Field Trip

Seriously, this was not what I had in mind, Raven thought as she glanced at her current predicament.

The carriages were separated into groups of four, which meant for the next two hours, Raven was stuck beside Celia. Her older sister had claimed the seat next to her with a bright grin that practically screamed mischief. Across from them, Lumina and Arielle sat with amused expressions, clearly enjoying the show.

"It's okay! You can rest on your big sister's shoulder!" Celia declared, her voice dripping with exaggerated affection.

"It's not like I have a choice," Raven muttered, scowling as her sister firmly pressed her head onto her shoulder. She half-heartedly attempted to pry Celia off, but it was pointless. Despite Celia's graceful appearance, her physical strength was ridiculous.

"Wow, she's strong," Arielle whispered, her golden eyes wide as she watched the display.

"Of course, she is," Raven replied, her voice tinged with exasperation. "She's like a dragon in disguise. A very annoying dragon."

"Aw, that's the sweetest thing you've ever said to me," Celia teased, tightening her grip slightly as Raven groaned in defeat.

"You two better take those looks off your faces," Raven said sharply, glaring at Lumina and Arielle, who were clearly trying—and failing—to suppress their laughter.

"Sorry," Lumina said, though the corners of her lips twitched. "It's just... you look so different like this."

"Different?" Raven raised an eyebrow.

"Cute," Arielle chimed in with a small, shy smile.

The words made Raven blink, caught off guard. She opened her mouth to retort but found herself at a loss for words. Instead, she sighed heavily and leaned back against the seat.

"Whatever," she muttered, gripping the hilt of her katana resting across her lap. "Just wake me up when we arrive."

As her eyes fluttered shut, she could hear the quiet giggles of Arielle and Lumina, followed by Celia humming a cheerful tune. Despite the chaotic energy around her, there was a strange sense of peace.

She wasn't entirely sure why, but for the first time in a long while, the atmosphere felt warm—not in the suffocating, overwhelming way her sister often brought—but in a way that reminded her of camaraderie.

"I swear, if you drool on me, we're having words," Raven mumbled, her voice laced with mock irritation.

"Don't worry," Celia whispered with a soft chuckle. "I'll take good care of you."

Raven rolled her eyes beneath her closed lids, muttering something incoherent. The rhythmic creaking of the carriage and the sound of hooves against the dirt road soon lulled her into a light sleep.

Across from them, Lumina smiled warmly. "They're pretty close, huh?"

"Yeah," Arielle agreed softly, watching Raven's relaxed expression. "It's nice."

For the rest of the ride, the group fell into a comfortable silence, the bond between them subtly growing stronger with each passing moment.

And the two-hour ride passed by surprisingly quickly, as the carriages came to a gentle stop. Raven stirred awake, blinking a few times to adjust to the sunlight filtering through the trees. The rich, earthy scent of Everdusk Grove greeted her, mingling with the soft hum of nature. The grove was a sprawling forest with towering trees whose leaves shimmered faintly, catching the light in hues of green and gold. Sunbeams pierced through the canopy, creating an enchanting dappled pattern on the ground below. The air carried a cool, refreshing breeze, a stark contrast to the confined warmth of the carriages.

"Students! Welcome to Everdusk Grove," Miss Claire announced, her voice carrying authority as she stepped gracefully from her carriage. She gestured toward the dense forest that loomed ahead. "This is not only a home to ancient flora and fauna but also the site of the dungeon we'll be exploring today. Remember, this trip is as much about discipline as it is about discovery. Stay close to your group, and under no circumstances should anyone wander off alone." Her piercing gaze swept across the gathered students, ensuring the seriousness of her words sank in.

Raven stretched her arms and glanced at her sister, who was busy making sure everyone else in their group was accounted for. Lumina stood quietly beside her, observing the grove with a look of awe, while Arielle fidgeted nervously, gripping the strap of her bag.

"Since this is a joint class," Professor Lysque began, stepping forward with her characteristic poise, "the students will be split into two groups. Half of you will accompany me, and the rest will go with Professor Claire." Her light purple eyes scanned the students, as if she were mentally assessing their capabilities already.

As the students were divided into two groups, Raven's team—herself, Celia, Lumina, and Arielle—ended up assigned to Professor Lysque. Raven shrugged, indifferent to the split, though she noted Celia's slight frown of disapproval at not being with Professor Claire.

"I don't see why you're upset," Raven whispered to her sister as they gathered around Lysque. "Professor Lysque's one of the academy's best swordmasters. Shouldn't that be more exciting for you?"

"It's not that," Celia muttered. "I just wanted to get a closer look at that Variant magic Claire was talking about earlier. But I suppose this is fine too." She crossed her arms, clearly still grumpy.

"Let's move out," Professor Lysque commanded. Her ornate outfit shimmered faintly under the sunlight, and the way she carried herself demanded attention. Despite the elegant skirt of her attire, there was no doubting her competence. "We'll be taking the eastern path to the dungeon entrance. I expect every one of you to maintain formation. Weapons remain sheathed unless I say otherwise."

The group set off, the forest surrounding them coming alive with sounds of rustling leaves, chirping birds, and the occasional distant howl. Raven kept her katana securely strapped to her back, her hand brushing the hilt every so often out of habit. Arielle stayed close by, her golden eyes darting nervously at every unfamiliar sound.

"Relax," Raven whispered to the pink-haired girl. "It's just nature. Nothing's going to jump out and bite you."

"I-I know that," Arielle replied, clutching the edge of her robe. "It's just...it's so quiet, but it feels like something's watching."

"That's called your imagination," Raven teased, earning a soft pout from the healer.

Meanwhile, Lumina walked alongside Professor Lysque, her radiant presence blending almost harmoniously with the mystical atmosphere of the grove. She seemed unbothered by the forest's ambiance, as if its serene beauty resonated with her inner calm.

"Pay attention," Lysque called out sharply. "This is Everdusk Grove, and though it's deemed safe for exploration, complacency is the fastest way to find yourself in danger. Always stay aware of your surroundings."

Raven couldn't help but smirk. "Guess your instincts aren't completely off," she muttered to Arielle.

As they continued along the path, the dense trees began to thin out slightly, revealing ancient stone markers etched with runes. They glowed faintly, signaling the proximity of the dungeon. The air grew cooler, and the soft hum of mana vibrated faintly, making the hair on Raven's neck stand on end.

"That's the entrance up ahead," Lysque said, gesturing toward a stone archway covered in vines. "Remember, this dungeon is largely inactive, but it's still a place of power. Respect it, and it will respect you. Disrespect it..." She left the sentence hanging, her light purple eyes glinting with unspoken warning.

Raven exchanged glances with her team. This was going to be more interesting than she had thought.