The afternoon sunlight filtered through the academy grounds, casting a golden glow over the bustling students. Avince stood with his group, listening to their lively chatter. Josh, as always, was the loudest, his booming voice punctuating the conversations with hearty laughter.

“So then I told him,” Josh said, slapping his knee, “if you’re gonna challenge me to a sparring match, at least make sure your sword isn’t made of cheap mana alloy!” He roared with laughter, and even Greene couldn’t suppress a smirk.

Camille rolled her eyes, adjusting her glasses. “You know, Josh, not everyone can afford to toss money at equipment like you.”

Josh grinned, unabashed. “What can I say? Quality is key. Besides, I earned it fair and square.”

Rick leaned against a nearby post, his daggers glinting faintly in the sunlight. “By fair and square, you mean you took extra shifts at the forge and skipped half your study sessions.”

“Details,” Josh said with a shrug, drawing more chuckles from the group.

Avince chuckled softly but remained more reserved, his thoughts drifting toward the upcoming dungeon run. He glanced around at his teammates, sensing both excitement and nervous energy. “Anyone have any guesses about who our guide will be?” he asked, attempting to steer the conversation.

“Hopefully someone who doesn’t think they’re above teaching us,” Camille muttered. “I heard some guides spent more time bragging than giving actual advice.”

Josh flexed his arms with exaggerated confidence. “Doesn’t matter who they send. We’ve got this.”

Before anyone could respond, a tall figure approached, immediately drawing their attention. The man’s sharp, angular face and piercing steel-gray eyes gave him an air of authority. His loose tunic and katana strapped to his side hinted at a seasoned warrior.

The group fell silent as he stopped before them. “I’m Kai,” he said, his tone firm yet composed. “Your fourth-year guide. I’ll be overseeing your dungeon practice today.”

Avince’s gaze lingered on the katana. A relic of an era before the Integration, he thought, recognizing the craftsmanship. Kai’s presence radiated tradition and discipline, and Avince couldn’t help but wonder where he had trained. Deciding to confirm his suspicions, he asked, “Kai... are you associated with Kenshi-ryu?”

The faintest trace of a smirk tugged at Kai’s lips. “You’ve heard of us?”

Josh frowned, crossing his arms. “What’s Kenshi-ryu?”

Avince glanced at Josh, then back to Kai. “It’s a dojo, right? Specializes in traditional swordsmanship. It’s famous for its harsh training methods and high dropout rate.”

“Correct,” Kai said, his steel-gray eyes flicking between the group. “Kenshi-ryu originated in Zaroya, an island nation not far from here. The country has a rich martial tradition, and Kenshi-ryu is one of its oldest schools. The name means ‘swordsman school’ in one of the pre-Alliance languages. Our main branch remains in Zaroya, but branches have opened in neighboring countries, including this one.”

Josh raised an eyebrow. “So... what makes it so famous?”

Kai’s smirk widened slightly. “Our leader—the Shogun—is rumored to be a combatant possibly beyond S-rank. Each branch leader is also an S-class fighter. While our training is open to anyone willing to learn, advancing through the ranks demands exceptional dedication and talent. Most people quit before they master the basics.”

Josh whistled low. “Impressive. And you’re from this dojo?”

Kai’s smirk faded into a more serious expression. “I am. My father leads the branch in this country.”

The group exchanged surprised glances. Being the son of an S-class branch leader was no small thing. Avince couldn’t help but wonder just how skilled Kai was.

Josh, however, was undeterred. “Alright, sword guy, let’s see if you can keep up with us.” He grinned, earning an exasperated look from Camille.

Kai’s expression didn’t change, but there was a subtle glint of amusement in his eyes. “We’ll see.”

He then gestured toward the transport station. “Enough talk. The bus is waiting.”

The group followed Kai to the academy's transport station, where a sleek, black school bus waited. The interior was surprisingly spacious, with seats arranged to give each team their own section for strategy discussions. It took a few minutes for everyone to settle, but once the bus started moving, Avince found himself relaxing slightly.

The drive was smooth, the roads leading to the dungeon surprisingly well-maintained. Outside the windows, lush forests gradually gave way to rocky terrain, signaling their approach to the mountain range.

Kai remained silent for most of the journey, seemingly lost in thought. However, when the mountains came into view, he turned to the group.

"That entire range is a dungeon," he said, gesturing toward the jagged peaks looming in the distance.

The group’s eyes widened. Even Avince, who had read extensively about dungeons, was taken aback by the sheer scale.

"This isn’t just any naturally formed dungeon," Kai continued. "It’s a Mega Dungeon, one that’s been discovered and heavily modified by the academy for training purposes. While it still retains its natural origins, some parts of it have been changed to test you—progressive enemies, environmental challenges, and even the layout itself have been adjusted to push your limits. Your objective is to go as far as possible before I step in."

The group exchanged excited yet nervous glances as the bus pulled into a large clearing at the mountain’s base.

The group disembarked and followed Kai to one of the dungeon’s entrances, a massive stone archway adorned with intricate carvings that had faded with time. Crumbling stone pillars and vines choking the ruins gave the area an eerie atmosphere. Flickering torches lined the dim corridor leading inside.

The moment they stepped through the archway, a chill ran down Avince’s spine. The air was colder, heavier, and carried a faint smell of decay.

"This area is called the Abandoned Ruins," Kai explained. "You’ll face low-level undead and minor traps. Keep your wits about you."

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The group nodded, falling into formation. Josh took the lead, with Avince and Rick in the middle and Camille and Greene at the rear. Avince adjusted the amulet around his neck, feeling the faint hum of mana coursing through it. The mithril ring on his finger shimmered faintly, enhancing his casting speed, a subtle yet invaluable aid in combat.

They proceeded cautiously into the dungeon, their footsteps echoing against the crumbling stone walls.

It wasn’t long before they encountered their first enemies: skeletal soldiers armed with rusty swords and shields. The low-level undead shambled toward them with slow, jerky movements, their bones rattling with each step.

Josh was the first to engage, his warhammer glowing faintly with mana as he charged forward. With a single swing, he shattered two skeletons, their bones scattering across the floor.

"Too easy," he muttered, grinning.

“Show-off,” Camille muttered, raising a shimmering barrier to block a volley of arrows from skeletal archers. The arrows clattered harmlessly against the glowing shield.

"Let’s keep moving," she then said, reinforcing the barrier as the team advanced.

Avince held back, observing the battlefield as they pressed on. When another group of enemies emerged, he began casting a basic mana pulse, aiming to disorient the skeletons nearest Camille. However, as he channeled his mana, the pulse surged with unexpected intensity. Instead of merely interrupting the skeletons, the pulse struck with enough force to send them stumbling back several paces, their bony frames rattling from the impact.

Avince blinked in surprise, momentarily taken aback by the sheer strength of his attack. Why was it so strong? he wondered, the question lingering in his mind. He only intended to flinch the enemy momentarily with the amount of mana he channeled with that pulse. Could it be the waterfall training from last week? The thought tugged at him, but this wasn't the time to dwell on it.

The momentary opening gave Camille and Rick the perfect opportunity to charge in, swiftly finishing the skeletons off. Greene’s vines snaked across the floor, wrapping around the legs of several skeletons and crushing them with a flex of her hand. Meanwhile, Rick darted between shadows, his daggers making quick work of the archers.

The group navigated the labyrinthine ruins, battling small clusters of skeletons and avoiding traps. Rick’s sharp eyes spotted pressure plates and tripwires, allowing the team to bypass most of the hazards. Josh’s earth manipulation ability proved invaluable in creating safe paths and fortifying unstable sections of the floor.

After less than an hour, they entered a large chamber with faded murals depicting ancient battles. In the center of the room stood a towering skeleton, clad in rusted armor and wielding a massive greatsword.

"A Skeleton Knight," Kai called from the doorway, his voice carrying over the echoing chamber. "Middle E-rank. Let’s see how you handle it."

The knight let out an otherworldly roar, its hollow eye sockets glowing with a malevolent red light, and charged forward, its massive greatsword dragging sparks across the stone floor. The oppressive aura it emitted was enough to make the group tense, but they quickly moved into formation.

Josh was the first to react, stepping forward and slamming his warhammer into the ground. A jagged wall of stone erupted between the knight and the group, but the skeletal warrior swung its greatsword with unrelenting force, almost shattering the barrier.

"Guess it’s not your average bones," Josh muttered, gripping his warhammer tightly as he braced himself for the next attack.

Greene was quick to follow, summoning thick, writhing roots from the ground. They coiled around the knight’s legs, forcing it to a halt. The creature snarled in frustration, hacking at the roots with its sword, but Greene’s plants regrew just as quickly as they were cut.

“Keep it tied down!” Josh shouted as he charged, swinging his warhammer in a wide arc. The weapon struck the knight’s side with a resounding crack, sending bone fragments flying.

Avince, standing toward the back of the group, raised his hands and focused. He gathered a small amount of mana and channeled it. A small ball of fire erupted from his palm, hurtling toward the skeletal knight. The flames engulfed the creature, and to Avince’s surprise, the fire burned far hotter than he had intended. The skeleton stumbled back, its armor glowing red-hot as cracks formed in its scorched bones. It let out a guttural roar, its movements now sluggish and uncoordinated from the searing damage.

Avince’s eyes widened in shock. That wasn’t supposed to happen. He had only meant to distract the knight, not overwhelm it with such force.

Before the skeleton could recover, Rick, ever the opportunist, darted through the shadows. He reappeared behind the knight and struck with precision, driving his dagger into the back of its exposed spine. The knight staggered but swung wildly with its greatsword, forcing Rick to retreat.

“Watch it! This thing’s still dangerous,” Camille called out as she extended her hand. A translucent, glowing barrier materialized around Josh, protecting him from the knight’s retaliatory swings. The sword crashed against the barrier, sending sparks flying, but it held firm.

Avince quickly switched tactics, deciding to test his growing suspicion about his magic's newfound strength. He carefully channeled a small amount of mana, forming a crackling bolt of electricity in his hand. Let’s see how far this goes, he thought, narrowing his eyes at the skeletal knight. Aiming for precision, he hurled the bolt at the knight's sword.

The lightning struck, hitting the blade with a sharp crack and coursing through the metal. The electric surge jolted the knight's entire body, causing it to freeze mid-step. Its movements turned erratic and uncoordinated.

Avince’s heart raced. That small amount of mana shouldn’t have done this much damage. He frowned, realization dawning. My magic definitely got much stronger, but my control is terrible.. If I can’t manage weaker attacks, this could get dangerous.

"Nice one!" Camille said, capitalizing on the opportunity to trap the knight. She formed a glowing barrier that locked its torso in place, immobilizing it.

Josh roared as he swung his warhammer again, this time aiming for the knight’s legs. The strike landed with a thunderous impact, shattering one leg and causing the knight to collapse onto one knee.

Enraged, the skeleton swung its sword in a wide arc, breaking Camille’s barrier and forcing the group to scatter. Greene summoned a massive vine that lashed out like a whip, knocking the greatsword from the knight’s grasp.

Rick darted in again, driving his dagger deep into the knight’s exposed skull. The creature thrashed violently, but its movements were becoming sluggish.

Avince saw his chance. He called upon his mana again, this time summoning a sharp blade of wind. The gust sliced through the air and severed the knight’s remaining arm, leaving it defenseless.

Josh didn’t hesitate. With a mighty swing, he brought his warhammer down onto the knight’s skull, shattering it completely. The greatsword clattered to the ground as the rest of its body crumbled into a heap of bones.

Well,” Josh said, resting his warhammer on his shoulder, “that ain’t too hard isn’t it.”

The room fell silent, save for the light breathing of the group.

Rick sheathed his daggers, glancing at Avince. "That was some serious firepower you brought to the table. Didn’t think you had it in you."

Avince forced a smile, his mind still racing with questions on how to deal with his surging magic. “Guess I’m full of surprises,” he said, keeping his voice light to mask his unease.

Camille adjusted her glasses, a faint blush dusting her cheeks. “Your magic was a real surprise. That fireball and lightning bolt were... intense. But…” She hesitated, her brows furrowing in concern. “If you keep casting spells that powerful, won’t you risk running out of mana? You pushed yourself hard back there.”

Avince gave her a reassuring smile, trying to ease her worry. “I’ll be fine. I’ve got a decent mana pool, and I know my limits. I just need more practice, that’s all.”

Camille didn’t look entirely convinced, but decided to let the matter go.

As the team caught their breath, a glowing portal appeared in the center of the chamber.

"A checkpoint portal," Kai explained. "It’ll take you back to the surface. Some groups stop here if their guide deems them too weak."

Josh glanced at his teammates, then at the portal. "We’re going deeper," he said confidently.

Kai’s steel-gray eyes narrowed slightly, but he nodded. "Your call. Let’s see how far you can go."