The Washroom Linkup

"So the only issue you are facing is getting someone down to the bottom the moment we enter the waterfall chasm right?" Elijah's words sent everyone not aware into a momentary shock.

"Y-yes… If someone had a way to use their magic to slow their fall, we would be in luck, but that's not reality… Even if you jumped into the waterfall that flowers down the very center you would still be forced to land in the pit of water with the chance of a beast waiting for you." Aslan said with a sigh.

Both Novius and Alexia looked at Elijah with smiles. Everyone noticed, and asked what it was about, but Elijah just said, "Maybe… Novius, Alexia, can I talk to you outside?"

Everyone was confused, but let it be.

"I am okay with them knowing about my space affinity. But my ability to fly is something else. It would also be very dangerous if I took Harry down to the bottom just to set up a trap." Elijah said while talking quietly due to the people walking up and down the hallway.

Novius briefly paused while trying to think. "..I understand, but everyone here is trustworthy. What is the difference between us, and them?"

Elijah's reasonings were a stretch, and would be completely unreasonable if he told them the reason why he wanted to keep secrets. Nonetheless, he remained silent while thinking of different options.

"Why don't you just say it's a part of your affinity, and you can only use it for a short period of time." Alexia asked with a worried expression.

This made Elijah think, and since he would rather not think about the decision itself, he decided to go with the path of least resistance. "I agree."

The trio walked back inside and explained the plan. Since Harry was the only one who can create what is needed, Elijah will slow his fall with his space magic while holding Harry on his back. While in the air, Harry will create a large sheet of metal that will sit over top of the deep pool of water. 

The plan was to instead of going for the kill, aim to lure the beasts outside the small caves, and use as many methods as possible to push them off the ledge. The stairways that lead all the way down the chasm are not very wide, and are carved into the edge of the wall. There are bridges around every twenty five feet that leave a space in the center for the kappa's to be thrown off. 

This strategy isn't done very much due to the possibility of damaging the bridges, which isn't a problem because the kappa's themselves use the bridges to scale the chasm. But if the bridges weren't there, large amounts of kappas, and even ones more powerful than the red core stage would pile up, and eventually find a way to the top. 

Destruction would be the only thing that follows. This is without mentioning the need to explore the caves for mana crystals. 

Every place of The Catacombs needs to be navigable by the hunters if possible, especially on as lucrative as the Waterfall Chasm.

The party finished up reviewing the cave system, and went their separate ways. Once Elijah returned to his bedroom, he grabbed a bag of coins that contained an allowance from George that he had saved up ever since this became his new home.

The attendant at the weapon stand was the same person, and he remembered his face. "Ah, welcome back. You are Elijah, right?"

Elijah held out his hand. "Yes, that's me. I have the three gold coins to buy the sword that was saved for me." 

"Perfect! Let's trade!"

Elijah received his knife and thanked the nice man, but was stopped by his voice.

"You need a sheath right?" The man asked.

"Haha, no thank you." Elijah responded and wished him farewell. After walking into the building, Elijah made his way into the washroom on the first floor to secretly store the knife in his spatial storage.

Just before opening the door, Elijah thought about the price of three gold pounds. 

'That's twelve percent of Don's salary!'

Considering the amount of gold Don had made the past year, it made sense to have such a reaction. Swords made of the rare metals of The Catacombs were very hard to come by, but provided him with far more durability than the complacent understanding of metal most mages could fathom.

The limit in this instance was likely created by the obvious mana core progression issue. There has never been a mage with a core stronger than the cyan core. Thus, the level needed for replicating the durable black metal was out of reach. 

Once Elijah finished pushing against the smooth brown wooden door, whispers were heard bouncing off the poorly insulated walls. To make sure no one noticed him, he quietly closed the door and listened in on the conversation.

The washroom was very large, and opened up into a locker room with a seating area just around the corner from where the door was. The conversation was happening in the far side of the locker room, so Elijah leaned up against the wall in front of the door.

"...I have told you many times already, I will not be doing these acts. I don't know what you are being paid, or reasons for why you are doing this, but I will not be a part of this…"

Elijah heard footsteps, and quickly acted by loudly opening the door, and walking in sight of everyone. The boy who was just talking was Emery, and it seemed he had refused to get involved in something rather scandalous.

"Oh, it's you. You better be prepared to lose in that tournament. There is no way you would even make it past the first round with water magic." Emery said as he moved towards the door.

What Emery said was absolutely true. The different affinities had their own attributes, advantages, and disadvantages. Water was a defensive and support affinity even with the water splashes Elijah could employ. Water at a fundamental level is much weaker than fire or ice when it comes to cutting and firepower. 

This is the exact reason why Elijah knows he will be unstoppable. This is not a battle against beasts, but a battle against humans. The goal isn't to injure and kill each other, but to incapacitate eachother or make the opponent surrender.

Elijah quickly shoved the door closed and spoke in a serious tone. "If you think you are going to have the same outcomes by acting like your opponent is a beast, then you are the one who is going to lose in the first round. If you weren't a rat who liked to gossip, I would guarantee you I would beat your ass in a one versus one fight with ease." Elijah opened up the door for him as he was standing still and whispered as he held the door at an angle. "It might do you good to distance yourself from evil…"

Emery's eyes widened in disbelief as if he just found out Elijah heard the whole conversation! Frantically, he quietly walked out the door. Shortly after, Elijah walked further into the washroom, and spotted people who weren't familiar, but people he had seen once or twice in the guild. These guys were one year older!

Looks were sent in his direction, but all Elijah did was wash his face in the sink. The feeling of unpolluted tap water was magnificent to relish in.

One of the guys in the locker room stepped closer to Elijah. "Do you remember the name Cora Boone?"

Elijah froze dead in his tracks while the water continued running down the drain. The air turned cold and stale, as not a single person breathed a single inch of air. 

"No, I do not…"

"I think you are lying."

Elijah turned around to see a black haired boy with gray eyes. The boy was only a couple inches taller than Elijah, and was wearing full white-colored pants and jacket. There were buckles and straps neatly oriented and flat gray fur on the shoulders. This looked like the attire he would use to go in dungeons. 

"Then why don't you explain how you think I am lying. I would love to hear your reasoning for the conversation you just had with Emery…"