The Novel's Professor

Inside the colossal vast maze, at one of the paths leading to the center — a snowy white haired student with golden eyes along with three other figures marched steadily.

Arcuied brushed his hands against the walls of the maze, feeling the pristine rocky coldness from it. It was obsidian bedrock.

"..What are you trying to do, Leader Arc?" Sophia asked, her eyes narrowing in curiosity.

Arcuied raised his brows, shifting his attention to Sophia. He said awkwardly. "Please, just call me Arcuied. No need for the title leader... As for what I'm doing, I'm checking the nature or texture of the walls."

"Hm? Is that important?" Sophia asked, her brows furrowing in bewilderment.

"Well, no. And yes." Arcuied chuckled, his head shaking. "Its not that important. But by knowing the nature of the terrain, you already have an advantage against anything. For example, this obsidian bedrock, eminates a cold distinct aura that would blow away any fire near it."

"Is that so...?" Sophia nodded, befuddled. "You seem quite knowledgeable, how do you know such things?"

Arcuied paused, contemplating whether to answer or not. He glanced at his two other team member — seeing their eyes filled with similar curiosity. He sighed, deciding to answer. "Well, it's honestly a bit complicated..."

"Don't worry, Arcuied! We have a lot of time before we reach out first area!" Thomas shouted, his hand crossed over his chest.

"You have a point, Thomas." Arcuied chuckled. He shook his head, continuing. "Back to the question; for starters... before enrolling in the academy, I was a porter from a medium sized guild when entering demon dimensions."

"Porter?" Sophia frowned. Naturally, she knew what it meant. But she was bewildered on why, arguably, the most talented in the academy was willing to be a mere porter.

"...Eh, you see." Arcuied replied awkwardly, his hand running down his hair. "Back then, Rank E and Rank D Demon Dimensions never proved to be anything of benefit to me. So in hopes of getting stronger quickly, I joined as a porter for a Rank C Guild."

"...Woah," Elise mouthed out, amazed. "It's already impressive enough that you already have entered multiple demon dimensions and survived. But even entering a dimension two ranks above you...?"

"Arcuied! You truly are the greatest!" Thomas praised, tears coming out from his eyes. "I truly feel sorry for even doubting and thinking you meant us harm for ignoring our messages!"

"Relax, Thomas. I'm sure Arcuied had already forgiven us," Sophia chuckled, her head shaking. "In any case, you're quite amazing Arcuied. Care to tell us your stories in the demon dimension?"

"Alright, but don't expect much. I just followed along with the Rank C guilds during that time," Arcuied replied, smiling. "There was this one time when I was left alone in a gigantic house of some kind."

"H-house?" Elise stuttered, feeling something ominous. "Don't tell me...! A haunted house?!"

"Well, yes? Or no?" Arcuied vaguely answered. "The house was called Newblades. In that house, there were a ton of murals and inheritance of famous swordsman in their own world. I got to train for some time before the house abruptly kicked me out and vanished afterwards."

Suddenly, while they were talking to each other; a loud beep resounded on Arcuied's smartwatch. All their eyes shifted on the hologram that was projected in front of them.

[Silent Shadows of Dreadnought: +5 pts]

"Silent Shadows...?" Arcuied muttered, stopping his body. He stood between the paved path and the entrance of the area, staring at the scenery silently.

"...It sure feels creepy and daunting in here," Sophia frowned, staring at the scenery of the area they were currently in.

The area in front of them revealed a large circle with a wide circumference. The ground was unlike the clean and soft tiles of the paved path they previously took, this one was rough and spiky. In the middle of the circle area, a tattered dark cloak fluttered from the wind.

"...A cloak?" Elise muttered, her brows knitting in confusion.

"Elise! Look out!" Arcuied suddenly shouted, pushing Elise to the ground. Before Elise could react, she felt a heavy force shove her body. She was about to stand up — however at that moment, a rusted dagger fell to the ground.

"..A rusted dagger?" Sophia muttered, staring at the bronze coated blade.

"Thomas, help Elise stand up immediately!" Arcuied commanded, his hand grasping over the handle of his sword. "Sophia, prepare. The enemy is a Shadow Nyx. A demon born from shadows of the dead. The quality of the dagger reflects their strength. Rusted usually shows Peak Rank E strength."

Thomas nodded, immediately moving as he grabbed Elise and carried her over on his shoulder. Elise groaned, feeling uncomfortable. Thomas muttered, "...Sorry, Elise. But it seems the Nyx has its focus on you."

Elise nodded, sighing.

"Any idea how to subdue the enemy?" Sophia asked, her hand holding an icy blue scythe. In her front, she could see a black shadow occasionally appear and vanish in the area, rapidly advancing towards them.

"Shadow Nyx..." Arcuied closed his eyes, thinking intently. "Easy to kill, but hard to hit. They move extremely fast, appearing right behind their enemies as they strike in one hit. The daggers are the power formed by its demonization. Depending on the quality, it could range from doing little injury to instantly killing."

"...Right. Any idea how—" Sophia furrowed her brows, confused.

"Now, Sophia! From your back!" Arcuied shouted, his hand gripping over the handle of the sword. At that moment, he dashed in — reinforcing his body with magic.

Sophia reacted almost instantly. She swung an arc to the back as a rusted dagger obstructed the icy white scythe.

The clanging of metal blades echoed.

Sophia raised her head, staring at the Shadow Nyx. The demon...was a shadow in all sense of meaning. It was but a faceless materialization of a black figure. It lacked the qualities of a human and the deformed abberant face of a demon. It was at its core, faceless.

From the shadow's hands, several daggers sharply stuck out and aimed at her.

"Sophia!" Arcuied shouted, his body closing in to the Shadow Nyx. He gripped the sword, heavily swinging it down to the Shadow Nyx.