Looking down, Nico studied the metal band, determined to figure out why it had not been working.
In the next moment, he realised he didn't need to anymore, for a strange transformation had taken hold of the bracelet. No longer was it lacking in luster… it shined with a somewhat ethereal light.
The two engraved swords lit up with a subtle crimson hue.
Nico's curiosity piqued.
'Is it because of the increased concentration of mana here? Or did it react to the specific signature of this Dungeon?' he mused to himself.
Across Crelerath, it was well known that the ambient mana levels in the air experienced a qualitative change when in the presence of a Dungeon. Especially so in the earlier days, with intense natural disasters a common sight for many.
Additionally, each Dungeon had a specific mana signature it emitted, allowing for the Descender Association to create items that could only be used inside a single otherworldly bastille. Effectively safeguarding against any threats of theft.
'How clever…'
Shaking his head, the brown-haired boy instinctively had the urge to press on the spot where the two swords met. A clicking sound resounded in his mind.
'Hm?'
Nico's eyes narrowed as he focused. There, in the corner of his mind where the weird noise reverberated, a foreign sensation occupied his senses.
After a moment of investigation, his eyes sparkled.
'So, this is the tether to the dimensional space…?'
A rush of excitement coursed through Nico as he hurriedly tried to test this new discovery. Removing his pack from his shoulders, the boy rummaged through the knapsack, before lifting his hands to reveal some firewood.
The boy placed a piece on top of the bracelet and concentrated. In the next moment, it disappeared. Focusing on the tether, he sensed a vast space inside, with the piece of wood appearing extremely miniscule in comparison.
Every dimensional space or item had a tether connecting it to its user. Usually, the most common way people bound a Space ring, or any similar artifact was through a drop of their own blood.
It seemed this relied on a different method, however.
'Still very cool though.' Nico nodded to himself.
While the rest of his peers were being transported to the entrance of the Dungeon, Nico went about transferring all his supplies from his pack into the dimensional storage.
He glanced at the half-blood during the middle of the process and found the burly boy had arrived at the same stage.
He grinned.
Just as he finished, a hush descended on the innumerable number of youths. Nico looked up as a familiar aura spread through the cavern.
The sound of ocean waves ebbing to and fro streamed into his ears.
He blinked, before snapping his gaze toward the far end of the rocky chamber.
There, on a slightly erected podium stood a figure clad in sparkling silver armour with light blue accents. A scabbard hung on her left hip. Her mesmerising mood-ring eyes seemed to captivate every single youth within the dim space.
Nico's eyes widened slightly. 'What is she doing here?'
The brown-haired boy allowed his gaze to roam across his peers, his ears registering a few squeals.
"Oh, my god! It's the Saintess!"
"Fates! It's really her!"
"I can die happy after seeing her in the flesh!"
Amused by the last exclamation, Nico watched a group of the Saintess's enthusiasts screech excitedly to each other. Indeed, her entrance had caused quite a ruckus.
Countless murmurs exploded into life with the graceful figure at their forefront.
'Is this what stanning too hard looks like?' Nico shook his head, chuckling silently.
He witnessed the Saintess display a faint smile, not at all bothered by the commotion she had just caused. Her features then turned solemn a moment later as her aura strengthened, smothering the whole space.
Under this equally tranquil and stormy air, Nico felt as if he had received a glimpse of the underlying qualities of the sea…
…calm during one moment, and then completely harrowing in the other.
That was exactly how the Saintess's aura seemed, capable of transforming into a raging squall in less than a blink of an eye.
The brown-haired boy shuddered before unconsciously straightening his posture.
His peers followed suit.
"I welcome you today, future pillars of humanity, in the hopes that most of you here, get to embark on your first step toward the Divine. It will be fraught with danger, strife, and conflict. However, remain steadfast and you will be rewarded handsomely through the opportunity to wield supernatural power beyond even your wildest imaginations. Before we usher you inside the Dungeon, I will take this time to explain what is required of you. As well as offer you some advice…
"Now… you all have probably heard of me before, however, if you need a reminder... allow me to formally introduce myself." The Saintess's voice echoed, both soft, angelic, and firm at the same time.
She took a deep breath, then intoned solemnly, her eyes shifting to a mixture of light blue and grey:
"I am the deputy headmistress of SilverWing Academy, an Ascendant Mage and Slayer of countless Demons. Numerous Djinn and Daimon have fell under my blade. I have bathed in the blood of countless foes, reclaimed lost territory on the front lines, and perhaps most importantly… I am one of the Four Pillars of this Empire, the Saintess. I am also among the few responsible for molding you into terrifying war machines."
Goosebumps formed on Nico's skin.
An excited shiver crawled down his spine at the Saintess's introduction.
Flames of passion and awe burst in large waves from his eyes.
"Do you know what my greatest wish for all of you is?" The deputy headmistress asked, scanning the multitude of teenagers before her.
Several instinctively shook their heads.
The Saintess showed another faint smile, before continuing at a measured pace, "It is… for you to one day reach, and even surpass the heights I and my generation have achieved. Under the increasing threat of the Demons overriding our world, there is no other alternative. You must succeed… and I firmly believe you can."
She sighed. Her aura mellowed briefly, before returning to normal.
"Time for an explanation of how this Ceremony will pan out. Prior to being teleported to the entrance of this dungeon, you will all have received this metal band," the woman held up the metallic accessory. "This is of critical importance for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it gives you access to a vast dimensional space to store your many belongings. Second, once activated, it will display the location of the Dungeon Core, which is where you must head to in order to form your Mana core. These bands also inform you of the groups which you will be placed in."
Nico gazed at the item on his right wrist. A look of understanding dawned on his face.
"After I conclude this speech, you will each take turns travelling through the portal to your right. Once there, you will be teleported to a random space in the Dungeon. It will be on you to meet up with the rest of your teammates before heading towards the Dungeon core. Your task… is slightly easier with the fact these metallic bracelets also show the rough location of your colleagues. However, make no mistake, the inhabitants of this bastille are not to be messed with. There is a real possibility of you being killed in action. Be alert and don't underestimate your enemy." The deputy headmistress advised gravely.
An audible gulp resounded through the cavern in response.
The Saintess sighed once more, gazing at the agitated youths. "Last thing. If you come across a creature with a peculiar symbol on its forehead … run. Do not try to fight it. Run. You have no hope of slaying the Dungeon boss. We've done our best to contain it, however, experience has told us that might not be enough."
Nico flinched, his mind returning to the conversation he had with his father the night before.
'If even the Saintess is saying that, then…'
A seed of unease bloomed inside the boy's chest. However, he had no more time to ponder on its source.
"I wish you the very best, future heroes of our race. Work together, fight for each other, and keep each other's strengths in mind. Do this, and you shall without a doubt triumph…" the deputy headmistress's eyes shifted toward a greyish hue.
"May Fate always be in your favour."