"We can’t trust him!"
The argunts imdiately swung toward Kir and Amarena, multiplying in loudness quickly.
"It could be a trap!" "We can’t let demons into the school." "What was Lumin thinking-" Lugh tried to shout into the mix "We need to trust him, he’s the only one that can get inside!"
As the argunts ran on, Kir felt his heart drop a little. He was half-tempted to just go on alone...
But calmly stepping past the students and cadets, Noir took his quick little steps to approach.
"Back up a bit, please," he asked Kir, putting one hand on Kir’s knee and guiding him until he was back in the barrier.
"What are you-"
"Spread your legs wide for ," Noir instructed.
"What?!" Kir balked.
"It’s not like that," Noir said, "It’s sothing you have to be short to deal with." He started shoving at Kir’s knees until he was standing a bit awkwardly like an A-fra. Then Noir, ducking a little, walked between Kir’s legs and past the barrier. "You can step out of the way now."
Kir did so, and it dawned on him exactly what Noir had realized. The barrier was emitted from above. Provided Kir left no gap for it to fill in from the sides, he could let everyone in between his legs. Or perhaps by bracing on his hands and feet, but the gap would be comparable either way.
Amarena realized this at the sa ti, quirking a slight smirk and nod of appreciation at Noir.
Noir cleared his throat, managing a shout louder than all of the arguers. "Children, your attention please!"
The argunts quickly ground to a stop as everyone realized the shortest one among them had passed into the barrier.
He continued, "I think debating trust at this point is academic. Provided you are willing to bend, Kir can get everyone inside to actually do sothing."
Though so students bristled at Noir’s condescension, Lugh stepped up. "I know you don’t trust Kir, but he did not have to co in peace. If we’re to defeat our shared enemy, then I will trust him. And if he betrays us... I’ll take responsibility." He turned, approaching the barrier. In a much quieter voice he asked, "Um... how do I...?"
Kir held back a sigh as he spread his legs again. In the end, most of the Knights cadets and all of the special Academy students made the crawl under the shield. The rest agreed to stay behind to make sure soone was there to inform any arcane knights or professors who returned.
At the foyer, they found no one.
"This is wrong," Caneban said. "I thought people might not have gone outside because of the siege, but there should at least be so students here."
"How many students were staying over the sumr?" Kir asked.
"A little under a hundred fifty," Kordia answered, staring down Caneban when he looked at her like that was information she shouldn’t share. "Even student nurses need to know how many we might need to prepare for."
"I hope the answer isn’t none," Stella said, approaching one of the elevators. She poked the panel to summon it.
"Sothing else is wrong," Caneban said. "The alarm for demons should be going off."
"Makes sense they would disable that, if they were infiltrating," Amarena shrugged, "It’s what I would do." She went back to watching Stella poke more panels for more elevators.
"Hey, excuse , demoness," Caneban approached Kir’s familiar. "What are you doing?"
"Getting us rides, duh," she snarked.
"You seem awfully familiar with the workings of this academy."
"And you seem awfully den-"
BOOM!
The first elevator hit the floor at speed, followed by another and another.
Those students who had been nearest were thrown toward the middle of the room, as was Stella. Caneban remained in place, by virtue of casting a shielding spell in the split mont after the first elevator hit.
"Guess we’re taking the stairs," Stella said, a little delirious in Kir’s arms.
"Before we climb, we need a plan," Noir said.
"I can try to deal with my father," Kir announced. "I’d like for Kordia to co with us."
"I think we need to focus on getting as many students down here to evacuate as we can," Lugh added.
"The school is massive. It’ll take forever to search each tower," one cadet said.
"Which is why we should split up," Lugh said. "Small groups for the outer towers, and the biggest group for the main one."
"We’re up against demons, and you want us to split up?" an Academy girl asked.
"Only engage if you can handle it. Otherwise pull back and continue up the main tower until you rejoin us," Caneban said. "Keep your manasight on, and focus on suppressing your mana."
It took a couple of minutes longer to decide on the groups, and then Kir and the Black Sheep took the lead.
For the first few floors, they climbed without incident. Eight stories up, the first bridges led out to the four towers that flanked each cardinal direction of the Academy’s core. The groups halted to split off, but Kir and his team continued without stopping, only to have Caneban and Lugh rush to catch up.
"No offense, son of Maledict," but I intend to keep you where I can see you, Caneban said.
"Do what you want," Kir replied, continuing upward.
Things proceeded in silence for a bit until the first signs of life appeared.
"I didn’t think he’d attack the Academy," Kir said as they entered a small atrium that showed signs of magical combat.
"Maledict does what he wants," Stella said. "And sotis those of us at the bottom get to find out why."
"Are you sure you’re willing to fight him?" Amarena asked, quirking an eyebrow.
"Oh fuck no. I’m hoping all this ends nice and peacefully and with a minimum of people getting lted from the face down," the succubus said.
"I won’t ask you to fight," Kir said to her. "I think Amarena’s just worried about whose side you’re on."
Stella floated to the front, hovering just enough to stare Kir in the eyes. "I’m on our side. And no matter what happens, I’ll always be your familiar."
Kir didn’t know exactly what to make of that. Did she an him and her, or on the side of demons, or on the side she thought Kir should be on?
He was forced to leave it at that as they ca upon a door sealed with magic.
"Hold up," Kordia said, examining the door. Her eyes glowed golden as she inspected it with her manasight. "It looks like it’s proofed against magic. I’ll need a minute to set up a proper dispelling. Getting it to open might be-"
Amarena kicked the door open, a loud BANG sounding as it was pulled off its hinges and cast into what looked like a waiting area between stairwells.
"Magic, et muscles," she laughed at Kordia, before the group pressed on.
Kir’s sense of trepidation only grew.
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