[Book 1 Completed] Industrial Mage: Modernizing a Magical World [Kingdom Building LitRPG]
B2 | Chapter 23 – Getting Out

Roland POV

Roland stared at Theodore. Theodore stared at Roland. When someone you know suddenly sprouts an additional limb—or, in this instance, becomes half slime—the air between you has this strange thickness that's hard to put into words. Not that Roland had ever seen someone grow an extra limb, but it felt like the right comparison for this awkward moment.

"So."

"So."

Both of them said it at exactly the same time, which only made the whole thing more awkward. Roland saw Theodore let out a sigh. Although he didn't think this was a hilarious situation, Roland nevertheless wanted to laugh. When someone you know abruptly became part monster, what was the appropriate reaction? That specific social grace was something he had never learned.

"Go ahead." Theodore said.

"So you're half slime now," Roland said.

"Yes."

"Like, actual slime."

"Yes."

"Actual, actual slime." Roland couldn't stop himself, even though he knew he was being repetitive. This was simply too strange. He had witnessed a lot of odd things in his life—in fact, considering their line of work, odd was in the job description—but a half-slime human was by far the most unusual.

"Yes."

Roland sighed as he heard Theodore's response for the third time. What had he been hoping for? Could it have been a sophisticated joke? A miscommunication? However, Theodore was now half slime. They needed to confront the reality of their situation.

Before Roland could formulate any more questions, the rest of their party appeared around them, filling the chamber with a cacophony of voices. Roland's head ached as everyone spoke over one another. Some praised Theodore. Others bemoaned being trapped in this room. Some were upset with Rufus for leaving them, while others directed their anger at him for not thoroughly looking into this issue before putting up a raid squad.

"Can you believe this?" someone shouted near Roland's ear. "Rufus knew the risks! He knew!"

"How were we supposed to know there'd be a collapsing tunnel? This is sabotage, that's what it is!"

Then the pointing started.

"Look at him. He's one of them now. One of the monsters."

A few others nodded, murmuring agreement. A woman backed away, her face pale. "God, what if it spreads? What if we all—"

"He's not a monster," someone snapped. "He's still—"

"Are you fucking insane?" A man said, his eyes wild. "Look at him! Half his body is goddamn slime! He's turned into the very thing we've been hunting!"

"He saved us!"

"He's dangerous," someone else called out.

The voices grew louder, more accusatory. Fingers pointed. Accusations flew. The chamber filled with the ugly sound of fear turning people against each other.

Then Theodore looked up.

It was just a glance, nothing more. His eyes—still human, still recognizably his own—swept across the group casually.

The shouting stopped. The pointing hands dropped.

One by one, they averted their eyes, suddenly remembering where they were. Trapped. Underground. Alone with someone who was no longer entirely human. Someone who could probably tear through all of them without breaking a sweat.

Roland watched as the people shifted uncomfortably, their earlier bravado evaporating like morning mist. They were remembering, all of them, that their survival might very well depend on the goodwill of the person they'd just been ready to turn against.

Roland tuned them out. He continued to stare at Theodore, who appeared to be oblivious to the noise. Rather, Theodore appeared... contemplative.

***

Theodore POV

Theodore was indeed busy thinking. What was the best way of handling Rufus? The question pushed everything else, especially his new slimy state, to the back of his mind. There was a high chance Velka would be tailing Rufus and wouldn't be leaving his side, and while Theodore could quite easily kill Rufus, he might have trouble fighting Velka at the same time. After all, Velka was stealthy, and not to mention she was a variable he knew little about.

Rufus most likely had already made up a number of lies and had returned to camp with his report already partially made up.

But also, he didn't really have to do this alone, did he? He had Miss Bodyguard watching. Should things go south, she would step in. So she had said.

But... at the same time, he wanted to do it alone. There was something deeply satisfying about the thought of fighting both Rufus and Velka simultaneously. He could probably take down both.

That idea was just needlessly suicidal, and Theodore knew he was being irrational. Taking on Rufus and Velka by himself? That was a death wish if he ever heard one.

Oh well, he'd just have to rely on Miss Bodyguard. She'd intervene if he truly got in any actual danger. She always did. That was her job, after all. To keep him alive, no matter what idiotic situation he got himself into.

On another note, he had to figure out how to communicate with her. Because, like, he didn't want to appear unhinged talking to air. People already thought he was strange enough without adding "talks to invisible people" to the list. On the other hand, he had previously named bricks and purposefully conversed with them. In fact, he missed several of them. His favorite had been Bernard, who listened well and never interfered. So maybe it wouldn't be so bad if people added invisible people to the list of things he talked to.

In any case. Theodore brought himself back to reality. Voices growing louder as they discussed how to escape, the others had begun to watch the fallen shaft. There were ideas put forth, but none of them seemed very practical.

"We could dig our way out."

"With what? Our bare hands?"

"Well, does anyone have a better idea?"

"What about magic? Surely someone here knows an earth-moving spell or something."

"If any of us knew how to move earth with magic, don't you think we'd have mentioned it by now?"

"I can try," a voice said from the back of the group.

"Who are you?"

"I am Alira, a [Mage]."

"Well, why didn't you say something earlier?"

"Because I'm not certain it will work," Alira replied calmly. "My training focused on air manipulation, but we did cover some basic earth techniques. It's worth trying, at least."

She walked up to the collapsed shaft and examined it critically. Alira positioned herself in front of the rubble, feet planted firmly. She lifted her staff in front of her and closed her eyes, her brow furrowing in concentration.

Nothing happened for a long time. Then a few tiny stones near the edge of the collapse shook, very slightly. There was a buzz of excitement among the group.

"It's working!" someone said.

Alira's face twisted as sweat trickled down her brow, and her hands started to shake with strain. One inch, two inches, the stones rose, then fell back with a clatter. With a gasp, she staggered backward one step and then caught herself.

"I need more power. I can't move it all; it's too much for me."

Her breathing was labored and her face was pale.

"I'm sorry," she said. "The resistance is too great. The collapse runs too deep. I don't have enough power to move that much earth."

"At least you tried."

"It was stupid to think we could magic our way out of this," the stocky man grumbled, kicking at a small stone in frustration.

Ignoring them, Theodore sat down cross-legged on the cave floor and closed his eyes. In order to replenish his mana, he entered [Meditation].

The others kept trying in vain to find a route out of the tunnel. Someone tried to move some of the smaller rocks by hand, only to trigger a minor cascade that nearly buried them deeper. Another tried using a spear as a level of sorts, but it snapped when he used too much strength.

Through it all, Theodore remained still, sucking in mana from the surroundings.

While meditating, an idea occurred to him. He remembered something he had tried when he had first made the ball of doom. He had grabbed onto the ambient mana and put pressure on the ball from all sides using that ambient mana. It had worked. Spectacularly well, in fact. Now, he decided to apply that same principle. He grabbed the ambient mana, but instead of putting pressure on his body, he guided it inside of him and into his center, whereupon it settled inside him like water finding its level.

This was the first time he'd tried to control mana after gaining his [Mana Control] skill, and even though it was ambient mana and not his own, he could control it far more easily. He had to admit... his control had increased dramatically.

It was like the difference between trying to direct water with cupped hands versus using a precisely engineered system of pipes and valves. Before, mana had slipped through his metaphorical fingers, but now it went exactly where he wanted it to go, responding to the slightest nudge of his will.

He kept drawing in ambient mana in this manner until all of a sudden a notification showed up.

[Meditation] has leveled up! – Lvl 20 > Lvl 21!

Almost immediately after, there was another notification:

[Mana Control] has leveled up! – Lvl 0 > Lvl 2!

The double level-up sent a rush of satisfaction through him.

Theodore remained seated where he was and then started pushing his mana into the ground in the direction of the fallen shaft. His mana moved through the rock and soil, and he felt the heaviness and texture of each layer. He mapped the path outside, via the collapsed shaft, noting the natural cracks and crevices, the weak spots, and the locations where the pressure was held.

When he had a clear mental picture of the path outside, Theodore stood up. The action roused Roland, who had been standing close to him like the guard he was.

"Got a plan?" Roland asked.

Theodore nodded and headed for the collapsed exit without trying to elaborate. Noticing him approach, the others moved aside to make room for him. They whispered amongst themselves, speculation running wild.

Some looked hopeful, others skeptical. Theodore ignored them all, focused entirely on the task at hand.

When he reached the collapsed shaft, he put his hand on it.

And then... he slammed it with his mana.

His mana rushed out like a flood breaking through a dam, following the path he had mapped out in his mind. It flowed through the cracks and crevices, seeking the path of least resistance. When it permeated every inch of the collapsed tunnel, Theodore pushed the earth out with a tremendous mental shove.

The cave shook violently. Dust billowed from the collapsed shaft, filling the air with a choking cloud. Everyone backed away, covering their mouths and noses, eyes wide with alarm.

But when the dust began to settle, a shaft of light broke through. Theodore had done it. The way was open.

For a moment, no one moved, as if afraid that any disturbance might cause the tunnel to collapse again. Then all hell broke loose as everyone started talking over each other.

"By the gods! He actually did it!" A stocky man, stopping just short of the tunnel entrance. "How in the seven hells did you manage that?"

Alira's eyes were wide with wonder and excitement as she forced her way through the mob. "That was... amazing! I sensed the mana flowing through the ground." She took a fresh look at Theodore's face. "What kind of [Mage] are you? I have never seen an untrained individual manage something like that. How did you accomplish that?"

"Just figured it out," Theodore said with a shrug.

"Whatever you did, you just saved our skins," said a woman with a long scar across her cheek.

A few of them paused to give Theodore a pat on the back or murmur "thank you" as the group began to head for the exit. With nods, he acknowledged their appreciation.

"Guess you're full of surprises. First time out with us and you're already showing up the professionals."

"—think we're all just glad to be getting out of here—"

"—maybe you should reconsider your career choices—"

"—no offense meant! Just saying, it's a lot to adjust to—"

"So what happens now?" Alira asked, glancing nervously at the open tunnel. "We just... go back to camp like nothing happened? Report to the Guild that Rufus abandoned us?"

The mention of Rufus's name triggered a fresh wave of angry muttering throughout the group.

"That coward," someone spat. "Leaving us to die while he saves his own skin. Guild rules are clear—you don't abandon your team."

"He'll deny it. A man like that always has an excuse ready. He'll say he went for help or some such nonsense."

"I'll handle Rufus," Theodore said suddenly, getting their attention.

Something in his tone made the entire group fall silent. They looked at each other uneasily, maybe for the first time recognizing the icy, calculating look in Theodore's eyes. "Regardless, we should move"

With a murmur of agreement, the others filed past one by one into the newly opened passage.

***

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