Sun sets in the western sky, Rozer, Poetica, Waify, Espen, and Geeraard walked together through a wide corridor of the knight academy building towards the mentioned locations. The atmosphere of their journey was accompanied by the sound of trees and the gentle whispers of the wind.
Espen and Geeraard led the group, with Espen saying, "Straight from here, we'll head to the blacksmith training area and then to the entrance of the underground labyrinth."
Geeraard added, "This is the knight vocational academy building; it's quite nice, unlike the dark and eerie wizard vocational academy building."
"What did you say?" Espen asked at Geeraard.
"To be honest, many knight students claim to see ghosts in the wizard vocational academy building," Geeraard said.
"For us, that's normal, considering ghosts are drawn to magic," commented Espen.
Rozer and Waify listened to their conversation calmly, while Poetica wore a fearful expression. Poetica was afraid of ghosts and thought, "Maybe I'll take knight classes if I pass the basic academy."
"What's wrong, Poetica?" Waify asked.
Poetica tried to calm herself, "Nothing, really," she said.
Rozer looked at Poetica's face and said, "She's afraid of ghosts."
Poetica hit Rozer's arm, "Don't say unnecessary things," she exclaimed.
Waify chuckled at their behavior.
As they walked, they passed the knight vocational academy building, instantly smelling the scent of burning wood and the clanging of iron from a large stone building emitting smoke from its chimney. Geeraard pointed to the place, saying, "That's the blacksmith training area."
Entering the blacksmith training area, Geeraard greeted some students in light blue,white, and red robes busy with blacksmith tasks. They were tending to the fire, putting wood into the furnace, forging iron on wooden tables, sharpening swords in a corner, and preparing water at the back of the room.
"Hello," Geeraard's greeting went unnoticed.
Poetica and Waify covered their ears, unaccustomed to the loud sounds of clanging iron.
Someone preparing water noticed Geeraard's presence and greeted him, "Senior Geeraard!" followed by other students looking at them at the entrance.
"I brought Rozer here, Ciel," Geeraard said.
The person called Ciel took a sword after setting down the one he was sharpening, then went to meet Rozer, saying, "You came, Rozer. I'm Ciel, nice to meet you," said the student with short black hair and brown eyes, wearing the knight vocational academy student uniform. His height was almost the same as Geeraard's. As far as Rozer remembered, he wasn't the one who called him this afternoon.
"Did you bring him here to recruit him into this place?" Espen asked, staring sharply at Ciel.
Ciel smiled wryly, "No, no, I just wanted to give him a gift for defeating Geeraard," he said.
"Is that so," Espen said, smiling in relief.
Geeraard smiled irritably, "What do you mean, Ciel?" he asked.
"Not that I intend to belittle you, but rarely does a student manage to defeat you, aside from the knight academy alumni, Sieren," Ciel explained, followed by other students behind him, and Espen nodded in agreement, "I agree." said Espen, "yes, yes." said another students.
Geeraard couldn't deny it and bowed his head in resignation, "Am I so skilled that the person who beats me is given a prize?" he thought.
"Do you know Sieren?" Rozer asked.
"Not too closely, just know his name. Why?" Ciel replied.
"I remember now, Sieren is like Rozer; he's skilled in both magic control and sword techniques. Is he your friend, Rozer?" Geeraard explained.
"Yes, he and I come from the Boszeven forest." said Rozer.
Ciel was surprised, "Boszeven Forest?" he exclaimed, "No wonder you're skilled." he added.
Espen, Geeraard, and Waify nodded in agreed with Ciel's statement. Meanwhile, Poetica pondered, wondering if Rozer was as skilled as they claimed.
Ciel handed a sword to Rozer, "Here, Rozer, a gift from me," he said.
Rozer accepted it and said, "Thank you, Ciel." He said while looking at the sword in the black scabbard, it was lighter than the sword he got in the village or the sword he used when training with the staal, maybe the material was different, Rozer thought.
Ciel smiled broadly, "I expect great things from you, Rozer," he hoped.
After sharing their plans to go to the entrance of the underground labyrinth and saying goodbye to Ciel and another students, they continued their journey to the last place Rozer would visit this day.
Passing through small hallways, they headed toward the entrance of the underground labyrinth. Espen shared stories of his experiences at each visited place, while Geeraard provided insights into the knight's life.
"I was just thinking about it, I first met you here, Geeraard," Espen said to Geeraard.
"That's right, back then you were still like a naive and sweet girl," Geeraard said, "Even now you are still the same, actually," he added with a soft voice.
"Are you saying that I'm not like that anymore?" Espen replied.
Geeraard smiled and said, "May be."
Waify, who enjoyed romantic stories, became enthusiastic. Her eyes sparkled, "Eh..." she interjected while squeezing her hands in excitement.
Poetica asked, "Are you two a couple now?"
"No, no, that's not possible," Espen replied.
"I hope so, really," said Geeraard.
Espen's cheeks turned red, and she hit Geeraard's head for saying something embarrassing in front of their juniors. Geeraard just smiled and rubbed the spot where Espen hit him.
Finally, their group reached the entrance of the underground labyrinth, a large iron door with ancient carvings and letters on both door leaves. Two girls wearing black robes who would open the door were in front of it and take the iron rod that seals the door.
"Hey, are you two planning to enter alone? That's dangerous!" Espen warned.
The two girls looked back and were surprised, "Espen, Geeraard, why are you here? And Rozer and his friend too," one of the girls said.
"Turns out, it's Karel and Ven; I should be the one asking you," Espen said.
"Um... Actually, I invited Rozer here to accompany us in exploring the labyrinth," Karel, the girl with long brown hair and blue eyes, explained. She was taller than Espen. She is the one who invited Rozer.
"We thought Rozer wouldn't come, and we wanted to explore the labyrinth together," Ven, Shoulder-length blonde haired girl with brown eyes, added. She was about the same height as Espen.
"Even if Rozer came early, it doesn't mean you can enter. We're not allowed unless guided by a teacher," Espen reprimanded.
"Uh..." Karel whined, "I'm sure Rozer can handle it because he's amazing. Besides, if I invite you, you'd probably refuse," she insisted.
"Of course, I would refuse. Rozer just entered school for the first time, and you're already inviting him to a dangerous place," Espen concluded, disappointing Karel and Ven.
Geeraard whispered to Rozer, "This is why we directed you to this place as soon as possible; there are always daring people wanting to enter."
"Mhmm," Rozer mumbled, not intending to respond.
"Because there are many people now, how about we enter together?" Ven suggested with renewed enthusiasm.
"I refuse; it's very dangerous, especially bringing two basic academy students who are still learning magic theory and self-defense, which they haven't practiced in real combat. Are you ready to take responsibility if something happens?" Espen said.
Geeraard added, "That's right; they are princesses of Bajalekat and Baratana kingdoms. Are you ready to be executed if you harm them?" he said, introducing Poetica and Waify to them.
Karel and Ven were shocked, "Princesses of Bajalekat and Baratana?!" they exclaimed while looking at the mentioned individuals.
"Why aren't the princesses returned yet?" Ven added.
"It's not important now. What do you think? Will you continue?" Espen asked.
Karel and Ven swallowed nervously, imagining themselves being executed on the execution stage.
"Of course not," Karel said.
Rozer interrupted, "What's in there?" he asked.
They were momentarily silent, looking at Rozer. Geeraard explained, "The kingdom built an underground city to protect against demonic attacks, and this door is one of the entrances scattered throughout the kingdom."
Espen added, "There are many magical artifacts there, and there are also demonic creatures that entered and got trapped."
Hearing the word demonic creatures, Rozer's blood boiled. He gripped his sword tightly and stepped forward towards the entrance of the labyrinth, saying, "Let's go in."
Everyone was surprised by Rozer's statement. They were confused about how to respond. Besides understanding Rozer's strength, they were also curious about the contents of the labyrinth. But regulations prohibit them, making them unable to say anything.
Waify supported Rozer, "I'll follow you, Rozer, if that's what you wants," she said.
Making the situation even more complicated.