ADRIAN nodded in agreement and moved with her toward a secluded corner of the Academy gardens, away from the student clamor. He stopped abruptly and turned to her with a cold gaze.
"So, what do you want?"
The girl smiled, brushing a strand of her red hair behind her ear as she scrutinized him with intelligent eyes. "I see you get straight to the point. Good, I don't like beating around the bush either. I want you to join my team. We start missions in a month, and our first objective is raiding a Rank C Dungeon."
No trace of excitement or awe appeared on ADRIAN's face. He remained silent for a moment before saying flatly, "I'll think about it."
ELEANOR's eyes widened slightly, her face flushing with shock. She had expected an immediate "yes"—after all, who turns down an offer from the REDFIELD family?
"You'll... think about it?" she muttered in disbelief. She quickly regained her composure and added, "Fine, as you wish. Let me know if you agree. You have exactly one week."
The conversation ended, and ADRIAN returned to the table where NIKO was waiting impatiently. "What happened? What did that beauty want from you?" NIKO asked, his curiosity practically killing him.
"Nothing," ADRIAN replied coldly, continuing his meal.
NIKO laughed mockingly, winking at him. "Nothing? Do you think I'm a fool? Her expression was so serious... it must have been a love letter or a secret date! It seems you've stolen noble hearts on the very first day, VANIT."
ADRIAN ignored him completely and continued eating in silence.
That night, back in their room, ADRIAN sat on his bed weighing the offer. Entering a Dungeon meant real combat—a chance to test the limits of his body away from the watchful eyes of the professors.
The following morning, ADRIAN headed to the training hall where ELEANOR was standing alone.
"I've decided. I'm joining you," he said briefly.
Her eyes gleamed with triumph. Before she could walk away, ADRIAN asked, "Why me specifically? There are students here with far stronger mana."
ELEANOR paused and looked at him with total sincerity. "A Dungeon is no place for showing off. We need a strong vanguard with fast reflexes and steady nerves in high-pressure situations. Based on what I've seen, you are the best choice available. Tomorrow, I will introduce you to the rest of the team."
In the early morning, precisely at six o'clock, ADRIAN headed to the "Western Assembly Square," a location designated for the Academy's authorized teams. Mist still clung to the marble pillars, and a heavy silence dominated the scene.
There stood ELEANOR REDFIELD in her dark red combat gear, flanked by three students who exuded an air of distinction and noble arrogance. As ADRIAN approached, a sudden silence fell, and four pairs of eyes fixed upon him—looks ranging from curiosity and doubt to outright disgust.
"The final vanguard has arrived," ELEANOR said, gesturing toward ADRIAN. "This is ADRIAN VANIT."
A burly young man wearing light chest plate armor stepped forward, looking down at ADRIAN with a sneer. "So, this is the boy with no mana? ELEANOR, have you lost your mind? We are going into a Rank C Dungeon, not a school picnic."
"Calm down, JORIN," ELEANOR said firmly. She then turned to ADRIAN to introduce the team:
JORIN GRAY (The Tank): Possessor of Earth Mana, responsible for protecting the team and absorbing impacts.
SELENA (The Healer/Support): A quiet girl with blue hair, possessing exceptional abilities in mana restoration and wound healing.
KYLE (Long-Range Attacker): A mysterious boy wearing glasses, specialized in magical arrows and sniping.
"I don't need them to be introduced to me," ADRIAN said calmly. "I am honored to meet them."
The Demonstration of Efficiency
JORIN's face flushed red as he took a threatening step toward ADRIAN. "Listen here, insect. In this team, power speaks. If you have no mana, you're just monster bait. How are you going to defend our backs in the front lines?"
ADRIAN tilted his head slightly, and his eyes flashed with a terrifying, mechanical glint. "You want to know how? Right?"
Before JORIN could realize what was happening, ADRIAN moved with a speed that the human eye could not track. He used no mana—only the raw physical capabilities granted to him by IGOR. In a single second, ADRIAN was behind JORIN, his hand placed lightly on the back of the big man's neck.
"If this were a real fight," ADRIAN whispered into JORIN's ear, "you would currently be wondering how to reattach your head to your body."
JORIN recoiled in terror, while KYLE swiftly drew a magical arrow and ELEANOR raised her hand to stop everyone. "Enough!" she shouted with authority. "ADRIAN has proven my point. Speed and precision sometimes outweigh stupid magical explosions. He is the best vanguard we could have on our team."
ELEANOR looked at the team with a serious expression. "ADRIAN will be the tip of the spear. JORIN will provide him protection, KYLE will cover the rear, and SELENA will monitor our vitals. We have one month to train as one body before entering the dungeon. Is that clear?"
"Clear," everyone replied reluctantly, except for ADRIAN, who gave a simple nod.
As they were distributing tasks, ADRIAN noticed that SELENA (the healer) was looking at him with a strange expression. It wasn't fear; it was a "clinical" gaze—as if her healing mana had sensed something in ADRIAN's body that wasn't natural.
It seemed the new team was not entirely harmonious, and some were already beginning to doubt ADRIAN's very nature.
...
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