Lumios stood on top of a golden-coloured large disc-shaped floating mana platform with particles rainbow spots as Lola, Nola, Sophia, Anthurium, Iris, the other kids, and the kunoichis stood on the platform while holding onto its railing.

"Wow... I can't believe Nola can teleport us so far like it's nothing," Iris remarked as she sat on Anthurium's shoulder and pointed out the stationary flying airship carrier far off in the distance. Anthurium nodded quietly as she opened a sun parasol and held it over her head to block the harsh sun. Zalina, Zallino, Mimi, and Kunai dropped from the portal above before it closed, and they landed next to Lola on the floating platform.

"It's so nice of you to join us... although I guess we're the ones tagging along," Lumios remarked, causing Mimi to raise an ear.

"Oh... you're... here too," Mimi uttered coldly as she jolted an inch upwards when she tried to stand up. Lola, Lumios, and the egos glanced over at Mimi as she remained crouched on the mana platform.

"Are you... ok, sispa?" Lola asked worriedly as she poked Mimi's shoulder. Mimi remained motionless before she slowly lent sideways and collapsed to her side. Mimi's legs and snake-like tail fused back into a naga tail, and she clutched her naga tail while holding back tears.

"I sprained my ankles...," Mimi whined quietly as she cursed herself for forgetting to change to her naga tail before jumping. Lola patted Mimi to comfort her as Kusana floated over, rubbed her hair hoops against Mimi and transferred her hair's healing energy to Mimi. Lola stood up and waddled over to Lumios.

"Say... why are we... desen... des-cent...," Lola said but became more visibly frustrated as she struggled to say descending.

"Why am I descending the platform at what you believe to be a slow pace?" Lumios asked. Lola nodded, and Lumios gestured to Lulu and the other kids.

"Given they're by all intents and purposes normal kids with strong powers, they're not used to the extreme G-forces I'm sure you're used to," Lumios stated, causing Lola to tilt her head and puzzledly look at Lumios.

"Could you please talk with simple words; it hurts my head having to recall what sciencey words mean," Lola said with a fed-up tone.

"Right... they can't handle going fast because they're not used to going over mach- going at high speeds.".

"Ok," Lola said before she walked off. Lola strolled around the mana platform with her hands behind her back while listening in on others' conversations.

"To think sensei would consider being escorts for a children's field trip as training," Luna remarked.

"Well... children tend to be unpredictable, so we'll need to be constantly on alert; both to keep the kids from hurting themselves but also potential attackers," Heather stated. The duo continued to discuss the legitimacy of Zuno's claim of their current assignment being considered training as Lola held her hand in front of her. Lola positioned her hand so it lined up over the two shorties' heads, and Lola concluded the two were the same height and were both only fifty percent taller than Lola.

Lola moved on, walking past the other kids and making a bee-line for Yokuza as Sapphire was balancing on the mana platform's railing next to Yokuza.

"Oh, Lola. Do you need something?" Yokuza asked politely as he uncrossed his arms.

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"So... do you know anything about Delver's Springs? If not, I can tell you what I know, but it's only surface-level things my papa told me," Lola said energetically. Yokuza considered Lola's offer, but as he took his time to come to a conclusion, he noticed Lola's growing worried expression.

"S-sure... if you would," Yokuza stuttered out. Lola happily clapped her hands as she sat down on her tails like they were a beanbag seat.

"So... papa told me it's h- a fully formed magic dungeon... where people can enter and do challenges to get tokens for things in the dungeon," Lola said confidently while Yokuza nodded as Lola spoke.

"I see... and something like that is just in the middle of the Dusty Dunes desert?" Yokuza asked.

"Well, papa said it's not unattended, so it's not like anyone can just walk in.".

"Right," Yokuza remarked as the light blue leaves of trees of the mini oasis slowly crept up from behind the railing of the floating mana platform. The mana platform touched down on the red/orange sand bordering the light blue grass of the mini oasis with a slightly large Japanese/English style beachside hut situated at the middle of the oasis.

"Doesn't that seem kinda... out of place?" Prima remarked jokingly.

"Yeah, it's like someone took it straight from a settlement in the Aivikkra Continent," Lumios stated confidently, causing a few of the people on the mana platform to glance at him.

"Wait, really?" Prima asked confusedly. Lumios rolled his eyes and sighed.

"I was joking, Prima," Lumios said. Prima huffed and crossed her arms.

"Well, maybe next time, don't say your jokes in a way it sounds like you're stating a fact," Prima said as she climbed over the mana platform's railing and walked towards the oasis hut. Nola floated next to Lumios as he wondered if he should work on his tone when speaking.

"To be fair, that is what happened," Nola remarked. Lumios gave Nola a surprised side-eye before he sighed and lowered the mana platform's railing. Lola and the other kids hurried off for the hut; however, Lola doubled back and grabbed Yokuza's hand before dragging him towards the hut.

"It feels like she's singling him out," Sapphire said with a slightly aggressive tone.

"I don't think singling out is the right word," Sophia remarked. Zallino picked up the still curled-up Mimi and carried her like a princess.

"And this is where we shall part ways for now," Zallino stated directly to Zalina as Kunai hopped onto Zalina's shoulder.

"Right... I'm just glad you're dealing with that problem and not me," Zalina said in a joking manner. Zallino rolled his eyes before he spread out his wings and flew off.

"So, mind telling me why I'm here?" Sophia asked while everyone else, aside from Ruby, on the mana platform headed for the hut. Zalina itched her ear and tapped her forehead.

"I can't go into specifics for Zallino, but Zalroth tasked us with retrieving a certain item from Delver's Springs, which he left there," Zalina stated. Sophia sighed deflatedly, and Sophia patted Sophia on the back.

"Don't worry, Phi-phi. I heard this place is like a real-life RPG game, depending on the path you take," Ruby cheerfully said. Sophia meekly mumbled before Ruby hoisted her off her feet and carried her like a princess. Ruby booked it for the hut while Sophia covered her blushing face. Zalina giggled to herself as she watched Ruby carry Sophia away.

"Ahh, to be young and loving video games," Zalina said before strolling towards the hut herself.

Meanwhile, Zallino marched through the desert with the mini oasis and its hut far off in the distance. Mimi lounged on Zallino's arm, stretching out her naga tail before turning it back into her legs and mini snake-like tail.

"Can you walk now?" Zallino asked.

"Do I have to?" Mimi muttered. Zallino stopped before he swiftly lowered his arm and dropped Mimi. Mimi flopped on the sandy ground like a slimy fish and kicked up sand as she landed on her back. Mimi layed flat on her back and stared at Zallino as he loomed over her.

"Rude," Mimi said grouchily. Zallino didn't respond, and he silently stepped over Mimi and walked onwards. Mimi sat up and groaned; she watched Zallino walk away. Mimi rolled her eyes before she rose to her feet and intentionally kicked up sand at Zallino as she walked behind him.