Dungeon

Together, they ventured deeper into the dungeon, the sound of their footsteps echoing softly as they followed behind Professor Lysque. For some reason, the four of them seemed to be just a little ahead of the other students in their group, with the professor maintaining a steady pace at the front, glancing back every so often to ensure everyone was keeping up.

Are they nervous? Raven thought as she glanced behind them, her sharp eyes catching the subtle signs of unease among her classmates. Some of them clutched their weapons tighter, while others kept their eyes wide open, scanning their surroundings. It was clear that this dungeon, though dormant, still held an air of mystery and caution.

The dungeon itself was a sight to behold. Every step Raven took seemed to send a shiver of mana swirling beneath her feet, as if the very ground was alive with magical energy. The walls were adorned with glowing mana crystals, casting a soft, ethereal light that illuminated the entire area—there was no need for torches here. The air itself seemed to hum with power, making it feel both enchanting and unnerving at the same time.

"Wow, this is pretty cool," Celia said, her voice filled with awe. She extended a hand toward one of the mana crystals embedded in the wall, her fingers itching to touch it.

Raven, always cautious, quickly grabbed Celia's wrist, halting her movement. "Don't touch anything here. Didn't you listen to the professor?" she said, her tone firm. "Something bad could happen if you mess with the crystals."

Celia pouted, her lower lip jutting out in a playful expression. "It's fine. She said there's nothing here, right? And look at these crystals! They're so pretty, and they come in so many colors. I wonder what they're for."

"They're usually used for weapons or buildings," Lumina chimed in, walking up beside them. Her voice was calm, almost scholarly. "The color determines the rarity. The deeper you go into a dungeon, the rarer—and more valuable—the crystals become. The rarer the crystal, the more durable it is."

Celia's eyes widened with interest. "Oh, I didn't know that! I guess we're not just looking at pretty things after all."

Arielle, who had been quietly following along, added her own input. "Mana crystals can also be used to replenish mana. If someone is in desperate need of a boost, they can take a shard of the crystal and refill their reserves. But of course, it depends on the size of the crystal. Bigger ones are more effective."

"Mana crystals sure are useful," Raven muttered under her breath, impressed despite herself. She had always thought of them as just pretty stones, but now she saw the practicality in them.

"Alright, students," Professor Lysque called out, her voice steady and authoritative. "Stay close, and keep your wits about you. We're entering a deeper part of the dungeon now."

The group continued forward, the passage growing wider and more elaborate as they ventured deeper. Soon, they entered a massive, open chamber, and Raven couldn't help but stop and stare. The space before them was breathtaking, filled with an array of vibrant mana crystals in every hue imaginable. The ground itself was paved with the glittering fragments of these crystals, so smooth and reflective that the students could see their own reflections in the floor.

Professor Lysque gestured to the surroundings, her voice echoing in the large chamber. "This area used to be home to a Tier 1 Bloodhound, or as you might call it, a Seven-Star Bloodhound. After adventurers killed it, the mana from the beast spread throughout the area, transforming this place into the beautiful spectacle you see now."

Raven's eyes narrowed at the mention of the creature. The mention of the "Seven-Star" classification brought back memories of monster rankings. In the world of magic and combat, monsters were often categorized by their difficulty, with star ratings indicating the strength and danger they posed. A Six-Star Bloodhound would only be defeated by a party of six-star adventurers, yet sometimes, a group of lower-tiered warriors could pull off a win with enough strategy and luck.

"I wonder how it feels to fight something like that," Raven muttered under her breath, half in awe, half in contemplation. The thought of facing such a creature both thrilled and terrified her.

Celia, always ready with a teasing remark, nudged Raven's waist with her elbow. "As if you could beat it. You're only a three-star. But maybe you'd have a chance if the monster just gave up on you."

Raven rolled her eyes, but couldn't help the small smile tugging at her lips. "Whatever," she muttered. "I could still handle a Bloodhound, just watch."

Celia chuckled, her eyes glinting mischievously. "Oh, I'm sure you would. Maybe if it decided to take a nap in the middle of the fight."

The group shared a laugh, but the mood shifted as the deeper parts of the dungeon loomed ahead. The feeling of mana in the air grew heavier, the ambient glow of the crystals casting strange shadows as they ventured further into the unknown. Every step forward felt like a step closer to unraveling the dungeon's secrets, but also a step deeper into danger.

Professor Lysque motioned for the students to stay alert as they moved deeper into the chamber, her expression serious once more. "Remember, students. While this dungeon is currently safe, dungeons are unpredictable. Stay close and keep your senses sharp."

With that, the group continued their journey deeper into the heart of the Everdusk Grove Dungeon. Each step seemed to take them further away from the world they knew, the air growing heavier with the weight of untold secrets and forgotten dangers. The glow from the mana crystals shimmered like distant stars, casting strange and shifting shadows across the walls.

Raven's senses were on high alert as they pressed forward. She could feel the faint hum of magic resonating in the very air around her, each pulse of mana sending a slight tremor through her body. The dungeon seemed to be alive, its energy constantly shifting, like a slumbering beast waiting to awaken.

As they neared the center of the cavern, Professor Lysque paused and turned to address the group, her voice taking on a more reverent tone. "And here we are, students—the heart of the dungeon. Amazing, isn't it?" She swept her arm to indicate the vast expanse before them.

The chamber before them was unlike anything they had seen thus far. The walls of the cavern were lined with mana crystals, each one larger and more vibrant than the ones they had encountered earlier. Some glowed with a soft blue light, while others pulsed with deep crimson hues. The ground beneath them was a mosaic of glittering crystal shards, reflecting the light in a dazzling array of colors that danced across the chamber. In the center of the room, a massive crystal formation stood, its sharp edges jutting out like the spires of an ancient castle, casting jagged shadows that stretched across the chamber.

"Remarkable," Lumina whispered, her eyes wide with awe. Even Raven couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder at the sight before them. The crystals here were so vibrant, so powerful, that it felt like the entire chamber was alive with energy.

Professor Lysque's voice broke the silence, pulling their attention back to her. "It took nearly five years to clean everything up after the Bloodhound's death," she explained, her eyes scanning the room as if remembering the long battle that had taken place. "The mana from the beast had seeped deeply into the crystals, making it almost impossible to purify the area. The blood of the monster, mixed with its powerful mana, had rooted itself in the very essence of these crystals, staining them with dark, lingering energy."

She gestured toward the gleaming formation at the center. "It took specialized cleansing magic and powerful rituals to cleanse this place. Many of the original adventurers who came here were unable to make it through because of the residual blood-mana contamination. Some even said the monsters' influence still lingered, trapped within the very crystals they left behind."

Raven's eyes narrowed as she took in the professor's words. So this dungeon hasn't always been like this, huh? she thought, sensing the weight of the past hanging over them. "So, these crystals—" Raven began, her voice thoughtful. "They were once tainted by the Bloodhound's blood?"

Professor Lysque nodded gravely. "Yes. For a time, the entire dungeon was a dangerous place, not just because of the creatures that lurked within, but because of the malevolent energy embedded in the crystals themselves. It was a long and difficult process to purify the area, but now, it's safe to explore."

The others seemed to absorb this information with varying degrees of unease. Arielle, looking even more pale than usual, clutched her staff a little tighter, while Celia's gaze lingered on the enormous crystal formation in the center of the room, curiosity mingled with caution in her eyes.

"That's... unsettling," Arielle murmured, her voice soft as she gazed at the shining crystals around them. "So, the monsters—does that mean they could come back?"

Professor Lysque's lips curved into a slight, reassuring smile. "No need to worry. The purification rituals were thorough. The monsters that once roamed this dungeon have long since vanished. The only remnants left are the mana crystals themselves, which still retain some of the Bloodhound's energy, but in a much more stable form. In fact, many adventurers now come here to mine for the rarer crystals."

Raven couldn't shake the feeling that something still lingered in the air, a faint trace of the past that couldn't be entirely wiped away. But for now, there was no danger. It seemed like they were in the clear.

"Alright, students," Professor Lysque said, her voice returning to its usual commanding tone. "Let's proceed carefully. Stay alert, but feel free to observe the crystals up close. We'll take a moment to examine their properties, but remember—this dungeon may be calm now, but it's still important to stay vigilant."

As the students fanned out, taking their time to explore the area, Raven couldn't help but feel a sense of unease gnawing at her. The dungeon had a strange, almost ancient aura to it, as if the echoes of past battles and ancient magic still lingered in the air.

She glanced over at Celia, who was now crouched down, inspecting a glowing crystal with wide eyes. "Do you think there's any chance this place might still have a few surprises?" Raven asked, her voice low but filled with curiosity.

Celia looked up at her, the mischief returning to her expression. "Surprises? You mean like a random monster popping out and ruining our day? I wouldn't be surprised. But hey, it'd be exciting, right?" She grinned.

Raven couldn't help but laugh, though a small part of her wasn't entirely sure that Celia was joking. As much as she wanted to enjoy the peace of the dungeon, she couldn't ignore the nagging feeling that something still lurked in the shadows—waiting for the right moment to strike.