Adam strapped on his leather armor and adjusted his dagger and pouch before going downstairs.
His mother, Sarah, was quietly eating lunch.
He approached the table and snatched a piece of bread and a couple of strips of jerky.
"Delicious!"
He savored the taste before glancing at his mom's somber expression and sighed helplessly.
"Come on, don't give me that face. You know it's not my first time going in."
"But it's still a dangerous place," Sarah said, looking worried. "I have a bad feeling today, Adam. Can't you please not go to the dungeon?"
"You know that I have to!" Adam averted his eyes and spoke firmly.
Sarah paused. "Is becoming a Magus that important to you… even if it means risking your life?"
"Of course!"
Adam didn't hesitate. Having been reborn in a magical world, who could resist the allure of learning supernatural abilities?
"You don't have to worry so much." He flexed his muscles. "I'm the strongest in our class, remember."
With a thought, mana swirled toward his palm, forming a purple ball of energy.
"No monster could resist this baby," Adam joked.
"Don't you dare fire that thing here and break the roof again." Despite her concern, she managed a smile.
"Come on, that was five years ago. I was just a beginner then."
"How about two years ago, when you broke the neighbor's window because someone thought his beam range wasn't long enough?"
Adam rubbed the back of his neck, unable to argue. "That was for research, Mom."
Sarah let out a soft huff. "Just be careful. Confidence is good, but don't let it turn into arrogance."
Adam nodded, his expression hardening. He would never underestimate the monsters.
'But one day, I'll stand at the peak, overlooking the world!' He thought.
The house felt warm and lively. They talked about island gossip and daily chores before being interrupted by a heavy knock rattling the front door.
"That's Evan," Adam said, not immediately standing up.
His mother tightened her grip on her cup. "Stay focused, and don't try to be the hero. Just come back to me, alright?"
Adam reached across the table and placed his hand over hers. "I'm the strongest, Mom. Remember?" He gave her hand a firm squeeze. "I'll be back for dinner."
She nodded slowly, finally loosening her grip on the cup. "You'd better be. I'm making your favorite."
Adam stood up and head to the door.
Evan was waiting on the porch, shifting his weight from foot to foot. "Adam, we should go now. It's time for the ceremony."
Adam rolled his eyes as they stepped onto the street. "Why call it a ceremony? We're just entering a dungeon to fight monsters. There's no need for such a solemn name."
Evan laughed, though his hands were slightly shaky. "Can't help it. I'm a little nervous. We are risking our lives after all."
In the residential district, neighbors stopped what they were doing to watch them pass with a lingering look in their eyes—the same look one gives to soldiers heading to the war.
'In a sense, they aren't wrong. If we don't dive into the dungeon, it will keep accumulating mana until the gate breaks and monsters pour out to attack the island. To these people, we're protectors and saviors.' Adam thought.
"I hate this part," Evan muttered. "It's like we're going to die."
"Just ignore them," Adam said briefly.
They soon reached the marketplace, where the atmosphere was different. Merchants leaned over their stalls, eyes scanning the teenagers for a quick profit.
"Half-off on sharpening stones!" one man shouted. "Don't go in with a dull blade, kids!"
"Young Magus! A copper for a lucky charm?" Another called out, dangling a carved bone. "Guaranteed to ward off Shadow-Cats!"
Adam didn't blink. He knew the bone was just a dog rib. "Save your tricks for the tourists, Gills."
The two left the area and headed toward the forest outside of town.
"At least you're not one of those cowards who refused to go," Adam said.
He truly couldn't understand those who stayed behind. Sure, the dungeon was dangerous and the death rate was high… alright, never mind.
But the rewards were worth the risk. Beyond the money, the Essence Cores would help them evolve into Magus.
"Speaking of cowards, I heard Teacher Mark was furious after John backed out," Evan said, his tone turning joyful. "He's been banned from receiving any more Essence Cores."
Evan didn't hide his dislike for John, who usually flaunted his father's wealth. Adam smiled but didn't comment. Having been reborn with a mature mind, he found John's behavior too childish to care about.
After walking for a while, they reached a wide clearing. Twelve other teenagers were already there, ranging from thirteen to nineteen years old.
They weren't from Rum Island; Teacher Mark had gathered them from nearby islands because they all had the potential to become Magus.
Adam didn't look at the others. His entire focus was on the swirling blue dungeon gate.
"It's strange. Behind something so beautiful are monsters ready to tear you apart. And we're willingly throwing ourselves in."
Dungeons were unique products of this world. According to Mark, the monsters inside were creatures from another dimension trying to break in. It was a Magus's job to hunt the monsters inside.
Of course, the Magus weren't doing this work for charity; they had their own motives.
"What's wrong, Winter? Getting cold feet, aren't you?!"
A sudden voice snapped him out of his thoughts. Adam sighed and looked aside. "There's no need for hostility this early, Liz."
A beautiful sixteen-year-old girl stood beside him. She wore leather armor and carried a bow and arrows.
Liz was from a nearby island and was one of the few who could keep up with Adam during training. Her competitive nature usually resulted in her glaring at him whenever he outperformed her.
"I'm not being hostile," Liz said, crossing her arms. "If you're scared like that fat guy John, how about you become my porter if we meet inside? I won't be stingy with the leftovers."
Adam chuckled, adjusting the daggers at his waist. "I appreciate the concern, but you'd better worry about your own aim. Don't want you hitting me in the back by mistake... yeah, that's exactly what I mean!"
He glanced at the hovering arrow, which was a few centimeters from his face.
"Go on, keep talking." Liz smirked with a raised, amused eyebrow.
"You sure want me to continue." Adam said flatly.
Liz glanced at his palm, where a purple mana missile pointed toward her.
"Tsk, boring." She clicked her tongue and withdrew the arrow back.
"After all these years, you're still childish."
Adam canceled the spell but couldn't help but envy Liz a little.
What was special about her was her gift: Target.
Gifts were rare abilities manifested in certain Magi. They allowed them to create unique skills and runes at a small cost.
The best way to recognize if someone had a Gift was the color of their mana. Mana was usually colorless, but if someone had colored mana, it meant they had a Gift.
Adam also had a Gift due to his purple-colored mana, but he had yet to awaken it because he hadn't absorbed enough Essence Cores, which made him envious.
Liz's eyes narrowed, but before she could snap back, Teacher Mark stepped toward the front of the group.
"Enough talk."
Teacher Mark stood near the gate. He was a tall man with a jagged scar running down his face. He checked a pocket watch and then looked at the teenagers.
"Listen up," Mark's voice cut through the nervous whispers. "The gate is stable now, so you can start diving in. Remember, you'll be sent to random locations once inside, so grouping now is useless. Check your equipment and make sure you're fully ready, as you would be staying there for four hours before being ejected."
"Even though this is just an E-rank dungeon, it's still dangerous for you. Act smart and don't attack groups of monsters."
Mark smiled. "Once you finish this dungeon, I'll tell you some great news. So make sure to come back alive, alright?"
Mark stepped aside and allowed his students to dive into the dungeon.
Adam adjusted the grip on his daggers, checked his pocket watch on his pouch, and looked at Evan, who had gone pale at the mention of being separated.
"See you on the other side. And be careful out there."
He turned to Liz. "You too. Don't turn this into a competition and get yourself killed."
Without waiting for a response, Adam stepped into the blue gate. His vision blurred, and the last thing he heard was Liz shout.
"Suck it, Winter!!"