Chapter 442: Pave the way

Chapter 442: Pave the way

The air on the far side of the transport cannon, opposite to the tube, rippled. Birds form materialized from the anomaly and she blew out the breath shed been holding in her chest. A trickle of sweat rolled down the side of her temple and she wiped it away.

Her eyes remained locked on the trapdoor that Vermil and Tim had just headed down, but her mind was far more focused on their conversation. Tim had clearly missed the meaning of Noahs words, but she hadnt.

Slab of meat in front of a dog? Talking about tentacles, and he went to the Bleached River?

A shiver ran down Birds spine. She hadnt exactly been planning on trying to spy on Vermil. Shed just happened to be in the transport cannon when shed heard the lift activating and rattling up, bearing Vermils voice with it.

Shed cloaked herself and hid in the corner just moments before he and Tim had arrived. It wasnt like shed been doing anything out of place. It was just that something about Vermil set her on edge. Up until a few short moments ago, shed have been relatively willing to bet that hed just been messing with her.

But why else would he talk like that if he hadnt been using his special fighting style? The monsters hes talking about are Ridgerils. Theyre big and have a lot of tentacles with sharp spines within their suckers, but Rank 3s shouldnt be that much of a threat to a Rank 4. Especially not one as strong as him.

The only reason hed be worried about them is if he was naked. I know I sure as the Damned Plains would have been. I wouldnt want a tentacle within a hundred feet of myself if I were.

That cant be right, though. I refuse to believe that such a stupid strategy actually makes enough of a difference that hed push himself to such a degree.

There was only one way to find out. Tim may have scrambled the directions on the cannon, but Bird was no stranger to operating one. She crept over to the panel and her hands played across it, her heart thumping and her fingers stiff.

If Vermil caught her, it would be difficult to explain what shed been doing. The King family name would get her out of nearly every single situation, but the strange man didnt seem to give a shit about propriety in the slightest. It was impossible to predict what hed do.

Fortunately, they were deep within the transport cannon and it wasnt like Tim was the only person allowed to use it. The cannon shuddered as it rotated, redirecting itself, and she locked in place. Her breath caught in her throat as she peeled her ears for several seconds to listen for anyone coming up from below.

Nobody did. Bird didnt give herself any longer to celebrate. She pressed her hand into the console and a wave of energy rippled across it. A buzzing hum started to pick up in the room and she stepped around the counter, hurrying over to the tube and laying down in it.

The cannon would call her back in exactly an hour. Even if there was anyone in the cannon when she returned, shed be able to claim she was just using it for normal purposes. Shed just have to hope that nobody checked the direction of where it was pointed.

Any further thoughts were lost as the humming reached a crescendo and a wave of blue light enveloped Bird, yanking her away and sending her body hurtling through the sky.

Just a short while later, her feet slammed down into sand and she took a stumbling step forward, blinking away the last remnants of confusion from the trip and quickly calling on her runes in case anything was still in the area.

There was nothing but sand a flowing river. Bird blew out a breath and lowered her hands. The area around her was completely devoid of any threat for the time being. It was pristine and untouched, as if nobody had been here in quite some time.

Birds eyes narrowed.

That isnt right, she muttered under her breath, turning in a circle to make sure she hadnt missed something. This is the standard location to visit the Bleached River at, but theres no way Vermil was here. The sand is untouched and there isnt even a single dead monster.

But, beyond that, the style of fighting he used was secret. Vermil hadnt revealed exactly how hed fought the octopi to Tim. Hed just hinted at it.

Did he intentionally gift this to me to test me? Is Vermil a genius, a pervert, or a moron? I cant tell.

Bird bit down on her lower lip and clenched her fists. All the thinking in the world wouldnt change the information she had. Her duty, both as a mage and as a retainer to Otto of the King family, was to seek out power and information.

It didnt matter what her target was. All that mattered was results and results were abundant. Bird suppressed a groan. A rather large part of her wished that shed never activated the transport cannon today. Better yet, she wished shed just stayed at home.

But there wasnt any way around it now. The lure of knowledge was planted in her mind, and she wouldnt rest until she knew if it was true or not. Power was far too rare to come by for her to just pass it up due to stupid sensibilities. Bird set her jaw.

Im going to actually have to test this fighting style out just somewhere where absolutely nobody has even the slightest chance of ever seeing me. If they do, I think I might actually die of embarrassment on the spot.

***

Four runes and an application of the Fragment of Renewal later, the Mind Meld potion wore off. Noah and Tim both sat up in the core of the Transport Cannon. They rose to their feet and shook off the potions last effects.

Tims grinned at Noah. The childlike delight on the mans face was contagious. Quite a successful session this time around, Vermil. You must have improved since the last time.

Me? Forget me. I barely did anything. You were incredible! Noah exclaimed, giving Tim a light punch in the shoulder. Your soul is improving by leaps and bounds, Tim. Well only need one more shot at this before youre completely ready.

I can hardly take any credit for anything, Tim said, holding his hands up. But I wont press the matter any further for the sake of our agreement to keep things to the sanctuary of our minds.

Probably a good idea, Noah said. Tomorrow. Meet me here again, same time. Were finishing this. No more delays.

Tim swallowed, then nodded. I will. Thank you, Vermil. I know Ive said it before, but thank you.

Think nothing of it, Noah said. Remember. Tomorrow. Same time. Until then, Ive got some more work to handle. Theres an advanced track meeting coming up tomorrow, and the exam isnt too far away either. I dont suppose you know anything about it?

Im afraid not, Tim said with a chuckle. Do you really think your students would need the help?

No, Noah replied. I was just curious. Ive got complete faith in them. Im quite looking forward to the exam. Itll be a chance for them to show how far theyve come not just to everyone else, but also to themselves.

You arent even slightly concerned about the enemies youve drummed up? Tim asked with a nervous frown. Ive got faith in your students as well, but they dont have an easy road ahead of them. Jalen was telling me about the situation, and it sounds like some people might try to interfere with them.

Oh, I know. A grin pulled across Noahs lips. Im counting on it. You cant carve a path to the top of the mountain without stepping stones to pave the way.