Spirit Taming

Chapter 61: Individual

With the end of the final suggestions from Professor Wright, the entire class had scrambled to buy what they were missing. Unlike the rest, Clark, Maria, and Ralph had already prepared. "Of course you were the one to be ready. You probably already snuck a peek at what monsters are in the dungeon."

"Ralph, just because I can read doesn't mean you need to be upset. You can learn from anyone here how to read too." Clark's witty response won him an attempted punch from Ralph. It didn't get anywhere near him but was the only retaliation.

"It's better not to be unprepared. You are all ready too. It's good to see you learn a lesson instead of picking a fight." Maria's cold response made Ralph silent again.

"If you came over because you want to be a trio in the dungeon, I won't say no. I don't mind having a brainless meat shield to protect Crim." Clark smirked while taunting Ralph.

"If you have to know, I wanted people to be able to attack with us since my partner is still working on learning the steel spike skill." This was a common skill for a steel haired boar to learn. It would make the hairs very sharp around it so that it could attack opponents with more damage.

For a moment, Clark wondered if there was a slime dragon skill like that. Crim had tough scales so he had the potential to harm his opponents with them. If there was a chance that he could do more than that it would be good too. "We don't know how we will be divided up yet. Professor Wright said she would tell us all tomorrow morning when we walked down to the dungeons."

Since Maria was assuming the three would end up together anyways, he didn't go past this. She wanted to see how it all played out first. "I'm just surprised that so many dungeons are safely anchored on the academy grounds. It is perfect for us to train without having to leave."

"That, I agree with. I think Crim will learn a lot while being there. It also offers plenty of good materials for us to get. I want to get as many of the slime cores as possible. More elemental types the better." As much as getting the experience of the battles was on Clark's mind, he was focused on the fact that he could make a large amount of money.

"You should both go and rest. We are leaving very early tomorrow." Maria suddenly stopped and told them off for keeping the conversation going. As much as Ralph and Clark wanted to argue against Maria, she was right. It was better to get some extra meditation in with actual sleep.

After double checking his supplies within his spatial ring, Clark did his best to meditate and sleep. Crim and Devi were both certain that they would be able to do their best during the dungeon. The only question left was if Devi would be able to safely go off on his own. He needed to scout out good materials and potential growth opportunities.

Once the sun had just begun to rise, Clark was already wide awake. "Next time you pull me out of bed by the ankle and nobody is dying, I will punish you." Crim had done just that to Clark once he had noticed the sun starting to rise. It was not the best awakening. However, it did help Clark wake up and get to the meeting spot in class sooner.

"Clark, you are early. It's a good attitude to have today." Professor Wright was peacefully drinking tea and reading a few books while waiting for the remainder of the class. "I hope you are prepared for today? It can be a big trial for individuals."

"I am.. I see. I am prepared for that." Clark caught the double meaning of professor Wright's words. She was clearly telling him that this was not a group exploration but an individual exploration.

"And that seems to be the last of your classmates. They all seem to have come together. Good." Clark watched as the rest of the students flowed inside the classroom. Maira and Ralph came in just behind everyone while obviously looking for Clark.

"Clark, you weren't outside." Maria had been worried he slept in.

"I came early, be ready for an individual exploration. I received a small hint." Clark winked and followed professor Wright who had already ushered the class towards a set of locked stairs.

"This is the basement stairway. You can only enter here with special tokens given by the professors. Because I am with you the guards will not shred you in to beef jerky." The smile would have been sweet if not for the context. Their professor was very serious that the students could be attacked by beasts if they broke the rules and came down here.

"Furthermore, you will all enter the dungeon alone. I don't have to tell you why. You should already know. You are taking your first exam." The words shattered the excited atmosphere. What was left was a tense air of worry. None of them had gone somewhere alone that was as dangerous as this.

"Do not worry about safety. This is considered weaker than the goblin cemetery. You will need to follow the exam instructions once inside. I expect you all to return with a decent grade. If not, your class will become smaller." They would be kicked out of the elite class if they did not score high enough!

"You were right, damn." Ralph stomped his feet slightly. He had been hoping that he would have teammates so that he could keep practicing the skills that he wanted his boar to learn. Unfortunately, they all needed to rethink their plans. They were not the only ones in class who had thought to group up.

"This should be it. Noticed that it appears the same as a stone door. Nothing complicated. Yet," Professor Wright tapped the door and many patterns lit up on it. Runes and magical circles formed. "When you add in a little of your energy this happens and they open.

The doorways are the gates to the dungeon. Never be surprised by what kind of environment is below."

They had already learned that a dungeon did not mean that there was only a cave below. It meant that they could be within a vast forest, volcano, or even the middle of an ocean. "Now, Clark, as the top scorer in class you can go ahead. Next will be…"

Clark stopped paying attention to Professor Wright as he stepped forward. As soon as he crossed the threshold he found himself in a dark space.

"Welcome student; Clark. You have been brought to the grand examination dungeon of Nova academy. The mentors look upon you with expectations. There are multiple floors of this dungeon. You will be tested on each under my supervision. Please prepare for the first floor; slime fields."

Clark heard the words as glowing orbs appeared around him. This had to be the best left behind to control the dungeon that he had been told about. However, he could only think about this for so long. He found that he had suddenly appeared elsewhere.