LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 24
Chapter 24: Heart-Pounding Labyrinth Exploration (1)
The academy I attended with my lady, Magical Academy, occasionally held practical classes.
For students with excellent grades in higher years, practical classes would take place in far-off regions inhabited by monsters.
But for us, who had never even seen a monster, such advanced classes were out of reach.
Taking that into consideration, the first practical session for first-year students was set in the academy's underground Fake Labyrinth.
It was modeled after a labyrinth, or what was also referred to as a dungeon.
Of course, being fake, the traps were crude, and there were absolutely no monsters present.
Standing at the entrance of the massive underground labyrinth with other students participating in the large-scale practical class, I marveled at the scene.
"Was it this big before?"
In the game, it had seemed like a tutorial-level training area, but seeing it in person, it was clear some dungeon fanatic had designed it.
Fake skeletons embedded in the walls here and there, along with eerie decorations, enhanced the creepy atmosphere.
“The mood’s kind of scary, isn’t it, my lady?”
“...I kind of like it, though.”
“Pardon?”
While chatting with Ruby beside me at the labyrinth entrance, a familiar voice resounded from the front row.
“Come get your number tags, you idiots!”
‘This voice…’
A sharp voice, loud enough to make one’s ears ring.
There was only one person I knew who possessed such a powerful voice.
“President Citrine, hello.”
When I approached her to greet her, Citrine stopped handing out number tags and turned to look at me.
“What, you’re here too, commoner?”
“Yes. What brings you here, President?”
As a second-year, it was unlikely that Citrine was participating in the practical class, so I was curious about her presence.
“The student council is here to assist with the practical session. I’m crazy busy, honestly. Anyway, here, take this while you’re at it.”
‘A number tag?’
She handed me a tag labeled with the number 44, and I accepted it with a strange expression.
‘This number feels so unlucky…’
Standing there, feeling uneasy about the number containing two 4s, Ruby approached with curiosity from behind.
“Amber, what’s that?”
“It’s a number tag.”
Citrine stared intently at Ruby, who had come to stand beside me, and asked bluntly.
“Who’s the girl with the black hair?”
“Oh, I forgot to introduce her to you, President. This is Lady Ruby. She’s the lady I serve as my master.”
“…”
Ruby and Citrine scrutinized each other warily, maintaining a heavy silence.
With such a height difference between them, Ruby actually seemed more senior.
After a moment of observation, Ruby took the initiative to introduce herself to Citrine.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Ruby Sarka, of the Sarka Family.”
“Ah, the Free Activity Club captain? Spare me the pleasantries and take this.”
Citrine handed Ruby a number tag labeled 45.
“You’ll be entering the labyrinth in groups of five, so the two of you will be in the same group.”
“Really? That’s a relief…”
I was grateful to be entering the labyrinth alongside the capable Ruby.
If I had to go in alone, who knew what kind of dangers I might have faced?
While exchanging glances at our number tags, I looked around in confusion.
“But, where are the other three?”
As we stood puzzled, three girls waved at us from the opposite side and approached.
Recognizing them instantly, I greeted them.
Diamond, Amethyst, and Coral came over, each holding their number tags.
“Were you three together?”
At my question, Diamond nodded in response.
“It just worked out that way. We ended up grouped together.”
Amethyst, standing beside her, chimed in agreement.
“Exactly. What a coincidence. What numbers did you two get?”
“44 and 45.”
At this, Coral, who had been quiet, gave me a slightly surprised look.
“Oh, Amber, you’re in the same group as us?”
“Really?”
“Yeah, the three of us have numbers 41 through 43.”
By some orchestrated twist of fate, the five members of the Free Activity Club ended up in the same group.
“…”
Ruby glanced at the girls and then fixed her gaze on Amethyst, muttering under her breath.
“…Another headache has joined us.”
Perhaps overhearing this, Amethyst approached Ruby and questioned her.
“Ruby, I think I just heard something strange?”
“No, I simply said there was something on your outfit… Why do you ask?”
“…”
As the two exchanged an odd tension, Citrine’s voice came from the front.
“First-years, it’s your turn soon, so get ready.”
“Yes!”
“Yes!”
The labyrinth exploration was about to begin.
With an uncharacteristically serious expression, Citrine addressed us with some precautions.
“Even though it’s fake, that doesn’t mean it’s completely devoid of danger. Be careful not to trip over traps or bump into walls and hurt yourselves.”
“The goal is to retrieve the artifact, right?”
“That’s correct. But even if you find the hidden artifact, you’ll fail if you exceed the time limit or if all five members don’t return together.”
As we waited for our turn, the massive labyrinth doors opened, and students who had gone in earlier emerged, looking disheveled.
“…Tch, my clothes are completely filthy.”
“I hate labyrinths like this, too, Clara…”
Clara, the villainess, and her group of followers had entered the labyrinth just as Ruby and I were receiving our number tags.
Taking back their number tags, Citrine glanced at her watch and spoke curtly.
“It took you 29 minutes. You barely passed.”
Clara, scanning our group as we waited, spoke to her companions.
“…Good work, everyone. Not that there was any doubt we’d pass.”
With an air of entitlement about their success, Clara passed by me and asked:
“Are you next?”
“Ah, yes…”
“…Well, it shouldn’t be too difficult. Good luck.”
“…?”
Clara, who would normally have said something provoking or annoying, only offered a plain word of encouragement today.
‘Did she eat something weird?’
As I stood there feeling a strange sense of unease at her attitude, Ruby looked at my face and asked.
“What’s wrong, Amber?”
“…It’s nothing.”
I must have been overthinking due to accumulated fatigue lately.
“Shall we head in as well?”
With that, I moved with the others toward the large open doors of the labyrinth.
The practical session, which had started with a lively and picnic-like atmosphere, grew noticeably quieter as we went deeper inside.
Coral, glancing nervously around, spoke to us.
“…This is bad. If we go any further, we won’t be able to see anything.”
I was beginning to feel the same.
While there had been plenty of torches installed near the entrance, their numbers dwindled significantly as we went deeper into the labyrinth.
As I pondered how to solve the visibility issue, I turned to Ruby and asked.
“My lady, how about using fire magic?”
At my suggestion, Amethyst chimed in enthusiastically.
“That’s right! Ruby can use fire magic.”
Ruby thought for a moment before nodding and replying.
“…Alright, I’ll give it a try. Everyone, step back.”
At her instruction, we all retreated, and Ruby stepped forward alone, raising her hand.
As she softly chanted something, a small flame ignited above her palm.
-Whoosh.
Watching from behind, I lit up with excitement and approached her.
“It worked, my lady…! You’re amazing!”
Ruby’s face turned slightly red at my praise as she responded.
“Thank you…”
-Whoomph.
But just as I finished complimenting her, the flame rapidly expanded until it was large enough to engulf an entire room.
What had been a gentle light illuminating the labyrinth now roared as if ready to burn the entire place down.
“Ruby, it’s too hot…!”
“We’re going to burn alive at this rate…!”
As the sweltering heat reminiscent of a fiery hell overwhelmed us, Ruby finally realized the situation and hastily extinguished the flames.
“…Sorry. I’m still not very good at controlling it.”
“N-No, it’s fine, my lady…”
Three more seconds, and we might’ve been roasted.
As we each took a moment to cool off and recover, Diamond turned to me and asked.
“By the way, didn’t you say you use electric magic, Amber?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Then how about using one of your light spells?”
“…!”
Why hadn’t I thought of that?
My magic skills were so poor that I often forgot I could use magic at all.
‘Let’s give it a shot. It’s been a while since I used my ultimate move.’
I called it Solar Flare—a nickname I gave to a minor spell that illuminated my surroundings.
It wasn’t even a properly named spell in the books, but it was something I had confidence in.
Standing up, I clenched my fists and activated my ability.
“…Hup!”
A brilliant light burst forth, radiating from my body and illuminating the area around us.
-Whoosh.
Amethyst and Coral clapped and cheered as they watched.
“Amber, that’s amazing…!”
“You’ve been hiding a skill like that?”
Feeling emboldened, I grinned brightly and declared.
“I’ll take the lead from now on. Let’s move forward!”
With that, I took a confident step forward.
-Pop.
“…Huh?”
The moment I moved, the light around me vanished entirely.
‘That’s strange. What’s going on?’
Trying again, I activated the spell and took another step forward, only for the light to disappear with a pop once more.
“….”
With an awkward expression, I turned to the others and admitted.
“It seems the light turns off when I move…”
Just as I began to feel disheartened by another failure, Amethyst walked up to me with a determined look.
“Amber, I’ve got a great idea!”
“Yes…?”
She flashed me a playful smile.
“I’ll carry you.”
I wanted to die of embarrassment.
Riding on Amethyst’s back as she carried me, my body emitted light at regular intervals.
“…Amethyst, am I not too heavy for you?”
“You’re fine. Amber, you’re light.”
The situation was unbearably mortifying, but I knew it would only get worse if I dwelled on it.
Amethyst’s silver hair brushed softly against my cheek, and though I felt like I should hate it, the sensation wasn’t unpleasant.
Being so physically close, my mind raced with needless worries about whether I might smell of sweat.
“Amber, are you comfortable?”
“Yes, it’s just right.”
In truth, it was more than comfortable. Not only physically, but I also felt a strange sense of calm deep inside.
As Amethyst carried me, I couldn’t help but notice her hand occasionally brushing against my bare legs, making me a little self-conscious.
After walking for some time, Ruby and Coral suddenly blocked Amethyst’s path.
Startled, Amethyst looked at them and asked.
“What’s up with you two?”
Ruby, with a somewhat dissatisfied expression, replied.
“…Now that I think about it, it feels unfair to let Amethyst carry you alone.”
Coral, standing next to Ruby, fidgeted with her hands as she added.
“If you’re tired, I’d be happy to take turns carrying her…”
Amethyst scanned the two of them before lifting one side of her mouth into a sly smile.
“Thanks for thinking of me, but I’m fine. I’ll let you know if I need help.”
“…”
Seeing Amethyst’s firm resolve, Ruby and Coral eventually gave up and stepped aside.
As they slowly moved out of the way, they seemed reluctant to leave it at that.
We continued walking for a while until Coral, leading the way, suddenly stopped and turned back to us.
“Everyone, stop for a moment. The floor ahead looks suspicious.”
“A trap…?”
At her words, Ruby picked up a nearby stone and threw it.
The floor on the left side collapsed wide open as soon as the stone hit it, dragging it down into an abyss.
‘It’s real?’
Still on Amethyst’s back, I looked at Coral and asked.
“That’s amazing! How did you know, Coral?”
Coral gave a shy smile and answered.
“…My ghost friend told me. There are a lot of ghosts around here.”
“Oh, I see…”
Her words sent a chill down my spine for some reason.
Thanks to her guidance, we navigated the labyrinth without much trouble.
There were crude wooden monster models popping out here and there and puzzles that needed to be solved to proceed, but we managed easily with everyone’s skills.
After some time exploring the labyrinth, a sparkling treasure chest came into view in the distance.
“Look over there! It’s a treasure chest!”
The room containing the chest was unusually bright and extravagantly decorated with suspiciously ornate ornaments.
“Amethyst, could you let me down now?”
“Huh? Oh, sure.”
After Amethyst helped me down, I approached the chest, but Ruby stopped me.
“Amber. Wait, doesn’t this seem too suspicious?”
“Huh?”
“The artifact, which is supposed to be our ultimate goal, is sitting out in the open like this. It’s almost like they’re not even trying to hide it.”
“…Now that you mention it, you’re right.”
The artifact chest, which was supposedly the practical session’s main objective, was too blatantly displayed.
While everyone hesitated, suspecting a trap, Coral shook her head and spoke.
“It’s fine. My ghost friend says it’s definitely the artifact chest.”
“Really? Then there’s no need to hold back.”
How convenient. Ghosts are incredible.
We all gathered in front of the treasure chest.
The artifact chest was adorned with dazzling jewels, radiating light.
As we stared silently at it, Diamond turned to me and suggested.
“Why don’t we let Amber open the chest?”
“What? Me?”
“Yes. You’re the one who got us here safely, after all.”
Safely? All I did was emit light for ten minutes while being carried on Amethyst’s back.
The others seemed to agree with her, and I reluctantly nodded, stepping forward with a shy expression.
“…Alright, I’ll open it now.”
With a careful expression, I opened the chest wide and found a glowing golden statue inside.
‘Wow, it looks expensive.’
Afraid of accidentally breaking it, I slowly reached out to touch the statue.
-Wooong.
As soon as I grabbed the statue, it began vibrating intensely, and my surroundings turned blurry.
“…?”
When I turned around, still holding the statue, I saw the others staring at me with confused expressions.
Ruby, standing right next to me, tilted her head and asked.
“Amber…? What’s wrong?”
A strange sensation, as if I were being pulled into the air, overwhelmed me, and the world around me began spinning.
‘What is this…?’
It felt like being trapped in a torrent of water, with gravity itself scattering.
As my surroundings blurred completely and I could no longer see the others, I felt someone place a hand on my shoulder.
“Amber, let go of that thing…!”
Although the voice was faint, I recognized it as Diamond’s.
-Flash.
Then everything around me turned pitch black.
“…?”
I stood there, still clutching the statue, bewildered as I looked around.
“My lady? Amethyst?”
The people who had been right in front of me moments ago were nowhere to be seen.
“Coral? Diamond? Is anyone here?”
Confused by the strange phenomenon, I cast a light spell to illuminate my surroundings.
“…!”
What I saw before me was a stone wall covered with strange markings.
Vines grew thickly over the surface, and what appeared to be human bones were scattered everywhere.
‘…Don’t tell me…’
The stench of rotting flesh and damp earth that had been faintly lingering became overwhelmingly clear.
In the distance, I could hear eerie cries, possibly from insects or beasts.
If the information I had was correct, this was an authentic underground labyrinth.
‘How did this happen…? More importantly, why was I sent here…?’
Just as my head was spinning with confusion, I heard rustling and heavy breathing from somewhere nearby.
‘…A monster?’
To think I’d end up alone and stranded here, facing a monster of all things.
I pressed my hand tightly over my mouth to keep silent and hid behind some structures.
With my current stats, I’d make an easy meal for any monster.
“…”
After waiting quietly for a while, the sounds seemed to fade.
‘Thank goodness, it must’ve left…’
“Amber?”
“Ahhhh…!”
As soon as I felt a hand on my shoulder, I screamed and fell backward.
“Please don’t eat me! I’m not tasty…!”
“Amber, it’s me, Diamond!”
Although it was too dark to see clearly, the voice was unmistakable.
“…Diamond?”
The person who had touched my shoulder was none other than Diamond Osteon.
For some reason, she was in the same space as me.
“I’ve been looking everywhere for you. Thank goodness…!”
She sighed in relief and hugged me tightly.
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Flashlight Amber