"How do I get to know the Aegis?"
Celeste flashed a broad smile upon seeing the boy's excitement. "We're having a meeting this afternoon; if you'd like to join, just meet us in the library of the south tower."
"Great!" Alphonse replied.
'This is going to be easier than I imagined,' he thought.
The rest of the class was more of the same—some reading assignments and introductions to concepts the boy already understood from his past life. He continued suffering in the back row, locked in a battle against sleep.
Specialty classes were typically held in the afternoon; however, they hadn't started in the first week because students were still getting used to the Imperial Academy.
So Alphonse chose to explore the castle and the surrounding buildings more.
'You never know when I'll need to infiltrate or escape from here,' he analyzed.
---
---
In the afternoon, Alphonse went to meet the Aegis. He had to climb several floors of the castle's southernmost tower. It was impressive that a vast library had been built at the top of the tower.
He was among the last to arrive; dozens of other students were already waiting for the group to begin. Among them was Sophie, who approached her brother upon seeing him.
"You asked me to get close to her," the girl nodded toward one of the princesses. "This seems like the easiest place."
"Not a bad idea," Alphonse replied.
'At least if I can't get in, I doubt they'll turn away a [Mage] like Sophie,' the boy thought.
In the crowd, he could clearly see some familiar faces. Besides Elise and Celeste, he also noticed that Hugo and his cronies were part of the Aegis.
He could sense the exchange of glances among the boys. The heir of Kaiserstadt was beaming furiously at Alphonse.
However, there were some new faces like Victorie, the last princess he didn't know.
'It's time to start connecting with these people,' the boy thought.
There wouldn't be a better opportunity to start moving his pieces.
Alphonse looked at Elise. 'Let's start with the easiest one.'
[Mind Connection]
He felt his mana move to form a mana thread, advancing toward the princess and attaching it to her neck. However, the moment the thread touched her skin, it was repelled, and Alphonse felt a slight shock.
'Damn it!' The boy bit his lip to avoid crying out in pain. 'What happened?'
| Magic Resistance
| Increase your power and try again
'Damn it, this has never happened before,' he cursed internally. 'On to the next target.'
He turned to Victorie and conjured once more.
[Mind Connection]
TZZZ
Once again, the mana thread was repelled, and the boy received a shock.
| Magic Resistance
| Increase your power and try again
"N-no way," he thought.
To confirm his hypothesis, he turned to Hugo and cast his spell.
[Mind Connection]
TZZZ
| Magic Resistance
| Increase your power and try again
"Fuck, is this something specific to the Imperial family?"
[Maybe.]
Finally, the boy received some response from his Patron.
[It seems like they have some blessings.]
[However, if you keep increasing your power, you'll eventually overcome this defense.]
'And only now, you tell me? You had to wait for me to get shocked three times?' Alphonse thought angrily.
[...]
[It was amusing.]
'Screw you,' he muttered, refocusing on the people in front of him.
It was uncertain what they were waiting for, but Alphonse didn't want to waste his time.
'If it didn't work with the Imperial family, I at least need some important connection,' he thought.
He didn't want to connect with Hugo's friends. 'I don't need to connect to know their thoughts.'
His other option was Celeste.
'Please, no more shocks,' he prayed before casting his spell.
[Mind Connection]
The mana thread expanded again, crawling among the people until it reached Celeste. It climbed up to her neck and finally connected.
The boy waited and waited, but the shock didn't come.
"Whew," he sighed in relief.
'That boy came to the meeting. He seemed so excited; too bad he won't pass,' Alphonse could easily hear Celeste's thoughts.
"It's time to get started." Hugo walked to the library's center, climbed onto one of the chairs, and spoke to the other students.
"Welcome to the Aegis! This organization comprises all courses, focusing on conducting activities and special studies to develop its members to defend the empire," the prince explained.
Several students were excited to hear a prince speak directly to them and, above all, to receive his congratulations.
"However, this is a select group. There's no room for everyone. Therefore, at the beginning of each term, we hold a selection process," Hugo continued.
Princess Victorie was the next to stand up and continue the explanation. "The empire's protection can be achieved in various ways, regardless of your specialization. Because of that, we prefer a more practical test where you can use anything to your advantage."
She signaled for the other students to follow her. A long line formed, and gradually, everyone descended the tower's stairs. However, they didn't stop upon reaching the ground floor. They continued descending more and more levels.
It appeared they were five floors below ground.
Upon entering the room, they found a long hall bathed in bluish light illuminating the stone walls.
"This tower and the entire castle were built a long time ago. They serve to prevent the Dungeon beneath from continuing to grow and to stop monsters from entering our territory," the princess explained.
Some seemed to know this already, while others admired the hall and the new information they were learning.
"Because of this, your task will be quite simple. You'll enter in pairs, along with a member of the Aegis, and you'll need to reach the end of the Dungeon's first floor," Victorie explained. "Don't worry; the first floor isn't dangerous, especially with one of our members. However, it will be challenging for those not used to facing enemies."
'And they think I won't get past this?' Alphonse thought, finding the whole test very easy.
"I will start calling your names and indicate who will accompany you, " Victorie said before calling each student.
Sophie was soon called along with another girl and entered the Dungeon accompanied by Princess Elise.
All that was left was for Alphonse to wait his turn.
"Alphonse von Hohenberg," Victorie called out. However, she paused and continued scanning the list of present students. "It seems we have a problem—we have an odd number. So you'll have to enter alone, just with your companion."
'Ah! Did they plan this?' he wondered.
"Alright. No problem," the boy replied.
"You'll go with—" The princess hesitated for a moment. "With Celeste."
"Great," the boy responded with a smile.
He nodded at the girl.
'He's happy because it's someone he already knows?' the girl thought.
"On the count of three, we'll cross the portal," Celeste explained. "One, two, three!"
Both hurried to pass through the bluish portal. Just before crossing, the boy noticed the portal trembling and changing color to green. But it was too late; they had already crossed.
As soon as they finished being transported, Alphonse knew they were in the wrong place. Behind them, there was no portal through which to return. There was only a stone wall.
Beside them was a small torch attached to the wall and a long dark corridor ahead. He could hear the sound of water dripping and hitting the stones, as well as the sound of some beasts.
"Something's wrong," Celeste commented. "This isn't the entrance to the first floor."
Her voice conveyed how nervous she was.
"Do you know which floor we're on?" the boy asked.
"Judging by the walls and the surroundings, we must be on the third floor," Celeste said worriedly.
"Is it dangerous?" Alphonse inquired.
"For three people, not so much, but we're only two, and you're not trained in combat," the girl replied. "On this floor, we can primarily encounter Goblins. The problem is that, unlike the higher floors, they can plan and think about what they will do. They can be quite dangerous."
"Hmm, do you know the way back?" he asked.
"I do, but there's no path where we won't face enemies," she noted.
"Alright. So, how about we get started?" Alphonse suggested.
"S-sure," Celeste responded.
Alphonse could barely see what lay ahead except for the small flame he lit using his magic.
"Y-you won't exhaust your mana like that?" Celeste asked.
"No, this uses very little," he replied.
The boy didn't know where he was going, so he followed the girl and hoped she truly knew the way.
They passed through various forks and divisions. The cave resembled a massive labyrinth, but luckily, they managed to avoid the monsters that dwelled there.
They even heard some grunts and saw paw prints marked on the stones, but they never had to confront anything.
Until they finally reached a colossal stone door.
"Are we in the right place?" Alphonse asked.
"Yes. Behind this door is the second floor's boss; we need to defeat it to move up," Celeste explained.
"Then let's go!"
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