The next morning, Caleb wasted no time. With the Dark Wolf at his side, he ventured into the wilderness surrounding the academy, seeking out gates and dungeons. The system had marked several lower-tier dungeons for him to clear as training, and he intended to make the most of it.
The first dungeon was a simple one, filled with E-ranked beasts that posed little challenge. Caleb and his wolf moved with precision, taking down each beast swiftly. The wolf's new Shadow Dominion skill proved invaluable, allowing it to cloak entire areas in darkness and strike from unseen angles.
[Dungeon cleared. Experience gained.]
By the end of the first day, Caleb had cleared four dungeons. Each one was more challenging than the last, but with his wolf's second form and his growing confidence, he managed to persevere.
On the second day, Caleb faced his first true test: a C-ranked dungeon filled with serpentine creatures that moved with incredible speed. The beasts struck from the shadows, their venomous fangs barely missing Caleb as he dodged and countered.
"Shadow Veil!" Caleb shouted, activating one of the wolf's abilities. A wave of shadows enveloped him, rendering him almost invisible. From within the veil, he and the wolf launched coordinated attacks, taking down the serpents one by one.
[Dungeon cleared. Experience gained.]
By the end of the second day, Caleb had cleared six dungeons in total. His body ached, and his energy was nearly spent, but he felt a sense of accomplishment like never before.
On the final day, Caleb pushed himself harder than ever. He tackled four more dungeons, including one filled with B-ranked beasts. The battles were grueling, each encounter testing his limits. But with every victory, he felt himself growing stronger.
[10 dungeons cleared. Significant experience gained.]
As he emerged from the final dungeon, sweat-soaked and battered, the system's voice chimed again.
[Congratulations! You have reached Level 10. New abilities unlocked. Prepare for future challenges.]
Caleb smiled, exhaustion threatening to overtake him. He looked at his Dark Wolf, who stood tall and proud despite its own injuries. "We did it," he said. "Now, let's show them what we're made of."
Together, they began the journey back home, ready to face whatever challenges the competition would bring.