A few minutes ago;
"Professor Mosely!" As Professor Karl Mosely stood in front of the B-rank dungeon gate, engrossed in organizing his lecture notes, a loud voice broke through the hum of students chatting. He turned around to find Issac Volante, renowned as one of the most exceptional students in all of Regalia University's history, making his way towards him.
"Ah, Mr. Volante!" Professor Mosely greeted him warmly, his eyes lighting up with recognition. He was always delighted to engage with inquisitive minds. "Is there something on your mind? Do you have a question about the dungeon, perhaps?" he inquired with a curious smile, eager to assist the bright student.
"Oh! Well, I do have a question," Issac began, his gaze shifting slightly with uncertainty, "but it's not directly related to the dungeon itself. I'm more curious about the process of party formation." He looked at Professor Mosely with a thoughtful expression, piquing the professor's interest.
"Oh, is that so?" Professor Mosely leaned in attentively, intrigued by Issac's query. "Do you have a specific question about the number of students allowed in a party, perhaps?" he inquired, eager to address Issac's concerns and offer insights.
"Yes!" Isaac's eyes widened with surprise, feeling encouraged by Professor Mosely's warm response. "Exactly that!"
"Well, ask away, young man," Professor Mosely said with an inviting gesture, his enthusiasm evident. "Are you interested in having more than four members in your party? I noticed you were talking to Maria and her group over there. Maybe you're considering teaming up with Maria and your friends?"
"Uh, not really," Isaac replied with an awkward tone, and Professor Mosely's brows furrowed in further confusion. "Oh? That wasn't the reason for your approach? Well then, do tell, Mr. Volante, what brings you here with your inquiry?"
"I was actually wondering whether I could do a solo run of the dungeon," Isaac explained nonchalantly, casually shrugging as he posed his question to the professor.
"Oh, you want to solo—wait, what?!" Professor Mosely's usually composed demeanor was momentarily shattered as he stared at Isaac with wide eyes and a hint of astonishment creeping into his expression. His mind struggled to process the audacity of such a request. "Did I... Did I hear that correctly?" he stammered, almost unable to believe his ears. "You're saying—you're actually saying—that you want to take on the B-rank dungeon all by yourself, Mr. Volante?" His voice betrayed a mixture of surprise, concern, and curiosity.
"Basically, yeah..." Issac affirmed, a hint of determination in his voice. However, before he could say anything further, Professor Mosely's hands swiftly grabbed both of his shoulders and shook him gently but firmly, an expression of concern etched across his face.
"Are you absolutely sure about this, Mr. Volante?" Professor Mosely's tone reflected a mix of astonishment and worry. "You do understand the gravity of what you're asking, don't you?"
Issac furrowed his brows, taken aback by the professor's intense reaction. "Uh, yes, I'm sure," he replied, trying to reassure the concerned educator.
"Mr. Volante, you have to understand the implications of your decision," Professor Mosely implored, his voice tinged with urgency. "The points you receive today will be added to your overall academic marks at the end of the year," the professor emphasized, hoping to convey the importance of this moment. Issac nodded, indicating his understanding, but the professor pressed on, clearly concerned. "If you choose to solo that dungeon and do not clear it on your first attempt, your chances of achieving a perfect final mark will be significantly diminished."
Releasing his grip on Issac's shoulders, Professor Mosely stepped back. He took a deep breath before continuing, sharing information he normally wouldn't divulge. "I shouldn't be telling you this, but the Principal is thrilled that a prodigy like yourself has joined our university. He's hopeful that you'll attain a flawless final mark, as it would be a tremendous accomplishment and a remarkable marketing asset for the university."
Taking in the weight of the professor's words, Isaac paused for a moment, processing the implications of his decision. "So, you're suggesting I carefully consider the best party to join," he surmised. Professor Mosely nodded, appreciating Isaac's perceptiveness, before contemplating the matter himself. After a few moments, he responded, "Yes, you're correct. The concern arises primarily if you don't manage to clear the dungeon."
Isaac listened attentively, understanding the gravity of the situation, and after a few moments of thoughtful silence, Isaac responded, "But the real problem only arises if I fail to clear the dungeon, correct?"
"Well, yes, but…" The Professor's brow furrowed in concern as he responded. "You have to understand that a B-rank dungeon is different from a C-rank dungeon, right?"
"I'm well aware of that, professor." Isaac nodded with determination. "But I believe in my abilities, and I'm confident that I can successfully clear this dungeon on my own."
"Are you absolutely certain about this? Failing could result in losing a significant promotional opportunity with the university," Professor Mosely emphasized, his expression reflecting a mix of concern and contemplation. Isaac maintained his resolve and replied, "I'm sure. I'm willing to take the risk."
"Hah…" Professor Mosely let out a long and heavy sigh, grappling with the weight of his words. He gazed at Isaac for a moment, before ultimately nodding his head and said, "Alright then. If you're certain about your decision, then I won't stand in your way. I will permit you to attempt a solo run. However, I must emphasize that any sign of you getting into trouble, and the hunters will intervene immediately, understood?"
"I understand, Professor." Isaac replied with a determined expression, giving a confident thumbs-up. Professor Mosely shook his head, a mixture of concern and respect in his eyes, before waving his hands at Isaac, urging him to leave. "Now, make your preparations for the solo run."
With a final nod of gratitude, Isaac turned and headed off.
-------------------
"Oh..." Issac's nonchalant shrug caught the group off guard. "I already spoke with Professor Mosely about my plan for the dungeon clearing test. So, I guess I won't be joining your team." The four friends were taken aback, exclaiming in unison, "What?!"
"What do you mean you're not joining the team?" Enrique stepped forward, standing in front of Beaver with an incredulous expression. Before he could inquire further, Edgar intervened and asked, "But we formed this team just for you. Did you join someone else's team?"
"Uh..." Issac tried to escape the situation by turning around, but Maria quickly blocked his path, demanding an answer. "Which team did you join?"
"No one," Issac shook his head calmly, sensing the puzzled look on Maria's face. He continued with a composed voice, "I'm solo-ing the dungeon." The revelation left the group in a state of disbelief.
"What?!" The group exclaimed in unison, their voices filled with a mix of disbelief and concern, drawing curious glances from other students nearby. Beaver stepped forward, gripping Isaac's shoulders firmly, and questioned with urgency, "Are you out of your mind, bruv? Solo running a B-rank dungeon? That's incredibly dangerous!"
Isaac maintained a calm demeanor, gently shrugging off Beaver's grip before explaining, "It's really not as crazy as it sounds. I've considered the risks and believe I can handle it. Solo clearing a dungeon is like any other dungeon run, just done alone."
"Oh, it most definitely is crazy, man!" Enrique stepped forward, his expression a mix of concern and frustration. Folding his arms across his chest, he shook his head like a disappointed dad, which just made Issac roll his eyes in response. "Why are you doing this?" Enrique asked. "You know you can clear the dungeon if you pick us, right?"
Isaac let out a sigh of exasperation, waving his hands in the air with a hint of annoyance. "I know!" he replied, feeling dissatisfied with the argument. "And that's precisely the point!" He emphasized, his determination unwavering. "You said it yourself. I know I can clear the dungeon if I pick you guys. So, why on earth would I pick you?"
"I'm sorry, but I'm not following.." Edgar scratched his head, perplexity evident in his furrowed brow. Maria playfully punched him in the waist before stepping forward, her eyes locking with Isaac's. "He's saying that he wants to challenge himself and improve. Teaming up with us won't provide the level of challenge he seeks," Maria explained, her gaze shifting to Isaac for confirmation. "Isn't that right?"
Isaac nodded, appreciating Maria's understanding. "Exactly," he said, a hint of resignation in his voice. "Look, you guys are great. And I genuinely look forward to teaming up with you all once we're beyond these university walls. But here, within the grounds of Regalia University, we have the perfect opportunity to push our limits and face formidable challenges. Taking calculated risks and venturing into the dungeon alone is my way of exploring the depths of my potential. And, honestly, I'm pretty sure it's going to be a walk in the park for me if I join hands with you guys. "
Enrique jokingly replied, "I can't tell if that's a compliment or an insult". He instantly received a friendly punch from Beaver on his shoulder, eliciting a groan from him.
"This is what you want, huh.." Maria's expression turned serious as she addressed Isaac. He nodded firmly, reaffirming his decision. Maria then turned to Edgar, patting him on the shoulder, and said, "Let's go, Edgar. We need to form a team."
"Hey, wait!" Beaver and Enrique, now standing alone, hurriedly approached Maria and Edgar. "What about us? We're still teaming up, right?"
Issac let out another sigh, his gaze fixed on the daunting dungeon before him. He clenched his fists tightly.