Dungeon Shade 1

[A/N : I would like to apologize for the delay chapters. Since the only left to do right now is to finish my remaining projects and review for the exam that'll happen in just a few weeks, or probably month, I would probably have enough free time that I could use to focus on writing new chapters.]

"A dream?" My eyes opened up wide open as I slowly raise my body up to take a sit on the bed. "It has truly been a long time since when I first dreamed of this." I muttered to myself.

I then rubbed the back of my head while letting out a yawn. Soon, I stood up and went quickly to the bathroom to take a quick bath.

When I got out, I heard a knocking sound coming from the door, as a feminine voice later called out my name.

"Sir Athan, Miss Cossette ordered me to pick you up to guide you back to the entrance," She said. "Also, everything else was already packed and you're the only person they're waiting for."

Hearing this, I fastened my pace and put on my uniform before replying, "I'll be there in a minute!"

After I finished putting on my proper uniform and checking my equipment inside my [Pocket Ring], I was later led by two maid waiting for me earlier back to the entrance.

Upon reaching the main gate of the mansion, I sighted a familiar figure waiting for me. "You're here," Cossette said that to me as she tied her long black hair into a ponytail. I was just starting at her motionless when I suddenly heard two people letting out a sigh on my right.

Placing her dagger just above her boots, Aries then extended her arms and raised her head to face me. "I'm ready," she spoke as she looked at me with straight determination that could be seen from her her eyes.

"Let's go then." I took the bag that was full of important things from the maid before turning around to leave.

*

I dozed off during the ride back to the academy so the moment I opened my eyes, the Academy's Main Gate came into view a lot faster than expected.

Soon enough, we finally arrived at the place we're supposed to meet up.

After Aries and I saw the familiar three at the corner talking to each other, we went ahead and walked forward to them.

"Yo!" When the trio noticed us and saw that we're coming together, Xavier stared at us with an amused smile. As soon as we reached them, he asked, "Is that your girlfriend, Athan?"

"....."

"....."

Both of us remained speechless for a couple of seconds before finally, I rushed forward to him.

"..What?"

Annoyed, I forcefully stopped myself as I strengthened my fingers with mana and flicked his forehead hard, that he flew over hit the tree on the back.

"Anyone wants to go on next?" I asked pumping my fist onto my palm with a threatening voice.

The remaining two just let out a long sigh before turning their head to face Aries, who remained confused and silent.

"Uh... Aries... Can we call you that?" The fat noble, Darnom, asked embarrassingly.

Aries just tilted her head for a moment before nodding as an reply. 𝘞𝘦𝘭𝘭, 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘰𝘯.

Yep.... Aries has a brother-complex. I just found this out few days after she joined my team.

Although she is quiet-type of person, whenever her brother is around, this would change 120-degree as her personality will change too. Also, when one of the girl from the academy tried to hit on her brother, Aries would release a terrifying pressure that even I got brought to the ground.

If Aries were to fight the novel MC, Arthur, she would probably last longer than any of Arthur's harem combined.

After a couple moments later, Cossette, who was tasked to handle each teams of the dungeon exploration test, finally came out of the forest holding a broadsword from her waist.

"Right now, we're heading towards the near edges of the Grand Mountains owned by the Guild since that's were all of you guys will train. We'll be going to a rather low-ranked dungeon so there's nothing to worry about it too much. Although I will be going with you there at all times as your escort, I would still refrain from helping any of the teams unless it is absolute necessary." Cossette pointed her sword to us, the students, while letting out a threatening pressure just enough for us to withstand.

I guess this was for the best anyway. I can just easily swept myself through, and get the hidden treasures in the secret area first before escaping and letting the protagonist get his first key.

Then, I noticed a faint gaze coming from my back. I slowly turned my head and glance to where the gaze was coming from.

𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘴?

Staring right at me, Arthur who was in the middle of the crowding students had a serious expression from his face... It was as if he was ready, out for a kill.

With my minds became clouded with thoughts, Cossette thankfully broke the silence. "Alright, then, anyone who has questions left can raise your hands." With no questions left to ask, Cossette smiled as she continued.

"Well then, shall we get going?"

After that final question, we took off, taking a long strides in amidst of the thick and huge trees that was covering most of the sunlight.

Each teams traveled in silent, while the others mumble to each of their group members. Most of the students, although a bit scared, managed to steel themselves for what was about to come.

Soon, a few hours after traveling, the trees began to clear up as we began ascending to the mountain's slope.

It didn't take long for us to reach our destination. And when we did, all of us stopped walking and stared at the huge door before us.

"We're here," Cossette spoke as she raised her hands, pushing the huge door that could even be considered as a giant's entrance.

"Kuuuuuu...." The gigantic door in front of us slowly opened. Almost all of the students from each teams stared at Cossette, speechless from what they're seeing.

In each of their faces engraved a look of 'how is she even doing that?'. Although I somehow find this funny, I decided to keep it together until I got back to my room.

𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘶𝘯𝘤𝘩 𝘢 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘧 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴. I shook my shoulder, and lifted Xavier who was currently tied in a rope while sleeping because of the flick from earlier.

"Now. From here on out, you guys will be separated into place. You're adventure ID is already connected to my channel, so if something where to happen to any of you, I would immediately be notified and come saving your asses pretty quickly." She spoke in a joking manner.

"Anyways, you guys can also call me if something unexpected were to happen. There's a mechanism in those Adventurer's ID that can call me, but since I don't have any much time to explain, I'll just leave it up to you to figure it out." She said, pushing all the students inside the door.

After everyone was inside, she happily waved her hands from outside, as the door began to slowly close.

"Make sure you guys survive, okay?" When the students heard this, they rushed forward to try and stop the door from closing.

-Creak!!

-Clang!!

No managed to push it. They all looked at the door, helpless from what happened.

"I guess this is the start"