Knock. Knock.
"Rin, wake up."
A second voice followed, louder and sharper.
"This won't do... HEY! IF YOU DON'T WAKE UP, I'M GONNA BREAK THIS DOOR, SHITHEAD!"
Rin groaned, rubbing his eyes as he stumbled to the door and opened it halfway.
"What's all the noise about…?"
"You wouldn't wake up," Taro replied with a shrug.
Kaela scowled. "Shithead, finally! What, were you dead in there?"
Rin blinked at her, then smirked. "Who are you again? Ah, right—Lonely Princess?"
Her eyes flared. "Shut up!"
Taro sighed and pushed them apart. "Just get dressed and meet us at class. We'll get going."
"Yeah, yeah."
---
Rin slipped into the classroom and dropped into his usual seat. Moments later, Kobe strolled in with a clap of his hands.
"Alright, kiddos. Today's your first dungeon assignment."
The class perked up.
"The monsters are known, so don't try to fool anyone. Your job is to research the dungeon and clear it. Whatever loot you find, you'll split with your team."
A screen appeared midair, displaying names, dungeon locations, and difficulty levels.
Taro leaned in. "C-level dungeon? Isn't that kind of a lot for our first time?"
"These assignments are based on your performance, strengths, and synergy," Kobe replied. "It's tailored to how each team fights."
Rin squinted. "Our dungeon's not even on this island... So how do we get there?"
"A teacher will escort each group and open a portal nearby," Kobe said. "They won't interfere unless you're in real danger. Oh, and—submit your team leader before leaving class."
Taro froze. Oh crap, I totally forgot about that…
"So, uh," he said aloud, "who's gonna be our leader?"
Rin waved it off. "Not me. I don't even like the idea of a leader."
He blinked. "Wait—when did she start sitting next to us?"
Kaela crossed her arms. "Not your business. And for the record, I think I'd be a great leader."
Rin snorted. "Pffft. Great leader, my ass. We'd be dead before we even reach the gate."
"At least I'm trying to be one, unlike someone who just complains."
"I never said I didn't want to be one. I just think it's stupid."
Taro groaned. "Enough! Alright, fine. Kaela's the team leader. Any objections?"
Rin didn't answer.
Kaela grinned. "Staying quiet? That's unlike you."
Rin muttered, "You really enjoy pissing me off, huh?"
Taro stood up. "I'll go submit it. Be right back."
"Wait! Don't leave me with this creature—HEY!"
Taro walked out. Silence fell.
Then, a few minutes later, the door swung open.
"Yo, I'm back. Teacher said to meet at the gate when we're ready."
They left together. On the way, Kaela glanced at them. "So… how are we splitting the reward? Assuming it's not like a sword or something."
Rin gave her a look. "Dumb as usual. We sell it."
Kaela raised an eyebrow. "Oh yeah? And where exactly are you gonna sell a sword? You think someone's just gonna buy it from a kid?"
Taro sighed. Here we go again…
"We'll give it to the academy," Rin said. "Or Kobe. Though I doubt he knows how to sell anything."
Kaela crossed her arms again. "By the way, Taro… why do you call him Kobe instead of Teacher Kobe? You two talk like you're friends."
Taro paused. "Rin and I… we're friends with him. From Gloomshade."
Rin looked over. "You really just dropped that? Didn't you say a few days ago we shouldn't let people know?"
Taro grinned. "But Kaela isn't just anyone. She's our friend."
Kaela froze.
Friend...?
Her sister's voice echoed in her mind: "Make sure you find friends you can trust someday."
So I really did make one...
Rin scoffed. "Our friend? She's your friend, not mine."
Taro shot him a look. "Man, why are you like this—"
"It's fine, Taro," Kaela cut in with a soft smile. "Let's just get to the gate."
Taro blinked. His heart skipped a beat. "R-Right."
---
At the academy gate, they spotted a familiar figure—red hair fluttering in the wind.
"Arianna?" Rin asked.
"Hey, Rin. Taro. How've you two been?" she said warmly.
"Miss Arianna," Taro greeted. "We've been well. And you?"
"Doing great." Her eyes shifted to Kaela. "And you are?"
"Kaela Frostwyn. Nice to meet you, Miss Arianna."
Arianna nodded. "Anyway, your dungeon is near the Elven Kingdom, in the City of Wind. Ready?"
Kaela stepped forward. "Yes."
Arianna raised her hand, opening a swirling portal of violet light.
"Go quickly."
Taro stared. No matter how many times I see it… it never gets old.
Kaela thought to herself, So this is a Space trait—portal creation. Incredible.
Rin said nothing.
They stepped through.
---
A forest greeted them on the other side, mist drifting between trees, a wide river flowing at their right.
Bzzz. Bzzzt.
"Test, test. Can you hear me?" came a voice from their student watches.
Kaela tapped hers. "Loud and clear."
"Good. You have up to eight hours to complete the dungeon. If you don't return by then, a team of instructors will be sent to your location."
Silence fell.
The voice continued.
"Your exam starts now."
---
To be continued...