Chapter 72 - A Party of Five

BZZZT! BZZZT! BZZZZT!!!

The gentle vibration of my phone on the wooden nightstand woke me up early the next morning.

It was the alarm that I set up so that I always wake up early.

"Ugh..."

I stretched my arms, sitting up on the bed while rubbing the faint sleep from my eyes.

I picked up the device and saw a new notification glowing on the screen.

It was a message from Ahri, sent just a few minutes ago, checking in on how I was holding up and greeting me good morning.

I typed a quick reply, greeting her back and assuring her that I was completely fine here.

I also casually added that Headmaster Sebastian had granted me personal access to the academy’s evaluation dungeon as a special reward.

PING!

Her reply came back almost instantaneously. She expressed genuine shock, happy at the fact that a freshman had been granted dungeon privileges so early in the academic year.

She sent a barrage of congratulatory messages, praising my achievement and reminding me to remain cautious whenever I decided to dive into the lower floors.

"Thanks, Ahri. I’ll make sure to be careful."

I typed out that reply and sent it.

I told her my thanks before getting out of bed, fixed the sheets, and went straight to the small kitchen area to prepare a simple meal.

As usual, I had a breakfast, and after finishing my food, I took a quick, refreshing shower, dressed in my crisp academy uniform, and buckled [Frost] and my silver dagger securely around my waist.

... ... ...

Before heading out the door, I pulled out my phone once more and opened our group chat—the five-member party that had taken first place during the initial dungeon evaluation test.

I typed out a quick message, asking Zion, Cindy, Cordelia, and Crystal if they were free to meet up at our usual restaurant during the lunch break.

And one by one, their confirmations popped up on the screen.

Satisfied with their replies, I slid the phone into my pocket and made my way toward the lecture halls.

*****

Anyway I attended morning class as usual, sitting through the steady blur of magical theory and historical combat lectures.

Zion always gets to class first. After all, he wakes up really early to train before classes. He’s such a freak for that, to be honest.

... ... ...

The time passed by without any issues, and as soon as the noon bell chimed across the campus grounds, I gathered my notes and left the room.

I walked down the main path, heading straight toward the restaurant where Zion and I worked our part-time shifts.

"You called everyone, huh."

Zion said to ne, smirking. We’re classmates and seatmates, of course we’re going together.

"Yeah yeah, I might as well invite everybody formally."

I told him.

When we arrived at the restaurant, the rest of the group was already waiting at a wide, comfortable booth near the back of the dining room. I told boss that we were coming and he saved us a table.

’He’s really a good boss.’

I thought.

Zion and I joined the three girls who already ordered and were eating.

"Hello, guys."

Cindy offered a gentle wave as the two of us approached.

Cordelia and Crystal sat across from her, maintaining their usual poised and refined noble postures.

I sat down in the open seat beside Cindy and Zion sat beside me, I ordered a simple lunch platter from one of my co-workers before turning my attention to the table.

"So, Vael,"

Cordelia spoke up first, resting her hands neatly on the polished wood.

"What was it that you wanted to discuss with us? You sounded quite earnest in your message."

She asked that, looking at me with a polite smile.

"I brought you all here to tell you about something I received from the headmaster yesterday."

I told them, resting my forearms against the table.

"I was granted official access to the academy’s evaluation dungeon."

I stated that clearly to everyone.

Cindy, who was sipping her tea, and Zion, who was picking at his food, remained completely unbothered by the news.

They already knew about it since I told them yesterday.

But Cordelia and Crystal were different.

They were shocked, their eyes widening in complete disbelief as they stared at me.

"Wait... What?"

Crystal asked, her sharp voice rising slightly in genuine astonishment.

"Dungeon access? As a first-semester freshman?"

She followed up with that, leaning forward across the table.

"You aren’t joking, are you, Vael?"

Cordelia chimed in, her refined composure cracking for a brief second.

"Standard students aren’t permitted to re-enter the evaluation vaults until the second semester at the earliest!"

She stated that with a surprised expression.

"Haha... I have special access."

They were shocked, telling me that gaining access to the dungeon this early is awesome because we wouldn’t be able to enter back until the 2nd semester, and even then, they wouldn’t be able to enter freely as they wanted.

"That’s right, ordinary access during the second term comes with strict supervision and time limits."

Crystal added, shaking her head.

"But the access I have allows that, it’s the same privilege given to the [Z CLASS]."

I told them calmly.

Crystal let out a soft breath, leaning back against the leather bench.

"The special advancement class... To think they handed that level of clearance to an individual freshman."

She mumbled under her breath.

Cordelia leaned forward slightly, her perceptive gaze locking onto mine.

"This is regarding what transpired on joint session before, isn’t it? The incident with Jodan."

She asked that, quickly piecing the clues together.

"That’s right."

I told them that it’s a reward for what happened, the incident with Jodan. The two immediately realized how I got the access.

They knew how dangerous that dark energy was, so receiving a major institutional privilege for stopping a disaster made complete sense to them.

Anyway, the reason I called them here is clear, so without beating around the bush anymore...

I leaned in closer to the table and looked at each of them one by one.

I asked them if they wanted to form a party with me, saying that the headmaster required me to have a party if I wanted to go to the second floor and above, though the third floor is the max access given to me.

"The clearance lets me roam the first floor alone, but entering the second and third floors requires a registered team of five for safety protocol."

I explained that to them.

Zion and Cindy immediately accepted, they even looked excited.

"Count me in!"

Zion declared enthusiastically, slamming his fist onto his open palm with a bright grin.

"You don’t even have to ask, Vael! Diving back into the dungeon with everyone sounds awesome!"

He exclaimed loudly.

"I’m in as well."

Cindy added with a bright, supportive smile.

"We already worked so well together during the evaluation test. It makes total sense to continue as a team."

She said that, nodding her head firmly.

Now I just have to hear Cordelia and Crystal’s answers.

I turned my head toward the two noble heiresses, waiting patiently to see what they would say.

The two noble girls exchanged a quiet, contemplative look, holding a silent conversation with just their eyes for a few seconds.

Then after a while, the two of them told me that they will join... But not always.

"Our personal schedules outside of lecture hours are heavily occupied with family affairs, political banquets, and private tutors."

Crystal explained, resting her chin on her hand.

"While we certainly want to explore the deeper floors with you, our availability will be limited."

Cordelia added with a soft, apologetic smile.

Although they do like to party with us and explore the dungeon, the two of them have tight schedules due to being nobles. And so, they told us that whenever they’re available, they will come.

"Whenever we are free, we will gladly join the party."

She said that, looking at me to see if that was acceptable.

I told them that it’s fine and it was understandable.

"I completely get it. Having you two join whenever you’re available is already a huge help."

I replied with a light wave of my hand.

"How about tonight?"

I asked them if they were available tonight, hoping we could test out our coordination right away.

The two shook with a sorry look on their faces.

"Unfortunately, I have a mandatory estate briefing this evening."

Crystal said, letting out a small sigh.

"And I must attend a private family dinner."

Cordelia added, offering a regretful expression.

I told them that tomorrow then, looking at them for confirmation.

And they nodded.

"I can clear my late afternoon schedule for tomorrow."

Cordelia confirmed with a warm smile.

"Tomorrow after class works for me as well."

Crystal agreed, nodding her head firmly.

And so, I told everyone that we will go to the dungeon tomorrow after classes.

"Then it’s settled. Tomorrow right after our final lecture, we meet at the dungeon entrance and head straight to the second floor."

I stated that to the whole table.

Everyone agreed.

Zion grinned widely, Cindy nodded cheerfully, and both Cordelia and Crystal offered clear expressions of agreement.

With our plans locked in, we picked up our utensils and began enjoying our lunch together, ready to tackle the deeper floors of the dungeon as a complete team once again.