Chapter 105: Dungeon Expedition begins

Astralis Arcanum,

Teacher’s residence,

The morning light spilled through the tall windows of Astralis Arcanum, painting faint golden lines across Zane’s room. He adjusted the cuffs of his shirt and straightened his grey overcoat with a calm expression.

“Today is the day of the dungeon expedition,” Zane murmured, his tone quiet but sharp, as though he were stating both a fact and a challenge.

From the laptop at his desk, a familiar beep sounded, followed by Eira’s voice. Her miniature holographic figure flickered into the air, arms folded with a mischievous grin.

“Let’s go, boss…” she said, excitement lacing her tone.

Zane gave a small nod, pushing open the door as his coat swayed behind him. His steps echoed through the stone halls of the academy, calm yet purposeful. Today, the stage was set—and his students would begin to walk the path he had prepared for them.

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The vast training ground of Astralis Arcanum buzzed with anticipation. Four groups of fresh students stood together for the first time since their arrival—Class Solis, Class Lunaris, Class Arboris, and finally Class Caelis, Zane’s own students. Each class clustered near their respective professors, tension and excitement written on their young faces.

At the front, a grand stage shimmered with faint enchantments. Upon it stood Vice-Chairman Lucen Merrith, his cold yet commanding presence drawing every eye. His cloak swayed in the morning breeze as he looked over the gathered first-years, his expression unreadable.

“Today,” Lucen began, his deep voice carrying across the plaza, “marks the completion of your first week in Astralis Arcanum. For that, I offer you my congratulations.”

A murmur ran through the students, pride mixing with nervous energy.

“In this week,” Lucen continued, “you have studied only under your class professors, learning their styles, their discipline, their expectations. But after today, your education will expand. You will study under all professors, each of you in different fields—magic, combat, artifacts, and more. From here, your real journey begins.”

His eyes narrowed slightly, a spark of intensity flashing in their icy depths.

“But today is no ordinary day. Today marks the beginning of something special. To bond all four classes—and to test your courage—we have prepared a training unlike any other.”

The plaza fell silent.

“Dungeon Expedition.”

His words rang out like a challenge.

“You will enter and explore an E-rank dungeon. It is dangerous, but not beyond your grasp. This will be your first true step as aspiring mages and warriors of Astralis Arcanum.”

The students shifted on their feet, some trembling, others clenching fists in excitement. Whispers spread quickly—a dungeon, already?

Zane stood calmly before his Class Caelis, hands loosely tucked in his coat pockets. His gaze drifted to the other professors standing at the head of their respective classes.

In front of Class Solis stood a striking human woman. She was tall, posture as sharp and disciplined as the blade at her hip. Her jet-black hair, cut into a sleek bob, framed her face perfectly, accentuating her piercing teal-blue eyes—eyes that missed nothing, eyes that radiated unwavering resolve. Her attire was a seamless blend of warrior and scholar: a tailored dark jacket with silver trim and the academy’s crest stitched proudly at the chest, fitted trousers, and polished high boots designed for swift, precise movement. She looked every bit the swordswoman-professor who would carve discipline into her students.

At the head of Class Lunaris stood a half-elf woman. Youthful in appearance yet carrying an aura of strict seriousness, her long blonde hair contrasted with the cool sharpness of her blue eyes. She was clad in layered mage’s robes of silver and deep blue, every fold enchanted to enhance both movement and defense. Though she said nothing, her mere presence exuded authority—an academic air that promised rigorous lessons and little tolerance for foolishness.

Then, before Class Arboris, Zane’s eyes narrowed slightly in recognition. The towering figure of Varris Denholm stood there, the same battle-hardened man Zane had spotted during the student entrance exams. Broad-shouldered, with a frame like a seasoned warrior, he exuded the raw physicality of someone who had lived through countless fights. His leather armor was reinforced with runic etchings, and a massive greatsword rested on his back as though it weighed nothing.

Zane’s lips curled faintly.

Oh, so he’s a class teacher for first year as well… interesting.

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In the orderly ranks of Class Solis, Arin stood with that practiced half-smile—the one that never reached his eyes. He watched the ceremony with a cold kind of eagerness. Today is the day I’ll kill Ron and finally be the protagonist, he thought, the thought sliding from his mind like a secret dagger.

A soft, teasing voice cut through his reverie. “What are you muttering, Arin?”

Celeste Azurecrest hovered at his elbow, sapphire-blue eyes wide with worry. Her brow creased; concern softened the delicate line of her mouth. “Are you nervous about the expedition?” she asked.

Arin turned, flashing the smile he used for polite company. “Nothing, Cel.” He tucked the darker intent away and said instead, light as air, “Just thinking about this dungeon expedition.”

Celeste nodded, still uneasy. “It’s strange they’re allowing us into a dungeon so early. When my sister was at the academy, nothing like this happened in her first year.” Her voice carried a hint of unease she tried to hide.

Arin’s mouth tilted into a smirk. “It must be fate, then.” His eyes glinted, laughing with easy warmth. The smile sharpened inward.

Fate’s giving me a chance, he thought, and I’ll take it.

Celeste watched Arin, puzzled. “What’s so funny?” she asked, trying to read him.

Arin only gave a smooth, casual shrug, the friendly mask slipping perfectly into place. “Oh, nothing. Just excited, I suppose.”

But underneath that practiced calm, something darker waited, patient and precise.

Lucen’s voice carried easily over the gathered students, calm but authoritative.

“Alright, students. The academy servants will now escort you to the dungeon.”

From the edges of the training grounds, four robed academy servants stepped forward. With a flick of their hands, artifacts activated—four wide, rune-carved platforms rose into the air, humming softly as glowing sigils spread across their surfaces. Each one hovered steadily at a comfortable height, large enough to carry an entire class.

“Please board the platforms,” one servant announced, bowing slightly.

The students murmured among themselves, excitement and nervousness mingling in their voices as they began to climb aboard. The platform for Class Solis glowed with faint silver light; Class Lunaris’s bore shimmering blue patterns like flowing water; Class Arboris’s runes resembled twisting vines; and Class Caelis’s platform glowed with a faint grey shimmer that pulsed in rhythm with the students’ footsteps.

Another servant approached, this one carrying a smaller crystalline artifact shaped like a disc. With a tap, four additional hovering seats unfurled—these were for the teachers. The servant bowed to each instructor respectfully.

“Professors, if you’ll follow me. These will bring you alongside your classes.”

Zane, standing with hands tucked in his coat pockets, gave a brief nod and stepped aboard his seat with casual ease. His eyes flicked once toward Ron and Lia, then swept over the other students—sharp, observant, measuring.

The four teachers took their places, the platforms humming louder now as they prepared for departure.

Lucen gave one final look across the gathered first years, his expression unreadable. “Remember, this is both a lesson and a test. Work with your classmates, protect each other, and learn. The dungeon will reveal more than you expect.”

With that, the platforms began to rise slowly into the sky, carrying the students and teachers toward the waiting dungeon.

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The platforms slowed as they descended, the hum of runes fading into silence. The forest near Astralis Arcanum stretched endlessly—towering trees with thick emerald canopies swayed gently, their roots weaving into the soil like ancient guardians.

At the center of a natural clearing stood a lone wooden door. Its frame was carved into the trunk of an impossibly old tree, the bark around it etched with glowing, unfamiliar runes. Two guards in grey armor stood on either side of the door, their halberds crossed in salute as the professors dismounted.

The students climbed down from the hovering platforms, their chatter falling quiet as their gazes fixed on the strange sight. A door—simple, unassuming—yet it radiated a pressure that made even the air feel heavier.

One boy from Class Arboris broke the silence.

“Professor… is that the dungeon?” His voice wavered with both awe and nerves.

Varris Denholm opened his eyes briefly, the sharpness in them betraying his calm tone. “Yes. This is the entrance.”

The boy swallowed hard, his earlier bravado shrinking away.

Zane, standing slightly apart with his hands tucked into his coat pockets, studied the door with narrowed eyes. He could feel the distortion around it, faint ripples in the fabric of space.

Hmm… he mused silently. So, this dungeon is like a pocket dimension. An isolated world tethered to ours.

The door pulsed once with faint light, as though acknowledging their arrival.

Varris stepped forward, his voice steady. “Students. This is where your training begins in earnest.”

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