Nora and Kim Yiseo stood upon a vast, frozen land of thick white, snowflakes falling gently from the pale blue sky up above. Mountains of jagged glaciers flanked their sides, like tidal waves that had been frozen, giving the scenery a cold and harsh look. It did not take long for both of them to wrap their arms around themselves, their chins rattling.
Merlin was not in the Dungeon with his sister and Kim Yiseo, but just by merely looking, it was almost like the cold had gotten across to him. Maybe it did, because, all of a sudden, he rubbed his arms. That was most likely the air conditioning, though.
However, that was hardly the brunt of his worries. It was how Nora and Kim Yiseo would cope. After all, they were not exactly on good terms. And he could see it on their faces. It was awkward between them, and that awkwardness was seeping out of the projection and onto the students watching. Some murmured, noticing that.
Can they just put their differences aside and work together for now? Merlin sighed. The probability of that happening seemed to be quite low, though.
He was pleasantly surprised in the next second, however. Because it seemed like they were going to be doing just that.
Kim Yiseo pointed in a direction diagonal to where she was standing. "It's there," she said, perhaps of the mind that something as menial as mana sensing should not be a big deal for Nora.
Nora nodded, proving Kim Yiseo correct. Merlin, on the other hand, almost facepalmed. While he had been so engrossed in working out, she had been studying, and that difference was showing between them.
"What's your plan?" Nora asked, obviously unsure of what was going through Kim Yiseo's mind. Perhaps, just like Merlin, she had been expecting Kim Yiseo to just proceed onwards on her own, still annoyed and all.
But, honestly, that would have been stupid. They were both Mages of a high Class, and they could both sense the mana concentration of a Dungeon's gate. What was the point in not teaming up when they would be heading in the same direction anyway? And, honestly, one could not hinder the other. They could only make themselves better.
Kim Yiseo glanced at Nora, not a single trace of animosity in her eyes.
"Team up, of course," she said. Nora raised a brow, surprised. "Trying to race each other to the gate will just hinder us and waste both our time. Joining hands, though, will help us get through whatever we face without worries. It's that simple."
Nora sighed.
His sister knew all that, Merlin could read it from her expression. She was just not exactly settled. Despite her always acting like she didn't care, she was not very good at dragging out squabbles or grudges. It would eat at her from the inside out, especially when she was always meeting up with that person.
Well, that was considering she was compatible with them in the first place. For instance, her roommate, Oh Jihye, would barely bother her.
"Alright," Nora agreed, blowing warm air from her mouth into her palms. "Let's do that."
Kim Yiseo nodded, checked her smartwatch, and moved. "We should get a headstart before the Dungeon starts reacting."
Very convenient, Merlin scoffed.
Such a way of thinking was only for those with high Mage Classes. People like him who couldn't sense concentrated mana could not get a headstart over the Dungeon. After all, he would have no idea where he was headed. He could only hope that his partner would be willing to team up. Considering the false notion that he was an A-Class Mage having been blown out of proportion, that would probably not be an issue.
"Hey," Nora called as she and Kim Yiseo advanced through the icy plains.
"Is there a problem?" Kim Yiseo replied.
Nora took in a deep breath and exhaled, puffs of thick air visible as she did. "I just wanted to apologize for what I said yesterday," she began. "Even though our way of thinking differs, and we'll probably never align on that, lashing out like that was not exactly the right move. My bad."
Merlin felt a wave of warmth wash over his body. It was like a burden had been lifted off his shoulders. He smiled.
Kim Yiseo did not reply for a few seconds. Then she said, "I apologize too. I was insensitive."
Nora clicked her tongue. "You could have said anything besides that, you know? Now what am I to say here?"
Kim Yiseo shrugged. "For starters, a 'thank you' would be nice. You never told me that for the luggage."
"Ugh…" Nora scowled. "Alright then. Thank you. Feel better now?"
Kim Yiseo nodded, a slight smile dancing on her lips. "Yes."
The mood in the simulation room was one of confusion. And they were right to feel that way. Because after having watched every other pair undertake their simulations, only fear for the pain the Dungeon could throw their way, and not to lose, could be the emotions the students were feeling. But they were watching two students chatting casually. And inside a freezing Dungeon to boot.
"They must be out of their minds," one said, unable to hide his thoughts anymore.
"I know Nora's an A-Class Mage, but what about Kim Yiseo? Does anyone know her Class?" a girl asked.
There was silence for a brief moment, then the answer came…
"S-Class," a girl said, her voice soft and capturing. Merlin turned in her direction. She had blonde hair and green eyes, and an expression of unwavering sobriety.
Her answer brought about gasps. And then disbeliefs.
"You can't be serious," one said. "She's an S-Class? I thought she would be at most an A-Class. We have an S-Class in our year?!"
"What were you expecting?" the girl with blonde hair and green eyes said. "She's the daughter of the Consortium Guildmaster, who is an S-Class Mage. You shouldn't be surprised."
"H-How would you even know her class?" Another was still in denial. "You sure you're not just spouting some bullshit?"
"I'm her roommate," the girl answered simply, putting an end to any other wave of disbelief coming her way. "Now, focus. The Dungeon will start attacking at any moment."
Merlin glanced at the girl's arm, the emblem of Cohort Spearhead was affixed to her shoulder. That gave some credit to her claim.
As for the rest, he couldn't say exactly if it was despair or envy, but their expressions became a lot more tense. If he was to guess, though, he would say it was the former. Everyone here wanted to graduate at the top of the class, that would bolster their chances of being scouted by a top Guild. But now they had an S-Class Mage in their set. And even worse was that she was the daughter of the Consortium Guildmaster. Which meant that the top spot was as good as gone. And this was assuming that there were no more S-Classes. Merlin doubted, though. The only one who had caught his eye was the president's grandson. But the boy would probably be an A-Class Mage at most.
Merlin sighed and turned back to the projection before him. If it wasn't for the System, he would be wearing the same looks as they did. The fact that he could get a lot stronger was really a lifeline for his mental health. He couldn't wait until he had a bit of free time so he could continue on his path. He had even missed out on his morning workouts because of the assessment.
Nora and Kim Yiseo had their timer over their heads now, the countdown having begun. And the Dungeon wasted no time getting into action.
The ground rumbled, disrupting Nora and Kim Yiseo's balance, forcing them to seek stability by leaning on the glacier close to them.
"An earthquake," Nora deduced. She clenched her chin. "How are we to run with an earthquake on this sort of seismic level?"
"We have no choice but to do it," replied Kim Yiseo. "But I don't think it's going to stop at just the shaking. It's going to get worse, isn't it?"
Kim Yiseo's words were a jinx, because the ground immediately started to sink into itself. Nora's head jerked back slightly, her expression tightening.
"Well, there you have it," she said. "It's gotten worse."
Kim Yiseo clicked her tongue, turned around, and yelled, "Run!"
"Easier to say than done!" Nora replied, but moved her legs either way.
They both fought against the pressure of the ground vibrating erratically, threatening to send them to their knees. And they made sure to steer clear of the glaciers all around them now. They were breaking and falling down, after all. If a single one made contact with them, they were done for.
Each Mage had physical attributes better than the average human of their weight class, so it was no surprise that Nora and Kim Yiseo managed to push through their plight. That was, until they were stopped by countless twirling gusts of wind in their path.
"Tornadoes," Kim Yiseo said, her eyebrows drawn together.
They had been put in the worst possible situation, coming to a halt. And the longer they remained standing, the harder it would be for them to get back the running speed they had had prior. The air was freezing, their muscles would be aching—they should never have stopped until they had gotten to their destination.
But it was hardly their fault. They had to think of a way to get through the tornadoes in their path.
Merlin tried to come up with a few ideas, but his head was blank. In the process, his eyes widened. Nora had grabbed Kim Yiseo by the wrist, startling her and the audience, and bolting towards the tornadoes.
"What are you doing?!" Kim Yiseo yelled as they got closer and closer.
"Save your breath and just keep running!" replied Nora.
"We're heading straight for them, can't you see?! We can't get past. They're everywhere."
"Yes, we can!" Nora shouted. "I'm an Air Mage! Of course I can get past my own Hex!"
Kim Yiseo's expression slackened. She remained silent, regained her composure, and put strength into her legs once again.
Merlin was surprised at his sister's statement, but he was not confused. If it was impossible, she would not have said what she'd said. In other words, during her Spell studying, she had found a way to bypass the ferocity of air in itself.
How, though?
He recalled the Spell she had used to fly during their battle with the troll, taking into account that it probably used the same concept as a tornado. The problem was that she did not have her Grimoire, so how was she going to get past?
"What's the plan?!" Kim Yiseo blurted Merlin's mind. "You have one, don't you?"
"Reverse!" Nora replied. "We run in the reverse of its rotation!"
"The reverse of its rotation?" Kim Yiseo was confused. "What's the concept behind this?"
"Do you have the time for that now? Meet me later and I'll tell you. For now…" They got to the countless tornadoes. "Just run in the reverse of its spins."
Kim Yiseo visibly halted for half a moment in the face of the bustling winds. Nora didn't. And she proved her theory correct as she bolted into the first tornado in her path, ran anticlockwisely and came out on the other side unscathed, jumping into the next. Kim Yiseo joined in when she saw that. And she too was not hindered by the tornado in any way.
"What sort of coursemates do I have?" a boy chuckled artificially, a palm over his face. "Every single one is out of their mind. How did she think of that?"
Merlin was equally bamboozled by his sister's wit, and, most of all, drive. After all, she had never put her theory into practice before, which meant that failure was a possibility. And, yet, she had jumped in with no hesitation. He was not a quick thinker like she was, so he knew that if it had been him in that situation, his physical assessment would probably have come to an end then and there.
There was no point in being despondent though. All he knew was that he was not going to fail, no matter what it took.
However, Nora and Kim Yiseo were not yet out of danger. The earthquake was closing in on them, and they were stopped in their tracks once again, this time by a frozen lake. But at the end of it was a lone ancient door standing.
The gate.
Seemingly to save what stamina they had left, Nora and Kim Yiseo said nothing, only nodding at themselves and proceeding onto the frozen lake. Walking was impossible in their situation, so they ran, in hopes that they could get to the door before the lake was broken down completely by the approaching earthquake.
They were only halfway onto the lake when cracks spread out all around them like spider webs. The earthquake mixed in with the water and caused the chaos of what seemed to be a mild tsunami.
Nora and Kim Yiseo glanced back for a second and clicked their tongues in rhythm. There was still a way to go before the door and the rising tsunami was causing the rest of the ice that served as a foothold for them to break apart quicker. At the rate they were going, they wouldn't make it.
Merlin's heart pounded erratically. No matter how many physical assessments he watched, his anxiety at the prospect of one failing or winning never ceased. And this time it was his sister's. He desperately wished that she could hear him, so he could cheer her on, give her some strength. But that was impossible. So he only watched.
The silence between Nora and Kim Yiseo was impossible to keep, considering how quickly the tsunami was gaining on them. Kim Yiseo broke it, her breaths every bit as heavy as Nora's, sweat all over their faces despite the cold.
"We should swim!" she advised.
"Huh?! Are you out of your mind?" Nora complained, still running. "I thought you were smarter than this?!"
"Huh?!" Kim Yiseo pushed on, she seemed to be significantly out of breath now. "What are you talking about?! We'll be caught at this rate! And, at least, if we're under water, the effect of the tsunami won't be as bad as it catching us on land."
"Nothing good will come out of swimming!" Nora replied. "It's tougher to swim in a frozen lake than ru-ru-runni—" She was so occupied with running that her explanation caught in her throat. "Just keep running! We're almost there!"
"Ah! I hate this!!" Kim Yiseo grumbled.
Merlin wouldn't lie. He too hadn't known that swimming in a frozen lake was tougher than running across it, but he was a special case. He'd not expected Kim Yiseo to be ignorant of something Nora knew. He'd supposed that she too would have scored in the top percentile the same as his sister. Was that not the case? He shook that thought out of his head and focused on the present. It was not like that was any of his business either way.
The lone ancient door, and the way out of the Dungeon, was no longer far from Nora and Kim Yiseo's reach now. But so was the tsunami. Their legs had just moved an inch from their foothold of ice when it shattered into countless pieces.
"Piss off!" Nora swore, her expression crumpling. She realized that their running wouldn't cut it anymore. "Jump!" she shouted.
And not giving Kim Yiseo a second to settle herself and grasp the instruction she had been given, Nora grabbed the girl's hand and dived. Where they had been standing met the same fate as the rest of the ice behind them. But because of that, they had put a bit of space between themselves and the tsunami.
Up to their feet in an instant, they dashed through what was left of the distance now, pale and exhausted. And then they were at the lone door. It was large and looked heavy. They were meant to push it open using their strengths, it seemed.
But they're exhausted… Merlin pressed his lips into a fine line. However, it seemed like he was the only one worried. Because, Nora and Kim Yiseo simply took one door each, nodded at themselves, and pushed with what was left of their energy.
"Push!!" They both shouted in unison as the tsunami now loomed above them, and their land of ice shook and cracked fiercely.
The door creaked open—too slow. It was only halfway open when Nora and Kim Yiseo couldn't wait any longer. They squeezed through the narrow gap they had been able to create, vanishing just as the tsunami came crashing down.
The timer froze. They had spent twenty minutes. It was the fastest yet.
"Nora Tyrrell of Cohort Dragon Eye and Kim Yiseo of Cohort Spearhead, ten Cohort points and five academic points each," Professor Jung announced when the two young ladies made their way out of the test room, visibly exhausted out of their minds.
Nora could only spare Merlin a glance and a brief grin as she took her time getting to her seat.
She had done really well. Everyone close to him had. And that was making his shoulders heavy. There was no room for failure now, was there?
Merlin lowered his head, his focus completely fixed on his palms, so much so that he didn't notice the projection had finished its shuffling.
"Kim Minji of Cohort Dragon Eye…"
Kim Minji? It's her turn now? Merlin looked in her direction, watching as she rose to her feet in an instant, a slight nervous look on her face. He sighed. There was no need for her to look like that. She would be fine as long as she teamed up with her partner. Well, that was supposing they were capable. But it was good to have a positive mindset, regardless.
She suddenly turned his way and smiled. Merlin's heart almost jumped out of his throat.
Huh?
"...And Merlin Tyrrell of Cohort Spearhead. Both of you, make your way down."
Eh? Merlin's stomach churned and his breathing accelerated. He must not have heard clearly, he thought. But when he turned his head towards the platform and the projection, there was no mistake about it. His face was there. It was his turn.