Chapter 225: Interview (1/2)
The branches broke beneath their feet as they ran through the forest. It was usually quiet, but the army of awakeners pursuing them made sure that wasn't the case. Shouts, broken trees, and abilities being used filled the forest as Arthur and his team ran toward the shore.
Luckily for them, the shore wasn't that far from the ruins. That was why they managed to reach it by the time the alliance finally caught up.
”Brother, I'm dying to know how you pulled that off!” Oliver said while huffing. The other two also looked at Arthur with interest.
Arthur couldn't possibly tell them the truth, because that would mean revealing his shadow. He had asked his shadow to remain in Ellen's shadow until they were close enough. He feared that it would be stopped if he used it in public and didn't want anyone to link it to him.
Ellen, who was almost as fast as Arthur and Rae, was perfect to get the shadow there. That's why Arthur trusted to be close enough for the shadow to sneak as Rae and he distracted the others.
After that, the shadow left the crystals in his shadow space before disintegrating. It had only half an hour before disappearing, so it was a close call.
”We have no time for this, they'll soon be here. Do you know how to use the crystals?”
”I've seen a guy uses it to pass the test. He made a boat from it.” Oliver shrugged. ”We can do that.”
”Yes, here you go.”
”But there are only three crystals and we're four. Shouldn't we try to get one more?” Oliver mumbled without taking the crystal from Arthur's hand.
Arthur saw Ellen's face pale. It seems she thought they were going to cut her off since they were one crystal less. Before she could try anything reckless, Arthur threw a crystal her way.
She clumsily caught the crystal as she looked at Arthur with a stunned expression.
”W-what?” She asked meekly. ”I-I don't think I should get one.”
”Of course, you should, we couldn't have made it without you.” Arthur laughed. ”Inject mana into the crystal and you can make a boat out of it.”
Ellen looked blankly at the crystal and nodded. She hugged the crystal as if she was afraid that she would lose it. Arthur smiled and threw the other one to Oliver, who caught it easily.
”Oliver, did you see how that person made it across the sea?”
”I think the crystal naturally gravitates toward the goal,” Oliver said as he looked at the crystal then looked at the one Arthur had. ”Brother, what about the last one? Who is…” He then glanced at Rae.
”We'll solve this.” Arthur waved his hand. Rae stood there expressionless as she crossed her arms around her chest. ”Use the crystals now. They're close.”
The sounds of the army's march started making the shore vibrate. As if a thousand horses were coming their way, the forest buzzed with activity.
”They're at the shore!” He heard a fairly close shout.
”Now!”
Ellen and Oliver hurriedly made boats of their crystals. Arthur watched with fascination as the small crystal stretched and turned into a small boat.
They threw the boats into the water before jumping on top of them. The moment their feet touch the small boat's crystal floor, it began zooming across the acidic sea.
”Say, Rae,” Arthur called out without taking his eyes off his departing comrades. ”Don't you find this island weird?”
”What do you mean?” Rae looked at him with confusion. ”It is weird, it's artificial. Are you an idiot?”
”Hah,” Arthur sighed as he turned to her. ”We'll never get along, huh?”
”Not in a thousand years. I'll make you my slave and I'll make you suffer.”
”Whatever helps you sleep at night.” Arthur threw the crystal her way and she snatched it midair. She looked at Arthur for a moment before smiling.
”You already have one, huh?”
”Yeah.”
”You're a softie and that's disgusting. You went through all that trouble to help your friends?”
”I didn't think it would be this troublesome. No, I didn't think you guys would be this troublesome.”
”What if we didn't get the crystals?” Rae asked as she toyed with the crystal in her hand. ”What other plans did you have?”
”Why would I tell you that?”
”To show off, probably.” Rae shrugged. Arthur shook his head as the other students reached the shore.
”Don't you think that it's weird how this island still stands even though it's surrounded by such an acidic sea?”
”You mean…”