"What good news! How does it feel to be over the limit?" Ms. Claire said, showing joy on her face, but that quickly changed as she saw Lisa's demeanor.
"It's good… I really do feel the difference… but enough about that, Ms. Claire. I need to go help Logan. I came to tell you I will be leaving for a while."
Ms. Claire instantly changed from smiles to worry. Lisa felt bad for doing that when she only wished her happiness for her quest completion, but she had to change the subject and go help Logan as soon as possible.
"I can only tell you that demons will be attacking Logan's town and he needs help. With my beast Orus, I hope to arrive on time to help him…" Lisa explained, trying to keep it as short as possible.
"Okay… go. I will try to gather a group who can help… But I doubt we will make it on time. Many in the class have already left to find what they need for their own quests. Please just tell me if something happens, I will try to see what I can do." Ms. Claire began racking her brains, trying to think of various plans or ways she could help.
Her own beast could run fast but could not fly; it would take far too long to reach Logan's town.
"Lisa… Go. This isn't something I will stop you from. Go help Logan. I will try doing my own part and get those from the kingdom to help… I just hope it won't be too late."
With Ms. Claire's approval, Lisa went to the next person she needed to speak to: Alma, her best friend. She had finished her own group's dungeon run yesterday and was currently having her much-needed rest.
Lisa's own group finished half a week ago and was already up and running through town enjoying life under the sun, which was probably what everyone who entered the labyrinth missed the most, that and fresh air.
Alma's room was next to her own, so she knocked once before entering.
"Hey Alma?" Lisa called out, hearing the girl snoring—something she usually never heard from her.
"Alma…!" Lisa shook her slightly, trying to get her up.
Alma woke up groggily, but as soon as she saw Lisa, she rubbed her eyes a few times to try getting up.
"What is it, Liz…" Alma said while yawning.
"Sorry, but I need to tell you something…" Lisa began to say.
"What, what happened to you? You look so different, girl… Look at your pretty hair, it changed color, and your skin, it's so… so new and… and you're taller now?" Alma opened her eyes wide, wondering if she was still asleep.
"Yes, I evolved somehow. It happened after I finished my quest, but that isn't important. I need to go with Logan, his town is in trouble!" Lisa tried to change the subject back to the important news she had to tell her best friend.
"Logan? What happened to him?" Alma said while fixing herself to listen to her friend.
Lisa went over the most important parts of the news before telling Alma about her way to head there.
"So, your large four-legged bird also evolved? And you're telling me that you will be going with it… Liz, you know I need to go too, right? I can't let you go alone!" Alma said with a worried tone. She missed the attack that almost killed Lisa's group in the labyrinth, and this time, she did not want to leave her friend alone.
"It will be hard enough with me alone. Do you really think you will be able to come?" Lisa tried to convince her but knew that once Alma put her mind into something, she would do it no matter what.
"It's fine, Lisa. You and I have powers now. I have a special buff that will help our speed and give the bird strength while you can heal and recover its stamina. What is there to fear when we both work together? We might even arrive faster. You should know there is no better person with team buffs than me, right? I might even help with Logan's problem. He has many beasts, right? I am sure I can also influence them as well as the demons with my songs…" Alma kept trying to convince her friend to let her join.
She also had other plans to help Lisa. She knew the girl loved Logan and was tired of their snail-paced relationship. She knew Lisa also worried about Logan being with so many other girls in this world, something she mentioned a few times during their stay here in the labyrinth city.
"Fine, maybe what you are saying will work… I did even get wings… I have yet to test them though…" Lisa added while trying to manifest her wings.
"You got what! Just what does that quest do to us?" Alma exclaimed as she saw Lisa manifest golden wings behind her back that radiated a light like that of the sun. It made her feelings change from nervous to being at peace, as if the problems of the present did not matter much.
"Okay, okay, put them away. They are making me feel weird, and it's not time to find peace yet." Alma said, trying to get her mind back on track.
"So, we need to pack, and make it fast. Go back to your room and hurry, and tell no one! I don't want Brian making a fuss about you leaving and all that." Alma yelled towards Lisa, who at times was a bit of an airhead.
As soon as the girl went back to her room, Alma began taking out certain risky clothes she had bought for a good occasion.
She had also bought some for Lisa. Good thing they were self-adjusting, so even if she grew a little, they would fit the shy girl.
"You will have to learn the hard way, Lisa…"