The dungeon entrance spawns almost half the academy allocated land , here the students of the Astria Magic Academy compete against one another in combat academia. The top ranks given to those who complete dungeons within the shortest frame.
"Among the 1st years , i heard you rank first." Said Leon appraising me
"Eric not only ranks first but he also ranks highly in theorum. My butler is a multifaceted genius just like myself and he does the Dukedom proud."
"Mistress, you know that I sorely lack in magic practicals . I'm ranked last in all magic related subjects."
"Oh would you shut up Eric, humble and handsome what more could a girl ask for." Misty playfully nudges at my arm
"That aside , it is rare for Leon to leave the 3rd year class." Said the Prince
"Hmm, isn't it obvious he came to scout a rival or two. Alfonso you better watch closely , i'll beat your gloomy behind one day."
"Gil, i didn't come for you Musclehead , don't you know your place."
"Oh i'll show you my place!."
"Gil stop!." Said Joshua
Gil swings at Alfonso , as he casually flicks his wrist
Shadow tendrils appear apprehending Gil and taking him to the ground.
"Ahem." He says
"Let me go! "
"As i was saying, I'll be your 3rd year supervising authority. The name's Leon D'Alfonso."
"Oh and I'm Micah, just Micah master gloomy uh I mean Master Alfonso best friend and retainer."
"Friend?, i don't recall myself befriending you Micah."
"Don't be a spoil sport , you're embarassing me infront of Alice."
"Was your friend always like that Alice?." Asks Misty
"No, he's changed alot. He seems more well put together now.
I envy him for that."
Alice looks into the distance bitter silence soon follows. For Alice to feel like this, has to be my fault by this part of the story. She'd be competing with Aida for the prince affection, and I snagged it all away starting from the wrym incident last month and now I have caught the attention of yet another love interest.
"Ahem, i now see the reason why you chose yourself to supervise novices like us. Should we commence the dungeon raid?."
The two third years argued over the friendship failing to notice Aida approach.
"That was my plan from the start, Micah stop wasting time and proceed with the instructions."
"Aye sir."
Micah gives out pamphlet sheets that details our objectives and team placement
Leon reads out the selected teams
"Gil and Misty."
"*sigh* out of everyone it had to be her."
"There there, beautiful little me will console you."
"Aida and Joshua."
"I-I'm not with Eric."
"I'm sorry but you'll have to do with me Aida."
"Alice and Eric."
"Looks like we're a team again Alice, lets do our best."
"Likewise Mr.Eric , I'll do my best not to hold you back!."
-The Gates-
We proceed to our designated dungeons as Leon and Micah watch from a distance.
Holographic monitors appear from a flick of their finger powered by the computrized bracelets , it is said only second and third years are allowed to access such technology, and by the second act I get one of those sick gadgets!.
"Your objective is simple reach the dungeons core and defeat the boss, should you require assistance I will teleport to your location."
Teleportation magic , a dungeon exclusive spell used to evacuate and exit dungeons through a platform called a circle, those circles served as save checkpoints/resting area back in the game.
'I wonder if they serve the same purpose here.' I think to myself as we enter the dungeons entrance
The dungeon asigned to Alice and myself resembles a forest , the kind I grew up in however the miasma here is weaker than that of the neutral forest.
"How nostalgic."
Alice speaking cuts my train of thoughts.
I turn to her and find her giving me a melancholic look.
What could be the reason, for her to give an expression like that.
"Is something wrong Alice?." I voice my concern
"It's nothing to worry about Mr. Eric."
"If you feel unwell , just tell me the test means nothing to me compared to a friends wellbeing."
"Friends?, is this what we are Mr. Eric?."
"What else is there, we're the best of friends Alice."
"H-haha ofcourse we are." She laughs
We abruptly end the conversation short , whilst treading in the dungeon we come by a wide array of creatures.
Animals , yet not quiet so. They are monsters resembling the animals in the world of this game.
It didn't take long for the welcoming committee to ambush us, three monsters bunny like features except their protruding fangs categorizes them as anything but friendly.
"Bunny Demons!." A hostile breed of mana fed bunnies , their thirst of blood and flesh caused their transformation into this ghastly shape.
I don't have to use my chromata skills to dispatch of them
Unsheathing my sword , I prepare to attack when suddenly arrows of light fly out from Alice.
"Alice?."
She learned an offensive spell!, a healer of all people. The game changed trajectory the moment that I let this Eric become a part of the story.
I let myself get distracted when a creature jumped from behind.
"Mr.Eric!."
Alice warning had the cogs in my mind run again.
The creature attempt was met with a side step and a thrust of my sword, i sigh as the creature wails in pain before dissipating and gather the crystal it dropped.
"Thank you , for the save Alice. I would've been done for had it not been for you."
"It's the least I could do Mr.Eric , I want to get stronger after all."
"Stronger, is something the matter Alice?."
"No it's nothing don't pay mind to what I say." So she says dismissing me with a self deprecating smile.
Deep down I know she's hiding her true feelings, after all as a background character I did the unspeakable by stealing her limelight
The Saint successor should never be sidelined , yet I've taken two events from her as consequences of my actions.
Joshua doesn't see her as a love interest, neither does Gil, nor Leon , nor Russel and even Killian.
As a Dark arts user, Leon was supposed to hate Alice. He looks at her like he'd look at any other student from the looks of it.
'Tch'
I cling my tongue in frustration as I snap out of my trance.
I did this for Aida, so she'd never suffer humiliation so she'd never be led a path of regret so she'd never have what's hers stolen just like the me back then and his legs....
I begin moving curtly while pushing my thoughts aside
"Lets go ahead, and Alice..." "be careful."
"Yes." Says Alice smiling
The path up ahead leads to a crossroad splitting itself into two
The first path would lead us to the treasure and the boss chamber faster but heading there would be a hurdle as the mob of monsters in the area are especially powerful
The second path would lead us to the treasure/boss chaber albeit the path would drag along with the weaker mob of monsters the latter forming no threat.
"What do you think Alice, should we take the easy long path or the difficult short path?."
"How do you know the way Mr Eric?." Alice looks confused
"Uhhh, i have a sensory gift."
Gifts are a natural ability unrelated to mana , each individual possess a secret passive skill privy to them and them all.
By the way Eric's is .... a secret.
"Lets go ahead with the shorter path." She says with certainty
"But the short path is dangerous and traitorous, the monsters would be too much for you to handle."
"Do not coddle me Mr. Eric I choose what I choose and you've asked now it's your decision." She says returning a defiant gaze at me , powerful I might add for the timid girl.
We head further in turning right toward the short path
The dungeon wasted no time in throwing every monster it could conjure to block our path
Shadow wolves
Fire bats
Bicorns
A two headed chimera (looks familiar)
I unsheath my sword
"Lets stay in formation Alice."
"Yes Mr. Eric i will provide cover from the rear! "
She marks her targets and unleashes a plethora of spells , letting them off debuffs
And let's out buff spells
I can feel my strength quadruple!
"I could get used to this, thanks Alice."
"I didn't do much Mr. Eric." She says resuming focus
I give her a thumbs up as I leap into the frey.
Meanwhile
An individual trails behind... one I ķnew would be coming
To be continued...