Over the next few days, Shane didn't make any moves. He kept "growing quietly" while observing without drawing attention, etching every surrounding detail into memory.
At noon that day the sun was brutal, baking the stone till it was scorching.
Millianna was hugging a rough block nearly as wide as her chest, shuffling forward step by step through the dirt.
Days of increased workload had drained the last of her usual pep. With each step, her thin ankles trembled.
The tower's base was right ahead. She gritted her teeth to give it one last push—then her foot slipped and she pitched backward.
The brick flew from her arms, its heavy shadow dropping straight toward her.
There was a split second of weightlessness—but the expected impact never came. A slender, steady arm shot in from the side and caught the falling stone.
"You okay?" Shane's voice came.
Millianna blinked, then shook her head in a fluster. "I—I'm fine."
Shane set the brick gently onto the handcart beside him.
"Don't push yourself," he told her evenly. "If the big ones are too much, take the small ones. If you can't finish, ask me."
"Th-thanks…" Millianna tried to thank him, but her eyes drifted to his cart—piled high like a small hill with stones the same size as the one she'd just dropped.
"Shane, did you get stronger?" Even someone as carefree as Sawyer had noticed the change.
A few days ago, with Sawyer helping, Shane could barely stand; now he was doing more than anyone… in just a few days?
Simon stared too. Shane was much slighter than he was, yet the strength he showed was even more outrageous.
"My body just recovered," Shane said offhand, still sweeping the area with a cautious glance.
He'd been watching the overseers on site for days. They rotated every thirty minutes; their patrol routes covered almost every corner.
Almost.
Shane had found a blind spot: a narrow path piled with scrap and debris. Whether by design or neglect, it was conspicuously under-guarded.
As if deliberately overlooked—come quitting time, no one even bothered to check it.
Every single day.
Just then someone tugged lightly at his hem. He looked down; Sawyer sidled up, all secrecy, and whispered:
"Come over tonight. I've got something to tell you."
They were in the same cell, so "come over" meant he didn't want the others to hear. Shane arched a brow. Lately everyone but him had been dead-dog tired.
What could Sawyer want now? Surely not advice on confessing to Millianna or Erza?
Still, there was downtime at night in the cell. No reason to refuse.
And meddling in someone's love life could be a fun distraction. He was curious.
"Sure. I'll come find you tonight."
Turned out Shane overthought it.
That night Sawyer called everyone he was close with over to a corner. Clearly he had something big to announce.
"Sawyer, what is it already? Spit it out," Wally blurted first, impatient.
"Don't rush me." Sawyer tilted his chin, playing it deep.
His smug face made Wally pretend to walk away. "If you don't talk, I'm really leaving!"
Seeing he meant it, Sawyer hurriedly stopped him. "What's the hurry? Don't be shocked when I say this—"
He took a deep breath and declared, "I found a way to escape!"
He widened his eyes, waiting for gasps—only to get blank looks. He rushed on:
"I found a hidden passage no one's guarding! If we get ready, we can slip out tomorrow night!"
"S-So we really have a chance to leave?" Millianna asked, thrilled—if she hadn't reacted at first, it was only because she'd been stunned.
"My sister…" Simon murmured.
Erza stayed quiet and turned to Shane, who was calm as ever.
"Shane, what do you think?" Jellal asked as well; he'd picked up on something.
With all eyes on him, Shane thought a moment. He'd planned to wait a few days, but the opportunity wasn't bad.
He spoke plainly. "Drop it, Sawyer."
"Why?!" Sawyer stepped forward, agitated. "I've watched it for days—no one guards that spot! Before the tower's finished, this is the best shot we'll ever get!"
The others looked puzzled. Shane didn't hurry to explain. He crouched, pinched a crushed chip of seashell from the ground, and held it out so they could see the pale, rough edge in the dim light.
"You all know we're on a small island, right?"
"Yes," Simon answered. He was sturdier than most—when they were brought here, he'd faintly felt the rocking of the sea.
"We're trapped on an island. Suppose we really get out of the tower—then what?" Shane's voice was soft but clear. "No boat. You planning to swim to shore?"
It was so simple that everyone had overlooked it. The question hit like a bucket of cold water. The excitement in their eyes dimmed at once.
"So what—do nothing? I can't accept that." Sawyer clenched his fists.
"Me neither…" Simon and Wally said almost together.
"Do you know when the supply ships dock? When the guards change shifts? Where the mage-soldiers usually post up?" Shane's tone turned cool. "No—you don't. Charging ahead on hot blood alone will only get everyone killed."
The words landed with a finality that left no room for argument.
"There are holes in the plan, but—" Jellal began, and Shane cut him off, still calm.
"So, Sawyer. Drop your plan." He raised his eyes and smiled faintly. "Listen to mine."
"As it happens—I know the answers to all those questions."
Silence fell over the corner.
After a long moment, Simon asked, incredulous, "R-really?"
"Do I look like a con man?" Shane shrugged.
"You jerk! You were messing with me again, weren't you?" Sawyer lunged—only to be pinned easily with one hand. Against Shane now, he didn't stand a chance.
"Shane, what's your plan? You've got a way to get a boat? Then we can use Sawyer's tunnel to get out!" Wally asked, excited.
Holding the still-struggling Sawyer down, Shane said, "I spotted that little path long ago. But there's a good chance it's bait set by the cult."
"You mean they're baiting for that mage from the other day?" Jellal frowned. "Didn't they already do a full sweep? They're still worried? Their alertness is really that high?"
~~~
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