Okay.

Zach quickly moved on to the agenda of the day. He wasn't very interested in sharing Alzara's passion for crafting and her autonomy with the club when there were more important things to do.

"I'm guessing you guys also realized something when we found Rierdan?" Zach locked eyes with each of the club members, all of them nodding in response to his statement. No one was stupid enough to miss it.

"An underworlder or someone working with the Underworld kidnapped Rierdan and his familiar. They also brought him toward the city. That could have been a coincidence, and that's why they dropped him before disappearing.

"Or they dropped him off because their part was done or something along those lines, and someone else was going to smuggle him into the city when the time was right. Of course, it could be for some other goal that we can't understand. Maybe it was a test. Maybe they kidnapped Rierdan for the fun of it.

But I want to hear what you think." Zach looked at the club members, who had realized but not dared voice the same thoughts as Zach.

They hadn't dared voice it because of the implication that the city or someone inside the city was working with the Underworld, an enemy of humanity and the entire surface.

The city was like an extension of the Academy. Even the slightest possibility of someone there working with the Underworld prophesied endless trouble.

"I don't want to admit it, but I think you're right, Zach. As horrible as it sounds, the Underworld is working in the city. I am sure of it. During summer, when I worked in an inn there, I heard about several kidnappings. Of course, in a city that big, people are going to disappear. But not in Basilia.

Something's going on." Dukiel's expression was grave. And his words made the others' expressions darken.

Dukiel was right. Kidnappings and disappearances happened. People who left on their own, got taken by others, or got eaten by monsters. A lot of things could happen.

But despite its proximity to a monster-ridden forest, Basilia also had summoners from the Academy's four years in it around the year. It also had graduates and teachers visiting or living there. The usual kind of trouble that afflicted other cities didn't dare come close to Basilia.

Unfortunately, that meant that the trouble that dared to show its face in Basilia was unusual.

This time, it looked like the source of the trouble was the Underworld.

The others didn't seem to have anything to add to what Dukiel had already said.

Zach gave everyone another round of looks before settling on Dukiel and Julius.

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"Given what just happened to Rierdan, it's clear that this year is going to be dangerous, more so than last year. But that doesn't mean we can just hide and sit on our asses, hoping things will solve themselves.

"Dukiel, Julius, what do you think about investigating Basilia and looking for traces of the Underworld?"

Dukiel and Julius looked at each other.

"We'll do it," Dukiel answered with a strong voice.

Julius nodded in agreement.

Zach returned the nod and faced the entire club.

"I will enter the forest and search for any traces, but I will also be looking to level up. I would recommend against anyone going alone, so I'm willing to bring you guys with me.

"Our priority right now should be to increase our strength. For you guys, that means summoning your second familiar. Let's put the usual club activities on the back burner for a couple of weeks. Okay?"

"What about us?" Julius asked.

"You two naturally don't have to investigate Basilia all the time, and if you need help or more numbers, just let us know. I will help you two hunt monsters as well."

Dukiel and Julius nodded in appreciation. Although Dukiel didn't need help in killing monsters, Zach had a much easier time finding them. It would make the process quicker and easier.

Nessa looked at Zach for a moment before glancing at Anerias, Violina, and Liam. Then, she returned to looking at Zach.

"Can we go right now?" Nessa asked.

Zach's eyebrows rose slightly.

"I don't see why not. Anyone else?"

Anerias and Violina looked at each other.

"...We will try on our own first," Violina answered, much to Anerias' delight.

"I have Student Council duties, and I've already summoned my second familiar."

"You can always summon your third." Zach found Liam's excuse a little weak.

"I'm still pretty far off, to be honest, and I need stronger monsters than the ones we have found in the forest so far."

Zach's eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn't press it. Liam didn't want to come. He didn't have to come.

Zach and Nessa left for the forest after receiving permission to stay out for a night.