The intersection was near the zoo next to the school, very close.
"It's getting dark, we need to hurry. Hal, Heidi, go call the carriage, we'll go back together! Straight to the area around the zoo!"
Outside the zoo's wall, Lanen and the others circled halfway around to test again. The Smile Beast was still struggling toward the direction inside the wall.
"It's definitely inside here."
"Then let's hurry in? The zoo closes late, we can still buy tickets now," Alina said.
"Let's go."
The zoo was a municipal project, with complete facilities. Citizens often brought their children here to play after work in the evening, making nights the peak profit time. Thus, the zoo closed very late, and magical lights illuminated the interior.
The zoo staff gave strange looks to the group carrying cages but didn't ask questions—they were all worldly people, used to seeing all sorts of things.
"Look, the Smile Beast is more active."
The small creature in the cage was visibly more excited, occasionally pressing against the cage wall and sniffing with its nose raised. Even with the occasional roars of carnivorous animals nearby, they showed no fear.
"It must be inside this zoo. Let's pay attention to the direction it's sniffing," Lanen signaled everyone to spread out and continue observing the Smile Beast's reactions.
The group spread out slightly, closely watching the direction the Smile Beast was pointing.
"It's over there!"
Ahead was an unremarkable hillside, fenced with barbed wire. There was an entrance with an iron gate, a sign hanging in front: "Danger! No Entry!"
Lanen glanced back, signaling the others to wait while he waved for Hal and Alina to follow. Then he led the way up the hill.
Carefully gripping the non-barbed parts of the fence, Lanen, Hal, and Alina climbed up quietly. Lanen decided to leave Sophia and Heidi outside as backup in case of emergencies, taking only one small creature inside.
Jumping down from the waist-high fence, they found themselves facing a dense thicket of naturally twisted trees.
"There must be a path from the main entrance. Let's take the main road in," Lanen said.
"Okay."
They continued moving quietly, avoiding making noise. Even Hal, usually carefree, now understood the seriousness of the situation and tiptoed.
"Look! Up ahead," Alina tapped the other two and whispered.
There was a strange building ahead, with straight, square walls. It seemed to have no roof, just four low walls—because faint light seeped through, slightly illuminating the dense branches above.
In short, it looked highly suspicious.
Lanen lifted the cage and turned it slightly. The Smile Beast didn't follow the rotation but kept sniffing toward the building.
This was the place!
Suppressing his excitement, he whispered, "Stay quiet. This feels weird. Let's sneak closer and check before deciding our next move." He repeated the same to Hal.
Moving even more quietly, they found the building had only one door and one window, both covered with thick curtains.
Luckily, the curtains were on the outside.
Lanen silently thanked his luck as he peeked through a small gap—immediately spotting the golden-haired boy on the floor.
It was Beta.
Beta and two others were tied up tightly, gagged with rags, looking terrified and exhausted. Then Lanen's attention was drawn to the center of the room, where a vaguely familiar figure was slowly pouring thick purple liquid into intricate grooves on the floor.
He closed the gap and crouched, signaling the others to retreat to a corner.
"There's a bad guy inside, a mage. He captured Beta, and I saw other missing people... He's drawing some kind of malicious magic circle. It's urgent, so," Lanen whispered, "Hal, sneak back and bring Sophia and the others to the police station for help. Alina and I will stay to monitor. Hurry!"
Seeing Hal hesitate, he added, "Don't worry. Alina's a second-year, and I've nearly finished first-year. We're the strongest here and can handle it better."
Hal retreated on all fours.
Once Hal was gone, Lanen put a finger to his lips, signaling Alina to be quiet. Then he gestured for her to peek through another gap.
Time passed slowly as the figure inside filled the grooves. The magic circle glowed eerily under the light.
The robed figure stood up and approached Beta and the others.
When the figure turned slightly, the light revealed his face—Lanen recognized him instantly.
It was him!
The deputy director from the freshman banquet! That gloomy face and piercing gaze had left a deep impression during their few encounters, though Lanen didn't know his name.
The robed man grabbed the rope and dragged Beta toward the circle, seemingly intending to place him in the center.
No time to wait!
Lanen and Alina exchanged glances, silently agreeing on a plan before turning to the door and bursting in.
"Who's there!"
The robed man was startled, shouting as they rushed in.
His face full of alarm, he dropped Beta with a thud.
"Mmph—"
Beta let out a muffled groan through the gag, eyes wide—clearly in pain from the fall.
Lanen: "..."
Alina: "..."
Shaking off the awkwardness, Lanen shouted, "We've called for help! You can't escape. Surrender now!"
"Impossible! How could anyone find this place? How did you get here?!" the robed man yelled.
"Crimes always come to light. You should've known this day would come!" Lanen continued, while Alina watched the man's movements warily, gathering her magic. Lanen wanted to stall for time until Hal returned with the police—then this man, despite his crimes, would be easily subdued with their standard-issue powerful weapons.
No way two first-years could take him on, even if he looked frail. Anyone daring to commit such crimes surely had a trick up their sleeve.
Lanen didn't want their happy reunion to turn into a tragic tale of heroic sacrifice at the last moment.
Hurry up, Hal. I hope you're running fast, he thought.
Unfortunately, the man's anger seemed to spike: "You have three seconds to step aside, or I won't spare your lives!"
He wanted to flee. Lanen had no choice but to bluff: "No chance! Surrendering is your only option! Where can you run? Turn yourself in and face the kingdom's justice!"
"Then die!"