Chapter 308 – What Remains When the Body Changes
Vareth stopped at the edge of the living corridor of the Labyrinth.
He turned his head toward the group, a calm half‑smile on his lips.
— I'll join you soon. I have one or two things to settle first.
— Of course, Aeris muttered. When someone says that, it's never just one thing.
Vareth shrugged and vanished, literally swallowed by the shadow of a wall that hadn't been there a second earlier.
A silence passed.
Aeris, floating slightly above the ground as if gravity had decided to tolerate him rather than impose itself, broke the calm.
— It's strange… the Labyrinth left me Erynn's healing powers.
So now I can boost teammates.
Llan raised his arm.
His forearm was instantly wrapped in red and golden flames, rippling calmly without burning anything around.
— I kept the fire… but I lost Kael's over‑boosted body.
Honestly, that body was way more resilient than mine.
He tapped his chest lightly, as if to check.
— This one feels more like… fragile premium human.
Nyra watched them, arms crossed.
— So… you both changed.
You were also humans going through trials?
Aeris nodded.
— Absolutely. But Kael's body also had a passive reinforcement ability.
He turned to Llan.
— Did you inherit that too?
Llan opened his mouth… then froze.
— …I stopped reading when I saw "fire power."
He grinned broadly.
— I was too happy. Even if my flames are less intense than when I was in Kael's body.
He squinted at Aeris.
— But you… what was the hidden power of Erynn's body?
You never told me.
Nyra frowned.
— Wait.
So you had something else, when we were inside?
Aeris smiled, almost innocently.
— Oh, nothing important.
Nyra stared at him.
— The power to manipulate flows… wind… pressure…
That comes from you, doesn't it?
— Absolutely, Aeris admitted.
Erynn's body was pretty boosted, I'll admit.
Nyra then turned to Llan.
— And you?
You never showed us the powers of your body.
Llan shrugged.
— Because they weren't that spectacular.
— Okay, I understand, Nyra replied with perfectly fake seriousness.
Then Llan looked at her, hesitant.
— Sorry to bother you but… couldn't you hide your technological armor?
Nyra blinked.
— Why would that be a problem?
— Well… people don't know this kind of technology.
They might try to steal it.
It's revolutionary, after all.
Nyra slowly placed her hand on one of her pistols.
— Let them try.
I'll just kill them.
Aeris sighed immediately.
— Nyra… we're not at war.
No need to want to kill for everything and anything.
He tilted his head.
— Llan might be right. You could camouflage it.
Nyra looked at them one after the other… then rolled her eyes.
— Fine.
Alright. You win.
Her technological armor began to vibrate silently.
The plates retracted, recomposed, linked differently.
In a few seconds, she wore a pure white kimono, flowing fabric embroidered with discreet silver patterns that caught the light without ever being harsh.
Her long, silky white hair was tied high, leaving a few strands framing her face, accentuating the fineness of her features and the cold elegance of her gaze.
Her two technological pistols transformed, lengthened, their shapes simplifying until they became two katanas, sober, elegant, perfectly balanced.
She was… undeniably beautiful.
A calm, dangerous, almost unreal beauty.
Llan stayed silent for a second.
— …Okay.
I admit.
That's even more intimidating.
They then left the Labyrinth.
Outside, they found themselves in a massive dungeon, stone walls engraved with ancient runes.
Dozens of hunters were present, talking, equipping themselves, assessing their wounds or their gains.
The old man guarding the Labyrinth's entrance watched them for a long time… then stepped aside without a word to let them pass.
Aeris floated calmly in the air.
Llan sat against a pillar, arms crossed.
Nyra remained standing, motionless, waiting for Vareth's return.
That's when a group of hunters approached them.
— Uh… said one of them, staring at Aeris.
He… he's flying?
— No, Llan replied without lifting his eyes.
He thinks better up high.
Another hunter stared at Nyra.
— I like your kimono.
Nyra looked at him calmly.
— Thank you.
It's very sharp.
The hunter swallowed hard.
Silence.
Then Llan added:
— Welcome to our group.
We rarely bite.
Only when justified.
Aeris smiled.
The dungeon itself seemed to hold its breath.
Chapter 309 – Cadets Not So Small
The group of hunters had finally drawn closer.
They were… unexpected.
Three children, barely twelve years old, walked at the center.
Two twins with bright orange hair — one a girl with curious, luminous eyes, the other a more reserved boy, hands often in his pockets.
Beside them, a third boy with yellow hair and blazing orange eyes, unable to stay still.
Behind them stood two figures far more… imposing.
A woman with black hair, red eyes, her face and arms covered in old scars.
Her aura slightly crushed the air around her.
A rank S‑ hunter, without a doubt.
At her side, a man with white hair, upright posture, absolute calm.
A solid, experienced rank A+ hunter.
Aeris descended slightly to float at the group's height.
— Ah… perfect timing.
He turned to Llan and Nyra.
— Let me introduce people from the Northern Pantheon guild.
He pointed to the orange‑haired girl.
— This is Lyane.
Then her twin.
— Him, Kaor.
Finally, the yellow‑haired boy.
— And this little hyper one… Solan.
— Hey! protested Solan.
Aeris smiled.
— These three were my juniors at the academy.
He then turned to the two adults.
— And here are two people who taught me there.
Professor Ravna.
The red‑eyed woman slowly nodded.
— And Professor Eldric, Aeris added.
The white‑haired man inclined his head slightly.
At that precise moment, Solan leapt.
— AERIIIIIIS!!
He literally jumped onto Aeris, clinging to him as he floated in the air.
— It's been ages since we last saw each other!!
Aeris barely had time to stabilize his levitation.
— Solan… get down.
You're not six anymore.
Nyra watched the scene, perplexed.
— Honestly… how old is Aeris?
Llan answered without hesitation:
— Sixteen.
Nyra blinked.
— …What?
He's young, then.
Ravna crossed her arms.
— Today, we're here to test these kids' abilities.
Aeris grew serious.
— And what are their skills?
Eldric replied calmly:
— All three are rank A.
— …What?! Llan choked.
Solan puffed out his chest.
— Normal.
Aeris placed a hand on his chin.
— And you, Solan… still an elemental mage?
— Yep!
— Ah… Aeris said with a smile.
So you still have completely broken abilities.
Solan grinned proudly.
Aeris turned to Lyane.
— And you?
— Blessing of healing and light, she answered softly.
Aeris nodded.
— Simply put, he explained to Nyra and Llan,
her power can heal, strengthen, and even purify negative effects.
The more focused she is, the more her blessings can affect multiple targets at once.
— She's literally a walking life insurance, Kaor added.
Lyane elbowed him.
— And you, Kaor?
— Dark magic.
Nyra raised an eyebrow.
— Classic… but effective.
Aeris smiled broadly.
— You're seriously boosted.
Solan pointed at Aeris.
— And you, you've changed.
— I grew up, he replied simply.
Ravna nodded.
— Well.
Let's go in.
The professors and the children crossed the entrance to the dungeon's first floor.
Barely had they disappeared when a heavy noise echoed behind the group.
**CLANG.**
A massive man, holding a huge axe, approached, accompanied by several hunters.
His smile was wicked.
Recognizable anywhere.
The brute from the Smoky Bowl restaurant.
He fixed his gaze on Llan.
— Hey…
Been a while, Llan.
His smile widened, sly.
— So?
Did you enjoy the surprise we gave you?
Llan rose slowly.
His eyes were filled with anger.
— …You.
Nyra calmly placed her hand on the hilt of her katana.
Aeris sighed softly.
— Great.
We didn't even get time to breathe.
The dungeon itself already seemed ready for chaos.
Chapter 310 – Poisoned Gifts and XXL Ego
The brute fixed Llan with a twisted smile.
— So… how did you like my gift?
Llan frowned.
— What gift?
The brute burst into a greasy laugh.
— Ohhh… you haven't seen the one I left for your mother yet?
A guy behind him snickered.
— House trashed.
— Bonus trauma, added another, laughing.
— You should've seen her face, continued the first. Terrified. She begged us to leave her alone.
He tilted his head, mock‑compassionate.
— Poor old lady… all because her son is a useless failure.
Llan's fist trembled.
The brute stepped forward.
— Seriously, these days you hang around with strong people…
He swept his gaze across the group.
— How can they even stay with you?
Then his eyes stopped on Nyra.
— Well, now there's even a woman.
He smiled.
— And she's pretty, too.
Silence.
Nyra tilted her head slightly.
— Who is this retarded bastard?
The brute's smile vanished.
— Who are you calling a retarded bastard?
Their gazes clashed.
Black against black.
Cold against void.
— You're lucky you're a woman, he growled.
Aeris sighed.
— So on top of being an asshole, you're a massive bdg.
The brute slowly turned his head toward him… and suddenly remembered the crushing pressure from the restaurant.
He swallowed.
— That… that must've been luck.
He pointed at Aeris.
— Kid, you'd better stay quiet.
He straightened, puffing out his chest.
— I'm Brakk, rank B.
He gestured to his group:
— Rorn, rank C+, double‑axe specialist.
— Mysa, rank C, shooter.
— Keld, rank C, support.
— Even if you're not weak, the four of us are more than enough to crush you.
**Fwoosh.**
Llan's fist ignited.
He stepped forward and—
**BAM.**
His punch slammed straight into Brakk's face.
The brute staggered, stepped back twice, then spat a thin stream of blood.
— …I felt that one.
He smiled, wicked.
— That's your punch, miserable?
He raised his axe, ready to strike—
**BOOM.**
A monstrous pressure crashed down on the area.
The air bent. The ground groaned.
Someone grabbed Brakk's axe with one hand… and shoved him back like a sack of potatoes.
— You insects dare make noise here?
A man stood there.
Dark hair, haughty gaze, crushing aura.
Valor.
Aeris blinked.
…It's Valor.
He's even more arrogant in person.
Brakk growled.
— You're lucky that—
— No, Valor cut him off calmly.
— You're the ones who are lucky.
He turned to Aeris.
— I suppose you're Aeris.
Aeris's eyes gleamed.
— Valor… it's you?
— The aura you give off… you're really strong.
Valor smiled, satisfied.
— Of course. The great Valor just came to see who Aeris was.
He looked him over.
— I'm not disappointed… but you're still far from the great Valor.
He glanced at Nyra.
— Who's this woman? I don't know her.
Nyra crossed her arms.
— Pretentious.
— Huh?
Valor straightened.
— Do you know who you're talking to?
— You don't know the great Valor?
Llan coughed lightly.
— Excuse her… she comes from the Labyrinth.
Valor froze for a second.
— …Ah.
He straightened even more.
— Very well.
— The great Valor will let it slide this time.
He turned away.
— On that note… I'll leave you.
He vanished in a gust.
Silence.
Nyra tilted her head.
— What was that?
Aeris shrugged.
— A secondary boss with an overly long cutscene.
Llan sighed.
— Feels like my day just started.
Chapter 311 – First Monsters, First Egos (and First Faceplants)
Vareth finally stepped out of the Labyrinth in a slight distortion of reality, as if space itself sighed in relief at letting him through.
— I'm finally here.
Aeris, floating calmly a few centimeters above the ground, tilted his head.
— You took your time.
Vareth shrugged.
— I was settling two or three existential details.
He smiled.
— But everything's sorted now.
Llan sighed.
— I'd really like it if, just once, "details" didn't rhyme with "potential cosmic catastrophe."
Vareth patted his shoulder.
— You exaggerate.
— A little.
🌲 **Meanwhile — First Floor of the Labyrinth**
The first floor was nothing like a dark corridor or a classic dungeon.
Here, the Labyrinth had chosen the open‑terrain mode.
A vast forest stretched as far as the eye could see.
Massive trees with twisted trunks, thick roots jutting from the ground, a light mist drifting between the foliage.
The ground was covered in moss, damp leaves, and ancient stones carved with symbols almost erased.
One could almost forget it was deadly.
Almost.
Between the trees moved the monsters of the first floor:
— Minor Sylvan Lycans: small bipedal creatures, greenish‑brown skin, elongated muzzles, fangs too large for their faces.
— Their eyes glowed a dull red.
— Their claws were short but fast.
— Dangerous for novices.
— Ridiculous for rank A.
The Labyrinth had clearly thought:
*"Alright, let's traumatize them… but not too much."*
Ravna stopped and turned to the children.
The scar‑covered rank S‑ huntress inhaled deeply.
— Well, kids.
— First experience against real monsters.
Solan's eyes were already shining.
Lyane and Kaor trembled slightly in place.
Eldric calmly adjusted his gloves.
— Be careful.
— Move forward. We're right behind you.
Eldric, in thought:
*…Honestly, I don't see what could worry rank A here.*
The three children looked at each other.
Then—
— LET'S GO!
They dashed forward.
Ravna blinked.
— …I didn't say "sprint."
A rustle in the bushes.
A Sylvan Lycan leapt out, growling, drool dripping from its fangs.
Solan stopped dead.
He raised his hand as if holding an invisible bow.
— Hm hm.
He struck a pose far too dramatic for a twelve‑year‑old.
— Fire… Arrow.
**FWOOOSH.**
A flaming arrow materialized and shot through the air.
It struck the monster square in the chest.
— GRAAAAAH!
The flames engulfed it.
The Lycan screamed for two seconds… then collapsed, lightly smoking.
Silence.
Then Solan began hopping in place.
— YES!
— Did you see that?
— Too easy!
Ravna pinched the bridge of her nose.
— …What kind of terrible child is this?
Lyane and Kaor's eyes sparkled as if they had just witnessed a living legend.
— You did it!
— That was so cool!
Solan puffed out his chest.
— Of course.
— I did it, pfff.
He took two steps back, raised his fist.
— I'm too strong—
**PATA BOOM.**
Solan crashed face‑first into the ground.
Absolute silence.
Lyane blinked.
— …Is he dead?
— NO! Solan shouted, voice muffled by the moss.
— I just… slipped!
Kaor burst out laughing.
— The great elemental mage defeated by the ground!
Solan got up, sulking.
— It was strategic.
Lyane placed a hand on Kaor's shoulder.
— Well.
— The next one's ours.
Another Lycan burst from the thicket, bigger, more aggressive.
Kaor smiled.
— Creation.
The ground before them cracked.
A stone spear formed instantly.
Lyane added calmly:
— Blessing of Light.
A golden glow enveloped the spear.
— Destruction, Kaor concluded.
The spear shot forward like a missile and obliterated the monster mid‑air.
Solan stood frozen, mouth agape.
— …Okay.
— Maybe I'm not that strong after all.
Ravna crossed her arms, satisfied.
— They're excited…
— But they're handling it.
Eldric smiled faintly.
— Yes.
— As long as they don't fight each other before the end.
Then, thoughtful: *Kaor didn't use his dark magic… but creation and destruction instead.*
Ravna: *These kids are strong.*
Far away, the Labyrinth watched.
Silent.
Curious.
And for the first time in a long while…
Almost amused.