A short distance from the entrance of the Primal Labyrinth, the temporary base was thick with a palpable tension.
We were gathered within the interior of a barrier designed to repel monsters. Standing before us in an orderly formation, the Headmaster appeared, his white beard swaying as his sharp gaze slowly swept across the assembly of students.
"Students."
His low, steady voice resonated through the area, amplified by magic.
"The Primal Labyrinth is no mere subterranean structure. It observes, it selects, and it adapts. It is a sentient monster."
The atmosphere grew even heavier.
"It is wary of the strong and it tramples the weak. It remembers its intruders and devises countermeasures. Therefore, a simple war of attrition will not suffice. If you show strength, it will only return a more violent response."
The Headmaster fell silent. He closed his eyes, allowing a momentary, heavy stillness to dominate the clearing. Eventually, he opened them and spoke again.
"Currently, the labyrinth's 'attention' is focused entirely on a single point—upon a single student."
A stir rippled through the crowd like a wave. While most of the whispers were filled with confusion over who that student could be, I knew exactly whom the Headmaster was referring to. And I was certain that Lady Elysia, listening at the very front of the line, knew as well.
"While he draws the labyrinth's consciousness, the main force will infiltrate through various routes to destroy the core that awaits in the innermost depths. That is the essence of this operation."
It was a brief explanation. With no room for wasted words, the operation began.
At the bottom of the stairs, the Grand Hall retained the same basic structure I remembered from our inspection.
The ceiling was high, and the floor was decorated with geometric patterns. Countless doors were arranged in a fan shape at the far end; though most were shut, several stood open.
However, the structure was the only thing that remained the same.
"It’s... a wreck," Yuu muttered from beside me. I could only nod in agreement.
The floor was gouged, and deep cracks spiderwebbed through the stone pillars. In some places, the walls were even marked by scorch marks.
The most striking difference, however, was the magic circle glowing in the center of the hall. When we had visited before, it had emitted only a faint light. Now, it flickered with a violent, intense red radiance—just like it had during the monster attack.
"Did Rai do all this?" Ciel asked.
"I believe so," I replied, scanning the surroundings.
There wasn't a single monster in sight. Not even a carcass remained. Yet, one didn't need to think hard to realize the scale of the carnage that had taken place here.
My gaze was naturally drawn to the center of the fan-shaped wall. On the massive, central door that had been flung wide open, three deep, gouging slash marks had been carved into the surface.
"Lord Rai is past that door, isn't he?"
"Most likely. However..." Lady Elysia kept her eyes fixed on the entrance and trailed off.
Surely she—no, everyone present—could sense it.
A mana torrent was surging from beyond that door. Violet lightning arced through the air, momentarily illuminating the stone walls before vanishing into the dark. A moment later, a low, guttural roar vibrated deep within my chest.
The sensation made my skin crawl. I couldn't tell if the sound came from combat or if the labyrinth itself was groaning. All I knew for certain was that something beyond all common sense was clashing deep within those halls.
The mana was raging, less like a current and more like a storm. My instincts screamed that if I stepped inside, I would be swallowed whole.
My throat felt parched, yet I couldn't look away.
You're still alive, aren't you? I asked silently, staring at the door.
Violet lightning flashed again. In that split second, I felt a familiar, nostalgic mana wavelength mingle with the air.
"All units—advance!"
Lady Elysia, who had been staring at the central door, turned to address the crowd. Her dignified voice echoed through the hall.
The S-rank students took the lead, followed by the A, B, and C-rank classes. The marching students began to disappear one by one into the countless side doors, avoiding the central path. The rhythmic sound of footsteps striking the geometric floor filled the space as a wave of white uniforms spread out across the hall.
Over four thousand students were being swallowed by the labyrinth.
I saw some students wiping their eyes as they walked. Others bit their lips to stop their trembling. Some clutched the sleeves of their friends' uniforms just a little tighter.
Of course they were afraid. Everyone could feel the terrifying mana overflowing from the central door. They understood there was no guarantee they would return.
And yet, they moved forward. Perhaps they had something to protect, or a burden they refused to drop. Or perhaps, it was because they had already given up on living that they could find the strength to step into the dark.
Eventually, the only ones left were our group and the support units—D-rank and some C-rank students stationed at the rear to handle resupply and healing.
"We’ll treat you the moment you get back!"
"Please, don't push yourselves too hard!"
They spoke while lining up stretchers and opening crates of recovery potions. They were trembling just as much as anyone else, tears welling in their eyes. Even if they weren't on the front lines, they were still within the danger zone of the labyrinth.
Fear was only natural.
"Let us go as well."
At Lady Elysia’s signal, we began our march. Yuu adjusted his grip on his sword, and Ciel rested her hands on the hilts of her dual blades. I manifested my greatsword and set off with it across my back.
Lord Rai...
I looked at the massive central door one last time. Deep within that tunnel where lightning crackled and the earth shook, I thought of the man who was still fighting for our sake.
"He will be fine."
Lady Elysia drew up beside me, her eyes fixed on the same door.
"Rai is strong. He will surely be safe."
I wasn't sure if she was talking to me or trying to convince herself. Regardless, her voice remained steady and cold.
"Let’s settle our part quickly and go get him. And then..."
For a fleeting moment, Lady Elysia’s deep purple eyes narrowed. Her expression was calm, but her eyes were not smiling. They were hollow, clouded with a darkness that matched the abyss beyond the door.
"...Once we bring him back, it seems we need to have a talk."
Her voice was soft, but there wasn't a hint of a joke in it.
"Leaving his fiancée behind to play the decoy alone? After lecturing others about not giving up on life, he goes and rushes straight into the jaws of death himself. Honestly, he is such a handful."
Lady Elysia let out a small, refined chuckle, pressing a hand to her lips. Then, her lightless eyes pierced through me.
"What do you think, Lene?"
"Yes. He really is a troublesome person," I replied instantly. "I know he did it to protect us... but even so, I cannot forgive him for trying to shoulder it all by himself."
A thick, dark emotion swirled in my chest.
"If he wants to protect us, I want him to do it by our side. I want him to hold us close, right along with the burden. I'd rather be in a dangerous place with him than be left behind in safety."
My heart was pounding, but I spoke my truth quietly. Lady Elysia blinked slowly.
"You're right." Her voice was gentle, but the darkness in her eyes remained. "He is far too kind. He seems to believe that if he simply hurts in our stead, if he shoulders the burden himself, everything will work out... however..."
Violet lightning erupted deep within the door, followed by another roar.
"There are those of us here who do not accept that way of living."
The warmth drained from her face, leaving only the ghost of a smile. As she stared at the central door without blinking, I saw several students near us shiver.
"His life does not belong to him alone. He has me as his fiancée... and he has you as his personal maid."
Our gazes locked.
"To march toward death alone without understanding that... he truly is a difficult man."
She giggled again. Her voice was sweet, and her posture was full of grace, but the shadow in her eyes did not clear.
"When we go to get him, we'll have to make sure he remembers."
She smiled—a soft, sugary expression.
"That he doesn't need to hurt all by himself."
In the next heartbeat, all expression vanished from Lady Elysia’s face.
"In fact, we will no longer allow it."
She spoke the words with chilling finality, her dull purple eyes boring into mine. The corners of her mouth curved upward.
"You'll help me, won't you, Lene?"
"Yes. I would be honored."
I didn't hesitate. The emotion that had been churning in my chest finally took a solid form.
"Lord Rai belongs to us."
My voice was soft, but my resolve was absolute.
"I won't let him indulge in his own kindness and get hurt alone anymore."
I met Lady Elysia’s gaze, refusing to back down.
"We’ll make him realize that we are heavier, deeper, and more inseparable than any labyrinth."
For a moment, Lady Elysia’s smile widened.
"How reliable."
Amidst the roaring of the abyss, we turned our eyes back to the path ahead.
"Let's go get him."
"Yes."
I am coming for you, Lord Rai. So please... please stay safe until I get there.