Forest near Astralis Arcanum,

The academy servant stepped forward, his voice carrying firmly across the gathered students.

"Students, this right here is the entrance to the dungeon." He gestured toward the wooden door set into the roots of an enormous, ancient tree. Its frame seemed to grow directly out of the trunk, the bark around it carved with glowing, unfamiliar runes that pulsed faintly like a heartbeat.

"This dungeon is classified as an E-rank dungeon. Your task is simple—you will explore it, conquer it, and return with proof of your efforts. You must face the creatures within, claim their remains as evidence, and ultimately slay the dungeon boss."

The servant's eyes scanned the group, lingering a moment on the youngest, most nervous-looking students.

"But remember," he continued, "unlike the survival trial some of you faced during the entrance exam, this expedition is different. It is not about testing how long you alone can endure—it is about teamwork. Once inside, the four classes will be sent to random locations throughout the dungeon. You will need to fend for yourselves, secure food and resources, and fight not as individuals, but as teams. That is your true trial."

Murmurs spread quickly through the students. Some wore expressions of excitement, others anxiety. The weight of the task was settling in.

Jax turned to Ron, eyes shining with determination.

"Let's do our best—and show them the results of our training."

Ron gave a confident grin, clapping Jax's shoulder.

"Yeah… we'll prove ourselves in there."

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Zane stood casually in front of Class Caelis, his hands tucked loosely into his coat pockets, his expression calm but sharp as always.

"Well," he said, his tone light, "even the weakest of you have managed to reach basic mastery of the technique I taught. That's more than enough to make the others stare. So go—show them what you're capable of."

His gaze swept the line of students, and then, almost lazily, he began offering small, precise corrections.

"Ben—don't tighten your sword grip too much. You'll lose fluidity."

The boy stiffened and nodded firmly.

"Natasha—move as much as possible during battle. Don't stay in one place when casting. A mage who plants their feet is a mage who dies first."

The girl swallowed but nodded, determination flickering in her eyes.

Then his gaze shifted to Maera, softer but no less piercing.

"I know you're struggling with the technique. That's because you're trying to force it to match others. Put your style into it—your will. Let it breathe, and you'll be surprised by what happens."

Maera's lips pressed together, but she dipped her head. "Yes, Professor."

Zane's eyes cut to Jax next. "And you—don't get cocky. Never judge an opponent by appearances. You'll regret it if you do."

Finally, he turned to Lia.

"Your strength lies in speed. Don't waste it. Collect as much momentum as you can—layer it into your attacks. That's how you'll break through defenses."

Then his eyes settled on Ron. His smirk tugged faintly upward.

"Do your best, kid. Show them what I taught you."

Ron smiled and straightened. "Yes, Professor."

But then—

—Listen, Ron.

Ron froze for a heartbeat as the voice echoed directly in his mind. His eyes widened, but Zane's voice came again, calm and commanding.

Don't look surprised. Don't let it show on your face.

Ron forced his expression to remain steady. "What is it, Professor?" he asked silently in his thoughts.

I don't know why, but I have a feeling this expedition won't go as smoothly as it should. Something is off. I can't pinpoint it, but… something will happen.

Ron's brows furrowed slightly. What do you mean?

Check your pocket, Zane instructed.

Ron's hand brushed casually into his robe, and his fingers brushed against something small and metallic—a strange switch-like device he'd never seen before.

"What is this…?" he whispered.

That switch will help. No one else can see it. If you encounter an anomaly—something you can't handle—press it, and the problem will vanish.

Ron's jaw tightened. Understood, Professor.

Zane's smirk widened slightly, the corner of his lip tugging higher as his gaze locked with Ron's.

But don't get any ideas. You can't use it on opponents in the expedition. Only if you face something that doesn't belong there. Something… unnatural.

Ron gave the faintest of grins despite himself. Don't tease me, Professor. You know I'd never cheat. But… I'll follow your orders.

Zane gave a small nod of approval, his smirk fading into calm neutrality again as though nothing had passed between them.

The guard standing beside the tall wooden door stepped forward, pulling it open with a heavy creak. Instead of a normal passage, the frame shimmered—within it churned a swirl of deep blue energy, rippling like liquid light.

A murmur spread through the gathered students. Those who had never seen a dungeon before instinctively tensed, nervousness creeping into their expressions. Even the bolder ones shifted uneasily. The nobles, however, stood straighter, their chins raised. They had experienced dungeon portals before, yet seeing one bound into the shape of a doorway—so deliberate, so controlled—still unsettled them.

Different or not, a dungeon was still a dungeon.

"Form ranks!" one of the instructors barked.

The students obeyed, lining up class by class.

First stepped Class Solis, their members vanishing one by one into the glowing vortex. Then followed Class Lunaris, then Class Arboris. Finally, it was the turn of Class Caelis.

As they approached, Ron lingered at the rear of the line. Before stepping through, he turned his head toward Zane. His face carried a firm, serious expression, eyes locking with his teacher's.

Zane, just as composed, returned the nod with equal gravity. Neither spoke a word, but the silent exchange carried the weight of unspoken understanding. Ron then turned and disappeared into the swirling blue.

The last of the students gone, four uniformed academy servants advanced toward the door. Their equipment gleamed—not showy, but reliable. Before entering, one spoke clearly:

"We will be entering the dungeon as well. Our duty is to protect the students should danger exceed their limits."

Zane tilted his head, feigning curiosity.

"Hey, Varris," he asked in a half-casual tone. "Won't these guys make the dungeon difficult if they go in? Strong guys make difficulty high —stuff like that?"

Beside him, Varris's expression hardened. His deep voice rumbled with certainty.

"Weak… they are." He paused, eyes narrowing. "But experienced. That's why increase difficulty, they won't ."

Zane let out an exaggerated "Ohhh," dragging the sound as though unconvinced.

But inwardly, his thoughts were far sharper.

Heh. My performance wasn't half bad back there. That whole serious nodding act in front of Ron—perfectly convincing. He probably thinks I'm sensing some great threat.

Well… something is going to happen anyway.

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Zane folded his arms, eyes still fixed on the portal as the last servant stepped through. "Anyway…" he muttered casually, "let's take a look at the other professors' stats."

A faint hum buzzed from his technowatch, and then Eira's voice slipped into his ears, slow and almost playful.

—Now it's my time to shine.

Zane smirked. "Scanning, huh? Where's the beep then—"

A faint flicker passed through his lenses, followed by a tiny beep.

—Scanning…

Beep…

Three translucent windows appeared in front of his vision, each glowing faintly with scrolling data.

[Varris Denholm]

Race: Barbarian

Battle Power: 4740 (suppressed)

Full Battle Power: 9750

Zane raised a brow, unimpressed. "Hmm. Quite high," he murmured, though his tone carried no weight of seriousness.

The display shifted, revealing the second profile. A stern-faced woman with sleek black hair cut in a sharp bob, a sword strapped across her back.

[Iralyn Ashwyn]

Race: Human

Battle Power: 3189 (suppressed)

Full Battle Power: 7170

Zane tilted his head. "Hmm… alright," he muttered under his breath, his tone flat as if judging a dish he found neither good nor bad.

Finally, the third window unfolded, showing the blonde-haired, blue-eyed elf woman standing calmly nearby. Her aura was measured, steady, elegant.

[Mira Elesyn]

Race: Half-Elf

Battle Power: 3209 (suppressed)

Full Battle Power: 7159

Zane blinked, lips quirking into a faint smile. "Her name is Mira, too…?" he whispered.

The name lingered in his mind. He recalled another—Mira Sorenhal, the magic-tech professor Lucen had introduced alongside Varris. A coincidence, maybe. Or maybe not. Who cares..

Lia's chest tightened the instant her body passed through the swirling blue veil. A faint chill ran across her skin, like plunging into cold water, before her vision warped and shifted.

When her eyes blinked open, the world had changed.

Moist air clung to her lungs, thick with the smell of earth and damp moss. Dripping echoed faintly in the distance, and all around her stretched rough-hewn grey stone, jagged walls slick with condensation. The dim glow of faintly luminescent moss lit the dungeon's cavernous passage, giving it an eerie, dreamlike shimmer.

A sudden tap on her shoulder made her flinch. She turned quickly, only to find Ron standing behind her, his usual easy grin softened into something gentler.

"You alright?" he asked.

Lia exhaled slowly, steadying herself. "Yeah… I didn't think it would be like this." Her gaze swept the cave-like walls again. "A stone cavern dungeon… it feels different than I imagined."

Ron shrugged, looking around with the same hint of surprise. "Neither did I."

For a moment, the two of them shared the strange stillness of the dungeon, the only sound being the faint drip of water somewhere deeper inside.

Then Lia straightened, brushing a strand of brown hair back behind her ear. "Anyway… let's go."

Together, they walked forward, their steps splashing faintly against the damp floor. Just a few paces later, the shapes of their classmates came into view. The rest of Class Caelis had spawned nearby, gathering together and checking their surroundings. Relief flickered across Lia's face as she quickened her pace, Ron matching her stride.

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