Chapter 46: First-Round End
When Eugene woke up, he was laying on the cold ground.
He sat down dizzily and let out a crazy laugh. His eyes are red showing his excitement. Thanks to the Dungeoun he's slowly retrieving some of his memories including those promises.
He finally remembers why he was killed.
Hahahaha.
There are still some students around who had no conscious.
He tries to find the body of Timber but sees that only Casimin, Clarence, Kaizer, and others are inside, so he let out a sigh of relief as he stood up and walks toward the light. He successfully steps out of the dungeon and overcomes his fear, though he fears nothing and the memory that the dungeon show him means nothing. At least he manage to fool the dungeon because if the memory of his past in Artha was shown, he's afraid he won't be able to recover easily.
"Hmm." Eugene stretches his body and raises his head.
[Rank] SCOREBOARD
[2] Team 1 | 389 points
[3] Team 2 | 210 points
[4] Team 3 | 203 points
[1] Team 4 | 540 points
[6] Team 5 | 123 points
[7] Team 6 | 115 points
[5] Team 7 | 130 points
[9] Team 8 | 108 points
[8] Team 9 | 102 points
Who hunted?
Eugene is about to walk to find if his teammates leave some mark but before he can take a step, a head pops out of the bushes: "Eugene!"
Timber laughs happily and runs towards Eugene.
"Y-You..." Eugene hissed when Timber throw himself to his body.
"What is that blood in your clothes?! Are you injured?!"
Timber shook his head.
"This is not my blood, It's just when I step out of the gate I was attacked by some level 3 beast so I killed them."
Timber grabs Eugene's clothes while jumping happily.
"Didn't you see the scores? It's me, I hunted hehe."
Eugene looks at Timber's stupid expression and sighs, "Well, good. Next time don't scare me too much." He was about to destroy some part of the forest again if some demon beast hurt Timber. No one wants that to happen right?
"Who got out after you?"
"Well, it's me first then Reign and Zaoran. Sanciel and Theoran are still inside but Rasiel from Team 1 is already out and is hunting! He told us to not leave here because we are near the dungeon gate and some high-level beast is just around."
It's a good decision.
"Then let's stay here and wait for the two before leaving Sena Forest."
"Hmm alright!"
[Rank] SCOREBOARD
[2] Team 1 | 389 points +5 +5 +3 +6
[3] Team 2 | 210 points +6 +5 +2 +3
[4] Team 3 | 203 points +5 +5 +4 +3
[1] Team 4 | 540 points +5 +2 +3 +5
[6] Team 5 | 123 points +5 +4
[7] Team 6 | 115 points +3 +2
[5] Team 7 | 130 points +2 +1 +6
[9] Team 8 | 108 points +2 +4 +5
[8] Team 9 | 102 points +3 +2 +2
"Is Zaoran and Reign hunting?"
Timber bit his apple and replied: "Yes, but the two are not far away."
Eugene stare at the scoreboard and saw that team 1 is being carried by Rasiel and it now has four hundred-eight points. It's keeping up with them. Though Kaizer and Casimin are still inside the dungeon, Raisiel alone can farm like this, he won't be surprised if Team 1 wins.
But will he allow it?
The answer is no.
Eugene wanted the first spot. He can't let Team 1 win it without blood, sweat, and tears.
Eugene leans on the tree, waiting for his teammates.
Timber besides him is still eating fruits, it was probably given by Reign which made him helpless as Timber become spoiled by his team too. He just didn't expect it, he thought his teammates would refuse his presence because of his bad reputation just like in the past, but who would know it isn't exactly what he thought? His team is good and it's he who had no cooperation that's why in the past, many accidents happen.
Really, too bad he was not in the right mind at that time and only think of defeating Kaizer.
"Eugene?"
Seeing Casimin coming out of the gate, Eugene nodded.
"Rasiel is farming."
Casimin paused and raised his head, staring at the scoreboard with a surprised expression: "Rasiel really takes after Kaizer's craziness. Fortunately, even if I grew up with them, I didn't learn their barbaric character."
Eugene chuckled, "He's still good."
"I'll admit, that idiot is reliable."
Casimin glance at Timber and his lips twitch. Why does he feel like he's seeing a bunny who loves to eat? So cute but worrying. After all, Timber before entering the dungeon is eating and after coming out, he's still eating. Fortunately, it's all fruits, not some greasy meat.
"How's the illusion?"
Casimin sighed: "It's frightening, I don't know if what I see is my past or the future."
Eugene raises his eyebrow.
"Well, It's just an illusion." if one has no fear then the dungeon of illusion will create one. Casimin probably has nothing to fear so the dungeon created something to attack Casimin's mental core. Too bad Casimin is a strong magician and he knew how to survive a mental attack.
"Yes. I hope so."
Because Casimin feels like, it's too realistic.
But the strange scene that made him doubt is that in the illusion, he killed Eugene's brother which made him tremble in fear. Why would he kill Eugene's brother? It even shows the ruined manor of the Shradinza. It's so scary that he immediately activates the barrier of his core to be able to get out of the illusion.
He was almost attacked by the dungeon.
If it weren't for him realizing that the situation is too terrifying to be true, he wouldn't wake up.
Damn it.
Casimin sat beside Timber and close his eyes, planning to rest while rebuilding the barrier in his mental core. When Casimin fell asleep, Rasiel arrived with a big smile and greeted Eugene while boasting. Reign and Zaoran also come back and give Eugene something to eat.
After that, they waited for their teammates while chatting.
"Hey, why is Casimin sleeping?"
Eugene glance at Casimin: "He was probably attacked by the illusion."
"No way, mental exhaustion?!"
Eugene shook his head.
"He look fine when he came out. He is probably rebuilding the barrier in his mental core."
"Oh." Rasiel sighed, "Being a magician is good. When they have a problem they can fix it themselves while we swordmen can only wait for them to be treated. Ugh~ how I wish I'm also a dualist like Kaizer."
Zaoran: "Well both have advantages and disadvantages."
Reign: "That's right, don't lose hope."
Rasiel laugh and patted Reign's back, "Good comrade."
After a few minutes, Sanciel and Theoran came back together with a red faces.
"Hey, why look so embarrassed? What happen?" Rasiel asked curiously.
Sanciel and Theoran glance at each other before retracting their gaze. Theoran couldn't help but scratch his neck saying: "Well, it's nothing."
Rasiel pouted: "Keeping secret? So boring."
Sanciel and Theoran sat beside each other and look ahead and saw Kaizer stepping out of the gate with red eyes. From other's perspectives, Kaizer look like he will kill someone but in Eugene's eyes, he knew Kaizer cried so he couldn't help but laugh.
Seeing him laugh made Kaizer feel wronged.
His eldest brother scolded him and his sister-in-law laugh at his suffering.
Kaizer wanted to hurry out and find his father to sue.
Why is his brother blaming him just because he [Real Kaizer] suffers from the illusion and not him? How can he know how that happens? When he entered the dungeon he immediately lose consciousness and when he woke up he already survive the illusion. If it weren't for his brother's complaint he wouldn't know that the dungeon really attack him.
But he's not the one who suffers but his eldest brother who is the rightful owner of the body.
He was scolded for something he was not at fault.
He couldn't help but feel wronged.
His grievance even doubled when he saw his sister-in-law laughing at him. What to do? He is bullied by his brother and his sister-in-law won't care. If his brother and sister-in-law married wouldn't he suffer? No way! He would ask his father to send him to Dawn Palace!
"Huh? Commander did you cry?!"
Rasiel laughs out loud, "Hahaha commander you---ack."
Rasiel squatted while holding his head when Kaizer angrily throw the scabbard of his [Kaizer] dagger onto his head.
"Commander you're so cruel!"
Kaizer gritted his teeth, "Laugh and I'll beat you to death."
Casimin woke up and saw Rasiel crying while holding his swollen forehead. He and Rasiel met each other eyes and Casimin almost wanted to teleport away when he saw Rasiel rushes towards him and hug his neck, crying and complaining about Kaizer.
Casimin frown.
"Did you say something stupid again?"
"I'm not! I'm not!"
Casimin didn't believe it and just pushed Rasiel away.
Seeing that everyone is complete and some students also came out after Kaizer. The scoreboard above stops and indicate the end of the first round. Everyone sighs and slumps on the ground talking about the dungeon not caring about the team ranking since it's just a first round, they can still catch up for the second and third final rounds.
[Rank] SCOREBOARD
[2] Team 1 | 450 points
[3] Team 2 | 226 points
[4] Team 3 | 220 points
[1] Team 4 | 560 points
[6] Team 5 | 132 points
[7] Team 6 | 120 points
[5] Team 7 | 139 points
[8] Team 8 | 119 points
[9] Team 9 | 109 points
After that, the host announces the top team and told them to gather all together.
Everyone stays where they are after coming out of the gate because others stay too. It didn't take long before the observers came back and open the gate of Sena Forest to come out. This made everyone cheer and congratulate everyone before stepping out.
Everyone was welcomed by a loud cheer from the audience.
Some run toward their parents and happily boasted about their contribution to the team. Fortunately, Eugene foresees what will happen and drag Timber away, causing everyone to be caught off guard when some girls rush toward them.
"Young master Shradinza."
One of the observers came to Eugene and said: "Please come with me after meeting your parents. We need you for our investigation of what happened with the snake lair."
Eugene sigh, "Yes, is it the student council?"
"No, some instructors will take over."
When the observer left, Timber held Eugene's clothes and ask him worriedly: "What happen? Why are they investigating the snake lair and you are required to be there?"
Eugene shrugged.
"Don't worry, It'll be fine."
Eugene send Timber to his parents and greeted the count and countess of Rozans. Count Rozans thank Eugene and patted the child's back admiringly before leaving with his family. Eugene just stood still and watch Timber smile and laugh with his parents.
Something he wouldn't experience.
Eugene's eyelashes tremble as he lowered his head.
His parents are probably watching Eullian's selection so no one will come to him. Well it doesn't matter, he's been used to it, and he's not disappointed at all. In fact, he was glad that his parents could care less about him, because they won't be able to find out about his strange behavior.
"Eugene."
Eugene raises his head and looks at the grand duke in surprise.
"Your excellency, Kaizer is---"
Eugene's words were cut off when the grand duke patted his head saying: "Congratulations for being the top. Though you went a little bit crazy in destroying a lair, it doesn't matter, I can help you to not receive punishment."
Eugene's face turned red.
"N-No, there's no need for the grand duke to concern himself."
Grand Duke Karsten chuckled and pick up Eugene, carrying the child in his arms: "Call uncle, you---"
"KATNIER!"
Marquis Shradinza walks hurriedly with a red face, staring angrily at the grand duke who is holding his son, "Don't you have a son?! Why bother with others?! Is it because your son failed to be at the top that you are trying to kidnap my son?!"
Both the grand duke and Eugene stare at the marquis dumbfoundedly.
Well, what's going on?
"Father!"
Kaizer who has been looking at his father runs towards the grand duke and hugs his father's legs while crying. This made the grand duke sad, seeing that his precious son is wronged so he put down Eugene and carries his son instead, asking him what's the matter.
"Father, brother bully me! huhu."
This time, it's Marquis Shradinza and Eugene's turn to look at the grand duke and Kaizer dumbfoundedly.
Really, what's going on?
Grand Duke Kasrten frown upon hearing that his eldest son is the cause.
"Well, don't cry, father will punish brother for you."
Kaizer sniffled and hugged his father's neck while humming. Thinking that he will finally have his father take on revenge for him. Hmp! Always bullying him, let's see how his brother will handle the anger of their father.
"Umm."
"Eh?" Kaizer turn his head and look at the owner of the voice and saw his sister-in-law staring at him with deep eyes.
"Ah!" Kaizer's face turn red as he snuggled in his father's arms feeling embarrassed.
[I'll beat you! I'll really beat you for ruining my image!]
(Brother calm down!)
(Communication is the key!)
(Violence is not allowed!)
(I'm wrong huhuhu.)