The greatest dungeon master

The air in the Lumien's Sanctuary, thick with the lingering scent of shattered stone and fresh mana, hummed with a new kind of energy. The treasure box, now empty of its golden light, stood as a silent testament to the extraordinary rewards they had just received. Each of them, from Lysander to little Aryan, now bore the intricate Dungeon Core Mark on their hand, and clutched a personalized cultivation scroll.

"Cultivation techniques," Lysander mused, his voice laced with uncharacteristic awe as he gazed at his 'Shade Weaver's Path' scroll. "And Grade 3 for me! This is beyond anything I could have hoped for for an F-rank dungeon. My father's contacts couldn't procure anything above a Grade 2, even with all his wealth." He looked at the ornate door at the far end of the chamber, the entrance to the second floor. "We should cultivate these. Now. Before we proceed."

A murmur of agreement rippled through the group. The wisdom was undeniable. A cultivation technique wasn't just a spell; it was a fundamental blueprint for a mage's growth, optimizing their mana channels, refining their core, and accelerating their progression through the ranks. Entering the next floor, potentially facing stronger creatures, without first integrating these gifts would be foolish.

They found a relatively clean section of the cavern floor, away from the dust of the fallen Guardians, and settled into meditative positions. Even Raya, though she didn't have a scroll, sat quietly beside Seraphina, sensing the gravity of the moment. Misty, Aryan's cat, curled up on his lap, a warm, purring presence.

Orion, too, unrolled his scroll, his eyes fixed on the words: 'The Primordial Tether' (Grade: Unknown). The mystery of it was both exhilarating and daunting. He closed his eyes, focusing inward, attempting to follow the instructions etched into the scroll, to merge the technique with his mana core. He pushed his mana, willing it to flow according to the new patterns.

But instead of the smooth integration he expected, a jarring, discordant note vibrated through his mind. A translucent, spectral screen, visible only to him, flared before his inner eye.

[ ERROR: Dungeon Core Required to Cultivate 'The Primordial Tether' ]

[ Cultivation cannot proceed without active connection to a Dungeon Core. ]

Orion's eyes snapped open. He tried again, pushing harder, but the same message flashed, cold and unyielding. Frustration, sharp and bitter, welled within him. Everyone else was already sinking into a deep meditative state, their bodies faintly shimmering as the techniques began to integrate. He was being left behind.

He tried to suppress the rising panic, but it was no use. He couldn't hide this.

"Hey!" Orion called out, his voice cracking slightly. "I… I can't cultivate this."

Lysander, already deep in meditation, stirred, his eyes opening slowly. He looked at Orion with a condescending sneer. "What now, Elias? Did your 'unknown' technique turn out to be a dud? Perhaps it's just a blank scroll for orphans."

Rohan, however, was immediately on his feet, his earthy aura flaring defensively. "Shut your mouth, Blackwood! Don't you dare talk to Orion like that! He just saved your arrogant hide!"

"Saved my hide?" Lysander scoffed, though he did look a little less smug than usual. "I handled the Guardians just fine. This pauper is probably just too weak to even understand a proper technique." He glanced at Orion's scroll, seeing the "Grade: Unknown" and a flicker of genuine disdain crossed his face. "Ah, 'Unknown' grade. That's usually code for 'Tier-less trash' or a technique so rudimentary it doesn't even qualify for a proper grading. Looks like you got the short end of the stick, Elias. Some people just have all the bad luck."

Orion felt a crushing wave of depression. He had hoped, desperately, that this was his chance. But Lysander's words, sharp and dismissive, echoed his deepest fears. A useless technique. He was still the weakest, the most unlucky.

"My technique isn't blank," Orion mumbled, ignoring Lysander's taunts, his gaze fixed on Rohan, then Aryan, seeking understanding. "It says… it says 'Dungeon Core Required to Cultivate'. And its grade is 'Unknown'." He hesitated, then decided. He had to tell them. "And… this isn't the first time I've seen that name. 'The Primordial Tether'." He took a deep breath. "I… I have a different kind of magic. It's not like yours. I don't have an affinity like Earth or Wind. When my magic awakened at age twelve, it was… strange. It was a connection to the essence of dungeons, to their cores. But I don't have a dungeon core. I just know my technique needs one to work."

A stunned silence fell. Rohan's jaw dropped. Kira looked bewildered. Seraphina's eyes widened in surprise. Aryan, however, merely watched Orion, his Aether Gaze faintly shimmering, as if he had always known there was something profoundly different about his older brother.

Lysander's sneer vanished, replaced by a look of genuine shock, then intense, calculating curiosity. "A 'Dungeon Core'? A personal connection to the essence of dungeons? That's… that's impossible. Legends speak of such things, but they're myths! And a technique of 'Unknown' grade? That's unheard of! What kind of magic is that?" His mind raced. "A connection to dungeon cores? If that's true, this boy isn't just an F-rank orphan. He's something entirely new. This changes everything. And his technique… 'Unknown' grade implies it's either so low it's not even registered, or so high it's beyond common understanding. Given the dungeon's reaction to him, I'm leaning towards the latter. This is a far more valuable secret than I imagined."

"I don't know," Orion admitted, feeling a pang of vulnerability. "It just… appeared. But it seems I need to be connected to a dungeon's core to cultivate this technique further. And this isn't it." He gestured around the Lumien's Sanctuary.

Rohan, his initial anger at Lysander forgotten, stepped towards Orion. "So… you need a dungeon core? That's… that's incredible, Orion! Why didn't you tell us?"

"I… I was told to keep it secret," Orion mumbled, remembering Celestia's grave warning. "And it's complicated. I barely understand it myself."

Seraphina, ever the compassionate one, gently placed a hand on Orion's shoulder. "It's alright, Orion. We understand. It sounds amazing. Don't worry, we'll figure it out."

Aryan nodded, his Aether Gaze still focused on Orion. "It's a powerful connection, Orion. I can feel it. It's deeper than normal magic."

Lysander, though still processing the shock, quickly regained his composure. He still had his Grade 3 technique. "Well, that's your problem, Elias. We, however, have techniques we can cultivate. We'll proceed. You can… watch. Or try to understand your 'unique lineage' or whatever it is." His tone was dismissive, but his eyes held a new, calculating glint. He wouldn't let this 'Orion Elias Aetherin' out of his sight.

Magic, in the world of Astraea, was a fundamental force, yet its manifestation was as varied as the stars. At its core, magic was the manipulation of mana, the ethereal energy that permeated the very fabric of existence. Every living being possessed a mana core, a spiritual reservoir that formed upon awakening their magical abilities. This awakening could occur at any time in a person's life – some were born with a nascent core, others discovered it in moments of extreme stress or profound revelation, while tragically, some never awakened at all, living their entire lives oblivious to the magical currents around them.

Once awakened, a mage's path was shaped by their affinity, a natural resonance with a specific element or concept – be it Earth, Wind, Fire, Water, Shadow, Light, or rarer, more esoteric affinities like Life or, in Aryan's unique case, Aether Gaze. Cultivation techniques were the guiding maps for a mage's journey. These intricate methods, often passed down through families or discovered in ancient texts, taught a mage how to purify their mana, expand their core, and refine their affinity. A well-suited and high-grade technique was paramount for progression, allowing a mage to advance through the ranks (F to S) and unlock new Tiers of their abilities. Each Tier (1 to 3 within a rank) represented a deeper mastery, granting access to more complex spells, enhanced potency, or entirely new applications of their existing powers. The quality of one's cultivation technique, coupled with their innate talent and diligence, ultimately determined their potential to reach the mythical S-rank and beyond.

Mana, once expended, would naturally refill over time, a slow, almost imperceptible process that varied from mage to mage. However, each cultivation technique contained specific meditative methods or mana circulation patterns designed to accelerate this refill process, allowing mages to recover their energy far more efficiently.

For the next nine hours, the cavern was filled with the profound silence of concentrated effort. Rohan sat, a faint earthy glow surrounding him, his muscles subtly rippling as he absorbed the 'Stone Heart Sutra'. Kira was a still, almost invisible presence, the air around her faintly swirling as she integrated 'Whisperwind Flow'. Seraphina radiated a gentle, verdant light, her 'Verdant Life Cycle' weaving through her mana channels. Aryan, eyes closed, his Aether Gaze faintly shimmering, was a picture of serene focus, the 'Aether Insight Method' refining his unique perception. Even Lysander, for all his arrogance, was utterly absorbed, his body a still, dark silhouette as he cultivated the 'Shade Weaver's Path'.

During this time, the mana in the Lumien's Sanctuary, denser than outside, was slowly absorbed by their cores, refilling their mana points as they cultivated and utilized the specialized mana recovery methods detailed in their new techniques. It was a natural process, the dungeon itself providing the fuel for their growth.

Then, as the nine hours concluded, a resonant chime, not just in Orion's mind but seemingly echoing through the very stone of the dungeon, marked the end of their cultivation.

[ Dungeon Notification: All Hosts Present have achieved F-Rank, Tier 3! ]

[ New Abilities Unlocked! ]

Orion's spectral screen flared, displaying the updated profiles, each one now showing the significant jump in their power.

[ Host Profile: Lysander Blackwood ]

[ Rank: F-rank Magus (Tier 3) ]

[ Affinity: Shadow ]

[ Agility: 30 ]

[ Strength: 28 ]

[ Mana Points: 30 ]

[ Abilities: ]

* [ Shadow Veil (F-rank, Tier 3): Enhanced concealment, allows for brief, silent teleportation within shadows (Mana Cost: 10 MP, Cooldown: 5s). ]

* [ Shadow Strike (F-rank, Tier 3): Increased damage, can now apply a 'Shadow Brand' debuff, briefly reducing target's agility (Mana Cost: 8 MP, Cooldown: 3s). ]

* [ New Ability: Dark Shroud (F-rank, Tier 3): Creates a small, localized area of oppressive shadow, disorienting enemies and slightly reducing their magical output (Mana Cost: 15 MP, Cooldown: 15s). ]

[ Runic Tattoo: 'Dungeon Core Mark' (Grade 1 - Bound) ]

[ Host Profile: Rohan ]

[ Rank: F-rank Magus (Tier 3) ]

[ Affinity: Earth ]

[ Agility: 23 ]

[ Strength: 30 ]

[ Mana Points: 23 ]

[ Abilities: ]

* [ Terra Fist (F-rank, Tier 3): Greatly increased impact force, can now generate minor shockwaves on impact (Mana Cost: 7 MP, Cooldown: 2s). ]

* [ New Ability: Earthen Guard (F-rank, Tier 3): Conjures a small, temporary earthen shield, absorbing a moderate amount of damage (Mana Cost: 12 MP, Cooldown: 10s). ]

[ Runic Tattoo: 'Dungeon Core Mark' (Grade 1 - Bound) ]

[ Host Profile: Kira ]

[ Rank: F-rank Magus (Tier 3) ]

[ Affinity: Wind ]

[ Agility: 30 ]

[ Strength: 22 ]

[ Mana Points: 22 ]

[ Abilities: ]

* [ Mist Step (F-rank, Tier 3): Enhanced agility and near-invisibility, allows for brief, rapid bursts of movement (Mana Cost: 6 MP, Cooldown: 1s). ]

* [ New Ability: Wind Blade (F-rank, Tier 3): Conjures a sharp, invisible blade of wind, capable of precise cuts (Mana Cost: 10 MP, Cooldown: 4s). ]

[ Runic Tattoo: 'Dungeon Core Mark' (Grade 1 - Bound) ]

[ Host Profile: Seraphina ]

[ Rank: F-rank Magus (Tier 3) ]

[ Affinity: Life ]

[ Agility: 22 ]

[ Strength: 22 ]

[ Mana Points: 30 ]

[ Abilities: ]

* [ Life Bloom (F-rank, Tier 3): Greatly enhanced healing potency, can now heal multiple minor injuries simultaneously (Mana Cost: 8 MP per target, Cooldown: 3s). ]

* [ New Ability: Verdant Whisper (F-rank, Tier 3): Allows for subtle manipulation of a target's emotions, inducing calm or minor fear (Mana Cost: 15 MP, Cooldown: 20s). ]

* [ New Ability: Touch of Life (F-rank, Tier 3): Can now heal minor injuries from a short distance without direct physical contact (Mana Cost: 10 MP, Cooldown: 5s). ]

[ Runic Tattoo: 'Dungeon Core Mark' (Grade 1 - Bound) ]

[ Host Profile: Aryan ]

[ Rank: F-rank Magus (Tier 3) ]

[ Affinity: Aether Gaze (Unique) ]

[ Agility: 28 ]

[ Strength: 23 ]

[ Mana Points: 30 ]

[ Abilities: ]

* [ Aether Gaze (F-rank, Tier 3): Greatly enhanced mana perception, can now reveal hidden magical constructs and faint echoes of the recent past (Mana Cost: 5 MP, Cooldown: 1s). ]

* [ New Ability: Mana Sense (F-rank, Tier 3): Passive ability to detect nearby mana concentrations and magical activity. ]

* [ New Ability: Echo Trace (F-rank, Tier 3): Can retrace recent mana signatures, showing the path of a creature or spell for a short duration (Mana Cost: 10 MP, Cooldown: 8s). ]

[ Runic Tattoo: 'Dungeon Core Mark' (Grade 1 - Bound) ]

[ Host Profile: Orion Elias Aetherin ]

[ Race: Human (Unique Lineage) ]

[ Rank: F-rank Magus (Tier 1) ]

[ Agility: 22 ]

[ Strength: 24 ]

[ Mana Points: 20 ]

[ Abilities: None ]

[ Special Status: Scion of Prophecy (Dormant) ]

[ Runic Mark: Active ]

The cavern buzzed with excited chatter. Rohan was flexing his arms, a wide grin on his face. "Thirty Strength! I could punch a hole in a wall!" Kira was practically vibrating with her new agility. Seraphina looked utterly amazed by her expanded healing and new abilities. Aryan, though quiet, had a subtle tremor of excitement in his usually stoic demeanor. Lysander was already experimenting with a small, localized shadow, his eyes gleaming with ambition.

"This is amazing!" Kira exclaimed, darting around. "We're actually powerful now! Tier 3!"

The acquisition of new abilities, and the significant boost to their core stats, depended on several factors: the Tier of the cultivation technique they received (Grade 2 and 3 techniques offered more profound changes than Grade 1), the inherent nature of the technique itself (some techniques were designed for broader utility, others for specialized growth), and crucially, their individual compatibility with that technique and their affinity. Seraphina and Aryan, with their unique affinities and high compatibility, had unlocked a broader range of applications, gaining two additional abilities each, while the others gained one, demonstrating the personalized nature of the dungeon's rewards.

Orion, however, felt a profound emptiness. He had watched them all grow, their mana soaring, their bodies strengthening. His own spectral screen remained unchanged, his 'Primordial Tether' still stubbornly refusing to cultivate without a 'Dungeon Core'. He was still just F-rank, Tier 1, his stats unchanged. He was the only one left behind.

A wave of sadness, cold and heavy, washed over him. He had hoped, desperately, that this dungeon would be his turning point. Instead, it had only highlighted his unique, frustrating limitation. He was the one who could read the dungeon's ancient language, the one whose touch had opened the door, the one with the 'Unknown' grade technique. Yet, he was the only one who couldn't use his gift. He felt like he had received the most useless technique, a cruel joke from a mysterious dungeon.

Lysander, still preening from his own impressive gains, glanced at Orion. "Still stuck, Elias? Looks like your 'Primordial Tether' is just a fancy name for a dud. Some people just have all the bad luck, eh? Grade 'Unknown' usually means it's so low, it's not even worth grading. Trash."

Orion flinched, the words striking deep, confirming his worst fears. He was the weakest, the unlucky one, even after all this.

Rohan, however, saw the raw pain in Orion's eyes. His face darkened, and he took a step towards Lysander. "That's enough, Blackwood! Orion found this place! He opened the door! We wouldn't have any of this without him!"

Lysander merely scoffed. "And what good is that if he can't even use his own reward? He's still F-rank, Tier 1, while we're all Tier 3. He'll just be dead weight on the next floor."

"He's not dead weight!" Seraphina insisted, her voice firm. "We'll figure it out, Orion. We'll find out what this 'Dungeon Core' is. This dungeon gave us these techniques; it must have a reason for giving you yours. We'll help you find a Dungeon Core."

Aryan nodded, his gaze unwavering. "We'll find it, Orion. My Aether Gaze can help. We'll explore more, learn more about this place. This dungeon is special. Your technique is special."

Orion looked at his friends, their faces etched with newfound power, yet still offering him unwavering support. Their words, even Lysander's backhanded compliment, offered a fragile comfort. He still didn't understand his power, or why it was so different, but he wasn't alone. And the Lumien's Sanctuary had already given them so much. He had to believe his turn would come. He had to.