The hallway to the Headmaster's Office was long and heavily warded with layers of defensive magic. Students rarely came this far unless they were in trouble.
Luther walked it with the ease of someone who'd done it more times than anyone suspected.
He reached the door, knocked once.
> "Enter," came the deep, commanding voice from within.
Luther stepped in.
---
The office of Krav Laboly was a curious balance of scholar and warrior: maps pinned across walls, ancient tomes on polished wood shelves, a heavy broadsword mounted beside a reinforced staff. Krav himself sat behind the desk, casually sipping tea from a chipped mug that read:
"#1 Grandpa, #1 Threat."
The man looked like he could crush a troll with a bear hug.
Nearly 1.90 meters tall, wide as a wardrobe, and built more like a warlord than the archmage he was.
His long white hair was tied in a loose braid, and despite being close to 70, he barely looked over 40 — a benefit of rank, mana, and sheer force of will.
"Luther," he said without looking up, "what did you break this time?"
"Nothing important," Luther replied with a smirk.
Krav raised an eyebrow. "Did Luna hit you again?"
"Almost. That forehead vein nearly slapped me unconscious."
Krav chuckled. "That's how I know she likes you."
---
🔥 Down to Business
Luther stepped forward, dropping his playful tone.
"I need something."
"Already? It's been one day."
"A dungeon trip. E– rank. Class 1A. Controlled environment."
Krav's smile faded. "Let me guess. Not for experience."
Luther's voice dropped.
> "He's here."
Krav sat straighter, the humor in his eyes gone.
"You're sure?"
"I felt it during the exam. Same foul pressure as that day. I want him alone. In a dungeon."
Krav crossed the room and opened a thick drawer, pulling out a scroll sealed in red wax. He handed it to Luther.
"This one's sealed from a previous clear. You know how these work."
---
📜 Dungeon Scroll Mechanics
Luther unrolled a corner and read the glowing runes.
"When a dungeon's final boss is slain," Krav explained, "its core collapses, sealing the entire space into a scroll. That scroll stores everything — layout, monster profiles, even terrain."
"You can reactivate it," Luther added, "by fusing mana into it at the exact spot it was originally cleared."
"Exactly. Same monsters, same setup. Excellent for training—or traps."
"This one's E– rank?"
"Yes. Mostly goblins, with a few goblin mages—weak casters. Fire, illusions, basic shields. The boss is a 2.5-meter troll, brute-type, armed with a spiked club. Stupid, but hard to kill."
Luther rolled the scroll and tucked it into his cloak.
"Perfect."
---
Krav studied his grandson quietly.
"No fatalities."
"There won't be."
"You're careful with others," Krav said, "but not with yourself."
Luther's voice was calm. "I'll handle it."
"And when you find him?"
"I'll take him apart. Slowly. Until he begs to tell me who sent him."
Krav shook his head. "You're still not over that?"
"You know why I can't be."
---
🧠 The Bond Beneath the Blade
Krav sighed and sat back in his chair.
"You're obsessed with a ghost."
"No," Luther said. "I'm obsessed with finishing what I started."
"You say that like it's not terrifying."
"It is. That's why I'm smiling."
---
As Luther turned to leave, Krav called after him.
"Tell Luna she has my blessing."
"She knows already."
"No, she thinks she does. Tell her again. Properly."
Luther smirked. "You sure? You said I only bring you trouble."
"And she balances that out. She might actually keep you alive long enough for me to retire."
"You? Retire?" Luther scoffed. "You'd die of boredom in a week."
Krav snorted. "I've earned it, brat. When I was your age—"
"You fought a demon army, built a tower, slept with a High Elf. Yes, yes. You've told me."
"Make it fifty-one times. That elf had legs—"
"Goodnight, old man."
"Don't call me old—!"
The door shut behind Luther before he could finish.
---
As the echo faded, Krav looked at the photo on his desk — a baby wrapped in bloodstained cloth, left crying at the academy gates 18 years ago.
He exhaled.
> "Whoever sent you here…
they weren't saving this world.
They were preparing it."