Chapter 15

As we got teleported, we all fell on our butts, but I gracefully landed on my feet. These plebians don't know how to land.

However, I soon feel down as well because I was disoriented. I really jinxed myself there.

As my dizziness subsided. I could see a massive stone bridge. It was around one hundred meters in length. The ceiling also towered a full twenty meters above them. Below the bridge was not a river, but instead a dark abyss with no visible end.

That chasm right below us resembled the gaping pits of hell. It seemed to be inviting us into us maw where we would experience untold terror. I shivered at the thought

Though the bridge was ten meters wide, it had no railing at all, so if someone slipped, there would be nothing to catch their fall.

We were all in the middle of the bridge. On one side, you could see stairs leading deeper into the abyss, while on the other side were the stairs leading upward toward our salvation.

Captain Meld yelled at us to go toward the stairs after confirming our situation.

As we were heading toward the stairs new magic circles suddenly appeared on either side of the bridge, accompanied by a swirling torrent of dark red mana.

The magic circle behind us was ten meters wide while the magic circle in front of us was only one meter wide however there were many of them.

The monsters came pouring in. As they appeared we could see that they were a horde of skeletons wielding weapons.

Within several seconds, they were already covering the entire way to the staircase.

Although they may have looked dangerous, the magic circle looked much more ominous because of how big and how much mana it was releasing.

A huge monster that resembled a triceratops came out of the magic circle.

Captain Meld – "Oh my god… It's.. a Behemoth…"

A wave of unease washed over us all when we saw Captain Meld, the reliable captain who'd always been their reassuring pillar of support, break out in a cold sweat.

Captain Meld was caught up in a stupor and when the Behemoth roared it brought him out from his stupor.

My instincts were screaming at me to turn away and not look back. This was the first time I felt like this.

My whole body was washed in fear. I couldn't move even though I wanted to. This was the first time I felt like this. I felt like an ant in front of him.

I really wanted to break down right then and there. I wanted to be by my mother's side. Even after all that thinking, I did and new conviction I had, when under the threat of death our true selves come out.

I was always by her side; she protected me and did everything for me. I never had to worry about anything because she planned everything for me.

Now faced with certain death, my pillar of support was nowhere to be seen and I couldn't do anything by myself.

As I was on the brink of collapse, Hajime ran up to me and punched me very hard. He screamed at me saying

Hajime – "Ains what is wrong with you! Snap out of whatever you were thinking! You were always the cool and collected type no matter the situation! Stand up for yourself and fulfill whatever you dream is! Even though you didn't tell me your dream I can see that you have one! Become someone you are proud of and walk forward without looking back!"

This was the first time I saw him like this. He is usually the quiet and meek type of guy. I guess he was right. Even though I look calm and collected I always had someone to support me. Now with no one around I break down.

I guess he's right. I look down in shame thinking about how pathetic I was. I would become someone strong not for anyone, but for me. To be my own pillar of support. To protect whatever, I hold dear.

My dream never changed. It was to be strong enough to look down on opposing forces and stay neutral and aloof throughout the whole thing looking at them for my own entertainment and to protect my loved ones from opposing sides. That was when deep inside something changed within me.

I slowly stood up with renewed conviction. I got myself up and looked at Hajime with a grateful smile.

Hajime just looked at me pleased that I was doing fine now. As I look around, I see that Kouki would not leave the front line and the students in the back were in chaos.

I frown seeing this.

Ains – "Hajime things are not looking so good. Kouki is their leader. If he does not go back. The chaos will continue. We will go to him telling him that he must go back."

Hajime just nods and we run off to the front line where Kouki is.

As we arrive, Hajime slaps Kouki and screams at him saying that he must go back to stop the chaos that is occurring since he is their leader.

Kouki looks back and reluctantly agrees to do so. Then he goes to tell Captain Meld about his plan about stopping the Behemoth while they try to leave. He hesitates and finally relents to his plan.

Hajime – "Ains go back I will do this alone."

Ains – "You idiot, there is no way I will leave you there to die! I am faster than you, so once you are done, I will carry you, while we run back!"

He finally relents and Captain Meld swears to do anything in his power to help us back.

We head to the Behemoth and Hajime pins him down, not literally though.

Captain Meld finally yells at us to come back. So, I quickly pick up Hajime and run back towards them.

As I run back, I and Hajime see a spell coming toward us and we instantly go pale.

We know that there is no way a spell could misfire like that and come barreling toward us, so we instantly knew that someone was targeting us.

I couldn't dodge in time so when I tried to throw Hajime ahead in order to save him something told me not to do it. That I would be changing some things that I shouldn't change.

That pause was enough time for the spell to make its way toward us and blast us back. We get thrown back and my flute comes out of my pocket.

I hear a scream calling out Hajime's name. However, no one called out my name. That was really sad though.

I lay there for a bit and quickly got up. I wanted to save Hajime, but I knew that I couldn't. I don't know why but something would change. He needed to fall here when the Behemoth breaks the bridge. I don't know how I am so certain about this, but I know.

I could also leave him and go outside, but something told me when I leave, I may not be able to live. It was a feeling, but my feelings never lead me astray.

I didn't know what to do, but when I turned around and saw my flute, I instantly knew what to do. I could play a hypnotic song before the Behemoth takes the bridge along with Hajime and go down the stairs toward the abyss.

I quickly place the flute on my lips and start to play a melody. This was a melody I found in my knowledge named A Field in Spring.

The melody started to play out and everyone gets into a trance including the Behemoth. After this song is over, they would think I fell with Hajime on this day.

As I continue to play, I make my way to the stairs heading down. As I go down, I stop playing. I hear a loud boom, along with Hajime's scream and Kaori shouting out his name.

I quietly apologize to Hajime as tears start to stream down my face. I huddle in a corner and cry thinking why I couldn't change the outcome, what was so special about him that I had to hear him fall as I felt my heart ripping in guilt.