Chapter 8

The ride there was terrible. Although it was on a carriage, it was extremely fast due to the effects of magic. Using mana as a power source, the journey sped quickly, but it wasn't pleasant.

"Bleargh!"

"Uwagh!"

"Barkf"

The sounds of three people having a nice conversation over the side of the carriage could be heard. The driver ignored the chatter and started to look the other way. No, he didn't see the strange green stuff sticking to his carriage, nor did he head the various complaints to drive slower. In fact, during the ride he occasionally cackled out words like, "Mmm, sm'll them fresh air."

The only one not affected by this ordeal was poor Gear. Kidnapped for a very weak excuse that was given to him in the last chapter. In fact, he was having a rough time listening to the other three have a... good conversation. Luckily he wasn't affected.

"Y'all done 'uking back th're? We've m' reach Emerald Academy."

Hurriedly jumping off the horrible carriage, Gear rolled off as his legs and arms were pinned together.

"I'll be tak'n this he-re." And before anyone could stop him, he scooped Trey's bag of money and rode off quickly before they could recover.

"Damn! *Barkf* - I'm never taking the Green Carriage again!"

"Why did we have to take the Green Carriage!?!"

"Can't help it - *blearg* - it was the only fast form of transportation."

"Um, Trey. Wasn't that bag the one with all the money we had."

"...&*#$&#@&(*!!!" Cursing so boldly, Gear saw Trey do several offensive hand signals which he could only recognize about half of them.

"No biggy. So we're broke again. What's new."

"Speaking of new, I need to get new robes. It ain't called the "Green" Carriage for nothing."

Gear was not paying attention to them anymore. His gaze was fixed on the shabby hut that was before them. In fact, this might be the worst sight Gear has ever seen in his life, which isn't saying much as he's not even a few years old.

The hut was so broke down that little creatures that might've been goblins were walking in and out the open doors. Although it was two stories high, it was only as wide as the four of them pressed together. In fact, Gear thought at that moment that this was some sick joke of the trio's.

"Hey, why's there a goblin here?"

"Probably another pet. Look, there's the tamed mark on his neck." And it was true. A tattoo in the shape of a claw was on the goblin's neck. Gear didn't know what it meant, but to the others it represented that the goblin was recognized officially that it was tamed.

Walking inside, Kathy used her staff to tap the floor.

"Open Sesame Seed."

When she spoke the words, the floor collapsed, and from it rose a large vine that was growing at an abnormal pace.

"Quick, grab on!"

"Ah! O-Okay." Confused, Gear quickly grabbed on like the others. Grooves on the vine made it possible for them to barely hold on to the vine. The vine passed through a hole in the roof and shot off into the sky.

"WAAAHHHHHHH!!!" Wolfe, Kathy, and Gear was screaming (to Gear's surprise as he didn't know that he could feel surprised). They were moving upwards at an astonishingly fast pace. In fact, their grips were barely hanging on.

"WHY DO WE ALWAYS HAVE TO DO THIS!!!"

"SHUT UP! I NEED TO CONCENTRATE ON HOLDING ON!"

"DON'T BE A WIMP! WHY DO YOU NEED TO CONCENTRATE ON HOLDING ON!"

"BECAUSE - Ahh" At that moment, Kathy has lost her grip and was about to fall.

"UWAH" Until luckily Trey caught her from below.

Seriously, are we really okay. As Gear continued to worry about their safety, the vine continued to climb.