On our incredibly invigorating journey through the labyrinth, running back toward the first floor in a maddened sprint almost made me miss being part of a giant spider nest's larder. We didn't slow down until Sylas led us back to the stairs leading to the first floor, and even after that, the seven of us continued at a slightly less manic run until we were practically knocking on the door of the labyrinth's entrance.
I all but collapsed on the stairs out, hands on my knees and panting. I shut my eyes. I didn't have any mana left. I was pretty sure someone had used a Working to make us move quicker, and maybe even an additional one to lead us closer to the surface.
Using two spells so different like that at once… I could barely fathom it. I don't think we would have managed it if we hadn't had two sophomores with us, even if we'd joined in a circle.
The disparity of age and experience in magic was staggering. And that said nothing about how much higher their mana capacity was compared to us freshmen.
I shut my eyes and shivered, trying my best to forget the feeling of the Alke's webbing against my skin. The Circle breaking finally got me out of that delightful reverie.
"The juniors have practical lessons in the labyrinth every Wednesday afternoon," Stanley said. He rummaged around in the pockets of his coat. "I think I should have a spare piece of flint in here somewhere… Do any of you have an affinity that would allow you to use it as a conduit? We should all recharge our mana stores and reform a Circle as soon as possible. Even right next to the entrance, it would be prudent to—"
"Wait," Eleanor said, interrupting Stanley. "What're a bunch of freshmen doing down here anyhow? None of you should be able to bypass the locks and open the door."
"Well—" Mason started, but Rosamund elbowed him in the ribs.
Sylas hadn't looked up from the ground since we'd stopped running. That sword was still clenched in one hand, and even Iroha looked like she was biting her tongue.
I looked away from the two sophomores, certain I'd be willing to tell all if they asked and that was probably less than advisable. I wasn't sure how Lion Hall would react to us snitching on their pre-rush plans, but it probably wouldn't be something that I'd enjoy.
Rosamund cleared her throat. "Can we have your word you shall divulge nothing the two of you have seen or will see regarding our business here tonight?" she asked in a controlled voice.
"No," Eleanor said flatly. "I don't care how cute the boys with you are. I'm not one to turn away from what is clearly a violation of school rules and common sense."
Stanley hmphed, and I took it to mean agreement.
"But you owe us your lives," Rosamund said tightly. That included an even tighter smile. "That has to count for something, doesn't it?"
There was a long pause as the sophomores and Rosamund stared at each other and the rest of us watched in silence. I wasn't sure if I liked Rosamund very much then.
Sylas then let out a long breath, rising to his feet and letting go of his sword. The weapon almost seemed to dissolve into shadows and nothingness.
"We're here because the five of us are trying to join Lion Hall," Sylas said. "I'd take it as a personal favor if the two of you promised not to speak of it, but if you felt the need to report this to the disciplinary committee. I want you to say I was the one who gave the Hall up. The other four had nothing to do with it."
Stanley and Eleanor glanced at each other.
"Lion Hall?" Eleanor said incredulously. "You're down here because you want to be one of those asshats?"
"Eleanor," Stanley said in a warning tone.
She glared at him for a long moment, then sighed. "Fine," Eleanor said finally. "If that's what you really want, then fine. We wouldn't have gotten out that Alke nest alive without you all and that does entitle you to ask something of us, by any metric of wizardly decency."
Stanley nodded in agreement. "We won't say anything about what happened here," Stanley said. "But I would advise you all to think long and hard about whether it's actually worth joining up with folks who'd actually throw you into this death trap as part of a test."
I wasn't sure if I disagreed with Stanley, but no one else seemed keen to say anything and I was already in the employ of someone who didn't care if I lived or died. So I supposed at the end of the day it didn't really make that much difference.
***
We didn't have to wait that long for the door to the labyrinth to swing open. It appeared that falling down a level in the labyrinth and almost being eaten by giant, monstrous spiders took up longer than one might think.
The seven of us walked up the stairs, us freshmen in the lead.
Lydia seemed a bit surprised to see us, frowning as I walked out, supporting Sylas on my shoulder. Her frown deepened into a scowl when Eleanor and Stanley brushed past her without a word or a backward look.
"It's fine," Sylas said stiffly. "They promised not to say anything. Swore it even."
The sour look on Lydia's face was slow to leave, but a smile eventually replaced it. She pulled the five of us into a tight embrace.
"Welcome to the next stage of Lion Hall's pre-rush," she said.