Fallen Laboratory

After the registration deadline at noon, Caroso and Nimel had a hearty meal and arrived at the school's training ground at one in the afternoon.

Twenty-eight other people came with them.

The Vice Principal looked solemnly at the assembled group. When he saw Caroso and Nimel, his face showed an expression of "just as expected."

Speaking of which, Caroso wasn't quite like his two older brothers. Grand Duke Osiris's high-pressure education only lasted until they entered the academy; after that, he stopped interfering.

Caroso's two brothers had become a bit self-indulgent once they entered the academy. However, even with their normal studies, their previous habits meant they were still more diligent than the children of typical noble families, and they didn't dare perform too poorly.

Caroso's brothers had never participated in this dungeon. They knew how dangerous it was.

This Caroso, he was truly driven.

"According to the comprehensive selection, you are the last group to enter the dungeon. Are you all ready?" the Vice Principal asked.

"We're ready!"

Everyone responded in unison.

The only first-years present were two: Caroso and Nimel.

There was only one card maker: Caroso.

There was only one mage: Nimel.

The rest were clerics, people from the Nature Academy, and people from the Warrior Academy. None of them were children of major nobles.

"I must remind you all again: this is a random dungeon. You won't know what kind of dungeon it is until you enter. All risks are unknown. You might even encounter a dungeon tier-up. This means there's a possibility of a total party wipe," the Vice Principal said. "If anyone wants to withdraw, this is your last chance."

Nimel's hands began to tremble again.

Seeing this, Caroso grabbed her small hand. Nimel felt much more at ease.

I can communicate with my brother inside. This is an advantage no one else has, an advantage that has never appeared before. We can do this.

"Besides cards, you cannot bring any extraordinary items into the dungeon. The weight of your clothing cannot exceed ten jin, otherwise, anything extra will be ejected when you enter," the Vice Principal continued. "To succeed in the conquest, you must find the dungeon's master and defeat it."

"You can take as much as you can carry from inside. I believe you've all done your research on the value of the items before coming here."

"This dungeon guide has one more rule than before: no one who hasn't cleared a Third-tier dungeon is allowed to participate. Therefore, you are all experienced guides."

"I hope you will cooperate and complete this challenge well!"

"So, I'll ask one more time, does anyone wish to withdraw?"

Everyone present looked at the Vice Principal with determination.

The Vice Principal gave Nimel and Caroso one last look before turning away. "Leave a trace of magic power in your soul stone so we know if you are alive in the dungeon. After you've done that... enter."

Principal's Office.

"Who let Caroso go in!"

The Principal stared in exasperation at the list of people entering the dungeon, completely stunned.

I was only gone for two days, how could this happen!

A random dungeon, and they actually dared to let someone of Caroso's status enter.

"He volunteered," the Prince said, looking at the ceiling. "No one could stop him, could they?"

"I already tried to dissuade him," Bai said helplessly.

"Do you know he's the most talented one in the Kolia family? What if Grand Duke Kolia gets angry if he dies?" the Principal frantically ran his hands through his hair. "Do you know how many divisions Grand Duke Kolia commands!"

"If he wants to fight, he'll fight whether Caroso dies here or not. Don't worry, even if he does fight, he won't attack a school," the Prince said.

"You guys..." The Principal felt his head was about to explode.

At this moment, all he could do was pray for Caroso's safety.

Damn it, if Caroso comes out alive, I won't let him go on such adventures again, no matter what!

[Dungeon: Fallen Laboratory]

[Level: Third-tier]

[Challenge Participants: 120 people]

[This was once a hospital that specialized in replacing lost limbs with mechanical ones. During one medical procedure, the Dean's mechanical arm reacted chemically with the patient's wound, causing the patient to transform into an unconscious, green-skinned poisonous person. Do you think you can just hack your way out by defeating a lot of poisonous people? I can only say, you're too naive, young one. Keep listening to my introduction.]

[The Dean was pleasantly surprised when he discovered this poisonous person and began to investigate the cause. During his investigation, he found that the root of everything was the copper used in the mechanical arm, which came from a special place. The Dean spent a fortune to buy a large amount of copper, brought it back here, and transformed this place into a laboratory, intending to create more poisonous people.]

[After decades of research, he discovered that the mutation only occurred when the arm-replacement surgery was performed at a specific time and in a specific location.]

[The Dean consulted a vast amount of information on this matter and discovered that the poisonous person was not a mutation at all. Instead, the copper, when used to create a left arm and installed on a person on December 18th each year, would activate a magic circle. It was an ancient spell, seemingly a ritualistic one.]

[The Dean began work on the laboratory and finally dug up a special space underground, where an ancient and unfamiliar magic circle was inscribed.]

[As the Dean walked to the center of the magic circle, he heard the whispers of deities...]

[At this moment, His believers have arrived, coming to this academy to ensure the ritual proceeds smoothly.]

[If you wish to survive, please stop the Dean from offering his loyalty to Him. Otherwise, you will all become His food.]

When Caroso opened his eyes, he found himself locked in a room.

He looked around. It was a clean single room with only a bed. A dim kerosene lamp sat on a nightstand; there were no other furnishings.

Caroso casually took out his communication card and infused it with a bit of magic power.

[Name: Communication Snail]
[Type: Spell]
[Star Rank: 0]
[Rarity: Gray Common]
[Class Restriction: None]
[Description: Can contact people within a 300-meter radius, provided you are in the same space.]

"Nimel, what's your situation?" Caroso asked cautiously.

"Brother, I'm in a separate room..."

Knock, knock, knock.

Just then, a violent knocking sound echoed in both Caroso's and Nimel's rooms simultaneously.

Before Caroso could react, the door was forcefully pushed open.

He saw a black-robed figure, looking like they were in the fifth or sixth stage of cultivation, staring fiercely at Caroso. "You, come with me!"