[Third Person's PoV]
Asta's eyes practically sparkled with excitement as he stared at the entrance of the dungeon. His voice echoed with awe. "WOAH! SO THIS IS A DUNGEON!"
But just as quickly, his expression shifted to confusion. Blinking, he turned to the others, tilting his head curiously. "Wait... what's a dungeon, exactly?"
Noelle, exasperated, shot him a look like he was the biggest fool in the world. "If you didn't know what a dungeon was, why are you so excited?!"
Rubbing the back of his head in embarrassment, Asta grinned sheepishly. "Well... it just sounded cool."
Stephen chuckled at Asta's honesty, his laughter echoed by Luck, who didn't miss a beat before explaining as they stepped into the dungeon's eerie mouth.
"Dungeons are basically ancient tombs, filled with relics from civilizations long gone. Sometimes they hide powerful magic techniques or rare magical items," Luck explained, his lips curling into a familiar battle-hungry smirk. "But they're also packed with dangerous magic traps designed to keep anyone from taking the treasures inside."
"That's so cool!" Asta exclaimed, his earlier excitement reigniting. However, as they ventured deeper into the dungeon, the tunnel around them began to darken, shadows creeping over the walls like living creatures.
Stephen held out his hand, conjuring a glowing orb of Eldritch Magic that lit up their surroundings like a tiny sun. The magical light revealed shimmering mana crystals embedded in the dungeon walls, their soft glow illuminating the path ahead.
"The mana here is incredible..." Stephen muttered, his eyes scanning the walls, taking in the sheer magical density.
Luck nodded in agreement, his sharp eyes glinting in the dim light. "Yeah, the air's practically humming with it. The space inside is distorted—bigger on the inside, all because of the mana."
Noelle, her gaze sweeping across the dungeon, nodded as well. "I've never seen anything like it. The mana here... it's overwhelming."
Asta, as usual, was oblivious. "Eh? Is the mana really that great here?"
Noelle whipped around in shock. "Wait! You seriously don't feel all the mana around us?"
"Not at all," Asta admitted, scratching his head, his voice tinged with wariness.
Noelle narrowed her eyes. "Don't tell me you don't even know what mana is..."
"Of course I know what mana is!" Asta shouted, before collapsing to the ground in dramatic fashion. His fists pounded the floor as he cried out, "It's what you nobles have tons of! And what I have none of! The source of all magic! I mean, I like my sword and all, but I wouldn't mind casting a spell one day!"
In his frustration, Asta slammed his fist down—unfortunately, right on one of the magic traps. A glowing circle appeared beneath his hand. "Eh?" Asta quickly sprang back, drawing his sword just in time.
A large spiked trap shot out from the floor where he had been standing, but Asta's sword cleaved it in two with a swift, practiced motion. He landed lightly, his sword still in hand, and let out a relieved sigh. "Phew, that was close."
Stephen rolled his eyes, floating above the ground to avoid any further traps. "Didn't Luck just tell us this place is full of traps?"
"Like this one!" Luck gleefully shouted, diving headfirst into another trap. He laughed maniacally as he bounced from one trap to the next, dodging them with ease, his face lit up with pure joy.
Stephen sighed, conjuring a protective shield around Noelle and himself, while Asta slashed through every magical effect the traps threw at them.
"Thanks," Noelle murmured, glancing at Stephen as they moved forward, unharmed by the traps.
Stephen raised an eyebrow but nodded. Meanwhile, Luck finally paused, hands on his hips, grinning like a child in a candy store. "That Anti-Magic sword of yours is incredible, Asta! I can see why the Wizard King wanted you along. If you keep swinging that thing, we'll clear this dungeon in no time!"
"YES SIR!" Asta saluted enthusiastically, a grin stretching across his face.
As they ventured deeper, Stephen's eyes narrowed as he studied the passageways branching off into the walls. Luck's grin widened as he, too, focused on the same paths.
"Hey, Stephen, mind if I take point?" Luck asked, his voice brimming with excitement as he activated his magic.
[Lightning Creation Magic: Holy Lightning Boots.]
Electricity crackled around Luck's legs, static lifting his hair. Stephen smirked, floating effortlessly. "Go for it. Have fun."
Luck's eyes sparkled as he grinned and turned into a blur of motion, racing ahead at incredible speed. "Leave the rest of the dungeon to you guys!" he called back with a laugh.
"He's so fast!" Noelle gasped, her eyes wide with surprise.
"He's so cool!" Asta added, his admiration clear.
Stephen's gaze lingered on the pathways, sensing something. His smirk vanished, replaced by focused determination. He floated behind Noelle, conjuring another shield just in time to block a swarm of thick, writhing vines from attacking them.
Noelle and Asta whipped around, startled by the sudden attack. The vines thrashed against Stephen's shield, but Asta rushed forward, determination shining in his eyes. "I've got it! I've got it!"
With swift, precise movements, Asta sliced through the vines with his sword, cutting them down effortlessly. As Asta handled the vines, Stephen's hands moved swiftly, conjuring a giant ethereal saw that spun through the air, slicing toward the massive flower-like monster responsible for the attack.
[Wind Creation Magic: Wind Blade Shower]
At the same moment, a beautiful storm of green, wind-forged blades rained down on the plant. The saw cut the monster plant in half while the blades stabbed into the monster at the same time.
Stephen chuckled as he floated down. "You just couldn't resist, could you?"
Noelle, surprised by the spell's precision, turned toward the source of the wind blades. Her eyes widened as she saw Yuno, standing tall at one of the passageways, his golden squadmates flanking him.
"Must you always make such a dramatic entrance, Yuno?" Stephen asked, amusement dancing in his eyes.
"YUNO!!" Asta shouted, hoisting his sword onto his shoulder with his trademark grin.
Yuno, with his windswept hair and calm demeanor, smirked down at them. "I couldn't let you guys have all the fun. Thought I'd join in."
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