CHAPTER 50: INTO THE FROSTVEIL!

Monday Morning –

Arcadia Academy, Ground Zero

All first-year students gathered at Ground Zero, the academy’s main training area—a huge open space and tall flags showing Arcadia’s symbol.

Rows of students stood in uniform lines, whispering curiously among themselves.

Some were excited. Others were clearly nervous.

Cecilia was chatting casually with Elysia near the front, while Edwin and Jin stood stiffly to one side, glancing towards the stage.

A moment later, Professor Sylvia stepped onto the raised platform.

"First-years. I hope you all enjoyed your rest—because today marks the important events that we are going to help and it also adds points in the mid-term ranking."

A few students straightened up instantly. Others looked at each other in confusion.

"You’ll be participating in your first major off-campus event—the Shadow Labyrinth Trial—held at the Mountain of Frostveil."

Gasps spread through the crowd.

Froetveril wasn’t just a mountain. It was a legendary, mist-covered peak far to the north—rumored to have once been a battleground for fighters during the Forgotten War.

Professor Sylvia continued, eyes scanning each group carefully.

"You will be split into small teams and transported via teleportation magic using terminal. There, you will enter a large-scale simulation dungeon known as the Shadow Labyrinth. This trial is not a game. It is a carefully controlled test of your survival skills, teamwork, navigation, and endurance."

There came Kael Ashford at the ground, 20 minutes late!

She paused for effect. A few students shifted uneasily.

Then she continues!

"Inside the Labyrinth, you will encounter mana-draining zones, illusion traps that reflect your deepest fears and failures, and wave-based monster ambushes. You must reach the core chamber before time runs out. Only teams that make it to the center with their light crystal intact will pass."

Professor Sylvia pointed to it and spoke firmly.

"Each team will receive one of these crystals. Think of it as your lifeline. If it breaks—whether from being hit or if it runs out of mana—your team will be disqualified immediately. You’ll be pulled out of the trial, and your chance to pass will be over."

She gave the students a serious look.

"So, protect it at all costs."

Right away, whispers spread through the crowd.

"Wait, we have to keep that safe while fighting monsters?"

"Can illusions break it?"

"What if someone drops it?!"

Kael glanced at the glowing crystal with a skeptical expression.

(A single fragile item in the middle of a dangerous dungeon full of monsters, traps, and illusions?)

He raised an eyebrow and thought to himself:

(of course. Let’s make it even harder.)

Professor Slyvia spoke:

"The Shadow Labyrinth is designed to prepare you for real-world chaos. It’s not just about fighting—it’s about making decisions when things fall apart. Who will lead? Who will carry supplies? Who will break first?"

Some students looked at their friends. Others looked down.

"Teams will be randomized," Sylvia added.

"Consider this a chance to grow."

Kael narrowed his eyes slightly.

(Random teams?)

That didn’t sound good. He had worked alone for so long... this could be a disaster.

(How am I supposed to find the ancient coin when we have to form a group?)

"The event begins now," she concluded. "You’ll be given one hour to prepare, gather equipment, and assemble near the teleportation gate. From there, you’ll be transported to the base of Mount Frostveil. Your trial starts the moment you enter the maze."

"One last note... there have been strange mana fluctuations recorded near Frostveil. Nothing dangerous—according to our scouts—but be aware. This trial may throw something... unexpected your way."

"You all wait here for a few minutes".

Then after a few minutes.

She raised her voice.

"The group lists for the Shadow Labyrinth Trial have been finalized."

Instantly, murmurs rippled through the crowd.

"There will be three groups in total," she continued.

"Each group will enter the labyrinth from a different entrance, facing its own path and set of challenges. Two groups will have 47 students, and one will have 46."

With a quick hand movement, she gave the scrolls to her assistant, who put them up on the big notice board behind her.

The students didn’t wait to be told—they hurried forward, almost bumping into each other to see the names.

Kael stayed near the back, watching as eager voices filled the air.

"I’m with Jin!"

"No way—I’m in the same group as Elysia!"

Kael stepped forward slowly, his eyes scanning the paper when space finally cleared.

He found his name near the bottom of Group Two.

Group Two: Kael Ashford, Edwin Leonhart, Cecilia, ...

He blinked.

Of all people... Cecilia? Edwin?

It was an odd mix.

Cecilia was loud, unpredictable, and completely opposite of Kael in almost every way.

And Veyla... was sharp-tongued, blunt, and didn’t play well with others.

A weird group. But not a weak one.

He stepped away from the board, just as Edwin noticed him.

"Guess we’re together in a team," Edwin said with a smile.

Kael gave a small nod. "Yes we are."

In the background, Jin and Elysia were reading their own group lists.

"You’re not with me?" Cecilia yells toward Jin, pouting dramatically.

Jin smirked. "Enjoy your new group, Princess hahah...."

Students gradually began to disperse, chatting about their teams and heading home and some heading to their own dormitory to pack for the trip.

Kael, meanwhile, returned quietly to his dorm. He didn’t have much to prepare—but what he did pack, he packed with precision.

He laid out a few essentials:

Three mana elixirs, a healing elixir and most importantly... a notebook.

In it were rough notes he’d been collecting the information from the novel—"fragments of old maps" and the information about the ancient coin.

I doubt these will be exact, he thought, slipping the notebook into his inner coat pocket, but any advantage is better than none.

After one hour!

all students had gathered at the teleportation terminal near the outer wall of the academy.

Students formed in their groups naturally. Some looked excited.

Kael and Cecelia at the end.

A moment later, Professor Elyvia stepped forward facing the gathered students.

Her sharp eyes scanned the crowd before she raised her voice, firm and clear.

"Since everyone is here, listen closely."

The chatter slowed down immediately.

"For this trial, we have assigned three professors to oversee each group. Though this is a simulation, the Shadow Labyrinth Trial is still dangerous. You’ll be facing powerful illusions, mana traps, and beasts. These assigned professors will monitor your progress and intervene if the situation becomes truly life-threatening."

She held up three fingers and continued.

"Professor Kalden will be supervising Group One.

Professor Yulia will guide Group Two.

And I will personally oversee Group Three."

A few students looked around at their teammates, quietly murmuring their thoughts.

"You will not see us unless something goes very wrong," Elyvia added.

"This is your test—not ours. But rest assured, we will be watching closely. Your teamwork, decision-making, and survival instincts are what matter most here."

"Listen carefully," she began. "The trial takes place at Frostveil Mountain I repeat, far to the north of here. It is a vast, rugged place—known for its thick forests, sharp cliffs, and cold, biting winds."

She paused to let the words sink in.

"Frostveil Mountain has only three known entrances into the Shadow Labyrinth dungeon beneath it. Because of this, we have divided all of you into three groups—one for each entrance."

Some students nodded, understanding the reasoning.

Others exchanged worried glances. A dungeon with only three ways meant there was no simple escape.

"Each group will enter the labyrinth at the same time, but through different entrances. Your progress will be separate, and you must work with your assigned team."

She raised a hand to emphasize her next point.

"This event will last two full days. You will be in the labyrinth for that entire time, facing monsters, traps, illusions, and difficult puzzles. Your goal is to complete the quest in time."

Her gaze swept across the crowd.

"Only by working together will you survive. Protect your light crystal, share your resources, and watch each other’s backs."

As she finished, Kael felt a quiet resolve build inside him.

Two days trapped in a dangerous maze... he thought. But with 46 people in our group—and a strong hero like Edwin—we should be able to clear the way very fast.

He glanced over at Edwin, who looked confident despite the challenge ahead.

"If we move carefully, stay alert, and cover each other, we won’t have any problems," said Edwin Leonhart.

"It’s not just about brute strength; we need strategy and teamwork."

"Yayy!!" ... crowd shout

As the crowd started to murmur again, Kael’s mind drifted to the notes he had been keeping hidden in his coat—the fragments of maps in the novel.

The thought of this mysterious coin sparked a small flame of hope in Kael’s chest.

(Maybe it’s an opportunity.)

Kael glanced at Cecilia nearby, who was chatting quietly with Edwin.

Despite the looming danger, her presence brought a small comfort. We’ll need all the allies we can get.