Rise of the Nightmare Crestmaster

"If we were to talk about most natural dungeons in existence or that have existed in the past, then we are talking about dungeons before the second and third cataclysm.

As is widely known the dungeon mutation phenomena started after the second cataclysm but what is mostly overlooked is that the phenomena didn't go out of control until the third cataclysm, commonly known as the Age of Dread."

At this point one of the students in the front seats raised her hand and after getting a nod from the professor, she asked,

"Then, why are there so few natural dungeons anymore?"

"A fine question. It is well known that finding a dungeon is very rare. In the time before and even after the second cataclysm it was very hard to encounter a dungeon and all natural dungeons can be close permanently so most any dungeons found were dealt with in a very simple and final manner."

Another student raised her hand.

"Why don't we just do the same to unnatural dungeons and be done with it?"

Aldrich had the distinct feeling that the professor was about to slap that girl for some reason, but he was actually just smiling.

"A natural dungeon has no restriction. This is the biggest difference between natural and unnatural dungeons. If a natural dungeon is dangerous we can just send an army to clear it, or I can just blow up the entire place if I don't want any casualties. Now, doing that to unnatural dungeons is almost impossible or rather risky. It that clear?"

"We will talk in depth about the differences of unnatural dungeons later on. There are types that need only to be cleared once but there are some rules and restrictions even then. Others are permanent and could be cleared infinitely.

I am sure you know of The giant ant cavern in Derma, Its a very popular dungeon among beginner adventurers, its one such example of a unnatural dungeon that can be cleared as much as you like. provided you pay the fees."

Aldrich was writing down everything that he heard this whole time even the seemingly dumb question. He was just getting into all this late so he had to put in some effort to catch up.

"This semester is almost over, some of you might graduate this time. But I still advise you to take my class; advanced dungeons next semester even if you graduate.

This information regarding dungeons is so precious that it might save your life or make your lives easier. There are many big headed youths that take dungeons lightly and end up paying dearly for that."

Aldrich immersed himself in the class and when the class ended he had written four pages back to back.

He felt surreal to be here in the crest academy, learning to be a Crestmaster. Not long ago this was the dream. Unfortunately from then to now many things happened yet this didn't prevent Aldrich from being happy at this moment.

When the professor announced the end of the class he saw the students gather their books, get off their seats and disperse towards the two exits of the classroom.

From the corner of his eye he suddenly noticed a short girl with long brown hair leaving the classroom. It was, Sidney, Adera's roommate. Aldrich quickly followed her.

"Hey," Aldrich called out once they were out in the hallway. "Fancy meeting you here."

Sidney looked back upon hearing that.

"You," she looked at Aldrich like she suddenly suffered some bad luck, "I told you everything I know. Stop following me!"

"Whoa, take it easy. This is a coincidence, we just took the same class." Aldrich said dismissively.

"Do you think I won't pen a complaint to the academy about you? They will tell your superior about this!"

Oh right. Aldrich now remembered that he had pretended to be a city-watchman to trick this girl into answering his questions with more honesty.

Actually he didn't mind telling her the truth now that he got what he was there for, he also felt a little sorry about lying and scaring her like that, though he would do it again if he had to.

However even before he could explain he could see it in her eyes, the realization. Her jaw suddenly slackened and her eyes went wide. She pointed her finger at him as she walked closer.

"You. You. You!"

"Ahahhaha, well, this is a little awkward."

"You lied to me. You tricked me."

"Well technically I just confirmed your own assumption, so I didn't actually lie."

"Don't you dare try your lies on me again."

"Alright, my bad. I just had to do that since you didn't want to help me out at all. You know what let me treat you to some fresh canberry juice and then we'll let bygones be bygones. How does that sound?"

"Fine, I'll choose the place then."

Unexpectedly, Sidney agreed and she had a viscous smile on her face.

Aldrich could tell that she was up to no good by he wanted to make amends and he already gave his word he wasn't going to take it back so easily. Besides he might need her help later on.

"Sounds like a deal. By the way I need to get my meditation incense for this week, can you show me the place?"

"Hmm, sure follow me— wait." Sidney turned back again and glared at Aldrich.

"The week already started yesterday."

"I was busy so what?"

"That doesn't mean that you don't know where to get meditation incense, if you're attending that class then you should be a third year or greater right? a first year should know this."

Shit. He messed up.

"I happen to be a forgetful person you know?" Aldrich couldn't think of anything but that lame excuse...

"Uhuh, yeah. I know what this is all about now."

Aldrich: "??"

"You're being frivolous. Well, it didn't work. Try being a little more straightforward. Humph."

Aldrich didn't know how to answer that and could only watch Sidney walk away.

"Hey, you blew it but it was a good try."

A guy approached the dumbfounded Aldrich and patted him on the shoulder.

"Eh? What?" Aldrich asked.

"Hey doesn't let that get to you. Rejection is normal just move on to the next one."

"Actually I wasn't really trying to—"

"No no, it's fine you don't have to to explain to me. I understand."

Aldrich didn't bother explaining anything further since this guy didn't seem like he was going to listen anyway.

"Where can I get my incense? Help me out."

"Was the shock that much?! Take it easy, I'll take you there."

Aldrich decided to use this misunderstanding to his advantage soon after the guy took him to a section of the building with so many rooms with numbers called the resources management section.

Aldrich chose one of the rooms and was asked to provide his academy badge which was a green ring that had the words crest written inside it somehow.

Aldrich was handed a small cloth that wrapped something inside. This was the meditation incense, it was standard issue for all students of the Crest academy. He didn't bother to check it now, he put in his hand bag and closed it off.