The day had arrived—the day of the Dungeon Practice Run. After a grueling week of preparation, Avince stood at the edge of what felt like a significant milestone. This wasn’t just another classroom exercise or magic theory lecture; today was about practical application. Real enemies, real danger, albeit in a controlled environment. The weight of it all made him feel both excited and nervous.
He had spent the night mentally running through every piece of advice his professors had drilled into him. Sleep had been elusive, but when he finally managed a few hours of rest, his dreams were filled with flashes of monsters, traps, and mana flaring wildly in the chaos. Now, standing here, the anticipation was almost overwhelming.
Avince opened the school website on his phone one last time, confirming the details of his assignment. Under “Practice Dungeon Assignments,” he found his group code: A#14. A first-year group, assigned to Area A, group 14. Simple enough. He mentally noted the information before grabbing his gear: a practical reinforced leather jacket, the mithril ring with the rune he had painstakingly crafted in Professor Mira’s workshop, and the mana artifact Kartana had given him—the small, intricately carved pendant designed to help with the issue with his ability, but he thought that he might as well use it to enhance his mana regeneration while in the dungeon.
The journey to the auditorium was quiet, with only the faint rustling of leaves. As he arrived, the massive structure loomed before him, its high-tech exterior shimmering faintly in the light. The school had spared no expense in creating a space that could host large-scale events like these. Inside, the air buzzed with a mix of nerves and excitement.
The auditorium was vast, with five marked spots for each team and large, high-definition screens displaying group details. The screens flickered as new information updated in real-time, and the hum of mana-powered machinery added to the atmosphere. Avince quickly scanned the room and spotted the area marked "A#14," where four other students were already waiting. Taking a deep breath, he walked toward them.
As he approached, he recognized one of the students almost immediately. The towering figure turned, his broad shoulders and easy grin impossible to miss.
“Well, well, if it isn’t Avince Thane,” boomed a familiar voice.
Avince looked up to see Josh, built like a fortress, grinning at him. Josh clapped him on the back with a force that nearly knocked the air out of him.
“Josh,” Avince greeted with a chuckle, steadying himself. “You’re on my team?”
“You bet I am!” Josh’s hearty laugh filled the room. “Man, it’s been a while. I still remember the time you smacked me upside the head with your staff during that sparring match in high school!”
Avince smirked, remembering the incident vividly. “You didn’t leave me much of a choice. I told you I wasn’t going to hold back.”
Josh grinned, flexing his biceps dramatically. His strength-enhancing ability made his already-muscular frame look even more intimidating. “And you’ll pay for that one day. Just you wait.”
Their easy banter broke the initial tension, and the rest of the team began introducing themselves.
Rick stepped forward first. He was short and lean, his movements exuding confidence. His sharp eyes glimmered with mischief, and there was an undeniable swagger in his posture.
“Hey, Avince,” Rick said casually, giving a lopsided grin. “I hear you’ve got some skills with magic. Hope you’re ready to put them to the test in the dungeon.”
Avince raised an eyebrow. “I could say the same to you.”
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Rick chuckled, leaning slightly forward. “Scout, shadow magic,” he said, his voice low and smooth. “I can blend into shadows, slip through tight spots, and spot trouble before it spots us.” He gestured at the faint flicker of shadows curling around his feet despite the brightly lit room. “Think of me as the eyes and ears of the group.”
“How does your ability work if we’re out in the sun?” Avince asked, genuinely curious.
Rick shrugged. “Sunlight’s a pain, but I can manage if there’s even a sliver of cover. Just stick close to me, and you’ll stay out of trouble.”
Josh nudged Rick with a grin. “If you don’t run off and leave us behind, that is.”
Rick smirked. “Oh, come on, Josh. I wouldn’t abandon you—well, unless there’s an adult dragon in there. Then you’re on your own.”
The group chuckled, the tension easing further.
Next up was Camille, who carried herself with an air of calm authority. She smiled warmly as she addressed Avince.
“You’ve been making waves here, you know,” Camille said. “The professors are full of praise for you.”
Avince blinked, caught off guard. “Seriously? I thought I was flying under the radar.”
Camille laughed softly. “Not with the way you’ve been performing since you enrolled here. It’s not everyday you meet someone without an elemental ability excelling in magic. But enough about that—let me show you my ability.”
With a fluid motion, she raised her hand, and a shimmering barrier formed in front of her. It started as a translucent shield but quickly solidified into something opaque and glowing faintly.
“Barrier magic,” she explained, her tone steady. “My specialty is creating defensive structures that can withstand just about anything—magic, physical force, environmental damage. You name it.”
As she spoke, the barrier expanded into a dome, covering the group. A quick flick of her wrist sent a volley of projectiles crashing into the shield, which absorbed the impact with an almost imperceptible hum.
“Impressive,” Avince said, genuinely awed.
“Thanks,” Camille replied with a smile. “Defense is my forte, but I’ll be counting on the rest of you to handle offense.”
Finally, Greene stepped forward. She was quiet and reserved, her demeanor almost shy. Her striking appearance—subtly bark-textured skin and green-tinged hair—hinted at her connection to nature.
“I work with plants,” Greene said softly, her voice almost melodic. With a graceful wave of her hand, she summoned a cluster of vines that sprouted from the ground and danced around her fingers.
“Plant magic,” she continued. “I can create vines to restrain enemies and grow flowers with unique properties—healing, mana regeneration, sensory enhancement.” She plucked a small bloom from the air and held it out to Avince.
“Try this,” she said.
Avince accepted the flower and felt a warm, tingling sensation as he held it. His mana reserves, which had been slightly drained from his earlier preparations, began to replenish.
“That’s incredible,” he said, looking at her with newfound respect.
Greene smiled faintly. “Nature can be both nurturing and dangerous, depending on how you use it.”
Their introductions complete, the team began discussing strategies. They decided on a balanced approach: Josh would take the lead as their tank, Camille would protect the group with her barriers, Rick would scout ahead for potential threats, Greene would provide support, and Avince would adapt with his magic as needed.
“I’m not the best at close combat,” Avince admitted, “but I can cover mid-range and provide support spells.”
Josh clapped him on the shoulder. “Don’t worry, buddy. Stick close to me, and I’ll make sure nothing gets through.”
As they waited for their assigned fourth-year guide to arrive, the group’s conversation turned to the dungeon itself. The practice dungeons were designed to simulate real ones, complete with traps, monsters, and environmental hazards. While they wouldn’t face life-threatening danger, the challenges were meant to push them to their limits.
“What do you think we’ll face in there?” Greene asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.
“Probably a mix of different kind of monsters,” Rick speculated. “Goblins, maybe a few elemental creatures. Nothing too crazy, but enough to keep us on our toes.”
Camille nodded. “The goal isn’t just survival—it’s teamwork. If we don’t work together, we won’t make it far.”
Avince glanced around at his team, a sense of determination settling over him. They were ready. Together, they would face whatever challenges lay ahead.