Emerald School was the undisputed premier academy of the Solion Kingdom. That didn't mean every student who enrolled was a genius, of course. Still, they were all talented enough to at least earn the label of "gifted."
The lower the talent, the higher the status. In the kingdom, high status didn't just mean full bellies and fine clothes. It meant someday wielding the power to decide life and death with a pointed finger. Their parents were power brokers, mighty mages, renowned scholars, priests, or warriors.
These exceptional children entered Emerald School. Under brilliant professors, they studied. In just one year, they learned much and changed greatly. By the third year, the atmosphere shifted. The misfits and posers had long been weeded out. Emerald School's curriculum wasn't just desk work. There was practical "training" too—and the third-years ahead had all survived it.
First off, they were older. In their growth spurts, each had shot up at least a head taller. The first-years looked tense, while the third-years oozed confidence. Some smiled lazily, others whispered and giggled.
"That tall guy there. Son of the Platinum Knights' captain."
Nemi Laiters whispered. The boy she pointed at with her pen towered a full head above the rest. His broad chest and massive build could pass for an adult's.
"Next to him, that girl with the narrowed eyes. Yeah, the one with her hair slicked back. Her mom's the famous Thorn Witch."
Not all first-years were tense. Nemi buzzed with excitement as she gossiped. Lania Grayrim, listening, stayed mostly calm.
"How do you know all this?"
"This? Basic intel for an aspiring reporter."
Nemi's father, Baumet Laiters, was called a "soul-selling gossip hound," but his daughter clearly idolized him.
But more famous than knights' sons or witches' daughters stood among the third-years: the Second Prince, Leon Adenes Solion.
No need to ask Nemi who he was. He was obvious. Not especially tall, but his looks drew the eye. Striking blond hair like the sun itself. Unlike Amaen's creamy locks, it shimmered with a healthy orange sheen—exactly like the current king's.
His sharp nose, long lashes hiding his thoughts, firm lips hinting at resolve. Gold buttons marked his royal blood, a red cape draped his shoulders. The cape stood out, but suited him perfectly.
"The prince. Leon. The Golden Prince."
Too boyish for "Golden Prince." Maybe two years older than Philly. Far more composed than the neurotic Philly, third-years seemed to guard him.
Nemi jotted her first impression: Confident, handsome. Already dominates third-years? Investigate.
She glanced at her first-year classmates. She couldn't help smirking. The contrast was ridiculous. No third-year had even spoken, yet most looked terrified. Vex and the others. Only Lania, Kal Rayman, and Amaen stayed cool. Especially the Third Prince—his face was priceless.
Nemi reviewed her notes on Philly: Bad temper, cowardly, rodent-nervous? Severe dark circles. Not insightful, but spot-on. Treasonous if seen by others. She added: Terrified of Second Prince.
The princes' bad blood was infamous. But Philly's glance screamed fear. He peeked sideways, then whipped his head away when Leon looked. Pure dread.
Leon smirked faintly. Nemi thrilled. This is gold! Reporter dreams confirmed—gossip on celebs.
"That's overreach."
"Overreach? First-year lecture doesn't bar Instant Dungeons."
"Higher years have priority by custom."
"Custom I've never heard of."
Professors raised voices. The Instant Dungeon was one of Emerald School's mysteries. A cave led underground, ringed by a 1,000-year-old gold-and-tile magic circle. It turned the cave into a dungeon—mimicking real ones perfectly, not just traps or mazes.
Mages from the Magic Tower analyzed it: ancient magic beyond replication. It reset biweekly, once fully random. Now adjustable for difficulty. Casualty rates dropped from dozens to single digits yearly. Thus, educational use began.
"We have the Second Prince..."
"You keep mentioning princes."
Obern Grimoire said coldly.
"We have a prince too. As professor, I must teach my students what they need."
Obern wouldn't back down.
"I applied before term. Use it next class. Fair enough?"
But seeing cold Obern growl back, first-years felt secure. Especially Philly. Leon outranked him, but Obern ignored it.
"Prince."
Nemi whispered to Philly.
"W-what?"
"That professor's no pushover."
The young third-year advisor facing Obern. About Obern's age. Thick glasses, flustered—harmless.
"Damon Richmond. Magic Tower genius. More famous than Obern."
"...Not curious."
"Hehe."
Damon removed his glasses. Bookish vibe sharpened instantly.
"Rookie overstepping."
"Rookie status the issue?"
"Never used an Instant Dungeon."
He drew a forearm-length wand, swung. The circle glowed, absorbing mana. Ancient runes floated.
"You applied yourself. Can you even read the algorithm?"
Glasses off meant business—matching Obern's aura.
"Young, but ancient tongue mastery required for Instant Dungeons."
Obern didn't reply. Drew his staff—crystal snake cane. Pointed at circle.
"Decipher spell? Won't..."
"Year 400. My settings."
"What?"
"150 hectares. Traps implemented."
Reading the circle's tweaks. How?
"Our requests mixed."
"...You knew beforehand?"
"Does it seem so?"
"..."
Students missed details, but Obern's brilliance shone. Damon stunned.
"Our prof's awesome!"
Nemi yelled. Kal, Vex gawked.
"Clap..."
Philly's outburst shocked even Nemi.
"Clap!"
Claps swelled—zawk-zawk, zawkzawkzawk—mostly reluctant. Amaen, Nemi enthusiastic.
Damon, third-years dumbfounded. Damon asked Leon:
"All right?"
"Amusing, Professor."
He deferred to Leon.
"Join us?"
"Join?"
"Both requests mixed in. Why not?"
"Merciful wisdom. But will they...?"
"I'll ask."
Leon approached Obern.
"Professor."
"..."
Leon faltered at silence, pressed on.
"Awkward, but Father taught mercy princely virtue."
"..."
"Proposal: share the Instant Dungeon."
Mercy from his view. His followers clapped.
Obern should bow gratefully. But as he dipped—stopped. Glanced at staff, hesitated.
"Haa."
A deep sigh.
"Worse than Philly."
Leon blinked. Compared to Philly?
"Prince Leon Adenes Solion. You're a student, not professor. Students decide teaching?"
Obern's chill words gut-punched.
"Overstep ends. Fetch your professor."
"..."
Icy silence. Third-years, Damon agape.
"Puhahaha!"
Philly burst laughing behind. Leon flushed crimson.
⚡ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚡A royal publicly supports the connection target.
Substantial dignity acquired.
Philly, you're my disciple now.
The moment Philly yelled "Clap!", I was profoundly moved. Serve Amaen to the death, revere your master as father.
⚡ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚡Connection target publicly corrects royal's error.
Masses admire the impartial justice.
Substantial dignity acquired.
Amazing discovery. Philly's unprincely, but a "royal." Public support netted extra dignity.
Pellelian's take: 'Bastard's loyalty and knight's differ in worth.'
Philly's royal backing was huge, like or not.
Not just that from royals. Leon was slick, unlike wilted-cabbage Philly. I disliked pretty, bright boys—but bypassing prof for "mercy"? No goodwill.
Rebuking him:
This dignity buildup lets me amp other crown skills.
Obern sweated coldly, stern-faced.
'Haa, stomach hurts.'
'Why!'
'Stress...'
'Cabbage juice'll fix it.'
Pack some next time. We compromised: share the Instant Dungeon. Fine—curious how Leon fares.
-Snake.
Pellelian called then.
'Yes?'
-Genius idea struck. Though...
True genius, unlike fake Obern.
'What idea?'
-Finish before Instant Dungeon completes. Check circle close.
Didn't get it, but sent Obern. He clutched stomach again, obeyed.
Staff to circle per Pellelian:
-Principle: mimics real dungeons' structure, mechanisms. Can't copy contents, but...
'Then...'
-Tweak circle to copy my dungeon.
Possible?!
But: 'So what?'
Mimic structure fine, but no perfect contents. Worth it?
-One of mine has special trap. Instant Dungeons implement most traps, but...
'What trap...'
-Monster Summoning Circle. Coordinates Great Forest, summons dangers to repel intruders. Tune right, hundreds swarm.
'Uh...'
-Chaos. Princes as hostages, lead monsters to palace. Secure king amid turmoil—game over.
Sudden villainy startled. Forgot: Pellelian's a villain.
-Enjoyed playtime? 'Yeeeah...'
-Then go! This kingdom in your coils!
Tempting, honestly.
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