He sat on the edge of his bed, staring at Nocturne's dark form resting in the corner of his dorm room. The day's last rays of sunlight cast elongated shadows on the floor, highlighting each scratch and nick in the sword's slender black blade. A pensive silence clung to the small space, broken only by Noah's steady breathing.

He ran a hand through his untamed dark hair, feeling the weight of Kyren's glasses sliding down the bridge of his nose. Adjusting them with a faint sigh, he contemplated the upcoming Class Placement Exam. Only a few days remained before the academy would rank each student's abilities through written tests and live combat trials. The idea of being judged as a Broad Core mage—someone who wielded no element but Pure Mana—carried an added tension he couldn't dismiss.

A dungeon, he mused silently, might be the key to solidifying his combat readiness. Few places offered raw, unpredictable fights better than even the simplest labyrinth. He wanted something real, not just sparring matches where his classmates pulled their punches. A Novice-level dungeon would let him push his limits without risking mortal peril. He exhaled, rising from the bed and pacing the small room. 

Yes. He would ask Professor Alden Marek for permission tomorrow. If luck held, the professor would agree to sponsor the venture. With that decision made, tension ebbed from Noah's shoulders. He sat at his desk and began to scribble a list of supplies and spells he might need:

Provisions for at least one day.Mana potions to offset potential exhaustion from channeling Pure Mana.Extra weapon maintenance kit for Nocturne.Healing salve, just in case.

As he wrote, the room grew steadily dimmer, shadows swallowing corners and leaving only the faint glow of a desk lamp. Eventually, he closed his notebook and prepared for bed, mind abuzz with the possibilities the next day would bring.

The next morning, Class B gathered in their usual lecture hall. Rows of desks filled quickly, students chatting about everything from magic theory to rumors of another mysterious incident in the city. Lily slipped in quietly, her petite frame draped in a simple uniform that contrasted with her soft blue hair. She took her seat, flipping through her notes on Ice Magic, hoping to refine her latest spells.

Noah arrived soon after, scanning the room before choosing a spot near her. He caught Lily's eye and offered a slight nod of greeting. She responded with a shy smile. The professor would start soon, and he felt a low flutter of anticipation for the conversation he planned to have after class.

Across the lecture hall, small clusters of students murmured about the Class Placement Exam. Some boasted about their elemental prowess, while others bemoaned the difficulty of combining knowledge and combat skills.

"All right, everyone," Professor Alden Marek called out, stepping to the front. His kind hazel eyes swept over the desks, and he clapped his hands softly to still the chatter. "Settle in. We've got a busy day ahead."

The students fell silent, though a few near the back continued to whisper excitedly about the exam. Marek allowed a tolerant smile before beginning the lesson, which focused on refining the basic spells they'd practiced last week. He demonstrated a small Earth Magic shield, describing how to balance mana distribution to achieve stability.

Noah, attentive but slightly restless, tried to focus on the demonstration. He wanted the class to end so he could speak to the professor about the dungeon. Eventually, the lesson wound down, and Marek assigned a short reading exercise.

"That's all for today," the professor announced, scanning the clock near the exit. "Class dismissed."

As the students rose to leave, Noah maneuvered through the aisle until he stood before the professor's desk. Lily, packing her belongings, noticed Noah heading forward. Curiosity flickered in her pale silver eyes, and she lingered near the front row.

Professor Marek looked up, stroking his salt-and-pepper beard in greeting. "Need something, Noah?"

"Yes, sir," Noah said, keeping his tone respectful. "I'd like your permission to attempt a dungeon—specifically a Novice-level one—before the placement exam. I think it would help me test my abilities in a real scenario."

Marek's lips pursed in thoughtful silence. The professor's stocky build seemed even more solid when he mulled over an idea, as though weighing its pros and cons physically. "A dungeon, hm? And you plan to go alone?"

"That was the idea," Noah replied, adjusting his glasses. "But if that's not allowed, I'll find a small party."

"Hm." Marek nodded slowly. "A Novice-level dungeon might be beneficial, especially for a Broad Core user refining Pure Mana. Real combat outside supervised classes can be valuable if done safely. But yes, the academy prefers that no one ventures alone—even in novice dungeons."

Noah inclined his head. "I understand."

"You have my approval," Marek decided, a glint of encouragement in his hazel eyes. "But I'll sign off only if you agree to form a party. At least one other person."

A quiet voice interjected. "I'll go."

Noah turned to see Lily standing a few steps away, her soft blue hair catching the overhead light. Her cheeks were tinted pink, as though she'd mustered courage just to speak up. "I want to join you," she said more firmly.

Noah hesitated. "Lily, I was thinking—"

She moved closer, gently but insistently grabbing his arm. Her pale silver eyes, usually so timid, glowed with resolve. "I'm going too."

He tried to form a protest. "But it might be dangerous—"

"I'm still going," she shot back, the faint tremor in her voice overshadowed by her determination.

He drew a breath, attempting once more. "Look, Lily, I can handle—"

She interrupted again, her voice firm. "No."

Professor Marek observed this exchange with a light-hearted twinkle in his gaze. Noah let out a resigned sigh, glancing at the professor, who only chuckled softly. Lily, noticing Noah's exasperation, bit her lip apologetically but refused to budge.

Noah cleared his throat, trying one last time. "Are you absolutely sure—"

"Yes," Lily cut him off, the finality in her tone clear.

Marek couldn't hide his amusement as he reached for a form on his desk. "It appears we have a volunteer. Very well, I'll list you two as the official party for a Novice dungeon. That satisfies the requirement, yes?"

Noah exhaled, uncertain but touched by Lily's earnestness. "Yes, sir."

Lily offered a small, triumphant smile, retracting her hand from Noah's arm. "Thank you, Professor."

The professor scribbled their names on the form. "The dungeon in question is a cave system," he explained. "It houses packs of wolves and a few aggressive crocodiles. Not the worst you could face, but not trivial either. I'll arrange for a warp gate to be set up by tomorrow morning. You can head there once everything's prepared."

Noah couldn't help but feel a weight of responsibility settle over him. Lily might be shy, but her Ice Magic was promising, and she'd grown more confident. Still, he worried for her safety.

"I'll keep watch," he said under his breath.

Marek overheard and gave a reassuring nod. "Rely on each other. That's the essence of party-based exploration."

Later that day, while the sun's glare softened into afternoon glow, Kael caught up with Noah in the dining hall. The Felinor's light gray hair framed his face, golden eyes gleaming with playful energy. He set down a tray of assorted pastries and took a seat opposite Noah.

He leaned in conspiratorially. "Heard you got dungeon clearance from Marek. And apparently you're bringing Lily?"

Noah frowned at Kael's insinuating tone. "She insisted, yes. It's not a date."

"Oh, but it sure sounds like one," Kael teased, arching an eyebrow. "Dungeon diving under flickering mana crystals, saving each other from wolves... quite romantic."

Noah pinched the bridge of his nose. "She simply wants to train for the exam."

Kael gave a mock sigh. "You're no fun. Still, I'm glad you have some backup. Even a novice dungeon can surprise you."

Noah nodded, conceding the point. "We'll be careful."

Word of Noah's party spread quickly. By the time Kael reached the Class S training grounds to practice his Wind Magic, the rumor had found its way to Mira. She was in the middle of perfecting a Fire Magic technique, her slender build moving fluidly as she conjured dancing flames around her. Her warm amber eyes flashed with concentration.

As Kael sauntered over, the last flickers of flame dissipated, leaving only a gentle shimmer in the air.

Mira pushed a loose strand of brown hair aside. "You look pleased with yourself. Did you figure out that new Wind Barrier trick?"

"Sort of," Kael said dismissively. "But that's not why I'm smiling."

She raised an eyebrow. "Then why?"

"Thought you'd like to know: Noah's taking Lily to a dungeon. Alone. Could be quite the date."

Mira's immediate laugh was short, a sound somewhere between genuine amusement and forced bravado. "A dungeon date? That's... an interesting choice."

Kael noticed the air around them grow stiflingly warm, a subtle hint of rising tension. Mira's hands clenched at her sides, the faintest glow of heat radiating from her aura. Her Fire Magic responded unconsciously to her emotions.

"Doesn't concern me," she said, schooling her features into a calm mask. "If they want to fight wolves and crocodiles together, that's their business."

"Uh-huh," Kael replied, biting back a grin. "I'm sure you're completely unbothered."

Her amber eyes narrowed. "Why would I be bothered? We're friends. That's it."

"Right," Kael drawled, stepping back a hair's breadth to avoid the wave of warmth. "Anyway, good luck with your training."

Mira turned away, dismissing him with a quiet exhalation. But once Kael left, her fists tightened again, heat rippling in faint waves. "Stupid rumor," she muttered under her breath. "What do I care if Lily goes with him?"

Despite her protest, the flicker of jealousy refused to die down.

That evening, Noah and Lily met in one of the academy's smaller practice rooms to finalize their gear. The wooden chamber smelled faintly of varnish and old parchment. A single arcane lamp provided soft illumination, enough to see the array of items laid out on a table.

Lily organized her spell scrolls, occasionally glancing at Noah to gauge his reaction. She'd brought along a few new Ice Magic incantations, plus some basics for healing minor wounds.

Noah carefully inspected Nocturne, running a cloth over the slender black blade with glowing white streaks. He recalled the stories that suggested the blade judged its wielder's actions, growing heavier if misused. No matter how many times he used it, the sword's mysteries felt half-veiled.

"You sure you're ready for this?" he asked, glancing at Lily's slender frame. Despite her shy nature, he'd seen glimpses of her growing resolve.

She lifted her gaze from her items, meeting his eyes. "We'll face it together, right?"

He nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Yes. Together."

Morning arrived swiftly. In a courtyard near the academy's Warp Gate Station, Professor Marek stood, double-checking the runic inscriptions that powered the portal. A swirling vortex of mana crackled softly, contained by a series of meticulously arranged crystals and engraved stones.

Noah, wearing a simple but durable combat outfit, approached with Lily by his side. She wore a modest tunic-and-trousers combination, her blue hair pinned back to keep it out of her way. Her pale silver eyes flicked between the warp gate and the professor, both nerves and excitement shining in them.

"All set?" Marek asked, stepping away from the console that controlled the gate.

Noah nodded. "We've got our supplies. We're ready."

Lily inhaled, exhaling a determined breath. "Yes, Professor."

"Novice-level, so you shouldn't encounter anything too extreme," Marek reminded them. "Wolves, a few crocodiles—both can be deadly if underestimated. Stay alert, rely on each other, and keep an eye on your mana usage."

Noah ran a hand over the hilt of Nocturne. "We'll do our best."

Professor Marek offered an encouraging nod. "I'll monitor from here. If anything goes wrong, I can forcibly warp you back. Good luck."

Stepping through the warp gate felt like plunging into a swirl of colors. The environment blurred momentarily, and a low hum filled their ears. Then, with a jolt, they materialized in a cool, dimly lit cave. Stalagmites rose from the floor, and stalactites threatened from the ceiling. Moisture dripped from the walls, the droplets echoing in the enclosed space.

A faint luminescence from crystals embedded in the rock provided enough visibility to see that the tunnel ahead branched into several passageways. Lily reached out with her Ice Magic, producing a delicate orb of frost-blue light to serve as additional illumination.

Noah cast a glance around, checking for immediate threats. "Seems quiet," he murmured, voice echoing.

"Maybe too quiet," Lily whispered, keeping close. Her breath formed small puffs of fog in the chill air.

Together, they advanced down one of the tunnels, the ground slightly uneven beneath their feet. Their boots scuffed against patches of damp gravel. The sense of tension rose steadily as every step might bring them face-to-face with the dungeon's inhabitants.

It didn't take long. A pair of wolves emerged from behind a cluster of rock formations, their eyes glinting with feral menace. Their fur bristled, and low growls reverberated in the narrow corridor. Lily's heart pounded, but she lifted a hand, conjuring a slender ice spike from her palm. Noah moved in front of her, his posture confident, channeling a thin layer of mana reinforcement over his arms.

One wolf lunged, snapping its jaws at Noah. He pivoted gracefully, hooking his foot under the beast's hind leg to throw it off-balance, then struck with a swift blow. The contact, enhanced by mana, sent the wolf skidding away. The other rushed Lily, only to encounter an ice spike that she flung forward. It grazed the creature's shoulder, not a mortal wound but enough to drive it back.

The wolves circled, growling more aggressively. Noah seized the moment and pressed forward, compelling them to split up. Lily supported him by laying a thin sheet of ice on the floor, causing one wolf to lose its footing and crash into a wall. The second wolf, lunging for Noah's side, earned a firm strike from Nocturne's flat edge, leaving it whimpering.

Both animals, injured and outmatched, retreated into the darkness, their growls echoing long after they vanished from sight. Lily exhaled shakily, her chest tight with lingering adrenaline.

"First fight, done," Noah said, offering her a small, reassuring nod. "Are you okay?"

She nodded, though her voice trembled a bit. "Yes... just a bit startled."

"You did fine," he said, glancing at the frosty residue on the floor. "Good control."

She allowed herself a brief smile. "Thank you."

They continued deeper into the network of passages. The walls glistened with patches of moss, and trickles of water formed small rivulets along the floors. Occasionally, the faint drip echoed ominously, heightening the sense of isolation.

In a wider chamber, they found a shallow pool reflecting the jagged ceiling, the water's surface eerily still. Lily guided them along the edge, freezing stepping stones to cross the treacherous terrain. Noah kept an eye out for any lurking creatures.

A sudden splash alerted them to movement. An aggressive crocodile, larger than any normal specimen, surged from the water, jaws gaping in a hiss. Its thick scales glistened with algae, and its eyes glowed with primal hunger.

Noah reacted instantly, stepping forward to intercept. His right eye—the glowing silver one—caught a faint pulse of mana around the beast, letting him discern the crocodile's weak points. He channeled a sliver of Pure Mana into his forearms for extra impact.

The crocodile snapped at him, sharp teeth clacking dangerously close. Noah tried to push it back, but the creature's sheer weight and thrashing tail forced him to yield ground. Lily, standing behind, extended her arms, summoning a swirl of frost around the reptile's hind legs. The water around it froze, immobilizing the lower half momentarily.

Seizing the chance, Noah pressed forward, slamming his mana-reinforced strike down onto the crocodile's snout. The beast roared, water churning as it attempted to break free of the ice. Lily focused, beads of sweat forming on her temple, maintaining the freeze with all her might.

With a second blow from Nocturne's flat side—Noah chose not to kill if he could avoid it—the crocodile slumped, dazed. Lily let the ice shatter, stepping back carefully. The reptile retreated, slipping into the dark water with a final hiss.

"That was... intense," Lily breathed, releasing the tension in her shoulders.

Noah offered a faint smile, adrenaline coursing through his veins. "You handled it well."

She nodded, still catching her breath. "So did you. Thanks for the backup."

"Likewise," he replied, scanning the chamber for any more threats. Finding none, they proceeded with caution.

Back in the academy's courtyard, Kael relayed the news of Noah and Lily's dungeon expedition to Mira. The two stood near a cluster of training dummies, faint scorch marks on the ground where Mira had practiced her Fire Magic.

"So they're going alone?" Mira repeated, trying to sound nonchalant. Her amber eyes belied a hint of tension.

Kael smirked. "That's what I heard. Just them. Could be a date, who knows?"

Mira gave a short laugh, crossing her arms. "A dungeon date... typical. They want to train. Good for them."

Yet Kael sensed the air growing uncomfortably warm, his own wind magic stirring in mild self-defense. Mira's fists clenched, the faint flicker of flame dancing around her knuckles.

He decided not to push further. "Anyway, I'm sure they'll be fine. It's just a novice cave."

"Of course," Mira said, forcing a brittle smile. "Nothing to worry about at all."

Deep in the bowels of the dungeon, Noah and Lily found themselves in a final passage that led to a small cavern illuminated by eerie bio-luminescent mushrooms. The turquoise glow painted the walls with streaks of ghostly light. A sense of pressure built in the air, as though the stone itself held its breath.

Noah paused, caution knotting his brow. "Feel that?"

Lily nodded, her silver eyes scanning the gloom. "It's colder, but not naturally so."

Ahead, the tunnel narrowed, and a distant rumble resonated through the stone, causing flecks of dust to drift down from the ceiling. Lily tensed, her heart thudding. Noah steadied himself, letting his mana coil through his limbs.

They exchanged a final, resolute glance and stepped forward.

The passage ended abruptly, revealing a wide cavern with jagged stalagmites. In the center, a faint, unnatural glow shimmered across a pool of stagnant water. The air felt charged, crackling with unidentifiable energy.

Noah lifted Nocturne, readying himself for whatever lay beyond. Lily clenched her hands, pale mist coalescing around her fingertips. A foreboding hush blanketed the area.

Suddenly, the glow intensified, pulsing like a heartbeat. Lily inhaled sharply, instincts flaring. They both realized something was here—something bigger than wolves or crocodiles.

(Please comment any criticism.)