"Master, you shouldn't be moving."
Velris did her best to stop me from getting up, but at this point, I was already numb from the pain. Every muscle in my body was torn and there was a hole in my shoulder that was barely healed by the potions.
"I'll be fine."
Forcing myself up and leaning on the wall for support, I began to prepare myself for the surge power from the curses my skill devoured earlier and for the one I'm going to devour now.
[You have completely devoured "An angel's fury"]
With the new curse devoured and the previous curses being completely devoured, I began to regain some strength back.
[You have ascended to Duelist rank 1 level 8]
[Curse devourer has been upgraded to level 8]
[Aura rush has been upgraded to level 9]
"Maybe I should focus on improving my rank."
"Did you ascend master?" Velris looked at me confusion.
"Yeah, felt really good. I wish I knew how much more I need for the next one though," I answered as I tried moving my body around.
"But why wasn't there an Aether spark?" Velris asked. "Usually when anyone ascends, their body releases a pulse of Aether."
I remembered something like that being mentioned in the novel, but it was never stated to be such a big deal. I chalked it up to the characters just feeling someone get stronger. "Maybe you just didn't notice it."
Velris didn't seem convinced, but she didn't try to question it anymore either.
Now that I can actually move again, we made our way back to the entrance of the dungeon. If Revenant could not finish off the dungeon boss, then I'll just come back after getting stronger. Even if the dungeon boss gets stronger, it won't be by a lot considering that we killed a lot of their minions.
"I'll probably be yelled at if I went back to the infirmary."
------
"Who here knows the dungeon rank up phenomenon?"
Aila hesitated to raise her hand to answer the instructor's question. She knew the correct answer but was too shy to speak out.
"It's when a dungeon grows strong enough that the dungeon boss evolves," one of her classmates answered.
"Correct," the instructor nodded. "Then does anyone know the cause of it?"
"Dungeon bosses can't leave the dungeon, so the minions go out and hunt for them. When they have eaten enough, they will evolve and at their final evolution, gain the ability to leave the dungeon."
The same black-haired student answered.
Aila couldn't help but be envious of her classmate that has the confidence in herself to answer. For the past few days, Serena has proven herself to be the brightest in their class.
As the instructor was praising her, the bell rang, signifying the end of the class. When Aila made her way to the door, several students blocked her way.
"You're Aila correct?..."
"I'm a second year..."
"Join my party..."
Students crowded around her. Introducing themselves and asking her to join their party. "I-I-" Aila didn't know what to say. This had been happening ever since the star hunt event, and every time, she was overwhelmed.
With things being too much to handle, the same thing always happens next. A puff of green mist exploded from Aila, covering any object with flowers. Now that everyone was confused and distracted, she used the opportunity to run away. Not noticing a black-haired woman with sharp eyes watching her.
------
Catherine watched the scene with interest. A regular occurrence in the academy was the recruitment of the first years, and the scholarship class was like the premium market. Although social classes were still involved, a lot of nobles were still aware that the commoners in the scholarship class were the future treasures of the kingdom. Young and talented individuals that proved their ability by getting accepted into the academy.
Catherine herself did not partake in any recruiting, but she couldn't deny that Aila is a tempting individual. Her performance in the star hunt may not be as impressive as Raveil Gray's, a subject that she would punish her vassals for not informing her, Aila still showed her notable abilities.
Unfortunately, Catherine recognized the look in her eyes. It didn't show indecisiveness, confusion, or reluctance. Aila didn't know how to deny them. To tell them that she already had someone she'll follow.
"It doesn't take a genius to figure out who she chose," Catherine whispered to herself as she began trailing behind the path Aila ran off to.
------
[You have been cursed with "An angel's fury"]
[You have been cursed with "An angel's fury"]
[You have been cursed with "An angel's fury"]
[You have been cursed with "An angel's fury"]
"He really hates me huh."
I laughed as we neared the exit of the dungeon.
"Angels are known for holding grudges and trying to screw over the individual they hate."
Velris mentioned as followed behind me.
I shrugged. "Then he must be close to dying since he's stacking the curses even though it doesn't stack at all."
Ignoring the dungeon boss's desperate attempt to harm me, me and Velris finally made it out of the dungeon. To me, it was a pretty good sign that nothing changed much outside. The mountain above the dungeon was still intact, and the terrain around it was unchanged.
"Let's go. Revenant can catch up after he's done," I began walking back to the direction of the village.
"Are you sure you can walk master? I can carry you if needed," Velris offered.
"No thanks."
Waving her off, I continued walking. As we were traveling through the forest, my mind wondered about the possible options for me to improve my rank. The thing that came to mind first was the corrupted forest. The other thing that came to mind was the original method of this world, Aether meditation.
"Nah..."
What was the point of having an overpowered ability if I don't use it.
"Are we heading back to the academy master?" Velris asked as she handed me a container of water.
I looked thoughtful for a moment.
"We're heading back to the academy, right master?" Velris began to look at me with concern.
I shrugged.