"What? Where?" Daniel asked.
Pise slowly pulled a long strand of hair from his mouth and held it up for everyone to see.
The young shamans immediately looked down at their own plates, searching, but none of them found a single strand except one, who silently picked it out and continued eating.
"Where did you even buy this meal?" Pise asked, his tone filled with suspicion.
Daniel glanced at the strand of hair before snatching it from Pise’s hand.
"Nothing special, just a tavern," he replied, as in every town, taverns often packed takeaway meals in clay bowls.
"It’s just a hair," Daniel added with a casual shrug, but behind his calm expression, an evil plan was already taking shape.
Without drawing anyone’s attention, his left hand slipped into his left pocket.
*Nom-Nom-Nom*
...
*Clink-Clink-Clink*
Daniel’s ears twitched at the soft sound of metal striking metal coming from outside the window.
Despite feeling sleepy, curiousity got the better of him. He climbed out of bed and walked over to the window.
Looking outside, he saw the six warriors emerging from the dungeon one after another, their expressions calm yet energized.
Moonlight spilled across the training grounds, bathing everything in a pale silver glow.
’They’re back...’ Daniel murmured under his breath.
The sword, mace, twin crossbows, and daggers all shimmered with a faint golden glow, while the crystal atop the staff radiated a soft green light.
*Rumble*
The ground suddenly began to tremble.
What the... fucking earthquake again?
The shamans who had been falling asleep or were already asleep — jerked awake in panic. Some rushed to the windows, others sprinted toward the door, while a few shook their comrades awake.
Outside, the Group Dungeon slowly began to sink back into the earth.
"What’s happening?" Molex asked as he hurried to Daniel’s side.
"I think the dungeon is going down," Daniel replied, raising his voice over the rumbling.
The young shamans watched in stunned silence as the towering structure gradually descended underground.
The surrounding trees swayed, and powerful gusts of wind swept across the training grounds, sending leaves and dust swirling through the air.
A few moments later, the Group Dungeon sank beneath the earth, leaving behind long cracks running through the center of the training grounds.
The warrior with the shield slung in his back stepped forward and raised both hands. Then he slammed his palms against the ground.
Almost instantly, rocks and sand surged from every direction, flowing into the fractured earth. Within seconds, the gaping cracks sealed shut.
Leaving behind a strip of freshly fused stone.
A temporary reminder that a dungeon had once stood there.
The young shamans watched in stunned silence, their mouths hanging open and their eyes wide.
Only one thought echoed through their minds.
So cool...
Meanwhile, Marco turned toward them and waved a hand dismissively, signaling for everyone to head back inside and get some sleep.
...
The next morning, the young shamans stood in a staggered formation before the metal plates.
*Zap! Zap! Zap!*
Bolt after bolt of lightning shot from their palms, yet not a single one managed to pass the current through the metal plate.
Marco moved from one student to the next, correcting their forms, adjusting their stances, and refining the position of their arms.
"Focus, everyone, focus!" Marco called out. "Channel all your energy into your palms. Take a deep breath... and release it!"
Daniel let out a quiet sigh. It wasn’t the first time he had heard the same instructions from his master.
*Zap!*
The morning sun had just risen in the east as a few of the warriors emerged from the building, still rubbing the sleep from their eyes.
After washing their faces at the well and wiping themselves with towels, they settled onto a nearby wooden stool, quietly watching the training session unfold.
As the training continued, the warriors gathered their equipment and loaded it onto the wagons, preparing to leave now that their mission had been completed.
But just before climbing aboard, Alucard stepped forward with his arms crossed, his sharp gaze sweeping over the young shamans.
Daniel’s eyes settled on Alucard. ’Why does it feel like he’s looking at me?’ he wondered.
"You. You’re doing it incorrectly," Alucard said, giving a slight nod toward Bernard before walking over to him.
Marco stepped back and clasped his hands behind his back, allowing Alucard to take over the lesson for the moment.
Starting with Bernard, Alucard moved from one young shaman to the next, pointing out their mistakes, correcting their stances, and refining their technique.
Eventually, he stopped beside Daniel.
"Wait, do it again," Alucard instructed.
Without turning to look at him, Daniel kept his focus on the metal plate and channeled lightning through his palm.
*ZzZap!*
Alucard’s eyes narrowed. "What was that?"
"What?" Daniel asked, turning to face him. "Am I doing something wrong?"
"Just do it again."
*Zzap! Zzap! Zzap!*
Daniel unleashed bolt after bolt of lightning at the metal plate while Alucard watched in silence, studying him.
"Hmm..." Alucard murmured after a moment, replying in a calm tone with a hint of curiosity. "I understand now. Yes, you’re holding back your power."
Daniel froze at those words.
"What? Why would I hold back?" he asked, looking confused.
"You should be asking yourself that question," Alucard replied before walking over to Marco.
From a distance, Daniel watched as Alucard leaned in and whispered something into Marco’s ear.
Marco’s eyes slowly swept across the line of students before lingering on Daniel for a brief moment.
Daniel noticed the glance but didn’t think much of it and resumed his training.
Just then, Marco called out to him.
"Daniel, come here for a second."
Some of his comrades turned their attention toward him as Daniel stepped away from the line and walked over to Marco and Alucard.
"Daniel, is there anything bothering you?" Marco asked, his tone gentle. "Is there something you’re afraid of? You can be honest with us. If something’s weighing on your mind, Alucard might be able to help."
As he spoke, Marco rested a hand on Alucard’s shoulder.
"Umm... uh" Daniel hesitated.
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