Chapter 13: A Trip to Disaster I
Yosen College — A Month Later
It had been thirty days since the now-legendary Great Halloween Crashout.
Naturally, the aftermath brought a lot of attention.
The following morning, a formal investigation was launched, involving professors, staff, and a few overenthusiastic conspiracy theorists in tinfoil hats.
But after hours of grueling interrogations and data checks, the investigation reached a baffling conclusion:
Absolutely nothing had happened during the mysterious knockout.
No injuries, no property damage—except Kaiden's bruised forehead from the bathroom sink—and no signs of unauthorised magic.
At the subsequent board meeting, Eira Seiravelle was hauled in to be scolded by the board of directors.
Not that anything could really be pinned on her, but that didn't stop the board from treating her like she'd hosted an apocalypse-themed party on campus.
Once they had sufficiently blamed her for "carelessness"—whatever that meant—Yosen returned to business as usual—
—Students heading home with either a worn out body or high-temperature due to a day's stress.
Yosen Magic Affiliated College — Disciplinary Committee Office.
"Today is the day."
Regulus Aegis, the chairman of the Disciplinary Committee, folded his arms as he made the announcement.
The committee members sat in attention, their focus on the chairman.
"As you all know, the first-year annual excursion starts today."
At the far end of the room, Kaiden and Damian Creed stood side by side with their bags hung over their shoulders.
The committee's attention naturally shifted toward them.
"The safety of the students…"
He paused, glaring at them like a worried parent. "...will rest entirely in your hands."
The vice-chairman, Asterion Blackwood, leaned back in his chair with a chuckle.
"Relax, Chairman. With the Creed brothers handling matters, nothing's gonna happen. Right, boys?"
Several members nodded in agreement.
Over the past two months, the Creed brothers had built a reputation for handling tasks handed over to them.
Besides, they've all maintained their spots, getting the top scores in every test so far.
Even their adopted brother Lucas was outperforming expectations for his class.
The chairman glanced at Damian and Kaiden, his expression unreadable.
"Dismissed," he said, though he didn't move.
As Damian and Kaiden shuffled toward the door, Asterion, the vice-chairman, looked over to his Chairman.
"Chairman, you seem a little… tense. Are you worried?"
"It's nothing," Aegis muttered.
But under his breath, he muttered something with a frown on his face.
Student Council Office — Morning.
"Take care of them, Junior."
Vice-President Kinji grinned as he gave Enma Creed a thumbs-up from his work station.
"Take care of the kids. En dear~☆"
General Affairs Officer Astrea shot a wink towards Enma who ignored it with a nod of his head.
The Student Council Treasurer Tsubaki, being one who doesn't talk much, barely audibly added from her work station.
"Do your best."
Enma, as stoic as ever, gave a small bow. "Understood. I'll be going now."
He left the council office and stepped outside the administrative building, where Damian and Kaiden were already waiting.
"Enma, you done?" Damian called, slinging his bag over his shoulder.
"Mm." Enma gave a curt nod. "Let's go."
The three brothers began their walk toward the car park, where the buses and first-year students were gathering.
Yosen Magic Affiliated College — Car Park.
The car park was buzzing with activity.
Students from every class were assembling in neat rows, their chatter mixing with the rumble of bus engines.
Six coasters were lined up, each marked with a class letter.
Fifteen students for Class A. Twenty for Class B. Twenty-five each for Classes C and D. Thirty total for Classes E and F. About 150 students in total.
At the far edge of the car park, Shane Creed was trying to sneak into the A-class bus.
"Oi! Shane! Get over here!"
The voice belonged to Celeste Blackwood, who glared at him from a distance.
She stood with a group of instructors, cigarette in hand.
"Ah... Damn it," Shane muttered, dragging his feet toward her like a man heading to the gallows.
When he reached her, he gave a half-hearted wave. "Hello."
Celeste took a long drag from her cigarette, exhaling lazily. "I've been stuck with the job of overseeing this trip."
She handed him a stack of papers. "You know the drill, Shane. I'm counting on you."
Shane flipped through the papers with a sigh. "Right... More work for me."
As Shane mumbled so—
Another instructor, who looked like he hadn't smiled since the 80s, naturally called her out.
"Relying on students to do your work again, Blackwood?"
Without missing a beat, Celeste puffed on her cigarette. "Fortunately, I do have competent students. Unlike some people."
With that, she turned on her heel and walked off, leaving the other instructors to fume in silence.
"Shane, you're with me," she called over her shoulder.
After some time.
In front of the buses, the students assembled into lines by class.
Celeste Blackwood stood at the front, her cigarette still burning as she scratched her messy hair.
Three familiar figures stood beside her—Enma, Damian, and Kaiden Creed—representing the student council and the disciplinary committee.
Celeste Blackwood wished she were anywhere away from her responsibilities, but currently, there was no helping it.
She sighed dramatically. "Alright... Let's get this over with."
"This year's excursion will be held in a Journeyman-Rank dungeon. Everything should be fine."
This did not have the intended effect.
Most students exchanged worried glances, as if she'd just said, you'll probably survive.
Maybe.
"You've been fighting simulated monsters up till now," Celeste continued. "But today, you'll get a taste of the real thing. Think of it as… character development."
A murmur of concern spread through the students, especially those from the lower classes.
However— "Don't panic," Celeste added with a lazy wave of her hand.
"You've got student council members and disciplinary committee members watching your backs."
She gestured toward the Creed brothers, who also didn't looked exactly as thrilled as anyone'd expect.
Shane, standing in front of Class A, muttered just loud enough for the A-class students to hear.
"Reliable, she says…. If she's in charge, we're doomed."
The students of A-class, usually too proud to agree with Shane, gave silent nods of solidarity.
Celeste was many things—reliable was not one of them.
"Shane Creed," Celeste called out, her tone dangerously sweet. "Got something to say?"
"No ma'am!" Shane straightened up like a soldier caught napping.
Celeste let out a tired sigh.
"Alright, class reps, take roll call. We leave in twenty minutes. Anyone not on the bus gets left behind."