When Asher reached the entrance of the inventory, he saw the other three already waiting for him, their selected items stored away.
"So, all of you have missed the elective class during this time," Ms. Clarissa said, "but don't worry. The first class is just an overview of each elective subject, and you have until tomorrow to make your selections."
"Let me brief you on the basics of the electives our school offers."
"First, we have Alchemy. Originally, the concept behind alchemy was to transform one element into another, like turning rock into gold. Nowadays, it has evolved far beyond that. Alchemy now includes the creation and control of alchemical puppets and the refining of materials. It has become one of the most combat-oriented professions. Imagine an awakener controlling thousands of powerful alchemical puppets—such a force would be devastating on the battlefield. It's a wise choice, but also one of the toughest."
"Then there is Runesmithing, which involves the creation of formations and talismans. By understanding runes, you can create complex formations like the one protecting this inventory or special portals. It requires studying different ancient languages, symbols, and runes, and also involves identifying precious monster skins and materials to be used in formations or talismans."
"Next is Potioneering, which, as the name suggests, is the art of making potions. Adventurers use potions every time they enter dungeons or the wilderness, making potions essential for survival. Potioneers can make the most money in the shortest time, but the practice requires many materials, making the cost of learning high. However, it's always useful to learn to make simple potions, as running out of potions in the wilderness is common."
"The last elective is the study of Flora and Fauna, essential for treasure seekers and adventurers. This knowledge helps them identify potentially harmful plants and monsters, and understand useful monster materials. For instance, the nectar of the Jasmine Lily plant is useful for healing minor injuries."
"So, that's all our school is offering. You can select one or multiple electives depending on your capability and interest. Please submit your choice through the form sent to you by tonight. You can find more details online."
"Before you leave, let me ask: have any of you entered dungeons or the wilderness since awakening, and did you go alone?" Ms. Clarissa looked at Aurora first.
Sensing the gaze, Aurora answered, "Yes, I entered the Blazing Burrow alone since fire elemental monsters are weak against ice."
Ms. Clarissa nodded and turned to the others, who answered immediately.
"I entered the Ravaged Ridge alone and also went to the wilderness for a brief time with my elders," Ethan said.
Asher was surprised but realized it was a perk of having a powerful family.
"I entered the Tanglewood Grove alone. Since I have a high affinity with fire, I blasted my way through the forest," Lyra said with a smirk.
Asher was once again surprised. Lyra looked like a kind, peace-loving young lady, but she seemed to be a battle maniac.
Sensing everyone's eyes on him, he said, "I have entered the Spider's Hollow alone."
Asher noticed something wrong in the gaze of the others; most of them seemed astonished or amazed by his reply. He didn't know why they were looking at him like that and just shrugged it off.
What Asher didn't realize was that their surprise was genuine. Although Spider's Hollow was a low-level dungeon, it contained far more monsters than any other dungeon they had encountered. Typically, no new awakeners would venture into such a dangerous dungeon alone. In addition to the sheer number of monsters, Spider's Hollow was known for its nasty spiders that hid in shadows, crept along the cave ceiling, and spread poison. It was normal for minor-level awakeners to have less resistance to poison unless they had specific traits.
Ms. Clarissa was the most astonished. She knew that Asher was an illusion-based awakener who had only recently received his illusion-based attack spell. She couldn't understand how he managed to clear such a dungeon. She was aware that he didn't receive any external help, as he was an orphan, which meant he must have been hiding his knowledge and survival skills throughout the previous classes. Having been his homeroom teacher for three years, she knew him better than anyone else present. She wondered if his performance was connected to his dual trait manifestation or if there was something else he was concealing.
After a moment of thought, she decided not to comment and simply nodded at him.
What everyone assumed was that Asher had merely entered Spider's Hollow, but if they knew he had entered the dungeon during a special mutation event and even defeated the boss, they would have been even more astonished and would have kept a closer eye on him from then on. Even Ms. Clarissa would have been unable to contain her surprise if she had known the full extent of his achievement.
Sensing their astonishment and surprise, Asher realized he had revealed some of his powers and chose not to mention the mutation. He understood that his decision to withhold that information had helped him avoid further scrutiny.
Once everyone had finished speaking, Ms. Clarissa continued, "Although entering dungeons alone can make you stronger and help you adapt more quickly, you will often need to team up with others in difficult situations in the wilderness. To prepare you for this and for special challenges due to your status as special students, the Principal has given permission for you to go together to a dungeon that contains monsters more powerful than you. Don't worry, though; if you work together with strategy, you can overcome these monsters."
"I will provide you with the specifics tonight, so you can learn more about the dungeon and its monsters."
Everyone nodded and exchanged looks. Asher sensed the emotional shifts in the others. He noticed that both Lyra and Ethan were excited, while Aurora's reaction was less clear.
Seeing everyone's response, Ms. Clarissa continued, "So, follow me. I'll lead you to your next class, which is Physical and Combat Training," she said, gesturing toward the exit.
Asher and the others, who had been listening attentively, nodded and followed her.
After a short walk, Ms. Clarissa brought them to the training ground where most of their classmates were gathered. It seemed that not all students had arrived yet, as lunch break hadn't ended.
"You can go and join your classmates. Your teacher will be arriving soon," Ms. Clarissa said before leaving.
Asher scanned the area and saw that Ethan and Lyra had moved towards their friends and were already chatting. He noticed that Aurora had taken an empty seat off to the side and was eating a sandwich.
Noticing the few available seats left, Asher decided to join Aurora. He sat next to her, and though she looked slightly surprised, she did not speak.
Feeling not particularly hungry, Asher took out the book "Materials: Flora and Fauna" from his storage space and began reading.