We arrived back at the Academy to see that nothing had changed while we had been gone. Mr G was standing at the landing area waiting for the students to return and he patiently waited for the updates from the professors that went on the trip. Ghaston hung back waiting for the others to conclude their report to Mr G before he approached. They talked for several minutes and I could see Mr G look over at us a couple times.
"Congratulations everyone on a successful quest!" Mr G announced to the students that all landed and were told to wait. "I am told that we have a new dungeon thanks to Ghaston and his group of students. This is a most joyous occasion, I am also told that the winning team was able to procure one hundred and two points. Congratulations team Juniper! A job well done! Please follow Miss June to the armory for your reward."
The six students that were in team Juniper all stepped forward and followed the professor to the armory. The rest of us all stood around waiting for the next set of instructions. Mr G continued, "Next I would like those of you who would like to next weekend go back and explore the dungeon to sign up on that wall. I am told that they were successful at establishing all three levels, Student, Master, and finally Champion. No one will be permitted to run it on Champion from the academy but it will be a goal for you to accomplish in your future!"
Mr G always had a positive take on all things, to me it was his super power and why he was the principal. He had a way of making the mundane extraordinary something I envied even as a child knowing I couldn't have that effect on others. Many of the students headed to the wall to sign up for the student level as only eighth year and older can do the Master level. As it was only second years around currently they were all signing up for the Student level of Frost Cavern.
Mr Algeier saw the six of us together heading to the cafeteria as all of us were famished after the flight. Before we could get a meal though Mr A had news for us. "I have pleaded with the board of principals for the arena tournament and since you two girls are covered by obsidian armor I was able to get you guys admitted into the third year sixes tournament. You only have to place in the top two of the third years for Ghostrun to make it to the tournament."
"But there are already weeks of battles recorded and we have none!" Joey pointed out.
"Once I add your name to the third year you will have the chance to make it all up. I have requested that your team get three battles in the next two weeks only to catch back up. That would bring your total battles to the minimum of everyone else. They agreed to allow that so you won't be able to go to the dungeon anytime soon if you want to make it in the sixes tournament."
I can't speak for everyone else but I was looking forward to battling the third years and to see if we could crack the top two. It appeared that Adam felt the same but I couldn't read anyone else's response to Mr A's offer. I then remembered that Abby and Maddy were silver anyways so I spoke up to Mr A about that aspect.
"What made the four of us boys silver actually powered up Abby and Maddy right before we left so they are now silver themselves. We were going to request to have them tested so that we could join the sixes. Why don't we just have them tested so then it's official and we don't have to worry about favoritism?" I interjected.
Mr A rubbed his chin as he thought about the proposal and he changed his direction of walking and started heading towards the training grounds. "Follow me, as we will get you tested right away with no one in the training grounds currently." Abby and Maddy followed but the four of us boys were too hungry and we knew what the test results would produce.
Entering the cafeteria it was as if we had just won the academy cup as people started cheering and congratulating us. We weren't aware of it but the unlocking of a dungeon was a monumental event. Future generations of students would all now get the opportunity to quest within the dungeon as different rewards would be sought after as people came back from conquering it.
I grabbed some of my favorite foods as I continued to push my total mana pool to the max. I had no idea when or if I would ever hit a maximum but I knew it wasn't currently. The arcane fish was back as Adam and I had eaten the previous catch.
Taking a seat we were shocked to be confronted by some of the older students who were curious as to what to expect out of the dungeon. We explained how there are giants, yetis and golems and how they had frost abilities to deal with. We had already agreed we would say that there is a cold resistance potion but didn't inform anyone of the daggers.
We were finishing up our meal when the girls finally arrived. They were shocked to receive the same cheers and congratulations from the staff and students that we received. Most people were talking about us as the girls came and sat down with us.
"I have been in the spotlight my whole life, why does this feel different?" Abby questioned us as she sat down. We all sat there for a moment pondering the question before I voiced my option which I wish I hadn't.
"Maybe because it's the first time the spotlight is earned!" The look on her face right after I said it told me that I did not in fact answer the question correctly. I felt for a moment like she was about to lunge out and attack me but I saw Adam's hand grab her hand to calm her down.
"This does feel different than normal. It has been a long time since a dungeon was created. The closest is a full day's flight away before the one we just opened. I think everyone is really excited about how much it will change the whole area." Maddy pointed out trying to calm down the atmosphere.
"I have heard people talk about how there is an entire new economy that will be developed from the dungeon and that frost gear will soon take a huge role." Joey added to the conversation.
"Do you think everyone will get the same rewards we did?" Travis asked.
"I don't even think we all got the same besides the now full resistance. All of the weapons are different and then there is Joey who got a whole new class of spells he couldn't utilize before. " I pointed out.
"I can't wait to test out our new daggers, we are going to dominate in sixes this year!" Travis exclaimed.
"We each need to work on our spells and our teamwork if we are going to compete with third years. I need to get used to flying and using blink from it. I need to get better with my katana techniques and we will run into more techniques as we get older." Adam gave a resounding affirmation.
Mr Jackson was literally behind us as Adam said that scared us with his sudden intrusion. "I couldn't have said it better! We are going to forgo classes for the six of you and now concentrate on specialized training. Ghaston has informed me of how you six need to be worked on more closely.
We have several new tutors showing up later this week if they are all found and still alive. The four new trainers will be for each of you to have a personal trainer. The goal is to make team Arcanum as advanced as possible."