Lost in the Crystal Depths

(Elysia PoV)

In the midst of the magic crystal garden overflowing with light, Elysia sat with her chin resting on her hand. She lazily watched Irine and Celina who were engaging in a mining activity that could be called... semi-illegal.

“Hyaaah!” Irine struck one of the crystal stones with her fist. Shards scattered across the ground. “Take that one, Imaria,” she shouted cheerfully, more like picking flowers even though she was clearly stealing resources.

Imaria reached out with hesitation. “B-but... do you not think this is already too much?”

“This is our chance. Do not be a coward, Imaria. We can sell them to the seniors and get extra pocket money,” Celina replied.

“You two...” Elysia pressed her palm to her forehead. “Just ignore them, Imaria. Illegal miners like them will never learn until they get caught.”

“Elyyy!”

“Elyyy!”

Elysia merely lifted her shoulder with indifference.

Their seniors did allow them to mine according to their needs. But what the two were doing resembled robbery. They had already gathered two full bags and still did not seem satisfied.

Some people mined for money. But those two were nobles with plenty of weekly allowance. So the real reason was much simpler. They simply wanted to have fun by committing small illegal acts.

Whether they realized it or not, the truth was that some people committed crimes not because they were forced, but because they enjoyed satisfying a hidden desire buried deep within.

Two hours had passed. Their peaceful time faded when Syrene clapped her hands three times. It was the signal that their rest time was over and they had to gather.

The four of them headed over, with Celina and Irine each carrying a bag full of their loot. Not a trace of shame appeared on their faces. Instead there was only pure satisfaction.

Elysia curled her lips. I hope they get their karma for being too greedy.

Upon arrival, it did not take long for Elysia’s wish to be granted. Syrene’s eyes widened at the sight of the enormous bags carried by the two broken chatter-boxes.

“What have you done, you fools. Are you really so stupid that you do not understand the meaning of ‘as needed’, huh?!” She yanked their ears.

“Ah ouch. I-it hurts, Sis...”

“Forgive us, Senior.”

The two wailed, trying to pull away, yet Syrene only lifted their ears higher.

Elysia covered her mouth, holding back a laugh.

The silent cave burst with warm laughter at the antics of the two ducks. Muscles relaxed, tension loosened.

Slowly the laughter faded, yet Elysia felt something was missing. Something... gone?

“Where is Arabella’s group?”

Imaria’s short question shook everyone awake. Elysia quickly scanned the area, but she found no sign of them at all.

Irine sharpened her hearing but said she detected nothing nearby. Cold sweat trickled down Syrene’s temple.

“Maybe we should wai—”

“No.” Mireya let out a soft breath. “What I feared seems to have happened.”

Elysia frowned.

She stretched out her right hand. A lantern suddenly appeared in her grasp. A tiny light glimmered inside it. The light moved like a small star trapped in its cage.

Closing her eyes, a magic circle formed beneath her feet. Its pale blue glow reflected among the glittering crystals.

In an instant the ceiling seemed to open and the ground vanished. The chamber transformed into a cosmic sky filled with dazzling constellations.

Their bodies floated without direction within the cosmic expanse. Up and down could no longer be distinguished.

“W-what is happening? Where are we?”

“You do not know?” Syrene raised a brow. “After passing the sixth layer, an ancient magic book will come to you. You do not choose your magic. They are the ones who choose the magic most suitable for you.”

She then turned to Mireya with softened eyes. “And... the only one who passed the sixth layer in our generation was Mira. The magic she received was...”

“Oh, stars.... Guide us toward the path of light.”

Mireya lifted the lantern. A thin line of light connected several stars forming the constellation of Leo.

“Sister Mira... this...”

Mireya wiped the sweat on her forehead.

“In ancient times, stars were believed to be guides. Sailors and wanderers relied on them to find direction. Farmers used them to determine harvest seasons. Herd keepers used them to choose the best breeding season. Even today, religious figures use them to determine the timing of sacred rituals.”

Imaria nodded. “The moon and stars are indeed more accurate, especially when making offerings to the goddess of the night, Nyx.”

Mireya smiled faintly. “And this is the ancient magic that chose me, star magic. It is not reliable for attacking. But with this magic I can see a little of someone’s past and future.”

“That is enough, Mira. Continue.”

She waved her hand. The constellation shattered into countless fragments of light. The lights gathered and formed a hologram of familiar figures.

Though stiff in movement, the hologram moved on its own like a three dimensional film.

Arabella, as always, seemed to be leading her group. The lion haired girl pointed and spoke while the others nodded quietly. Then Arabella stretched her hand forward and shouted in one breath.

After that, the three girls bent down and picked something up from the ground one by one.

“Ah, they are mining.”

“Sssst... be quiet, Irine.”

As usual, those two could never stay silent. Elysia ignored them and kept her focus on the hologram.

“Wait... that...” Elysia narrowed her eyes when Arabella suddenly jolted.

The lion haired girl walked forward, eyes trembling. Her hand slowly reached out. Then...

Srek... srek...

The four figures glitched, distorted, then vanished completely.

“W-what happened?”

Mireya exhaled. “I told her not to touch anything.”

“What happened, Mira?”

“That girl’s zodiac is Leo. And tonight is a new moon at the beginning of winter. I will not explain it in detail, but the point is she will receive misfortune if she touches something that shines.”

“So that is why you did not allow her to touch anything in the cave?”

Mireya bit her lip, regret painting her face. “I should have prevented it.”

“Why did you not tell her about your ability?” Irine tilted her head.

Only a shake of the head became her answer. “It is not that I did not want to. I could not. Ancient magic has many rules.”

She paused, taking several deep breaths, a habit she had whenever she felt anxious.

“And for me... I cannot tell the person who will receive misfortune about my ability. I am only allowed to warn or prevent. The rest is determined by fate.”

Silence fell. Everyone lowered their gaze.

But Syrene suddenly stomped her foot. The sound drew every gaze upward. A confident grin curved across her face.

“Why are you gloomy over one small accident?”

Everyone went silent, staring at her.

“I mean, hey. Unexpected things like this happen often in dungeons. All you need is to stay calm and believe. We will find them and bring them back quickly. Understood?”

“Sister Syrene...”

Somehow, her short words restored their confidence. They exchanged looks and smiles. Then with renewed spirit, they formed a plan and began their search.

First, they followed Arabella’s last path. As usual, Syrene led the way. They walked until they reached an empty chamber with walls full of holes.

Unlike other areas, the ends of dungeon floors regenerated more slowly. It took time for them to return to their original state.

Judging by the holes on the wall, that was clearly where they had been mining. Now the only task left was to discover what had happened.

“There are no traces of blood or cuts or any signs of battle. So they were not attacked by monsters.” Elysia rubbed her chin. “Then... what happened?”

Celina’s eyes widened in fear as she covered her mouth. Elysia shot her a sharp stare filled with curiosity. Did the girl know something she did not?

“What is it, Celina?”

“C-could it be... could it be...”

Irine shook her vigorously. “Could it be what? What, Cel? Tell us quickly”

“C-could it be that there are terrorists stalking us and kidnapping us from the shadows”

“Huh?... aaaargh. We are being hunted”

Plak!

Elysia slapped her forehead. It was useless placing hope in that careless girl. Worse, Irine screamed. Her expression showed she fully believed Celina’s words.

“Can you two not be loud? Besides, your theory is impossible. That only happens in the novels you read. There must be another explanation more logical than that.”

Syrene shot a glance at Mireya.

Mireya nodded and pointed at a wall on the left. It was the only wall without magic crystals growing on it. Without hesitation, Syrene raised her axe and swung with full strength.

A large opening revealed a dark purple crystal.

The aura emanating from the crystal made Elysia’s rabbitman instincts uneasy. Her hand unconsciously rubbed her tense neck.

Syrene clicked her tongue. “Tch, I did not expect such a disgusting thing to grow in a safe place like this.”

“What is that? Just looking at it already makes me uncomfortable.”

“I feel the same,” her twin added.

Mireya explained that it was not a magic crystal but a trap mechanism created by the dungeon itself. Anyone who touched it would be forcibly teleported to the next floor, which was obviously far more dangerous. In this case, Arabella and her group were sent to the third floor.

Syrene stepped forward with her axe resting on her shoulder. “I will go. Mira, bring them back.”

“N-no”

Irine’s cry stopped her. Syrene raised a brow.

“P-please let us come with you”

“What can weak rabbits like you do in such a dangerous place?”

“We can... we can...”

“Become burdens.”

Elysia stated it flatly. Irine shook her wildly, shouting her name in frustration.

Imaria stepped forward. Syrene eyed her sharply as if ready to crush any argument she made. “Senior... we may not be close to Arabella’s group. Even so...” she placed both hands on her chest. “As fellow students, we cannot leave them in danger.”

“And?”

“You may think we will only be burdens, and perhaps that is true. We are weak, we lack experience. But... we cannot just stand and wait. We believe we will be useful there.”

Syrene narrowed her eyes, yet Imaria’s unwavering resolve glimmered clearly. Who would have thought the gentle church girl had such burning determination beneath her soft demeanor.

After a moment, the corner of Syrene’s lips lifted. It was not a mocking grin. Elysia knew because she had seen it many times. It was a grin of acknowledgment.

“That resolve is what I have been waiting for. Fine. But only if you can protect and take responsibility for yourselves.”

“That is easy.” Irine waved dismissively and nudged Celina’s arm. “Right?”

“Yup”

Elysia sighed. “People who say that are usually the first to die.”

“Ely, do not scare us”

Mireya laughed, followed by the others.

“All right, we cannot waste more time. Let us go.”

Everyone nodded and held hands.

Syrene stepped forward and touched the dark purple crystal. A blinding violet light swallowed them whole. Elysia closed her eyes as a warm sensation spread across her body before she felt herself fade little by little, just like ordinary teleportation magic.

Within seconds, their presence disappeared completely.