The Academy’s Rejected Mage

The Dungeon Expedition

Kai’s POV

“Congratulations to the students who placed among the winners in the last competition. You qualify for the—.”

“DUNGEON EXPEDITION!” The students complete the professor’s words excitedly and a cheer explodes through the classroom. An expedition? What is that? I haven’t been here long enough to know so many things about the academy.

“Another thing.” The professor's voice cuts into their excitement. His eyes then settle on me. “You’ll be having two extra students who did not join in the competition accompany you on the expedition.”

One student stands immediately. “That makes no sense, professor. For you to qualify for the dungeon expedition, you need to have participated in the competition.”

The professor looks at him with little interest. “Do you think I don’t know the rules?”

“So why do we have those two students following us then?” The boy stares at me as he asks his question.

“I think the real question should be who are these two students?” another girl asks. “Good question. They’re Jafser Holmes who is a new student and is required to go and learn from more experienced mages while the second person is,” the professor looks at me again. “Kai Blackwell.” The room goes silent.

It’s not like I want to go either. I raise my hand. “Professor, do I have to? I also don’t believe it’s fair to go on the expedition if I didn’t perform in the competition.”

He raises a brow. “Except you did perform, Kai. Not officially, but you saved one of the students from harm so the principal thought it was good to put you on.”

He looks back at the students. “And that means this is the end of this discussion. As for the expedition,” The professor smiles knowingly. “It’ll last for three days, and as usual you’re all advised to put in your all. Remember, the mage with the most artifacts and wins gets a prize from the Academy.”

Before I can make sense of what he said, the arena explodes again, much louder this time. The students seem to have forgotten their grievances about me going. I stare at Jafser as he jumps around excitedly. What in the hell is going on?

“You did it man!” Jafser says, joining me. I stare, mumbling. “Thank you.” He notices my confusion. “Don’t tell me you don’t know what he means?”

“If I did, I’m certain you would see it on my face.” His eyes widen dramatically. “You really don’t know?” I stare silently, and he suddenly grabs my shoulders. “We’re going into a dungeon!”

“Yeah, I heard him.”

“No. You heard the words. You don’t understand what they mean.”

I push his hand away. “Then explain.”

He lowers his voice like he’s about to tell me a royal secret. “A dungeon expedition involves magical cores, artifacts, the actual ones, not the replica junk they show us in class…at least at my former academy. Ranking points that actually matter. Real combat experience against real scary monsters instead of controlled training dummies that flinch when you sneeze at them.”

“Okay…”

“And…” he drops his voice again. “Three days in a private house. Away from dorm curfew. Away from professors eyes. Away from supervision.”

He wiggles his brows like I’m supposed to understand what he means. “Okay cool, but I still don’t understand why everyone’s this excited.”

He looks at me like I’ve grown a second head.

“Man, you’re hopeless.”

“Why?”

“You want me to spell it out? Three days. Boys and girls. Private house,” he practically yells.

“So?”

He lowers his voice even further. “Soooo, enough time for you and Aelia to spend together.” He bursts out laughing foolishly like he just said something interesting.

I stare. “So an assignment is given but you’re thinking about girls?”

“I’m thinking about…opportunities.”

I shake my head, laughing softly. A few students around laugh until the professor’s voice cuts through again with one final announcement. “The academy will provide accommodation near the dungeon entrance. Your meals and equipment will be supplied as usual. And you are expected to follow every instruction given by your assigned leader.”

Jafser looks around. “Who is our assigned leader?” He looks back at me, eyes picking up a glint. “Oh, maybe it’ll be you.”

“Are you kidding?” Someone speaks from behind. “No matter how impressive he is, he is still a D-level mage. Something he probably got through luck.”

I throw the speaker a sharp look and he cowers quickly but continues. “We’ll have higher level majes in each group, surely that position is reserved for them.”

“You never can tell, Damon. The instructor may surprise all of us,” Jafser jokes and we all laugh again until someone clears his throat behind us. I turn and see Orin standing there. About time. I expected him to come and punch me sooner. Jafser’s eyes widen suddenly as if he has seen a ghost.

“What is it, Jafser?” I ask urgently. He doesn’t say anything but instead uses his eyes to direct me to something. That’s when I see it. The leadership badge pasted on Orin’s chest.

“Team four,” he yells, calling the group members together. Our eyes meet for a second and he just smirks before looking at the group. “I’ve been appointed team leader.”

A few students clap. Jafser is about to do same but looks at me and stops which I hate. I’m not stopping anyone from doing what they like. “Congratulations,” I say flatly.

He smiles. “Thank you.” I must confess it’s an easy, warm smile. The kind I don’t expect from him.

He looks at me. “Look, I know we’ve had our differences.” He says it loudly enough for everyone to hear. “But we’re teammates now and I want this expedition to go smoothly. For all of us. Okay?”

I study him, trying to catch what game he’s playing. Not too long ago, he looked red when I held his girl but now he’s smiling and throwing peaceful talks at me? Hmm.

“Fine,” I say.

“Great,” he follows, then he steps closer and claps me once on the shoulder like we’re old friends. I don’t give any reaction.

He turns toward the others. “We leave in one hour. Make sure you have everything you need. The academy will provide the expedition equipment, but bring anything personal you might need for three days.”

The group starts talking amongst themselves while I keep watching Orin. Jafser leans toward me as soon as Orin turns his back. “That was weirdly civil.”

“Yeah, tell me about it.”

“Do you think he means any of it?”

I lock my jaw. “Whether he means it or not has nothing to do with me. As long as he respects himself on this trip, we’ll have no issues.” Jafser’s brows raise. And to my surprise, he doesn’t immediately make a joke. That is a sign. “I guess you’re right. I mean it’s not like he’ll sabotage the team he’s leading. Right?”

I don’t answer.

We leave within the hour—all nine of us towards our destination. The Harlen dungeon house they call it.

Jafser has spent the entire walk telling me l about the kinds of artifacts he hopes to find. I barely hear him but I don’t think he cares at all.

Finally, we get to a lone building. “That’s our house?” Jafser asks. Orin nods. “And I’m sure we’re all going to have fun inside.” The house is much larger than I expected. It’s a three story building with dark stone walls that automatically makes you know something terrible is probably lurking around.

Orin smiles and stops beside me. Although I don’t remember inviting him. “I know this is your first time, Kai. If you need anything, let me know.” I really want to call him out on his bullshit but then, I’ll be the problematic student who refuses to let things go.

“Thanks,” I say quietly.

“You’re quiet.”

“I’m always quiet.”

He laughs. “True.” He pauses briefly then continues. “I mean it, though. About starting clean.”

I look at him. “Yeah I get. Three days is a long time to hold a grudge in such close quarters.”

“Exactly.” He puts his hand out for a shake and I take it. We finally get inside the house that seems to grow larger the deeper with more steps we take. Students scurry around, trying to pick the perfect room.

I glance at Aelia and realize I haven’t seen her since that incident. Is she now avoiding me? Silly girl.

“Race you upstairs.” Jafser comes out of nowhere, interrupting my moment. “No.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re going to lose.”

He grins. “Just say you’re scared to lose.”

I smirk, about to take the challenge when Orin claps his hands, drawing everyone’s attention. “Please confirm your gears are correct and complete, and don’t forget the briefing later in the evening.” A few students groan.

“Oh relax. There’s good news too.”

“What is it?” A student asks. His voice drops to a dramatic whisper. “There’ll be games tonight. Truth or dare.”

They all squeal excitedly. Orin smiles at me briefly, but I can’t help the strange feeling that something feels out of place. Something about this expedition might go wrong.