Chapter 131: Entering the Necropolis

The night passed without incident. The following day, as the morning classes concluded, the trio led by Nikta arrived early to surround Lando. Other students who had yet to leave watched on with amusement, eager to see a show. Nikta and his companions, however, were unbothered; in fact, they seemed to relish the attention.

"My dear junior," Nikta said with a hint of mockery, "surely after all this time, you have given it some thought? I trust you are now willing to choose friendship with us, aren't you?"

Lando sat in a corner by the window. Through the glass, he spotted Laurel walking slowly toward them. Given Laurel’s popularity at the academy, a stir had already rippled through the onlookers in the distance, though those inside the classroom remained oblivious.

Lando feigned a surge of 'courage' and replied, "Classmate Nikta, I do not wish to give up my spot."

Nikta’s face darkened instantly. Lando's public refusal seemed to make him lose face, and the feeling that his classmates were watching him like a spectacle only fueled his irritation. "Doran, it seems you aren't as clever as I thought. This is clearly a simple multiple-choice question; why must you insist on an answer that defies expectations? Since you refuse to be my friend, then you are my enemy!"

With that, Nikta stared coldly at Lando, seemingly waiting for him to break down and beg for mercy.

Suddenly, a cry of surprise erupted in the classroom: "It’s Senior Laurel! Why is he here?!"

Nikta turned, his eyes narrowing sharply as he saw Laurel standing at the classroom door with a gentle smile.

Laurel said warmly, "Doran, didn't I tell you to come find me immediately after class? We agreed that I would introduce you to His Highness today. Why are you still here?"

Lando, playing the part of someone flustered, stammered, "Senior Laurel, I..."

"Very well, come with me now. Let us not keep His Highness waiting," Laurel interrupted, then turned to Nikta. "Classmate Nikta, I assume you have no other business here?"

Nikta hesitated. He was no fool; knowing the situation was beyond salvage, he forced a smile. "Of course. Classmate Doran, I was actually doing this for your own good. Since you are unwilling, so be it. We can still be friends in the future."

With an ugly expression, Nikta turned and hurried away.

Lando approached Laurel, his face filled with 'gratitude.' "Thank you, Senior, for intervening. I truly wouldn't have known what to do otherwise."

"It is nothing. It is a promise I made to you, and I would not hesitate to offend Earl Tolancy for it," Laurel replied calmly.

Lando’s face showed even deeper 'gratitude' and 'admiration,' but inside, he was cursing. He thought to himself that this senior was putting on far too much of a performance—merely using the Prince’s name to help him once, yet acting as if he had declared total war on Earl Tolancy. Did he really think Lando was some ignorant bumpkin?

Oh, right. Lando was currently playing exactly that role. Never mind then.

Seeing that the moment was ripe, Laurel said to Lando, "In truth, everything I said today is real. His Highness truly appreciates you. However, to earn an audience with him, you must wait until you have returned from the Necropolis and performed brilliantly. How about it? Do you have the confidence?"

Lando felt a stir of excitement and replied with a 'passionate' look, "Of course! I will not let you or His Highness down!"

The following days were peaceful. Because news of Lando being favored by the Prince had spread like wildfire, no one dared to trouble him again. Lando knew this was the calm before the storm. According to the typical progression of such plots, everyone was waiting for his first performance. If he succeeded, the Prince’s favor would translate into tangible benefits, and all past grievances would be wiped clean. If he failed, the consequences would be far worse than merely losing the Prince's favor.

***

The Necropolis was located deep in the mountains behind the Imperial Court. Originally a natural cavern, it possessed the unique property of condensing death energy, which attracted a vast number of undead creatures. After the Imperial Court discovered it, they sent experts to clear and renovate the site, and introduced a species of undead adept at tunneling—the Death Worm—which further expanded the cavern system.

The Necropolis was now highly developed. Thanks to seals placed by Imperial experts, the undead on each level were generally of the same tier. Lando did not know how many levels there were, but his teacher had warned him that at his level, it was relatively safe to operate within the first two floors, as they contained only third-tier undead or lower. As for venturing deeper, he would have to rely on his own luck.

In this regard, Nikta hadn't actually lied to him; every year, greedy people died there, becoming fodder for the undead or turning into new undead creatures themselves.

Today was the day the awakeners of the Central Academy were to head to the Necropolis. Led by several teachers, nearly a hundred awakeners were brought to the entrance. This group included not only newcomers like Lando but also upperclassmen like Laurel.

Lando listened listlessly as the teacher explained the precautions for entering the Necropolis while scanning the other awakeners. Suddenly, he felt several hostile gazes. His eyes swept across the crowd, and he spotted Nikta staring at him with a malicious, vengeful expression, whispering to those beside him.

Lando noticed their small group of six or seven, but after a single glance, he stopped paying attention, secretly shaking his head. A bunch of fools courting death, completely unaware that a giant 'DANGER' sign was already hanging over their heads.

Lando’s primary focus remained on the upperclassmen. He keenly noticed Laurel whispering to someone nearby. A thought occurred to him, and he secretly activated the power of his Mind Palace to sharpen his senses. Faint sounds drifted in on the wind.

"...deep within... gestating... magic..."

He only caught a few words, but Lando guessed that something was gestating in the depths of the Necropolis. He was quite interested in this, as the depths were exactly where he intended to explore. Perhaps he might find something valuable. As for whether his actions might affect the Necropolis later? Who cared about that!

After a full half-hour, the teacher on the platform finally finished his rambling. At his signal, the students entered the Necropolis in batches. Naturally, the upperclassmen went first, and the freshmen like Lando were left for last.

Once Lando entered and passed through a simple tunnel, he found himself in a vast space. Dozens of cave entrances of varying sizes were arranged before him, and those who had entered earlier had already vanished.

As Lando considered which entrance to choose, he once again felt those hostile gazes—even more this time. He turned to see Nikta staring at him with mockery, dragging his thumb across his throat. The people around him erupted in laughter, while the other students mostly turned a blind eye.

A strange expression crossed Lando's face. He stopped hesitating and chose a cave entrance at random, ducking inside as if fleeing in a panic.

The laughter behind him grew louder. They seemed to be playing a hunting game, only they had yet to realize who was the hunter and who was the prey.