With Nemo's spell settled, so true was the skeleton's ambush. The blast and the resulting shrapnel had dispatched the trap's undead reserves, leaving nothing left to throw at the unconventional party. The gates leading deeper into the catacombs soon opened, giving off a grinding whine as the large doors dragged across the floor's surface. It was perfectly evident that their first trial was not over and they per permitted to advance.
All of a sudden, everyone's manadial went off with Felix's returning voice coming through the magical devices. Travis fiddled around with his own manadial until he found the earpiece to the still personally-not-so-well-understood contraption in his hands. Felix, unexpectedly, congratulated everyone in an overly blissful manner, betraying a rather calm and professional mannerism as observed before. Nemo gave a casual bow and returned thanks to those whom made his spell all the more effective. Travis nearly became blushed in receiving so much praise, from an Arch Mage no less.
"Erm, yes. Ah, I certainly made due with what I had. Pleasant to know it contributed well in the end." Travis returned, sounding awkward in his attempt acknowledging the compliments.
While it was difficult to take note during the fight, Travis recounted the spells that were utilized by his compatriots. Though he had accepted his limitations, Travis was somewhat humble about his "lacking" mana endurance. While he could not ascertain the number of spells everyone was capable of mustering, Travis himself knew he had a wide arsenal at his disposal. But many times in the past, did he had quickly confirm how draining his spells were and the physical toll they came with as well. With such a fight leading into a battle of attrition, Travis knew how risky some of his capabilities were had he used them, especially more than once.
While in the end, his reserved but logical participation proved efficient, as an Untalent however, there was more he wished to efficiently perform. Perhaps there was something he could soon learn from his other allies just as his influence for his next rune project had come from Artos' earlier presentation. Raiya's Shinto-based magic came off like an enchantment that helped projected the main spell through her blade. The intelligent utilization proved very effective against the skeletal orge, decimating it in one go. Enchantments were not outside of Travis' scope; in fact, it one of the things he could adequately manage on short notice, provided proper necessities available. As he thought more about it, a possible and likely repurposing of one of his new runes could prove radically effective as an enchantment.
Nemo's massively destructed spell was simply something Travis had not anticipated on. The amount of mana needed to even charge such a spell would have been ridiculously high. While perhaps it would have been a chunk for a Talent to deal with, Travis couldn't even hope to last in the casting process. However, its creation did require the projection of a graphical construct of some sort; something that begged Travis' curiosity. Despite the Latin trigger word and potential backgrounds with the Church, he pondered if the large "X" from earlier was more than just representation. If anything it seemed similar like casting a rune spell. However its process was performed, he imagined an alternative manner for one of his deadlier tricks if the time arose.
Felix eventually explained that the catacombs they now travel through were the conceived final resting place of a now deceased people called the Valakites that were said to, literally as Felix detailed, disappeared from the face of the Earth. A sudden inclination came to mind as he turned his head back to the carnage and the heap of bones behind him. Travis himself researched into the subject of the Valakites and the ware they waged with the Jews but to learn that the Academia had a hand further elevated his astonishment further. First the denial of the Paragons, then the existence of the catacombs, and now the burial grounds of a lost people. What else had the Academia been involved in that was not campus known? It the very thought intriguing but was grossly outplayed by how terrifying the possibility lead on. Raiya seemed deep in thought as well while Nemo expressed hunger, seemingly towards the mana crystals as before as Travis recalled the puzzling man dropping a shard down his gullet. Dare he ask why that was a thing?
Immediately upon stepping out of the previous room did they now enter into a hallway with lanterns of similar make as the rest of the place lighting up as they passed by each one. Felix warned of an upcoming room which split into different paths. Instead of having everyone move through their own pathway as Travis had immediately thought of, their advisor however advised against that course of action and instead openly preferred everyone to stay together in order to adequately deal with any danger likely lying in wait no matter the path selected.
Nemo and Raiya had begun to build a conversation as they strolled ahead, maintaining their assigned formation while he in the middle and Artos on rear. The hallway itself seemed more and more expansive with their two leaders still talking about their past lives. Travis didn't know quite know if he should take the opportunity to listen to them but the with the manadial earpieces laid in their ears meant a private conversation was on foot. Whether it was recreational or mission related, Travis certainly had no chance of involving himself in the matter. Given the time they seemingly continued to obtain as they continued down the hallway unopposed, Travis decided to take the moment to brainstorm more on his projects.
His cryogentic rune concept was very much incomplete but had a reasonable design to it that could make it just as efficient as his more explosive rune. While heat and oxygen was an easier factor to produce, water however demanded more attention to detail and create for that matter. Collecting the H2O in order for the rune spell to freeze could be pulled of from the surrounding moisture. But what if the climate was hotter though? It was likely he would need to incorporate a water projection spell into the mix. It was feasible but how much additional mana could that need? Travis wasn't necessarily picky really efficiency was now the apparent requirement now that he was capable creating something easily effective.
It was when they reached the space Felix mentioned did Travis, almost unknowing of their location began to turn his attention to Artos, seeking input from his icy comrade. But with a sudden click coming from beneath Rayia did Travis hear the load crashing sound of two heavy forces colliding against each other. It was so close that Travis nearly reeled forward has his ears briefly ringed. While he didn't flinch as much, a sudden inclined thought occurred to him, causing him to slowly look behind him, with dread soon washing across his face.
