In Class Mastery, he felt a wave of anxiety wash over him. He looked at the list of classes, each a gateway to a specific specialization.
"Necromancy?" He shook his head. "Nah, already taken."
"Shadowmancy? Hmm, I don't judge, but I don't want to focus on Shadows."
"Dark Enchanter, tired of crafting."
He sighed, his brow furrowing. "Curse Mastery is kind of boring," he mumbled, dismissing it with a wave of his hand.
He continued down the list, finding himself unimpressed by most of the options.
"So, are all of you choosing your classes?" their teacher, Ms. Madeline Gresha, asked, her voice as calm as always. She scanned the classroom, a knowing smile playing on her lips.Most of his classmates had already made their choices.
They had planned this out, this moment, ever since they entered the academy.
"Are you going to be a Summoner, Lumine?" Rethrus asked, his gaze locking with hers."Ohm," she replied, her expression a mix of excitement and uncertainty.
Rethrus raised his hand.
"Ah ma'am," he called out, his voice tinged with hesitation.
"Yes, Rethrus," Ms. Gresha replied, her voice gentle.
"I can't decide yet." Ms. Gresha nodded, her smile unwavering.
"Oh, it's fine; you can take your time. No stress.
As for all of you, you should have your classes starting tomorrow to begin your practice.
As for you, Rethrus, take your time. We don't want to stress our future general."
She winked playfully.The other students grumbled, a chorus of murmurs echoing through the classroom.
"Unfair!" they thought, their annoyance palpable.The air in the classroom buzzed with nervous anticipation.
The students had just finished a grueling lecture on the Shadow Wyrm, a formidable monster that could warp reality and corrupt souls.
Sir Volt, their monsterology teacher, paced in front of the blackboard, a chalky white rectangle that seemed to dwarf him.
"Monsters," he said, his voice resonating with an almost unsettling calm, "possess a rapid fertility rate. It's one of the things that makes them such a formidable threat."
He turned to face the class, his eyes scanning the rows of faces.
"They build their lairs, their homes, in what we call dungeons.
They're everywhere. They use the resources they find in their dungeons, creating new and more dangerous forms."
He paused, his eyes hardening.
"But the most terrifying thing about monsters is their ability to learn."
The students gasped, their eyes widening in alarm.
Volt continued, his voice unwavering. "They learn to use magic, to strategize, to adapt. They become more cunning and more powerful over time.
The question we face is, 'Why? '"He glanced at Rina, who had raised her hand. "Yes, kid?" he said.
"Sir, our kingdom already wants to conquer other lands," Rina started, her voice filled with a sense of urgency, "but we can't wipe out all the monsters?
Volt smiled, a ghost of a smile that did little to ease the tension in the classroom. "A fair question, young girl." He paused, his eyes scanning the students. "The monsters' origins are still a mystery. Our scholars are still studying their existence."
He tapped a chalky finger on the blackboard, sending a shower of white dust into the air.
"They are most active at night, so each community has a barrier to protect them. That's why we have guilds. They're the ones who go into those dungeons and destroy them."
The students all gasped, their eyes wide with a mixture of awe and terror.
Okay, we're here on the site, Mr. Clenthus said, his voice booming across the open courtyard.
The morning sun, filtered through the tall, leafy trees of the academy grounds, cast long shadows that danced across the cobblestone paving.
Today you're going to conquer a dungeon, he continued, his eyes sweeping over the assembled students.
I've already divided you into 12 groups, based on your classes, for greater compatibility.
He gestured toward a large map of the academy grounds, a colorful tableau filled with glowing symbols.
These dungeons are all labeled as green, meaning the boss can't use magic.
The first 5 groups who can finish the dungeon first can receive half of the rewards—the loot you can get from the dungeon.He paused, allowing his words to sink in.
Now, I've assigned you your numbers.
Of course, you're number one, Rethrus, he said, a smile softening his gruff features.
He gestured towards a large, digital display on the wall. The numbers from 1 to 12 flickered on the screen, each number accompanied by a list of names.
The groups immediately began to gather, their members finding their assigned numbers and joining their teams.
"Rethrus, we're a team!" Elizabeth said, her voice filled with excitement.
She introduced herself and her companions. I'm Gareth Bale; I'm an archer, said a jolly-looking young man with a wide smile. Rethrus blinked, his mind registering the species.
"So, dwarves exist here?" He thought.
Cassia Starfall, said a petite girl with sparkling blue eyes.
"Cutieeee!" Rethrus thought. "I can fly!"
she added, her voice filled with pride.
The group gasped.
"Ah, it's not what you think!" she explained.
"I contracted my magic to be able to fly. That means most of my future magic is only going to be levitation instead of more wind magic."
"I also contracted my Earth magic to conjure arrows." Gareth chimed in.
"Eh, how's that possible?" Rethrus asked, his brow furrowing in confusion.
"Well, our families have money for the specific grimoire" Gareth and Cassia replied, a hint of smugness in their voices.
The group turned to the imposing figure of a young man with broad shoulders and a stoic expression.
"Alaric Clemson." he said, his voice deep and resonant. "And a tank."
he added with a slight shrug.
"You have a contract too?" Gareth and Cassia asked, their eyes wide with curiosity.
Alaric blushed. "Uhm, no, I can't use magic, ehe"he stammered.
"He seemed timid for such a large man."
"I'm Rethrus, he said. I don't have a class yet, so I'm going to just use basic magic. "
"Eh, is it true that you don't chant in most of your spells?"
Gareth and Cassia asked, their eyes filled with a mixture of awe and disbelief.
"Uhm, yes." Rethrus replied, his cheeks flushing slightly.
"I can cast them silently."
"We're going to win!" they thought, a confident smile spreading across his face.
This is going to be exciting.We're going to win, he thought! a confident smile spreading across Alaric's face.
Rethrus glanced at Elizabeth, a silent nod of acknowledgment.
She blushed a delicate pink, her eyes sparkling with determination.
They started to head toward the dungeon entrance, passing other groups of students.
They were all eager to prove themselves, to conquer the dungeon and earn their rewards.
"Rethrus!" Lumine called out, her voice filled with a mix of excitement and disappointment.
She ran towards the group, her long, flowing hair whipping behind her.
Rethrus smiled, his heart skipping a beat.
"You're in a strong group here."
he said.
"Wah, we're not together anymore!she sobbed, clinging to his arm.
" I want to be with you!"she said, her voice filled with longing.
Elizabeth watched them, her eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of jealousy in their depths.
"Now, now, be careful, okay?" Rethrus said, placing a hand on Lumine's head. "Ohm" Lumine replied, her voice a soft murmur.
"Leo! Take care of her!
" Of course! Leo replied with a mischievous smile.
"I'll take care of her, and we'll win."
" Is she your girlfriend?" Cassia asked, a playful smirk on her face.
Gareth, unable to resist a good joke, chuckled.
" Damn, you're not just good at magic but good with girls too."
"Ha, no, she's kind of my closest friend."
"More like a sister to me." He replied.
"Eh, so you're available???" Cassia excitedly asked.
"Ohm, but let's focus on the mission."
"Yeah, I have to win here!" he thought.
As they were walking towards each dungeon, Rethrus realized that the dungeon had different entrances, yet they seemed to follow a pattern, like a row of dungeons with enough space between them.
"Huh, must be a coincidence," Rethrus thought.
Upon entering, the team was given sacks to put their loot in.
"I'll carry it," Alaric said.
"No, focus on the front," Rethrus replied as his shadow formed a hand to carry the sack for them.
"Wow," they all exclaimed in shock.
"The last time he used it, it was formless," Elizabeth thought.
"Are your shadow tangible?" Gareth asked as they walked.
"No."
Then how can it hold the sack?" Cassia asked.
"Oh, it's not holding the sack. It's constantly pulling it."
"The lack of mana I put into the shadow results in a balance between the pull from the ground and the pull from my shadow."
"Ahh!" they all said in unison.
"Aethra, let's not rush!"
" We don't know what's up ahead,"
Suryu said as Aethra sped ahead, leaving the team behind.
"I know, but we have to win!" Aethra replied.
"I understand, but we need to be careful.
"Someone might get hurt. "Silas cautioned.
"Don't worry, I'm pretty sure others share the same concern."
Meanwhile, Leo's team advanced at a steady pace.
"Aiko, right?" Jasper asked.
"Yes" Aiko replied, as she was in Jasper's group.
"Why are you all so strong, especially those three? "
Jasper inquired.
"Yeah!" Beatrice agrees with that question, Beatrice chimed in.
"Well, we were all trained young.
However, those three are special."
"What do you mean?" Jasper asked.
"Leo is the most determined. Aethra was said to be the genius. And Rethrus just suddenly surprised us all."
"So, you're saying that guy wasn't the genius one?"Jasper questioned.
"Actually, no. When we were all trained, we were all surprised at how he was better than Aethra in most things; even his mana is way bigger than Aethra's."
" That's what Master Xavier told us."
They continued walking, slaying boars along the way.
"Also, back then, he acted like an adult, like he already knew what he was doing," Aiko added.
"So, he might really be the chosen one." Jasper said, a note of disappointment in his eyes, knowing everyone thinks he'll be the chosen one. He's not even number two.
"Yeah, he's like from another world, and he came here to save us all."Aiko added.
Beatrice, seeing the disappointment in Jasper's eyes, couldn't help but take pity.
"Nah, he just practiced a lot," Beatrice said.
"Sure, but defeating an emberfox at five is remarkable" Aiko remarked, shocking the group.
Back to the Rethrus group, they picked up weapons from the ogre they fought and gathered magical boar meat.
"Wow, your shadow hands are so handy," Gareth joked.
" Hahaha, thank you. Let's go," Rethrus replied.
As they continued walking, he added, "Anyway, Cassia, reserve your energy, okay? "
"Ohm." she answered.
Rethrus donned a dark cloak for protection and imbued Gareth's arrow with more damage and Alaric's shield with more resistance.
"Wow, he's really the strongest," they all thought.
"Let's hurry," urged Rethrus.
Suddenly, a piece of wood was thrown at them.
A Five two-faced, quad-armed monsters approached, exuding a terrifying aura that made the team falter.
Unable to perform well, Rethrus snapped and conjured a barrier, primarily protecting his team.
"Gareth, Cassia, and Elizabeth, attack when I say attack," Rethrus commanded.
As the monsters attacked, Rethrus opened holes in the barrier for the three to strike.
"Water Splash!" "Blowing Wind!" Arrows pierced through the monsters, knocking them back and creating space. As the barrier dissipated, Rethrus and the four shadow hands cast dark magic.
"Dark Blasts!" The spells dealt significant damage to all five monsters, affecting their mental prowess.
Gareth fired five arrows imbued with darkness, delivering headshots that killed all the monsters.
"That was scary!" Cassia said.
"Yeah, their faces!" Elizabeth added.
"What was that feeling?" Rethrus thought.
"Why am I scared?"
As they were taking the monster's weapons and equipment, Alaric commented,
"Huh, so this is what Sir Volt means when he says the monsters are fast to adapt.They learn to create tools and more equipment."
"Yeah, Sir Volt knows a lot. He's a monster himself."Gareth said.
"Yeah, as strong as a monster."Alaric added.
"No, he really looks like a monster! Gareth added.
"AHHAHHAHA!" The group laughed.
"Achoo!" Mr. Volt reacted.
"Are you okay, sir?" Mr. Clenthus asked as they waited to see who would be the first to arrive.
"Yeah, I think I might have a cold." Mr. Volt replied.
"Anyway, who had the fastest record again? "Volt asked.
"It was ex-General William"
"Ah, right. How fast?"
"Hmmm, I think 3 hours and a half."
"Eh? That fast?"
"Yeah."
"And he's 15?"
"I think so."
"I bet his little brother is going to feel the pressure."
In the 9th dungeon, Philiam Fitzroy, the brother of Ex-General William, wielded a saber sword and was a wind user.
With long black hair, he swiftly dodged the monsters.
"You know your brother holds the fastest record to finish a dungeon, right?" He's companion asked.
"Hmmm?" he replied with a flamboyant voice.
"You know that Rethrus is the strongest, right? Even if we win, people will find a way to reason his defeat, especially since some of his powers are sealed." Philliam answered .
"Tsk, maybe you're right." they replied
As his comrade continued fighting.
"Anyway, let's be careful and enjoy this dungeon, shall we?"
He focused his gaze on the monster's tummy.
"Winds of change, heed my call, bring forth your power, answer all."
" Wind dash!"
He dashed towards the monster, killing it in one shot.
"And I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who has pressure on their back. "