Chapter 67: Marcus and Cynthia (1)
Marcus and Cynthia stepped into the mouth of the cave, the darkness swallowing them whole. Instantly, a pulse of magic surged through their bodies, crawling over their skin like static before sinking into their veins, deep and visceral. The very air twisted around them, shimmering faintly as the walls of the cave warped and bent, shifting like liquid shadows.
A strange hum filled the air.
"What’s going on?" Marcus muttered sharply, reflexively summoning flames that burst from his palms, the fire dancing wildly with his elevated pulse, flaring hot enough to briefly illuminate even the highest cracks in the stone.
Cynthia didn’t hesitate. Her eyes swept the unstable stone around them. With practiced calm, she stepped forward and pressed her palm gently against the cave wall. A soft aura of blue magic emanated from her fingers, anchoring into the rock. Gradually, the distortion slowed, then stopped, as if soothed by her touch.
"It’s distorting the space," she said, her voice low and analytical. "We’re completely separate from the rest..."
Marcus narrowed his eyes, flames receding to a small flicker. "Did this only happen to us?" he asked, now conjuring a controlled flame at the tip of his index finger, the gentle glow lighting up the uneven walls ahead.
"No, I’m guessing it happened to everyone else as well," Cynthia replied, drawing her wand from her uniform with a smooth, almost instinctive motion. Its tip glowed faintly as she held it forward, ready for combat.
"Figures," Marcus muttered. "No way we’re the only ones lucky enough for this."
Marcus let out a short laugh, the sound echoing in the cave. He started walking deeper, his flame casting flickering shadows. "I was confused at first how this test was gonna work with multiple students going through a cave at once.
"But guess I was wrong."
[Dating System Core Activated]