The rest period ended under a low, resonant chime that echoed across the academy grounds.
Students rose from stone benches, some stretching stiff limbs, others sitting calmly with closed eyes. Healers had already done what little they could between dungeon segments. The enchanted screens flickered once, resetting to empty frames.
The younger classes crowded closer, eyes shining with anticipation. Teachers and instructors took their places along the raised platform. Several nobles in embroidered cloaks leaned forward in their seats, whispering among themselves. Scouts from guilds and houses observed silently, expressions sharp and calculating.
Conversation naturally drifted toward the same two names.
"Seraphina's control is terrifying for her age."
"Tyron too. That Lightning Speed talent… it's already polished."
"They're in a different league."
Very few spoke Zael's name.
Those who did, did not do so kindly.
"He only passed because he was careful."
"Luck."
"Cowardice."
Zael stood among the other examinees, his expression neutral. His white-grade armor rested comfortably against his body, its surface plain and unremarkable. The longsword at his waist was likewise simple, with no ornamentation beyond the academy crest stamped near the hilt.
It was the same equipment issued before.
Everyone still wore theirs.
Some, however, had barely touched it.
Seraphina relied on shadows that clung to her limbs like living silk. Tyron's lightning wrapped around his fists and legs, making armor nearly irrelevant. Several others had talents that reinforced skin, boosted reflexes, or summoned weapons directly from mana.
Selvig was the most obvious.
Even before the portals opened, silver plates began forming over his uniform, flowing outward from his chest like liquid metal. His talent, Armor Creation, shaped itself into full battle armor — thick pauldrons, a crested helm, and a massive halberd forming in his hand.
His armor radiated confidence.
It was hero-grade in potential, though still bound by his level.
Students nearby whispered.
"Double his level… that's ridiculous."
"He doesn't even need the academy gear."
"Of course a noble would get something like that."
Selvig glanced sideways, eyes catching Zael for a brief moment. His mouth curved into a slow, contemptuous smile.
Zael did not respond.
The instructor's voice rang out.
"Dungeon Segment Two will now commence. All participants will enter simultaneously. Time limit remains in effect. Begin."
Portals opened.
One by one, students stepped into their isolated spatial dungeons.
Zael felt the familiar distortion of space and gravity, then the sudden stillness as the world reshaped around him.
Stone walls rose on all sides, runes pulsing faintly blue. The air was colder than the first segment. The dungeon's mana density was higher — thicker, heavier, pressing against his senses.
The Talent Bank pulsed once.
Zael exhaled slowly and moved forward.
The first corridor sloped downward into a wide chamber. From cracks in the floor, hulking shapes emerged — goblin brutes, far larger than the ones from the first segment. Their skin was gray-green and scarred, muscles bulging as they dragged crude iron axes behind them.
Zael loosened his grip on the sword.
He stepped forward deliberately.
One goblin roared and charged.
Its axe came down in a heavy arc meant to split him in two.
Zael slid sideways, letting the blade crash into stone. Sparks flew. Before the creature could recover, he drove his sword into its exposed neck.
The goblin collapsed.
A second lunged from the right.
Zael ducked under its swing and kicked its knee sideways. Bone cracked. He finished it with a clean thrust through the chest.
The third tried to flank him.
Zael retreated two steps, baiting it into overextending, then slashed across its throat.
Three corpses fell.
A faint chime sounded in his mind.
EXP surged into him like warm current.
Level Up.
His breath caught for a fraction of a second.
The sensation was unmistakable — strength flowing into his limbs, his muscles tightening, vision sharpening.
Zael forced his face to remain calm, but inside, joy flared.
So fast…
He flexed his fingers once.
His body already felt lighter.
On the viewing platform, none of that was visible.
They saw only a boy stepping cautiously between fallen goblins.
"He's slow."
"But careful."
"Still alive somehow."
The dungeon shifted again.
Stone pillars rose, forming a maze of narrow passages. From the walls, lizard-like beasts with spiked tails and jagged teeth crawled out, hissing.
Zael moved.
One leapt at him from above.
He rolled aside, the creature slamming into the floor where he had stood. He brought his sword down in a diagonal cut, splitting its skull.
Another spat acid.
Zael twisted his body, letting the stream pass inches from his shoulder, and rushed forward, plunging his blade into its mouth.
Two more came together.
He backed into a pillar, using the stone to limit their angles of attack.
One lunged.
He blocked, sparks flying, then drove his knee into its chest and stabbed upward.
The second tried to retreat.
Zael threw his sword.
The blade pierced its spine.
He retrieved it without haste.
Another surge of EXP.
Level Up.
His breathing steadied even as power coiled through him again.
Outside, the screens showed Seraphina already clearing her chamber with effortless movements. Shadows consumed her enemies in silence.
Tyron blurred between monsters, lightning snapping like whips.
Cheers rose.
Selvig crushed beasts beneath armored fists, laughing.
Zael's screen was quieter.
More methodical.
"He's still crawling forward."
"He won't last long."
"Why does he even bother?"
The dungeon deepened.
The floor cracked open and stone constructs rose — golems with glowing cores embedded in their chests.
One slammed a fist down.
Zael sprinted sideways as the impact shattered the floor.
Dust filled the air.
Another golem charged.
Zael slid between its legs, slashing at its joint. The stone limb crumbled.
The golem stumbled.
He leapt, driving his sword into the glowing core.
It collapsed.
The second one swung both arms.
Zael raised his blade and deflected the strike just enough to redirect it into the wall. Stone exploded.
He darted forward and struck the same glowing weak point.
It fell.
EXP poured in.
Level Up.
His heartbeat quickened.
Level eight… already…
He slowed his pace deliberately after that.
His movements became more exaggerated. His breathing louder. He allowed minor grazes and near-misses to make it appear harder than it truly was.
Observers noticed.
"He's struggling now."
"Knew it wouldn't last."
"Look at Seraphina's screen instead."
The final chamber loomed.
A massive beast rose from the shadows — a horned armored monster with four legs and a clubbed tail. Its hide was layered with stone-like plates. Molten light glowed between the cracks.
It roared.
The sound shook the walls.
Zael raised his sword.
The creature charged.
Its head lowered, horns aimed at his chest.
Zael dove sideways as it thundered past, the wind of its passage ripping at his clothes. Its tail swung in a wide arc.
He blocked.
The force hurled him backward across the stone.
He slid to a stop, coughing.
The beast turned.
It slammed its forelimbs down, sending shards of rock flying.
Zael rolled again, narrowly avoiding the impact, and slashed at its hind leg. The blade bit deep.
The creature roared and kicked backward.
He jumped away, heart pounding.
It spat molten breath.
Zael sprinted, heat scorching past him, feeling sweat bead on his skin.
He circled, waiting.
When it lunged again, he ran straight at it.
At the last second, he slid beneath its body and stabbed upward into the glowing seam beneath its chest.
The monster screamed and collapsed.
Silence followed.
EXP surged violently.
Zael braced himself.
Power flowed into him again.
He exhaled slowly.
He did not celebrate.
He wiped blood from his blade and walked toward the exit portal.
Outside, the crowd reacted.
"Barely made it."
"That was ugly."
"He almost died."
"Still passed though…"
Seraphina and Tyron had finished long before.
Selvig stood among the successful students, armor dispersing back into light.
When Zael emerged, Selvig laughed softly.
"Still crawling along, Nightshade?"
His lackeys snickered.
Tyron stepped forward, eyes sharp.
"Enough."
Selvig shrugged.
"Enjoy the next segment while you can. You won't be so lucky forever."
Zael said nothing.
He kept his gaze lowered.
Inside, his heart was racing.
Level eight.
Already.
And no one knew.