Soon after the tournament ended our second semester started and we devoted ourselves to our studies. Our party members still meet once a weak four our usual dungeon hunts. We did not earn much, but enough to be safe that we all will be able to pay for our next year studies.

Month flew by and long awaited time for my skill acquirement came closer and closer.

We had less than a month left before I could finally learn Wisdom skill. I was impatient to finally receive it. And more importantly increasing its level, since then I could start learning mid ranking spells. Our adventurers party completed several quests in the dungeon, that were convenient to us. Mostly they were quests that required us killing specific monsters and bringing back their parts, such as venom or other body parts, that were used by alchemists or blacksmiths. After successful mission completion or party rank was changed to C rank party. We also had enough money for two more semesters in our academies, and were trying to convince Luara to stay in the capitol for at least three years.

One day me and Myne were summoned to professors Doranius room. We knocked on the door, and after hearing a response went inside.

- Please sit down, - Doranius invited us, and we took a seat in front of him: - Don't worry you're not in trouble. Actually I wanted to ask you two a favor.

- I favor? - we looked at each other, surprised by the teachers words: - What kind? - I asked.

- You are already D rank adventurers, and you visit one of capitol's dungeons frequently. Don't you?

- Well, yes.

- Good. You are familiar with it then. As you know, before learning a skill, our students, who still have only first level, must kill some monsters to increase their life force. It is my responsibility to make sure that they do it safely. Most of students will do that accompanied by members of their households, but among them there are still five students, who will need academy's help with that. I would like you two to accompany them to the Mid-ranking dungeon, and help them with killing monsters. Your levels are high enough to handle anything in dungeons first floor. In exchange I can teach you any elemental spell up to level four of your choosing.

- Any spell? - asked surprised Myne: - What about a Blindness spell?

- Yes, I am familiar with it, and can teach you it, - nodded Doranius.

- Do I have to chose the spell now? - I asked.

- No, you can take your time and choose a spell later. But before you graduate the academy.

- Mmm, how about teleportation spell?

- I know about it. But it is level three spell, you will be unable to learn it now.

- Yes, but if I increase my Wisdom level before graduating, you will be able to teach me. Right?

Doranius laughed:

- You know how to bargain. But a promise is a promise. Fine. If you can increase Wisdom skill to basic level, I will teach it to you.

- When do we have to leave?

- Day after tomorrow. That is the day that our level one students will have three days to increase their life force.

- Can you get the students some weapons. They will need them, if they can't use spells.

- Of course. They all will be provided with spears. Anything else.

- Food and water for three days. Magic lanterns or bracelets with glowing stones. That should be enough. Weather is warm enough, so we won't need tents.

- I will arrange everything, - nodded Doranius: - Nice to see, that you know what you are doing. And thank you. Myne you don't have any lessons. If you wish I can teach you Blind spell today.

- Oh, thank you! That's great.

I left Myne and went to my next lesson. Probably our roommates Cleo and Shayla will be the students who will need our help. I wanted to take the time and think of possible strategies to help them kill monsters and keep all students safe at the same time.

Two days later we gathered near the gate. Sun was barely showing itself in the east, and it was still chilly. Professor Doranius also came outside, to wish as good luck.

- Like you were informed today you will visit the dungeon, so you can kill monsters and increase your life force. Our students Myne and Avone will accompany you. Follow their orders and you will be just fine.

They turned towards us, nervously holding their short spears. Everyone had a backpack on their shoulders, with lantern hanging on the sides of the backpacks. They were dressed in uniforms, but with warm cloaks and short spears as their weapons. Among them were our roommates Cleo and Shayla. One more peasant Tom, and two children from noble families, whose lands were close to Ashgrin borders. They were fourteen year old Megan, and our youngest member twelve year old Timmy.

I stepped in front of them.

- As some of you know, my name is Avone, and this is Myne. We are students in the academy, but we also are D rank adventurers. We visited the dungeon dozens of times and even reached its third floor. We won't be going that far, and will only visit dungeons first floor. Our goal is for everyone of you to kill at least ten monsters. Both Myne and me during our adventures have killed hundreds of monsters, and know how to survive in the dungeon. Do what we say and you will be fine, but fail to follow our orders and we won't guarantee your safety. Even dungeons first floor is dangerous and single mistake could cost you your life. So be on guard, follow orders and stay close. Myne and me will wound monsters and your job will be to deliver a final blow. If anyone isn't ready to kill a monster then step back and stay here, since there is no reason for you to go to dungeon or continue your studies.

Students looked at each other, but no one stepped back.

- Good, then let's go.

Guard opened gates and we departed for Golden goose dungeon. Myne and me were familiar with road to the dungeon after using it dozens of times. By now we were also familiar with the layout of dungeons first three floors, and did not even need maps for them.

Road went through forest. Citizens of the capitol almost never used it, but two adventurers parties went by us, on their way to the dungeon. After two hours walk we stopped for a breakfast. After almost a year, I still missed coffee, maybe one day I could find coffee beans in this world, and introduce the wonders of caffeine to humans of this continent. We eat bread with cheese, and washed it up with water, and then continued our journey. Usually it took my party members five hours to get to the dungeon, but with children of the academy we needed more than seven hours to finally reach the dungeon. Time was just past midday and we made a camp and had lunch.

Academy packed us enough supplies, most of which was smoked meat. We also had more bread and cheese, but only enough for first two days, after that we will have to rely only on our meat supplies.

- Everyone stay close to each other, and don't run away on your own, even if you get very scared.

Students nodded and we entered Golden goose dungeon. The entrance was huge stone arc, in the middle of the meadow, that lead deep underground. Like we, during our first dungeon visits, all students felt sense of fear and discomfort, coming out of the entrance. I took the lead, while Myne stayed behind. We needed both of us in front of our party, but first we decided to make sure that no one would panic and get lost.

We crossed almost fifty meters long corridor that led us to a cavern with six exits. I chose middle one on the left side. It led to big sized caverns that big packs of weak monsters preferred. We wandered around for more than two hours, before finally encountered first monsters. They were dog sized moles, with frog back legs. We saw them before. These monsters, unlike their animal counterparts, jumped around using their frog legs and used their front legs with sharp claws as weapons.

- Myne, - I called: - Prepare your Slow spell.

Mole-monsters were blind, but with excellent hearing. As soon as I started to speak they turned, and started jumping towards us.

Myne came to the front. Behind her, students were squeezing their spears and trying to look through the darkness, beyond lanterns light. I took out my bracelet with glowing stone and threw it towards the moles. As soon as Myne saw monsters she casted her spell, and earth bubbles appeared under the monsters. Six of them slowed down. Six out of eight. Not bad. I used my bow, to kill those who were not affected, and took out my sword.

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- Stay with Myne! - I ordered our charges and disappeared from their side. Mole were considered weak monsters, and did not pose much of a threat for me. Still their claws were dangerous enough for anyone, capable of killing a human with a single blow.

While running I casted Haste spell on myself, and then used my sword to wound moles frog-legs. With our speed difference, I easily avoided their attacks. Few minutes later all moles were on the ground, slowly crawling towards me. I used my sword to disable their front legs, and called to the students.

- It's safe to approach now!

While they slowly came closer, I picked up my bracelet and hid it in my magic bag. Unlike the rest of the students, Myne and me used magic bags, and did not have huge backpacks on us.

- Don't come too close to them, and use your spears to kill them, - I ordered. Scared students slowly and carefully approached monsters. They hesitated, until Cleo finally closed her eyes and stabbed one of the monsters.

- Don't close your eyes. And don't stop, until they stop moving.

Cleo nodded, took a deep breath and stabbed monster three more times. It stopped moving, and she exhaled in relief.

- Good. Cleo kill one more. The rest of you too. Chose a monster and kill it.

Students slowly approached and started stabbing monsters with their spears. Myne and me closely watched them, with our Cure spells ready to use, in case of any accidents.

Finally all monsters were dead. Megan stepped back from her victim and fainted. Myne run towards her, but after making sure that girl is unharmed, left her on the ground.

I sighed. Well, at least they did kill monsters, and Megan fainted after doing her part. Sheyla was tending to Megan, while Myne and me cut out moles magic stone. I gave each student one magic stone, and told them to keep it. Monster claws were also materials that we could sell in the guild, but removing them was hard work, and one set of them would only earn us a single copper coin, so we left them with monsters.

After Megan woke up, we took a short rest. I gave the girl her magic stone and congratulated with good job. She was embarrassed, but we already warned other students to keep quiet about it.

Six hours and four more monster encounters later, I decided that it is late enough and we stopped for night rest. Myne used warning crystal and after dinner, students prepared for sleep. By now Myne and me easily fell asleep in the dungeon, but my first night I barely fell asleep before sunrise. I doubted that students will have more success, but there was nothing about it that we could do.

I slept with my sword by my side, and when loud ringing alarmed us to monster presents immediately jumped up, with sword in my hand. It was a huge lizard resembling a komodo dragon. Monster was distracted by warning crystal loud sounds, but after seeing the monster, girls screamed in fear, and lizard turned towards them.

I cursed and jumped towards it. My job was to distract the monster, until Myne could cast her spells. I screamed to attract monsters attention and sliced his shoulder. It worked and lizard-monster turned towards me. Tom decided to use that opportunity and attack the monster.

- Stay back! - I shouted, but it was too late. Tom's spear wounded monster back leg. Wound was not deep. Only spear's tip entered monster body. Monster hissed in annoyance and swung his tail. Tom flew back and hit the ground, I noticed blood coming out of the corner of his mouth.

Myne's spell finally worked and monsters movements became slower.

- The boy! - I ordered her and devoted all my attention to monster. He opened his mouth and moved towards me. I jumped aside and slashed lizards leg. Wound was deep and monster bended towards one side. I moved towards his second right side leg and may slash almost cut it off. Monster loudly hissed, and fell on one side.

Next was his tail, I left only small part of it, and the disabled monster's remaining legs.

- How's the boy? - I asked Myne after monster posed no more treat. Myne stood up wiped off sweat.

- He will be fine. Broken ribs, leg and arm. But my Cure spell took care of it, - Tom moaned and opened his eyes: - How are you felling? - asked him Myne.

- I'm all right, - he touched his body and surprised noticed blood stains on his robe: - What happened?

- You almost died. How many times did we told you to stay away from monsters. Say thank you to Myne for healing you from the brink of death. Cleo stab the lizard in the eye, to kill it, but watch out of his teeth.

Cleo nodded. She was scared, but mustered her courage and managed to stab the monster.

- Deeper, - I ordered, and she pushed the spear with all her strength. Monster's body trembled and he fell quiet.

- Good. Cleo you should have enough life force to level up. All of you pack your things. We will continue after breakfast.

- But, Tom almost died, - objected Megan: - Should we not return?

- No, we are not finished yet. And Tom is fine now, well except for his stupidity. Remember all of you. Myne and me don't need your help. Your job is to stay away from monsters until we order you otherwise. It the monster would have been even a little stronger, Tom would have been already dead. Remember this lesson, and never forget it.

Students were depressed, but had no other choice than follow my orders. Without our help they would not be able even get out of the dungeon, without getting lost. I cut out lizards magic stone, and one of its claws.

- Here, - I threw it to Tom: - Keep it as a reminder, that unnecessary bravery will get you killed.

- Can I get one too, - shyly asked Timmy. I smiled at him and nodded. I removed one more claw and gave it to our younger member. Girls had mix expressions on their faces. They probably also wanted a souvenir, but monster claws was not something that girls would want to keep in their room. Unlike them Timmy happily looked at the claw, and carefully put it in his backpack.

Rest of our hunting went better. We managed to encounter five more small monster packs, and two solo monsters. I killed stronger monsters myself, to keep students away from danger, but Myne and me managed to disable rest of them. Myne used her new blind spell, but it was not as effective in the dungeon as she hoped. Most monsters had bad vision from beginning and relied more on their other senses. By the evening I decided that students killed enough monsters. There was a chance that not all of them could level up, but they were getting tired and less careful. So after talking to Myne we decided prioritize their safety and leave Golden goose dungeon, early in the morning.

Night was uneventful and we successfully left the dungeon. Cleo fell on her knees after exiting the dungeon, and said quick prayer, thanking the gods.

- I never want to go back there? - shuttered Sheyla.

- As a member of lords household, you may not have a choice, - I shrugged: - It gets easier in time. Once you level up and kill some monsters yourself.

Shayla shook her head and Cleo agreed with her. Tom recovered after almost dying, and looked back to the entrance. He had doubtful expression in his eyes. But boy was brave. Brave enough to become a great adventurer, as long as he survives.

We returned to academy shortly before dinner. Professor Doranius congratulated everyone with successful return, and us with job well done.

We were just in time to get to dinner, but only Myne joined me. Rest of the students were too exhausted and fell asleep in their dorm rooms as soon as their heads touched the pillows.

* * *

One months later finally came time for my first graduation and skill acquirement. Myne already had basic Fire magic skill and it was her second time of graduating and receiving a new skill. But for me it was first time. To my surprise I was just as nervous as Cleo and Shayla. Academy made a big deal out of it, with principal giving the speech and telling students that not all of them my get the skill today, and regardless of the outcome to continue studying and getting more diligent about it.

Then we were divided in groups and told to wait for our turn. We spend almost an hour, when professor Doranius nodded to his group and we followed him inside one of the buildings, that I never visited before. It looked like a long temple, and all I knew that students visited it when they received a skill. We formed a line and Doranius took us inside one by one.

Finally it was my turn and I followed my teacher inside the building. There was just one huge hall inside it. Near the walls were dozens of crystals, all different sizes and colors.

- What is this place? - I asked surprised.

- These are skill acquirement crystals. All our academies use them. That's why you are not allowed to use ordinary leveling crystals until you learn a skill. They interfere with these ones function and decrease your chances of acquiring desired skill. All these orbs can help you get one specific skill, and only it. Every one of these crystals is made by sages. It took academy centuries to gather them all.

He took me to purple crystal on a pedestal that looked like a dragons arm.

- Here put your hands on this one.

I put both my hands on a crystal and waited for a while. White fog appeared inside the crystal and then enveloped me. Fog disappeared and familiar message appeared in front of me.

Elf, LV 19

Name - Avone;

Job: Ranger;

Skills:

Wisdom (Novice) New

- It worked, - I exclaimed satisfied.

- I didn't doubt that it will, - smiled Doranius.

- What would happen if I try using other crystals? - I asked looking around.

- Without necessary preparations crystal would not work. Even worse you would lose the opportunity to ever getting the skill that crystal is meant to give you.

- Doesn't than mean that if I didn't get the Wisdom skill now I would never get it? - that thought scared me: - But principal just said that if we wouldn't get the skill we should continue our lessons?

- He likes to scare young students, - smiled Doranius: - The truth is that me and other professors watch the students to determine if they are ready to use the crystal or not. If we are not satisfied with our students successes we don't allow them to use the crystal and they are required to study six more month. Such cases are rear, since we expel most of unworthy after third semesters exams. But once in a few years there are some stuck up nobles who run to their parents and demand the skill. In those cases we warn them of danger and they sign a contract that specifies that they take full responsibility in case if they lose the ability to acquire desired skill forever. Four out of ten usually still take their chances and only one out of hundred actually gets the skill. But out of students that are allowed to use the crystal by academy's teacher, in seven hundred years, everyone has succeeded.

That calmed me down:

- Thank you professor.

- Now let us go outside. The rest of your classmates are waiting, - we went outside and I waited until all my classmates learned the skill. Cleo, Shayla and me congratulated each other. After that we all attended the feast. All students that received a skill were invited to dining hall that had tables filled with all kinds of food. I was not even aver that there was so much different kind of fruits and cakes that were available to those who could afford it. Myne, Cleo, Shayla and me eat as much as we could, but there was still food left.

Our stomachs were so full that we barely were able to reach our dorm rooms.