Chapter 266 - The Underground Path and Door (1/2)

”I also like seeing Ariel happy!” Shouted Lydia who had been standing next to Serena

Everyone's attention then turned to Lydia, causing her to feel embarrassed.

”Ah... W-What did I do... I haven't even been here for long...” Lydia muttered to herself before trying to hide her face

John then burst out laughing as he said.

”Pff- Sorry L-Lydia, Y-You too.”

John struggled to hold back his laugh despite knowing how rude it was. He tried stopping himself, but he couldn't. It was as if all his stress was slowly leaving through the laugh. It was the most relieving one.

”Oi, John, that's rude.” Said Serena as she stared daggers at him.

Lydia was bright red from embarrassment due to John's reaction and John felt bad for it.

”Sorry...” He muttered as he hung his head

Ariel couldn't help but smile along with Serena after seeing John acting imm.a.t.u.r.e, for them, it suited him.

”Thanks, everyone... And John... I'm also sorry for the way I acted... I was being unreasonable...” Said Ariel as she bowed.

Hearing this, John turned to Ariel, before forming a serious expression on his face. Not even a second after he did, he quickly bowed as well as he said.

”You weren't unreasonable at all, it was all my fault to begin with so, I'm sorry! And I'm the one that should be sorry!” Said John

”No, it was me, I was being childish, saying that I wouldn't talk to you.”

”And I was being even more childish by ignoring you.”

The two then simultaneously raised their heads and intently stared at each other in the eyes.

A relieved smile was formed on both of their faces as they looked at each other.

”So... Are we back to normal?” John asked

”Of course, and more!” Said Ariel with a smile before turning her head

John could see her blushing again and wondered if there was something else for her to be embarassed about. It was only then that he remembered.

[Ah, that's right. I need to ask her about what was bothering her.]

But before he could, the words calmly came out of Master Sylvia's mouth.

”We're here”

As they looked ahead of the platform, they found themselves staring at never ending darkness which extended throughout the halls.

No one spoke a word, but the nervousness in the air could be felt by all of them. Master Sylvia took a step forward onto the hallway and said

”Let's go.”

John was the first to follow behind after nodding. The rest followed after. Once they all took the first step onto the hallway. John noticed something strange about the ground beneath them.

It was light and looked like it could turn with enough pressure. John then moved the light spell forward, it was only then that he could see part the hallway in front of them as it was illuminated.

John's eyes widened as soon as he did.

They were on a platform, and as everyone else noticed. They moved in closer so that no one would fall off. No one knew what to expect if they fell down the platform, all they could do was be careful.