The academy dormitory was quiet. Most students were asleep, exhausted from the festival's chaos. Lucien, however, sat cross-legged on his bed, blue flames dancing lazily over his fingertips.
"Alright… tonight, we go big," he muttered, eyes glinting. "C-Rank hidden dungeon. Solo trial. First treasures—partially attuned dragon core. Let's see how much I can squeeze out of this."
🗝️ DISCOVERY OF THE C-RANK HIDDEN DUNGEON
Lucien recalled his future memory. There was a hidden dungeon buried under the western cliffs of the academy grounds, known only in whispers among previous generations.
Lucien muttered,
"And according to my notes… this one? Supposed to be Kael's trial."
He smirked.
"Too bad I'm faster. Timing matters in this world, my friends."
He approached the cliffside entrance, running his hand over the runes on the moss-covered door. His blue flames flared softly, illuminating faint carvings that only responded to advanced elemental manipulation.
SYSTEM NOTICE:
Hidden Dungeon Detected
Rank: C
Floors: 3 (increasing difficulty, traps, and mini-boss)
Monsters: Low to moderate elemental guardians, traps, puzzles
Treasure: Supposedly assigned to Kael (High Probability)
Special Rule: Solo completion recommended; future knowledge enhances efficiency
Lucien's grin widened.
"Perfect… I'm claiming what was meant for Kael. Sorry, bro. You snooze, you lose."
FLOOR 1 — ELEMENTAL TRAPS
The first floor was narrow, filled with elemental traps and minor magical constructs. Pressure plates triggered mana bursts, and a few runes would explode in small fire bursts if stepped on incorrectly.
Lucien raised his palms, blue flames spiraling over the traps.
SYSTEM NOTICE:
Dragon Core Partial Attunement Active
Blue Flame Affinity Bonus: +5% control
Hidden Rune Scroll Observation: +5% pattern recognition
He moved carefully, tracing the rune sequences with the scroll's guidance. His flames hovered above pressure plates, neutralizing their triggers.
Lucien whispered to himself:
"Step lightly, control your output… almost like dodging patterns in a game boss fight. Efficiency is key."
By the time he reached the exit, the first floor was cleared flawlessly, without triggering a single trap.
FLOOR 2 — MINI-BOSS: ELEMENTAL WISP GUARDIAN
The second floor opened into a cavern filled with swirling elemental wisp guardians. They were stronger than the D-Rank wisps, faster, and coordinated.
Lucien smirked, splitting his blue flames into two focused streams, one controlling temperature and the other controlling shape.
Bond System Active (Self-Bonding Multiplication):
Talent ×1.3, Affinity ×1.3, Physique ×1.3, Bloodline ×1.3
He recalled from his memory which patterns the wisps would follow. Using precise bursts, he avoided full confrontation, guiding them into elemental traps he set with blue flames, neutralizing them with minimal mana expenditure.
Lucien muttered,
"This is too easy… for anyone without my future memory. I'd say Kael would've panicked here."
The wisps dissipated, leaving a faint glow on a pedestal. Lucien leaned forward and smiled.
SYSTEM NOTICE:
Mini-Boss Defeated
Treasure Detected: Core Enhancement Node
Hidden Rune Scroll Observation: +10%
He grabbed the node, feeling the dragon core pulse more vividly. Its energy resonated with his blue flames, subtly enhancing control and efficiency.
FLOOR 3 — TREASURE PUZZLE
The final floor was a small chamber lined with intricate rune patterns. At its center lay a crystalline chest, pulsating with mana.
Lucien's eyes gleamed.
"Ah… the big prize. And from what I remember… this was the one Kael was supposed to get."
He chuckled.
"Better claim it first. Timing matters more than honor in trials."
Following the scroll's guidance, he traced the runes with his blue flames, neutralizing traps and unlocking the chest. Inside:
Mythical Treasure: Azure Core Dragon Heart Node (further enhances elemental affinity, partially attuned)
Skill Scroll: Runes of Arcanum Mastery (unlockable at A-Rank)
Minor Artifact: Dragon Flame Pendant (+5% elemental output in solo trials)
Lucien grinned.
"Jackpot. Kael, this was meant for you, but hey… first come, first served."
SYSTEM NOTICE:
Hidden Dungeon Cleared: E-Rank
Affinity Enhanced: Fire (Blue Flame Control +3%)
Dragon Core Partial Attunement: +10%
Skill Scroll Readiness: Observing, unlockable at A-Rank
Bond Multiplication Bonus Applied
SOLO STRATEGIC REFLECTION
Lucien sat cross-legged in the chamber, watching the dragon core pulse in his hand.
Dragon heart node attuned, skill scroll memorized, future knowledge leveraged… bonds will multiply this when I team up, but solo efficiency ensures I dominate first.
He laughed softly.
"Kael, you snooze, you lose… but don't worry. You'll thank me later when I pull you through the dungeons with this advantage."
Lucien's blue flames flickered like a living aura, reflecting in the crystal chest.
"And this… is just the start. Next, A-Rank dungeon, and maybe… a real challenge."
MINOR VILLAIN OBSERVATION
From afar, a rival noble student watched the cliff where Lucien entered the dungeon.
"So he's already claiming treasures meant for others… clever. But we'll see how long he can keep that luck."
The minor villain's expression was unreadable, but their intent was clear: Lucien's moves were being monitored