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Elio observed the rock with frustration.

They had come so far, overcome so many obstacles. They couldn\'t stop now. His elephant summon stood beside him, its trunk gently touching the white rock as if trying to understand it.

"It\'s white rock," Zara murmured, her voice laden with awe and fear. Her elephant trumpeted softly, as if confirming her words.

Elio didn\'t have an immediate answer. His mind worked frantically, seeking a solution. He knew that every minute they lost was a minute closer to disaster for the city.

The team exchanged worried glances. Since childhood, they had understood that white rock was indestructible, a gift from God to protect the city. Facing it now, in the depths of the tunnel, seemed a cruel irony.

They could just go around it... But that would make them lose direction.

A direction that initially they weren\'t 100% sure was correct.

They should be close to the deposit, could this be part of it?

But there was no option, they would have to go around it.

Going around the rock would mess up the sense of direction and take time, time the city didn\'t have. Each passing day was a day closer to disaster.

So while the others went around the rock... Elio would do something different.

"I have to go out," he finally announced, his voice firm despite the fear he felt.

His companions looked at him with disbelief. "Go out?" Lila repeated, her voice barely a whisper. Her elephant trumpeted nervously.

Elio nodded, understanding their concern. "We have no other choice. I need to see what we\'re facing from the outside."

♢♢♢♢

Elio explained his plan.

How he would use his swift to propel himself in the air, taking advantage of his new level 7 to reach sufficient height without support.

"Fourteen meters for each mana point," he said, his eyes shining with resolution. "I can reach 980 meters from the ground. More than enough to see above the 450 meters of the sea... Around 600 should be more than sufficient."

Zara frowned, worried. "What if you get lost? How will you find your way back to the tunnel?"

Elio smiled slightly, grateful for her concern. "My elephant will help me orient myself, remember we realized they can sense carbon? Plus, the white rock will be a reference point."

"I\'ll go with you," Zara declared, stepping forward.

Elio shook his head, his expression softening. "I need you here. With the insubordination problem I told you about, we need our highest-level member maintaining order."

Zara frowned, clearly disagreeing, but before she could protest, Micah intervened.

"Elio is right," he said, his voice calm but firm. His elephant nodded in agreement. "We can\'t risk the two strongest leaders at the same time on this mission."

Kriz added: "Besides, who would keep me in check if you both leave?" His elephant seemed to snort in amusement.

This provoked some nervous laughter.

Elio continued explaining the details of his plan. "Also, the book challenges have changed. Now it\'s common to start from the beginning of a tunnel, it\'s not an instant battle like the first 5. That will give me the opportunity to recover my mana before facing any real danger in case I need to recover."

Brok asked: "Do you plan to use the 8th challenge as a contingency plan?"

"That\'s my exit ticket," Elio replied. "I\'ll be able to start a challenge and rest before returning to the tunnel if necessary."

Aria, who had been listening attentively, intervened: "What will we do while you\'re gone?"

Elio turned to her. "I need you to continue going around the rock. And if possible, start a vertical tunnel. We need to better dimension this obstacle."

Mei nodded, understanding the logic. Her elephant swayed its trunk, as if agreeing. "If it\'s smaller than we think, you might not see it from afar."

"Exactly," Elio confirmed.

Valeria asked: "How long will you be gone?"

"I\'ll try to make it as brief as possible," Elio replied. "But it will be at least a few hours of absorption, I can\'t give an exact time. It will depend on what I find out there."

Lila, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke, her voice soft but filled with concern. "Be careful, Elio. We don\'t know what awaits you out there."

Elio gave her a comforting smile. "I will. I promise to return."

As the group discussed the final details, Zara approached Elio, speaking in a low voice.

"I don\'t like this," she said, concern evident in her voice. Her elephant nuzzled against her, as if trying to comfort its master.

Elio took her hand, squeezing it gently. "We would only lose more mana and it would be riskier for someone of a lower level, carrying them to ascend is not an option. I know it\'s risky, Zara. But it\'s necessary. And I need you here, keeping everything under control."

Zara nodded reluctantly, recognizing the truth in his words.

Finally, the moment of departure arrived.

The team accompanied Elio to the point where he planned to exit the tunnel. Their elephants formed a protective circle around them.

Kriz, true to his style, was the first to say goodbye. "Don\'t forget about us when you\'re up there enjoying the view," he joked, though concern was evident in his eyes.

Micah gave him a quick but firm handshake. "Keep a cool head and come back to us," he said simply.

Brok, Aria, Mei, Valeria, and Lila also said goodbye, each in their own way, their words filled with concern and good wishes. Their elephants trumpeted softly, as if adding their own farewells.

Zara was the last to approach. Without saying a word, she hugged Elio tightly. "We\'ll be waiting for you," she said. "Don\'t be long."

Elio nodded, looking at each of his companions. "I trust you to keep everything in order here. I\'ll be back as soon as I can."

With one last look at his team, Elio opened his book on the absorption page and let his elephant absorb some carbon. He took a deep breath, preparing for what awaited him outside the tunnel.

"Take care," Zara whispered as Elio disappeared into the darkness.