The lecture hall buzzed with idle chatter until Sorithra stepped into the classroom, her violet cloak trailing behind her as her heels clicked on the cool marbled stone floor.

She raised a hand, and silence fell instantly. 

Her stern gaze swept across the assembled Black Ravens before she spoke.

“I owe you all an apology,” she said. 

“What happened during orientation was unacceptable. The Academy failed to protect you, Miss Valcrest”

Aeris, arms crossed, leaned back in her chair. 

No apology could erase what Talia had suffered. 

Her eyes flicked toward the girl beside her. Talia sat stiffly, clearly perturbed by memories of the incident. 

Whatever scars lingered, she kept them buried deep.

“To that end,” 

Sorithra continued, “today, there will be no general studies. Instead, the Black Ravens will descend into the Myriad Labyrinth for a field excursion.”

Aeris blinked as a quest notification materialized in her periphery.

Quest: Blood for Growth

 Objective: Slay 10 monsters
Reward: Necrotic Sickle Upgrade, +1    Level 

Progress: 0/10
 

Convenient. Almost too convenient.

Sorithra’s gaze darkened. 

“Vali Thorsten remains at large. The Academy is increasing its alert level until he is apprehended. Stay vigilant everyone.”

A ripple of murmurs followed, and Aeris noticed the way some students shifted uncomfortably in their seats. She didn’t blame them.

“And lastly,” Sorithra added, “you’ll be joined today by a second-year representative, Mary Ashford, Captain of White Swan House.”

The room stirred, and Aeris groaned beneath her breath. “Perfect,” she muttered.

Talia nudged her side with an elbow. “Give her a chance. She wasn’t the one who attacked me.”

Mary stepped forward with practiced poise, her snow-white robes edged in gold.

 The Captains badge gleamed over her heart.

“I’m not here to supervise or anything,” Mary said, her voice calm and soft. 

“I’m here to offer protection and to atone for my failures as captain of my house.”

Aeris arched her brow. 

“Let’s hope your spell craft is as impressive as your sense of justice.”

Mary gave a light bow. 

“I deserve your scrutiny and scorn, Miss Garland, but I'm sure I’ll earn your trust in time.”

Sorithra clapped her hands once. 

“The objective is simple. Navigate to the bottom of the first Stratum. Defeat the floor boss Razor Tusk, a level 14 monstrosity and return.”

Aeris scoffed. “Level fourteen?” Her Drider Thrall alone had been over thirty. 

“If that’s the floor boss, what’s the point?”

Her disdain must have shown, because Mary approached her with a diplomatic smile. 

“You’re strong,” Mary said. “We all saw what you did. But this isn’t a solo expedition”

Beside her, Talia nodded. “We’re a class. We do this together.”

Aeris hesitated. Talia’s opinion mattered more so she dismissed her expression, and adopted the polite smirk she wore like armor, extending a hand. 

“Then let’s see how useful a Priestess can really be.”

As the students filtered into groups, Aeris noticed something odd. 

All the other students had paired off except one.

A girl hovered awkwardly by the rear wall, half-hidden behind a pillar.

 A demi-human with dark circles under her eyes and round, raccoon-like ears poking out from her thick, tangled hair. Her tail twitched anxiously, her posture a picture of nerves.

Zarena Ringtail, if Aeris remembered correctly. Or maybe it was just Zarena. She wasn’t sure if she deserved a surname.

Aeris was about to point her out when Talia beat her to it.

 “Hey, Zarena! Want to join us?”

The girl flinched, then shuffled forward. “I-uh… sure? If… you don’t mind?”

Mary nodded warmly.

 “The more, the merrier.”

Aeris exhaled, already regretting her mercy. 

But Talia’s bright eyes dared her to object. With a forced sigh, Aeris curtsied and smiled wide

. “Welcome to the party.”

Then it came from the blue, another system prompt.

Side Quest Acquired:

 Protect Zarena Ringtail
 

Objective: Ensure Zarena survives the dungeon crawl.

 Reward: 1,150 EXP
Skill Unlock: ??????

Aeris frowned. 

The system didn’t give out mystery rewards lightly. What made this trembling creature so special?

‘Ah whatever, free exps’. She whispered.’

The dungeon platform was a massive, marble disk carved with runes.

 Students took their places, some fidgeting nervously, others flexing enchanted weapons. Aeris joined her group, Talia, Mary, and Zarena stepped onto the platform.

“Don’t wander,” Sorithra warned. 

“Stick together. And remember monsters are not the only dangers within the Labyrinth.”

With a lurch, the platform began to descend, swallowed by a swirling veil of magic light. 

The hum of arcane machinery echoed in their bones.

Aeris kept her arms folded, but her mind whirled with questions. What was it about this girl? Why offer a quest just to protect her?

Zarena fidgeted beside her. “T-thank you. For letting me join, I mean.”

“Don’t thank me yet,” Aeris muttered. 

“Just stay behind me and try not to die.”

Talia smirked. “You’re such a softie.”

“Am not.”

Mary chuckled. 

“Such a lovely little entourage we make.”

As the light dimmed and stone walls came into view, the air grew colder. 

The first Stratum awaited dark, damp, and full of monsters.

Aeris rolled her shoulders, summoning the faint hum of her Necrotic Sickle. 

Her blood pulsed with necrotic power. 

She would tear through the first floor like knives through cheap. parchment but this wasn’t about glory it was about strength and getting more of it.

And that started by keeping one very nervous raccoon-girl alive.

Mission Accepted, she thought, her smirk returning.

Let the slaughter begin.