Academy’s Genius Mage

Just how fascinating must this project be for him to have such an expression?

Perhaps the exciting assignment belonged not to the students but to Professor Frost, Ian thought.

‘Considering how he treats Sebastian like a child, it’s not surprising. Maybe he’s the hardest professor to deal with in the academy. Professor Frost.’

Through this class, Ian was convinced.

He might be a more impressive person than previously thought. To think that such a person had his back.

‘Not that it will make the assignment any easier.’

It was undoubtedly going to be a challenging task and this thought was not Ian’s alone.

Theoretical classes required nothing more than reading books or papers and expressing one’s views.

However, practical class assignments were a bit different.

‘It could be about achieving a certain skill level, or there might be a magic duel.’

The situation allowed for various speculations.

Tension among the students gradually built up again after the recent lull following the mana measurement.

Professor Frost, observing their reactions, smiled broadly.

“Everyone, there’s no need to be so tense. While it’ll be an interesting assignment, it’s not the one where you have to compete against each other.”

“Then, what is the assignment?”

“This time, it’s a group project. Three people will form a group, so choose whomever you get along with.”

The announcement of a group assignment caused a stir among the students.

Some were pleased, while others disliked the idea. Zikhardt, who sat haughtily, was one of the latter.

He barely participated in classes, if at all, ever since the term began.

Nonetheless, no one advised him otherwise. Holding the title of first place in the mana measurement was significant enough.

‘He must think the class doesn’t match his level.’

Neither Professor Frost nor the other professors remarked on Zikhardt’s behavior.

However, that didn’t mean he had the right to refuse the assignment.

After all, entering the academy signified a goal to graduate.

Focusing on classes was his choice, but he still had to participate in the assignment.

“The theme of the assignment is gaining real-world experience.”

“Real-world experience?”

“Are we supposed to hunt monsters?”

“Or head to the borders?”

As questions poured in, Professor Frost raised both hands to calm the students.

“Would I ask you to do such dangerous tasks? Well, while not hunting them, you may indeed face monsters. Dungeon exploration is this assignment.”

The room again stirred. The students’ faces were visibly filled with dismay.

Professor Frost spoke of “dungeons” all too casually.

Dungeons were structures formed by the influence of dark energy seeping from the demon realm.

Some took the form of artificial mazes, while others were natural caves. Their shapes were indeed varied.

Dungeons influenced by dark energy teemed with monsters.

There were those that roamed as well as those that inhabited, with no definitive constraints.

These places attacked any entering wildlife, humans, or other races, plunging them into fear and despair before absorbing their energy. This energy then became dark energy.

While much about dungeons remained unclear, scholars assumed that their purpose lay in sending the absorbed dark energy back to the demon realm.

Thus, dungeon exploration was no easy feat.

Unlike natural caves, one could never predict when or where monsters might appear.

Moreover, dark energy from the demon realm sometimes mutated monsters.

This meant that among lower-tier monsters, extraordinarily powerful ones could emerge.

Compared to general training methods, it was a place with great uncertainty.

‘A dungeon, indeed.’

Ian Oracle had never entered a dungeon before.

It was the same for the other students. Unless they came from a family that was remarkable enough to participate in dungeon raids, they would hardly have the opportunity to visit one.

‘Those three with high mana must have been there, and I wonder if Milo has experience?’

He probably did.

The Vinettia Family was famous for their martial prowess. Knights loved dungeons because that was where monsters were.

At that moment, one of the three people Ian had been watching, Sebastian, raised his hand to request to speak.

“Professor, with all due respect, don’t you think dungeons are a bit dangerous? You’ve instructed us to form groups of three, yet attacking a dungeon with just three mages is practically impossible.”

“I’m aware. If I were an ordinary person, I wouldn’t be teaching you all here.”

“So, you have a plan.”

Sebastian acted as if he were already the student council president.

Seeing this, Milo snorted.

“Arrogant!”

In his eyes, Sebastian was naturally an eyesore after having lost the student council position to him.

“The dungeon you all will be exploring is a training dungeon specially created for this occasion.”

“A training dungeon?”

That was something Ian had never heard of before.

Sebastian and Ophelia were no different.

Above all, even Zickhardt showed interest for the first time, which meant it had never been revealed to the public.

“A long time ago, the Royal Academy, the Royal Knights, and the Royal Mage Division collaborated to develop an educational dungeon. This is the result of their efforts. The concept is to create a structure similar to a dungeon, release monsters within, and gain practical experience inside it.”

In other words, it was a clean dungeon without the presence of dark energy from the demon realm.

Without the dark energy from the demon realm, there are no mutations.

The released monsters were all there was.

While some might inhabit the place and evolve, the probability of a mutation was very low and it would take a long time.

Thus, it could indeed be conquered with a combination of just three mages.

“It feels like we’re playing the guinea pig role?!”

Ophelia openly expressed her dissatisfaction.

When Sebastian nudged her arm, she tried to wipe the defiant look off her face.

“I won’t deny that, Ophelia. However, I hope you all remember that as long as you are in this classroom, your duty is to serve the kingdom.”

“How could we forget His Majesty’s grace? I don’t mind, as I’ve been to a real dungeon. But I can’t help worrying about our friends with lower magic.”

“I’ve considered your capabilities, so nothing too dangerous should occur.”

“Well, that’s a relief.”

Ophelia was likely going to be reprimanded soon.

It was because she was tolerated by the generous and rational Professor Frost. If it were a stricter professor, she’d be in trouble.

It was fortunate that Sebastian had intervened to stop it, or there would have been a disciplinary committee.

Such occurrences were not uncommon.

Growing up as a prized child of the Marquis Drias, looking down on others might be as natural as breathing.

“Is there a dungeon core in this educational dungeon too?”

This time, it was Ian who asked a question.

The dungeon core was the essence of dark energy. Every dungeon had a core. If it wasn’t destroyed, magic would continue to flow in, resulting in an endless stream of monsters.

Though Ian had never gone to a real dungeon, he had learned the basic principles and structure of dungeons through various books.

“There is something similar to a core. However, it is entirely different in nature from a dungeon core.”

“Then, is the main task to destroy the core?”

“There’s no need to destroy the core. It’s quite an expensive item. Anyone dissatisfied with the Royal Family or the Royal Academy might want to do so, but try to refrain.”

The students chuckled at the unexpected humor.

‘Won’t Ophelia smash it to pieces?’

It wasn’t only Ian who entertained such thoughts. Milo and Edel also had the same notion.

“The goal of this exploration is for you to gain practical experience. The term ‘practical experience’ encompasses many meanings—not just combat, but also herb gathering, plant observation, terrain survey, and camping. Basically, all activities within the dungeon.”

In short, it seemed like they were being told to do everything possible in a dungeon.

“After completing the exploration, each group must submit a practical report. Grades will be assigned based on the originality and completeness of the report.”

Only then did the expressions of the students relax. Professor Frost’s elaboration on the concept of practical experience piqued their interest.

It was much better than just standing in an arena tossing spells at each other. And it was fair. Even those with weaker magical ability could earn good grades with effort.

“The dungeon you will enter is a low-level dungeon. As mentioned before, three people will form a group for this task. You might wonder about the criteria for forming groups—there are none. Simply group up with people you feel comfortable with. I’ll give you five minutes. Once your group is ready, come to me. Not forming a group within the time limit will result in a failure.”

The mere word “failure” caused the students to hustle. It was still early in the semester, and they hadn’t yet formed close groups.

Of course, Ian and his two roommates naturally banded together.

Milo glanced suspiciously at Ian.

“You’re not considering this as part of your project, are you?”

“Why bother? It’s just an assignment.”

“What about your project then?”

Edel asked, Milo smacked his lips and held back from speaking.

He realized he couldn’t tell Edel that Ian had someone investigate in secret and knew he’d have to be more careful from now on.

“I just don’t want to be roped in by this guy. So, are we set with our group?”

“Let’s go.”

Ian and his friends approached Professor Frost. They were the first to form a group.

Professor Frost smiled as if he had expected it.

“Indeed, you are the fastest.”

“What should we do now?”

Professor Frost presented a small box. It was a drawing box, with many folded pieces of paper inside.

Ian drew one paper as the representative.

The paper read “Abyss.”

“Abyss. That will be the artificial dungeon you will explore.”

The name had a haunting feel to it.

It was as if they might be sucked into an endless abyss.

“Does the name have any specific meaning?”

“Not much. The structure and environment are slightly different, but the monsters are the same. Of course, because of the different environments, the weapons or abilities the monsters wield might vary slightly. There are occasional monsters that harmonize with nature, after all.”

Goblins were typically an example.

Goblins were intelligent humanoid monsters. Crude as they were, they knew how to craft and use weapons and poisons.

Especially their attacks with poison darts in dark places were extremely dangerous. Thus, antidotes were essential for dungeon exploration.

“And this.”

Professor Frost handed them a map drawn on thin leather. It was a map to the Abyss, not far from the capital.

“Closer than I thought.”

“That makes management easier.”

“When should we set off?”

“That’s up to you. But if you want a leisurely exploration, the weekend would be best.”

The academy had classes five days a week.

There are no classes on Earth Day and Sun Day.

In other words, since the last class of the week was on Steel Day, they could spend about two nights and three days from the evening of Iron Day to Sun Day.

“I wish you luck. Oh, and be sure to stop by the assistants’ office before you leave. They’ll provide you with supplies.”

“Yes, Professor. See you next time.”

Bowing politely, the three left the classroom.