novelraw Chapter 217: The Dungeon Games [1]
Chapter 217: The Dungeon Games [1]
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The Sinner's Academy was in an uproar.
After only a week since classes had begun, the first official Dungeon Game was about to start.
It was a "Tutorial" event designed to familiarize all students with how things worked at the academy. The games encouraged competition, growth, and rivalries, making everyone more invested in their studies and personal development.
The four houses had gathered once again, along with several students who belonged to none of them.
The rules of the Dungeon Games were simple.
"Today we present to you the Sinner's Academy's first ever Dungeon Games," the director announced. "Our freshmen will now explore a vast labyrinth with the goal of hunting as many monsters and collecting as many treasures as possible.
There will be many challenges ahead that will test your cooperation and your ability to use your powers effectively. Beyond that, this event is meant to foster healthy rivalry and competition. It is necessary for everyone to push themselves to their limits. After all, our future depends on your growth and progress!"
Once the director finished his welcoming speech, the four houses and the remaining students quickly formed teams. The limit was five members per team. Louis had to split his party to ensure they could all participate.
Points were awarded based on the number of monsters slain and treasures gathered inside the Sinner's Academy Labyrinth, with overall rankings determined by total points earned.
"This is annoying. I wish we didn't have to split up…" Mirai sighed. She looked disappointed that Louis had placed her as the leader of the second team.
"It has to be done," Louis replied. "You're strong and reliable, so I'm leaving the rest to you, Mirai."
"Well, I'm glad you think so," Mirai said with a small smile as she looked around. "Whew, there's a massive crowd watching us. But won't they lose sight of us once we enter the labyrinth?"
Right now, all the students stood inside the academy's arena. A large dimensional rift loomed before them, a controlled gate leading to the labyrinth beneath the Sinner's Academy. It had been constructed in a similar fashion to the labyrinth under Frostbane's Magician Tower.
"They can film everything we do through these bracelets they gave us," Louis explained. "So be careful what you say from now on, alright?"
"Okay," Mirai nodded. "Is fighting between students prohibited?"
"…No, it's not," Louis said. "Students who defeat others in a duel can steal their points. That is a crucial part of this competition, even though they never state it outright."
"What?! I thought this was supposed to be a fair competition…" Mirai complained, crossing her arms.
"Hah, nothing is fair in this world," Louis replied with sharp eyes, glaring toward Arthur's team.
Beside Arthur stood Randolph, who had struggled all week with the fallout from suddenly losing his spirits. There had been a huge commotion about the incident, yet Arthur had chosen to remain at the academy and fight with everything he had instead of returning home. Back in Camelot, his father was surely preparing to reprimand and punish him severely. Perhaps that was exactly why Arthur had decided not to return yet.
Thankfully for Camelot, Randolph had only been in charge of Arthur's personal treasury and not the kingdom's actual treasury. Louis had learned that detail later in the week, which explained why Excalibur was absent while its scabbard, or rather fragments of it, remained.
Next to Camelot's group stood Yamato, looking stronger than ever. All its members had trained relentlessly since Louis had humiliated them. The Oni sisters in particular stared at him with fiery red eyes. Louis was certain that the moment they met inside the dungeon, they would come straight for him.
Mesopotamia's house remained as calm and confident as always, though a few members looked slightly nervous. They came from a culture of excellence and powerful noble families specializing in incredible Ancient Relics and formidable magic. Some even possessed Divine Magic from the start. There was little these talented magicians could not accomplish.
Among the houseless students, Louis spotted the white-haired dragon girl and the black-and-red-haired young man. For some strange reason, they bore a striking resemblance to Mirai and himself, but gender-swapped. He had investigated them and discovered they came from unregistered countries with very little background information. Both were orphans who had once served as child soldiers until they were rescued by the Yamato Government. They had been invited to join House Yamato but had refused.
"Are you all ready?"
Louis decided to stay wary yet focused on the present. He faced his own team. He had chosen to bring Agustina, Selene, and Melisa. The other team consisted of Mirai, Timothy, Zorba, and Anastasia.
The reason was simple. Louis preferred to keep the weaker three under his direct protection while letting Mirai lead the stronger members. That way he could feel more confident they would be safe.
Agustina, Selene, and Melisa were by no means weak after their intense training, but they were still less powerful than the others. Louis wanted them close so he could ensure their safety. With his many spirits and incarnations, he could easily make up for the reduced firepower.
"Are you sure it's okay for me to come with you, Lord Louis?" Agustina asked nervously, afraid she would be dead weight. "I… am not the strongest, after all. I don't want to become a burden."
"I know," Louis replied calmly. "That is exactly why I chose you, so I can keep you safe by my side."
"A-Ah!" Agustina blushed, feeling both flattered and humiliated at the same time. Louis had openly acknowledged she was among the weakest yet still wanted to protect her himself. "I don't know whether to feel flattered or angry…"
"I'm not weak!" Selene protested angrily.
"I am…" Melisa admitted quietly.
"It's better to keep you close," Louis said. "My familiars will watch your backs as well, so don't worry. Zorba can summon undead, Timothy can summon plant monsters, and Mirai is a monstrous powerhouse. Anastasia is the weakest in their group, or rather the most ordinary, but her talent with the sword is incredible."
"Wow, you're analyzing us like game characters or something," Anastasia smirked. "Rude."
"I'm glad to be recognized as the strongest," Zorba said proudly.
"You're definitely below Mirai though," Timothy teased with a provoking smile.
"What did you say?! I have grown much stronger since then!" Zorba roared.
"Enough, don't fight!" Mirai interrupted. "Ugh, can I really be a leader?"
"You'll have to be," Louis replied. "Hm, it looks like it's starting. Remember, the labyrinth is vast and has ten different layers. We are all aiming for the tenth layer, where the strongest beasts and the best loot await. If we can defeat the boss of the tenth layer, victory is guaranteed."
"Yeah, let's meet up inside then!" Mirai nodded. "I'll use our connection to find you."
"Alright," Louis said. He held her hands for a moment, nodded, and then both teams turned toward the portal and stepped forward.
Each team was teleported randomly, though members of the same group arrived together thanks to their bracelets.
FLASH!
The moment Louis and his team entered the portal, white light engulfed them. When it faded, they found themselves in an entirely different place.
"W-Woah! What is this place?!"
Louis heard Agustina's voice as he stood up and slowly opened his eyes. William's memories helped him recognize their surroundings immediately.
"Eh? It's so sparkly."
"Where are we?"
Selene and Melisa stared in amazement. Louis scanned the area in silence before explaining.
The Sinner's Academy Labyrinth was not a simple underground structure. It was a vast network of interconnected pocket realms.
"We are in the Second Layer right now," Louis stated.