Several hours after their expedition into the dungeon, group after group began returning through the recovery gate prepared by Vakenholt Academy, positioned just outside the exploration zone. The light from the summoning artifact illuminated the weary yet content faces of the students who had managed to emerge early. Each hidden supervisor submitted their report—every student had survived and completed their mission successfully.
Not long after, the teleportation magic pulsed once more—a soft blue light shimmered from a small portal, and from within it, Aria and his group stepped out. They looked exhausted; their clothes were torn in several places, and dried blood clung to their arms and faces.
"Aria's group has returned safely, though with some injuries," a supervisor reported to the Academy Instructor.
Aria slightly lowered his head, masking the tension on his face. Mira was supporting a student with a twisted ankle, while Doran clutched his shoulder where a monster's thorn had struck. But none of them complained.
Instructor Zephyr then stepped forward into the center of the return arena to make an announcement to all students.
"Welcome back, students of Vakenholt."
His voice was deep, echoing across the open field.
"This survival mission was not merely about strength or magic alone," he continued. "It was about how you confront pressure, uncertainty, and the true threats of the battlefield. And you all… have passed."
Applause erupted from academy staff and students who had returned earlier.
"Each student who completed this mission will receive 1000 academy points and two artifacts, earned through your team's success." Zephyr raised a hand, and small spheres of wind delivered the artifacts to each student according to their achievement.
But Aria's journey didn't end there. As he received his two artifacts like the others, his gaze shifted toward his bag. Inside it lay something he had recovered deep within the cave—an object that nearly cost his team their lives. Yet none of them knew that it was this very item that had drawn the monsters toward them.
"Aria," Mira whispered gently. "Are you okay?"
Aria gave a small nod.
He looked over at his team for a moment, then said,
"Everyone… Thank you for enduring these past ten days. The artifacts you've received—you truly earned them."
Mira blushed slightly. "Hehe, it's nothing, Aria… You're our team leader. You helped us survive this too."
All the students were pleased with the artifacts they'd received—especially the noble-born students, who wore their rewards with pride. The items granted physical buffs and included a transparent shield artifact that protected their bodies.
Meanwhile, Instructor Zephyr resumed speaking, announcing the mission's official conclusion.
"Soon, your evaluations will be released. All of you will proceed to advanced training—and those who discovered high-level treasures will be reported to the Artifact Research Center. The teams responsible will receive an additional 500 points."
Aria gripped his bag tighter, his eyes scanning each instructor as if trying to read their intentions… trying to guess—who was behind the attempt on his life?
But he swore—the secret of that stone relic, and the truth behind the ambush—they would be revealed on his own terms.
"And finally," Instructor Zephyr's voice boomed again,
"One month from now, the Exordium Gauntlet will begin!"
Silence swept over the students.
"This will be your greatest trial. One-on-one battles. Combat on open ground. And only two students from each year will remain standing at the end. First-year, second-year, and third-year alike—only two will be chosen per grade."
"Those who prevail… will become the representatives of Vakenholt Academy at the Grand Festival, held at the end of this year, alongside their counterparts from every other academy across the kingdoms and empires. So—prepare yourselves."
A heavy stillness fell upon the students, the weight of what lay ahead pressing down on them. This was no ordinary selection—it was a gateway to prestige, glory, and danger beyond anything they had faced.
Once the announcement ended, the students were ushered back to their dormitories in the same horse-drawn carriages they had arrived in. They returned safely to the Academy Dorms.
Whispers in the Night
Night had fallen over the skies of Elgiora.
Aria sat quietly in his modest dorm room, staring at a small chest retrieved from the ruins within the dungeon. His hands trembled slightly as he unlocked it, revealing its contents: a pitch-black mask, as if carved from polished obsidian. Its shape was striking—resembling the fused eyes of a crow, covering his eyes and part of his cheeks.
"This… isn't a weapon…" Aria murmured, confused.
He closed his eyes and activated his Divine Visio. Instantly, he saw it—the mask emanated a faint yet deep magical aura, layered and hidden, as if concealing truths within truths.
"This treasure… It's like a seal. But also... it's hiding something from the world."
Without hesitation, Aria brought the mask to his face. The moment it touched his skin—it melded and fused to his features, smooth and painless.
Instantly, black magical shadows flared around him. Arcane whispers hissed in the air, and within seconds, his academy uniform shifted—transformed into a flowing black cloak, streaked subtly with crimson along its edges. It swirled around him like midnight fog—elegant yet deadly.
The mask revealed its final form—two crow-like eyes glowing softly violet, as a magical aura cloaked his entire face.
"This… is incredible…" he whispered, gazing at his reflection in the mirror.
"I can feel it… my presence is completely hidden."
He raised his hand, and realized—his magical pressure had vanished. Aria tried gathering an immense amount of mana and channeling it through his body, but… nothing. Not a trace could be sensed by anyone.
"It's as if… I've disappeared from the world's radar."
The name suddenly appeared in his mind, as if etched into his thoughts:
Morvhan Claeion—The Shadow of the Abyss.
Aria smiled faintly, his face now veiled in arcane mystery.
"With this… maybe I can uncover who's hunting me—without them ever knowing."
"I'll find out who's behind all this… and what this artifact has to do with it. Whoever you are—because you dared to disrupt my peaceful life… don't expect your own life to remain peaceful."