Chapter 6 – Rift Exploration
The teachers led the students to the edge of an active Rift, the air around it shimmering with unstable energy. A faint hum of power reverberated through the ground, and the crimson glow from the Rift painted anxious faces in red light. Every step closer seemed to pull them into a world not entirely their own, as though the very air itself warned of dangers ahead.
"All first-year students," Teacher Siwo's voice rang clear over the restless murmur, "this will be your first Rift exploration. Be careful. Rifts different from Runes. Inside a Rift, you might discover hidden areas containing artifacts. If you find one, it means you've successfully completed pass the test. But remember, artifacts are always guarded monsters .Guardian monsters are different from ordinary monsters. Some of them even possess the ability to think and understand. Moreover, the higher the rank of an artifact, the stronger its guardian will be.
While this is a Level C Rift, so the monsters aren't as deadly as higher-level Rifts, you must never fight beyond your capability. Sense your opponents carefully. If they are stronger, retreat immediately. Understood?"
"Yes, sir!" the students answered in unison, their voices tense with both fear and excitement.
Siwo nodded. "Good. Some S-class students are accompanying us. You have no need to panic. On the right side of your uniform, you'll find a tag. Place your aura into it whenever you feel danger. The S-class students will sense your location and come to assist you."
Arnold muttered under his breath, frowning. Honestly,
I didn't really want to come here… but there's no choice.
Alina - "Come on,"
Alina nudged him, smiling faintly,
"we need to follow the teacher's instructions."
Arnold grumbled,
"But for a Level C Rift, they could have sent A or B- level students instead of us ."
Mayu, her fists clenched and eyes resolute, said sharply,
"Because of what happened last time, we cannot repeat mistakes. We are the future generation. Of rankers
It's our duty to prove ourselves and protect others."
Arnold shrugged, a hint of understanding in his eyes
. "Alright… I get it."
Alina glanced around, awe in her eyes.
"By the way, even though this Rift is active, it's surprisingly calm."
"Arnold - Eh… we shouldn't take it too seriously,"
Arnold said dismissively, though a tension in his shoulders betrayed his unease.
Mayu's mind, however, lingered on the past. The Riunes incident, where Johndrio had lost his life, was still fresh in her memory.
I won't make the same mistake this time, she promised herself silently.
---
Teacher Bekiyon addressed the group. "We are entering the Rift now. Stay alert. Explore in teams. You will be divided into three groups — Group 1, Group 2, and Group 3.""And your group's mission will be to find the artifact. Whichever group finds the artifact first will pass this test
The students exchanged uneasy glances, but following the teachers' lead, they stepped into the Rift. Immediately, the sky above burned a deep crimson. The ground below was barren, littered with jagged rocks and massive boulders. A river glimmered faintly with red light, and a dark forest loomed in the distance, its twisted branches swaying as though alive.
Shirou's eyes narrowed as he took in the scene.
The sky is completely red… this is an active Rift. Unlike Runes, this feels like a destroyed world, abandoned and lifeless.
Kaede hugged himself tightly, voice trembling, "This place… it's terrifying."
Noxy, placing a reassuring hand on him shoulder, grinned. "Don't worry. I'm here with you."
Emma shivered, muttering, "Terrifying… this is worse than Runes. At least in Runes, the sky was clear."
Shru's voice was firm, steadying Kaede further. "Don't speak nonsense. Runes are far more dangerous than Rifts. "Even a normal-level rune is extremely dangerous."Do you remember what happened inside the Runes? So many powerful monsters appeared at once, and that Skeleton Knight—how strong it was. From that, you can understand just how dangerous the Runes are. If we could survive there, then we can survive here too.
Shirou stepped a few paces aside, observing quietly. Kaede is weak But he has some hidden powers within him. He can survive here. and SHRU. A foolish pig, but her aura weapon is overwhelming.
And that guy Noxy… I'll have to keep an eye on him.
Noxy, noticing Shirou's gaze,
gave a faint, knowing smile.
---
"Check your uniform tags — they have your team numbers," Teacher Bekiyon instructed.
Shirou - so I am in Team 1."
Kaede - "I am in Team 1 well. What about you guys"
Shru slid a hand over Kaede's shoulder with a warm smile. Yes, I'm also in Team 1. We'll go together."
Noxy grinned faintly. "Looks like I'm with you guys too."
Emma hesitated, raising her hand. "Hey… am I in Team 1 too? Will you take me along?"
"Of course, come on," Noxy replied.
"Alright, let's go together," Shru said.
Shirou watched them from a distance, a slight smirk playing on his lips. So I'm stuck with these fools again…
---
Teacher Siwo's voice cut through the tension. Now I will tell you which S-class student will stay with your team. Although this student will be with your team, they won't assist you in your exploration. You will have to deal with minor threats on your own. They will also keep some distance from you, so if you sense danger, you should use the tag with your aura. Your team's S-class student will immediately come to your location.
"Team 1 Miss Alina,
Team 2 Miss Mayu,
and
Team 3 Sir Arnold."
The students glanced at each other as Siwo detailed the abilities of the S-class students:
Arnold ( age 18, 5th S-class): Physical powerhouse, excels in aura-fused combat, capable of toppling buildings with a single punch. Skilled in martial arts. Sometimes reckless, but always victorious due to raw strength.
Alina ( age 19, 7th S-class): Manipulates aura to create weapons and elemental attacks, capable of massive destruction.
Mayu (age 16, top S-class): Sword specialist, manifests aura into thousands of swords simultaneously, controls size and movement, most potential among S-class.
All S-class students possessed complete mastery over aura.
---
"Understood? Proceed with your teams. Explore, but if danger arises, place your aura in the tag. Got it?" Teacher Bekiyon asked.
"Yes, sir!" came the chorus.
Jessica frowned. "Aren't the S-class students staying with us?"
Joseph shook his head. "No, they'll observe. so that we can face difficulties on our own and gain experience by ourselves.
."Fernando — "By the way, you guys are supposed to be in Team 2, right?"
Joseph — "Yeah, but let's all search together for any hidden place where we might find some artifacts."
Jennifer — "Let's unite Team 1 and Team 2 for now. This way, our chances of finding a hidden place will increase. Once we find one, we can separate again."
Jessica — "Yeah, alright. Let's do that. Come on, guys!"
Fernando stepped forward decisively. "Then let's gather Team 1 and team 2 members."
Jennifer nodded. "Yes, let's assemble everyone."
Fernando: "All students of Team 1, and team 2 gather here.
As you all know, the teachers have divided us into different teams, and our goal is to collect artifacts for our respective teams. However, the teachers never mentioned anywhere that we can't team up with members of another group.
What I mean is simple — Team 1 and Team 2 should join forces. If we search together, our chances of finding artifacts will increase significantly. We might even discover some hidden place around here where artifacts could be located.
And as soon as we find such a hidden place, we'll split back into our two separate teams. Then, each of us can search for artifacts for our own team.
So, come on everyone — let's work together!
Narrator: Hearing Fernando, all the students unite with him and begin to follow him as their leader.
Shru muttered under her breath, "Why are we listening to him?"
Kaede, calm and rational, said, "We should stick together. If he's uniting us, it benefits everyone."
Noxy observed silently. His leadership skills are quite good, but we shouldn't trust people like him too quickly.
Emma -"I think he's good… and kind of handsome."
Hearing this, everyone turned to look at Emma.
Emma (blushing, avoiding eye contact)
: "Ah… no, I—I didn't mean that."
Her face flushed red, and she fidgeted nervously, clearly embarrassed
Scene shift
The group exchanged glances before moving further into the Rift.
---Narrator: All the students arrive near a forest. The towering trees block the light, casting shadows everywhere, and an eerie silence hangs all around.
---
Fernando: "Everyone, search around here. We might find something because the energy here is much stronger compared to other places."
Narrator: With that, all the students began searching. A lot of time passed, but no one found anything.
Jessica (frowning, slightly anxious): "Fernando, are you sure we should search here?"
Joseph (grinning, trying to reassure her): "Hey, don't worry. Trust him."
Jennifer (nodding, impressed): "Yeah, absolutely. I've heard his dad was an explorer."
Jessica (eyes widening, excited): "Wow, maybe that's why he handles things so professionally."
Joseph (chuckling): "Yeah, not everyone can be as patient as you."
Jessica (scowling, annoyed): "Shut your mouth."
Joseph (raising hands, mock-surrendering): "Okay, madam."
Narrator: Then, after a while, a sudden voice echoed through the forest.
A guy - (shouting, excitedly): "Fernando! Look, I found a cave!"
Narrator: Fernando immediately rushed over.
Fernando (curious, eyes sparkling with anticipation): "I think this is a hidden place."
Narrator: Jessica quickly followed behind him.
Jessica (breathless, eyes wide with excitement): "Really?"
Fernando (smiling, gesturing toward the cave): "Yes, definitely. Feel the aura energy inside. "The energy emerging from inside it is quite different from the energy outside." this is surely a hidden place where we might find an artifact."Narrator: Joseph and Jennifer soon arrived at the spot as well.
Joseph (enthusiastic, slightly relieved): "Finally, this is great. Let's take everyone inside."
Jessica (hesitant, cautious): "Wait a minute. Why bring everyone? We should go in ourselves first."
Joseph (confused, raising an eyebrow): "But why?"
Jessica (serious, glancing around, whispering slightly): "If we bring everyone, it'll be hard to control them inside. And even if we find a good artifact, how can we be sure they won't betray us later?"
Joseph (indignant, arms crossed): "What nonsense are you saying? They're our team members!"
Jessica (firm, calm but determined): "I know, but if they take the artifact and teachers thinking they found it, teachers might reward them. That's why we should check things ourselves first."
Jennifer (nodding, agreeing): "Yeah, I agree. We should go in and examine it before anyone else."
Joseph (grumbling, uneasy): "But it feels like we're deceiving our own team…"
Jessica (smirking slightly, confident): "Come on, Joseph. We have to be a little selfish. And if any danger arises, we'll handle it first.""After all, we are the best students of Class D.""In the first requirement test, all of us ranked within the top 10 of Class D. We can even defeat second-year students easily, so if there's any danger inside, we'll be the ones to protect everyone."
Narrator: As they argued among themselves, someone suddenly stepped toward the cave.
A girl (pointing, alarmed): "Hey, look! Someone's going in!"
Kaede (frowning, recognizing him): "That's Shirou."
Narrator: Jessica, Joseph, and Jennifer froze, shocked.
Jessica, Joseph, Jennifer (in unison, panicked): "Stop him, Fernando!"
Narrator: Fernando immediately ran toward the cave and grabbed Shirou's shoulder, standing firmly in front of him.
Fernando (stern, commanding): "You can't go any further! We haven't decided how many people will go inside or who will go."
Shirou (cold, defiant, glaring): "And who are you to decide that?"
Fernando (raising his voice, threatening slightly): "What do you mean? We are the ones who found this cave, not you. So shut your mouth, or else!" I shut your mouth
Narrator: Hearing this, Shirou released is Aura slightly, and a faint blue glow appeared in his eyes.
Shirou (calm, controlled, with a hint of menace): "What nonsense are you talking about? As far as I know, a member of Team 1 found this. And I'm also a member of Team 1, so technically, I can enter this cave. And there's no rule here that says only the person who discovers a hidden place can enter it.. Understood? You're not the leader here; and also you can't stop anyone. And especially me—step aside."
Narrator: Shirou pushed Fernando aside with his shoulder and walked into the cave.
Fernando (stepping back, muttering under his breath, impressed but wary): "This boy is not a weakling"
Jessica (shocked, whispering, frustrated): "How did you let him go in?"
Joseph (surprised, turning to Fernando): "What happened, dude?"
Fernando (sighing, rubbing the back of his neck): "Nothing… just forgive me."
Joseph (shrugging, resigned): "It's fine. Let's go in too."
Jennifer (excited, eager): "Yeah, let's go quickly; anyway, that boy has already gone inside.
Narrator: And so, one by one, all of them entered the cave, tension and anticipation heavy in the air
Kaede's anxiety grew. "We've gone so far… why haven't we found an entrance yet?"
"Be patient," Noxy reassured. "Don't worry, we'll reach the entrance soon.
KAEDE — "How can you say that with such certainty? Do you know something?"
(Kaede asks, eyes narrowing. His voice is sharp with suspicion and a hint of hurt — trying to keep calm but clearly tense and searching for an answer.)
NOXY — "Ah, no… it's just how I felt. I was only guessing."
(Noxy speaks a little tensely, his tone uneasy. He forces a small smile, trying to downplay the situation, but the nervousness in his voice makes it clear he isn't fully confident.)
Emma added calmly, "It's fine, we're not alone."
Narrator: She was still looking toward Fernando.
Shru rolled her eyes. "I just hope we quickly find a way out of here. Once this exploration is over, I just want to eat some tasty burritos."
Jessica, doubtful, asked, "Are you sure we're on the right path, Fernando?"
"Trust me," he replied, firm.
Thirty minutes of careful movement through the dark cavern later, a faint glow appeared — the entrance to the cave.
"Finally… maybe this is the way," Kaede breathed, relief in her voice.
SHRU — "Alright, finally! Looks like we've found a way out."
(Shru lets out a relieved sigh, her tense shoulders relaxing as a faint smile spreads across her face. Her voice carries both relief and excitement, as if a heavy weight has just been lifted.)
---
Narrator — All of them stepped out of the cave. As soon as they emerged, they saw a large, desolate field stretching in all directions. Near the edges of the field were forests, and within those forests stood some broken houses. But these houses were unusually large compared to normal ones, and at first glance, they seemed like they belonged to an entirely different world.
Fernando — "Look at these broken houses… they're so strange. In our world, there's nothing like this."
(Fernando's eyes widen in astonishment, his voice tinged with both curiosity and disbelief.)
Jessica — "Of course… we're inside a Rift, you fool. We shouldn't be surprised by any of this."
(Jessica crosses her arms, her tone sharp and slightly annoyed, but she's also trying to keep the group focused.)
Joseph — "Alright… but what should we do now?"
(Joseph frowns, uncertainty flickering across his face, scanning the strange landscape.)
Jennifer — "As far as I can tell, these houses are spread in two directions: one to the east and one to the west. Since we can see houses in both directions, Looks like the time has come for us to part ways.
(Jennifer points deliberately, her voice calm but authoritative,)
Fernando — "Great idea! Let's do that. I'll explain it to everyone."
(Fernando gestures for attention, his confidence returning as he starts organizing the group.)
Fernando — (raising his voice slightly to get everyone's attention, standing firmly) "Everyone, listen up! As you all know, we've found a hidden cave, and we are currently inside it. Just as I told you earlier, we need to search this area by splitting into two directions.
Fernando — (pauses, scanning the students' faces to make sure they understand) "So, the time has come for us to split up. One team will head toward the west, and the other will go east."
Narrator — The students exchange glances, a mix of anticipation and determination on their faces. Some adjust their gear, others tighten their grips on their tools, readying themselves for the separate search. The air in the cave feels heavier now, charged with the tension of the upcoming split, as everyone steels themselves for the challenge ahead.
Students — "Alright."
(Their voices carry a mix of nervousness and readiness as they prepare to move.)
Fernando — "Good. Jessica and I will lead one team, and Jennifer and Joseph will lead the other. Jessica and I will go east. Joseph and Jennifer, you take the west. And the rest of you, follow the team you're assigned to."
(Fernando's tone is firm and decisive, giving clear direction while maintaining control over the group.)
---
KAEDE — "So… which team should we join?"
(Kaede looks around, brows furrowed in thought, trying to gauge the best option while a hint of curiosity and hesitation lingers in his voice.)
NOXY — "I think we should go east."
(Noxy suggests quickly, his tone casual but with a small undertone of insistence, as if he feels strongly about this choice.)
KAEDE — "What do you think about this, Shru?"
(Kaede turns to Shru, his voice calm but probing, genuinely curious about her opinion.)
SHRU — "Anywhere is fine, just let's go quickly. I'm starving."
(Shru rubs her stomach, her expression tired but playful, her impatience mixed with hunger making her voice slightly rushed.)
Emma — "Yes, going east seems like the right choice to me."
(Emma nods decisively, her tone confident and practical, showing her tendency to follow logic over hesitation.)
NOXY — "Alright, decision made! Then let's head east."
(Noxy claps his hands lightly, trying to appear cheerful, but there's a faint tension in his posture that Kaede notices.)
Narrator — But even as everyone agrees, Kaede can't shake the feeling that Noxy's behavior seems a little strange.
(Kaede's eyes narrow slightly, a small frown forming. He senses something off in Noxy's tone and manner, though he can't quite put his finger on it.)
Noxy noticed movement. "Did anyone see Shirou? He might have started exploring alone."
Kaede's eyes widened in concern. "It's dangerous here… how could he go alone?"
Shru crossed her arms. "As far as I know that bastard no matter how foolish he might seem at times, he's both strong and smart. So I don't think we need to worry too much about him."
(Shru speaks with a confident shrug, a small smirk tugging at her lips. Her tone is calm and reassuring, trying to dismiss any lingering doubt while showing her clear understanding of the person she's talking about.)
Noxy asked, quietly, "Kaede, do you know about the scar on his cheek?"
KAEDE — "Oh… so you're asking about that scar of his? Look, I've never actually asked Shirou about it… or rather, I never got the chance to. But yes, that scar does seem… different. I mean, there's something strange about it. And the most surprising thing is that no one seems to notice it, not even Shirou talks about it. It's almost like the scar doesn't even exist. To be honest, I thought I was the only one who noticed it. So, you're actually the first person to point it out. But sorry, I don't really know anything more about it than that."
(Kaede speaks carefully, his tone a mix of curiosity and caution. His brows furrow slightly as he tries to explain, and there's a quiet wonder in his voice, tinged with a little unease about the mystery surrounding Shirou's scar.)
Noxy hummed softly. "Curious…"
---
Narrator — After some time, all the students reached the broken houses.
Fernando — "Looking at these houses, it's clear there's a lot of aura energy inside them… but how?"
(Fernando studies the structures carefully, his brow furrowed in curiosity and intrigue.)
Jessica — "I told you, we're inside a Rift. This can happen. Besides, it's our first time here."
(Jessica folds her arms, speaking sharply but practically, trying to keep the group focused.)
Fernando — "But doesn't this place feel a little… different? I mean, the atmosphere here is slightly off compared to outside. The aura output feels stronger, and it almost feels like we're cut off from the rest of the Rift."
(Fernando glances around, his voice cautious, showing unease mixed with observation.)
Emma — "Yes, you're right. There's something strange about these houses."
(Emma nods, her expression serious, sensing the same odd energy.)
Fernando, noticing Emma suddenly speaking, turns toward her.
Emma — (awkwardly, with a nervous smile) "Uh… h-hi, my name is Emma, from Class D."
Fernando — (confused, slightly tilting his head) "Uh… yeah, hello."
Fernando — "Enough talking. Now tell me, which direction should we start from?"
(He looks around for suggestions, eager to begin the exploration.)
Just then, someone speaks up:
NOXY — "I think we should start with that big mansion."
(Noxy points toward the massive structure, his voice confident yet carrying a hint of caution.)
Fernando — "Ah, I didn't even notice how huge it is… but it could be dangerous. The aura energy inside seems really strong."
(Fernando's eyes widen slightly as he evaluates the risk.)
Jessica — "Come on, we should take some risk. I think there's the highest chance of artifacts inside that mansion."
(Jessica grins, her eyes sparkling with excitement and determination.)
Fernando — "Alright, let's go."
(He nods firmly, rallying the group.)
Narrator — As the students began moving toward the mansion, someone suddenly appeared in front of them.
KAEDE — "Oh… that's Shirou!"
(Kaede's eyes widen in surprise as recognition hits him.)
As soon as Noxy hears this, his gaze immediately snaps toward Shirou.
Kaede runs up to Shirou.
KAEDE — "How did you get all the way out here alone?!"
(Kaede's voice is a mix of shock and concern, his steps hurried.)
SHIROU — "Of course… on my own two feet, you fool."
(Shirou says calmly, a hint of irritation in his tone.)
KAEDE — "Yeah, yeah… but…"
(Kaede hesitates, worried.)
At that moment, someone interrupts:
Fernando — "So, you've made it here."
(Fernando's voice is calm, observing Shirou closely.)
SHIROU — "Do you have a problem?"
(Shirou's eyes narrow slightly, his tone direct.)
Fernando — "No… no problem. Actually… I mean…"
(Fernando stumbles slightly, unsure how to continue.)
Then someone else interrupts:
Jessica — "You idiot! Don't you have any sense? Wandering alone in a place this dangerous!"
(Jessica's voice is sharp and exasperated, her arms crossed.)
Shirou cuts her off mid-sentence:
SHIROU — "Can someone tell me… what's this little girl doing here?"
(His voice is calm but carries a hint of annoyance, his eyes narrowing on Jessica.)
Jessica — "How dare you call me a little girl?"
(Jessica glares, offended.)
SHIROU — "Oh… sorry, my mistake. I got confused looking at your height."
(Shirou shrugs casually, an almost playful tone in his voice.)
Jessica — "I won't let this go!"
(Jessica scowls, determined.)
Suddenly, Fernando steps forward from behind, grabbing Jessica and pulling her back to prevent a fight.
Fernando — "Look, if you don't want to go forward, step aside. We're going in."
(Fernando's tone is firm, cutting through the tension.)
SHIROU — "Fine, go ahead."
(Shirou steps aside with a nonchalant shrug, letting the others pass.)
Narrator — The students begin entering the mansion, while Shirou watches them from outside.
NOXY — "Hey Shirou! Don't you think you should come with us? Being alone here could be dangerous."
(Noxy's voice carries concern, his posture slightly tense.)
SHIROU — "No. You don't need to worry about me. I'll be fine."
(Shirou smiles confidently, unshaken.)
NOXY — "Come on, man. Join us. We're friends, right?"
(Noxy gestures, trying to persuade Shirou.)
SHIROU — "Friends? Nonsense. I have no interest in that kind of thing."
(Shirou's tone is cold, dismissive, showing his logical and self-reliant nature.)
NOXY — "Alright… but at least you can come inside the mansion with us."
(Noxy tries one last time, maintaining a hopeful tone.)
SHIROU — "You go ahead. I have no interest."
(Shirou remains unmoved, a faint smile on his lips.)
KAEDE — (a little nervous) "Being alone here could actually be dangerous…"
SHIROU — (confident smile) "I'll be fine. Don't worry about me."
KAEDE — "But…"
SHIROU — "Alright, fine. You guys go first. I'll follow right behind."
(Shirou's expression shows controlled patience, letting the group move first.)
SHRU — "See? He said he'll follow behind. Let's go then, everyone."
(Shru's tone is practical, a mix of irritation and leadership.)
SHRU — "And listen, dummy, don't think too highly of yourself."
(Shru glares playfully at Shirou.)
SHIROU — "I don't think too highly of myself. I just think you're small."
(Shirou responds calmly, almost teasingly, a small smirk on his lips.)
SHRU — (angrily) "Do you wanna fight with me?"
KAEDE — "Alright, fine. Let's go inside, guys."
(Kaede urges the group forward, tension slowly easing.)Narrator — With that, Kaede, Shru, lead the way inside, bringing Emma along. Noxy follows shortly after, but before entering, he glances back at Shirou one more time.
SHIROU — (smiles silently, watching them move ahead)
(Shirou's calm, confident demeanor remains unshaken, observing the group as they head into the mansion.)
Scene shift— On the other side, Team 2 students are searching the area. The atmosphere is quiet and slightly tense, with faint winds brushing through the broken structures. Dust hangs in the air as they continue their search.
---
Joseph — (calling out, looking around) "Hey, Jennifer! Did you find anything?"
Jennifer — (shakes her head, brushing some dust off her hands) "No… there's nothing around here. No sign of any artifacts or anything unusual."
Jiho — (sighs, resting his hands on his knees) "Yeah, we and the other students already looked everywhere. There's absolutely nothing here — no artifact or any sort of aura device."
Joseph — (frowning, glancing at the others) "So… what should we do now?"
Jennifer — (thinking for a moment) "Should we go to Fernando and the others? Maybe they've found something."
Joseph — (shakes his head firmly) "No, by now they must've gone pretty far. And besides, that's their search area — we can't interfere. We're a separate team."
Jennifer — (crosses her arms, uneasy) "Alright then… let's get out of here. Honestly, this place is starting to feel a bit strange."
Jiho — (nodding slightly) "Alright then, I'll inform the rest of the students—"
Joseph — (interrupts with a small smile) "Thanks, man."
Jennifer — (hesitant, glancing back toward the path Fernando's team took) "But… is it really okay to just leave them behind like this?"
Joseph — (shrugs casually, trying to ease the tension) "Come on, Jennifer. They're a team, remember? Besides, this is just a C-level Rift — nothing serious. Don't stress over it."
Joseph — (turns to the group, gesturing forward) "Let's just head out of here and move to another location."
Narrator — With that, Team 2 begins to leave the area. Their footsteps echo faintly against the rubble as an uneasy silence settles in — a silence that feels almost too quiet for comfort.
---
The students stepped into the massive mansion, their eyes widening as they took in the space.
"This… this place is huge!" one of them whispered.
"Look at this… is that a statue?" another murmured, awe in their voice.
"I'm… I'm a little scared," admitted one timid student.
"I'm excited!" another exclaimed, almost bouncing on their feet.
They moved cautiously, some in fear, some in excitement, voices overlapping as they commented on the grandeur surrounding them.
Shru looked around with sharp eyes. "Is this… an underground hall? Honestly… it feels even bigger than the mansion itself."
Fernando nodded. "Yeah. And this place is unique. The aura flow here is unusually dense. You can feel its strength."
Jessica, ever the practical one, clapped her hands. "Alright, everyone. Split up and start searching for artifacts."
The students dispersed, combing the mansion carefully, but no one seemed to find anything of note. Still, they searched diligently, hoping for a breakthrough.
After sometime
---
"Hey! I found a hidden room over here!" Noxy called.
Jessica, hearing him, immediately ran toward him, grabbing Fernando along the way. Soon, all the students gathered around the entrance to the concealed chamber.
Fernando studied the entrance carefully. "This is a hidden room. Everyone, stay alert. There could be monsters inside."
Jessica's eyes sparkled with anticipation. "Look at this… could it be an artifact?"
Fernando's grin widened. "Let's go check it out."
He stepped forward, carefully lifting the artifact. But immediately, a few small stone-like monsters lunged at them from the shadows.
JESSICA — "I'll handle them."
(Jessica says firmly, her eyes narrowing with determination as she focuses on the surrounding area.)
Narrator — A soft light pink aura radiates from Jessica, spreading outward. She draws in the ambient aura energy from the surroundings, gathering it around her.
Narrator — Using the accumulated aura, Jessica forms glowing aura balls in her hands. With precise control, she launches them at all the approaching monsters, attacking them simultaneously.
(Her expression is intense and focused, every movement sharp and deliberate as the energy crackles around her, striking the monsters with powerful bursts of pink light.)
Jessica's aura flared, and with a swift motion, she obliterated them effortlessly.
Just as they exhaled in relief, a larger, far more dangerous monster appeared from the darkness.
Narrator — Everyone watches in astonishment as the Guardian Monster advances. It's a massive creature, pale green in color, wielding a huge axe in its hands, and it starts moving straight toward Fernando.
Fernando — "Alright… I'll handle this one."
(Fernando says calmly, his gaze sharp and focused as he prepares for battle.)
Narrator — Activating his aura powers, Fernando reveals a surprising fact: his aura power is Category 2.
Fernando — "Earth Spike!"
(As soon as he shouts, jagged, massive stones surge up from the ground and launch directly into the Guardian Monster.)
Fernando — "That's not enough… I'll need to use more strength!"
(His voice rises with intensity, determination blazing in his eyes.)
Fernando — "Earth Cannon!!!"
(With this command, huge boulders erupt from the earth, smashing into the monster and breaking its body into pieces. Dust and debris fly everywhere, and the power of the attack is overwhelming.)
Fernando — (panting, exhausted) "I'm really tired… I gave it my full strength this time."
(He wipes sweat from his brow, his expression a mix of relief and fatigue.)
Jessica — "Fernando, are you okay?"
(Jessica rushes closer, her voice filled with concern as she studies him.)
Fernando — "I think so… but yes, that monster was powerful."
(Fernando nods slowly, still catching his breath.)
Jessica — "By the way… you never told us you were a Category 2 awakened. We always thought you were Category 3! Why did you hide this from us?"
(Jessica frowns, a mix of irritation and curiosity in her voice.)
Fernando — (awkwardly, scratching the back of his head) "Sometimes… discovering things suddenly can be a good surprise."
(He smiles sheepishly, trying to downplay it.)
Jessica — "That was a ridiculous 'surprise,' honestly. Anyway… we'll talk about this later."
(She shakes her head, half annoyed, half amused, deciding to let the matter rest for now.)
Jessica — "During the Aura Inheriting Test, Fernando was feeling unwell, so he couldn't take the test with us. That's why none of us ever knew what his actual category was. We just assumed, like everyone else, that he must be Category 3. Well… whatever the case, I shouldn't be thinking about this right now."
(Jessica speaks thoughtfully, her brow slightly furrowed as she reflects on the past. There's a mix of curiosity and practicality in her tone, but she quickly shakes it off, focusing on the present situation.)
---
The students were elated. Their test was effectively passed.
Jessica, in her mind, reflected with a hint of unease. I really need to stay alert. If Fernando hadn't been here, I could've been in serious trouble.
She studied the artifact closely. "I wonder… what rank is this artifact?"
Fernando glanced at it thoughtfully. "Probably C, maybe B at most."
Jessica's lips curved into a small smile. "Not too bad. At least we'll pass… maybe even get a reward along with it."
They chatted happily among themselves when suddenly, a strange sound echoed through the hall. A heavy door creaked open, sending shivers down their spines.
Kaede's eyes widened. "What's happening? Why is the ground shaking?"
Shru pointed toward the gate, her voice tense. "Look… a gate is opening."
Emma's voice was filled with fear. "Oh no… what is that?"
Fernando's eyes gleamed sharply, and the others instinctively followed his gaze.
Kaede whispered in awe, "What… is that thing?"
Emma's voice trembled. "I don't know, but its energy… it's overwhelming."
Fernando's face turned serious. "By its aura, this has to be an A or even an S-class artifact."
Jessica's eyes sparkled. "This is… a jackpot."
Fernando warned, "Everyone, be careful. If the artifact is this rare, its guardian will be just as powerful."
Jessica's excitement remained undimmed. "We can't let this opportunity slip away."
Fernando nodded. "Exactly."
---
Kaede wrinkled her nose. "Do you all smell something strange here?"
Shru sniffed, a little worried. "Yeah… a little."
EMMA — "Guys, can someone tell me why our name tags suddenly started changing color?"
(Emma's voice is filled with surprise and a hint of worry, her eyes scanning the group as confusion spreads.)
KAEDE — "What's happening? Something strange is going on with our name tags… The small amount of aura energy they had before is gone. Does that mean we can't use them anymore?"
(Kaede's brow furrows, his tone tense and cautious as he tries to understand the unexpected change.)
SHRU — "If that's the case… we're going to be in serious trouble."
(Shru clenches her fists, her voice tinged with anxiety and urgency.)
EMMA — "I… I'm scared."
(Emma admits softly, her eyes wide with fear as she senses the potential danger.)
KAEDE — "By the way, where's Noxy? I haven't seen him for quite a while."
(Kaede glances around nervously, concern creeping into his voice.)
SHRU — "Come on… we don't have time to worry about that right now. Focus on the situation at hand."
(Shru's tone is firm, pushing the group to prioritize the immediate danger over questions about Noxy.)
Narrator — Suddenly, all the students realize that something strange has happened with their name tags. Panic and tension ripple through the group, their anxiety rising sharply.
Narrator — Even Fernando, who usually remains calm and composed, finds it difficult to control the students. The unexpected situation has thrown everyone off balance, making it a challenge to maintain order.
(The students' faces show worry and confusion, their voices overlapping as they try to make sense of the bizarre change. Fernando's expression hardens with concern as he attempts to regain control, but the chaotic energy makes it clear this won't be easy.)
Jessica frowned, alarm growing. "This is weird. Our name tags… they've stopped working. I can't feel any aura at all."
Fernando's voice hardened. "Everyone, get out of here. Now!"
Jessica groaned, torn. "Such a rare artifact… and we have to leave it behind?"
But before anyone could move, an ominous presence made itself felt — deadly and suffocating.
Fernando's expression darkened. "What… is happening?"
Jessica's voice trembled. "This is… too dangerous!"
Kaede's heart raced. "What… is that thing?"
Suddenly, near the artifact, its guardian appeared — a chilling Lich, its aura exuding death and power.
Fernando's eyes widened. "We didn't even touch the artifact… how did the guardian appear?"
Jessica paled, fear overtaking her features. "What… what is that?"
Fernando shouted, authority and panic mingling in his voice, "All students, run! This opponent is at least between A and S class. Get out of here, now!"
Fear rippled through the students. Every mind raced with thoughts of survival.
Narrator — Shru grabs Kaede's hand and starts running quickly, pulling him along with her.
(Her eyes are wide with urgency, and her movements are swift as adrenaline pushes her forward.)
EMMA — "Hey, wait for me! I'm coming too!"
(Emma shouts, struggling to keep up, her face a mix of fear and tension.)
KAEDE — "But… where is Noxy, after all?!"
(Kaede's voice is tense and anxious, his brows furrowed as he worries about his missing friend.)
---
Narrator — Meanwhile, on the other side, something entirely different is unfolding.
Shirou walks calmly, his steps measured, but then he speaks up, his tone sharp.
SHIROU — "So… how long are you going to keep following me like this?"
(Shirou's eyes narrow slightly, his expression calm but alert, every muscle ready for action.)
Narrator — Suddenly, Noxy emerges from behind.
NOXY — "So… you found out."
(Noxy's lips curl into a slight, amused smile, his eyes glinting with playful challenge.)
SHIROU — "I've known for a long time. I've told you before… you're not skilled enough yet to hide anything from me."
(Shirou says confidently, his posture relaxed but his gaze piercing, radiating authority.)
NOXY — (laughing lightly) "Yeah… maybe you're right."
(He chuckles, a mix of amusement and respect in his voice.)
NOXY — "So… you knew about my plans from the very beginning?"
SHIROU — (smirking confidently) "Oh… so that means you had set some kind of trap for me inside the mansion?"
NOXY — "Yes… for you. But now, other students will get caught in it too."
(His tone carries a hint of arrogance, his smirk growing sharper.)
NOXY — (arrogant smile) "Anyway… I underestimated you before. I won't make that mistake again."
Narrator — Light purple aura energy begins radiating from Noxy as he releases his power, his eyes glowing faintly.
NOXY — "Shirou… this time, you won't escape."
(His voice is firm, laced with challenge, as the aura pulses around him.)
Narrator — From Shirou, dark blue aura energy begins to emanate. His eyes shimmer with a faint light blue glow as he releases his aura, his presence becoming intimidating.
SHIROU — (arrogant smile) "Looks like you want to fight?"
(Shirou's expression is confident, almost teasing, as he meets Noxy's gaze.)
SHIROU — "By the way… why are you doing all this? What exactly do you want from me?"
(His tone remains calm but probing, seeking to understand Noxy's motives.)
NOXY — "You don't need to know that."
(Noxy's voice is steady, almost dismissive, maintaining an air of mystery.)
SHIROU — (laughing lightly) "Alright then… fine. I'll find out for myself after I beat yo ass
(Shirou smirks confidently, his aura flaring stronger, readying himself for the imminent clash.)
.
Chapter 6 of Dimension Eclipse ends here