Avic and Custos had been inspected by a few doctors before they were allowed to leave the underground hideout. Unfortunately, the doctors were unable to pinpoint the reason why Valves had bitten them.
However, they didn't have time to dwell on it. The underground hideout was on the verge of being discovered. Due to this, Principal Palem decided to personally escort them outside of Discite City. They ran through the city, doing their best to avoid being spotted by enemies.
The exit to the city was only a few meters ahead. However, there were too many guards from the Umbra standing nearby. They wouldn't be able to make it out without being seen.
Quietly, they hid behind a small house to keep themselves out of sight. They needed to think of an escape plan.
"What do we do here? The city's exit is blocked," hissed Chrono.
"We'll need to create some sort of distraction to draw their attention. But first, we need to find a mode of transport that can carry all four of you," answered Principal Palem.
They then looked around to see what they could find. There weren't many options available. Almost everything around them had been destroyed. Finding transport would not be easy. However, this was when they were blessed with a stroke of luck.
Running wildly through the city was a strange beast-like creature. It was 5m long and 3m tall with a slender tail. It had a long nose and an agile body. Its body was covered in brown scales but it didn't appear to have any eyes. At its four feet were razor-sharp claws that looked big enough to kill a lion in a single stroke.
"That's a Ground Dragon! Merchants use those things for transport all the time! We can use it to get out of here!" Exclaimed Custos.
"How do we get to it without being seen though?" Queried Eliisabet.
Principal Palem then stepped forward.
"It will come to us. Just leave it to me."
Principal Palem then stomped his foot on the ground and punched the air before him. This was when solid rock erupted from the ground, blocking the Ground Dragon's path. Panicked by this, the Ground Dragon changed course and began running toward them.
"Okay, it's coming toward us but how do we get it to stop?!" Shouted Avic.
Principal Palem quickly got in front of them. He extended his hand toward the panicking Ground Dragon. It was running at them at full speed. It looked as if it would surely crash into them.
"Old Man Palem, I don't think your old bones can handle that thing!"
To everyone's surprise, as soon as the Ground Dragon got close to them, it pulled itself to a stop. It was as if it had immediately calmed down. It was hard to believe.
"Wow... How did you do that, Principal Palem..?" Questioned Eliisabet.
Principal Palem laughed, "I simply used Hemo Energy to calm it down."
"What? Hemo Energy could do that?"
"Yes. There are many things that Hemo Energy can do. You'd be quite surprised how efficient it truly is. What you can do with your Hemo Energy isn't limited to the Bloodline Trait you carry. For example, you could have an Affinity Of Ice and still use your Hemo Energy to create heat. However, it takes time to master. I'm sure you'll come to understand how to manipulate Hemo this way as time goes by."
"We should hurry and use this opportunity to escape before we're discovered. The Ground Dragon can carry all four of us and run through the city gates without being caught," prompted Chrono.
Everyone agreed before quickly climbing onto the Ground Dragon's back. Thanks to Principal Palem, it had calmed down enough to let them onto its back without the slightest resistance. Its back was quite broad and comfortable. It felt as if they were sitting on a wooden chair.
Custos sat closer to the head, holding onto the leather straps of the saddle on the Ground Dragon's back. The others quickly climbed on behind him with Avic at the utmost back.
"Avic," called Principal Palem. " I want you to do something for me once you get to Initium. I want you to deliver this letter."
Avic then accepted a white envelope from Principal Palem. It was free of crushes and looked as if it was very important.
"Aw, man... More work... Sigh... A letter, you say? Who should I deliver it to?"
"I have a daughter who's currently residing in Initium. She's a Registered Sicarius who went there on business. Her name's Christina. She can be a little hard to find but if you ask around, I'm sure you'll gather some information on her whereabouts. She tends to leave an impression wherever she goes."
"Got it. I'll make sure someone delivers it to her. Eliisabet, you can have the letter!"
"Avic, don't you know it's rude to hand a task given to you specifically over to someone else..?" Sighed Eliisabet.
"Fine... Fine... I'll deliver it then."
Principal Palem then backed away from them with a slight nod.
"Will you be okay, Principal Palem?" Questioned Custos.
"That's hard to say. I can not read the future but I can surely help to create one. Don't worry about me. Whether or not I die here, I have no regrets. I have lived my life to the fullest. But that is why I will ensure that the four of you leave Discite safely. You are young and still have a lot to do. You may very well be the hope of taking back Regnum in the future. Good luck to you all and may your journey be safe!"
They looked back at Principal Palem with a slight look of sadness in their eyes as Custos commanded the Ground Dragon to move forward. They appreciated everything he had done for them. However, it was painful knowing that once they left Discite, there was a chance they'd never see him again.