“So, what are you doing,” Erik asked as he watched Kyle from his bed. The blonde had spent the last several minutes putting on pieces of armor, posing, and brandishing his sword.

“Oh,” he said, sounding surprised by the question. “Me and some other students are going on a dungeon excursion soon so I’m wondering if this equipment is good for me.”

“A dungeon? Isn’t that a place adventurers go?” Erik was surprised, as it had been years since he had last heard of that name. His father used to tell stories about him going on raids by himself or with other adventurers, but Erik didn’t know much more than that.

Kyle grinned, giving his sword a theatrical flourish before sheathing it. "Well, yeah. You’d be surprised how many dungeons are under the academy’s jurisdiction. They're excellent for training—and for gathering powerful items. Professors organize these excursions along with each house to make sure we get some real combat experience, although they’re completely optional.”

Erik nodded as he heard him intently. “That sounds interesting, can I join?”

“Umm, no,” Kyle shook his head without as much as a second thought. “Dungeon raids are for 4th and 5th years only. You’ve got to prove you’re strong to go on one,” He smirked, clearly enjoying having the upper hand. “Maybe in a few years, you’ll get your shot.”

Erik frowned but didn’t let Kyle’s teasing bother him too much. “So what kind of dangers are in these dungeons? Monsters? Traps?”

“Both,” Kyle said, leaning back against the wall with his arms crossed. “I’m talking about magic traps, collapsing floors, enchanted barriers, and arrows that come out of nowhere. Even seasoned adventurers sometimes die by to them. That’s why we train on the easy dungeons,” his tone grew more serious as he spoke, the playful grin fading.

Erik nodded, he indeed had no experience in that kind of stuff but something in his mind stirred. He couldn’t help but smile, through the nervousness he was sure going to a dungeon would be an amazing experience. “What kind of monsters do you face there?”

“Depends on the dungeon,” Kyle replied. “The academy’s lower-level dungeons are more controlled, so it’s usually. Goblins, skeletons, low-tier magical beasts—nothing too overwhelming. That’s how C-rank dungeons usually work,” he brought his hand to his chin. “Well… sometimes even low-rank dungeons can surprise you. Ten years ago, there was a hidden dragon boss on one—luckily no one got too hurt from it.”

“A dragon?” Erik’s voice rose in surprise. “No way!”

Kyle chuckled at Erik’s disbelief. “It is amazing, isn’t it? We most likely won’t face anything close to that, though. Either way, you’re not coming so don’t even get excited.”

Erik scoffed. “I’d do just fine, thank you. I’ve handled worse.”

Kyle laughed. “Sure, sure, and you’re secretly the strongest 7th-tier sorcerer in our nation, aren’t you?”

Erik grumbled at those snarky comments. He knew that Kyle was thinking too low of him, like his duel against Colin didn’t say enough about how he was much stronger than the average first year.

He felt that he needed to go on that raid, it was like it was his destiny calling for a great adventure. Everyone with great names needed those, and besides his father used to go on dungeons so there was no way he could miss this opportunity.

That’s when his mind lit up. “Why don’t we make a bet?” he asked.

“What do you mean? What are we betting?”

Erik smirked, leaning forward with a glint of mischief in his eyes. “You’re so sure I’d get flattened in a dungeon, right? Let’s test that theory. If I can prove I’m not as hopeless as you think, you’ll stop acting like you’re some untouchable upperclassman and actually take me seriously.”

Kyle raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms as he sat down. “And how exactly are you going to prove that?”

“True. But I’ll show you my skills another way. You pick a challenge—something that would matter in a dungeon. If I pull it off, you owe me an apology and I can join the dungeon raid.”

Kyle chuckled, shaking his head. “You’re asking for it, huh? Alright, fine. Let’s make this interesting,” he said, rummaging through his drawers before pulling out a red bandana. “Tomorrow, at thirteen, I’ll be wearing this on the training grounds. If you can take it off my head, I’ll personally vouch for you with the leader and admit you’ve got skills.” His grin widened, eyes gleaming with challenge. “But if you fail, you’ll be hauling my things around for a month. Deal?”

XXX

“And that’s why I need your help,” Erik announced, leaning across the table where his friends sat. His tone was a mix of determination and desperation. “Kyle’s got this stupid bandana challenge, and I need to take it off his head. If I win, I’m in the dungeon raid.”

Emilia blinked at him, hugging her pillow to her chest. “So… let me get this straight. You want us to distract a 4th-year—the same one who can throw you around like a ragdoll—so you can grab a piece of fabric?”

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“That’s the gist of it,” Erik said as if it were the most logical plan in the world.

Colin leaned back, crossing his arms. “You do realize this guy’s leagues ahead of us, right? He’s faster, stronger, and way more experienced. Even my best spell would barely scratch him.”

“That’s why I need you to help wear him down,” Erik replied. “You hit him with wind spells, Emilia throws… something, and I’ll handle the rest.”

Emilia raised an eyebrow. “Throw something? What am I, a berserker?”

Erik frowned and looked at Clara. Maybe she would help him.

Noticing his gaze upon her, she widened her eyes and moved her head to the side. “S-Sorry,” she said, her ears turning slightly pink. “I’d help but my fighting skills are zero, I’ll just get in the way.”

Erik sighed.

That’s when he remembered the real kind of people his friends were—easy to tempt.

He shot a look at Emilia, his grin growing by the second. “You know… I’ll buy you all the chocolate milk you can drink. I’ll fatten you up in a week.”

Emilia's expression shifted instantly. Her pink eyes gleamed with interest, and her mouth was slightly agape, threatening to drool all over.. “All the chocolate?”

“And I’ll make Colin buy the snacks to go with it,” Erik added, nudging the other boy with his elbow.

“Hey!” Colin protested, but Emilia’s hand shot out, covering his mouth.

“Don’t ruin this for me,” she hissed, her tone low and menacing. “Snacks. Now.”

Colin’s muffled groan signaled his surrender, and Emilia turned back to Erik with a satisfied nod. “I’m in.”

Erik chuckled. “Great, that’s two down.” His gaze wandered across the cafeteria, landing on a familiar figure lounging at a distant table. His lips curled up. “Now for the ace.”

“Hey, I didn’t even accept yet!” Erik could hear Colin shout to have a choice on the matter but promptly ignored it. His personal servant had no choice either way so he would rather spend his energy with someone else.

Across the cafeteria sat the girl who had thoroughly beaten him in a sparring match a few days ago. She lounged in her chair with a look of confidence on her face. Her shoes propped casually on the edge of the table, a half-eaten apple in one hand. The way she carried herself, as though she owned the room without even trying, reminded Erik all too vividly of the ease with which she had knocked him down during their match.

If anyone could even the odds against Kyle, it was her.

“Be right back,” Erik said to his friends, standing up before they could protest. He made his way across the cafeteria. As he approached, she glanced, her golden eyes locking onto him. A grin spread across her face as she recognized him.

“Oh, you’re that kinda strong boy!” she said, sitting up straighter. “Didn’t think you’d come looking for another round so soon. What’s it been? A week?”

Erik laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. “I think my ribs still remember that sparring match. Trust me, I’m not here to pick another fight. Not yet, anyway.”

She tilted her head, looking intrigued, and took another bite of her apple. "Oh? Then what do you want, 'kinda strong boy'? Got a name, or should I just keep calling you that?"

Erik chuckled, dropping his hand from the back of his neck. “The name’s Erik. And you?” he said, trying to sound kind. Swallowing his pride wasn’t easy—especially not in front of the person who had effortlessly beaten him just days ago. The memory still stung, and now here he was, on the verge of begging her for help.

“Aria. So, Erik, if you’re not here for a rematch, what are you here for?”

“I need your help,” Erik admitted, figuring that being upfront was the best way to get through to her.

“Help? From me? I’m listening,” she sounded surprised but didn’t laugh at him or anything, this was a good start.

Erik hesitated, not sure how to make his request without sounding desperate. He hadn’t exactly planned for this moment—he wasn’t used to asking for favors. But if there was anyone who could level the playing field against Kyle, it was her.

“I’ve got a challenge lined up,” Erik said slowly, trying to keep his voice steady. “Against Kyle. The 4th-year. I need to get past him to join a dungeon raid, and I… can’t do it on my own.”

Aria’s eyes widened as he explained himself, before softening along with her expression. “A dungeon raid… huh, I’ve wanted to go on one since I was a kid.”

Erik nodded. “Well, help me and I’ll make sure you go on the raid with us, what about that? Only 4th years and above are supposed to go but I’m sure you have to skills to actually survive in that environment,” considering how strong she was, Erik was sure she’d give some of the senior students a run for their money.

Aria’s lips curled into a grin.“Sounds good to me, I’ll get a good fight and go on an adventure.”

Erik’s heart pounded, this was it. “Yes! Thank you so much, come join my group so we can—”

She raised her hand, making him stop in his tracks. Aria leaned forward, resting her chin on her hands. “Not so fast. First, you have to tell me one thing.”

Erik blinked, thrown off by the sudden shift in her demeanor. “Sure. What do you want to know?”

Aria leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table as she locked eyes with him. “Why do you want to go on this raid so bad?” Her gaze was locked on him. Her golden eyes glowed softly, almost as if they could peer into his soul, searching for any lie or misdirection he might muster.

Erik opened his mouth to answer, however no sound came out. It turned out, he didn’t quite know. Why? Why did he want to fight against someone he couldn’t win just to go on an adventure where he’d most likely take a support seat instead of being the main fighter?

Sure, he wanted the experience and grow stronger. But why? He couldn’t spout any destiny bullshit to her when he knew very well he could just wait a couple of years and try when he’s stronger.

Even if he played safe throughout the next years, it was obvious his innate talent would make him a powerful mage.

So why?

At first, Erik Blake fought for survival. For a chance for a better future, and this future was here. There was no need to go beyond.

He could only sigh.

It was nothing interesting, dumb even.

“It's fun to push myself and become stronger.”

Those simple words brought a smile from her that went from ear to ear. “Good answer, I’m in.”