Chapter 49: Kaelian’s Declaration
The sharp wind cleaved through the air as the massive floating platform descended toward the spot with incredible speed! Alden sat there calmly, maintaining the spell while his dark hair rustled wildly in the rushing wind.
Just before they reached the ground, Alden looked at everyone and called out.
"We have to jump from here! There is no way we can land safely on the ground like a helicopter."
Ronan nodded, looking at him with a confused expression.
"You are right about that, we cannot just descend slowly with such a large chunk of earth... By the way, what is a ’helicopter’? Is it some kind of new magic?"
Alden looked at him, opened his mouth, and then quickly closed it.
"Nothing."
’Wait a second, is a helicopter not available in this world? How could that be possible? When such advanced gadgets and technology exist, a helicopter should be the easiest thing we can have.’
Alden forgot for a second that he had transmigrated into a magical world. Even in his past world, not everyone could buy a helicopter; it was a luxurious item that only rich people would even think of buying.
And here in this world, the richest people were also the most powerful ones. Those powerful beings did not even need to use vehicles like helicopters or planes to travel. They could simply tear space open and transfer dimensionally to different places, teleport, or fly themselves with lightning speed! There was no need to use such vehicles. They also had their own teleportation channels to go anywhere they wanted. So, no one ever thought of making one. There were still other vehicles and airplanes available that could be used by the general public, though.
As they hovered just a few feet above the ground, with a simple gesture, all four of them jumped off the floating platform! They quickly distanced themselves to escape the impact zone.
As the massive platform lost the mana link maintaining its flight, gravity finally caught up to it, and the heavy earth started to plummet down onto the forest land!
The surrounding students, who were running through the forest on their way to claim their flags, saw a giant shadow appear above them. Everyone immediately panicked and scrambled back in terror!
*CRASH!* *BOOOM!*
The giant platform slammed into the forest ground! The nearby trees fell apart, and a huge cloud of dust filled the entire surrounding area. The ground beneath the platform broke apart as debris flew everywhere! Some students who got caught in the mess were knocked unconscious, while some managed to escape just in time. Others were just lucky that they had been far enough away.
But the four teammates, the very reason behind this massive destruction, just turned their backs to the chaos and started heading toward the spot to grab their second flag, since their previous one had burned away.
Alden walked in the back, glancing behind to notice that thankfully, no students were crushed by the falling platform. He pulled his gaze away and focused on the front, as that was what mattered to him in his current situation.
They reached the designated spot, and Alicia stepped forward to grab the flag in her hand. Now, only one last place was left for them to go!
Alicia looked at him and asked calmly, "Are you okay? Why are you looking lost for some reason?"
Alden looked at her, feeling surprised and not understanding what she was asking him about.
"What? No, I don’t think I am lost. Why do you ask?"
Alicia narrowed her eyes, but she didn’t press the matter anymore. She looked at the others and suggested, "So, shall we go?"
As everyone got ready and turned around to walk forward, a sudden fireball shot toward them with incredible speed!
Alden, who had already sensed the incoming attack, immediately channeled his mana and pressed his hand down onto the ground.
[Water Magic: Aegis Wall!]
The ground split open, and a thick layer of water forced itself up, forming a sturdy, rushing wall right in front of them!
As the blazing fireball landed straight on the wall, the water began to evaporate. The spell’s effect started to decline as hot steam rose into the air until the magic vanished, and the remaining water splashed back onto the ground.
Alden looked ahead as figures started to emerge from behind the dust-covered field near the fallen platform.
"It has been a while, Alicia. How have you been?"
The figure appearing was none other than Kaelian! He wore a practiced, charming smile as he walked into their view. Right behind him, his entire team stepped out of the shadows.
His teammates stood helplessly as he ordered them around. Sarah, the defiant girl with golden hair, was the only one among them who had not listened to him. Even Kaelian could not force her to obey, as she was also the proud daughter of an SS-ranker.
Alicia looked at him, staring blankly and showing no sign of any emotion.
Kaelian’s charming smile faltered. He moved his gaze away and caught sight of Alden standing calmly right beside her. His blood began to boil with rage, and he glared at him with a cold gaze.
"So you are also a part of her team..."
Alden looked right back at him and answered calmly.
"No, I am just a part of the team selected by the instructor, and she happens to be a part of it too. Anything else? We are busy right now, see you soon."
Kaelian glared at him with cold eyes, feeling like the same frustrating situation from the second spot was repeating itself.
"How did you all appear here?! I thought you were at the very back!"
Ronan looked at him, pointing proudly at the fallen, broken platform.
"Can’t you see that giant chunk of earth? We came flying on it!"
All of Kaelian’s teammates looked at them in a daze. A girl named Elara spoke up in a disbelieving tone.
"Wait, were you the reason for that sudden blast from earlier?!"
"Yep!"
As his team was busy discussing the crazy revelation among themselves, Kaelian stepped forward toward Alden. A small smirk tugged on his lips, but his eyes were dark and intense.
He dramatically threw his white napkin on the ground between them and declared loudly!
"I, Kaelian von Vorcelis, challenge you, Alden, to a duel!"