The explosion occurred nearby. It caused a great uproar and panicked to arise in the crowded centre of Raixom Academy. "What the hell happened here?" Many curious minds began converging on the origin of the explosion, Dam Son and company included.
As the increasing crowd stood observant staring at the collapsed building engulfed in flames, they all witnessed a huge clump of molten rocks soaring into the air then later crashing into the square. The surrounding individuals quickly retreated to safety. A short while later, the molten rock began showing signs of movement. It burst forth a malevolent body of lava which gradually transformed into a huge magma monster that began attacking motile objects indiscriminately.
"Quickly, run to safety!"
"Somebody inform the campus guards! There is a monster on the loose!"
"It's destroying everything in sight!"
"Don't let the lava touch you! It's very dangerous!"
And so the disorderly behaviour began. Students were so caught off-guard and veritably disturbed that they forgot all about their status as cultivating Word Masters. They were fleeing to safety in any direction they could. Many of them took to the sky, however, they only served to rouse the monster's angry element. The fiery rock monster started shooting larva balls at the students feeling by air; coincidently, the falling debris affected the individuals who were retreating by means of the ground.
Chaos struck very quickly and there weren't any campus guards nor any level headed Word Master close by to placate the situation. Dam Son along with his companions was the first to retreat to a safe distance, watching the chaos from afar.
Seeing how madly the monster was behaving, Trish voiced a question, "Where did that tyrannical monster come from all of sudden? Is it an escaped Word Beast?"
"I doubt it." Answered Sugar Bun. "Word Beasts don't usually behave so savagely. Besides, it's unlikely that a word Beast would just spring up out of nowhere in the dead centre of the academy no less."
"Then what do you propose it is, smartypants?"
"How should I know?"
"If you don't know then shut the hell up!"
"Guys, cool your heads. Us arguing won't make the situation any better." After preventing his classmates from starting an unnecessary argument, Dam Son realigned his eyesight to the catastrophe occurring afield. While inspecting the creature's radius, he spotted a young boy dashing outside the burning building, heading directly towards the wild monster.
"That boy, he's in trouble." Without any sign or warning, Dam Son dashed ahead at burst speed. His sudden action made his classmates wonder,
"What the hell! Where is he going?"
"He's heading in the direction of that monster, isn't he?"
"Don't tell me that he plans on fighting that thing? Is he insane?"
"He must have a death wish or something."
"No, you're all wrong." At that time, Cinder Burn was the only other person who realized what Dam Son was up to. "He's probably going to save that stupid kid who is rushing towards the monster. I won't let him be the only hero in this story." Feeling competitive, Cinder Burn sprang into action by chasing after Dam Son's shadow.
"Not her too?" Trish was startled by her team leader's action. "Are both of them seeking death?"
"I'm going after them." Balloona made up her mind to follow suit, however, Trish tried to stop her.
"Balloona, don't go, it's dangerous."
"I'm still going. Besides, my ability is that creature's natural nemesis. I won't force you to assist me, Trish. Stay here if you want to." For the first time since she enrolled in Raixom Academy, Balloona mustered the courage to do things her way and not be peer pressured.
Xuan Li also decided to go. Before he dashed ahead, he glanced at Sugar Bun, "What about you turtle?"
"Count me out of it. I've just eaten my fill and my food needs to digest before I can partake in any sort of action." Sugar Bun rested his bottom on the soft grass.
"Okay, suit yourself then. Don't blame me later when you miss out on all the action." Finished speaking, Xuan Li began chasing after Balloona's shadow, leaving only Trish and Sugar Bun behind.
Watching the fading presence of her companions, Trish took a gander at Sugar Bun and said, "It appears that we are the only sensible individuals among them."
"I agree with you on that. Those impulsive fools are going to get themselves killed. What's so hard in waiting for the academy's guard to respond to the threat? It's their job after all to clean up such a mess. Tsk, tsk, tsk. They better not come crying to me for help later on."
"Me neither." Trish sat by Sugar Bun's side on the soft grass watching the monster's rampage from a safe distance.