coobybook Chapter 21 Dungeon Practice
Chapter 21 Dungeon Practice
In some ways, the Arcadia Hunter Academy operates much like a university.
Students will choose some courses based on their major, but the class times are somewhat random, and not all courses are held at the same time.
But that was after the second semester, because in the first semester, everyone needed to take basic courses on various jobs related to hunters.
Eleanor White finished her first class of the day, completing the "Basic Fighting Skills" lesson.
Normally, the next class is free, and other classes are scheduled for this afternoon. But this time is different, because today we will begin our real college life.
Please do not leave the classroom.
Eleanor suddenly tapped the table to draw everyone's attention back to the students who were about to leave.
"As you all know, we have completed the first month of the course. Therefore, starting this week, you will be participating in random dungeon exploration practice activities." Instructor White's announcement drew the attention of all the students.
The classroom buzzed with excitement as some students exchanged glances with their friends. Dungeon exploration was the highlight of their training, an opportunity to test their knowledge and skills in a real-world setting.
In a sense, the month-long wait is worthwhile, as most of the students entering the academy are novices who have never seen any type of dungeon before. Therefore, they need to be educated and understand the situation before venturing out.
Seeing how happy they were, I couldn't help but shake my head.
"I wonder what your expressions will be when you see the monsters in the dungeon," I thought to myself. People who always fantasize about being the protagonist live in a fantasy world, and when reality comes, the blow will be huge.
This actual dungeon exploration was, in fact, the first lesson the academy taught them, letting them understand the cruelty of the real world.
"During these explorations, you will be divided into different groups according to your level. You will venture into various dungeons, each with its own unique challenges and monsters. The aim is to assess your adaptability, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities in real-world situations."
She paused, allowing the significance of the upcoming experience to settle, before continuing, "Remember, the dungeon can be dangerous; safety is paramount. Always follow the leader's instructions and cooperate with your teammates. Otherwise, it could lead to serious consequences."
The students nodded, but I also saw the relaxed expressions on their faces. They all thought it was easy.
After speaking, she gestured to the blackboard behind her. "The dungeon you are about to explore is an artificial dungeon of the academy. Therefore, you will not suffer fatal injuries. But that does not mean you will not feel any pain."
She pointed to the camera, where a student was blown away by a monster, blood streaming from his chest.
"Just like there, if it's determined that you've suffered a fatal wound, your course will end. Understand?"
A resounding "Yes!" filled the room, and Eleanor smiled at the sight.
“The information should now have been sent to your bracelets,” Professor White said, her voice commanding attention. “This message contains all the necessary information for your first dungeon exploration, including your team mission, the monsters you will be hunting, and the specific objectives you need to complete.”
She paused, and the students checked their wristbands; each had received a notification. I glanced at my wristband and saw a message containing details of our team's exploration.
Professor White continued, “After reviewing the information, gather your team members and proceed to the entrance of the artificial dungeon. Your team leader will be responsible for guiding your group throughout the exploration. Follow their instructions and cooperate as a team.”
"The dungeon will be monitored by examiners, who will intervene if they find any potential risks to your safety. However, I must emphasize that your performance will be evaluated based on your ability to handle situations independently, so it depends on your teamwork and skills."
"Now, assemble your teams and head to the entrance of the artificial dungeon. Your adventure awaits, and I expect you to give it your all."
As the students began to form their own teams, I saw the main characters gathered together: Ethan, Victor, Julia, Lucas, Irina, and Alice. They seemed full of confidence and ready to face whatever the future held.
This was to be expected; unlike ordinary students, they almost always went into the dungeon frequently. Even Ethan had been into the dungeon once.
I turned my gaze to my wristband, opened the messages, and saw my team.
Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.
Irina Phoenix – Ranked #3 among students
George Harvey – Ranked 135th among students
Nora Berry – Ranked 521
Morse Scott – Student Ranking 2450
Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.
Looking at my teammates, I turned my gaze to the girl who was smiling at Viktor. Clearly, she hadn't checked on her team yet.
"Ugh......"
The first person on the team roster is the captain, and our captain is Irina. She was one of the most troublesome people at the start of the game, and I believe she still is.
The other two characters in our team are also characters I know, but they're minor figures. If you haven't played this side quest or story game, you probably wouldn't even know their names.
George Harvey is a tank-type character, belonging to the front line. His main weapon is an axe, and his trait "Earth Guardian" makes him a decent tank, allowing him to use earth-based abilities to protect himself.
Then there's Nora Berry. She's a female swordswoman, primarily focused on strength. Due to her considerable talent with the sword, her ranking steadily rises, and she gains some fame in the later stages of the game. Even now, her rank isn't too bad, and her strength is at a high level.
However, the team is quite balanced overall. It has a tank, a vanguard, a mage, and a support. Since I'm a dagger user, I usually act as a scout.
As I was pondering the students' questions, I felt a stinging gaze behind me. Turning around, I saw a pair of bright yellow eyes staring at me with annoyance.
However, this only lasted for a moment, because after that, Irina looked away from me.
Seeing that the other two had already gathered in the corner of the classroom and were walking towards where Irina was standing, I went over there too.
As her teammates surrounded Irina, she smiled and looked at the two of them.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Irina.” Nora’s tone was slightly stiff. She came from a middle-class family and was somewhat intimidated by Irina. Although she was usually a rather energetic girl, she was still cautious.
“Don’t be so stiff. Nora, right? You can chat with me casually.” Irina wasn’t one to stand on ceremony. Her fiery red hair swayed as she smiled at Nora.
"Ah... thank you, then I'll call you Irina."
“George, right? I remember you during the entrance exam. Weren’t you the one who covered yourself in dirt?” Nora immediately smiled and turned her gaze to the burly boy beside her.
"Ah... I'm so embarrassed now." George looks clumsy and intimidating, but he's actually a very soft-hearted person and doesn't know how to communicate well with others.
“By the way, where’s Morse…” Just as Nora was about to turn her gaze to me, Irina suddenly interrupted.
“We should head to the entrance now,” Irina announced cheerfully, completely ignoring my presence.
Nora and George seemed to accept her sudden change of topic without question, following her without a second thought. To them, I was like an invisible man. Although I could see Nora glance at me briefly, she was powerless to do anything about it.
Because my senses have been enhanced, I can hear their conversation.
"So, George, what are your combat specialties?" Irina asked excitedly.
“I am the Earth Guardian,” Gregor answered shyly, flustered by Irina’s attention. “I am skilled in using earth magic to defend and protect my teammates. With the characteristics of the Earth Guardian, I can create barriers to absorb incoming attacks.”
"Not bad, we have a tank!" Irina exclaimed, patting Gregor on the back encouragingly. "Nora, what about you? What are your combat specialties?"
Nora smiled and confidently straightened her posture. "I am a swordsman. I focus on strength and precision, aiming to deliver a decisive blow in close combat. My level may not be high yet, but I am confident I can prove myself in dungeon exploration!"
“That’s the spirit we need!” Irina cheered, giving Nora a thumbs up. “With your swordsmanship and George’s defense, our front line is formidable.”
Irina likes confident people, but she dislikes those who are always boasting. To her, this is what defines a person's character.
They walked on, completely ignoring my presence, which was to be expected. After all, that's just the kind of person Irina is. She likes capable people and enjoys showing herself as an elite in order to impress Victor.
Even now, I can see her occasionally glancing at Victor, even though he doesn't seem to notice her at all.
"It's a pity your humble love goes unanswered," I thought to myself, because in the game, Victor never stopped pursuing Julia, even until the very end.
As we arrived at the entrance to the artificial dungeon, a magnificent stone building came into view. This massive structure mimicked the dungeons of the outside world, but its purpose was to provide students with a safer training ground.
Everyone was carrying weapons. My dagger was on my belt. After thinking for a moment, I decided that using two daggers would suit me better. So, as per regulations, I grabbed another one from the training ground.
Irina stepped forward, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. "Alright, let's go."
Nora and George nodded eagerly, ready to face the challenge. But Irina didn't even glance in my direction, as if she had completely forgotten my presence.
And so they stepped through the gate, which would lead us into the academy's artificial dungeon.