The return trip was hard, but uneventful. Having been trapped in a dark place for a long period of time, the student's bodies are visibly weaker than normal. Thankfully, Fei has her ever-useful Terra spell, so creating footholds was not a problem. After a few hours of steady walking, the group finally saw the light of the outside world.
It isn't that long after they've entered the facility, so the sun was still shining brightly outside. Despite it being almost dusk, the students shielded their eyes from the sudden stimulus they received, as their eyes are still adapting to the light from the outside.
*crumble* *crash*
"!"
Fei, Sofia, and the rest of the group looked toward the source of the sound. The facility to which they have been a few minutes ago started collapsing on its own. It only took a few seconds, before the establishment was completely demolished, leaving nothing but piles of rubbles and other pieces of stuff.
What was the cause of the collapse? Was it the earlier battle? She wasn't sure. All that matters is that they managed to return to the surface safely.
Yes. That is all that matters.
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Back at the academy, within Principal Steibern's study, Fei and Sofia are currently seated at a coffee table, each sipping a cup of tea and munching on sweet pastries as Principal Steibern read their detailed reports on the results of their findings.
"So there wasn't just one chimera that was involved in the abduction of my students, but two, and a tri-horned one at that," she said as she finished reading the report. "I am glad that both of you managed to return safely," she said, expressing her honest feelings toward the safety of her former students.
Fei raised both of her hands in front of her, frantically waving toward Principal Steibern.
"Yeah. I never expected there to be two chimeras in the same place. They are territorial, so having more than two chimeras in the same place is strange, so to say. Still, I am sorry for Cybel, having to go through such a traumatic experience. I can only hope that this incident will not affect her studies," she said, recollecting the event that lead to Cybel sustaining a life-threatening injury.
"No. It is entirely my fault for having her accompany you two. I should have known better the dangers of facing a monster. To that, on behalf of all the students whose lives you've saved, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts," Principal Steibern said, standing from her seat and bowing in front of Fei and Sofia.
"Princinpal!"
"Sensei!"
The two rushed towards her.
"Don't just bow your head so casually! Think of the school's reputation!" scolded Fei towards her former teacher.
"Yes! Just like what Miss Fei said, you don't have to bow. Besides, we are unworthy of such praise. Please raise your head, Prinicipal," Sofia added.
"Oh my, it seems I've been blessed with such great students," she said as she smiled at the two.
"Oh, I almost forgot. Ahem~" Principal Steibern went back to her seat, fixing her robe and tidying her dress. She gestured for the two to sit down, to which they both complied almost immediately
"This is to formally declare that the quest issued by the Ancdam Academy of Sorcery and Magic to the Ancdam Guild is at this moment reviewed and completed. Signed, Principal Steibern of the Academy," she said as she handed the document that serves as the proof for the completion of the quest to the two.
Sofia received the documents with both hands.
"If you are not in a hurry, the academy will be having a banquet tonight to celebrate the successful search for the missing students," Principal Steibern said. "The parents of the students who managed to return alive insisted that their benefactor should be thanked properly," she added.
Fei and Sofia looked at each other.
'"What do you think, Sofia?" Fei asked her.
"It would be rude to decline their generosity," was her quick response.
Principal Steibern clapped her hands together.
"Perfect! Now, I just have the perfect outfit prepared for the two of you!" she said. With a flick of her hands, several servants emerged from who-knows-where, each holding a different gown to wear.
"Now, don't be shy and choose whichever one you liked," she said.
Fei and Sofia were surprised by her preparedness.
"Uh... Sensei, on second thought, we have to get going ... you know, to report to the guild, ASAP," Fei said.
"Y-yeah, we have to go now! But thanks for the invite, Principal!"
The two headed straight for the door.
"That won't do, no no," Principal Steibern said. With a wave of her hand, the door was immediately blocked by several more servants. "You'll be attending the banquet, no questions asked," she said with a smile.
"Please spare us! (2x)"
Fei and Sofia can only surrender themselves to the persistence of their former teacher.
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Acndam Academy of Sorcery and Magic's Banquet Hall.
"Wahhh... this dress is suffocating me ..." Fei commented, her displeasure evident on her beautiful face. She is wearing a blue A-line gown hand-picked by the majority of the servants.
"Too many frills ..." Sofia gruntled despite herself. She is wearing a pink ball gown, partnered with a small tiara atop her head.
"You keep on saying that ... but you look like a princess, what with the small tiara and all," Fei commented, teasing her companion at the elegant way she delivers herself. Sofia only glared at her, eliciting Fei to quit her uncanny remarks about their appearance.
Still, despite what they were saying, the eyes of everyone in the hall are fixated on the duo. Since the party was made specifically as a form of showing gratitude towards the one that saved the missing students, Fei and Sofia became the unrivaled star of the night. Not only the parents, but the students as well throw glances of admiration towards them. For them, they are more of a hero than that of an adventurer.
*ting ting ting!*
Their attention shifted toward the source of the sound. Principal Steibern was holding a glass of wine in her left hand. Everyone stared up at her. She is currently on the balcony overlooking the entirety of the hall. As she looked down towards the crowd, she used voice amplification magic for everyone to hear her speak.
"Esteemed guests and students," she greeted, her voice reaching outside the banquet hall. "This night is to celebrate the return of the missing students. We all know the tragedy that befell our beloved academy. Students started missing every day, leaving neither a clue on where, when, or how they disappeared. We were left in the dark, unable to make even the slightest guess on what could have happened to them,".
She looked towards Fei and Sofia, who was like the rest of the crowd, cranking their neck to catch a glimpse of the speaker.
"But thanks to Miss Fei and Miss Sofia, not only where they returned safely, but they managed as well to put an end to the root cause of the disappearance. Now, we can finally have peace of mind, and it is all thanks to the two young ladies over there. Now please, let's give them a round of applause,".
Soon, the sounds of clapping echoed throughout the hall. Some were shouting their names, while others are whistling and giggling, enjoying the festive mood that took over the crowd. Fei and Sofia did not expect to receive such praise and the thought of this many people clapping and cheering for them is more than enough to make them blush in embarrassment.
"This isn't so bad once in a while," Fei said, waving towards the crowd of people cheering them.
"Yeah ... just once in a while," Sofia murmured.