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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Lord Fourth
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He arrived back at the hostelry to a familiar scene: the warm, inviting glow of the lights and his companions waiting for him.
As expected, Eilly was the first to greet him, rushing towards him with a sigh of relief as soon as she saw him.
“Master! You’re late. I was worried something had happened…”
Her voice was filled with concern and affection, her eyes wide and anxious, her hands trembling slightly. She didn’t try to hide her emotions.
Eilly approached him, her hands clasped together, her large eyes shining, a look of relief washing over her face, like a lost puppy reunited with its owner.
He smiled gently and stroked her hair, the soft blonde strands brushing against his fingers.
Eilly blinked in surprise, then smiled shyly.
“Sorry, I was just buying some necessities.”
Just then, Elisha, who had been leaning against a wall with her arms crossed, spoke, her voice laced with a hint of sarcasm.
“You said you were going alone. Don’t tell me you were… doing something else… while your fiancée was waiting?”
Her tone was light, almost playful, but there was a sharp edge to her words, her eyebrows raised, her gaze fixed on him, her hair cascading down her shoulders, a subtle shadow across her pale face.
She tried to appear nonchalant, but he noticed her biting her lip slightly. It was a mix of jealousy and suspicion.
He sighed, slightly exasperated.
“I told you nothing happened.”
But she continued to stare at him, her arms still crossed, her gaze questioning.
Just then, he heard footsteps approaching.
“Arnold~”
A familiar voice. He turned and saw Melina approaching, her graceful gait and ethereal beauty as captivating as ever, a serene smile on her face.
“Oh, you’re back earlier than I expected.”
Varis and Lucy were standing beside her, as if they had been waiting for him. Varis wore his usual easygoing smile, and Lucy looked at him with interest.
“Our junior is quite prepared, isn’t he?”
Varis commented playfully, and Lucy chuckled in agreement.
“So, what did you buy?”
Melina’s gaze shifted to the bag he was carrying, her expression more curious about its contents than concerned about him.
He silently placed the bag on the table and opened it, revealing the items he had purchased for their dungeon exploration.
He took out the Night Vision Potions first, the pale green liquid inside the small glass vials glowing faintly, shimmering subtly in the light.
“These will help us see in the dark.”
As they looked at the potions with interest, he took out the next item.
A Holy Enchant Scroll. As he unfurled the scroll, a silver magic circle briefly appeared in the air before fading away, a brief but powerful surge of magic filling the room.
“This scroll contains a spell to imbue weapons with holy power. It will be useful against undead and demons.”
Melina nodded with interest, and Elisha, her arms still crossed, seemed to be deep in thought.
But he hadn’t taken out the last item yet.
The key.
He touched it, still hidden deep within his bag. There was no reason to hide it, but there was also no need to reveal it. Only he knew its purpose, and explaining it would only complicate things.
He closed the bag and looked at his companions.
“Is everyone ready?”
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The next day, they finally set out for the dungeon.
The morning air was crisp and cool against his skin, the sky a deep blue, tinged with the pale orange hues of dawn, a faint mist clinging to the streets. The city grew quieter as they left the bustling center, but he could sense the tension in the air.
“Everyone, check your equipment.”
They all inspected their weapons.
Eilly drew her sword, carefully examining the blade, running her fingers along its edge, then nodded in satisfaction, a faint smile on her face.
“I’m ready.”
Elisha, having no specific weapon, simply stretched, her demeanor confident, her golden hair shimmering in the early morning sunlight.
“I’m always ready.”
Melina adjusted her bow, taking a deep, calming breath, her gaze steady and unwavering. The string twanged softly as she tested its tension, the sound echoing in the quiet air.
“I’m in top condition.”
Varis checked his armor and greatsword, the metallic clang of the armor accompanying his movements. He smirked, his face filled with confidence.
“I’m fully prepared as well.”
Lucy ran her hand along her staff, its surface etched with magic circles. She closed her eyes and muttered a short incantation, a faint glow emanating from her fingertips.
Not just his team, but all the academy students gathered here were filled with a sense of anticipation and nervous excitement.
This final exam was more important than any other. Within the dungeon lay trials they had never faced before, and rewards to match.
“We’re here. I’ll give you a brief overview before we enter.”
They arrived at the dungeon entrance.
“Follow the safety procedures you’ve been taught.”
The entrance to the Shrine of the Depths lived up to its name, its atmosphere ominous and foreboding.
The ruined temple, with its massive stone pillars and crumbling arches, was covered in moss, vines, and the scars of time, its imposing presence weighing down on them.
“Follow your mentors’ instructions.”
Professor Adria continued, her gaze sweeping over the students.
“And don’t hesitate to use the Portal Scrolls you’ve been given in case of emergency.”
A deep, dark void lay beyond the massive temple doors, an abyss that seemed to swallow everything.
“Then, let’s begin! Do your best, but above all, prioritize your lives!”
The professor’s voice echoed through the open space.
A chorus of determined voices responded,
“Let’s do this!”
“We won’t fail!”
“We’ll achieve great things this time!”
Their words, filled with determination and camaraderie, filled the air, a strange excitement amidst the tension.
“Master, it’s finally time!”
Eilly looked up at him, her face beaming with anticipation.
“…….”
This was the true beginning.
They exchanged glances, a silent acknowledgment of the journey ahead, and then stepped into the darkness of the temple.
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Dungeon explorations were conducted in teams of five students and one mentor. This was due to the extreme dangers within the dungeon, the unpredictable variables, where a single moment of carelessness could lead to death.
They had undergone rigorous safety training and had been given an emergency Portal Scroll per team for these very reasons.
The Portal Scroll was a magic tool that allowed instantaneous teleportation to a designated location. It was to be used without hesitation in the face of unexpected danger.
However, escaping without retrieving any loot meant failing the exam.
“Master, are you alright? This place feels… ominous…”
Eilly whispered, looking around the dungeon, her sword gleaming faintly in the darkness, her face tense.
“This dungeon is especially… unsettling. They say ancient spirits wander these halls. It’s creepy.”
He patted her shoulder reassuringly, meeting her gaze. Eilly nodded slightly and tightened her grip on her sword.
They walked deeper into the dungeon, their footsteps echoing in the silence, the walls covered in faint, indecipherable markings, the air thick with a musty smell.
“It’s definitely creepy here.”
Elisha muttered nervously, fidgeting with the ring on her finger.
“But I feel a little safer thanks to this ring.”
The ring he had given her, imbued with a faint holy power, seemed to be having a calming effect.
“I can see clearly thanks to the potion.”
“It’s all thanks to Arnold, hehe.”
Melina also touched her necklace and smiled faintly.
“So, how deep do you think we can go?”
Varis asked, his voice quiet, a competitive glint in his eyes.
“Our goal is to bring back the most valuable loot from this expedition, right?”
The criteria for this evaluation were simple: retrieve the most valuable items from the deepest parts of the dungeon. But the deeper they went, the greater the danger.
“Hmm~”
They walked on, the darkness pressing in on them, the Night Vision Potions illuminating their path, the rough texture of the walls against their fingertips, the uneven floor a constant tripping hazard, the only sound the occasional drip of water echoing in the oppressive silence.
“Nothing’s happening.”
Varis muttered, sounding bored, and then—
“Stop!”
—Lucy’s sharp, urgent cry echoed through the darkness.
Boom —!!
But before they could react, a deafening roar, a sound like tearing fabric, followed by a powerful tremor, shook the dungeon.
They had been ambushed.
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Hi Lord Fourth here!
I’m new to translating so if you find some mistakes or inconsistencies let me know about it on the dedicated channel on discord.
