Path of the Unmentioned: The Missing Piece-Chapter 263: Field Trip [3]

The inside of the Crimson Falcon mana bus was a lot nicer than Kyle expected. The air was cool, coming quietly through the vents lined with polished ice runes. Plush, deep crimson seats were arranged in pairs on either side, each resembling a comfortable armchair more than a bus seat.

Soft mana lights glowed from the panel on the ceiling. And the large windows were tinted just enough to cut the glare without obscuring the outside view.

He had just texted back to Aurelia and started looking for the seat.

His attention, however, was immediately caught by the figure sitting in the front row of seats.

A girl with long black hair that fell on her back like a curtain of silk. She was none other than Elizabeth Veyl, a second-year Rank One student. She was looking out of the window with her unreadable onyx eyes.

As if sensing his stare, she turned her head. Her black onyx eyes met his turquoise ones, and she stiffened a little. But quickly composed her expression back to a neutral, calm one.

The girl with long, purple hair sitting beside Elizabeth quickly noticed the shift in her friend's posture. Zahra Streling pulled out one of her wireless earphones, a pop song leaking faintly from the earbud, and followed Elizabeth's gaze.

A wide, cheeky grin spread once her amethyst eyes landed on Kyle.

"Well, well, if it isn't my favourite junior here." She said in a bright, teasing voice.

Kyle gave her a polite smile.

"Good morning, Seniors. I wasn't expecting to see you two here. Are you here as a Senior guide?"

"Mhmm."

Zahra nooded, puffing out her chest in a mock pride.

"Indeed, we are. Normally, it's a third-year gig, but we met the criteria, and let's be honest, it's basically free credits and an excuse to skip regular classes. So why not?"

"I see."

Kyle said, understanding that the academic credits for a mission like this must be substantial. Not to mention that the training opportunity in a mana-rich environment is a prize in itself.

Zahra's lips curled in an evil smile.

"So, do I need to find another seat now? So I can give you two some privacy for a little pre-engagement talk."

She teased, wiggling her eyebrows.

Elizabeth's eyes twitched at her teasing.

Kyle let out an awkward laugh, rubbing the back of his neck.

"No, no, it's quite all right, senior. I'll just join my friends at the back."

He gave a slight, respectable nod to Elizabeth, which she returned slightly. He continued down the aisle and immediately scowled.

At the back, Reo and Luna were waving at him with exaggerated motions.

'Yeah, I'm not sitting with them.'

He thought with a sigh. He could already hear the relentless teasing that would follow after his little interaction with Elizabeth.

Scanning the bus, he saw Lyra and Cassian arguing over the bag of snacks. Across from him, Cedric and Luna had claimed the pair of seats.

One row in front of them was Reo, sitting alone, having heroically saved the window seat next to him, which he pointed to insistently.

Then his eye landed on Eleanora and Serena, sitting together a few rows ahead of Reo.

As if on cue, Serena noticed his gaze. She glanced at Eleanora once, then quietly gathered her book and stood moving to the empty seat beside Sylvie, which was directly behind them.

Eleanora glanced at him, patting the empty seat beside her.

A small internal chuckle escaped Kyle's lips.

He quickly made his way over and slid into the plush seat. It was incredibly comfortable, seeming molded to his body and absorbing his weight.

The seats were probably enchanted with magic.

"Thanks, Serena."

He said, glancing back at her. Serena gave him a slight nod without looking at him, already immersed in her book.

Kyle didn't mind her. He knew if it were anyone else she didn't know, she likely wouldn't even acknowledge them.

He looked back at Reo, who was clutching his chest in shock at the betrayal of his friend. Reo stared at him as if he had just witnessed the greatest treachery of his life.

'So, dramatic.'

Kyle mouthed, a faint smirk playing at his lips.

Reo's wounded expression immediately turned into a scowl, and he flashed him the middle finger.

Without missing a beat, Kyle returned the gesture before turning back.

"Thanks for the seat, Your highness."

He said, looking at Eleanora.

She immediately scowled. A fake anger crinkled at the corner of her eyes.

"You..... How many times do I have to tell you not to call me that?"

"Hehehe.... Sorry about that," he said, not sounding sorry at all. "But aren't you a princess?"

She let out a soft, suffering sigh.

"I am.... but not for you."

She said the last part quietly, averting her eyes towards the window.

"Sorry, I couldn't quite catch that? What did you say?"

Kyle asked, leaning slightly closer.

She turned back to him, her expression returning to neutral.

"Nothing. You must be hearing things."

"Is that so?"

He said softly, deciding not to press her.

"By the way." She began, her eyes narrowing slightly. "What were you talking to Senior Elizabeth about?"

"Oh, that? Nothing really. I was just greeting her and Senior Zahra. It would have been rude not to say hello even after noticing them."

"That's it?"

She pressed with a subtle, unreadable emotion in her gaze.

Kyle gave her a quick nod.

"Yeah, that's it."

Eleanora studied his face for a moment, and a genuine smile spread on her lips.

"You seem to be in a better mood now."

Kyle raised an eyebrow.

"You can tell?"

She gave him a look that said: 'What do you think?'

"You look less gloomy now, like the tension was suddenly eased from your shoulders and small things like that."

Before he could formulate a response to her, a sharp voice resounded in the bus, silencing everyone.

"Students, take your seats quickly! We'll depart in a minute or two!"

A junior instructor with coffee brown hair, whom Kyle didn't recognize, was standing at the front. He was assigned to assist the Senior Instructor, Brynn, and Isolde as an overseer with other assistant professors.

He flipped his wrist and checked his glowing mana band screen.

"The journey will take approximately six hours."

He announced, his voice carrying easily through the cabin.

"Our destination is Hushwood, which is located beyond the Elf continent. There, you will encounter Elven scouts and officials. I cannot stress this enough, but be respectful. The Elves are proud creatures, and we are guest in their land. Do not, under any circumstances, deliberately do anything that will damage any plant life. To them, it was a profound offense."

Few students shifted slightly.

"Furthermore, once we cross into the designated perimeter of HQP-19, you will immediately feel the difference in the environment. The mana density there will be significantly higher than anything you have experienced till now. For some, this will feel like a weight in the chest, and for others, it may even make breathing more difficult. Your body will need to adjust."

He motioned his hand, and dozens of small, glowing pink vials levitated out from the case.

It drifted smoothly aisle to hover before each student.

Kyle took his vial, rolling the cool glass between his fingers. The liquid inside was a glowing pinkish in color.

"This is an atmospheric mana regulator potion." The Instructor continued, "If you find yourself struggling to breathe, feeling lightheaded, or experiencing mana channel strain. Drink it. It will help your body's system synchronize with the dense mana atmosphere."

He paused, his expression turning stern.

"However, let me be very clear. I do not advise you to take this potion unless you feel it is absolutely necessary. This is a crutch. Your body's ability to learn and adapt on its own is a valuable part of this training. If your body has already begun to adjust and you take this potion anyway, it will overclock your system.

"Your heart rate will spike dangerously. You will likely develop a high, debilitating fever as your core tries to expel the excess catalytic energy. In severe cases, it can lead to mana channel inflammation, muscle spasms, and temporary mana paralysis.

"It's not a candy; it's a medical intervention. So Use your judgment wisely"

The sober silence fell over the bus.

Kyle carefully stored the potion inside his storage ring.

With a final nod, the junior Instructor took his own seat at the front.

A deep thrum resonated through the bus, the hum of the mana core intensifying.

The world outside began to slide away as the mana bus lifted of the ground and glided to motion, carrying them towards the treacharous Death Zone: HQP-19.

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