Dungeon Theory & Survival
The morning sun crept over the academy rooftops, its light spilling through the tall windows like it was trying to shake everyone awake. The halls were quiet, just the soft echo of footsteps and the occasional murmur of voices behind closed doors. I shifted my bag on my shoulder and kept walking, still not used to how everything here felt… bigger. Brighter. Like the air itself had a pulse. It wasn't just another day, it was another test. Another chance to prove I belonged. My first class was just down the hall, and I wasn't sure if I was ready, but I was going anyway.
I got to the classroom. Standing at the doorstep, I took a glance at the structure of the class. Students were scattered across the rows, some chatting quietly, others leaning back with arms crossed, waiting. A few were scribbling in notebooks, and one guy near the window had his head down, probably asleep. They all looked like they belonged here—confident, comfortable, like this was just another day for them.
The instructor wasn't here yet.
I stood there for a moment, just inside the doorway, taking it all in. Then I stepped into the room.
All eyes were on me and they should be. After all, I was new to the class. I was bound to draw attention to myself on the first day.
I could see Ethan and his group sitting at the back of the classroom, and the shock on their faces when I stepped in was just the boost I needed to start the day. "Prepare yourself, I will make sure you guys pay for what you did to me." I thought and then I took a seat near the window of the class and kept my bag on the desk in front of me, then started looking outside, not wanting to be burdened by anyone.
Just as I sat down, Nick walked in with a smile on his handsome face. He didn't even care about the glances other students threw at him—he just strolled right through them and sat beside me.
"You know, you could have told me before you left for class. We could have walked in together. What better way to show authority and power than two newcomers walking straight in?" he said with a smile on his face.
I could feel a small smile creep up my face. Just as I was about to reply, an instructor walked in—and shockingly, it was Instructor Keal.
He took a quick glance at the class and nodded. "Welcome. For those of you starting today, I'm your homeroom instructor." He looked at me and Nick while saying this, obviously referring to us.
"The academy is an institution for the Awakened, built to guide every single one of you," he said, strolling through the class. "But that doesn't mean the academy will hand you free resources just because you are Awakened."
He took a short pause to let his words sink in before he continued.
"You all will have to fight for your resources."
There was a gasp from the students—some were shocked, some narrowed their eyes, and others just nodded their heads, already figuring that much out.
"Each and every one of you will be ranked according to your strength, your academic performance, and how you handle pressure. Resources will be allocated based on your rankings," he paused for a second, looking at every student before continuing. "The academy ensures that the strong grow stronger, and the weak are nothing but stepping stones for the strong. So use this time as a head start to prepare yourselves, because each and every one of you is here to challenge each other. By tomorrow, you will all be sent to clear a Tier 1 dungeon, and your performance will be marked by the academy and I do mean everyone," he said, taking a look at me, as the last statement was meant for me and Nick, but mostly me.
I bit my lip when I heard him. After all, it was a Friday, and tomorrow was a Saturday the weekend.
"Great, just my luck," I whispered to myself.
"That will be all about that. Please open your textbooks to Dungeon Theory & Survival, everyone," he said, ready to dive deep into the topic. I opened my textbook and listened very carefully to whatever he might say, because I would need all the help I could get.
He turned to the chalkboard and, with a flick of his finger, scrawled a single word in glowing runes:
DUNGEONS.
Then he turned to face the class.
> "What is a dungeon?" he asked, voice calm but carrying weight. "If your answer includes the words 'a place with treasure,' then you are already half-dead."
A nervous chuckle rippled across the back rows. He didn't smile.
> "Dungeons are living worlds—not structures. Not rooms. Not just stone and traps. They are self-contained ecosystems. Manifestations of raw essence. Born when unstable leyline points fracture and spiral into chaotic growth."
He tapped the board again, and the runes shifted.
Lecture Points:
1. Formation of Dungeons
2. Dungeon Ecology
3. Core Theory
4. Mana Distortion Zones
5. Collapse & Rebirth Cycles
He continued.
1. Formation of Dungeons
"Dungeons form in high-density mana zones where reality has thinned," Keal said. "They're not built—they grow. Some are birthed overnight, others take centuries. But all of them are anchored by a core: a crystallized heart of essence that maintains the environment."
That leads us to the dungeon ecology.
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2. Dungeon Ecology
"You may think of monsters as invaders. Wrong. They are born of the dungeon. Each beast, from goblin to drake, serves a purpose—guarding, balancing, even cleaning. If you kill too many too fast, you risk throwing the ecosystem into a frenzy. The core adapts."
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3. Core Theory
"Destroy the dungeon core," he said, "and the entire dungeon collapses. But beware: cores defend themselves. They learn. They grow. If you think a dungeon won't respond to repeated intrusions… ask the former student who lost their arm last month."
He said, "You might be wondering what this core is. Well, that's simple—the dungeon core, as Awakened scientists refer to it, is known as the dungeon boss. So to close a dungeon, you must find the dungeon boss and kill it in order to shut down the dungeon."
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4. Mana Distortion Zones
"Spells may misfire in dungeons. Your affinity may behave strangely. Fire can freeze, wind can still, light can blind you. The deeper you go, the less your instincts matter. You must train your essence to adapt in such situations."
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And the last—but always rare, as it doesn't occur very often:
5. Collapse & Rebirth
"Most dungeons collapse after their core is destroyed. But some reform. Changed. Corrupted. Or worse… sentient. If a dungeon starts to think for itself, students… it's no longer a trial. It's a war zone."
He let that last sentence hang in the air.
Then his gaze swept over the class, eyes narrowing slightly.
> "Your assignment for tomorrow's dungeon: research the dungeon you will be sent into. I want formation history, known creatures, vegetation, and the dungeon's collapse. It must be submitted before the end of the weekend."
All the students sighed.
> "You are all dismissed," he said, as the school bell rang immediately.
All the students rushed out of the classroom, ready to head out for the next class.
Just as I picked up my stuff and was ready to leave with Nick
"Michael, can you please wait a minute?" Instructor Keal called out just as I was about to leave. I gave Nick a quick look, telling him to head out before me. He nodded and then left. I walked toward Instructor Keal's desk.