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"Thanks, Professor. I'll make sure to practice more," I said, trying to shake off the tension as I walked toward the edge of the courtyard, where Elara stood waiting. Her sharp, almost predatory gaze followed my every movement.

"You're getting better," she said as I approached, her voice soft but carrying an undertone I couldn't quite place. "Combining elemental magic like that takes skill."

I crossed my arms, keeping a safe distance. "Thanks, but what are you doing here, Elara?"

She shrugged, her icy demeanor not faltering. "Just observing. I thought I'd take a break from my own training to see how the 'star of the academy' is preparing for the dungeon test."

Her words were flattering on the surface, but something in her tone felt calculated, like she was testing me. I could feel the subtle pressure she was trying to exert.

"I don't know if I'd call myself that," I said, my voice casual, but my eyes never leaving hers. "Everyone's preparing hard, including you, right?"

She smiled, a cold, enigmatic curve of her lips. "Of course. But let's just say I have a different strategy for approaching this test. You and your team seem so... confident." She paused, her gaze sharp. "It'll be interesting to see how things unfold."

There was an edge to her words, a hint that she knew more than she was letting on. I wasn't sure if she was bluffing or if she had some plan I wasn't aware of, but I wasn't going to let her rattle me.

"Yeah, it will be," I replied, matching her calm tone. "Good luck with your strategy, Elara."

Without another word, she turned and walked away, disappearing into the shadows just as she always did. Watching her leave, I couldn't help but feel that her presence was a sign of things to come. She was dangerous, not just because of her talent but because of her unpredictability.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the academy grounds, I took a deep breath. There was no time to dwell on Elara's cryptic behavior. The dungeon test was looming closer, and I needed to keep my head in the game.

Anyway, girls must be waiting in my dorm room. I better make sure I don't keep them waiting too long.

Walking back to the dorm, my mind still lingered on the encounter with Elara. She had a way of getting under my skin, and I knew I had to keep an eye on her. Whatever her plans were, I couldn't afford to let my guard down.

As I approached my dorm room, I could hear the familiar voices of Eveline and Lily chatting inside. Their lighthearted banter brought a smile to my face, easing the tension from my earlier training session. I opened the door to find Liliana lounging on one of the chairs with a mischievous grin, while Lily sat by the window, her expression softer as she glanced my way.

"Took you long enough," Eveline teased, tossing a pillow in my direction. "We were beginning to think you got lost in your own thoughts again."

I chuckled, catching the pillow mid-air. "Nah, just lost track of time. Professor Lincoln had me practicing some new techniques."

"Always training hard, huh?" Lily remarked, her tone warm. "We're lucky to have you leading us through the dungeon test."

I shrugged modestly. "It's not just me. We're a team, remember? We'll get through this together."

Eveline rolled her eyes playfully. "Yeah, yeah, Mister Humble Leader. Now that you're back, how about we go over the final strategy for the test? Liliana, Sionna and Raven will be joining us soon, and we need to make sure we've got everything in place."

I nodded, setting the pillow aside as I moved to join them. "Let's do it."

Eveline pulled out a map of the academy's fake dungeon, laying it on the table in front of us. "I've been thinking about our approach," she said, tracing her finger along one of the main paths. "We know the dungeon's structure is designed to test teamwork and adaptability. There are traps, puzzles, and some seriously tough monsters. We need to plan for every possible scenario."

Lily leaned forward, her eyes focused. "Right. Samael, you're our strongest fighter but as we have to stop always relaying on you. We would do the heavy lifting while you just have to lead us and guide us through the tougher parts. We'll have to trust each other more than ever."

I nodded, appreciating her words. "Exactly. It's all about balance. We know that the dungeon is unpredictable, so adaptability is key. I'll focus on supporting you all with magic, but I need you guys to trust your instincts and cover for each other."

Eveline smirked. "I've got your back, Samael. Just don't get too comfortable leading from behind."

Liliana chimed in, her usual calm confidence showing through. "I think it's important we each stick to our strengths. Raven can handle ranged attacks, Sionna's water magic will help with defenses, and I'll be there to heal and support."

Lily nodded. "We'll keep each other safe."

Sometime later, the door opened and remaining girls joined us with Seraphina in tow. She seemed somewhat hesitant but smiled as she took a seat beside Sionna.

"Looks like we're all here now," I said, looking around at the assembled group. "Thanks for coming, Seraphina. I know you've been busy with your own training."

Seraphina nodded, her silvery hair shimmering in the dim light of the room. "I wouldn't miss it. If I'm going to be part of this team, I need to know how we work together."

Eveline grinned. "Welcome aboard. We're just going over the final details of our plan for the dungeon test."

Seraphina's eyes flickered with determination. "Good. I'll do my part."

With everyone gathered, we dove into the specifics of the strategy. We reviewed the traps we might encounter, how we'd navigate the puzzle rooms, and which roles each of us would take in combat. I could feel the tension in the room ease as the conversation flowed, each of us contributing our thoughts and ideas.

***

(One day remaining)

Yawn~

Sionna's yawn pulled me back from my thoughts as I saw her head on my lap with her indigo hair spilling over my legs, a peaceful expression on her face. It was late, and the energy in the room had shifted from strategizing to a more relaxed camaraderie.

Eveline chuckled softly, nudging Sionna's shoulder. "Look at you, falling asleep on the job! I guess leading the charge can be exhausting."

Sionna stirred slightly, her eyes fluttering open. "I wasn't sleeping," she mumbled, but the blush on her cheeks betrayed her. "Just resting my eyes."

Liliana laughed lightly, her voice filled with warmth. "Rest is just as important as training, Sionna. We all need to be at our best for the test."

Lily leaned back in her chair, her gaze drifting towards the window where the moon cast a silvery glow. "I hope we can really pull together in there. It's one thing to plan, but another to execute under pressure."

"Don't worry," I said, trying to instill confidence in the group. "We've trained for this, and we know each other's strengths. Trust me, we're going to crush this test."

"Crush it, huh?" Eveline quipped with a playful smirk. "Maybe you'll even earn yourself some admirers in the process, Mister Star of the Academy."

I rolled my eyes, but there was a smile on my face. "I'm just trying to keep us alive, that's the main goal."

"True, but it wouldn't hurt to look good while doing it," she replied with a wink.

As the laughter echoed around the room, I couldn't help but feel grateful for this moment. Despite the looming challenges, the bond we shared made everything feel a little lighter. The weight of Elara's scrutiny and the uncertainty of the test faded, if only for a moment.

Just as the conversation flowed, Seraphina spoke up, her tone serious yet filled with determination. "I've been thinking about our strategy, and I believe we should create a signal system for when we're in combat. It'll help us coordinate our movements without having to shout over the noise."

"That's a great idea," Liliana agreed, her eyes shining with interest. "It would help us stay focused and react faster."

I nodded in agreement. "Good thinking, Seraphina. Let's develop a few simple signals we can use."

With that, we started brainstorming signals, using gestures and hand signs that would be easily recognized even in the heat of battle. The lighthearted atmosphere transformed back into one of intense focus as we considered every possible scenario.

The hours slipped by, and soon enough, the light from the moon was the only illumination in the room. Eventually, the discussion wound down, and we found ourselves stretching and yawning, fatigue settling in after the long day.

"Alright, everyone," I said, standing up and gathering the scattered maps and notes. "Let's call it a night. We'll need our rest if we're going to perform our best tomorrow."

Lily stood up with me, offering a warm smile. "Thanks for bringing us together, Samael. I feel a lot more prepared."

"Me too," Sionna added, rubbing her eyes. "Goodnight, everyone."

As the girls began to filter out, I took a moment to gather my thoughts. I felt a renewed sense of determination. With the bonds we were building and the strategies we were crafting, I was confident we could face whatever awaited us in the dungeon.

Just before I turned off the lights, I glanced out the window, the stars twinkling like distant beacons. "Tomorrow will be our day," I whispered to myself, feeling the weight of the challenges ahead but also the support of my friends behind me.

With that thought in mind, I settled into bed, allowing the weariness of the day to pull me into a deep, peaceful sleep.

.

..

...

[To Be Continued]

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Stone Me!, I can take it.

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