[Pinnacle Academy]


    [1 Day Ago]


    Damon Bet.


    He''ll be a tough viin to catch through the entirety of these next few weeks.


    I''ll have to manage some other ns for him to be slowed down.


    Since he can''t bepletely stopped.


    For now, I could monitor him up until examse.


    Then everything after that is when I''ll take action to stop him from taking anyone else.


    As Jan and I walked through the hallways towards our ssroom, he turned to me with a hopeful expression.


    "Hey, about yesterday, the advice I gave you... did it work?"


    He was referencing to the advice about showing action over words... bullshit.


    My face twisted in disgust. "Of course not, you idiot."


    Valencia definitely hadn''t liked what I did back there.


    The trust I''d put in wrapping that scarf, hoping to repair whatever chance I had at being somewhat decent, was thrown out the window.


    I wouldn''t be surprised if Jan had just spouted somemon-sense nonsense that contradicted my own thoughts.


    "What?! Come on I think you''ve took it the wrong way-"


    "I don''t think I''ll take your advice again," I said tly.


    Jan held up his hands in defence. "Don''t shoot the messenger, Rel!"


    "I think I would''ve if I could," I muttered under my breath.


    We reached the ssroom, and the automatic doors slid open.


    The room was already packed, which meant we were in for a practical lesson.


    And that meant Mr. Bet had ns for his today''s targets.


    While he didn''t often lead practical sessions as an assistant teacher, I knew his involvement was a way to scout potential students for Morwen and dimir.


    "You gonna sit with Bazz and me this time, Rel?" Jan asked, heading up the staircase towards his usual seat.


    "No, the view is much better from where I sit."


    Jan shrugged with a smile. "Whatever you say, man!"


    I returned to my old seat, untouched for a week.


    The doors slid open, revealing the familiar in appearance of Mr. Bet.


    Neatly pressed cks, that same boring button-down shirt.


    Mr. Bet entered, exuding hisid-back, cool teacher vibe. He wasn''t overly charismatic, but his charm made him extremely likable.


    "Morning ss," he announced, amusement in his voice. "As you may know, Mr. Kolek won''t be here for today''s session."


    I settled into my window seat, listening to the whispers of my ssmates.


    "—I kind of prefer him anyway..."


    "—Eh, I don''t really mind him. As long as he teaches as well as Mr. Kolek."


    The rest of the ss turned out to be a typical theory session on dungeon exploration, as expected.


    Mr. Bet talked about the different types of dungeons, their dangers, and the strategies for navigating them.


    I tuned it out for the most part, my mind already preupied with the uing meeting with the Vice President and...


    Ding!


    [You''ve received an email from the Mercenaries Cooperation!]


    [Dear Rel Laurence, You are required to attend a meeting at the main headquarters tomorrow evening at 5:30 PM. Your presence is crucial as this meeting will determine your squad and members for future missions.]


    [Thank you.]


    Haah... really?


    For the first part I thought it was about what happened at the museum but it seems I avoided whatever happened.


    thank god for that.


    While I listened on until the end of the lesson the ss perked up when Mr. Bet announced that he would be assisting Mr. Kolek in a practical sster that week.


    A ripple of excitement ran through the room, but beneath their enthusiasm, I sensed a darker purpose behind Bet''s offer.


    His smile didn''t quite reach his eyes, and there was a calcting glint in his gaze that sent a shiver down my spine.


    He was definitely plotting something.


    RING!!!


    The shrill bell signalled the end of the first and second periods.


    I rose from my seat, a sense of purpose settling over me. If the mercenary cooperation intended to send me into a literal hell, I needed to be prepared.


    And now that I felt a little stronger than the weakling I once was...


    SHING


    I pulled a key from my pocket.


    [Special Passive Ability: Perceptive Mind [Grade 3] Has Been Activated!]


    [Item: Silent Abyss Key Rarity [???] - Contents: Contents of this key are unknown.]


    Its ck obsidian surface gleamed, its purpose a mystery even to me, the author.


    But I felt ready, at least as ready as I could be.


    It was time to enter the dungeon.


    As the automatic doors opened, a hand pped on my back apanied by a familiar voice.


    "Rel! Wanna eat with us?"


    I turned to see Jan, Lyra, and Bazz grinning at me.


    grrrrr...


    A sudden rumble in my stomach reminded me that I''d forgotten to eat breakfast, having overslept after the museum incident.


    But I guess there wasn''t any choice since a lot happened over these 3 days.


    haah...


    "Okay fine, let''s go."


    As Jan and Bazz walked ahead, Lyra fell into step beside me, nudging me yfully.


    "So, how''d you find the trip?" she asked, a sly grin on her face.


    "It felt pretty normal," I replied, feigning nonchnce.


    "Ho ho... normal?" she chuckled. "After all, you guys fought a monster you''ve never seen in the books before."


    What was she trying to say?


    Was there no footage of the creature online?


    I hoped so... but if Lyra wanted something, she wouldn''t let it go until she got it out of me.


    "What about it?" I asked, trying to sound uninterested.


    "You know-"


    "Actually," I said, turning to Lyra, "let me guess. You went to your uncle to ask about what happened at the museum, but he said no. So you went to Jan, but he was too stupid to exin, and Cam and Valencia are out with a cold they haven''t texted since. Am I right?"


    Lyra shrugged, a yful smirk on her lips.


    "I''m not sure where you got that stupid assumption from... but can you tell me anyway?"


    haah... who would''ve known, not me?


    I sighed and told Lyra everything, exining that the information would have been revealed anyway.


    As we reached Allen''s Cafe, Lyra looked at me with wide eyes.


    "Wow, that was really detailed," she said. "You could be like an author or something."


    I rolled my eyes at herment, and the four of us entered the cafe.


    Inside the cozy cafe, the aroma of coffee and pastries filled the air as we settled into a booth.


    Conversation flowed easily between us, touching on everything from our favourite sses to our hopes for the future at Pinnacle Academy.


    "What?! I wouldn''t have heard those wordse from you, Rel!" Jan''s eyes widened at my ''dream''.


    But I felt it was the perfect conclusion when all was said and done.


    "If it''s a dream, then it will be one until it''s true." Lyra took a bite of her souffle.


    "Well, if you want someone to be a part of that, then I''d definitely be open to the idea."


    Bazzughed out loud as Jan flicked a sugar packet at his head.


    While we discussed our aspirations, Lyra was particrly lively, sharing stories about her family''s contributions to the Visionary Syndicate and her dream of leading one of their squads one day.


    heh... how ironic.


    Bazz, as usual, was more reserved, but his asional dry witticisms kept us all entertained.


    The lighthearted atmosphere was a wee change from the recent events at the Louvre, and I found myself rxing in thepany of my... friends?


    Even Jan, with his endless questions and bubbly personality, didn''t seem so annoying at the moment.


    RINGGGG...


    Suddenly, the school bell''s pierced through the chatter, signaling the end of the first break.


    I rose from my seat, preparing to leave.


    "Aren''t you staying for the next sses?" Jan asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.


    I turned to face him, my eyes meeting those of Lyra and Bazz as well.


    The temptation to leave was strong.


    There were so many other things I could be doing instead of studying and living the average school life, even with the added bonus of being heroes.


    But I also knew that staying at this academy would bring back painful memories I''d rather forget.


    Still, the time I''d spent here had been... enjoyable, in its own way.


    Of course, I''m not leaving yet.


    But someday I''ll have to walk out of this school.


    "I''ll try my best to be back by the fifth or sixth period," I finally replied.


    "but I can''t guarantee it."


    Jan smiled, understanding my reluctance. "Okay, whatever you''re doing, be safe."


    With a nod, I turned and walked towards the exit, leaving the warmth of the cafe behind.


    Back in my dorm room, I quickly packed the essentials for my uing dungeon subjugation.


    Usually, I''d need a full crew or even an entire guild backing me, since dungeons are tough to tackle alone.


    However, I knew more about how dungeons functioned and that the traditional "clear everything to beat it" approach wasn''t always necessary. Despite this, guilds and adventurers still followed that method.


    So, I felt confident for now.


    But, given the special nature of this dungeon, I had to assume it could contain anybination of traps, monsters, puzzles, and even bosses.


    The system only provided the location, but something told me a good reward awaited at the end.


    "Done."


    Finishing my packing, I carefully stowed my silver bow and Axel in a duffel bag.


    I decided to keep my academy uniform on, knowing its enchanted protection surpassed my other clothes.


    _______


    Authors Notes:


    - If you didn''t know already, Dempsey te is Lyra''s cousin/ uncle.