The Enigma Dungeon of the Falkrona Duchy was like the other Enigma dungeons: dangerous and rewarding. Its danger was proportional to its generous rewards. While countless individuals had lost their lives due to their greed, such recklessness had diminished over time. Humanity had learned from its past mistakes.
The entrance to the Enigma Dungeon bustled with activity, resembling the entrance to a theme park. Dozens of lines were formed, each requiring individuals to swipe their passes on card readers and pass through turnstiles. Computers were stationed nearby to scan people and prevent fraud or potential terrorist acts. Guards, specially trained under the [Eden Council], ensured security.
When Miranda Stormdila, accompanied by her friends and guards, appeared in one of the queues, whispers and gossip spread among the crowd.
"Wow, look at her!"
"I feel like I've seen her somewhere…"
"In your dreams."
Miranda and her companions paid no heed to the attention; they were accustomed to being the center of focus. Even in the Royal Eden Academy, a place brimming with high-ranking nobles, Miranda always attracted stares.
Thankfully, high-ranking nobles had VIP lines, which spared them from long waits. After scanning their passes, they finally reached Floor 0.
Floor 0 served as the starting point. There, various amenities awaited, including restaurants, weapon shops, and apothecaries. Miranda and her friends had come prepared, so they headed straight to the first floor. With more than fifty routes leading to the first floor, the abundance of delvers didn't cause overcrowding.
"As usual, Myra?" Lea asked.
"Yeah, we'll take the beasts up to the thirtieth floor, no further."
"It's a shame. I'm sure we could go up to the fortieth floor, though."
The young man whose aura exuded pride sighed in disappointment and swept his blond hair back. Nearby girls blushed and squealed, but the one he was attempting to impress remained unfazed.
"Perhaps, Dylan. However, the Academy starts in less than two days. We shouldn't take unnecessary risks," Miranda calmly stated, tapping the ring on her right index finger twice. A brilliant light enveloped her.
Her friends closed their eyes, accustomed to such occurrences. When the light subsided, Miranda stood there in a dark green battle armor dress. The ring was a high-tech artifact capable of spatial storage, but its most valuable feature was the 'Cladding.'
The 'Cladding' was the main function of such artifacts. It allowed one to instantly don armor. Of course, only armor made from special ore capable of withstanding the time-space force could be donned in this manner. Since it also served as spatial storage, Miranda could easily stow away her sunglasses and other accessories. This artifact was incredibly convenient and highly sought after.
"As she said, Dylan," another man chimed in. He, too, tapped his ring, bathing himself in light. He emerged wearing armor and carrying a sword.
"Ah! Theo! Did you get a new set of armor?" Lea recognized the changes in Theo's attire.
"Yes, you're quite observant, Lea," Theo teased, grinning, before joining Miranda, who was already proceeding with the guards.
"Let's go, Lea."
Theo winked at Lea, and she rolled her eyes playfully before tapping her ring. She and Dylan exchanged quick smiles and followed their two friends.
...
...
Three hours had swiftly passed since the noble quartet entered the Enigma Dungeon of the Falkrona Capital. In this short span of time, they had already reached the twenty-fifth floor. Such progress wasn't hard for students of the [Royal Eden Academy], as only the crème de la crème passed its entrance exams. While some sons and daughters of high-ranking nobles managed to secure their places through connections, such cases were rare.
Miranda Stormdila, Lea, Dylan, and Theo were all sophomores at the Royal Eden Academy. Although technically still in their first year, they ranked among the best in their cohort. Hence, their swift advancement to the twenty-fifth floor wasn't surprising. They were all prodigiously talented.
However, the main reason for their rapid progress was undoubtedly Miranda herself. She stood as one of the academy's most exceptional talents and a future figure of great influence within the Celesta Kingdom. A mere seventeen years old, she had already reached the 5th Ascension. Typically, new sophomores would have achieved the 4th Ascension, but Miranda was anything but ordinary. While people attributed her prowess to inheriting her father's genes—he was the Monarch, after all— her talent was uniquely her own. Abilities might be inherited, but true talent was not.
"Phew, I'm exhausted," Lea sighed, stretching her arms to warm her cold hands by the campfire. The group had set up tents as night approached.
"We've finally caught up with you, Mira," Lea added shaking her head happy for being able to delve with Miranda.
"Your father is simply overprotective, Miranda," Theo said with a smile.
The first year at the Royal Academy had ended over a month ago, but they hadn't been able to meet Miranda due to her father's prohibitions.
"It can't be helped, especially after…the Duke Falkrona's son disappeared suddenly," Miranda said, her voice trailing off uncomfortably before she finished.
Her father, Draven Stormdila, was concerned that his daughter might meet a similar fate as the vanished son of Duke Falkrona. Their mansion was in the Falkrona Duchy, making him particularly wary of her wandering around Falkrona's capital town. It was only after Miranda's relentless pleas that he relented, under the condition that she be accompanied by trustworthy individuals.
"Oh, right, it's been a month since Edward disappeared," Dylan laughed.
"It's not amusing, Dylan. We knew him, and he was the son of Duke Falkrona," Theo reprimanded.
"We might have spoken to him, but that was years ago, Theo. He's no longer the son of a Duke, nor the potential heir. Remember?" Dylan chuckled.
A month ago, just hours before Edward's disappearance, news spread that Thomen Falkrona had disowned his son, casting him out of the Falkrona mansion. Subsequently, Thomen Falkrona declared Simon Falkrona, his adopted son, as the new heir. The Kingdom was abuzz with the developments.
Miranda remained silent, her gaze fixed on her hands as she fiddled with her dark green bow. It was clear she didn't wish to discuss Edward any further.
Dylan seemed pleased by Miranda's reaction, his smug grin indicating his dislike for any past connection she might have had with a man.
As an uncomfortable silence settled, a rustling sound followed by a thud interrupted the tense atmosphere. Something had fallen from the ceiling into a nearby bush, resembling a human figure that had landed headfirst.
Reacting swiftly, the bodyguards drew their weapons and positioned themselves in front of their charges. Miranda and her friends also readied themselves, prepared for any potential ambush.