NOVPUBTheir vision slowly returned, the blinding light fading to reveal a harsh and desolate landscape.
Luka and Kira stood on the jagged edge of a massive mountain, its peak disappearing into the gray, cloud-streaked sky above.
The wind howled between the rocks, carrying with it dust.
The ground beneath them was dry and cracked, a barren stretch of lifeless terrain where nothing grew, nothing lived.
Carved into the side of the mountain was a gaping cave mouth, its entrance jagged and dark.
Inside, faint glimmers of dull light reflected off the rough walls, revealing small, round creatures curled into spheres.
Golems—dozens of them—sat dormant, their bodies made of earthen stone and runes dim with inactivity.
For now, they slept.
"Oh!" Luka stretched his arms. "Let's get this party started," he declared with a wide grin, his voice echoing off the rocks.
He knew exactly what this place was in the game
Kira smirked as she stepped beside him, arms crossed.
"Once we enter the dungeon, I'll teach you the basics of defense. That is, if you manage not to get flattened in the first five minutes. So don't go running off on your own like some idiot"
Luka gave her a half-hearted salute. "Yes, ma'am. I'll be on my best behavior."
Without hesitation, he stepped forward, brushing past the little golems.
His hand reached out and touched the dungeon's entrance.
It rippled like water at his touch.
He then grinned before walking through.
His body disappearing.
"…" Kira lingered for a moment, her smirk stretching into a slow, sadistic smile.
"Ah~ Let's see how long this human lasts against Ancient Golems," she whispered to herself, voice laced with delight.
She stepped through the dungeon entrance, suppressing the excitement bubbling inside her chest.
▬▬ι═══════ﺤ
Back at the Academy.
Arthur sat in the front row, legs stretched out, a toothpick dangling lazily from his lips.
He twirled it with his tongue, only half-listening as the lecture droned on.
His real focus was elsewhere—on the Second Princess, seated all the way at the back of the class.
He glanced over his shoulder yet again, trying to catch even the smallest glance from her.
'If only those damn maids and knights weren't surrounding her… I could've sat next to her…' Arthur thought bitterly, clicking his tongue in annoyance.
Suddenly, a silence swept through the room.
Arthur blinked, realizing that all eyes had turned toward him.
'Huh? Why's everyone staring at me?'
That's when it hit him—he had zoned out again.
"Mr. Atlas," the Fighter teacher's gruff voice called out, visibly annoyed.
"Will you answer the question?"
The man stood at the front, arms folded across his broad chest, eyes narrowed beneath thick brows.
Clearly, he'd been trying to get the boy's attention for some time now.
And judging by his tone, Arthur knew the Fighter teacher wasn't particularly pleased at being ignored by a student—especially one from a commoner background.
So, he straightened up quickly, clearing his throat. "Ah—my apologies." He offered a quick, practiced smile.
"Could you repeat the question, please?"
The Fighter teacher sighed, rubbing his bearded chin before pointing toward the floating holographic image of a skeleton displayed above the board.
"What is a skeleton's weakness?" he asked flatly.
Arthur raised a brow, scoffing lightly. "Seriously? Blunt damage, obviously."
The Fighter teacher gave a small nod.
"Correct. Which is why skeletons are often considered a Fighter's easiest kill. They lack muscle structure, making them vulnerable to raw impact...."
As he continued explaining—
Arthur sank back into his seat, brushing a finger under his nose with exaggerated pride.
He let his eyes drift back once again to the rear of the classroom.
'I hope she saw that… Bet she's impressed now.'
Charlotte wasn't impressed.
If anything, she was growing increasingly uncomfortable.
She kept her gaze fixed on the Fighter teacher, doing her best to ignore the heat of the persistent stare.
Her fingers clenched around her dress ever so slightly as a chill ran down her spine.
'Can this guy stop undressing me with his eyes? Ugh…' Charlotte thought, frowning.
'I'm just trying to learn.'
Her eyes flicked toward one of her maids, subtly signaling her discomfort.
The maid shifted ever so slightly, positioning herself just enough to block the direct line of sight.
Charlotte exhaled quietly, trying to refocus.
Meanwhile, Arthur frowned. 'Damn maids. Why are they getting in the way again!?'
"Psst, hey—will you focus on the lecture?"
A sharp whisper came from Arthur's right.
He blinked and turned his head, finding his childhood friend glaring at him, cheeks puffed out in frustration.
Her brows furrowed in that familiar way that usually meant she was just a few seconds away from pinching him—and sure enough, her fingers were already twitching.
"Sorry, Nike," Arthur whispered back with a sheepish grin. "It's just… I think I'm in love."
Nike's eye twitched. 'Here we go again.'
Before Arthur could start daydreaming out loud, a swift pinch found his side.
"Hey—ow!"
"What about our promise, dummy?" Nike hissed, her voice low but firm.
She looked away, a faint blush blooming across her cheeks.
Her short pink hair swayed slightly as she shifted in her seat, bangs falling just above her bright pink eyes.
She was tall, though still petite in frame—and right now, very much annoyed.
Arthur, ever the "charmer", gave his most dazzling smile as he tapped his chest proudly.
"There's enough of me to go around!"
"…" Nike's expression twitched violently.
'Again with this stupid harem dream…' she groaned internally, biting the inside of her cheek to keep from saying something harsh. 𝑛𝘰𝑣𝑝𝑢𝑏.𝘤𝑜𝘮
She had hoped it was just a childish phase, something he'd grow out of by now.
But no. Apparently, her childhood friend was still stuck in his fantasy of being some hero surrounded by adoring women.
With a quiet sigh, she turned back toward the front of the classroom, choosing to ignore him entirely.
'When will he come back to reality?'
Arthur noticed her silence.
Her usual spark was gone, her lips no longer smiling, and her attention fully locked on the teacher.
He tilted his head, puzzled.
'Did I say something wrong?'
Arthur watched her for a second longer, but then shrugged. '
Meh. She's just jealous. I'm irresistible, after all.'
