49 Rivalry?
Inside the dungeon
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Iris and Kathleen walked deeper into the seemingly endless tunnel, its elusive terminus hidden from their view. The ground beneath their feet, did not have any rocks or stones, simply consisted of ordinary earth. However, the tunnel walls surrounded them in a circular embrace, crafted from enchanting sapphire-hued stone.
Despite the lurking monsters that awaited them within this dungeon's passage, Iris appeared relatively unperturbed, her confidence likely coming from her past encounters in dungeons. Kathleen, on the other hand, displayed a similar lack of trepidation, but her calmness came from more of ignorance and belief in her own abilities.
With each step they took, the tunnel gradually revealed its expanding dimensions, growing wider and larger before their very eyes.
After a half an hour of traveling in its mysterious depths, their path unexpectedly divided into four distinct routes, presenting Iris with an deficult probelm. Now, she was faced with the task of selecting a single path amidst the four choices, which caused a throbbing ache in her head.
Screeech~ ahhhh~
A piercing screech echoed through the tunnel, followed by anguished screams that jolted Iris and Kathleen from their thoughts. The source of the commotion emerged from the straight path, making them to hasten their steps in that direction.
Their curiosity piqued, they dashed down the tunnel, as they want to know if any fellow students were also trapped in the tunnel.
As they ventured deeper into the depths of the tunnel, their gaze fell on the visible ending of it—a gateway that guided to and unknown location.
Stepping through, they found themselves in a grand hall, its expansive circular shape captivating their senses. However, their attention swiftly shifted to Middle of the hall—a fierce battle between two individuals and three orcs, was unfolding in the middle.
"Sophie!" Kathleen's voice rang out, filled with both relief and concern, as she recognized her friend amidst the fight. The other individual was a man with white hair, he was also fighting for his life.
Engaged in a desperate battle, the two figures faced off against a trio of towering orcs who are armed with menacing halberds and clad in formidable armor.
As the energy in the air surged and shifted, Kathleen's keen perception detected their ranks—the orcs emitted the mana fluctuations of 3-Star mage. To her astonishment, both Sophie and the white-haired boy also exuded the same level of magical power.
However, the boy seems to be struggling to battle even though he was the same rank Sophie.
Witnessing the terrified countenance of the white-haired boy, who lingered protectively behind Sophie and seeing as Sophie was also struggling, Kathleen wanted to help.
A resolute voice escaped her lips, "We need to kill that orcs!" In an instant, Kathleen propelled herself forward.
As Kathleen sprinted towards the menacing orcs, a surge of darkness energy appeared in her hand as it turned into a whip within her grasp.
With a swift and powerful motion, she hurled it towards the leg of one of the orcs, causing it to entangle it around it's leg. Seizing the opportunity, she channeled her strength and pulled the whipp, causing the orc to topple forward onto its face.
Suddenly noticing this, Sophie swiftly took action. Springing into the air with remarkable agility, she brandished her daggers and skillfully aimed for the orc's head. With a precise and lethal thrust, the blade found its mark, swiftly bringing an end to the creature.
Sophie landed on the ground as a radiant smile illuminated her face, as she also noticed Kathleen. She directed her gaze towards the two remaining orcs, resolved to eliminate them.
Yet, before Sophie could even make her move, Kathleen sprang into air propelled by her astonishing speed. With a seamless display of agility, she soared through the air, effortlessly beheading the two remaining orcs, swiftly and decisively bringing them to their deaths.
The male companion who stood beside Sophie, now visibly relieved, fell back his butt, his expressions gradually relaxing upon witnessing the death of the formidable monsters. Kathleen gracefully touched down on the floor, prompting Sophie to swiftly approach her.
"Kathleen, you saved me! I've really feared they would end our lives." Sophie exclaimed, seizing Kathleen's right hand in hers, her expression brimming with gratitude.
Concern laced Kathleen's voice as she inquired, "Are you harmed? Did you have any injuries?"
"No, thankfully, I simply exhausted my mana." Sophie replied, her cheerful smile illuminating her face. For some inexplicable reason, her heart felt inexplicably joyous after seeing Kathleen as it already been many days she last saw her friend.
Out of nowhere, a shadowy figure materialized at Kathleen's left side, gently grasping her left hand.
"Kathleen, who is this young lady?" Iris questioned, her brow slightly furrowed.
To Iris' dismay, the newcomer not only held Kathleen's hand but proceeded to embrace it, pressing her malons against it. A few hours prior, Kathleen had reprimanded Iris for a similar act, yet now she remained silent even though someone doing it, which greatly irked Iris.
"Young lady? My name is Sophie, Kathleen and are very close friends. Actually, who are you?" Sophie retorted, her voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and assertiveness.
She couldn't help but wonder about the identity of this girl who seemed to have no reservations in while talking with Kathleen. Sophie's interest was piqued, and she really want to know about the girl.
"I'm Iris." Iris began somewhat hesitantly, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush. " I, too, am counted as one of Kathleen's...close friends." Iris couldn't help but feel a tinge of embarrassment, having only met Kathleen a mere week ago during the start of their exams.
Yet, when she locked eyes with Sophie, who had a smug expression on her face, Iris felt an inexplicable sense of irritation, causing her to momentarily cough and struggle with the words she had been holding back.
"Um, could you two please stop arguing?" Kathleen interjected awkwardly.
Despite being in the magical world, her thought process remained rooted in the modern world. She was not oblivious to the fact that both girls were trying to compete for a sense of closeness with her.
She also discovered something. However, she recognized that now was not the appropriate moment to delve into such matters.
Upon hearing Kathleen's words, both Sophie and Iris swiftly distanced themselves from her, casting their gazes at opposite directions. Kathleen sighed, as she can see the evident dislike they openly displayed towards each other.
In the midst of this tension, her gaze shifted towards the young man with white hair. Unperturbed by the fight around him, he focused on adjusting his attire and straightening his round glasses.
"Hey, Sophie, who's that guy?" Kathleen inquired, curiosity evident in her voice.
Sophie smiled, her gaze briefly shifting towards her half-brother. "He's my half-brother from my family. We crossed paths within the depths of the dungeon, and he was almost eliminated that time, I allowed him to accompany me."
"He was among the few members of my family who have shown kindness to me." Sophie leaned in closer to Kathleen, her words barely audible to anyone else. After spending so much time with Kathleen, she already understood that Kathleen was aware of her true identity, though she preferred to keep it concealed from Iris's ears.
