The next day, the academy grounds were alive with excitement.
The combat evaluation had barely ended, yet the professors wasted no time in assigning the next major task, a dungeon expedition.
A hush fell over the classroom as Professor Alden Greaves, our homeroom instructor, stepped forward, unrolling a parchment.
"The next part of your practical training will be a real combat mission"
He declared, his deep voice carrying across the room.
"You will be entering one of the designated Dungeon Gates to complete a specific objective."
Murmurs of surprise rippled through the students. A real dungeon mission huh? Yeah even in the game the test after duel always random but to think it's dungeon expedition of all things.
Honestly yesterday was the very first time i ever fight someone after i coming to this world, heck even from previous world too.
The reason why i was fine with yesterday test is because my opponent is a human, and any injuries that may occur during the duel will be automatically healed when leaving the arena.
But kalau melawan monster? Probably before i come to this world, Tristan already fight lot of monster since my level already level 10, but for myself? Nope
Professor Greaves sharp gaze swept over the class.
"What's with those faces? You all were eager to prove yourselves yesterday, weren't you?"
Some students straightened at his words, while others exchanged uncertain glances.
I remained silent.
"Now then, you will be divided into parties of four according to your ranking from yesterday's combat test."
My eyes scanned the names quickly.
Party 1- Tristan Althrone, Elena Altea, Cedric Faulkner, and Lyria.
So we in the same party huh? Well not surprise since if the player get the dungeon exploration test, Lyria will always be with Tristan in a party.
My fingers twitched as I stared at the name.
I shot a glance at her from across the room, but she didn't react.
She had been oddly quiet since yesterday.
Was she avoiding me? Or was she just trying to lay low after the duel?
Either way, this was an opportunity.
If she really was like me, someone who originally from another worldz then being in the same party might give me the chance to confirm it.
Professor Greaves continued
"Your mission is simple. Investigate the Dungeon Gate and retrieve the core within. But don't take this lightly, there are real monsters inside, and failure means expulsion."
A few students paled at the mention of expulsion, while others gritted their teeth in determination.
I remained composed.
A dungeon mission this early meant one thingz the academy was testing us.
And if that was the case, then I had no intention of simply playing along.
I glanced at Elena, who smirked as if sensing my thoughts.
And then at Lyria, who was staring at the assignment board, her expression unreadable.
One way or another, I would get my answers.
The next morning, we gathered at the northern gates of the academy, where the instructors were waiting to oversee our departure.
Beyond the academy walls, a dense forest stretched out, concealing one of the Dungeon Gates designated for first-year training.
Dungeon Gates were unstable rifts in space, connected to separate dimensions filled with monsters. They varied in size and difficulty, with the weaker ones being carefully monitored and used for training.
The one we were heading to was classified as a low-tier dungeon, meaning that, theoretically, it was safe enough for first-years.
Theoretically.
I adjusted my coat and turned my gaze to my assigned party.
Elena, as always, looked completely at ease, her golden eyes gleaming with amusement.
Cedric stood with his arms crossed, radiating confidence.
And Lyria…
She was staring at the dungeon entrance with an unreadable expression.
Not fear. Not excitement.
Just calm determination.
If she was nervous, she was good at hiding it.
Professor Alden Greaves stood in front of the assembled students, his sharp eyes sweeping over us.
"This is a controlled environment"
He stated.
"But do not mistake it for a game. Dungeons are unpredictable, and even a low-tier one can be fatal if you're careless."
A few students shifted uncomfortably.
Professor Greaves continued
"The goal is simple, each party must retrieve the Dungeon Core located in the depths of the dungeon. You will be graded based on combat ability, teamwork, and efficiency. Any party that fails to complete the objective will be immediately expelled."
The weight of those words settled over the crowd.
Failing this meant getting kicked out of Vermillion Academy.
For many students, especially nobles, that was equivalent to disgrace and exile.
"Each party has been provided with a tracking crystal"
Greaves said, holding up a blue gem
"If you encounter an emergency beyond your ability to handle, crush it, and an instructor will retrieve you. However-"
His gaze darkened.
"-using the crystal will count as a failure."
I heard someone gulp.
Good. At least they understood the stakes.
Greaves exhaled.
"You have until sunset. Dismissed."
With that, the instructors stepped aside, allowing us to enter the dungeon in our assigned groups.
Elena stretched, smiling.
"Well, this should be fun~"
Cedric grinned.
"Finally, some real action, you better not hold us back commoner"
Lyria said nothing, simply gripping the sword she carried.
I exhaled, stepping forward.
"Let's move."
Stepping through the Dungeon Gate was like plunging into another world.
The temperature dropped slightly, and the air grew heavier, charged with the distinct energy of a sealed dimension.
The landscape around us was a twisting labyrinth of stone corridors, illuminated by faintly glowing crystals embedded in the walls.
A faint mist curled along the ground, adding to the eerie atmosphere.
Cedric let out a low whistle.
"Looks different from the last dungeon I went to."
"You've been in one before?"
Lyria asked, speaking for the first time since we entered.
"Yeah,"
Cedric shrugged.
"Nothing big, just a training dungeon back home. But it wasn't nearly this creepy."
I don't know why i surprised when i heard Cedric answer Lyria without any insult, like, isn't he hate her?
"Most dungeons have unique characteristics,"
Elena mused, glancing at the glowing crystals.
"This one seems… relatively stable. No sudden mana fluctuations."
"That's good, right?"
Cedric asked.
Elena smiled.
"For now~"
"Can you not jinx it?"
I let small sigh to Elena words, like really? We not even that far from the entrance and you of all people already jinx it?
"What this? You afraid Althrone?"
I ignore Cedric word, I don't have time to deal with him this time.
Because dungeons had a strange way of shifting over time. Even a 'stable' one could change unexpectedly.
And then there were the monsters.
"Stay alert"
I said.
"We don't know what kind of creatures are in this place yet."
Lyria and Elena nodded, and cedric just ignore me and walk in front of us, confident in his own abilities
We proceeded cautiously, stepping deeper into the labyrinth.
The silence was oppressive.
The only sounds were the distant drip of water and the soft echo of our footsteps.
Then.
A faint growl reverberated through the corridor.
We all froze.
From the shadows ahead, a pair of glowing red eyes emerged.
A creature slinked forward, its have body like a wolf, but wayy bigger, like a tiger and its fangs gleaming with venom.
Its claws scraped against the stone floor, leaving behind deep grooves.
A Dreadfangs
I recognized it from the academy's bestiary.
Not too strong, but fast, and deadly in numbers.
And judging by the additional pairs of red eyes appearing in the darkness.
We were not alone.
Cedric smirked.
"Finally."
He slammed his fists together, his gauntlets crackling with magic.
Elena sighed, drawing a thin rapier from her hip.
"Such a hassle~"
Lyria took a breath, raising her sword.
I tightened my grip on my sword.
"Don't get reckless,"
I muttered.
Then the dreadfangs attacked.
And the dungeon expedition truly began.
The dreadfangs lunged forward, their movements quick and coordinated.
Their fangs gleamed in the dim light, saliva dripping as they snarled.
I stepped forward, raising my blade, but
BOOM!
A shockwave burst through the air as Cedric threw himself into the fray, his enchanted gauntlets colliding with the nearest dreadfangs skull. The creature yelped, crashing into the stone wall with a sickening crunch.
Cedric grinned.
"That's one!"
"Tch. Too reckless,"
I muttered.
Another dreadfangs darted toward Lyria, aiming for her exposed flank
"Binding Roots!"
She activated her magic before she kill it, thorny vines erupted from the ground, ensnaring the beast mid-lunge. It snarled and thrashed, but the enchanted vines tightened around its limbs, preventing it from moving the she chops it's head
Elena hummed in amusement.
"Nicely done~"
Without hesitation, she lunged forward dreadfangs, her rapier flashing. In one fluid motion, she pierced the group of dreadfangs, leaving behind few corpse.
So strong, how exactly she rank number 4? Did she hold her self?
We manage to beat a few until it's only remaining 3
One came for me, its crimson eyes locking onto mine as it pounced. I sidestepped at the last second, bringing my sword down in a sharp arc
Slash!
My blade cleaved through its flesh, cutting deep into its shoulder. It howled in pain, but before I could finish it off.
Another one was already upon me.
Fast.
Too fast.
My body tensed as I prepared to counter
Schlk!
A rapier streaked past me, striking the dreadfangs in the chest.
I turned my head.
It's seem Elena helped me by throwing her rapier to kill the dreadfangs that were about to attack me.
I exhaled.
"Not bad."
"My my, thank you~"
The final Warg hesitated, realizing it was alone. Its ears flattened as it let out a low growl, shifting its weight.
A moment later.
It turned tail and fled.
I narrowed my eyes.
"Not good."
Dungeons operated on instincts and territorial hierarchy. If that thing was retreating, it was likely.
A deep, guttural snarl echoed through the corridors.
Elena sighed dramatically.
"And here I thought we were done with the welcoming party."
From the shadows ahead, something much larger stepped into view.
Glowing red eyes.
Thick, silver fur.
Twice the size of the Lesser Wargs.
A Greater dreadfangs Alpha.
It bared its fangs, letting out a bloodcurdling howl that reverberated through the dungeon.
More red eyes flickered to life in the distance.
I tightened my grip on my sword.
So much for a simple first mission.