The reveal from Axel's group was disappointing.
The first thing everyone noticed was just two crystals. That was all the group laid out.
The laughter came almost immediately. Some people shook their heads, others didn't bother hiding their smiles. The group leader who had returned with thirty crystals laughed the loudest.
"Two?" he said, loud enough for everyone to hear. "You guys get lost or something?"
A few people joined in the mockery.
Axel didn't react, and neither did Ares. Nile stood with her arms crossed, her expression unreadable. Rick looked confused more than embarrassed, while Ayden and Kora were still recovering, standing quietly behind them.
Lin stepped forward and asked, "What happened?"
Axel hesitated for a moment before revealing the truth of what had happened to them.
Immediately, the laughter stopped and no one spoke. Even the student with thirty crystals went silent.
Axel went on to tell everyone that they had killed the Skavvern and survived.
