Chapter 28

The group was already gathered early at the entrance of the academy, waiting for the transport ship.

There wasn't much to do waiting, so they started talking.

Carl was happy to interact in a group.

Luke asked Simon how to have a muscular body.

Simon is left thinking, he didn't really know what to say, so he tells him how he exercises every day and how much food he consumes.

When Levi heard Luke's question, he remembered when the same thing was questioned, until he found out how growth and feeding differ between species. He nods affirming his answer. The others only saw him nod. Levi notices their looks, then tells them the answer.

It took almost 1 hour for the arrival of the boat.

The boat was not very big, it was a small wooden boat for a crew of 50 people.

The group gets on the boat. As the trip would not last long, the boys decided to stay on the deck, but the girls preferred to enter the cabin.

Levi stays with the boys, he didn't really want to move around on the boat, plus there wasn't much to explore on a small boat besides the cabin. He grabs a barrel and uses it to sit next to the group, listening to their conversation with little attention.

Lucas seemed impatient to tell the group anything, even Levi seemed interested to see how anxious Lucas seemed—It's shocking news what I'll tell you—Lucas says, speaking quickly, but quietly so as not to disturb the rest of the crew. Simon gestures to him to speak. Lucas looks at the group —There will be a tournament at the academy before the winter break in which the top 10 will be awarded—.

Carl interrupts him and says with a burlesque tone— That's old news, there had already been talk of the tournament a month ago.

Lucas doesn't get angry at his teammate's interruption, he even makes a ridiculous gesture towards Carl — you see, what he hears before going to the port is related to the tournament. And it's not fake news, it's true, I even asked the teachers already. The Empress plans to come to observe the tournament in person and will be part of the jury, however, the most important thing is how she has decided to give the first 5 places a prize taken from the treasure hall of her castle. They understand the magnitude of the matter — The expressions of the boys were surprised by the information, even Levi who seemed apathetic to the tournament, even the crew who heard him were surprised.

Levi calmed down a bit, but curiosity was killing him—Tell me—Lucas watches him with excitement —Since you're very excited it means you have a way to win, could you know what it is? —Luke's excitement fades.

Luke looks at him with a strange look—I don't have a way, but together we can find a way—His eyes shine with a light of hope.

Levi gets up from the barrel, walks until he positions himself in front of Lucas —The truth is there is no way we will win, if it is real news, then all the strong groups will enter the tournament and if we compare ourselves with them we will not have a chance. Our individual strength as a group is weak, our coordination inefficient, experience scarce and could continue to give you several reasons, but in the end we will register for the tournament. Not for the prizes, but for the combat experience — Sit back in the barrel, with a serious expression .

Carl next door — If you really think about it, there's really no way to win if the strong teams come in, but maybe if there will be a chance to get into the top 10 or even the top 5 if we're a little lucky — His voice gave a glimmer of hope to the group.

Simon seemed to understand what his partner is referring to—It could be so, imagine that strong groups are pitted against each other, maybe we can get by if that happens. His eyes were beginning to glow, like lucas and Carl's.

Even Levi's eyes began to glow as he listened to his peers. - They are right a little lucky and we can reach the top 10, however, we will have to train a lot, we do not even know if the level of the team can even compete against the weakest — Their concern was not unreasonable — We certainly require luck in the draw — The group nods.

The trip went smoothly.

They arrived at one of the three ports on the island. It was an island big enough to have a small village on it and three ports. The job of the locals was to tend a reef near one of the ports and be a resting point for both travelers and merchants.

The group disembarks.

Levi approaches one of the crew to get some information from the village. The group does not stay to wait for him and begins to explore the island without the leader.

Noticing that he was left alone, Levi sighs helplessly. Walking through the small town you notice that the architecture is the same as that of the big cities, there was not much difference except the difference in population and buildings. Levi didn't have a hard time finding the group, luckily they were all together in front of a food stall. He does not interrupt them, he preferred to look for the mayor of the town to inform him about the mission.

He found the mayor in a short time, in the south port. The mayor was an older person. At first glance it seemed that his life was about to end.

Levi is approaching. With just one glance I could see the concern in the eyes of the people the mayor was talking to at the time. He looks at the little boy who approaches him in the uniform of an academy. Levi presents himself to the mayor, informing him that they were coming for the mission.

The acalde begins with a small introduction of the town, then tells you how the economy has been growing. This information seemed unnecessary to Levi, but he did not interrupt the acalde, he let it end. Later the acalde tells him the problem of monsters.

The two began to discuss the situation, meanwhile, at a certain village food stall.

Carl — Wow, I didn't know it could be prepared this way — He said while eating a plate with shrimp and vegetables

Wensy — As expected of an empire at sea. Their local food is mostly made up of fish — you could tell their distaste for food a bit in their tone of voice.

Susan understands her partner's disgust, but her actions seemed to enjoy the food very much.

The other three enjoyed the meal without complaints.

It took an hour for Levi to appear next to the group, at that time they continued to eat.

Levi — It's time to get the job done — Everyone heads to the farthest port from the town, which was located in the east of the island. Normally it is the busiest, but the question of the monsters, made the inhabitants move away from it.

The group arrives at the port, they found three buildings on the site, an inn, a carpentry shop and a trading building. The buildings were not completely empty, there were a few passers-by.

Before moving forward, Levi asks the group an important question before entering the sea — who can breathe underwater? - A question that seemed silly to Susan.

Wensy — I can hold my breath for 10 minutes, yet I don't know how long I'll be able to hold on in a fight — He wasn't embarrassed to give his answer.

Luckily for the group three of its members could breathe underwater. Which are Susan, Carl and Lucas.

Lucas — We have a problem — He seemed to be worried for some reason.

Levi — Which one? —.

Luke — We haven't decided Who will go to the front? —

Levi — It's not a problem. In the water the main attackers will be the ones who can breathe underwater and the others will take action when necessary.

Lucas felt a little helpless for being the only warrior who would be in front at all times, however, there were no other options or he just didn't want to think of one.

Susan — You can use summons, right? — Everyone looks at Levi, who nods — You can put everyone in the body of the invocation and keep some air inside it.

Levi — It's a good idea, but there's a problem, I need to use a lot of mana to summon something that can carry passengers, plus it will continue to absorb my mana while it.'

Susan — Okay. Do it — He said it as an order.

Levi really wanted to hit her, but she was able to control herself. He had no choice but to make an invocation. Summon the dark turtle, three times the size. Sweat begins to run through his body, he had no choice but to take a potion. Feel like you will lose a lot on this trip.

The group heads to the port, the turtle jumps into the water, the others do the same.

Above the shell of the turtle appears a hole, through which the four who could not breathe underwater got into. The remaining three sat on it.

And so the turtle begins to dive slowly.

Turtle shell; inside the shell; non-aquatic group***

Wensy — How much will we have to travel? — He was uncomfortable being in a small space.

Levi — Not much, I estimate about 2 kilometers — He said as he wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Wensy — That's a lot, can you hold on? — You could tell the worry in your question.

Levi — Yes. Prepare many potions before you came — Inside he cried for all the potions he would use, thinking about the cost to prepare them made him sad.

Simon — Good to know — He says without worry.

Frederick — what kind of monster are we up against? — ask with a little concern.

Wnsy responds with a very serious tone — From what I hear they are sea monsters. His face showed signs of mockery.

Frederick yells — That's pretty clear.

Wensy — Remember you asked and I just answered — He shrugs ignoring the annoying Frederick.

Simon — Did anyone investigate? —.

Levi — Don't worry. I will tell you — His face outlined the pride of a leader. Pride which disappeared quickly — You had to say it before we dived, outsiders won't know what they're up against — Wensy said with a tone of rebuke, to which Levi responds — I already sent them the information as we talked.

Turtle shell; aquatic group; over the shell ***

The trio was sitting on the shell.

Susan — How comforting it is to be underwater — The others agreed.

Lucas — You saw the information of the monsters.

Carl — Yes —.

Susan — What information? —.

Lucas replies — The one Levi just sent.

Susan — I'm lazy to read it. You can summarize it —.

Carl — I'm sorry. That's what she's like normally — He knew his partner's personality well.

Lucas — I have no problems, in fact, it reminds me of my sister.

Susan — She must be a beautiful girl.

Lucas — I think so — says honestly.

Susan — Unlike you — Carl's face darkens — I can guess a few things about your sister by seeing your face — Susan says.

Luke — Seriously. Then guess — He was curious about his partner's words.

Susan — Your sister is strong, she has a better face, she is taller and her talent is superior, she could even say that your sister is a magician.

Lucas was surprised by the divination of his companion—Corrijo. She's a cyber-magician—

Susan stands up after listening to Lucas—Ice Magic: Frost Arrow—.

Lucas becomes paranoid waving his hands constantly— Wait, wait, wait. It's not that big—The arrow shoots out, passing through one side of the frightened Lucas' body. The arrow hits something. He turns his head and what he sees is a monster with an arrow piercing his head.

The corpse had two front legs, the head is shaped like a piranha, its mouth was large with a large number of small sharp teeth, a shark-like tail , and a small fin on the back.

Susan sits — You're welcome, besides, I don't feel bothered by failing my divination, I'm a magician not a fortune teller. Finally, I haven't been told the kind of monsters we're facing.

Carl points to the corpse they left behind — to those, a herd.

Susan — It doesn't seem that hard —

Lucas — Because he was far from the herd and is a calf.

Susan shrugs — But she died of a blow, adults shouldn't be so strong.

Carl — Exactly, the problem is the offspring, they can hide easily and are faster than adults, however, their strength is not to be feared compared to adults. Simply put, don't take it as a game — Rebuke Carl to Susan.

Inside the shell ***

Levi — We're about to get there. I'll go out with the rest—.

Simon. - How much can you hold your breath? —.

Levi — Two hours without problem —.

Outside the shell ***

Levi exits through the center of the shell, appearing in the center of the group — We will arrive in a short time — The depth to which the turtle traveled was not so much as affecting Levi's movement.

Susan — We killed a baby on the way — she says proudly.

Question Levi — And how about, do you feel capable? —.

Suan — I've seen worse monsters in my life — she says proudly.

Carl and Lucas say to unison — It's the first time — Levi didn't ask any more, hoping to see how his companions would act later.

The group arrived at the coral reef.

Daylight was enough to illuminate most of the reef. Corals shone with different colors, normally there are some species inhabiting them, but due to the problem of monsters they are gone.

Levi warns the group inside the shell of his arrival at the destination. Ordering them to stay on the sidelines until you tell them otherwise.

The group advances towards the reef, looking for the nest of monsters.

Lucas throws a flashlight that he put into a bottle.

Susan — Will it work? - Questioning his partner.

Lucas — Of course — Says as if his plan has no flaws.

Susan — How do you plan to turn it on? - This question made Lucas realize his mistake, putting the bottle away in shame.

The other two laugh at their partner.

Exploration of the reef didn't seem to lead anywhere, there were no signs of life. Lucas to remedy his previous clumsiness, takes out another bottle, but empty, tells Carl that he believes inside it creates a small fireball. This time everyone applauds his wit. Lucas proudly says — With this we can explore deeper — Throw the bottle.

Levi — How many do you bring? —.

Lucas — With that three —

Levi — It's better than nothing — He does the same as his partner, pulls out his own bottles with fire inside and throws them around the reef.

The bottles slowly descended into the water, illuminating the deepest parts of the reef. The first bottle took 7 hours to hit a surface, at that time Levi had no choice but to get into the shell to breathe every hour. The other bottles bottomed out in due course, but there was one bottle that seemed to have entered a hole and this one kept falling slowly.

The group follows this bottle as they cover their backs. Upon entering the hole they found a tunnel that seemed to go to the center of the reef. Levi throws several bottles, Lucas uses water magic to push them into the tunnel.

When they reached the end of the tunnel they found a large cave, in the middle of it was a group of monsters, apparently the monsters dug small holes in the walls where they placed the eggs.

The creatures noticed the light from the bottle.

Levi decided to use it as a distraction — We've arrived — These words were heard by the group inside the shell. The orders were swift.

Levi and Lucas advanced to the front, Carl and Susan prepared to launch attacks from a distance, and the group in the shell were waiting for their time to leave.

The monsters lash out at the duo of Lucas and Levi.

A monster throws a bite at the duo, the two dodge. Another monster is approaching from above. Levi creates a water shield, unfortunately the shield is not strong enough. The monster pierces him without difficulty, to dodge the attack of the monster Levi had to use wind magic to push himself back.

Lucas on the other hand had no difficulty moving, the water did not reduce his speed and agility.

The monsters seeing the two fighters, chose to go for Lucas, the one who seemed to be more problematic, but in that, some ice arrows begin to be fired towards the herd making it difficult for them to advance. Lucas takes the opportunity to retreat, Levi did not know which magic to use, his magic of water and wind was not effective underwater, not to mention that of fire and lightning. The fire one would be extinguished instantly and the lightning one would harm everyone equally. He only had to use the dark magic, but he was reluctant to use it because of the large amount of mana he needs, simply keeping the turtle was exhausting. - Get away from the turtle -. Susan and Carl did not hesitate. The turtle advances to support the duo.

The battle was difficult for the group, the magic was not very effective underwater, so they concentrated on supporting Lucas and the turtle. The conflict revolved around Luke, the main target of allies and enemies.

Susan and Carl supported him with ice arrows and Levi pushed the enemies with wind magic when they got very close to his companion, the turtle gave him protection from attacks that he could not defend.

The group was gaining the upper hand over time, but Lucas' energy was quickly running out as he dodged and attacked relentlessly. He continued without complaints, the situation made him understand how his group depends on him. Something that made Lucas happy, he always wanted that feeling of heroism.

Levi took advantage of the fact that his enemies were focused on a target. The turtle is placed behind the remaining monsters, the trio on the turtle finally makes its appearance. They attack the monsters from the rear with all their energies from the beginning for their limited time. The monsters were shocked to see the trio appear so suddenly.

Ahead Luke and the wizards, behind the knights and the turtle. The monsters were overwhelmed in a short time.

Everyone was exhausted at the end of the fight, the trio of knights quickly returns to the shell. The remaining quartet explores the cave.

The group leaves the cave after having kept the corpses and eggs in space storage.

The turtle heads at maximum speed to the village.

The turtle when stepping on the island disappears. Levi dries his sweat, then drinks some water.

Simon — We really did — There was a bit of nervousness and disbelief in his words.

Carl — Yes —.

Susan — Thanks to Lucas who resisted fiercely against the monsters.

It was clearly noticeable how Lucas could barely stand — It was nothing — He says as his legs tremble.

Wensy — It was harder than expected — She was the first to comment on the difficulty of the mission.

Levi understands what his partner — Yes — is referring to His tone was neutral, seeming calm to respect, but inside he had suspicions of some things.

Susan — Since you mention it. Magic lost too much effectiveness underwater — Carl adds to Susan's comment — According to the books, there are places where magic loses 30% effectiveness, but on the reef it lost almost 80%.

Lucas — Exactly. When we met that calf on the road, an arrow of ice was enough to kill it, but on the reef it took dozens for a calf.

Levi — Maybe there's a treasure on the reef — This was a guess on his part, but he knows that his companions are right with what they say, seeing how the magic of wind and water were useless.

Simon makes a suggestion to the group—what do you think if we come back? —.

Everyone agreed.

It was night and the low moonlight was not enough to look well at the entire reef, so they tried a new method. They used magic to know the place where he became weaker. In the end they ended up back in the cave.

This time everyone was investigating the place, Levi's summoning was kept on the sidelines like an oxygen tank, making the slightest movement.

Seeing that they couldn't find anything, they began to dig.

Carl — I hate this.

Susan — Shut up and dig faster — Speed up your digging like a competition.

Carl — Good — He didn't want to be scolded again.

The prolonged excavation paid off. Wensy dug up what appeared to be a blue crystal.

At first glance it was not something impressive, it seemed to be an ordinary crystal.

Wensy thought it was something worthless, the other warriors too, but the wizards in the group made some assumptions about it.

Carl — It will be a crystal of water —.

Susan — A crystal of some water spirit .

Levi shakes his head — That's an egg — He said confidently.

Everyone is left seeing the glass in Wensy's hands.

They didn't believe Levi's words, so they decided to find out that it was in the academy, for the time being they kept it.

Levi could only deny helplessly.

End of chapter.