"Claire, Anvis, shall we open this chest first and take a look?"
Unlike Anvis, Pekala's gaze was drawn to the large chest the moment she entered the room.
"We can, but don't let your guard down. Remember, 'Before a loaf of bread is fully baked, no matter how far along it is, it remains unbaked.'"
After briefly examining the room's furnishings, Claire nodded lightly. After giving them a careful reminder, she too walked over to the chest, ready to watch Pekala open it.
The chest was also made of Anti-Magic Alloy. Carrying rings were embedded on both sides, and its front bore a shield-shaped metal plate engraved with mysterious symbols.
"Got it. I'm opening it now—"
Pekala answered brightly, took two small steps back, and the white gemstone on her pinky ring lit up. Then, she waved her staff and pointed it at the chest.
"Clack—"
The metal chest trembled, but it did not open. It seemed to be locked.
"Pekala, that metal plate is probably a specially made arcane lock. A simple Knock spell won't work."
Anvis glanced at the metal plate and kindly reminded her.
There were many types of magic locks, including those that used Mana to shape metal.
Only by injecting Mana at a specific frequency could the Inscribed Arrays within the magic lock be properly activated, shaping the lock's metal into its preset form.
"I know..."
Her face flushing slightly at her own carelessness, Pekala glanced sideways at Claire and found her wearing an equally interested expression.
The blush on her face instantly spread a little further to her fair ears. Somewhat unwilling to admit defeat, she forcefully pointed her Staff at the chest.
"Arcane Art - Unseal!"
"Crack—"
As Pekala spoke with a trace of indignation, the metal chest let out a tremendous cracking