Shield Of Vengeance

###Chapter 19: A New Activity

As the dust from the battle settled, the teacher's voice rang out, commanding but calm. "Alright, everyone, that's enough for today. You've all done well. Class is over. Take some time to rest and recover, you'll need it."

The students relaxed, some letting out sighs of relief while others chatted excitedly about the challenges they had faced. Arie and the Princess exchanged glances, a newfound respect passing silently between them.

"You did great out there," the Princess said, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

Arie nodded slightly, his voice calm. "Thanks. You carried most of the fight, though. If it weren't for you, I don't think I'd have snapped out of it."

She smirked, though her expression softened with a hint of pride. "Well, you got there eventually. And when you did, you were impressive."

They stood for a moment longer, reflecting on the battle. Arie thanked her for holding her ground while he froze, and she teased him lightly about his delayed response. Finally, they said their goodbyes and headed off to rest.

That night passed uneventfully. Arie lay in bed, replaying the events in his mind. For the first time in what felt like ages, he felt like he had made real progress—not just as a fighter, but as someone who could face his fears.

The next morning, the sun filtered through the windows as Arie ate his breakfast, ready for the day. Arriving at the school, he spotted the Princess waiting near the entrance.

"Good morning," he called, walking over to her.

She glanced his way, a faint smile on her lips. "Morning. Think you're ready for whatever the teacher has planned this time?"

"After what happened yesterday, I feel like I'm still not fully recovered" he said with a small laugh.

They spoke casually for a while, their conversation lighthearted while walking. Just as Arie and Princess Lea sat at their seats, the sound of footsteps interrupted them. The teacher entered the class room, clipboard in hand, and immediately commanded everyone's attention.

"Good morning, class," he began, his voice carrying easily over the chatter. "I hope you've all recovered from yesterday, because today's activity will push you further."

The students straightened, their attention fixed on him.

"Today, you'll build on what you learned yesterday," the teacher continued. "We'll be testing your ability to apply those skills in a realistic environment. That's right—we're going to the dungeon."

A ripple of reactions swept through the group. Some students grinned in excitement, while others exchanged nervous glances.

The teacher raised his hand, silencing the murmurs. "We'll be heading to the 20th floor of the dungeon. It's a step up from the training yesterday, but it's designed to challenge you without overwhelming you—assuming you work together." He paused, scanning the class. "Some of you struggled during yesterday's activity. If you feel unprepared, you'll have permission to team up with classmates who performed well. Teamwork is the key here."

The class remained silent, processing his words.

"You have five minutes to prepare," the teacher announced. "Decide your teams and make sure you're ready. We'll leave shortly."

The moment he finished speaking, the class erupted into motion. Students formed groups quickly, their chatter filling the air as they finalized their plans. Arie and the Princess didn't need to discuss anything—they were already an established pair.

But as Arie glanced around, something caught his eye. Sitting off to the side, away from the commotion, was a lone girl. She looked small and unsure of herself, her shoulders hunched as if she were trying to make herself invisible. Her expression was a mixture of worry and fear, and she made no move to join any of the groups forming around her.

Arie frowned. He didn't like seeing someone left out, especially when they were clearly struggling. He know full well... what's it like being alone. He turned to the Princess. "Do you mind if we bring her into our team?"

The Princess followed his gaze to the girl and shrugged. "Do as you please," she said simply, though her tone wasn't unkind.

"Thank you, ma'am," Arie replied with a smirk, earning himself a small eye-roll from the Princess.

He approached the girl slowly, not wanting to startle her. Stopping a few steps in front of her, he spoke gently. "Hello. Why are you sitting here alone?"

The girl looked up, startled. Her voice was soft and hesitant as she answered. "Oh, um… it's just that I'm only a healer. I can't fight, and… I'm weak."

Her words were laced with self-doubt, and she avoided his gaze as if expecting him to dismiss her. But Arie's expression remained calm, his voice steady. "Alright then, join us. We could really use a healer. "Weak? I don't think so. Healers are just as important as fighters. Without someone like you, a team wouldn't last long."

Her eyes widened, a flicker of disbelief crossing her face. "Really?" she asked. Then she shook her head. "Wait… no, I'll just be a burden to both of you."

Arie shook his head firmly. "Don't worry. I promise—I'll protect you, no matter what"

She stared at him for a moment, her hesitation slowly fading. Finally, she nodded. "If you say so… I'll join."

Arie gave her a small smile and gestured toward the Princess. "Come on, let's meet the rest of the team."

The girl followed him tentatively, her steps unsure but determined. When they reached the Princess, Arie introduced her. Princess, this is our new teammate. "Princess, this is our new teammate. She's a healer."

"I see. And what's your name?" the princess asked.

"Oh, um… I'm Liana." the girl replied.

"Welcome to the team, Liana. Stay close, and you'll be fine." she nodded and said.

"She's got nothing to worry about—we've got her covered." Arie said.

"Good. Let's make this work." the princess replied.

The Princess gave a brief nod of acknowledgment but said nothing further, her focus already shifting back to the task ahead.

Just as the five minutes came to an end, the teacher clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention. "Time's up! I hope you've chosen wisely, because this activity will push you to your limits. Remember, this isn't just about your individual skills—it's about working as a team."

The class now followed the teacher to the dungeon, and gathered near the entrance of the dungeon. With a large, ominous doorway now in front of them. Its dark interior seemed to hum with energy, a faint glow emanating from runes etched into the stone.

Some students shifted nervously, their earlier confidence waning as they stood before the daunting entrance. Others looked eager, their eyes glinting with anticipation.

Arie glanced at the healer, noticing her nervous expression. He gave her a reassuring nod. "Stick with us. You'll be fine."

The girl nodded back, her grip tightening on the staff she carried.

The teacher stepped forward, his voice cutting through the tension. "We'll go to the 20th floor. Inside, you'll encounter various challenges. Stay focused, trust your teammates, and most importantly, don't lose sight of your objective. We'll begin shortly."

As the students murmured among themselves, Arie felt a sense of determination rising within him. He glanced at his team—the Princess, ever composed, and the healer, still hesitant but showing glimmers of resolve. Together, they stood at the threshold of the dungeon, ready to face whatever lay ahead.

A new adventure awaited.