On the Road

After getting everything I needed, we were on our way to the Academy.

I shifted my gaze to Jennifer. She was still pouting because I didn't let her buy that cute-looking shield.

I didn't want her to bring that shield with us and use it.

Firstly, it's really distracting and attracts a lot of attention.

Secondly, I need her to use her swordsmanship to its fullest and clear from the front while I hold the back.

In this [Tier I] dungeon, there are some traps and three types of enemies.

There are several Mimics, in the shape of chests and books. Magic books are considered rare treasures, and you have a chance to find a new spell that isn't recognized by the Magic Tower yet. This makes the cost of such books astronomical.

Lycanthropes, humanoid beasts resembling a wolf. They are mostly agile, and their claws can cause infections. But the real danger is their bites. They have strong jaws, and once they bite, you can't shake them off easily.

Gray Slimes, two of their more consistent traits are acid damage and the ability to blend in perfectly with their surroundings. Their acid damage can degrade equipment durability, and with their blending ability, they can catch you with a surprise attack.

The traps consist of shooting poisoned arrows out of the walls when you trigger a pressure plate on the ground. There are also occasional fake illusions that try to confuse you.

If I were alone, I would need more gear than what I got today and maybe even have to run away at times to replenish my [Mana].

With Jennifer by my side, I can easily get past the monsters and reach the boss room.

In this dungeon, only one type of boss spawns. 

Animated Armor Knight is the boss that spawns in this dungeon. It's a boss that requires some fighting capabilities to beat. Just being an empty armor moving around with no flesh inside of it makes it a tricky opponent. Low-grade spells will not work, and even a <Fireball >, which is an intermediate-grade spell, will just render the armor motionless for a few seconds.

To beat it, you need to win a duel against him with your swordsmanship skills. 

At least that's the easy method. If you can't win by overwhelming the boss, you have to collect some Gray Slimes on the way. And they are not easy to capture.

The worst possible situation is failing to capture one and ruining all of your gear. If that happens, you have to retreat and come back later.

I am confident in Jennifer's sword skills, but I should capture some Gray Slimes on the way for a plan B.

If this were a higher tier dungeon and had the same boss, there wouldn't be an option to beat it with a duel or any acids. You would have to bring a Demon Enchanter to figure out the curse while others keep the boss busy.

It's only possible right now, because this dungeon is one of the prologue dungeons.

***

With the sun setting, the Academy entered our sight with its splendid architecture.

The campus, vast and sprawling, exuded an enchanting glow, revealing intricate details in every corner and creating a captivating spectacle.

The lights, strategically placed, highlighted the beauty of the Academy, turning it into a beacon of knowledge and elegance against the evening sky.

I looked at Jennifer and she was still pouting.

I blurted something to see her reaction.

"This silence is great. Maybe I should have gone to the shopping district with you earlier."

"Hmph."

She pouted more and turned her head to the opposite side of me.

"Be ready at 6 PM after class, Sarah already made an appointment for a carriage."

"Hmph!"

I checked my surroundings first and made sure we were alone.

Then, I pinched her cheeks with both of my hands and stretched them to the opposite sides.

"Ow! Ouch! I gesh ish! Pleash shtoph!"

I stopped when she seemed to be in the verge of crying.

Blood flow to her cheeks and a red hue surrounded her both cheeks. 

She started to rub her cheeks with her hands.

"Oh gosh. I can't even with you." She said with a small voice.

I glared at her.

"Did you said something?"

"Uh- NO! See you tomorrow~!"

After shouting those words, she ran away.

***

Friday, 6:12 PM

I was waiting for Jennifer.

I don't know why she is not here yet. The classes ended at 4 PM. So you would think she would be ready and waiting for me here already.

Shortly after, a figure approached. A young girl with vibrant gray hair and crimson eyes came into view. There was an undeniable charm about her that drew the attention of everyone around, compelling their gaze to fixate upon her presence.

Yet, something disrupted this graceful image. A massive backpack on her back, towering like a mountain and challenging the elegance she exuded.

*Sigh

When she finally reached me I asked.

"What's with your backpack?"

"Uhm. It's just, while I was preparing, I thought, who knows, maybe we will need this and that, and without knowing it was like this... Hehe~."

My gaze was looking towards the colossal mountain on her back, and I noticed something.

I reached and she suddenly jumped back.

"Haha. What's wrong, big brother?"

She got nervous, and some sweat appeared on her forehead.

"What are you hiding in there?"

"What~? C'mon~ Why would I hide anything from you~."

Miss Jennifer, you even forgot to say your big brother line at the end. She is clearly hiding something.

"Is that so? Then, I guess I will go alone because my 'little sister' doesn't trust me even to let me check her backpack."

I tried to sound like her but my personality didn't allow me much. 

However, it seems to be a success.

She looked worried and start to fidget around.

"Umm. Don't say that big brother, here you can look. I trust you."

She lowered her backpack and I reached inside.

What I found made me look at her blankly.

"Hehe~. Oops~," she said and acted like she was hitting her head with a knock.

It was the cute shield from that shop.

I guess that's why she was a little late today.

*Sigh 

"I'm not mad but you can't use this in the dungeon. Do you understand?"

"Ah. Okay."

She looked a little disappointed.

After that, we loaded our stuff into the carriage and hit the road.

***

We traveled more than a third of the way to the Artheana Mountains, and it was almost midnight.

Almost a two-hour long traveling should have left for us to reach our destination.

So we decided to rest the horses and get some sleep, we came to a stop at a 3-Star Inn.

It wasn't the best but it wasn't the worst either.

The place had a mix of vibes, with hunters from the Hunting Association, known for hunting Mana Beasts, chowing down, and enjoying drinks.

While the Inn was just a 3-star, not super fancy, it had its own charm and seemed popular among those who love a good adventure.

"Welcome! Food and a room for two, perhaps?"

"Food, yes but we want separate rooms."

"I hoped you wouldn't say that. To be honest, we only have one room for two."

"Fine... bring the food to our rooms."

With those words, I put a pouch in his hands with some extra money.

"Yes! Of course! Here is the key and the room is on the second floor. Leave your baggage to this guy here." said the Innkeeper and pointed to a young man next to the counter.

I nodded and we made our way to the room.

*Click *Creak

I unlocked and opened the door.

It was not a big room but it was not that small either. There was a cabinet and a small bathroom.

And only a single bed.

"Yay! We never slept together since I was 5 right? Big brother?"

"Jennifer, tell me the truth, you don't have that kind of perversion toward sibling relations right?"

I said with a ridiculing tone.

"*Pout. What do you take me for? I only have pure love towards my big brother, nothing else."

After she said that, her hand made a heart shape and she mimicked shooting a heart towards me.

I moved my body to the side.

"Argh, why are you avoiding my love!"

After some time our food and luggage were delivered and we spent the night without trouble.

***

*Knock *Knock 

"Come."

*Creak 

"Your Highness, I have some news."

"What's up, Aros?"

"Prince Dylan and Princess Jennifer are heading to the Artheana Mountains. They are currently staying at a 3-Star Inn."

"Why on earth?"

"We are not sure, but I already deployed one of our spies to follow them."

"*Sigh. These kids... You did great. Tell the spy to only interfere when their lives are in danger. And keep me updated."

"Understood, Your Highness."

After Aros left Duke Tyler looked at a painting in his office. 

The painting portrayed a beauty out of this world. Anyone would fall for her at first sight.

"Stella... I am trying my best but... I wish you were still here."