“Ah...” Theo sighed. There was only one small crack on the rock. “Dr. Guillotin, please give me one more restorative medicine and amplifier.”
“I’m afraid I cannot. Using magic again right after the amplifier has worn off is dangerous. I can’t give you any more,” the doctor replied, looking just as exhausted from having used his water magic.
“Don’t be like that! Lady Lune is down there somewhere! If something’s happened to her, I... She gave me this second chance!”
“I know that!” Dr. Guillotin snapped.
Everyone was petrified into silence. The man who always joked around and acted flippantly was looking more serious than ever.
“I owe her a debt of gratitude as well. She’s the only one who ever understood me and what I was doing. If she hadn’t advised me, countless people would still be suffering from constrictive roundworm disease.” The doctor paused, giving Theo a smile. “But don’t you think Lady Lune would be heartbroken if you died from overdosing on these amplifiers?”
“I... But... But if Lady Lune doesn’t come back, then my life will have no meaning! Don’t you feel the same, doctor?!” Theo, who was always so reserved, now snarled at the other man.
Dr. Guillotin sighed. “Look, just think this through. In your current state, even just one more amplifier would be the end for you. So let’s all work together instead, hmm? Come on, Theo, give us directions.”
The knights buzzed at his words, eager to help.
“To think you’re actually being cooperative...” Theo said with a sigh before turning to the others. “Is there anyone here who wields fire magic?”
Two knights stepped forward.
“Good. Draw a fire magic circle on the rock and burn it!”
“Yessir!”
The men did as Theo instructed, lighting the boulder on fire.
“Next, water magic. Dr. Guillotin, when I give the signal, cover the rock with water. Make it as cold and forceful as possible.”
“You got it,” the doctor replied.
“The rest of you, use your swords to widen the cracks when they appear.”
“Understood!” the knights all shouted in unison.
Dr. Guillotin passed Theo another bottle of the recovery medicine. Theo seemed a bit dissatisfied, but he drank it anyway. The doctor grinned at his reaction, then took both the medicine and another amplifier.
“Dr. Guillotin!” I yelled. He had only just explained how dangerous this drug was!
“Here, you can finish it up, Theo. But it’ll be an indirect kiss between us!” the doctor said, jovial as ever as he tossed the bottle over.
The other man caught it and downed the rest of its contents without hesitation.
“That was my last one. I don’t even have any left in stock back at the monastery,” Dr. Guillotin said, and Theo nodded.
The doctor turned toward the flaming rock, drawing a magic circle. The knights stared at the flames with determination. The air was practically shaking with tension.
“This time, I’ll focus,” Theo said, and everyone nodded.
A powerful blue aura flickered behind Dr. Guillotin.
“O water spirit, lend me your power. Put out the fire and cut through the rock!”
His chanting activated the magic circle. A huge swell of water crashed into the boulder. A fierce sound echoed, and white steam shrouded the rock.
“O wind spirit, clear the steam away!” shouted one knight.
A gust of wind blew against the boulder, allowing us to see the crack. The knights and I thrust our swords into it.
“O earth spirit, lend me your power. Crush this rock and disrupt the magic circle,” Theo chanted, drawing a magic circle.
Once again, a green fog appeared, entering the crack and forcing it open. High-pressure water entered the crevice, chipping away bits of rock. The knights and I used all our strength to jam our swords inside. Every single person was doing everything they could to try and break the rock.
“Just a bit more! Keep going!”
The crevice deepened with a sharp sound. Dr. Guillotin and Theo, having used up all their magic, collapsed to the ground. However, the rock still hadn’t broken fully.
“Argh! We’re so close!” I yelled, stabbing the crack with my sword. Each time the edge of the blade hit the rock, it created a shrill sound and sparks. “So close! Come on!”
I kept thrusting my sword inside, refusing to give up. More sparks flew, and the sword began getting hot. The knights continued their efforts as well, shaving off bits of the rock.
“Why am I so powerless?!” I cried, frustrated. “Master Theo and Dr. Guillotin tried so hard! Liam and Lune are risking their lives out there!”
I struck the rock again with all my might. My sword bounced off and flew into the air. It spun around, piercing the edge of the light magic circle and landing inside as if to mock me.
I gasped. “That’s where Lord Reineke’s whisker disappeared!”
“You’d best give up,” Lord Reineke said.
“No! My sword is fine. I’m sure I can get it back!” I shook my head and reached for it.
“Lord Bal, watch out!” one knight shouted.
My hand went through an invisible barrier with a zap, and I felt a tingling shock—it was burning.
I have royal blood! I should have the power to make a contract with a light spirit!
“I won’t give up! I’ll save Lune! No way I’m losing to some old magic circle!”
I reached out again, and an even harsher noise resounded. But I didn’t hesitate, plunging my arm deeper in. A hole in the barrier began to open up. Sparks went flying as I forced it apart to reach my sword, which was shining brilliantly. When I finally grabbed it, Lord Reineke placed his paw on my head.
“Well done. Now that you’ve opened it this much, I can lend you my power. Now, draw a star.”
I steeled myself and drew a star shape with my sword, facing the light magic circle.
“Light, cut through.”
A golden star beamed toward the circle, crashing into it and shattering it. The boulder cracked open at the same time, revealing a hole underneath. The shattered, glimmering magic circle fragments fell inside.
“Yes! It’s open!” The knights cheered.
“Hey! Is anybody down there?” I called, staring into the hole.
“Bal! We’re here! Liam and I are both okay!” Lune’s voice echoed up from within.
The knights clapped in celebration, while Lord Reineke smiled.
“Thank goodness! I’ll be right there! Wait for me!” I yelled, leaning over the edge and waving at the entrance.
Lune and Liam waved back at me.
“Light...”
I heard an unfamiliar voice in my mind. I stared down at the sword in my hand, but it was little more than a chipped blade now.
“Lord Reineke...is this light magic?”
The spirit chuckled.
“I only gave you some magical power from the remnants of the barrier you broke. It is light, but not truly.”
“I see...” I said, a bit disappointed.
“However, you were able to touch light magic. You should be pleased.”
“R-Right!”
“Now, let us go and see our comrades.”
Theo used the last of his strength to create a staircase along the wall. I was the first one to race down those stairs.