Kael entered the classroom with a measured stride, the sharp click of his boots echoing slightly against the polished floor. The tension in the air was tangible, thick like a coiled storm waiting to unleash its fury, but he was pleased to see that Roy had already settled the unrest before it spiraled into something more severe. A small smirk played at the edge of his lips—discipline was best instilled by the students themselves, and Roy had demonstrated exactly why he was respected among his peers.
He adjusted the cuffs of his crisp white long-sleeve coat, its fabric trailing behind him just below the knees, exuding an aura of quiet authority. His gaze swept across the students, his piercing eyes dissecting their reactions—some were still shaken from the earlier confrontation, others already lost in thought, contemplating the meaning behind the empty seats scattered through the classroom.
"Welcome back to school, everyone," Kael began, his voice steady yet commanding, carrying an undercurrent of something deeper—anticipation, challenge, expectation. "I am sure most of you are pumped for this semester, eager to push yourselves further. But before we move forward, I want you all to take a moment… and look around you."
Silence stretched across the room as heads turned, eyes shifting between vacant chairs and half-filled rows.
"I am sure you notice the empty seats." His tone darkened slightly, as if pressing the weight of his words into their bones. "Let this be a stark reminder—only those who are truly deserving of Room A will remain here. The rest? They will fall. That is the nature of progress."
He let the words settle like lead into their minds before continuing, his voice smooth but firm. "Each of you fought tooth and nail to reach this point. You trained harder than most, honed your skills, and became mid-rank 1's. That alone makes you the strongest amongst the first-years and the elite among your peers."
A murmur rippled through the students, pride swelling in some, uncertainty festering in others. It was exactly the reaction he expected. They needed to recognize their accomplishments, but more importantly, they needed to understand that it was only the beginning.
"That is why," Kael said, pausing just long enough to draw every pair of eyes to him, "this second semester, we will be preparing you all for your very first dungeon dive."
The reaction was immediate. A wave of excitement and apprehension crashed through the room. Some students leaned forward, eyes glinting with anticipation, while others stiffened in their seats, fear creeping into their expressions. The contrast was always fascinating—who thrived on challenge, and who shrank away from it?
"Listen carefully," Kael's voice cut through the noise like a blade, silencing the whispers before they could spread too far. "We all know how dangerous dungeons can be. That is why it is crucial to set your mindset straight now—to face it head-on rather than falter when the time comes."
With a flick of his wrist, the air shimmered before him, and suddenly, holographic illustrations flickered into existence. A massive, labyrinth-like cavern, littered with jagged rock formations, eerie tunnels, and glowing red eyes peering from the darkness. It was the dungeon they would be entering.
"The dungeon assigned to you all has been explored each year by every set before you—the Rank 1 Fanged Bunny Dungeon."
At the mention of its name, the class erupted into hushed discussions. While it was one of the more common dungeons for first-year students, it was still a dangerous venture. Fanged Bunnies weren't just oversized rabbits with sharp teeth—they were fast, unpredictable, and worked in coordinated packs, making them a nightmare for the unprepared.
Kael allowed them their murmurs for a moment before waving his hand, the illustrations shifting to the side, making way for a new projection—one that displayed an extensive syllabus in neatly categorized sections.
"This semester," he continued, his gaze sweeping over the class, "you will learn everything there is to know about dungeons—their classifications, the survival tactics necessary for different environments, and most importantly, how to properly utilize your skills when faced with real danger."
The syllabus expanded, section by section:
• Dungeon Fundamentals
• Survival Strategies in Hostile Environments
• Tactical Formations & Team Coordination
• Skill Application & Combat Efficiency
Kael's gaze darkened slightly. "Your practical sessions this semester will be far more intense than anything you've experienced before. You will no longer be fed milk—you will be made to chew on bones."
A hushed breath moved through the students. They understood what that meant. The trials would be harsher, the expectations greater. Mistakes would not be forgiven.
"Oh, and one more thing," Kael added, his expression turning slightly amused, yet laced with challenge. "This year's dungeon evaluation will be different."
A fresh wave of murmurs spread, this time laced with curiosity and uncertainty.
"Normally, the entire class would enter together," he explained. "However, due to the exceptional progress made last semester—and the fact that this is the highest number of second-semester students we have retained in years—we are changing the format."
His gaze flicked to Roy, who met his eyes with a knowing smirk. "And, of course, the presence of a Rank 2 among you only makes things more… interesting."
Roy rolled his shoulders, basking in the subtle praise. Angus, on the other hand, visibly tensed, his usual smirk twitching slightly.
"The evaluation will be a team-based challenge," Kael announced. "The top 10 ranked students will serve as team leaders—including those who are currently absent."
His words were deliberate as he glanced at Angus, whose smirk faltered for the briefest moment before returning, though less smug than before.
"Each leader will assemble a team of five. Your selections must be submitted one week before the exam for vetting."
A new wave of reactions flooded the room. The usual dynamic of working together as a full class was being shattered.
Mellissa raised her hand. "Sir, there are only forty of us in the room. If we divide into teams of five, wouldn't that mean we're short by ten members?"
Kael's expression didn't change. "Very good. We are testing your ability not just to fight—but to protect. That is why each team will be assigned one unawakened student from the elementary academy. It will be your responsibility to ensure their survival."
The weight of the statement hung heavy in the air. The idea of having to safeguard a weaker, unawakened student during a real dungeon dive was daunting. For some, it meant an extra burden. For others, it was a challenge they hadn't prepared for.
"Take this semester seriously," Kael's voice hardened. "Because when you step into that dungeon, there will be no second chances."
---
Over at Doitand, in a dimly lit, rundown hotel room, the flickering bulbs cast erratic shadows against the cracked walls. The faint buzz of faulty wiring hummed like a persistent insect, its presence a constant reminder of their unstable refuge. The air was thick with tension, the kind that settled deep into the bones, a silent understanding that their situation was deteriorating faster than they could adjust.
Six figures occupied the cramped space, each one accustomed to the dangers that lurked beyond these fragile walls. In the corner, a woman wearing a snug head warmer sat with her legs crossed atop the chair, holding one eye shut as she focused intently a dim glow reflected off her other open sharp eye.
"Boss," she murmured, breaking the silence. "Looks like we've been compromised again."
On the bed, Garrick sat beside Corbin, their discussion halted as they turned their attention to her.
"You found another one?" Garrick asked, his voice carrying the weight of familiarity—this wasn't the first, nor would it be the last.
She nodded once, a cold chilling aura leaving her body for a brief second as her index finger and thumb formed a gun shape on the other hand as she jerked a bit like a bullet had been released but nothing was seen by the others "Already handled."
Corbin sighed, rubbing his temple. "That makes twelve just this week. Five in the past day alone. We can't keep this up. We need to move."
Garrick exhaled slowly, his fingers drumming against his knee. "Agreed. This place is compromised. We need to relocate again, somewhere further from town, somewhere secure."
He shifted his gaze toward a lean figure standing near the window, the neon cityscape casting fragmented reflections on his dark lenses. "Vance, find us a new location for Dante will need time to build a temporary base now."
Vance gave a lazy nod, unwrapping a fresh lollipop and popping it into his mouth before his fingers glided effortlessly over a floating holographic keyboard. "On it," he muttered, eyes scanning through dozens of potential locations, each one assessed with meticulous precision.
Outside, the wind howled through the broken vents, a whisper of the chaos that awaited them beyond these walls. Time was running out, and they all knew it.