Descending Into A Novel-Chapter 103:City Of Creatures (1)

Raymond groggily opened his eyes at the blaring sound of the alarm he had set up. Mentally regretting his decision to stay up late yesterday.

Using his brute force telekinesis, Raymond grabbed his alarm clock and threw it outside the room. Shutting the door behind it. Unfortunately, it was a special alarm clock made specifically for people like Raymond. Designed to always keep ringing as loudly as possible until he got up and solved a puzzle to shut it off.

"That cost 8 points you know."

Turning to his side, Raymond’s half-opened eyes met Ellen’s as she chided him for his actions.

"...I’ll buy a new one..."

She sighed, poking his cheeks to keep him from falling back asleep.

"Today’s when we set off for our mission. You can’t sleep in late."

The two of them already woke up later then usual, but Raymond’s magic allowed them to not have to waste time on just walking to their classes. Raymond himself would also use magic to shower or brush his teeth, letting him spend even more time sleeping.

Something Ellen heavily disapproved of.

He let out a groan as Ellen suddenly yanked the blanket off him, and turned on the lights. Leaving him bare as he hugged the pillow in his arms. The lighting seemed more like the harsh rays of the sun to Raymond, blinding his retinas even with his eyes closed.

"Ellen please..."

"Don’t make me drag you out."

Her heart was like stone and her blood as cold as ice. Even though she was assailed by his pleas, she merely plugged her ears. Letting his cries fall onto the floor.

***

Raymond felt like his head was made of lead. Try as he might to listen to the current mission briefing, every once in a while. His eyes would close a bit too long and he would slump forward a little bit too much. Having to be pinched awake by Ellen who was sitting next to him over and over again.

This time, it was Raymond’s instructor—instructor Sienna who would be protecting them during the mission. Something he couldn’t tell whether it was good or bad luck.

Huaaam~

He yawned, head already slouching forward again before abruptly jolting back into place as Ellen pinched his sides.

"-n Mirovia City. Since there’s nine of you, you will al be split into two teams of four and five. Team one will consist of Raymond, Ellen, Noelle and Lin Qingyi. Team two will consist of Lucy, Cador, Zachary, Thomas and Audrina."

Sienna glanced at each of them briefly, her gaze lingering on Raymond who was nodding off again in particular. Before moving on to the rest.

There really was too many of them this year. A whopping nine students in the special class. So splitting them was the best option.

Sienna sighed, ever since she formed her eighth circle. It seemed like she had only gotten busier. From constant meetings, paperwork, and now even taking care of students. She hadn’t had the time to work on her own magic in a while.

The mage association president wasn’t even trying to hide it anymore. Blatantly utilizing his power to diminish her. Having another SS-rank mage weakened his influence as well after all.

"Any questions?"

Thomas raised a hand, a polite look on his face as he asked. "If we finish early, are we allowed to spend the extra days looking around the city?"

How she wished she had Thomas instead of Raymond, what a kind good-natured boy. Always so polite and well-mannered—unlike the slug that was Raymond.

"I understand your desire to explore Mirovia, you have already been granted two extra days there that you may spend freely after the mission is over. If you finish it earlier, then yes you may spend the extra days touring the city."

" Thank you instructor."

He even thanked her. Sienna had heard Raymond say so plenty of times, but never with the genuine sincerity that Thomas had!

"No questions? Then get ready as I teleport us there."

Usually, they should have taken some sort of transportation there. But Sienna was an SS-rank mage, she may have primarily specialized in ice magic. But she could still easily teleport nine others with her. She also really didn’t want to waste an extra four days traveling with them. That was precious time of her life!

Raymond snapped back awake, feeling the mana around him move with his senses as his instructor casually cast several teleport spells on them. Jumping from city to city until they reached Mirovia City in only a matter of minutes.

He really wanted to diss the teleport spell that was used, Raymond used to be able to travel halfway across Terra in only one teleport. Requiring eight just to travel to a tourist city was so unbelievably wasteful.

However, he quickly remembered his instructor’s sour mood, which made him quiet back down real fast.

She had even teleported their luggage and the chairs they were sitting on with them, although Raymond and Ellen just used his storage dimension. He had recently regained his first circle so he could use the level 2 one as well.

Raymond really wanted to point that out as well. But instructor Sienna was already ordering them to follow her as she speed walked away.

***

Raymond immediately jumped onto his bed, staring into the ceiling as Ellen casually stood on the balcony overseeing the city. The evening sky dyeing the entire city in its orange glow.

Mirovia City, better known as the City of Creatures. A top ten travel destination on Terra, currently under the rule of the Mercia Family.

Walking around, one would be able to see hundreds, if not thousands of friendly creatures ranging from cute and cuddly furry animals to scaly hundred-legged bugs. Common beasts like Jolt Wolves and Ring Birds all the way to the rarer near-extinct species like winged serpents and Tressyms. Sidewalks made of mostly dirt and sand,lamp posts that looked like trees. If you stretched your hand, you could grab any of the dangling ripe fruit and feed it to any stray animal—or you could just eat it yourself.

The entire city resembled more zoo then actual city, most skyscrapers being only half the height of those in the capital. The majority of the buildings havings plants and little perches for any creatures. Every single living thing living in a ecosystem which was meticulously maintained by the Mercia Family, making sure that human and nature lived together in harmony.

In short, a paradise for animal lovers like Lucy. Truth be told, Raymond was more of a cat person but he was fine with other animals as well.

Ellen who was leaning on the rail—suddenly extended a hand, letting a rather peculiar grey squirrel climb up her body and onto her palm. Its chubby body letting Ellen know this thing was definitely a glutton.

Even though she could have easily killed it, the squirrel held absolutely no fear towards Ellen as it nibbled on her long sleeves. Ripping apart the stitching and leaving marks on it.

Seeing its cute behavior, she suddenly said. "We should get a pet."

"And who would take care of it?"

Ellen already lived in his apartment with him, he didn’t want to deal with another living being also staying with them!

Her lips formed a thin line.

The sheer irony of his question already made her want to hit him.

She already had to force Raymond to wake up each day and remind him to eat and go clean up, occasionally having to drag him outside since he spent most of his time rotting inside on the bed. Wasn’t that already like taking care of a pet?

Don’t I already take care of you? What’s another one to add to the list!

At least a pet would thank me!

But she didn’t voice her thoughts out, Raymond was still human after all.

She nudged the squirrel away from her sleeves before it could fully ruin them, grabbing a random snack Raymond had brought with them and opening it up. Holding a piece towards it.

The squirrel, sniffing the dried apple slice turned its nose away and continued trying to nibble at her sleeve.

"???"

"...Ellen, you do know that those things are called living dumpsters for a reason right? They’ll eat literally anything that’s not actual food," Ellen could hear the smile in his voice clear as day as he teased her.

She grabbed the squirrel by its scruff, watching as it dangled in the air. Before glancing at her sleeve, which now had a very noticeable half-moon shape.

Ellen stared at the squirrel, not a single ounce of guilt in its dark beady eyes as it continued chewing at the remnants of cloth in its mouth. Its chubby legs occasionally kicking out as it tried to squirm its way out of her hold.

"..."

Squeak?

"..."

Squeak squeak.

She sighed, letting go of it and shooing it away. Watching as it scrambled down the side of their hotel.

It just seemed too pitiful for her to anything harsh to it.