The world of Zephiron is vast, ancient, and brimming with secrets. Magic flows through its lands like rivers of energy, shaping civilizations and leaving behind ruins that whisper of forgotten histories. Among these relics of the past lies the Labyrinth, an ever-shifting maze of danger and discovery that few dare to explore.
But that's exactly why Aetheris Academy exists.
A legendary institution, the academy is where the most promising young mages, warriors, and scholars are trained—not just in the art of magic, but in the pursuit of the unknown. To become a student of Aetheris is to accept a destiny greater than oneself, a path that leads to unraveling the world's deepest mysteries.
And then… there's me. Kael Veydris.
I'm not exactly a star student or some prodigy, but people know me well enough. I'm friendly with most of my classmates, and in return, they're nice to me. Life at the academy isn't bad—though some days are more exciting than others.
"Good morning!"
A bright, cheerful voice greeted me as I walked into the classroom.
"Morning to you too," I replied, offering a small nod.
I glanced over to my side and spotted a familiar figure.
"Morning, Vaelin."
As expected, he didn't answer.
Vaelin.
For the past month, he's sat near me—silent, distant, like a ghost haunting the classroom. He has no friends, never speaks unless called on, and seems to exist in his own isolated world. Even our homeroom teacher might not know which house he belongs to. He's practically the definition of a loner.
Not that it's any of my business.
And yet… something about him unsettles me. There's a strange aura around him—one I can't quite put into words. Is he dangerous? Or just someone with too many secrets?
I don't know.
But for now, I'll just keep watching.
The day dragged on as teachers came and went, lecturing us on different subjects—some more engaging than others. Combat Magic was interesting, History of Zephiron had its moments, but then there was Applications in Magic Engineering…
By far the most boring class in existence.
I tried to focus. Really, I did. But the endless talk about magical energy conversions and artifact stabilization made my head spin. I found myself staring out the window, watching the sky instead of the diagrams being scribbled on the board.
If I ever have to deal with magic engineering in the future, I'll just leave it to the specialists.
Finally, our homeroom teacher arrived, signaling the last class of the day.
The moment she stepped in, the air in the classroom shifted.
"A reminder, everyone," she began, adjusting her glasses. "Tomorrow is your first expedition into the Labyrinth. As first-year students, this will be your first real field test. I expect all of you to take this seriously."
Murmurs spread across the room.
"As you know, the Labyrinth is unpredictable. Even the upper years struggle within its depths. That is why you must follow all safety protocols and stick to your assigned groups at all times. Any reckless behavior will not be tolerated."
My hands clenched slightly.
The Labyrinth.
Aetheris Academy may be a school, but it wasn't just about studying. Every student who walked these halls was expected to one day venture into the unknown, uncovering lost knowledge and facing dangers beyond imagination. This was our first true step toward that destiny.
Excitement buzzed through the classroom, but there was nervousness too. Some students whispered among themselves, while others sat in silence, lost in thought.
I glanced at Vaelin.
Unlike the others, he didn't react at all. No surprise, no excitement, no anxiety. Just the same blank, unreadable expression.
"That will be all for today," our teacher finished. "Prepare well, and do not underestimate the Labyrinth."
With that, the final class ended, and we were dismissed.
As I packed up my things, my mind was already racing.
Tomorrow… everything changes.
That night before the expedition, the academy grounds were unusually lively that evening. Students were busy preparing for the expedition—sharpening weapons, reinforcing their spell scrolls, and discussing strategies in the dorm common rooms.
But I wasn't with them.
Instead, I stood alone on the academy's training field, my sword in hand, watching the way moonlight glinted off the steel.
"Tomorrow's the real deal."
A trip into the Labyrinth wasn't something to take lightly. Even first-year excursions had risks. While the academy supervised us and ensured we wouldn't be thrown into anything too deadly, mistakes still happened. Every year, there were always students who returned injured… and sometimes, students who didn't return at all.
I exhaled slowly, tightening my grip on my sword.
"I need to be ready."
With that, I began training, practicing my strikes over and over under the moonlight.
And then, just as I was about to finish—
A shadow moved in the corner of my vision.
I turned quickly, expecting another student, but what I saw instead made me pause.
Vaelin.
He stood at the far edge of the field, partially obscured by the trees. His posture was relaxed, hands tucked into his pockets, but there was something unsettling about the way he watched me. His gaze, as always, was unreadable.
Had he been standing there the whole time?
"What?" I asked, wiping sweat from my forehead.
No response.
Typical.
I debated whether to push for an answer, but before I could, Vaelin simply turned and walked away, disappearing into the night.
I stared after him, uneasy.
Something about him felt off tonight.
But I had no idea just how much that feeling would matter tomorrow.
The next morning, the entire first-year class gathered at the academy's Teleportation Gate, where we teleported to the labyrinth to meet the professors who were already awaiting us in front of the Labyrinth's entrance.
Excitement and nervousness filled the air. Some students were stretching, others were checking their gear, and a few were already discussing potential combat formations.
"Alright, listen up!" our instructor's voice boomed over the chatter, silencing the crowd.
Professor Alden, our expedition overseer, was a seasoned adventurer with years of experience in the Labyrinth. He was built like a warrior, with scars to prove it, but his sharp eyes carried the weight of a strategist.
"Today's goal is simple—survival and navigation. You will be split into teams and given a set of objectives to complete. Your priority is to learn how to move through the Labyrinth efficiently and work as a unit. This is not a test of strength but of judgment. Make reckless decisions, and you may not walk out."
A heavy silence followed his words.
Everyone knew the dangers of the Labyrinth. The dungeon wasn't a fixed place—it changed constantly, its pathways shifting like a living thing. Inside, monsters lurked, remnants of a forgotten past. Even weak creatures could be fatal to those who let their guard down.
"Now then, your teams have already been assigned. When I call your names, step forward."
The list began.
One by one, students were grouped together, forming teams of four or five. Some cheered when they were placed with their friends, others groaned.
Then—
"Kael Veydris."
I stepped forward.
"Elaine, Doran, Mira… and Vaelin."
Wait. What?
I turned my head sharply.
Sure enough, Vaelin was standing at the edge of the crowd, his expression as unreadable as ever. The moment his name was called, a few whispers spread among the students.
He was known as a loner. A mystery. No one really understood why he was here, or what his skillset was.
And now, we were on the same team.
Great.
Minutes later, our group stood before the Labyrinth's entrance—a massive, circular gateway carved into the earth. Strange runes flickered along its edges, glowing faintly as magical energy pulsed through them.
Beyond it lay a tunnel, descending into the dark.
"Alright," Elaine said, adjusting her gloves. "This is it. Everyone ready?"
"Let's not screw this up," Doran muttered, checking his sword.
Mira nodded, her hands gripping the tome she carried.
I exhaled and looked at Vaelin.
Unlike the rest of us, Vaelin hadn't drawn a weapon. He hadn't prepared a spell.
Instead, he stood there, completely absorbed in the strange runes etched into the wall. His eyes flickered as if he were deep in thought, analyzing the inscriptions with an unsettling calmness.
"Vaelin," I called.
No response.
I frowned.
Enough was enough.
I strode toward him, grabbing his shoulder and pushing him back. His gaze slowly lifted to meet mine—cold, unreadable.
"What's with you?" I snapped, frustration spilling over. "We're trying to work together, and you're just—"
I smacked my hand against the runed wall.
And in that instant—
A pulse of energy rippled through the air.
The runes flared, igniting like molten gold.
And then—the ground vanished beneath our feet.
"MOVE!" Professor Alden's voice thundered from above.
But it was too late.
We plummeted into the abyss.
Buried Beneath the Labyrinth
I groaned, pushing aside chunks of debris as my Mana Shield flickered, the protective magic on my armor absorbing most of the impact. Dust and shattered stone surrounded us, the remnants of the collapsed floor sealing off any way back.
"Jeez…" I muttered, shaking off the daze. "That could've been worse."
Beside me, Vaelin emerged from the rubble, completely unharmed—thanks to the shield I had unknowingly protected him with.
I turned to him, crossing my arms. "So, how do you plan to take responsibility for this?"
Vaelin dusted off his cloak and met my gaze with that same unshaken expression.
"You're the one who activated the trap," he stated flatly. "I was reading the runes to check for dangers. But before I say anything…"
He paused, then motioned toward my hand.
Then I remembered slamming the wall out of frustration.
I blinked.
"Wait… are you telling me—"
"Yes," Vaelin deadpanned. "You triggered it."
A long silence stretched between us.
Not because I was shocked about causing the collapse—no, I could live with that mistake.
But because—
"You can talk?"
Vaelin raised a brow. "…Do I look like a mute?"
I stared at him.
For over a month, I had never once heard him speak. Never seen him acknowledge anyone. And now, he was casually explaining things like this was completely normal?
"I—" I hesitated. Then sighed. "Okay, my bad. I shouldn't have interrupted you."
"It's alright, I would have done that Same if I were in your shoes," Vaelin replied.
For the next few minutes, we talked—something I never imagined happening. And as I listened, I realized just how wrong my assumptions about him had been. He wasn't silent because he was antisocial. He was silent because he observed—waiting until speaking was necessary.
"Alright," I said, finally, "any idea how we get out of here?"
Vaelin exhaled slightly and turned back to some runes on the walls. "Let me check something first."
I watched as he ran his fingers along the ancient inscriptions, his eyes narrowing in focus. He stood like that for about five minutes, silently decoding whatever message lay hidden in the symbols.
Then, finally, he spoke.
"Well… It doesn't exactly say where to go."
"Then what does it say?"
Vaelin's gaze darkened slightly as he recited the words aloud:
"When in doubt, turn left."
A chill ran down my spine. Something about the phrase—it didn't feel like simple directions. It felt more like a warning.
"Left?" I echoed, glancing ahead. "But… there's no fork in the path. It's just a straight tunnel."
Vaelin nodded. "Which means it's not about where we are now. It's about what we'll encounter ahead."
A heavy silence settled between us.
I didn't like this.
The Labyrinth was notorious for its shifting pathways and living traps—some designed to confuse, others designed to kill. If the ruins were leaving us cryptic messages, it meant one thing.
Something was waiting for us.
I exhaled, rolling my shoulders. "Well, sitting here won't get us anywher
e. Let's move."
Vaelin didn't argue.
We began walking deeper into the unknown, the weight of the inscription lingering in my mind.
"When in doubt, turn left."
I didn't know what it meant yet.
But I had a feeling we were about to find out.
---
To Be Continued…