The aroma of breakfast, expertly prepared by Elara, greeted Robert as he descended the stairs the following morning. He asked her to seek out Anya and see if she was ready for her first real trial: an expedition to the Twin Falls Dungeon. He felt it was time to begin their formal training in earnest. Elara agreed, and after a quick but hearty breakfast, she set off to find her fellow student. Robert, left alone, retrieved the sword he had meticulously enchanted the previous night, a gift for Anya in recognition of her earning her class. Forged from gleaming mithril, the longsword was imbued with enchantments that rendered it harder and sharper than any ordinary blade. Moreover, it was designed to inflict burning wounds upon its targets, a potent combination of physical and magical damage. The work had reminded him, rather forcefully, that he often overlooked the fantastical nature of his new reality. He'd broken his engraver midway through and, after several minutes of frustrated cursing and searching for a replacement, had suddenly remembered he possessed the very spells and skills needed to repair it instantly. The realization had struck him with the force of a physical blow: he needed to start thinking like a mage, not a mundane craftsman.
With the memory of his lapse in magical thinking still fresh, Robert made his way to the training field near the guild, the mithril longsword secure in its sheath at his side. He found Anya already there, practicing her forms with a wooden sword, her movements fluid and precise. He watched her for a few moments, impressed by her dedication. When she finished her set, she noticed him and a bright smile lit up her face. "Master Robert!" she called out, hurrying over to him. "Elara said we might be going to the Twin Falls Dungeon today! Is it true?" Her eyes shone with barely suppressed excitement. Robert nodded, returning her smile. "It is," he confirmed. "But first, I have something for you." He drew the mithril longsword, the polished metal gleaming in the morning sun. Anya's breath caught in her throat as she recognized the quality of the weapon, the subtle hum of magic emanating from it. "This," Robert declared, presenting the sword to her with a flourish, "is a gift. For earning your class, and for all the hard work you've put in. May it serve you well."
Anya accepted the sword, her hands almost trembling as she drew it from its sheath. The polished mithril blade seemed to drink in the light, and as she ran her fingers along its edge, a faint hum of power resonated beneath her touch. "Master," she breathed, her voice filled with awe, "this sword... it's a masterpiece. What is it made of?" Robert smiled, pleased by her reaction. "Mithril," he replied, "and enchanted to serve you well in the battles to come. Treat this blade with respect, and it will protect you in turn." Before Anya could voice her gratitude, Elara arrived, her eyes fixed on the gleaming sword. "I see the gift-giving has commenced," she remarked, a hint of amusement in her voice. Robert chuckled. "Just ensuring my students are properly equipped, as any responsible teacher should," he countered. "Alright, enough admiring the blade. Gather your gear, both of you. It's time to head out."
They gathered their horses, a sense of anticipation thrumming in the air, and set off on the twelve-mile ride to the Twin Falls Dungeon. As the landscape unfolded before them, they finally reached their destination. The origin of the dungeon's name was now strikingly clear. Twin waterfalls graced the cliff face ahead, each a modest twenty-five-foot drop, yet their perfect symmetry held a certain charm. Though he'd seen grander falls in his travels, these possessed a unique beauty. Directly between the two cascades, at the very base where the water met the earth, was the dungeon's entrance. A thrill coursed through him as they rode closer, dismounted, and ventured inside to the first floor. Flipping through his well-worn guidebook, Robert located the entry for their current location. "Slimes," he declared, showing the others the page. "The first floor is crawling with them, according to this." The entry read:
Slime Infestation (Levels 1-3): Water Slime (Level 1-2): Small, translucent blue slimes. Mud Slime (Level 2-3): Slightly larger, brown slimes made of mud.
"This will be a straightforward floor run," Robert said, his voice calm but firm, "a good way to ease back into the rhythm of things. There's minimal risk, but never let your guard down." The girls decided to stick to their previous strategy: Anya would take point, with Elara providing backup.
As they entered the first chamber, they spotted their initial targets – three water slimes. An unusual lethargy hung over the creatures; they seemed almost oblivious to the girls' approach, barely reacting as Anya and Elara closed in. Once both were in position, Anya launched her attack, but quickly realized that simply hacking away was futile. Her sword passed cleanly through the slime's gelatinous form, seemingly inflicting no damage. The slimes, however, retaliated with a sluggish strike that connected with Anya, inflicting a minor, stinging wound. It was a painful lesson, but a valuable one. Mere force wasn't enough. They would need to adapt their tactics if they were to defeat these unusual foes.
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
Anya recoiled, more surprised than hurt. "They're...different," she hissed, clutching her arm where a faint redness was beginning to show. Elara, her eyes narrowed in concentration, moved closer to observe. "Their forms are unstable," she murmured, her gaze fixed on the way the slimes wobbled and shifted. "A direct strike just passes through. We need to..." She trailed off, her eyes widening as an idea struck her. "Anya, your sword!" Anya, following Elara's gaze, remembered the faint enchantment on her blade, the one that imbued it with a touch of fire magic. It wasn't much, just enough to singe, but perhaps... With a determined glint in her eye, Anya raised her sword again. This time, as she focused, a faint reddish glow emanated from the blade, accompanied by a subtle wave of heat. She lunged, aiming not to slice, but to thrust the heated blade directly into the core of the nearest slime. The effect was immediate. The slime hissed and recoiled where the burning metal made contact. A small plume of steam erupted as the heat interacted with its watery form, causing visible damage and leaving a sizzling wound. Though the slime didn't dissolve completely, it was clearly weakened and in pain. They had found their weakness. Fire seemed to disrupt their watery structure.
"It worked!" Anya exclaimed, a triumphant grin spreading across her face. Elara nodded, her expression focused but pleased. "The heat disrupts their internal cohesion. We can exploit that." They quickly turned their attention to the remaining two slimes, which were now showing signs of agitation, their previously sluggish movements becoming more erratic. Anya, her sword still radiating a faint heat, moved with a newfound confidence. She feinted left, drawing the first slime's attention, then swiftly reversed her grip and plunged her sword deep into its core. The slime shuddered, steam rising from the point of impact, and partially dissolved, its form losing its shape and becoming more like a puddle. Elara, seeing her opportunity, launched a small, concentrated air bullet at the weakened creature. It struck true, and the remaining slime evaporated with a final hiss, leaving behind only a wisp of steam and a damp patch on the floor. They had one slime left to deal with.
As the final slime, agitated by the demise of its brethren, began to slide towards Anya, Elara saw her opportunity. She raised her hands, her fingers weaving intricate patterns as she gathered her magic. Around her palms, a vortex of air began to spin, growing in intensity until it was a miniature whirlwind, sharp as a razor and crackling with energy. Within the heart of the vortex, a brilliant light bloomed, so intense it seemed to pierce the very air around it. With a sharp, decisive thrust, Elara unleashed her attack upon the last remaining water slime. The combined assault of compressed air and searing light struck the creature with a piercing shriek, like a thousand tiny blades tearing through it at once. The slime's form, already weakened by Anya's attack, offered little resistance. Its watery body was instantly shredded, scattering into a fine mist under the force of the razor-sharp wind, while the intense light seemed to boil it from the inside out. In a heartbeat, it was over. The last slime vanished, leaving behind only a faint, shimmering residue where the light magic faded and a barely perceptible swirl in the dust where the wind finally settled. A sudden, profound silence descended upon the room. They had triumphed. The first room was clear.
The remaining chambers of the first floor proved to be little challenge. Armed with the knowledge that magic was the key to defeating these slimes, the girls dispatched the remaining watery foes with newfound efficiency. Anya's fire-imbued sword, combined with Elara's magic of wind and light, made short work of the sluggish creatures. They moved like a well-oiled machine, their teamwork honed by each encounter.
Upon reaching the staircase leading down, they continued their descent without hesitation. At the bottom, they paused, turning to Robert with a shared look of anticipation. He met their gaze, a knowing glint in his eye. "The next floor houses bats and spiders," he informed them, his voice calm but steady, "ranging from levels four to seven. It should be a relatively straightforward challenge for you two at this point, but as always, remain vigilant. Complacency is a warrior's greatest enemy." He didn't need to elaborate further; the unspoken warning hung in the air. Even seemingly easy foes could pose a threat if underestimated.
Taking his words to heart, the girls made sure everything was ready, Anya put her sword away and pulled out her bow, knowing bats would be airborne, and Elara focused on her quickest spell. Once they felt they were ready they continued on.