Chapter 151 Announcement [ 6 ]

-Oriana Mengral's point of view.

"I will be out of the academy for four years."

Because of this, the atmosphere became overwhelming.

The absence of the principal for so long indicated that something more than the dimensional rift was going on. Oriana had a vague idea of what was going on.

"I think it's because of the tower dungeon."

If the second floor of the tower dungeon had been so hard to clear, how hard would the next one be?

Of course, there was also the issue of the remains of the previous floors. According to current information, the tower has 100 floors in total. It is completely unknown what is hidden on the top floor. Perhaps it is the first grade 0 monster, stronger even than the dragons.

Many assumptions had been made about what might be on that top floor.

"Ahem, this is... unexpected for me too."

Oriana raised her voice to ask. She had the same information as Director Wilbek, so she should have a rough idea.

"It's about the tower dungeon."

"..."

Silence enveloped the director, though he expected Oriana's question.

But...

"..."

The others were engrossed at the information, except Briana, who, like the chancellor, had access to that same information and showed no astonishment. However, the others could not say the same: to them, it was new information.

"That's right," the director stated in response to Oriana's question.

Because she knew. She knew he would answer.

"I just received a letter from the royal family with new information about the dungeon."

"What is it, I didn't get anything," Oriana thought.

Being one of the princesses of the royal family, even the chancellor should have received that new information. But she hadn't received anything... or maybe she had, but she wasn't sure. Looking at the headmaster, she kept full attention, because she was completely unaware of this new development.

"Okay, I'll explain what happened," Principal Wilbek said as he pulled out a letter with the seal of the royal family and began to read.

"Today, at 5:30 p.m., a group of ninth-circle wizards entered the second floor of the tower. However, it didn't take long for them to return and report what happened..."

He paused, letting the tension in the air intensify. Oriana felt a weight on her body, for the situation was strange.

If the second floor had been so difficult and dozens of wizards died, how could it be that the second floor presented no obstacles? It was impossible.

"According to the report, the mages said the second floor was empty, with nothing inside. However, they managed to enter the third floor."

"What's going on?" asked Oriana as soon as the director paused.

"Once inside the third floor, they encountered a giant monster about 20 meters tall, with hundreds of tentacles in humanoid form. The next thing they reported was that they left immediately, because..."

The director stopped his words and looked at the rest with concern. It seemed that the information he was about to share was too sensitive.

However, the teachers present at the meeting were of high rank both in the academy and in the outside world. They were important magicians, and that was why the headmaster used to call such meetings: because these people, who in the past had played a relevant role, should know the truth.

It was then that Director Wilbek cleared his throat and continued, leaving everyone present stunned with his next words.

"A grade 0 monster has appeared. The monster on the third floor is grade 0; its mana level was too high to be classified as grade 1."

"Grade 0...?" many muttered.

They knew that the only grade 0 species on record were dragons, though they didn't even know if they really existed. However, with the appearance of the dimensional rift, the dragon story had gained credibility.

There was a possibility that the dragons would appear once the dimensional rift opened, emerging from wherever they were hiding. So far, they were the only grade 0 monsters recognized by the ancient records because of their overwhelming power.

Director Wilbek went on to explain.

"The dungeon has changed its name as well as its power rating. It is now a grade 0 dungeon, the first in human history. It is called 'Eternal Tower'."

After that, the headmaster put the letter aside and rubbed the bridge of his nose, letting out a sigh. There was now a grade 0 dungeon, although it wasn't as if it had never appeared before.

Everything had happened in a single day: the collapse of the teleportation gates, the collapse of the grade 6 to 9 dungeons, which no longer even existed, and the new information about the tower dungeon, now grade 0.

The dungeon, called "Eternal Tower," received its name because of its difficulty. "Eternal" alluded to supreme power, as the discovery of the grade 0 monster on the third floor had been decisive.

Faced with this, everyone asked the same question:

What will happen if they make it through the next floors and reach the end? What being will await them there?

That was the question.

If just on the third floor there is a grade 0 being, then on the last floor there must be an even more overwhelming one.

All this led to the conclusion why Principal Wilbek would be absent from the academy for four years.

Today's problems and everything recent require a lot of time for research and exploration.

It is possible that Principal Wilbek will face this grade 0 monster during his absence.

Oriana was looking rather elated at all this.

A lot had happened in just ten hours, from the collapse of the teleport doors to the appearance of a grade 0 dungeon that had been dormant.

"Now you understand why I'll be gone for four years. It takes a long time to solve everything possible, and also my help. Therefore, I will put someone temporarily in charge as headmaster of Laosa Academy."

"..."

This was unexpected.

The position of principal carried with it an enormous responsibility.

It was crucial for both the academy and its future.

Principal Wilbek had always been the one to guide the academy to the top, but now, because of what had happened, it was necessary for him to leave to help in whatever way possible.

"It won't be just me who will be absent for four years; so will the leaders of the ten families, as well as the tower mages from all over the continent."

This meant that the strongest and most important mages on the continent would be gathered in one place, in one dungeon.

Because the grade 0 dungeon was an extremely important issue that needed to be discussed and addressed.

The grade 0 monster on the third floor of the tower required the strongest to clear it.

"We only have four years to resolve everything. If I don't come back, it will be because I will have died."

These words took everyone by surprise.

If Headmaster Wilbek died, it would mean that completely clearing the grade 0 dungeon was impossible even for the most powerful.

And not only that.

They would lose key forces for the war against the dimensional rift.

If the grade 0 dungeon was not cleared, it would eventually suffer a rift, and the monsters inside would escape at any moment.

That was why it was urgent to clear it.

"That's all for now. In one hour you will receive a letter with the name of the new temporary headmaster of Laosa Academy."

The teachers withdrew from the office, however, Briana spoke up.

"I have a question, principal."

"Go ahead, Briana."

"I'm also a ninth-circle mage, and I believe you need my help as well, right?"

"Of course, we have summoned all the strongest powers and mages on the continent."

"Unfortunately, I can't help."

"..."

Wilbek raised an eyebrow, curious as to why Briana would not participate.

"Why?"

"It's complicated, but I need someone. This person is very important to me, and I need to make sure she gets stronger. If I distance myself, I won't achieve my goal."

"I understand. It is not necessary for all the ninth circle mages to participate, as all ten family leaders and tower mages have confirmed their attendance, as have I."

"Good, then I'll take my leave."

Briana left quickly, without another word.

Oriana was puzzled, but asked nothing, as it was none of her business.

"Do you have anything to say?"

Wilbek looked at Oriana.

"Oh, I just wanted to inform you that Cadet Asher has reached the third circle."

"Mmm, that's unexpected, but you said he's been a wizard for a while now, right?"

"Yes."

"Do you have any idea why he's not trying to advance into more circles?"

"I..."

Oriana hadn't thought of that.

It was true.

At first, she hadn't known Asher was first circle when she met him, since she didn't perceive his mana, but now she did.

However...

She had never wondered why Asher didn't advance to the second or third circle in a whole year, staying in the first circle for over a year.

"You should ask him."

"Yes, I understand."

Oriana then left, as her thoughts were in chaos, processing everything that had happened.

"I think this is important."

Oriana decided to go straight to talk to Asher, as she was also curious about what Principal Wilbek had said about him....