I Raised A Black Dragon - Chapter 216

“Right this way, Miss.” He led Noah down the corridor. As they walked, he introduced himself as Pecker, Former Ministry of Magic in Laurent. He had worked at the research laboratory for nearly two years, under the covert orders of Adrian. Besides him, there were no other researchers. According to Pecker, one week ago Adrian suddenly got rid of all the researchers here, now only keeping a minimum number of employees.

“One week ago? That was when he had gotten a sample of Muell’s magic. If he had come here with it and made a replica of it, the timing would be just right.” Noah muttered under her breath. Pecker had obviously heard her as he stopped to face her. 

“Is something the matter, Miss?” He said, staring directly into her eyes. 

“Oh, no. Nothing wrong at all.” Noah flashed her best smile, and gestured for Pecker to keep walking. “Well, I suppose… You see, Adrian never really explained what was going on to me. He just told me to come here, and didn’t tell me why.” She did her best to sound like a lost and hopeless girl who had no idea what was going on. 

“Oh. He didn’t tell you about the replica manufacturing process?” Pecker scoffed. That was music to Noah’s ears. She was definitely in the right place. Now she just needed to find the laboratory. 

***

The rain had almost stopped when Kyle arrived at the dilapidated village. He looked out at the abandoned area and frowned. 

“Here, Muell? Really? Of all the places in the world, you chose to travel here?” He sighed. There have been articles in the city’s newspaper because the pollution level has suddenly risen over the past two years, causing a large number of hospital patients. His face twisted as he looked around the black lake, the oil-stained streets, and the dark buildings.

“If you’re wondering why, it’s because I set the coordination to where Noah wanted to go. I mean, how many times have you mentioned to Noah that you wanted to travel here?” Muell poked his head out from Kyle’s hood. And Kyle knew that Muell was right.

The place where both Kyle and Noah wanted to go, the one destination they were heading to together after they had left Novischosha. Somewhere in Tauren’s industrial zone where prohibited magic research was being conducted. Adrian Rossinell’s research laboratory.

He walked in silence, taken aback by the lack of civilians around. Glancing up at the sky, he could see that it was dark, but not dark enough to warrant people huddling down in their homes. Though, as he soon found out when he had a quick peek, there was no one in their homes either. 

“Any idea what happened, Muell?” Kyle said as he carried on walking up the path. “Something to do with this rain, perhaps?” He held his out to catch the droplets of oil. Rubbing it between his fingers, it suddenly dawned on him why people had evacuated.  

And why Noah had disappeared, as well. 

“Mister, what’s the matter?” Muell said as Kyle picked him up off of his shoulder. He sat firmly on his arm, clinging to it. Kyle began to walk briskly towards the fork in the middle of the road. 

“Tell me if you feel anything, Muell.” Kyle grit his teeth. The village was heavily polluted, and increasing in intensity the more he entered. If someone with no immunity, like Noah, traveled around without protection, they would soon start developing symptoms including headaches and nausea. And then, they would become addicted to the magic around the air. 

Kyle hoped, and prayed, that he was not too late. 

“Noah’s surely found somewhere safe.” He muttered to himself when he came to the fork in the road. “Muell, which way did she travel?” 

“Noah went north. I see the traces of her magic.” Muell pointed in the direction Noah had traveled. Kyle walked past the sign without even looking at it, instead focusing on the large building that was slowly coming into view. It was vast, and towered over the surrounding buildings. He came to a stop a few feet away, and scowled. 

“This must be it. Adrian Rossinell’s secret project. I wonder if we will run into the man himself.” His jaw tightened. “I can’t help but notice that we are not alone. What’s up with these people here?” 

Outside the hotel were hundreds of confused patrons, all huddled together and talking amongst themselves. They were looking back in towards the hotel, peering through the broken windows as if searching for something. 

“I can’t see Noah.” Muell whispered into Kyle’s ear. “I think she might be inside.” 

“Yes, so do I.” Kyle folded his arms. “What have you gotten yourself into this time, Noah?”