The roller coaster was a classic amusement-park ride. For some reason, though, its layout had long sent riders through a tunnel full of "demons and monsters" before they reached the actual high-speed portion.
Abner did not know whether Roselle had designated the roller coaster the most dangerous area in the Urban Legend Rules he had endowed with the Authority of Knowledge because of the symbolism of that layout. But according to Abner's Rewind, Philena's previous role had indeed recklessly broken that taboo, leaving her trapped in the pitch-black tunnel.
"Under normal circumstances, we'd have been forced to buy tickets and board the coaster as soon as we came in, then wait to enter the tunnel..." Edwina could not use Rewind or Prophecy, but her Great Arcanist profession gave her similar abilities. A brief look was enough for her to spot the catch.
"But the way we came in obviously wasn't 'normal,' so there's a loophole in the rules. They didn't force us onto the train." Abner nodded, then glanced at Edwina and smiled. "Which means we'll need to get ourselves a 'car.'"
They had encountered similar situations in earlier "worlds," so Edwina understood him at once. She sighed helplessly, but resigned herself to taking off her formal clothes and handing them to Xio for safekeeping. Then she transformed into a Frost Dragon.
Abner and Xio hopped onto the Dragon's back with practiced ease. A moment later, she beat her wings and raced along the track toward the tunnel entrance.
It was not that Abner could not forcibly break the tunnel's rules. Doing so, however, might endanger Philena. He decided to follow the rules until he found his companion, and only then overturn the whole arrangement.
The Frost Dragon Edwina had become was fast. She exceeded the roller coaster's top speed