Monday.


    8:43 AM.


    It was time for the scheduled,byrinth dive.


    Labyrinths were a new phenomenon that started to emerge shortly after the cmity happened.


    Inside, mixed races of monsters often upied thesebyrinths. Since the mana inside was quite distinct, they had discovered that the minerals took a new form.


    These minerals had a hefty price after they discovered its properties. The minerals had mana so pure that it had caught the attention of guilds.


    The minerals uses vary, from powering houses, to even powering a small city itself.


    But what was booming in the market were magic weapons.


    Weapons enhanced by these minerals.


    For that reason, guilds ced importance in thesebyrinths.


    Whilebyrinths were owned by guilds, they could be rented by anyone for use.


    This was the structure that was implemented when establishing guilds.


    To start a guild, they must first own rights to abyrinth. Newbyrinths themselves were being discovered everyday. For that reason, new guilds had been emerging day by day after applying for a license from the main guild.


    Though it had to be said, guilds could own multiplebyrinths.


    Since the Imperial Academy was owned by the Imperial Army itself, it took no trouble for them to rent out thesebyrinths.


    At that moment, they stopped in their steps as soon as Zeke paused. Zeke turned around, looking at each and every one of the cadets present.


    "The rules are more or less the same as thebyrinth dive during your exams."


    The exam Brandon wasn''t actually present in.


    "Please be aware that the level of difficulty will not remain constant. With each subsequent exam, thebyrinths we face will be progressively more challenging. For this semester, we will be navigating B+ rankedbyrinths."


    ''Seems easy enough.''


    Then, Zeke raised his hand and pointed at the white bracelet on his wrist.


    "For safety reasons, simply activate the bracelet, and it will trigger an rm if you ever encounter danger. It will also transmit your location to me, allowing me to assist you. However, please be aware that once the bracelet is activated, you will be assigned an ''F'' grade."


    That was about it more or less.


    With that being said, they were soon instructed to enter thebyrinth along with their pairs.


    But if Brandon had to be honest, this pairing system was a hindrance to his ns.


    "Guess we''re working together again."


    "Kind of brings back memories. Hehe~"


    It had to be said,


    ….His pair was Amy.


    "What''s the point based system again?"


    Brandon asked as they trudged thebyrinth. Thebyrinth was a vast maze–looking cave, stretched out in an expanse of darkness.


    "One monster equates to one point. That''s the gist. Though there are variables depending on the monster''s difficulty. This bracelet is responsible for that evaluation."


    "I see."


    It was quite interesting.


    Thebyrinth system aside, the bracelet''s mechanism piqued his interest.


    Just how was it possible for the bracelet to evaluate the happenings of this test when thebyrinth itself was a natural urrence and not artificial?


    He had to get it checked with Ironaxe soon.


    "Brandon."


    "Yeah."


    It was then when they sensed something lurking in the corner. Immediately, they kept their guard up.


    SHIIING—


    While Amy''s arm extended forward, Brandon unsheathed the de on his waist.


    "You know, the fact that you use a sword now still surprises me. Those chains as well. Your entire fighting style has changed drastically."


    Then, Amy turned towards him. It wasn''t actually the time to do so. But Amy seemed to be confident that Brandon could handle whatever happens inside the B+ rankedbyrinth.


    "Why aren''t you using your elements?"


    "I don''t have them anymore."


    Simple as that.


    "I''ve never heard of a phenomenon where someone loses their affinities. But okay, I won''t ask."


    "I just lost them at some point. That''s really it."


    "Is that so?"


    At that moment, a magic circle materialized and water bullets shot out. The monster hadn''t even emerged yet. So Brandon was unsure what kind of monster it was.


    —Kuu!


    But hearing the resounding scream, he now had an idea.


    "A goblin?"


    "I think so?"


    Amy curiously tilted her head. An innocent look spread across her features as if she hadn''t just murdered three goblins at once.


    If goblins were here….


    "Wait, Amy. Lower your hand."


    "Hm?"


    Amy did as instructed. But followed up with a question.


    "Why?"


    "I have an idea."


    A way to swiftly breach the top ranks.


    ***


    At the moment, the ranking goes;


    —Raven and Reba: 22 Points.


    —Reinhard and Klein: 17 Points.


    —Rachel and Cyrus: 9 Points.


    .


    .


    Brandon and Amy weren''t even in the top 10s yet.


    But it had to be said that they had barely found anything in the five minutes that had passed.


    The goblin encounter was the first.


    They trudged thebyrinth until they finally encountered another group of goblins.


    —Kuku!


    The goblins were immediately alerted, raising their weapons, and rushing towards Brandon.


    However, Brandon reacted indifferently and walked towards them, de sheathed.


    "Brandon, what are you doing!?"


    Amy, who stood behind him, screamed.


    "Rx. I''ve got this."


    Brandon nonchntly assured her, looking at the goblins with a calm expression.


    —Kuu!


    The goblins had started attacking him at that moment. However, Brandon swiftly dodged each of their attacks without retorting back.


    Amy could only stand dumbfounded by what he was doing.


    Is he an idiot?


    But that aside, Brandon maneuvered through their weapons smoothly with no wasted movements.


    She had seen him take them all alone a couple days back. And it was true, his increase in strength was truly surprising.


    She looked at her hand and wondered.


    "Can I be as strong as him?"


    She whispered, then raised her head and looked at Brandon, who was dodging each attack effortlessly.


    "Huh?"


    It was then when she noticed.


    His mouth was moving.


    Was he chanting something?


    No, as she looked closely, she listened more intently.


    "Kuku…."


    —Kukaa!


    What in the world.


    She listened even more closely.


    "Kukuku!"


    There was no misunderstanding.


    Brandon was definitely trying tomunicate with the goblins.


    Has he lost it?


    He must''ve had.


    That must''ve been it.


    Else, there''d be no other reason.


    Amy was just about to leave and scream, "Help! Brandon has gone crazy!" But she paused in her steps upon realizing themotion had died down.


    Amy turned back around. Brandon was currently standing still, and the goblins….


    "Kukuko?"


    —Kakaka!


    They were listening to him.


    No way.


    "No way!"


    This is insane.


    How did he even….?


    "Amy!"


    "Ah?"


    Amy couldn''t help but show her perplexion as she tilted her head.


    "Come here."


    "Uh?"


    She hesitated. On the off chance that the goblins would attack, well….


    Nevermind.


    They were goblins.


    The lowest in thebyrinth''s hierarchy.


    Even someone like her could handle them.


    "Huu…."


    Right, there was no need to think too deeply about it. Brandon had already shown everyone unexinable things.


    This might have taken the cake as probably the strangest thing he had ever done, but still….


    Clearing her thoughts, Amy approached Brandon and the goblins.


    ***


    "Amy, meet Kuzo, this group''s leader."


    "...."


    "Don''t be rude. Come on, shake hands."


    "No, no way!"


    She screamed. Immediately, the goblins were startled and raised their weapons once again.


    Brandon had to ease them once more.


    "Kukoko….."


    —Kuu….


    "This is my friend, Amy. Don''t be startled, she''s got a few screws loose, but she''s a good girl."


    —I see. That can''t be helped then. You are the only human with such profound understanding, and handsomeness added to that.


    "Haha. Of course, Kuzo, but no need for such ttery. Anyway, can you lead us to your camp?"


    —No worries. Follow me, my handsome lord.


    Brandon nodded his head in response, and the goblins soon walked forward.


    Then, he turned around, only to see Amy frowning.


    "What''s wrong?"


    "You just insulted me, didn''t you?"


    "No? Why would I?"


    "How did you even do that?"


    "Do what?"


    "Talk with those goblins."


    "No idea."


    Brandon just shrugged and walked away.


    "Youing, or not?"


    "Ah, wait."


    Amy ran towards him and walked side–by–side. Ahead of them, were the goblins who walked with little legs. Now that she thought about it, they were kind of cute.


    "Where are we going?"


    "You''ll see."


    It would be way easier to exin once they actually get there.


    A couple of minutes passed, and they soon arrived in a location where several goblins gathered.


    There were actually quite a lot.


    The entire space was illuminated by torches strewn all over the cold rocky ground.


    Most probably stolen from rankers who had left the torches behind.


    "You get where I''m going with this now, Amy?"


    "So you asked them to lead us here, only for us to kill them all? Am I understanding correctly?"


    "You are."


    "That''s kinda brutal…."


    "You see that?"


    Brandon pointed at a peculiar corner.


    "That''s…."


    It was a skeleton, adorning armor. Most likely, a ranker they killed.


    "Still hesitating?"


    "No."


    "Good."


    Swoosh—!


    Immediately, Brandon''s figure disappeared, and blood started spattering in the air.


    Thump!


    In just a few seconds, heads started rolling on the ground. Once again, Amy was taken aback by Brandon''s sheer prowess.


    However, sheposed herself soon after and extended her hand forward.


    Magic circles started appearing from where she stood. At that moment, several water based magic attacks lunged out of the magic circle and headed towards several goblins.


    Amy started attacking the side Brandon wasn''t currently covering. But it had to be said that wherever Brandon went, heads started rolling on the ground.


    Goblins started falling, one after another from their attacks.


    While Amy''s eyes could more or less follow his movements, there were brief instances where all she could see was the reflection of his sword.


    "Strong…."


    *


    At the end of it, the chamber fell silent. Blood filled the entire ce, and the two currently stood by the exit.


    Peering into the bracelet, Brandon scanned the rankings.


    —Brandon and Amy: 67 Points.


    —Raven and Reba: 54 Points.


    —Reinhard and Klein: 42 Points.


    —Rachel and Cyrus: 33 Points.


    .


    .


    They were currently in first ce.


    "Now what?"


    Amy asked.


    "We find more monsters."


    Just like that, they left the chamber and began their hunt for more points.


    Brandon had to clear this exam.


    The goal for today was 150 points. If the objective is aplished, they could leave thebyrinth anytime they wanted.


    He had to finish as fast as possible while they were waiting.


    Waiting for his signal.


    At that moment, Brandon''s phone rang.


    Immediately, he checked the message.


    —We''re in position, nk.