Chapter 33 - Inside the Labyrinth (Final) (1/2)

”{Soar unto heaven, O divine wings—Celestial Flash}!” Kouki chant aloud as he prepared his Holy Sword's ability.

”No, stop, you idiot!” Kouki ignored Captain Meld, raised his sword up high, and swung down with all his might.

Kouki finished chanting his spell the same instant, and his holy sword unleashed a dazzling blade of light. There was no escaping it. The curved light passed through the Rockmount with only the slightest hint of resistance, cutting it cleanly in two, and stopped only after crashing into the wall.

There was a loud rumbling, and pieces of the wall began to rain down. Kouki breathed a deep sigh, then turned to the girls, a lady killer smile on his face. He had defeated the big bad monster for them. Just as he was about to say ”It's okay now!” Captain Meld, who was smiling angrily with veins popping out of his forehead, walked up to him and delivered a punch. However, he punched Kouki at the back of his head.

Rio, meanwhile, took his chance to deliver a punch into Kouki's face. He was very satisfied because he could do it. But, of course, he feigned his severe look.

”Hobwah!?”

”You damn fool! I understand why you got angry, but you can't use skills like that in a narrow passage! You could've brought the whole cave down on us!”

”That's what he said. Even a moron should be aware of it,” Rio just added the salt into Kouki's bruised ego.

Kouki's complaints died in his throat at Captain Meld's and Rio's chastising words and severe expressions, and he apologized awkwardly. The boys and girls all smiled wryly and tried to comfort him.

Then suddenly, Kaori turned to look at the crumbled section of the wall. ”...What is that? It's all sparkly...” At her words, everyone turned to look in the direction she was pointing.

There was a strange mineral emitting a pale blue glow, protruding from the wall like a flower in bloom. It looked like a crystal with Indigolite buried in its center. All of the girls, including Kaori, were entranced by the beauty of the gem.

”Oh, that's a glanz crystal. And a pretty big one to boot. How rare,” Captain Meld said.

Glanz crystals were basically a type of raw gemstone. Though they held no special properties, their l.u.s.ter and radiance made them popular among the noble ladies and their daughters. They were often processed into rings, earrings, pendants, and such other jewelry to be given as gifts. Apparently most girls were overjoyed to receive glanz jewelry as gifts. It was among the top three jewels used in proposal rings.

”That sounds so lovely...” Kaori blushed when she heard Captain Meld's explanation, and was further entranced by the stone. She then stole a glance at Hajime, who had an awkward, stiff smile on his face. It was so quick that it almost went unnoticed. However, almost everyone, barring Kouki and Captain Meld, most definitely did take note.

Rio eyed the Glanz Crystal and pondered whether he should touch it by himself or allow Daisuke to do the honor. He was aware that Daisuke couldn't accept Hajime's and Kaori's relationship despite the said couple flaunted it in front of the students, or at least, Kaori did while Hajime had an awkward and helpless expression as he was subjected by hateful and envious gazes of the boys. The girls surprisingly accepted their status as a couple.