I mean, who even curses homework so that you can’t get started early?
Gio was waiting at the Gilded City transportation hub early in the morning with his bag packed and nothing to do but sit and anxiously await his traveling companions. The past two days had been rote days full of trying to get ahead of what schoolwork he could, and preparation for the dungeon run ahead.
He idly leafed through the copy of his grandfather’s notes that his mother rebound. The lavender bindings made him think of home.
It’ll be good to see the family, and introduce my friends.
After re-reading the same passage on the general architectural stylings of the dungeon for the fifteenth time, Jean arrived.
“Good morning, Gio! You look… prepared.” Jean said.
Gio looked up at Jean, who was wearing a set of traveling gear that looked very sturdy, but had absolutely no luggage aside from a small pouch tied to his waist.
“And you… do you have everything that you need? I don''t mean to lecture, but this dungeon-” Gio started.
“It’s a spatial bag. I promise you I have tons of stuff prepared.” Jean replied with a smile.
Gio looked at the pouch on Jean’s hip, and back to the bag at his side. He had agonized for hours on the layout of his supplies, making sure that he had everything he needed arranged in a well-engineered and balanced stack inside the sturdy but lightweight bag. He ended up having to make a few sacrifices in order to make everything fit.
I could have brought my nicer mortar and pestle if I had a spatial bag. One day I promise that I will have the most egregiously large storage item… I will be able to walk inside and do cartwheels alongside all of my treasure.
Either not picking up on the dynamic at play, or expertly avoiding an awkward conversation lull, Jean breezed past the topic of spatial bags.
“So I was reading… okay more like skimming the notes you sent us. I’m confused, are these creatures aquatic or land dwelling?” Jean asked.
“They are both. According to my grandfather’s notes, they live alongside the reeds of the waterways. They spend about an equal amount of time in the water as they do outside of it.” Gio replied.
“Weird. I’m having a very hard time picturing what they look like based on these descriptions. I can’t believe that we’re about to go in a real, wild and untamed dungeon. I’ve been dreaming of this moment for a long time. I’m getting a bit antsy, but I’m excited.” Jean said.
“Me too.” Gio agreed.
Chandrika and Sapphire arrived. Chandrika was carrying a small beaded handbag that was likely a spatial item, while Sapphire had a traveling bag similar to Gio.
Gio surveyed Sapphire with a critical eye, trying to think of a good way to bring up the subject without sounding crazy.
“Sapphire… your bag…” Gio began.
“Ugh, I know. It was the best option I could find for a chemical resistant spatial bag, but it’s pretty bulky. I know we’re supposed to be traveling light- oh hey, you have a big bag too!” She cheered.
Gio grimaced lightly, but recovered with practiced ease.
“Yeah, It was the best thing I had on hand. Shall we board?” Gio asked.
“Absolutely. I’m looking forward to the breakfast cart. I didn’t have the time to pick something up from Marie.” Chandrika said.
_____
The four students sat in a private car aboard the Inter-Ring Express, which was currently flying high above the Iron ring. Outside the cabin, smokestacks rose high in the sky, expelling flumes of steam and smoke from the busy industrial ring below.
Chandrika lowered her voice, covering her mouth with her hand and subtly garnering the group’s attention.
“I wasn’t exactly certain before we took off… but I think somebody on board is watching us.” Chandrika whispered.
Sapphire and Jean’s eyes both widened in alarm. Gio pulled out a small compact mirror that he had prepared, setting it on the table in front of him. He used sign language to talk to his reflection.
“Chandrika says we’re being watched. Do you detect… anything?” Gio motioned.
Gio squinted, trying to adjust himself to see through the small mirror.
“No. At least not the lady from last time.” Rio replied.
Sapphire looked very confused as to what was going on. She yelped quietly when Rio started replying back in sign language.
“What’s up with… that?” Sapphire asked.
“Oh… it’s kind of a long story. This is Rio.” Gio offered. Rio waved and smiled at Sapphire.
“I don’t think it’s anyone associated with the school. The Headmaster would be far more discreet if she was monitoring us. Plus, she knows the extent of my sensory abilities.” Chandrika mentioned.
“I don’t understand… We’re just some random students. Why would someone be watching us?” Sapphire whispered.
“Chandrika is an important foreign national. I’m the son of the captain of the Ring Guard…” Jean started.
“Oh, right. I kind of forgot.” Sapphire sheepishly replied.
“Don’t worry about it. If it is related to someone from my country watching over me… I’m sorry for the awkwardness. There’s a certain tabloid that likes to speculate about my love life. I didn’t think they’d be able to follow me here, but they have already somehow obtained photos of me in my school uniform.” Chandrika explained.
“Oh my system. You have your own PAPARAZZI?!” Sapphire exclaimed.
Gio and Jean laughed at Chandrika’s expense as Sapphire descended upon her, begging for stories about her interactions with the press.
_____
“MY BABY!!!” Divina deGloria screamed.
The petite silver-haired woman ran up and embraced her son in a crushing hug. Her long silver hair was tied up in a neat bun, and she was in perfectly pressed business casual. She had a tiny deep red brooch on her lapel that read “The Burgundy Company”.
“Hi, mom.” Gio said, struggling for air against his mother’s inhuman grip.
“And you must be Jean, Chandrika, and Sapphire! It is my sincere pleasure to meet friends of my son.” She said, releasing Gio.
This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.
After a polite round of introductions, Divina led them to the street, where a burgundy colored vehicle was waiting. The machine was a pleasant rounded oblong shape, like a stone that had been taken from a riverbed. It rested upon six perfectly round spheres that slotted into place under the body, and it emitted a pleasant humming sound. The sleek surface parted into three separate panels. The middle panel deformed into a set of metallic steps leading up into what looked to be a comfortable interior, with two booths facing a rectangular table.
“Mom?” Gio asked.
“It’s the company car. My boss insisted that I escort you to the city gates in style. Hop in! We need to be off, as I suspect my niece is already waiting for you.” Divina replied, ushering the four students into the vehicle.
Gio balked as he got inside the smooth looking vehicle.
“This is… nice.” Gio said, echoing similar surprised sentiments as his companions.
“Indeed… we were going to call a cab, but my amazing boss… Mister Candlebury is fiendishly thorough. I’m not sure how he did it, but he managed to figure out more details about my son’s friends than he even told me” Divina cooed, the last syllable being pronounced with just the barest hint of a very interesting tone only available to mothers.
Gio barely noticed that the vehicle had begun moving, but they were already well on their way to the southern gate.
“I apologize if my presence has caused you any inconvenience, Mrs. deGloria.” Chandrika said, with an artful nod of her head.
“Nonsense! I meant it when I said that it was a pleasure to meet you. On paper, this is merely my boss proffering courtesy to the son of a treasured employee, right?” Divina said with a clever smile.
“Well… I, personally, will not disrespect the hustle.” Sapphire nodded.
Everyone laughed.
“Now… I hate to be such a… mom. But I hope you kids know what you are doing. Your father won’t say anything about it, Gio… but he’s torn up about this.” Divina said, looking each of them deeply in the eye.
“We’re certain. We promise that we won’t let anything happen to Gio in there.” Jean said, surprising Gio with his earnesty.
A short ride later, and they reached the gate.
_____
“Hello, Hello!” Hatra bellowed, hugging Gio.
His cousin had a massive backpack on. Her roughed-up work uniform was covered in all manner of discoloration, but it looked by far to be the most hardy outfit present. Her short-cropped silver hair was shaved on the sides, and what remained was tied back into a cool ponytail.
“Guys, this is the last member of our party. Meet my favorite cousin, Hatra.” Gio beamed.
Hatra punched him in the shoulder playfully.
“I dare you to say that next time Quinn is around. Hello! I’m Hatra. I’m an [Apprentice Thaumaturge], which means that I can make things that make things go boom or whoosh, pretty much.” Hatra said.
Sapphire rushed up to Hatra, presenting an outreached handshake instantaneously and with great passion.
“Oh. my. spirits. Hi. I’ve been dying to meet you. How is system Thaum?! I’ve been so interested to talk to someone that has experience with the way the spirits guide the thaumaturgical process. Do you have any experience with traditional alchemy? How do you manage alchemical traits in non-homogenous magical mixtures? Oh my gosh I almost forgot the most important question-”
“Take a breath, Saph. We’ve got a long journey ahead.” Gio said, patting her on the shoulder.
Hatra laughed, shaking Sapphire’s hand.
“You and I are gonna get along like tar and heat. I can already tell.” Hatra said.
_____
The road out of the Ringed City was relatively quiet. The ever-present vigilance of the Ring Guard kept the highways clean of wandering monsters and other magical hazards, at least for a few miles.
“I don’t think I realized how far out of the city this was. We’ve already passed several small dungeons.” Chandrika said.
“Out in the untamed land, they pop up and disappear relatively frequently. The Ring Guard has a task force that deals with any of them that produce monsters.” Jean replied.
“Is it not the same for Ujjbala Sūrya?” Gio asked.
“My country is smaller, and we have a mix of deserts and jungles… so no. many of the dungeons we have are well-established and controlled. My grandmother keeps tabs on a few unexplored dungeons that she has hidden away for… historical reasons.” Chandrika said.
“Hold up… I think we’re coming up on it. Let’s follow this stream.” Gio interrupted.
South of the Ringed City, there was a stretch of coastline that was largely uninhabited due to frequent sea monster attacks. They had been following a river inland for some time, and upon Gio’s urging they split off following a beaten cobblestone path. The road began to be swallowed up by beachgrass.
After a few minutes, they happened upon an idyllic scene, plucked straight from Gio’s childhood.
A small pond hidden by tall grass, with a few dull looking freshwater fish swimming through in lazy circles. In the middle of the pond stood a shimmering archway. The archway itself was made of what looked like iridescent metal that shined with a faint glimmer of magic, and through the arch, a curtain of foggy mist billowed, held in place by the dungeon’s domain.
Just as in his memory, Gio watched as a school of small fish passed through the archway, disappearing into the portal with a lazy shimmer of magic.
“This is it.” Gio said.
“It’s prettier than I imagined.” Chandrika mentioned.
“It’s honestly a little underwhelming.” Hatra deadpanned.
Everyone looked at her with strange expressions.
“What? I’ve been hearing about the dungeon that killed Uncle Max’s dad for my entire childhood. I figured it would be a little more menacing.” She replied.
Gio chuckled.
“Well? Everyone have their water shoes on?” Gio asked.
After a round of nods, they stepped forward, sloshing through the knee-high water. Gio was the first one to enter. A wave of pale blue mana washed over him, and he felt a very different type of teleportation than he had grown used to. Gio looked forwards, seeing a picturesque scene of white flowers and clear water.
<Notice; Now entering [Telchine’s Garden]>