Just as the dungeon committee was about to suppress the students, thunder suddenly shook the sky.
A deafening sound shot into everyone's bones like the might of nature itself. With fearful hearts the students turned their heads upwards.
Only to see two men confronting each other for a moment before vanishing.
Murmur spread among the students. Especially among the newer students no one recognized the tow vice-headmasters who were difficult to encounter on normal days.
The dungeon committee felt their hearts skip a beat even though they were strong warriors themselves. They didn't dare to escalate the scene any further, hastily pushing for the event to continue.
"As… as far as I can tell, everyone should have drawn by now. Let's start with the dungeon raid!"
Used to it, the representative paused for a moment like he had done many times before, but the expected applause and cheers didn't come. The man coughed awkwardly before announcing:
"Alright. Group one can enter the dungeon! Everyone who holds more than one thousand points!"
Out of the large crowd two students separated carefully, not assured if it was good or bad to enter first. The aristocratic youths even pretended to clap generously, while they all stepped forward as well.
Anger boiled in many hearts. Not daring to complain the poorer students could only watch as the aristocrats entered with their paid mercenaries.
Altogether about fifty people passed by the guards and entered the dungeon as the first group.
Next, the dungeon committee waited for ten minutes before announcing the second group.
At the back, Tepo waited with a frowning face. Just like many he was watching the game played by the aristocrats with an indignant heart.
He was reminded of his old life where even in the face of a large threat endangering humanity as a whole, the wealthy elite still wouldn't let go of their status, bribing some of the army personal and watching children die of hunger on the streets.
This memory overlapped with the current aristocrats using underhanded means to defend their status, not willing to let a second Ritton R. Porter rise up.
A tense atmosphere shrouded the crowd as groups were called up one by one.
Those with more than 500 points, 200, 100…
Finally, the dungeon committee allowed those with 20+ points in. Although the points continued to decrease, there were still more than 50% of students present.
Tepo slowly stepped forward, joining the group, which was the largest so far.
"They are going too far!"
An indignant voice arrived next to Tepo. The young man had already seen Yerive approach him. He didn't take the earlier separation to heart as he answered:
"Yes. But unfortunately, we can't do anything about it."
"Inurol'ah said that the sound earlier was most likely a clash between the two vice-headmasters. Do you think director Porter might act against the aristocrats?"
"If he could and wanted to, he would've already acted before. Let's not put our faith in him. We should concentrate on our own growth. Compared to others, our situation is still better."
Upon hearing this, Yerive fell silent, pondering. In the end he could only let out a sigh. Although we would have loved to help his fellow students, he was indeed helpless.
The young man once again cursed his own inadequacy, his bruised self-esteem taking another hit.
Unfortunately, Tepo was focused on the upcoming dungeon and didn't notice his friend in the need of a cheer up.
Thus, the two continued in silence, following behind Inurol'ah's and Shorey's groups. They arrived in front of the dungeon, gave their lots to the guards and finally steeped through the swirling vortex.
Both Yerive and Tepo were unfaced as the world changed around them.
The latter immediately sharpened his senses, observing his surroundings with keen eyes.
Suddenly Tepo's instincts took control of his body. A saber was swung in his direction. The young man dodged as fast as possible. But the saber was still about to hit him.
Tepo hastily used [Chaotic Evasion]. With a quick maneuver he was coming to a standstill a few meters away.
But his heart had already calmed down. During his evasion he passed through multiple other weapons.
For a moment his mind had difficulties to process the information, confused as he didn't feel any collision.
"Ahh!"
"Careful!"
"Taste my sword!"
"Shield!"
A loud commotion ensued in the huge group of students. Confronted with attacks everyone reacted differently. Fortunately, most students subconsciously dodged or defended instead of counterattacking the surprise attacks.
Tepo could only shake his head as he watched the scene. The students had landed in mitten of an enormous battlefield. Dark rocks spanned towards the horizon on all sides.
Faintly translucent soldiers waged a never-ending war. When a soldier fell, his opponent looked around in confusion. After a moment the fallen soldier suddenly stood up again and the war continued.
As more students calmed down, they shivered upon laying eyes on the eerie scene of a soundless war.
But Tepo wasn't faced, his occupational habit immediately kicking in, forcing him to gather as much information as possible.
Tepo studied the two warring parties. One of them wore uniform armors, fighting disciplined and calmly. They appeared to form a defensive formation, maybe due to being outnumbered or due to the need to protect something.
The other party was apparently put together by multiple groups. Although the different groups also wore standardized armors, they lacked cohesion even with their closest compatriots. Their eyes were reddened as they fought with high aggressivity.
Tepo also remember the symbols on everyone's armors, but he didn't recognize any of them.
Not far away a group of students surrounded a few torn banners sprawled on the ground, which were once proudly carried be the attacking army.
"Found anything?", asked Yerive after getting over the first shock.
"Not much. We have one attacking and one defending army."
"Do you think the defending army protects this… temple over there?"
Tepo took his eyes off the army, staring in the distance. A large building could be seen. It was made form dark yellow stone with many pillars, arcs, and glassless windows.
"Perhaps."
Although it made sense, Tepo was careful to draw early conclusions during his investigations.
Just then a voice appeared in the head of every newcomer.
[Return General Xorcao's heart!]
Some of the more lighthearted students shivered from the eerie task. Coupled with the cloudy grey sky they felt as if they got transported right into a horror show.
Tepo pondered over the quest's meaning for a moment before nodding at Yerive:
"Let's go. Take a look at the temple and see if we can find the general."
The two friends began to walk, as did a large part of the students. After a few minutes they got closer to the temple, noticing more details.
Suddenly a murmur went through the group. Everyone's attention was drawn to a balcony facing the battlefield.
There, seated on a majestic throne, was a mountain of a man. With thighs as thick as tree trunks and the height of a bear walking upright, his sharp gaze appeared to be able to intimidate an entire battlefield.
Although this was a real body, many students still felt it difficult to endure the sight. A large hole punctured the man's impressive armor and broad chest. Dried blood could be seen where his heart should be.
But despite the general's situation there was no struggle on his face, only determination. Even the grip on his heavy spear had never loosened.
Even Tepo had to draw a sharp breath as he surveyed this imposing sight. He continued, followed by Yerive as they approached the temple.
Getting closer, Tepo's eyes roamed the building. He found no doors, figuring they must be on the back side. Together with other students he circled the temple.
Halfway, voices already entered Tepo's ears. He frowned as it sounded like angry students.
After passing another corner, Tepo's view opened up, revealing a crowd of students staring at the temple with rage in their eyes.
"Hey! You can't do that!"
"Why are you meddling in this event?!"
"Get out, we will call the teacher!"
Tepo had to take a few more steps until he could peek past the students, finding the source of the unrest.
A large, richly decorated double door hung loosely in its hinges, revealing a grand hall behind it. But the way was blocked. The black clad warriors brought by the aristocrats obstructed the way forward.
At the side stood a few students with pale faces. Blood died their white robes as they shivered in fear, hastily taking pills.
With one glance Tepo could tell that those injuries weren't deadly but definitely painful.
The newly arriving students were quickly noticed. Since it was the largest group, the others found even more confidence.
"Give up, you can't block us all!"
"F*ck off before we make you!"
A mocking chuckle came from one of the black-clad warriors.
"Haha, try it, kid!"
"You!"
In the first row a brave student gritted their teeth as they pointed at the shameless warriors.
Suddenly, a low hiss. A flash. The student didn't even manage to react before a large amount of blood spurted from their wrist.
At the back, Tepo narrowed his eyes dangerously, clearly realizing something.
Those are definitely no aspirants!