Pandora's Box of Lost Hope
Dungeon entry: Minel and Arian. These two had wildly opposing values and personalities. Minel, the pure knight who upheld her chivalry, and Arian, the scheming trickster always looking to deceive and exploit others. No matter how you sliced it, they were the last people who'd get along.
"...What did you just say?"
"I adjusted things so you two won't clash as much as possible without affecting the party's performance."
Then just don't get close. Forcing them to bond when they clearly hated each other would only make things worse or breed resentment from the pressure. Minel might not let it impact the fight, but Arian? That crazy bitch wouldn't hesitate to fireball the back of Minel's head. She'd supposedly reformed, but... clearly, she still had a long way to go.
"Ugh... what? Why are you staring like that...?"
"Nah, it's nothing."
For starters, I'd distributed the burdens evenly when forming the party. I took the slightly heavier loads myself, dumped the minor sundries on Arian in the rear, and gave Minel just one heavy item since her role was crucial.
"This should balance out nicely."
"Well... this seems reasonable enough."
"Yeah, I'm fine with this."
Arian still had some gripes, but when I flashed a small smile, she shuddered and nodded. Good. The training isn't a total waste.
"Buy any personal prep items like dungeon essentials on your own. These listed here are just the academy-provided communal supplies."
"Got it."
"Understood."
After that light exchange of opinions and strategy, detailed intel on the dungeon dropped just one day before entry.
"The faculty scouts confirmed the dungeon's theme: Pandora's Box."
"Pandora's Box?"
Pandora's Box. The myth of the first woman crafted by Zeus in the past, infamous for unleashing humanity's original sin. Driven by curiosity, she opened the box Zeus gifted her, releasing plagues, disasters, rage, jealousy—all the roots of evil that wouldn't have existed otherwise. Yet, with every malice gone save the last, she clutched only hope, teaching humans to harbor it amid regret and suffering.
"Observations show it's an Illusion Dungeon."
"What's an Illusion Dungeon?"
Minel raised her hand, and Terion sighed as if he'd forgotten, heading to the blackboard to grab chalk.
"Right, this was supposed to be second-semester material. Simple explanation."
With that, Terion wrote three categories on the board: [Illusion Dungeon], [Erosion Dungeon], [Isolation Dungeon].
"An Illusion Dungeon is, as the name implies, a place where 'what if' fantasies become reality. Hypotheticals—like events that happened or might have—manifest as illusionary dungeons."
"...And this one's an Illusion Dungeon too. The internal theme: 'Pandora Who Lost Even Hope'."
Zenovia's words drew a collective sigh. The name alone evoked hell. Humans without hope couldn't survive. That land would teem with monsters, spirits, and demons.
"Next, Erosion Dungeons: vanished temples or dungeons that reappear, eroding reality in some form."
The Minotaur's Labyrinth they were supposed to clear was an Erosion type—long-lost ruins resurfacing beneath the academy. Honestly, Erosion Dungeons were the easiest. As recreations of myths and legends, even twisted versions had known strategies.
"Finally, Isolation Dungeons... Personally, these are only in records. You get cut off into another space temporarily; no return without clearing."
Zenovia flinched at that. Right— she'd once trapped me in an Isolation Dungeon. Its concept was a severed world without Prometheus's flame, braving cold and dark to snatch embers from an eagle for escape.
"Anyway, don't worry much about Isolation types."
Dismissed, Minel, Arian, and I double-checked gear and items before retreating to our rooms for quick rest. Who knew about tomorrow.
"Go in."
That was all Terion said once we were prepped. Blunt as ever, but this was Arcade Academy. Survival of the fittest. Die in the dungeon? You weren't cut out. Survive? You belonged.
Probably Terion's philosophy.
"Student Council President Lena, don't you have council duties? Is judging okay?"
"...Felt like I wouldn't rest otherwise."
Whoa, her eyes were dead. My mana growth boosted my stamina, honed as a swordsman, but Lena? Classic old-school mage. Barely enough fitness left after research and experiments... Handling near-torture workloads on that? No wonder her mind and body were wrecked.
"Once grading's done, hit up a temple in the academy. Holy power should patch you up."
"Yeah... good idea. Anyway, unavoidable run-in with Arian this time— no big deal, right?"
"Of course. I'll be right there. You know to refuse any funny business from her?"
"Obviously. I'd allow it with permission, but not now!"
...Tone it down a bit. After wrapping with Lena, final checks done...
We entered the dungeon.
"Ugh...!"
"Blech...!"
First-timers Minel and Arian reacted violently. The entrance mimicked ordinary ruins, but inside? You'd know why it's called a dungeon. Alien mana—not modern—engulfed you, clashing with your circuits, causing nausea, dizziness, even whiteouts and blackouts.
"Focus. Don't let mana seize control—spread your mana force to stabilize."
"Minel, grab my hand. You can't control it yet; I'll help."
Hence pairing with seniors like Lena as safety nets. No combat involvement, just beginner courtesy.
"Hoo... sorry. Can't handle mana, so I have to rely on you."
"No worries. Swordsmanship majors struggle with mana basics by default. Rain's from a mage house, so she manages. Plenty of second-years in swords can't either."
"I see... But why's she like that?"
Minel pointed: Arian, drenched in cold sweat, pupils dilating.
"Arian?"
"Hah...!! Hah...!!! "
Breathing way too ragged. Hyperventilating... The genius in magic and mana crumbling to basic mana repulsion?
"...Ah."
Right—I'd sealed half her blood points. Fine for casting or circulating mana reserves, but omnidirectional mana assault? Only half her body could resist. The exposed half got hammered; she'd need to flare mana to coat her whole body...
"She's lost it."
Too late. Solo neutralization impossible now.
"President Lena, can you calm Arian's mana repulsion a bit? Minel's not stable yet."
"...Yeah, got it."
Lena quietly took Arian's hand, soothing her mana with eyes closed. Huh? Way more composed than expected. Figured she'd react to holding her love interest's hand, but her face just stiffened, eyes shut in silence.