"So, all jokes aside. Would you mind joining our group ? NO. You must join our group." Lux says with determination.
"Umm, I think I will. Who are the other members of the group ? And also when do you guys cultivate ?" Alice asks, being curious on this matter.
She couldn't refuse anyways now as Lux was the only person she trusted fully and also wanted to be near him. Lux had already held a special place in her heart.
"We start cultivating at night as I have told. Today, sneak out of your house and come to the Dark Energy Lake with these materials by 10." Lux hands some notes to Alice.
"For the group members, you will know when you get there." Lux winks by saying that.
The attendant of Alice arrives after they talk for a while and Alice goes to her home fully excited about this group cultivation that Lux told her about.
'I wonder what kind of stuff is done for cultivating there. Anyways gotta get these materials ready super fast.'
***
Dark Energy Lake
Lux arrives at the Dark Energy Lake with Killian. The levels of both Killian and Crystal had risen greatly and they were both in around level 25. When they arrived there, Alice was already there.
Killian couldn't believe his eyes seeing Alice there. He pinches himself to check if he was dreaming but realizes that it is not a dream. Dumbfounded, he looked towards Lux who was not even a bit surprised.
"Wait!!! What is Alice doing here ?"
Lux hadn't stated about the fact of Alice joining them for training so Killian's reaction was only to be expected.
"I contacted her today and told her about our group. Now, she is here to join us." Lux explains.
"Why didn't you tell this to me earlier ? Also why are you bringing all the amazing and beautiful girls to join us ? How are you gaining their favor ?" Killian asks, being confused.
"Hahaha, That's a secret which you will learn after growing up Killian. So, be patient." Lux says in a sarcastic way.
"Hahaha" Alice also starts laughing watching them two talk with each other.
"Ohh, Anyway I am Killian you may not know it but, I am very powerful and capable." Killian says while puffing out his chest.
"Yes I know about you. After all I always see you with Lux and you are also one of the highest level in the class. I think your level is around 14. Am I right ?" Alice asks Killian.
Hearing the question, Killian puffs out his chest even more. "Haha, you are telling me about matters from old data. Right now, I am level 23. Must be shocked right?"
"What?!?" hearing Killian's answer, Alice becomes really shocked.
"Wow really? How did you manage to reach that level so fast ? Even with my top tier cultivation devices, I can't reach that level so quickly."
"Well, this is all thanks to Lux. He is the one who started this group about a week ago and right now, I already have grown around 10 levels in just that amount of time. I also think that your choice to join our group will be worthwhile."
Alice becomes shocked when she hears that Lux was the one who helped him achieve that level in just a matter of a week. 'What kind of methods is Lux using?' Alice wondered.
"Haha, I shall tell you. Believe in me and anything will be possible." Lux tells them while rubbing his nose with pride.
Lux, Killian and Alice talk even more and they discuss various matters of their cultivation. Lux provides Alice with the notes of 'Underwater breathing' and 'Fatigue down' spells. When they were discussing more on this topic, Crystal arrived.
"Hey there. Wait?!? What?!? Why is Alice here???" Crystal asks pointing at Alice.
Alice also becomes shocked seeing Crystal here. She was thinking that only Lux and Killian were the group members.
"Hello Crystal. I forgot to tell you but, Alice is here as our new group member." Lux explains the situation to Crystal.
"Haha, Hi there" Alice greets Crystal with an awkward laugh.
"Ohh, Nice to know that you have brought an absolutely beautiful goddess to this group." Crystal says with an angry look.
"So, anyways Alice firstly, I will give you the perfect cultivation technique according to your affinity. I thought about it for the whole day and I think that 'Ocean's Heart' cultivation technique will be the best for you. Here take these notes and follow these procedures for cultivation." Lux hands her a note on 'Ocean's Heart' cultivation technique.
Hearing that he was thinking about the best cultivation technique for her for the whole day, Alice blushes a bit. But, she remembers how she dumped all her anger onto him. She hadn't even apologized for doing that.
"Thanks a lot Lux. Now, I don't ever think that I will be able to repay you after you have done so much for me. And also, I am really sorry Lux for dumping all my anger on you." Alice takes the note while apologizing sincerely to Lux.
"Huh? Why are you apologizing ? I would more than love to help you clear your mind if you ever are feeling like that again. So don't worry much." Lux says to Alice with a smile.
Looking at Lux saying that to her with a smile, she blushes and looks away from Lux. Lux sees her and thinks what did he do to make her not even look at him. While this was taking place, Crystal who was watching the whole scene take place feels left out and also becomes a bit jealous of Alice for receiving special treatment from Lux.
'Why is Alice being treated so well while Lux always argues and doesn't even take me seriously? Is it because she is better looking ? Does he like her ?' Crystal questions herself.
Crystal had thought that she was the only girl Lux joked around with and was getting special treatment from him. But, now as she is looking at Alice getting even better treatment, she becomes angry at Lux and also feels a bit sad. So, she also turns away from him.
Crystal herself realizes that she had become angry at Lux because Alice was getting treated better than her. Up until now, she had never cared about how other people treated her compared to others but right now, she was very concerned.
'Why am I getting so concerned for not being treated better than Alice also from this pervert ? ' Crystal questions herself.
Looking at both Crystal and Alice looking away from him at similar times, he again starts questioning what he did wrong. Truly, he could never understand these girls even after gaining so much knowledge.
They complete their training for the night and everyone gets out.
"So, everyone I know that you all must be tired from cultivating all night but, I need to tell you about another training." When Lux says this, everyone listens to him with curiosity.
"Only cultivating your mana and leveling won't be good. When the time of real combat comes, you won't have the proper techniques even though you have levels. This is the reason, why even Advanced rank Mages can be defeated by Intermediate or even Beginner level Mages. So, to improve your combat sense and develop your fighting techniques, we will be going to a dungeon this coming week. We are in need of one more member to join us before that time, so can you all suggest anyone who may be a suitable person to join us ?"
Everyone was listening to Lux with care. No matter how much they believed him, they could not understand how Lux was going to enter a dungeon. Only Mages of rank Intermediate or above could enter a dungeon or you had to be verified by an academy. Otherwise, they will send beginner level Mages back if they even tried.
"Wait Lux. How are we going to enter the dungeon ? I believe that only Mages of rank Intermediate or higher can go there to hunt those beasts." Crystal questions Lux. Even Killian and Alice nod at her question in agreement.
"Ohh, about that I know of a secret dungeon that has not been made public yet. It is quite mysterious and there may even be hidden treasures there. So, the minimum that we need according to my analysis would be a group of 5 with all the Mages above level 25."
Everyone becomes shocked hearing Lux's answer to their question. How did Lux know of that secret dungeon? Everyone was thinking of the same question. Lux was so knowledgeable and amazing that all the 3 of them couldn't help but admire him more every moment he revealed such things.
"For the group member that might be suitable, I think Gilbert should be the right choice. He has a very good and understanding personality and gets well with everyone. He is also a quick learner. These are the things that I have learned by observing everyone in the class. So, he must be the perfect candidate for this." Crystal tells Lux.
"Yes, I agree" Both Alice and Killian agree with Crystal's choice.
"Ok then I will leave the work of bringing him in this group to you guys. You guys discuss and bring him to the group." Lux tells them.
This was the very first task that Lux had given them after bringing the group together, so they became happy and gladly accepted it.
"So, everyone go home and rest for today. I'll meet you at school." Lux tells everyone and leaves.
The reason Lux wanted to go to the secret dungeon he mentioned was because of two things. One was to teach them about real combat and develop their fighting skills and one was to get a secret item that was held somewhere in the dungeon.
Lux had predicted that this item would be very useful to his whole group in the future.