The tunnel's magical torches cast dancing shadows as we descended past the first two levels. These areas remained empty as the Academy's diligent maintenance crews cleared out any monster nests that formed here.

Stay alert, I transmitted through Mind Speech as we reached the third floor. First contact incoming.

A chorus of chittering echoed through the passage. Three Cavern Crickets skittered around the corner, their armored carapaces gleaming dully in the torchlight. Behind them, a swarm of Gloam Bugs buzzed through the air, their translucent wings casting strange patterns on the walls.

"Formation Three," Langdon called out. The students moved with practiced efficiency. Copelan and Patter took point while Annes and Yulios covered the flanks. My golden tendril lashed out, crushing two Gloam Bugs mid-flight.

"Not bad," Langdon raised an eyebrow at my new appendage's speed. "Though I'd expected more resistance from level eight monsters."

The fights continued as we pushed deeper. Vile Roaches proved little challenge for our coordinated attacks. My tendril's fluid movements complemented the group's practiced formations perfectly, plugging gaps in our defense while creating openings for decisive strikes.

By the sixth floor, the air grew thick with the musty scent of Cave Stalkers. A pack of them prowled the shadows ahead. Analyze showed each at level 15.

"Remember your Titan Slaying forms," Langdon instructed as three stalkers charged.

Annes flowed around the first creature's lunging bite, her sword finding the weak spot behind its skull. Copelan and Sven worked in tandem, one drawing attention while the other struck. Their movements showed none of the hesitation from our early training sessions.

My auric steel tendril proved devastating. It cut through the air faster than any monster could track, the golden metal humming with channeled mana. When a Giant Cave Cricket leaped from the ceiling, my tendril caught it mid-jump, crushing its thorax with a single squeeze.

"Impressive weapon," Langdon commented as I whipped the tendril in a wide arc, scattering a group of approaching stalkers. "Custom work?"

My own design, I replied, the tendril coiling protectively around myself. The alloy channels mana exceptionally well.

The eighth floor tunnel opened into a vast cavern dotted with luminous fungi. Cave Stalkers prowled between crystalline formations while Spear Beetles scuttled along the walls. My tendril made short work of any that ventured too close.

"Break time," Langdon called after we cleared the area. He settled onto a fallen crystal column, studying us with narrowed eyes. "You know, you're all remarkably good at this."

The others exchanged glances. My tendril coiled tighter.

"Too good," Langdon continued. "Your movements are coordinated. Precise. You've fought these creatures before."

Annes stepped forward. "Sir, I can explain. I was part of an adventuring party before the Academy. I've been in a Hellzone before and fought monsters like these. I've just been sharing what I learned-"

"Stop." Langdon's voice cut through her explanation. "Every Hellzone has monsters unique only to them. The only exception is the Lodrik Hellzone, where creatures from all twelve zones mingle." He leaned forward. "So unless you've been there specifically, you wouldn't know these monsters' patterns."

Silence fell heavy as crystal shadows.

"Who did you bribe?" Langdon demanded. "Which guard let you in? This place is dangerous! Students have died here. You can't just sneak in whenever you please."

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We haven't been sneaking in, I projected firmly. This is our first time in the Academy Hellzone. While you were off drinking yourself into oblivion, we were training. Hard. That's all.

It was a cruel thing to say. I watched shame flicker across his face, but beneath it, doubt remained.

"Maybe so," he said finally, standing. "I'll drop it. But remember this: the Hellzone isn't some training ground. It's a death trap for the unprepared." He gestured at the crystalline cavern. "Beautiful, isn't it? Deadly too. Like everything down here."

My tendril traced patterns in the air as I considered his words. He wasn't wrong about the danger. But we'd learned to handle it, learned to work together. Sometimes survival required breaking rules.

"Let's move on," Langdon said. "But consider yourselves warned."

I followed behind the group as we pressed deeper, my tendril ready to defend them all. We'd keep our secret. We had to.

Sweat dripped from Copelan's brow as we ascended yet another winding passage. The trek back up felt longer than our descent, each step heavier than the last. My tendril lashed out, dispatching a lone Cave Stalker that thought our exhausted group made easy prey.

"Just three more floors," Langdon called back. He deliberately marched us past another teleportation circle, its purple glow a tempting beacon of quick return. Sven stared at it longingly, his daggers hanging loose in tired hands.

Keep moving, I projected to him. We're almost there.

The wounds from Langdon's past hung heavy in the air. Each time we passed a teleportation circle, his shoulders tensed, jaw clenched tight. Whatever happened to his previous students clearly haunted his every step.

"Vile Roaches ahead," Annes warned, her voice rough with fatigue. A cluster of the creatures blocked our path, mandibles clicking hungrily.

My tendril swept out in a golden arc, scattering the pests. The auric steel sang with channeled mana, its movements still fluid and precise despite hours of combat. The others struggled forward, their earlier grace replaced by mechanical repetition of practiced forms.

"Hold," Langdon raised his hand as we reached the tenth floor junction. "Water break."

Patter slumped against the wall, gulping from her canteen. Yulios massaged cramping legs while Copelan checked his sword's edge, worn dull from countless strikes.

I coiled my tendril close, conserving energy. The return journey had proven more challenging than expected; not from the monsters, but from watching my friends push through exhaustion. Their determination to avoid complaining about the long march back touched something deep within my mechanical heart.

"Up we go," Langdon ordered after five minutes. "Stay alert. Tired fighters make mistakes."

We formed our practiced formation once more, though slower now, movements heavy with fatigue. My tendril took point, clearing the path ahead while the others conserved strength for necessary fights only.

Another purple teleportation circle gleamed as we passed. Sven's sigh echoed softly in the tunnel. Another hour of this lay ahead, but we'd endure it together, respecting both Langdon's trauma and each other's resolve.

The massive black gates loomed before us at last, their carved battle scenes a welcome sight after hours of dim tunnels. My companions stumbled the final steps, muscles trembling from the ascent. Patter leaned heavily on Sven's shoulder while Copelan braced himself against the wall, chest heaving.

"Well done, everyone." Langdon's voice carried a hint of amusement. "Twelve floors on your first Hellzone expedition is quite the achievement." He emphasized 'first' with a knowing look in my direction. My tendril coiled tighter, but I kept silent.

Captain Marca strode over, his armor gleaming in the torchlight. "All limbs intact? No casualties?" His gaze swept across our exhausted group. "I must say, I'm relieved to see you all return breathing." He quickly turned to our teacher.

"Twelve floors, Langdon?" Marca's eyes narrowed. "Taking first-year C-ranks that deep is the height of foolishness. What were you thinking?"

Langdon's lips curled into a crooked smile. "Haven't you heard? I'm the most foolish instructor in this entire Academy." He gestured toward our group. "Yet here they stand, having conquered challenges meant for B-ranks or higher."

The unspoken truth hung between us; our previous secret expeditions had prepared us far better than any official training. Langdon knew it, and now chose to shield us with his reputation for reckless behavior.

"Besides," Langdon continued, "sometimes foolishness yields better results than wisdom." He clapped Annes on the shoulder as she swayed on her feet. "These students proved themselves worthy of the depth today."

Marca shook his head, but I caught the ghost of respect in his expression as he observed our battered but unbroken group. My friends had demonstrated courage and skill that belied their C-rank status. Even exhausted, they stood tall, proud of their accomplishment.

The massive gates creaked open, releasing us back into the Academy proper. As we filed through, I felt Langdon's hand brush my shoulder. "Well done," he whispered, "all of your training has served you well." The emphasis made his meaning clear: he approved of our initiative, even if he couldn't openly acknowledge it.

And so, our first official foray into the Hellzone had ended.

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