I made a quick search around the main building for any lurking bandit but it actually looks like we got them all. I went into the stables, hoping to find a horse that I could tie up to a wagon.

Nothing, I couldn't find anything even related to horses. The stables were empty and the only form of transportation was a wheelbarrow. It wasn't a bad wheelbarrow, it was just small. I could fit 2 people close together but I have to move 4!

After a quick moment of brainstorming, I scouted through the stables and found a ton of rope. More than I'd need. It may not be the most efficient way of moving them, but I can place 2 of our bandits on the wheelbarrow and stack the last on top. I could secure them with rope and hopefully, they won't be weighing a ton.

I positioned the wheelbarrow outside the entrance of the main building. Heading inside to grab everyone, I catch Geralda sitting on top of the table with Rayna right in front of her talking to each other.

Geralda: "Uhh, where am I? I should go to my room and rest."

Although her mouth was sliced, her speech wasn't impeded and I can understand her.

Rayna: "I'm here to help you. Right now, I need you to lay down and rest for me."

Geralda: "But my mouth hurts."

Rayna: "I see that.. I wanted you to lay down so I can find out what's going on with your mouth."

Geralda: "Oh, alright."

Rayna grabs her by the neck and uses magic to render her unconscious. Geralda's body slumps forward but is pushed back and placed gently on the table. Rayna sighs in relief and continues her task with the other bandits.

Steven: "Did you use Crying Winds again?"

Rayna: "Yeah, it'll keep all of them from getting up for another hour. I used healing magic but couldn't find where her blood was coming from. She has to be bleeding on the inside."

Steven: "We'll just have to hope she makes it to the Academy."

Rayna: "It's all we can do."

We both work together to get the bandits on the wheelbarrow. They were going to be tightly packed and suffocation seemed like a real threat. To try and prevent that, I placed the men, Mayer and Saxton, at the bottom and the women, Geralda and Sophie, on top.

The rope fastened around them and the wheelbarrow, keeping them from falling out and secure. After one last look around for stragglers, we left the fort for good with the little girl and the bandits. The wheelbarrow was heavy, especially up the hill where Rayna had to help me push.

At the top of the hill, Rayna stops and looks back. I believed she was feeling unsatisfied. I was kind of right. Another massive explosion centered at the main building obliterates the fort.

Rayna: "There.. whoever was still alive is now dead."

Steven: "Rayna.. why? Rayna.. you didn't have to destroy it!"

Rayna: "Say what you want but nobody's going to follow us or even know we snuck in and killed everyone."

That kind of explosion will have someone follow us!

Rayna takes the lead and I followed while balancing the wheelbarrow. It seemed like this would've been very difficult at first but since we made it over the hill it became easy to balance.

Steven: "I thought balancing this would be harder. You think this was a good idea?"

Rayna: "You know how livid the Headmistress was. I'm sure she would want to settle the score herself.."

Steven: "I meant the wheelbarrow.."

Rayna: "Sorry.. yeah, I don't know what you're thinking to say a wheelbarrow was a good idea but it's actually working."

Steven: "It was all I could find."

While the wheelbarrow was forgiving, the weather wasn't as much. The rain was fluctuating from a light shower to pouring. It made mud on the road that can get very slippery if none of us were careful.

Rayna: "How long do you think we were gone for?"

Steven: "I don't know. A few hours maybe?"

Rayna: "You don't? We should really start bringing watches."

Steven: "I have one but it's in my bag on Sefre."

Rayna: "Did you forget it?"

Steven: "No, it's just an expensive one that I don't want to lose."

Rayna: "What's the point of buying something expensive if you don't use it?"

Steven: "It's not even mine.."

We ended up spending far more time returning from the fort than showing up. All of us were fatigued but I wouldn't say any of us were having it as bad as the little girl. She had cheap sandals for footwear and now they're somewhat worn out, wet, and soiled with mud.

Rayna: "We're here.. how are you doing?"

Steven: "My back has gotten stiff."

Rayna: "And you? Are you feeling better, child?"

She nods.

Rayna: "Good, we'll finish here and get you cleaned up. Are you hungry?"

She nods again.

That kid is really strong. If I had to walk from the fort to here at her age, I would've been complaining no matter what the conditions were.

Rayna: "You'll get to eat as much as you want soon. Just hang in there."

We moved the small forest path again to avoid attention from the students. For all I know, they might think that we're the bandits and moving wheelbarrow full of dead students. It was best to avoid as much as we could. Once we got to the barracks, we were given the privilege of finally resting. The same guards were hanging around and helped out with the wheelbarrow by hauling it to the male locker rooms.

I never felt so relieved and closer to heaven once I let my sore muscles rest.

Guard #1: "You've been gone a while. I assume everything went well?"

Steven: "Ahh~"

Rayna: "We took care of it."

Guard #1: "And the kid?"

Steven: "Ahh~"

Rayna: "We found her in a cell. Locked up like an animal."

Guard #1: "Then I'll see if the Headmistress is available."

Steven: "Ahh~"

Rayna: "Yes, please."

I removed my armor and inspect the damaged pauldrons. The bullet went through both sides of the pauldrons! It's either a powerful musket pistol or the armor wasn't meant to protect against firearms. It may seem obvious which one it is but the bullet had the momentum to go through the armor and my shoulder.

Rayna stretches the tunic to inspect my wound again. Her hand was ice cold and got even colder when she presses against my shoulder like an ice pack to reduce any swelling. Does Rayna know Ice magic?!

Steven: "You know Ice magic?"

Rayna: "It's Frost.. you—it was something we put together.. you know?"

Steven: "Ahh~ will I be fine?"

Rayna: "You'll be fine. I don't think any major damage occurred because I was quick to use healing magic."

Steven: "Ahh~"

Rayna: "Either stop or I'm going to put you in an armlock."

Steven: "Thank you, Rayna, however conceited you may be."

She laughs and finishes with her treatment. Whatever she did, it killed all the pain in my shoulder. Not only that, it numbed most of the muscle soreness throughout my body. She must've been liberal with the use of healing magic.

Rayna: "Shut up.. you know I kept you from bleeding out."