Dungeon Hunting wasn’t exactly a new concept for students of the academy.
With people coming from all sorts of backgrounds—nobles, rcenaries, adventurers, commoners—dungeons were one of the few things everyone could relate to.
They were dangerous, unpredictable, and, for better or worse, familiar.
That’s why the idea of clearing one didn’t exactly rattle most students, even the new arrivals.
For the freshn, it might still hold so novelty, but for everyone else, it was just another part of academy life.
On the wide, open training field at the edge of the academy grounds, students from the combat departnt gathered in a loose, buzzing crowd.
Armor clinked, weapons glead, and the air was thick with a mix of nerves and excitent.
First-years shuffled uneasily, while second- and third-years stood casually, chatting with friends or adjusting their gear.
A sharp clap echoed, and Principal Leilah stepped forward.
The woman had a presence that cut through the chatter without effort.
"Today, all of you will go forth into a pit of impending death—where your survival skills will be tested and evaluated."
Gasps rippled through the freshn, a few paling visibly. The upperclassn didn’t so much as flinch.
After all, death was part of the academy experience. If you excluded the occasional internal scandals—or the far bloodier external ones—it was practically routine.
"You will be given one month to complete your assigned dungeon raid," Leilah continued. "Upon completion, you are required to submit a detailed report of your expedition. This is not optional."
Her eyes swept over the crowd, lingering just long enough to make the newer students stiffen.
"Your only restriction is that you may only party with those permitted by the current roster. No outside help. No unsanctioned alliances. The rest... is up to you."
The rules weren’t new. Just like the last sester’s raid, it was simple: clear a dungeon, complete your report.
Higher-ranked dungeons ant more points, but the final evaluation was based not just on success—it was on how you succeeded.
And, in true academy fashion, everyone knew that flashy results often earned more than quiet efficiency.
Which ant, of course, that so were here to survive... and others to perform.
"The dungeon hunt is sponsored by the academy," Principal Leilah continued, her voice carrying easily over the restless crowd.
"This sponsorship covers accommodations, a set monetary allowance for each participant, and transportation fees—should you decide to pursue dungeons abroad. But..." Her tone dipped, sharp enough to cut through the murmurs. "...whatever happens inside the dungeon stays within the dungeon. The academy will bear no responsibility for any lives lost. So, for those of you hesitating—this is your only chance to leave~"
It was a tempting offer on the surface—free lodging, free supplies, even travel expenses—but such generous benefits only served to highlight the unspoken truth: the dangers were real, and the risks were absolute.
For many students, this wasn’t just another exam. It was a gamble with life itself.
The disparity was glaring, especially for the first-years.
While the seniors had already survived past hunts and were accustod to the chaos of dungeon expeditions, most freshn had never set foot in such a place.
The gap in skill, experience, and sheer survival instinct was undeniable.
To balance the scales—at least partially—the academy had made special provisions.
Each five-person party from the first-years could request one senior to join them as a "guardian," tasked with providing ergency aid should things spiral beyond control.
Of course, such guardianship required the senior’s consent as they too would also be evaluated by such duties.
And among the upper years, there were nas that carried weight—figures whispered about in both admiration and fear.
—KWANNNG!!!
—SWISSHHHH!!
The sound of steel slicing through the air echoed across the training field.
"You really didn’t need to do anything, senior..." a younger student muttered, staring at the remains of the beast now lying in two neat halves on the ground.
"Haha, sorry about that," ca the calm, almost casual reply. "Instincts just kicked in, you see."
One such particular was Lucas.
Slowly, he slid his blade back into its sheath, the faint shhhk sound mingling with the hush that followed.
His golden eyes caught the light for a mont.
Stacia, standing just a few steps from Lucas, let her gaze linger on him for a brief mont—eyes narrowing slightly in curiosity—before deciding to turn away.
—FOOOSHHH!!!
A surge of erald light blood at her side, the air rippling with raw magic.
The glow condensed, coiling into razor-sharp forms before launching forward in a rapid volley.
[Sacred Elven Art]
[Seeded Grace]
—FOOOSSHH!
The sky seed to split as dozens of thorn-shaped arrows rained down, slicing cleanly through the horde ahead.
The victims were no re pests—towering Ember Felis, cat-like beasts that grew over four ters in their juvenile stage, and a terrifying six when fully matured.
Flas licked and rolled over their sinewy fras, their roars mingling with the crackle of burning air.
In the wake of the spell, their bodies crumpled like felled statues, steam hissing from charred wounds.
Vanessa, standing at the center of the destruction, gave her wand a light, almost elegant twirl before lowering it.
Her sharp eyes softened as she turned to the small, almost fragile-looking girl at her side.
"Are you alright, Emmy?" she asked, her voice warm but alert.
"I–I’m fine, really. Hehe~" Emilia let out a nervous laugh, still clutching her staff like it was a lifeline. "I just... I can’t believe all those little ones were actually dangerous creatures..."
"Hah, guess our innocent chick is finally opening her eyes to the real world," Flam said, smirking as she reached over to tug Emilia’s cheeks rcilessly. "You even made us kill their mother. Don’t you feel at least a little sorry, you family murderer?"
"I—I’m s-shooshorryy! They l-looked so cu—"
Emilia’s muffled protest was cut short as a sharp slap knocked Flam’s hand away from her face.
"Stop being so rude to your friends," Reina said flatly, stepping in without hesitation. Her gaze fell back to Emilia. "Are you alright, Emmy?"
"R–Reina!" Emilia gasped as if she’d just been rescued from a burning building, eyes sparkling with over-the-top gratitude.
"Tsk. This foolish girl’s always interrupting my fun," Flam muttered, crossing her arms with an exaggerated sigh. "Why did I even agree to join this team..."
"You can leave anyti you know," Reina replied coolly.
"Nah," Flam smirked. "That’s too boring. I need you in my life for entertainnt~"
Reina shot her a deadpan, mildly annoyed look. Whether that was ant as a complint or an insult... she honestly wasn’t sure anymore.
Stacia. Vanessa. Emilia. Flam. Reina.
Five girls. One party.
Four of them stood at the absolute peak of their respective academy departnts—each a prodigy in their own field.
And when those kinds of talents ca together, there were only a handful of dungeons in the world they could legally take on without being pulled out for "reckless endangernt."
One such dungeon lay deep within Flaxes Forest.
A freshly manifested labyrinth.
[Rank: SSS.]
[Danger Level: Catastrophic.]
Its designation alone was enough to make most adventurers blanch.
The Flaxes Forest Dungeon’s danger rating ant that few outside the academy’s elite could even apply for clearance.
Even the entrance floor—just the first step inside—was already swarming with A-rank beasts, each deadly enough to warrant its own hunting party under normal circumstances.
But that wasn’t the only problem.
This was a newborn dungeon—untouched, uncharted—which ant its internal balance was still unstable.
A dungeon like this could be far deadlier than a well-established one, its monsters unusually aggressive, its mana density overwhelming.
The mortality rate for such a place... often surpassed that of certain infamous mythical creatures in the outside world.
According to the scouts’ best estimates, the Flaxes Forest Dungeon contained ten sprawling floors before reaching the final boss chamber—each floor more punishing than the last.
Yet here they were.
"I... I’m so sorry, everyone, for being such a hassle..."
Emilia mumbled, her voice barely audible over the forest breeze.
Her eyes were cast down, fingers curling nervously around the edge of her cloak.
"It’s fine. Don’t worry about it, Emilia," Vanessa said gently, placing a steadying hand on her shoulder. "Besides... we ca here because you asked us to."
"V–Vanny! I love you so much!" Emilia blurted, suddenly throwing her arms around Vanessa.
Her hood shifted as she moved, and for a mont, the soft curve of her ears—slightly pointed—peeked out from beneath the fabric, marking her as at least part elf.
Now, it was a fair question: how could a non-combat departnt student like Emilia end up here, of all places?
The answer was simple... and mildly terrifying.
The academy allowed certain students outside the combat track to gain field experience by joining official dungeon hunts.
Of course, the process ca with strict clearances, a considerable entry fee, and a mountain of legal disclairs.
The policies were blunt: you went in at your own risk.
The academy was not responsible for injuries, trauma, or—most notably—death.
For most, it was a gamble not worth taking.
For Emilia, it was necessary.
The goddess had warned her of sothing inside.
And she could not leave for others to deal with. Even if the risk was hers alone, even if her presence here was reckless... she had to be part of this.
"Everyone," Lucas’s voice broke the montary stillness, "how about we camp here for a bit? We still have plenty of ti before the evaluation period ends."
He approached the group, his steps light but sure, glancing briefly toward Emilia as he spoke. She glanced back—just a fleeting exchange, nothing more—yet unnoticed by the rest.
The others agreed easily to his suggestion.
The group began moving toward an open clearing, still littered with the faint scorch marks and charred earth from their battle with the Ember Felis.
The heavy sll of singed fur still clung to the air.
"Do you need help, Princess Stacia—" Lucas stepped forward, hands half-extended toward her.
Stacia, however, rely shook her head. "It’s fine," she said, her tone composed as ever.
She stepped past him, her movents precise despite the uneven terrain.
The thorny, rock-strewn ground seed almost to bend to her will as she tapped her cane lightly, using it to balance her graceful stride.
In monts, she was seated with the others, her poise unbroken.
"Are you sure you’re alright, Stacia?" Emilia asked, concern tightening her voice. "I can... try to heal you, if you want."
The question drew Stacia’s gaze, and for a mont, Emilia could see the faint strain hidden beneath her composure.
"It’s alright," Stacia replied quietly. "I just have mana-related problems. Other than that, I’m still ... so there’s no need for your concern."
"O-Okay..." Emilia murmured, lowering her head, her hands tightening slightly in her lap.
"But..." Stacia’s tone softened, "I do appreciate your concern, Emilia."
The words seed to ease sothing inside Emilia.
Her expression brightened—not by much, but enough for her relief to show.
Stacia turned her gaze away then, her crimson eyes glinting faintly in the shifting light.
Up ahead, beyond the cliffside that marked the dungeon’s next descent, the area was faintly illuminated by so unseen glow.
Her eyes caught on a distant figure perched high above, half-shrouded in shadow.
Her breath stilled.
A mask.
’...A masked monster?’
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