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Two Days Ago — Dragon Academy, Competition Day
The stadium of Dragon Academy blazed with morning light as thousands of students gathered before the glowing Dungeon Gates.
Today wasn't an ordinary test — it was the Annual Guild Selection Competition, where the academy's top students would prove themselves before representatives of powerful guilds and the City Council.
From the highest balcony, the principal and several guild masters observed silently, their eyes sharp and expectant.
But among the crowd, one face was missing.
> "Where's Jule?"
"You mean that G-Rank weakling? Probably too scared to show up."
"He never missed class before… strange."
Their whispers filled the air until one voice cut through it — Tony's.
His expression twisted in irritation as he scanned the field, searching for the boy he used to bully every day.
"He's hiding," Tony muttered. "Coward."
He slammed his fist into his palm, ignoring the strange looks from other students. Deep inside, he wasn't just angry — he was unsettled. Jule had always shown up, no matter how many times Tony humiliated him. Why vanish now, on the most important day?
The teachers' voices echoed through the stadium.
> "Students! You may form parties of up to four or enter the dungeon alone. Points will be awarded based on monster kills, time, and teamwork. Remember — your results today will determine your future."
All around, students formed groups, shouting names, choosing partners.
But Stella, the academy's golden student, stood alone. Her silver hair fluttered in the wind, her armor glimmering faintly with mana. Many students tried to approach her, but she refused every offer.
When Tony approached her, a hopeful smirk on his face, she didn't even glance at him.
> "Let's go together, Stella. With our strength, we could clear the dungeon fast."
Her reply was cold and precise:
> "No. I prefer not to drag down my score."
Tony froze, anger and embarrassment burning in his chest as she walked away toward the A-portal gate alone.
Stella's mind was calm.
> "I don't need anyone's help. My rank, my title, my power — all are my own."
Without hesitation, she stepped into the violet portal, disappearing in a flash of light.
Tony clenched his teeth and turned toward a different gate — the F-Rank Dungeon meant for solo participants. "Fine. I'll prove myself alone too."
As both vanished into separate dungeons, the principal nodded slightly, intrigued by the confidence of the academy's two most talked-about students.
Since the Dragon Academy Competition is meant for students (not full guild hunters), the Dungeons they enter should logically be F-Rank training dungeons, possibly artificially stabilized by the academy.
That means the monsters are weaker, danger is controlled, and no student would face fatal threats — but performance (kills, speed, mana control) determines ranking and guild interest.
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🏆 Dragon Academy Dungeon Competition Results 🏆
All Dungeon Portals: F-Rank (Training-Type)
Rank -Name -Dungeon- Type -Monsters- Killed -Time Taken -Points -Remarks
1 Stella Veyra F-Rank (Solo) 87 -42 min 9800 Excellent control, zero damage, high mana efficiency.
2 Tony Rels F-Rank (Solo) 124- 55 min 9100 Aggressive combat style, sustained minor injuries.
3 Raylen Team F-Rank (4-Member Team) 103- 1h 10m 8750 Strong teamwork.
4 Mina Group F-Rank (3-Member Team) 98- 1h 30m 8400 Good coordination.
5 Tess Group F-Rank (4-Member Team) 84- 1h 40m 8000 Stable but slow.
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Solo clears (like Stella and Tony) earn bonus points for difficulty.
Guild recruiters use these scores to scout future talents.