Chapter 19
"There's a way?"
"Yes."
The reactions to my bold declaration were mixed with doubt.
If I hadn't shown anything, they might have told me to stop talking nonsense, but I had already demonstrated the magic of spatial movement.
However, they still doubted me because not only was magic that dealt with space rare, but the underground floor we were on was particularly spatially tangled.
While moving within might be one thing, getting out of the underground was a different matter altogether.
But I was confident.
Hadn't I already received assurance?
Seir said it was possible.
So it would work.
If I were an ordinary Devil Sorcerer, I would have been trembling at just one spatial movement.
Considering the special nature of space-manipulating magic, the price for that one use would be enormous.
Objectively, my skill as a mage was below average.
I was at a beginner's level, just starting to accumulate mana and able to handle only a few basic spells.
The more skilled the mage, the relatively lighter the price paid for making a price with a Devil.
The level Seir had mentioned.
As one’s level increased, so did their value.
A day for an archmage couldn't be the same as a day for an apprentice mage.
Thinking of this principle, what would be the value of someone like me, who could barely even be called an apprentice?
"The risk is too great."
Arthur said gravely.
"It's better than staying here."
"...Let's wait a bit longer. Rescue might come from outside."
We could still hold out for now.
Just as Arthur said this, Amaia and the brown-haired guy, who had gone to check the surroundings one last time, approached with grim expressions.
"It's no good. The space is completely sealed."
"...Not even a crack."
The worst-case scenario had come to pass.
A sealed space.
From now on, we would have to endure with limited air.
Food and water weren't a problem.
Water could be supplied by Leaf's spirit magic, and the people here could go without food for about a week without major issues.
But air was different.
It was the shackle of being a living creature that even those who had accumulated mana and wrapped themselves in mystery couldn't throw off.
"Excuse me, Miss Youthglint?"
"Ah, yes!"
At Fiona's call, Leaf answered like a tense new recruit, clearly nervous.
"Do you happen to have any contracts with air spirits or wind spirits?"
"Ah... no."
Leaf's head drooped down.
"It's okay. This is a decent area. We can hold out for a long time."
"I used a lot of fire. Did you forget? I don't think we should assume we have as much air as this space suggests."
"And there was the corpse explosion too."
We were in a tight spot.
We didn't know how much air had been consumed.
Now, it was even more difficult to calculate the time.
To put it bluntly, we might have to accept it if the air ran out soon.
So, there was only one choice.
"Don't worry. I'll get everyone out safely."
At my words, the others' expressions became solemn.
Even the brown-haired guy who had been constantly antagonistic towards me furrowed his brow and looked away.
Only Alexandra seemed to be staring at me straight on, showing intense curiosity.
I could somewhat understand why Fiona seemed to lower her tail like a cat whenever Alexandra was mentioned.
"...Gather the people."
Arthur's words were tinged with deep resignation.
Following Arthur, who moved to call people together, Alexandra and Fiona also began to move.
As for me, well.
Since I didn't have as much influence as those three, I just had to wait.
"Does... Roman really have to do this?"
"Hmm?"
"We could wait a bit longer, couldn't we? Maybe, rescue might come, you know?"
"...That's true."
But that way, we'd gain less.
Honestly, after catching that psychopath guy and playing a key role in taking down the necromancer, my achievements weren't low.
But I wasn't the only one who played a big role in catching the necromancer who could be called the boss.
There was Alexandra, who almost single-handedly took care of the summons, and Arthur, who performed as the commander, attacker, defender, and support all at once.
Fiona also played her part well in defense.
But if I took charge of the escape from here?
Then, I would become an undeniable, no, an overwhelming contributor that no one could argue against.
Plus, I would become the benefactor of everyone present here.
Did I absolutely have to do it? Not necessarily.
But there’s even less reason not to do it.
"I can do it. So I'll do it."
"You..."
"Rei, it's fine. Someone has to do it anyway."
We can't just stay here forever, can we?
At my words, Rei's expression became complicated.
Rei seemed to have something she wanted to say as she parted her lips, but then she bit them shut.
"I'll go last."
"Ah, sorry, but I have to go last with Teacher Fiona. We need to keep the mirror connection. If the pass gets cut off while moving, it's over."
"F-fine then!"
Rei, who had turned as if about to storm off, muttered in a smaller voice, "...Then second to last."
"Ah, I already called that."
"Argh! Then third! Happy? No more!"
Really, what an interesting team.
§
The survivors were either leaning against corner seats, exhausted, or gathered in the center of the cavern in case of collapse.
Since Arthur had gone to the center, Fiona herself was going around the opposite side from Alexandra, calling people.
"Fiona."
A girl about Fiona's age with long, dark blue hair poked Fiona's waist.
Without even looking at the owner of the finger poking her, Fiona said the name.
"Teresia! Where have you been?! Why are you only appearing now..."
Teresia bent her raised finger sideways.
At the tip of her finger, a few entrants were standing awkwardly, fidgeting.
They were newcomers who had just arrived.
Although Fiona hadn't met them, she had heard from others that there were other attackers besides the necromancer.
She probably protected these entrants from such attackers and brought them here.
With the grounds for scolding her for being late gone, Fiona cleanly shook off her regret with a single sigh.
"Haa, well done. I'm glad you're safe. I believed you'd be okay, but... Where’s Sean?"
"Didn't see him."
"...I see."
Sean was the last member of Fiona's team.
He was less skilled compared to the two of them... it seemed he hadn't survived this attack.
Unlike with Teresia, since it was a temporary team formed for this training center, the time for mourning was short.
Time was too precious to be immersed in sorrow.
"More importantly, Teresia. Did you see any other passages on your way here? Or any way to escape?"
"Nothing. Getting here was hard enough."
"I see..."
Fiona was disappointed.
In the end, we have no choice but to rely on him.
She didn’t really teach him, but he was still somewhat of a disciple.
Roman himself had called Fiona teacher, half-jokingly, half-seriously.
Is it right to survive at the cost of such a disciple's life?
Moreover, the connection with Roman itself wasn't pure from the start.
Honestly, teaching Roman was more about interfering with Alexandra than for his sake.
Although Fiona tried not to discriminate, if she had to say, she disliked Devil Sorcerers.
They gained power easily without effort.
They say they pay an appropriate price, but to Fiona, the sight of them wielding easily obtained power arrogantly was just irritating.
However, if someone used power obtained at the cost of their own life for others, not themselves.
Wouldn't that power be the most painfully obtained of all?
If it were my master...
"Fiona."
"Huh, yes? Did you call?"
"They're calling from over there."
"Ah... let's go."
Her steps were heavy.
Probably, others were feeling this way too.
"Is there a way out?"
"...Yes. Probably."
"Probably?"
Teresia tilted her head.
But Fiona didn't continue speaking.
However, her steps couldn't continue.
"Everyone's gathered."
At Arthur's words, Fiona scanned the surroundings once.
Sixteen people, including Instructor Davenport.
Out of the initial 45 entrants, minus nine mid-term dropouts, there were 36.
Not even half of them had survived.
So many...
Until just now, she had felt bitter about the many casualties, but now she felt there were too many.
Based on round trips, Roman would have to use spatial movement at least 30 times.
Even if it's just one year of lifespan per use...
30 years.
Roman had subtly hinted that his price wasn't lifespan, so it wouldn't be exactly like that, but he would have to pay an equivalent price.
"We're going to escape from here now."
While Fiona's thoughts deepened, Arthur's words continued, "Have you found a way?"
"As expected of Arthur Carlyle... Is a major guild different...?"
"Maybe it's the arcane magic of the Alexandria School."
At the mention of escape, those who had joined late and didn't know the situation yet excitedly chattered their guesses.
"No. Neither I, nor Alexandra, nor the Grand Duchess could do it."
At Arthur's words, they looked puzzled.
If not those three, who would do it?
Instructor Davenport, who was barely breathing due to severe injuries?
Teresia, who was called the next head of the Blostma School and was the Grand Duchess' closest aide?
Who?
"I'll be the one to do it."
Roman stepped forward and stood next to Arthur.
The explanation from now on was Roman's role, not Arthur's.
"We'll get out using spatial movement. I'll go back and forth with one person at a time. So, from now on, release all autonomous defense magic or passively activated magic. If mana fields overlap, accuracy drops sharply."
Even after Roman's explanation, the unsettled reactions didn't subside.
Can we trust this?
The magic of a Devil Sorcerer?
What if it suddenly stops midway, and we get stuck in a spatial gap?
What if he suddenly passed out at the cost of a price?
Such common sense and distrust towards Devil Sorcerers made them cast suspicious glances at Roman.
To Fiona, their behavior felt like an insult to herself.
Fiona immediately raised her hand, but there was someone even faster than her.
"I'll go first."
Alexandra swept her gaze over those who looked incredulous with her characteristically languid eyes, then smiled at Roman and said, "Is that okay? If I'm number 1."