Extra in a Romance Fantasy

156 – Reunion (3)

Mary was not found anywhere.

At those words from Alexis, I could only stare at him blankly, unable to react.

Meeting my gaze with a heavy look, Alexis continued.

“…Of course, due to limitations in personnel and time, we could not search the entire academy. Logically speaking, the probability of Miss Mary being in the areas we did not search is high.”

“…That seems likely.”

I slowly nodded at his words.

The academy is vast.

Not just wide, but it possesses an expanse unimaginable for a mere educational institution.

Just the fact that trams are used to move within the academy gives a rough idea of its size.

Even with the considerable influence and power that these four possess, it is impossible to sweep through the entirety of such an immense academy in this situation and within this short time.

They must have some knowledge of Mary, so they would have searched places where she might be, but there are likely more places they haven’t checked than those they have.

“And that’s why we came here. If we cannot find Miss Mary, we must resolve this phenomenon as quickly as possible.”

It is a sound judgment.

If this situation is the problem, then resolving the situation itself is indeed the fastest way.

“I also considered the possibility that Miss Mary might have come here first… but it seems that is not the case.”

Due to the bizarre phenomenon altering the flow of magical energy, my range of perception has significantly diminished.

I forced myself to expand my range as much as possible, but aside from the people here, there was no one else detected.

In other words, it means that at least in this vicinity, Mary is not present.

“…….”

Is Mary going to be okay?

I felt a wave of worry.

No, it was strange that I wasn’t worried.

Mary is an exceptional magician.

She stands out even among the prodigies at the academy.

However, that’s only in comparison to the general level; she is by no means capable of protecting herself in a situation like this.

What if.

What if something has gone wrong?

…No, I don’t even want to think about it, but what if it has already gone wrong…?

Anxiety surged within me.

Soon, that anxiety multiplied at a terrifying speed, filling my mind completely.

It was then.

“You look completely dazed.”

A harsh voice broke through my thoughts, pulling me back to reality.

The owner of that voice was none other than Ethan.

“Do you think sitting there with that gloomy face is going to solve anything? Or that it’s going to increase the chances of your friend being safe?”

With a face that couldn’t hide his annoyance, yet undeniably serious, he looked straight at me.

“Think about what you can do right now. If you don’t want to regret it later.”

“…….”

I stared quietly into his sharp gaze, then shook my head vigorously.

Right.

Ethan was right.

Doing nothing and just sitting here wouldn’t change a thing.

In fact, it would only lead to things getting worse.

His tone was rough, but Ethan’s words were undeniably true.

“I’m sorry.”

I lifted my head and apologized to Ethan.

He held my gaze for a moment, looking directly into my eyes.

“That’s all I needed to know.”

After speaking briefly, he averted his gaze from me.

“…Well then, let’s proceed with the discussion.”

Confirming that the situation had been organized, Alexis drew everyone’s attention.

“First of all, it seems undeniable that the center of this bizarre phenomenon is right here.”

He turned his gaze.

The direction of his gaze was towards the mountain we had been standing with our backs to.

No, to be precise, it should be called the ‘veil’ surrounding that mountain.

Since this phenomenon occurred.

A distortion of space emerged around the mountain, and that distortion soon formed a veil encircling the mountain.

As a result, it became impossible to see inside the mountain at all.

It wasn’t just a matter of obstructed vision.

This veil did not even allow the passage of magical power.

And perhaps…

Swish—

Suddenly, Alexis ignited magical energy in his hand.

With that magical energy swirling around his hand, he thrust his fist forward.

Thud—

And that fist was immediately blocked by the veil.

“…As expected.”

This veil was blocking the interior of the mountain from all external interference.

Gaze, magical power, and even physical impact.

Suddenly, a massive rift opened in the sky, revealing countless monsters and calamity-level creatures.

In such a strange situation, which seemed almost unbelievable in the long history of the continent, a veil had suddenly appeared around the mountain, perfectly isolating it from the outside.

The feeling that someone’s intention was behind this phenomenon was likely not just a figment of my imagination.

Whoever created this phenomenon, this situation, probably did not want to be disturbed.

Within this space, regarding what was to unfold.

There was still no evidence.

However, the intuition was stronger than anything else.

“So, to get inside, we need to do something about this barrier.”

At that moment, Ethan, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, stepped forward.

Then, he began to draw upon his magical power.

““……!””

The people around him widened their eyes.

They felt it.

The sheer amount of magical energy that Ethan was emitting was beyond comprehension.

The amount of magic flowing from a warrior who had earned a place among the Ten Blades was nothing short of explosive.

It was impossible not to direct one’s gaze toward it.

In a situation where all eyes in the area were focused on him.

Whoosh!

Ethan swung the sword he was holding toward the barrier.

Bang!

A tremendous sound, a thunderous roar.

The noise was so grand that it seemed to resonate throughout the surroundings.

However.

“……!”

Despite receiving such a powerful strike, the barrier did not crumble.

No, far from it; not even a scratch appeared.

“…What an absurd level of durability.”

Alexis muttered with a look of disbelief.

It was as he said.

Though it wasn’t a strike delivered with all his might, Ethan’s blow just now contained immense destructive power.

Power strong enough to shatter any thick fortress on the continent with a single hit.

Yet, even after taking such a blow, not a single mark was left.

It was only natural for such an expression to appear.

“…Is it really possible to break this?”

Rachel quietly voiced her doubt.

What was evident on her face was clear skepticism.

Though unspoken, the expressions of the others were not much different.

Having felt the ferocity of the magical energy in Ethan’s strike, they were likely overwhelmed by an even greater sense of helplessness.

However.

“Hmm. Is this not going to work?”

Ethan, who wielded the sword, wore a calm expression.

“It seems I shouldn’t do this half-heartedly.”

After muttering that, Ethan changed his stance.

Rarely did Ethan, who always moved without being bound by formality, take a proper stance.

I immediately understood the intention behind that posture.

Therefore.

“Wait a moment.”

I stopped Ethan.

“Um? What is it?”

Ethan looked at me with a puzzled expression.

Meeting his gaze directly, I said.

“I’ll do it.”

“……”

“……”

The moment I spoke, I felt the air around us grow heavy.

When I subtly shifted my gaze, I noticed those around us looking back and forth between Ethan and me with strange expressions.

It was clear they were feeling restless.

There was no need for them to be surprised.

To put it simply, this situation was like an academy student telling a master of the Ten Blades to step aside.

It was something that defied common sense and should not happen.

At least Rachel, Aira, Alexis, and Cedric knew of my skills on par with the Ten Blades, so they were less agitated, but the other two stared at me wide-eyed, as if I were a complete lunatic.

But.

“…Alright. I understand.”

Ethan nodded readily and stepped back.

At that sight, the eyes of others widened once more, but this time I didn’t give them a glance.

There was no time to explain, and it would be quicker to show them directly with my actions.

Swish─

I draw the sword.

The heavy sensation of the hero’s sword coursed through my hand.

In that state, I lifted my gaze to the barrier.

I believe Ethan’s judgment is correct.

Perhaps, if he uses the sword’s power, he could cut through this barrier.

However.

I still stopped Ethan.

It was a personal judgment.

While it is true that Ethan can use the sword’s power, he is not yet at a perfect level, and besides, the consumption of resources for such a technique is utterly unreasonable.

Even if Ethan successfully ignites the sword’s power and manages to cut through the barrier, he would surely expend a considerable amount of magical energy and will.

That would not bode well for the situation at hand.

No one knows what might happen here, within this veil.

We need to preserve our strength as much as possible, just in case.

Thinking this way, I stepped forward.

Ethan’s silence likely meant he shared the same thoughts.

Humm—

I infused magical energy and will into the sword.

The hero’s sword let out a pleasing hum.

And then.

Swoosh—

As if it had always existed there, the sword’s power surged forth.

“This is….”

“…….”

Aira and Cedric widened their eyes.

Being martial artists, they likely perceive more than others.

Though the technique is still a distant realm for them, their innate talent must have allowed them to catch a glimpse of the sword’s power, transcending that vast gap.

Thus, receiving a mix of various emotions from those around me.

I swung the sword toward the barrier.

And then.

Swoosh—

The barrier gently split apart, finally revealing its interior.