I sat at my desk, the hum of chatter filling the classroom like an unending buzz. Everyone was talking about yesterday's incident. Some exaggerated, some whispered in disbelief, and those who hadn't been there hung onto every word, eager to catch scraps of gossip from the ones who had witnessed it firsthand.
The academy, of course, had wasted no time. Michael and the others were summoned almost immediately, questioned thoroughly by the faculty and investigators.
By now the investigators must have found out that the only item stolen was the book.
' Will they make a fuss over it?'. Probably not. In their eyes, the book was nothing but a relic written in a strange, indecipherable language. To them, it carried little more than academic value. But they will think it's strange that only the book was stolen.
I leaned back in my chair, a faint smile tugging at my lips as the buzz of idle chatter filled the room. Just as I was drifting in my thoughts, the door creaked open, and a wave of silence rippled across the class. Professor Elizabeth stepped inside, her presence commanding without effort.
"Good morning, Cadets," she said warmly, her voice carrying a quiet authority that instantly drew every eye toward her.
One by one, she called out names for attendance, her tone brisk but not unkind.
With the formalities done, she began the lecture. Her words wove through the air with clarity, each explanation precise, every point delivered with the ease of someone who had spent years breathing knowledge into eager minds. The class sat in rapt silence, pens scratching, eyes fixed on her as she guided us deeper into the day's subject.
Time slipped by quickly, and before long the lecture drew to a close. Normally, this was when we would gather our belongings, stretch out the stiffness from sitting, and savor a long break before the afternoon session. That was the routine I had grown used to.
But today was different.
As she set her notes aside, a quiet anticipation seemed to stir in her gaze. She folded her hands neatly over the podium and looked across the room, her lips curving into the faintest smile.
"Do not leave just yet," she said, her tone calm but carrying weight. "From today onward, your true Academy life begins."
A ripple of surprise passed through the class. Chairs creaked as students shifted, glancing at one another, curiosity sparking in their eyes.
"From this week and onwards, you will be actively participating in the practical dungeon explorations randomly." Instructor Elizabeth announced, capturing the attention of all the students.
The room buzzed with excitement, and some students exchanged excited glances with their friends. Practical dungeon explorations were the highlight of their training, a chance to put their knowledge and skills to the test in real-life scenarios.
Looking at their happy faces, I couldn't help but shake my head.
I couldn't help but wonder what expression they'd wear once they came face-to-face with the monsters lurking inside the dungeon. It was only natural—those who fancied themselves the protagonists of their own tales always dreamed with unshaken confidence. But dreams are fragile things. And when reality finally strikes, it doesn't whisper—it crashes down, merciless and unrelenting.
And this practical dungeon exploration will be the first lesson that the Academy will teach those little kids about the cruelty of the real world.
"For these expeditions, you will be organized into teams based on your ranks. Each team will be sent into dungeons—each one distinct, filled with its own trials and creatures. Your objective is not merely survival, but to demonstrate adaptability, cooperation, and the ability to overcome adversity in the face of real combat. This will be the measure of your growth as hunters, and the first true step into the life you have chosen."
She let the silence linger for a moment, allowing the gravity of her words to settle over the room before continuing. "Dungeons are perilous, unpredictable places. Your safety must always come first. Heed your team leader's commands and work in unison with your comrades. To ignore this is not mere recklessness—it is an invitation to disaster, and the consequences may be far harsher than you can imagine."
After finishing her words, she gestured toward the board behind her. "The dungeon you will be exploring is one of the Academy's artificial dungeons. While it is designed to prevent truly fatal injuries, do not mistake that for safety—you will still feel every ounce of pain."
At her signal, the board lit up with footage: a cadet hurled across the chamber by a monster's strike, blood spilling from his chest as he crumpled to the ground. Murmurs rippled through the room.
"As you can see," she continued evenly, "if the system determines that your injury would be fatal in reality, your trial will be forcibly terminated by the examiner. Are we clear?"
"Yes!" The students' voices echoed in unison, a hearty chorus that filled the room. For a brief moment, a smile curved across Elizabeth's face, the sternness in her expression softening ever so slightly.
"Good," she said firmly, her tone regaining its commanding edge. "By now, you should have already received a message on your academy-issued watch." She lifted her wrist slightly, as if to emphasize the point. "That message contains everything you need for your first dungeon expedition—your assigned team, the type of monster you will be facing, and the objectives you are expected to complete."
She paused as a soft chime echoed through the room, signaling the arrival of notifications. One by one, the cadets raised their wrists, eyes scanning the glowing text on their watches. I glanced at mine—the message laid out the details of our first expedition: the assigned team, the objective, and the monsters we were expected to face.
"Once you've reviewed your assignment," Instructor Elizabeth continued, her voice clear and steady, "gather with your teammates and proceed to the entrance of the artificial dungeon. From this moment forward, your team leader bears the responsibility of guiding you through the trial. Follow their instructions, trust in one another, and move as a single unit."
She let the words settle, her sharp gaze sweeping across the room. "Examinators will monitor every step you take and intervene only if your lives are truly at risk. But remember this—your performance will not be judged on how much help you receive, but on how well you adapt, endure, and overcome as a team."
A small pause, then she straightened, her tone carrying a weight of finality. "Now, form your groups and make your way to the dungeon's gate. Beyond it lies your first true step into the life of a hunter. Show me your resolve, and give nothing less than your best."
As the classroom buzzed with movement, students clustered into their designated teams. My gaze naturally drifted to the familiar figures—the so-called "main cast." Michael, Adrian, Julia, Jurian, Silas, Amelia, Melissa, and Celestina stood together, their expressions steady, their posture radiating confidence. There was no hesitation in their steps, no trace of uncertainty. They looked every bit like a group already accustomed to the dangers that awaited beyond the dungeon gates.
It wasn't surprising. Unlike the average cadet still clinging to theory, most of them had already braved real dungeons, their experience setting them apart. Even Michael, despite being a late awakener, had tasted the peril of those depths. That alone gave him a confidence the others in this room couldn't easily match.
I turned to my own bracelet and opened the message, revealing the details of my team's exploration.
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[Team 17]
Amelia Crimsonheart – Student Rank 3
Alex Reed – Student Rank 552
Layla Bennet – Student Rank 1000
Arthur Dravenlock – Student Rank 2500
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Turning to my own team, my eyes inevitably landed on the girl beaming at Adrian as if the world revolved around him. The way she carried herself made it painfully obvious—she hadn't even bothered to check the team list yet.
Of course… I sighed inwardly. Out of all people, it had to be her.
Twice now, fate had played this cruel trick on me. I had gone out of my way to avoid crossing paths with the so-called "main characters," to keep myself untangled from their dramas. Yet no matter how carefully I stepped aside, the current dragged me back toward them.
And this time, it was Amelia Crimsonheart.
Her name sat at the very top of our list, which meant she had been appointed captain. In the game, she was always one of the hardest characters to tolerate early on—loud, spoiled, and endlessly burdened by her own unresolved issues. One sentence summed her up well enough: a whiny, arrogant girl with parental issues.
A sharp breath escaped me, heavy with irritation I refused to let spill outward.
The other two members of our team were also familiar to me, though only faintly. Minor characters—so minor, in fact, that unless you played through every side quest and dug into the optional storylines, their names would never stick in your memory.
Alex Reed. A sturdy, dependable type—a tank whose role was to plant himself in the front line and absorb the brunt of enemy attacks, keeping the rest of the party safe.
Then there was Layla Bennet, an archer. Quiet and sharp-eyed , her arrows cutting through with precision.Though for now, she was not someone that made a name for herself.
As I was mulling over the students, a sharp, stinging sensation pricked at the back of my neck. Turning slightly, my gaze met a pair of bright yellow eyes, narrowed in irritation.
The other two—Alex and Layla—had already gathered by the corner of the classroom and were now moving toward Amelia. Suppressing a sigh, I followed suit, falling into step with the rest of the team.
When we had assembled around her, Amelia's lips curved into a self-assured smile.
"I don't think I need to introduce myself," she began, her voice laced with confidence and just the slightest trace of arrogance, "but for formality's sake—my name is Amelia Crimsonheart."
"Obviously not, Miss Amelia," Layla replied, her tone polite but rigid.
"Don't be so stiff," Amelia said lightly, waving it off. Her fiery red hair caught the light as she tilted her head toward the girl. "Layla, right? Just talk to me casually."
Layla hesitated, then gave a small nod. "Ah… thank you. Then I'll call you Amelia."
"Alex, isn't it? I remember you from the entrance exam. You're the one who wrapped yourself in rocks back then, right?"Layla immediately turned her attention to the bulky boy beside her with a smile.
Alex scratched the back of his neck, flustered. "Ah… yeah. That's me. Embarrassing, honestly." Despite his hulking build, he had the awkward air of someone who didn't quite know how to handle attention.
"Ah, you are" Just as Layla was about to turn her attention to me, suddenly Amelia butted in.
"We should head to the entrance. No time to waste!" she declared, her voice bright and commanding, as though the conversation had already ended , completely ignoring my existence.
Alex and Layla seemed to accept her abrupt change of topic without question, and they followed her lead without a second thought. It was as if I was invisible to them, a mere afterthought. Even though I could see Layla throwing small glances at me, she couldn't do anything.
Thanks to my heightened senses, their voices carried clearly to me even amidst the shuffle of students preparing to leave.
"So, Alex," Amelia asked, her tone brimming with enthusiasm, her crimson eyes gleaming with interest, "what's your specialty in combat?"
Alex shifted uncomfortably under the weight of her attention, his broad shoulders stiff. "I'm… a tank," he admitted, his voice quiet and edged with shyness. "I specialize in earth-based abilities—defending and protecting my teammates. With my Stone Warden trait, I can form barriers and absorb incoming damage."
" Perfect! We've got ourselves a tank . A solid frontline." She punctuated her words with a friendly pat on his arm which only deepened his embarrassment.
"And you, Layla?" she continued, her focus shifting with an eager glint. "What's your role?"
Layla straightened, her confidence shining through as she lifted her chin. "I'm an archer," she said with poise. "I rely on perception and precision, striking at critical points from afar. My rank might not be the highest yet, but I intend to prove myself in real dungeon exploration."
"That's the spirit!" Amelia encouraged, flashing a thumbs-up and a dazzling smile. "With Alex shielding us, you picking off enemies from range, and me bringing the firepower, we've got ourselves a balanced team."
I didn't react. There was no need to—I had expected this. I knew Amelia far too well: her nature, her strengths, her flaws. She was the type to disregard those she deemed weak, offering her respect only to those who proved themselves strong. Confidence caught her attention, but arrogance repelled her. It was a fine, precarious line that shaped her judgment of others.
So, as they walked ahead, treating me as though I didn't exist, I felt no surprise. This was Amelia through and through—drawn to competence, always eager to showcase herself as superior, especially when Adrian was within sight. Every word, every gesture of hers was a performance meant to capture his notice.
' What a pity' I thought coldly. 'Your fragile affection will never bear fruit.' In the game, Adrian's gaze had never once shifted. From the beginning until the chaos of the late stages, his heart had remained fixed solely on Celestina—unyielding, unwavering, untouched by Amelia's desperate pursuit.
When we reached the entrance of the artificial dungeon, a towering stone gateway loomed ahead, its sheer size radiating a sense of foreboding. Though man-made, it perfectly imitated the oppressive grandeur of real dungeons in the outside world—crafted to prepare cadets for the dangers that awaited beyond the Academy's walls, while still keeping the edge of death at bay.
Each student had come armed and ready. My katana rested within the dimensional space of my bracelet, awaiting the moment it would be drawn.
Amelia took a confident step forward, her eyes shining with unrestrained anticipation. "All right, everyone. Let's go."
Layla and Alex answered with eager nods, their resolve firm. Amelia, however, didn't spare me so much as a glance—her gaze slid past me as though I were little more than air.
And so, without further acknowledgment, we crossed the threshold together, stepping into the yawning gate that would swallow us whole—the Academy's artificial dungeon, and the beginning of our true trial.