Raised in Dungeon

"Allen, isn't he amazing? His presence and the eloquence of his speech are truly mesmerizing," Sharik marveled after Eliphas stepped down from the pulpit. However, Allen remained silent, his hand tightly gripping his chest, tears welling up in his eyes.

'To this extent? I always thought Allen was more the cold type,' Sharik thought.

"Hey, your friend is calling, don't just ignore him!" Geirhild nudged Allen on the shoulder.

"Geirhild! I'm okay! Let's not disrupt those who are immersed in their emotions,"

"Ah, my apologies," said Allen, who quickly realized his inattentiveness. "Did you say something?" Instead of revisiting the earlier conversation, Sharik's curiosity shifted to another topic.

"What's wrong?" he asked about Allen's teary eyes.

"Nothing," Allen replied briefly. It took a moment for him to comprehend the significance of Sharik's question about his sudden silence. "I was just reminded of someone from my hometown," Allen explained, his eyes distant, lost in the past.

"Where is your hometown? In another world?" Geirhild inquired curiously.

"No, it's in Barkaley, where I was first summoned to this world," Allen replied.

Before Sharik could inquire further about Allen, Loukia on the pulpit, raised her voice.

"Next, opening remarks from the chair of the Student Executive Board, Miss Kethryllia Othorion Eruvrantish!"

In contrast to Eliphas's quiet presence, the whispers in the room grew louder, and everyone began talking about Kethryllia.

"Kethryllia Othorion Eruvrantish, isn't she stunning?"

"I wouldn't even think of approaching her; getting close to someone like her is impossible."

"The next potential queen of the Eruvrantish Empire, she's truly demonstrated her leadership skills by rising to the position of chief executive, even though she is a woman."

Unlike human societies, elven culture held women in high regard. In the elven continent, the queen governed the empire, and women played vital roles in managing state affairs. Men within elven society typically worked as hunters, laborers, or, in some cases, became consorts of the queen.

Humans often held a condescending view of elven culture, particularly for their apparent reliance on women, not to mention the acceptance of women as leaders. Recognizing the disdain humans often held for female leadership, Kethryllia shut their criticisms by proving her mettle as the chief of the student executive board of the academy.

With a charming smile, Kethryllia commenced her speech.

"Survival belongs to those who, in the face of trials, choose to evolve and thrive, and here we give the tempest to you. May the tempest can alter the courses of lives."

A hush fell over the audience as they contemplated her words.

Her voice was a soft melody that gradually took on a weightiness, stirring emotions for no apparent reason. "Learning and surviving, if I'm not mistaken, that's what Mr. Eliphas mentioned in his earlier speech. However, it's quite amusing that he never delved into the concept of survival. Perhaps it's because these two words may not immediately appear related and can even seem contradictory."

Kethryllia's words hung in the air, her presence commanding the room's attention, leaving a profound impact on the audience, making your heart beat for no apparent reason.

This time, her smile took on a sinister edge, as if she relished the power of controlling the room's atmosphere.

"Everyone has the right to learn, but the reality is rather amusing. This academy doesn't merely facilitate learning; it molds students into competitors. While some of you might have heard about it from the upperclassmen, this information has never been officially disclosed during the secunda class, so allow me to clarify."

Her words carried a weight that left the audience hanging on her every syllable.

"Once you enter the praeterea class, the grading system will shift from earning points to acquiring and stealing. As always, you can accumulate points through your merits but also lose them if you violate the academy's rules. However, you'll have the option to engage in duels, wagering your accumulated points. And for those who exhaust all their points...

will be expelled from school."

A shocked silence gripped the assembly. Even those who had heard whispers about these rules from the seniors found this revelation astonishing. The upperclassmen rarely discussed these details, so secunda class students had only heard snippets through the grapevine.

"So, the rumor about only 10% of students advancing to the superior level is true?"

Those who failed to progress beyond the praeterea class bore their shame in silence, keeping the knowledge of their expulsion closely guarded.

Kethryllia announced as she gracefully descended from the podium, leaving the audience stunned.

Loukia returned to the podium.

"Thank you to the chairman of the student executive board. Next, we would typically allow the chairman of the disciplinary commission to explain the academy's new rules for the praeterea class, but since he is currently absent, I will stand in for him."

Loukia then proceeded to outline the academy's most crucial regulations.

"First, let me clarify the academy's point system. Each student will maintain a record of points during their time in the Praeterea class. You are required to study in the praeterea for a total of four years and accumulate a certain number of points to qualify for advancement to the superius class. For those who exhaust their points, there will be a grace period of a few weeks to regain the necessary points. Failure to do so will result in expulsion from the academy.

Each of you has received a rule book, delivered via harpy, which outlines the specific rules and their corresponding point deductions for violations. Points can be gained through commendable achievements, but they can also be taken from individuals who breach these rules.

The academy maintains an official duel system, strictly overseen by the disciplinary commission, and the outcomes of these duels are final.

Additional points and point multipliers will differ for each student, particularly those holding positions within the school, such as student executives and other commissions. For example, the disciplinary commission will receive weekly point rewards based on their respective roles."

"How can we check our points?" Allen inquired to Sharik with genuine curiosity.

"You can access your points at the grading altar on the first floor or within this hall. See the maroon curtain behind the teachers' seats?" Sharik pointed to the large curtain.

As Sharik mentioned it, the maroon curtain became visible to all.

"If you manage to secure a spot in the top 10, your name and points will be inscribed there," Sharik explained.

"What are the benefits of being in the top 10?" Allen asked, his tone revealing a sense of urgency.

"Access to additional floors," Sharik began to explain. "Ordinarily, students are limited to the first three floors of the academy. However, once you break into the top 10—"

"Can we go down to the 10th floor?" Allen interjected, his voice brimming with anticipation.

"E-Well, I'm not entirely sure, as no one has ventured down there yet. Perhaps if you claim the number one spot, you might be granted that privilege."

"Why is that?" Allen probed further.

Geirhild chimed in, "Because when you hold the number one position for a month, the headmaster may be willing to listen your requests."

"Just listen?"

"That's right, it's not confirmed yet, but everyone will try to climb to the highest rank so that they can convey their requests to Eliphas; people believe that, depending on the request, Eliphas may grant it."

"Pfft-" A mocking voice cut through the conversation, originating from a figure positioned in front of Allen, Sharik, and Geirhild. The individual turned around to face them and sneered, "You folks genuinely believe you can ascend to the number one rank?"

The man was unfamiliar to Allen, but his presence reminded him of someone he deeply disliked - Leofric. With his blonde hair and emerald-blue eyes, the similarities were striking.

"People like you have no chance of reaching the top. It would be wise to abandon your lofty aspirations," he taunted, his words dripping with scorn.

As Allen saw him again, he finally remembered he had seen him before in the castle.

He was the 14th prince of the Wildenhall Kingdom, Francis Ismenia Wildenhall.