Chapter 147: Chapter No.147 Team Assemble (6/6)
[Samael Ashwood's POV]
As the dawn of the dungeon test day approached, I woke up feeling unusually calm. The pressure was there, lingering in the back of my mind, but it was tempered by the confidence I had in my team and the bond we shared. We had worked hard, and today, all that preparation would finally be tested.
I got up and moved through the morning routine, my mind still replaying the conversations from last night. Seraphina's idea of hand signals had been a stroke of genius, and it made me wonder how each of us would rise to the occasion when the time came. I knew they'd give it their all—just as I would.
After dressing in my academy gear, I met up with the others outside the dorms. Liliana, Eveline, Sionna, Lily, Raven, and Seraphina were all gathered, their faces showing varying levels of excitement and nervous energy. Liliana was calm and composed, Sionna's sleepy eyes had that quiet determination, and Eveline was practically vibrating with enthusiasm.
"Ready?" I asked, though I already knew the answer.
"More than ready," Eveline shot back, cracking her knuckles for emphasis. "Let's do this."
Lily nodded, her eyes meeting mine with a quiet strength. "We're all here. Let's make sure we come out stronger."
I gave them all a reassuring smile before leading the way to the academy's main courtyard. Students were already gathering, and I could feel the energy in the air—excitement, tension, even a bit of fear. This test would decide who stayed and who would be expelled. There was no room for failure.
As we reached the staging area, we were greeted by the sight of Professor Lincoln, standing tall and surveying the crowd with his usual air of confidence. His eyes landed on us as we approached, and he gave a slight nod, acknowledging our presence.
"Team Ashwood, good to see you all," he said, his voice steady. "This dungeon test will push you to your limits, but I expect nothing less than excellence from all of you. Remember, it's not just about power—it's about strategy and teamwork."
I nodded in response. "We're ready, Professor."
"Good," he replied with a hint of a smile. "Stick to your plan, and keep your wits about you. The dungeon is unpredictable, but so are you." His eyes lingered on me for a moment, as if he knew there was more to this test than met the eye.
As we joined the other teams, I caught sight of Elara in the distance, standing with her own group. Her gaze met mine for a brief moment, and she gave me a subtle, knowing smile before turning away. Whatever her plans were, I wasn't going to let them interfere with ours.
Moments later, the academy's headmaster, an imposing figure in dark robes, stepped forward to address the students. His voice boomed across the courtyard, commanding attention.
"Students, today marks the beginning of your dungeon exploration test. As you know, this is no ordinary dungeon. It has been specially designed to test your skills in combat, strategy, and teamwork. Failure is not an option—for those who do not succeed will face expulsion from the academy."
His words sent a ripple of tension through the crowd, but I stood firm, my eyes focused on the path ahead.
"The dungeon will shift and change as you progress," the headmaster continued. "There are traps, monsters, and puzzles awaiting you. Work together, trust in your abilities, and you may just come out victorious."
With that, he raised his hand, and the great doors of the dungeon opened, revealing a dark, foreboding passageway leading into the unknown.
"Good luck, students," the headmaster said, his voice echoing ominously. "Your test begins now."
Aiden, Marcus and Elara ran with four other team-members first, two other team also rushed through the entrance, eager to be among the first to tackle the challenges inside. Their determination was palpable, and I knew the competition would be fierce.
"Alright, team," I said, glancing at my group. "This is it. Stay close, stay sharp, and remember the plan. We don't need to be the fastest; we just need to be the smartest."
Eveline grinned. "And maybe take down a few of the overconfident ones while we're at it."
Liliana rolled her eyes playfully. "Focus, Eveline. We've got enough to worry about without thinking about other teams."
Lily adjusted her gear, her calm and focused demeanor a stark contrast to the buzzing energy around us. "Let's not get distracted. If we stick to the strategy, we'll make it through."
I led the group toward the dungeon entrance, the large stone doors looming ahead, casting an intimidating shadow. As we crossed the threshold, a wave of cold air swept over us, and the light from the courtyard began to fade. The first few steps into the dungeon were eerily quiet, with only the distant drip of water echoing off the stone walls.
The first chamber was wide and dimly lit, with flickering torches casting shadows across the jagged stone floor. It was empty, save for a few scattered stones, but we knew better than to trust appearances.
"Stay close," I whispered, signaling for the group to move forward cautiously. We didn't need to rush—better to proceed carefully and avoid unnecessary risks.
As we moved further in, the air grew heavier, and the quiet tension in the room began to build. I could feel the dungeon's magic at work, shifting the space, waiting for the right moment to spring its first challenge.
Suddenly, a soft rumble echoed through the chamber, and the ground beneath us shifted. Rock started forming serval humanoid figures, emerging from the walls and the floor, their stony bodies creaking and grinding as they took shape. Golems—animated by the dungeon's magic—stood before us, their eyes glowing with an eerie light.
"Okay, team formation A!" I said as Eveline and Raven took forefront being main attackers with Liliana as a backup, Sionna and Lily formed rather defensive stance ready to defend if anything slipped past the attackers.
While Serpahina stood by my side chanting illusion spells to distract the golems, creating mirror images of our group to confuse them. Her illusion magic shimmered, casting multiple reflections of us across the chamber, making it difficult for the golems to target the real team.
The golems hesitated, their glowing eyes scanning the illusory duplicates, trying to decide where to strike. Eveline wasted no time—
"Water Magic: Hydro Lances!"
Eveline launched a barrage of Hydro Lances, sharp spears of water shooting forward with deadly precision. The projectiles struck the nearest golem, piercing its rocky hide and leaving cracks in its surface. The golem stumbled, momentarily disoriented by the attack.
"Nice shot!" I called out, keeping my own magic at the ready. "Keep up the pressure!"
"Dark Magic: Coiling Shadows!"
Raven cast her spell next, summoning shadowy tendrils from the ground. The dark coils wrapped around the golems' legs, constricting their movements and making it harder for them to advance. With the golems temporarily immobilized, Eveline and Liliana moved in for a more coordinated strike.
"Sionna, now!" I called out.
Sionna, eyes gleaming with focus, raised her hands. "Water Magic: Tidal Push!"
A wave of water surged forward, crashing into the golems, further destabilizing them. The combined force of the water and Raven's shadows forced the golems back, causing them to stumble and lose their footing.
"Liliana, take them down!" I shouted.
Liliana, always calm under pressure, took advantage of the chaos. With a swift motion, she summoned her Blood Magic, "Blood Magic: Blood Siphon!" Crimson tendrils erupted from her hands, latching onto the golems with surprising speed. She siphoned their residual magic, weakening their structure while replenishing her own strength.
The golems' stony forms cracked under the strain, their movements slowing as their life force was drained.
"Alright, Eveline, finish them!" I commanded.
With the golems already on the verge of collapse, Eveline delivered the final blow with a grin. She swung her spear in a wide arc, channeling her water affinity to sharpen the edge. "Water Magic: Aqua Reaver!" The blade of water sliced cleanly through the remaining golems, causing them to crumble into piles of stone and dust.
The room fell silent as the last golem disintegrated, only weird laugh of Eveline echoing in the aftermath. The moment felt surreal—the first challenge was down, but we all knew there would be many more ahead.
"Nice teamwork, everyone," I praised, glancing at each of my teammates, their expressions a mix of exhilaration and relief. "That was just the beginning. Let's keep moving."
Eveline's laughter faded, replaced by a determined smile. "I could get used to this! Let's see what else this dungeon has to offer!"
As we advanced deeper into the dungeon, the air grew colder, and the atmosphere felt charged with magic. The walls began to shift, creating a labyrinthine pathway, twisting and turning in ways that defied logic.
"This place is alive," Sionna remarked, looking around with wide eyes. "It feels like it's watching us."
"Let it watch," I replied, my voice steady. "We're not here to be prey. Remember, our goal is to find the exit and tackle the challenges that come our way. Keep an eye out for traps."
We carefully navigated the winding corridors, remaining vigilant. The dim light from the torches flickered ominously, casting long shadows that seemed to dance along the stone walls. The air was thick with anticipation, each step echoing ominously in the stillness.
Suddenly, the ground trembled again, and a series of pressure plates began to shift underfoot. "Everyone, watch your step!" I shouted, darting to the side as spikes shot up from the floor in a rapid succession.
Raven's sharp reflexes kicked in. "Illusion Magic: Phantom Step!" She cast her spell, allowing us to move unseen through the danger zones. We navigated through the traps with a sense of urgency, adrenaline coursing through us as we narrowly avoided the lethal spikes.
Once we made it through, we found ourselves in a large chamber, its ceiling lost in shadows. The walls were adorned with ancient runes that pulsed softly, illuminating the space with an otherworldly glow. In the center stood a large pedestal, and atop it was a shimmering crystal orb.
"What do you think it is?" Eveline asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Could be a key or a clue," I speculated, taking a cautious step forward. "Let's check it out, but be ready for anything."
As I approached the orb, the runes on the walls flared to life, and a spectral figure emerged from the crystal, its form translucent and ethereal. The spirit hovered before us, its gaze fixed on our group with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine.
.
..
...
[To Be Continued]
-------------------------
Stone Me!, I can take it.
Please leave your thoughts in the comments.
Give your reviews, It helps.
Thanks for reading.
THIS CHAPTER UPLOAD FIRST AT NOVELBIN.COM