The next morning found Andro shuffling out of his room with a deep yawn as he stretched his aching limbs. He was both eager and dreading whatever training Kayla had planned for them today, but first things first, he needed a good breakfast. Turns out Chen had a similar idea as the two made it to the table at nearly the same moment, but were equally happy to see platters of still steaming food waiting for them.

  Kayla and the rest of his family joined them soon after, plans for the day being discussed. His Father had business at the wall to take care of while Mother was headed to the center at the request of the council. The two finished eating quickly and left, leaving Kayla, Andro and Chen to finish enjoying their breakfast.

  “So, what do you know about dungeon delving?” Kayla asked abruptly as she chewed on a piece of seared ham.

  Andros fork paused halfway to his mouth as he gave her a bewildered look, then asked, “Uh, don’t you think it's a little early for us to be learning about dungeons? We haven’t even joined the league yet.”

  Chen looked equally, if not more confused at Kayla’s question, the look he gave Andro conveying this was entirely up to him. While Andro was confused, he wasn’t confused about dungeons themselves, as he had completed quite a few of them in past life and therefore knew a good deal. Something he couldn’t exactly reveal to the two sitting at the table, so he played into the confusion.

  “If you're set on joining the League, then it's never too early to learn what you can about one of the main priorities of the League.” She replied with a grin, “After all, no other guild or organization is more prominent or successful when it comes to clearing dungeons than the League.”

  “Uh, not trying to be the dim one here, but what exactly is a dungeon?” He asked, looking back and forth between the two siblings before adding, “I mean I have heard of them, kind of, but I'm not entirely sure what they are.”

  “The official description of dungeons is that they are unique spatial pocket realms both designed and created by the first ones. The same people who helped the Creator make the Beacons.” Kayla began in a tone more professional than she usually sounds, catching the two off guard. Something she promptly ignored and kept going like she never paused in her speech, “ Each dungeon possesses its own dungeon Beacon that has its own unique features related only to the dungeons. Due to the nature of being a spatial pocket, dungeons can only be accessed through a portal that can only be opened with the dungeon beacon.”

  “I’ve heard of portals” Chen piped up looking excited, “I’ve heard them from stories some of the adventures at the inn tell.”

  “Well the ones for dungeons are a little different” She said while looking towards him, “The ones of dungeons would be better described as gateways, as they only have one destination, and that is either in or out of the dungeon. But that's not the point of this conversation” She eyed them both, then asked “Do you know what makes them so special?”

  Chen looked puzzled, his brows furrowed as he tried to think of the answer, but eventually looked to Andro for help.

  “They are repeatable” Andro answered, Kayla pouting at how quickly he got the answer.

  “And how do you know that?” She asked while crossing her arms.

  ‘Because I’ve cleared dozens of them’ he wanted to say but instead answered with, “You and Father talk about them a lot, they're not exactly a secret to me” He said with an amused snort.

  She narrowed her eyes at him, but uncrossed her arms before grabbing another piece of ham to tear a bite off of.

  “Yes you are correct in that they reset when someone either completes them, or spends enough time outside it.” She explained, “The monsters inside come back, the lords and bosses come back, but more importantly, the resources come back.”

  Chen’s eyes went wide with realization when it became clear what Kayla was meaning, “and because of that, the League can clear a dungeon over and over again and essentially have endless resources.” He said excitedly

  “Eh, kind of” she said, tilting her hand back and forth in a so-so gesture. “There are still some limitations on how often someone can go in it, as well as rank restrictions on some, but over all, yeah”

  Some of Chen’s excitement dwindled, but he still bore a determined look on his face, as if he was already imagining all the different dungeons he would clear.

  “The important thing is, know that dungeons are weird, were made with weird magic but can give you powerful items and power.” Kayla said, proud of her crude summary of what Andro suspected was supposed to be a much more in depth conversation.

  “There are some things that need to be kept in mind besides them just being weird,” Andro piped up, looking at his sister with a raised eyebrow that practically screamed ‘Really?’ “Each dungeon will often have their own specific restrictions, such as what rank you have to be to enter, what concepts are allowed, how many can enter, fail conditions, how long you have to wait between runs or even how many groups can be going through the same one at a time”

  This got him bewildered looks from both of them, Chen from the flood of information, and Kayla from him even knowing all that. He himself now wondered why he decided to speak up at all, as that may have been just a little too much knowledge to display when his excuse was, ‘I overheard you talking about it before.’

  “Dungeons sound amazing, but confusing” Chen muttered, sitting back in his chair, his breakfast half forgotten.

  Kayla meanwhile continued to look at him like he had grown a second head, so he sent her another raised eyebrow, this time purely asking her what she was looking at. Deciding it was probably too late to hold back now, he doubled down and hoped his excuse would work.

  “But like Kayla said, they also give rewards when you clear them, from weapons to armor, rings, clothes, currency, skill pages, skill upgrades and even the rare dual concept skills.” He added, watching Chen’s astonishment growing even more as he spoke. Then he nodded towards his sister and said, “A dungeon is actually where Kayla got her current sword.”

  That seemed to work as Kayla’s expression shifted into a wild grin as she nodded excitedly.

  “Is it often a weapon?” Chen asked, some of his own excitement going to worry, something Andro understood. Chen wanted nothing more than to be a martial artist, so most weapons were next to useless for his over skill and skills.

  “It is more common for people to receive what you would consider your more basic equipment in their first few runs, but it's not always a weapon.” Kayla reassured him as she scooped the last bite off her plate and into her mouth.

  Andro hurried to finish what was left on his own plate, but paused as a thought came to him. A thought he momentarily worried would give too much away if he were to bring it up, but the extra information he could gain from it for both himself and Chen could be invaluable.

  “What about the advanced scenarios?” He asked, doing his absolute best to sound exactly like a naive little brother just asking an off handed question for something he happened to overhear.

  The amused look that had been dominating his sister’s face vanished as she set her fork back down, a frown creasing her features.

  “It is far too early for you to even be thinking about those” She stated with a level of seriousness that it almost caught Andro off guard. “Not to mention, where did you even hear about them?”

  Andro thankfully had already been thinking of a response, having expected that exact question. Hopefully his lack of hesitance with his answer would help prove his innocence.

  “I have visited you and Father at the league before. You can hear a lot of things when people don’t think you're listening.” he said as casually as he could manage, while trying not to force it too much.

  She eyed him for a long moment; her gaze locked onto his own as if she could peer into his very mind and seek out its secrets. Thankfully her intense stare down didn’t last long before she let out an annoyed sigh and said, ‘I suppose you will find out either way.”

  Kayla pushed her plate aside and made sure she had both of the young men's attention before speaking again. “This is information that is not to be spread outside the league without care as it can easily lead to someone dead.” When both Andro and Chen nodded that they understood the gravity of the information, she continued, “When it comes to dungeons, they all have a default scenario, and an advanced scenario. The main difference between them is the overall difficulty they possess, but it isn’t as simple as the monsters inside get a little stronger.”

  This time Andro shared in Chen’s puzzlement as this was something he wasn’t as knowledgeable on. He knew about the existence of the advanced scenarios as anyone who ran dungeons had seen it as an option, however he had never attempted one before considering everyone had said most who do die. Normally he would have been confident in his power, but refused to take the risk since he was currently building up the power of the Allied Forces eighth company.

  This was the first time he had the chance to gain any real information about what actually made them so dangerous compared to normal dungeons, and Andro was more than eager to hear it.

  “I don’t know all the details, but guys at the league have mentioned there being lore tomes that describe how the Advance scenario drastically changes the dungeons objectives, enemies and even the lords and boss.” Kayla explained, having gained the full attention of the two sitting across from her. “I can’t give you any examples, but the few on record who survived apparently all said that nearly the entire dungeon changed while only keeping its overall theme the same.”

  The two young men glance at each other, a similar feeling of nervousness and excitement passing between them at the thought of doing one.

  “They are not to be taken lightly” Kayla scolded while crossing her arms, “Very few people manage to come back alive after attempting one, and most of them only do because the failure penalty isn’t just death.”

  That got a stronger reaction from the two as the implication was made. That even just attempting the dungeon, If you fail to complete the objective, meant there was the chance the dungeon would just kill you.

  “I need you two to swear that you will not even think about attempting an Advanced Scenario without consulting me first.” She demanded, her stare only intensifying upon them.

  Once again Chen and Andro shared a look, but this time it was Chen who spoke up.

  “We swear, but if I may ask one more question?” He asked, his hesitation clear on his face. When he got a nod from Kayla he continued, “If they are that dangerous, what about them makes people keep trying?”

  Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  Kayla grimaced at the question, but it was unclear as to why. Andro knew his sister well enough to tell when she was thinking at a ridiculous rate, trying to come up with an answer. As if she wanted to give them an answer that would both satisfy them, while also ensuring the two of them didn't rush into the first dungeon they could find. That hesitation told Andro all he needed to know before she spoke up, but he kept his mouth closed.

  Kayla sighed and uncrossed her arms to rub at her temples, but looked up at Chen and said, “I’m trying to keep you out of them, but if you want to know, the answer should have been obvious. The rewards from Advanced Scenario’s are beyond anything else you can find in normal dungeons. The few people on record for succeeding in completing one were reported to see a massive boost in power.”

  The resulting look of desire that filled the young men's eyes was enough to elicit a pained groan from the older women. Deep down she understood she would fail to completely convince them to forget about the idea, but she could at least ensure they were as prepared as one possibly could. Perhaps there was even the chance she could prepare them to the degree they would recognize on their own how reckless it would be to attempt such an endeavor.

  With her mind made up, Kayla schooled her expression before pushing her chair back and standing up from the table, a wicked grin on her face.

  “All right you two, let's get going.” She announced, turning to walk away before they could even stand up.

  “Going where?” Andro asked, not needing to fake his confusion as he also stood up from the table to follow.

  “You want to be trained” She stated without looking back, “I’m going to take you to someone who I know will train you till you both break.”

  Chen and Andro hesitated before they continued, the two having an equally bad feeling.

  The two young men were disappointed to learn that even though Kayla’s intention was to take them to this unknown trainer she had mentioned, she still insisted they get there by running. On a normal day something like a simple run throughout the city would not have been a big deal. The problem came with both the pace she set for them, as well as the path she led them on. Andro learned on that day that his sister had no idea what the meaning of the word running meant.

  For nearly two glasses, they had to climb walls, jump over fences, swim across water channels, balance across beams and leap over building gaps all while trying to keep up with her. In his past life Andro would have had no issue keeping up with her pace on the insane obstacle course, however this was his much younger, extremely weakened, body that struggled with basic exercises due to his condition. He did his best to keep up, yet his efforts only resulted in the unfortunate opportunity to learn his new healing skill could fix broken bones after he missed a jump.

  She had at least granted them the mercy of a break when she had them stop by the Inn Chen’s uncle ran. The man turned out to be quite the polite person despite his rather large frame and grizzly look. He was someone who was just under a lot of stress for the time being, yet he put forth all his effort to cheer for Chen and congratulate him for his Choosing day. Kayla had spoken with him for a moment in order to explain to him how he had nothing to worry about while Chen was under her care.

  He had seen them off with both smiles and water as She led them away, continuing her grueling pace. Andro had felt as if his legs would fall off by the time they came to their stop, and he was more than pleased to see they had arrived at the Hall of the Mettle League. Mentally he was cursing his sister’s very name along with the literal pain of needing to regain all his lost strength, but he couldn’t hide the grin on his face, eager to see the inside of the hall once more.

  Chen was gasping for air next to him, hands on his knees, yet he too had an excited look on his face upon realizing where they were. He also seemed to be recovering faster than Andro, but that was something he supposed wasn’t too surprising considering how much the young man worked out.

  Kayla looked down at Andro, looking barely phased after such a long run and patted him on the back while saying, “Don’t worry little brother, I’ll have you in top shape in no time.” The mischievous glint he saw in her eyes as she said this failed to spark any kind of hope within him.

  He would have growled at her in frustration, had he the energy to do so. Part of him wanted to stay annoyed, but it had been his choice to come back as far as he did. All he could do now was accept his fate and take advantage of this fresh start.

  Once they were each rested enough, the three of them soon found themselves inside the large building admiring the design. The interior was very dwarvish in nature being both blocky and sturdy in appearance. Stone was prominent in the majority of the structures design, wood appearing to only have been used for the furniture.

  The interior layout was open and spacious with multiple long tables running along the length of the main room. A wide bulletin board covered just about the entire right wall while the left one depicted a seemingly countless number of plaques that each held a name carved into them. From what Andro recalled, each plaque bore the name of someone who had fallen in service of the league. What he also knew was that the wall was where non members could honor the fallen, while members could access the Fallen’s Vault beneath the base, a room where proper memorials were kept for each fallen member.

  Along the back of the open room were two long counters separated by a short hallway with a descending staircase, the one that led to the Fallen’s Vault. On the far left there existed another hallway, though this one was much longer and is what was used to access the back offices as well as the yard. On the far right was another staircase that led upwards, where Andro knew the communal sleeping area was located along with a few more offices.

  The common room was rather full considering they had arrived near the mid day meal so the three had to wind their way past other people. Both Chen and Andro couldn't help but look around with some wonder, especially at seeing the kind of equipment the League members carried and wore. Almost no one looked the same with both fancy and plain looking suites of armor, robes, weapons and other miscellaneous gear strapped to their persons.

  Kayla led them straight to the right side counter to which they were greeted by a portly middle aged dwarven women. She was dressed in the League's standard staff uniform of a rich green blouse under a dark brown vest that bore their crest. Braided auburn red hair ran in a thick coil past her shoulders while a neatly trimmed beard of similar color grew gracefully along her jaw. The friendliest and warmest smile Andro had ever been greeted with rested above that beard as the woman gave them an excited wave.

  “It’s so good to see you Miss Kayla!” She said with a surprisingly soft voice that was coated in nothing but joy. “Are you here to look for Terry?”

  “Hi Madelin” Kayla returned the greeting, her own smile warm and comforting as she leaned over the counter to give the much shorter woman a brief hug before adding, “How are you doing today? And yes I am looking for him.” She gestured behind herself as she spoke prompting Madelin to peek around her to look over the two young men.

  “Oh you must be the young Mister Androlis Miss Kayla spoke of” She exclaimed with pure delight, her smile somehow growing in intensity and comfort.

  Andro couldn't help but find her bubbly personality infectious and returned the smile as he offered her a polite bow and saying, “That I am indeed Miss Madelin, Androlis Maxon at your service and it is wonderful to meet you.”

  “Oh, such a gentleman,” Madelin giggled, sounding like a young woman who just spoke to her crush before turning her attention to Chen. “And who might this strapping young man be?”

  “Uh, Chen,” Chen stammered out, caught a little off guard at the intensity of Madelin's personality, “Chen Rollins.” He got out with more confidence and a smile of his own.

  Madelin giggled some more and said, “Well it is wonderful to meet the both of you, but I am at work at the moment. Now, are you two here to join the league today?”

  “Not yet” Kayla answered for them, shaking her head, "That's why I’m looking for Terry. I want his help in getting these two some extra training so I can be sure they are ready for when they do join.” She explained to Madelin, the Dwarvish woman nodding along as Kayla spoke.

  “I do suppose that makes sense.” She nodded before seeming to step to the side and off of something, nearly disappearing behind the counter. She strode over to the left side where a door let her out just inside that middle hallway. Her loose dark blue skirt flowed gracefully around her as she strode back over to join them on their side of the counter.

  “Let me go fetch the big oaf for you darlings” She said, giving Andro a pat on the thigh, “He foolishly decided staying up into the late hours playing cards was more important than a proper night's rest.” She explained with a shake of her head in the same manner a mother would when talking about something foolish their child had done. Before any more could be said she marched up the stairs next to the counter and disappeared.

  Andro watched her go, confusing playing in his mind as he couldn't remember meeting someone like Madelin in his past life. While he knew he had joined later in life last time, it was barely a five year difference and he doubted someone like her would get fired. That just made him wonder if perhaps something had happened instead, something on the more tragic side. He knew of at least one major incident that would take place in roughly two years from now when a group of outcasts aspiring to be the next “dark guild” had attempted to rob the league. To be more specific, they targeted the Fallen’s Vault, which contained all the gear and equipment the fallen members possessed at the time of their passing.

  A large majority of it was nothing more than broken armor and busted weapons, but there were still the odd exception. He knew of at least a dozen or more weapons in the vault that could easily be labeled as artifact tier gear, some of their enchantments older than the city itself. It was that sort of gear these outcasts wanted, but they failed to fully consider how the league would react to the attempted robbery.

  From what he recalled, the battle had been brutal and bloody, with all but a small handful of the deaths having been the outcasts. He wondered if Madelin had been one of the few staff members who had been unfortunately killed by the initial attack. He needed more information about her as it could easily be something else, but he wanted to make sure before telling anyone of the attack. Andro didn’t want to accidentally give too much information away and twist events more than he could safely handle.

  “I like her” He said out loud, but mostly directed to Kayla hoping to prompt information from her. “I look forward to working with her when we join”

  “Well then you are in luck little brother as I doubt she plans on leaving for a while” Kayla smirked before adding in a teasing manner, “But unfortunately she is already married with a son.”

  “I’m not interested in her that way” Andro scowled at his sister, “And you know it. I just know with a personality like hers, things around here will go a lot smoother.”

  “You aren’t wrong on that count, everyone likes Madelin, even our more grumpy members.” She said with a nod, before a small frown crossed her features, “I suppose the thing that could get her to leave would be her son.”

  “Why is that?” he asked, a bad feeling worming its way into his gut.

  “From what she has said before, joining the league as an adventurer is his dream.” She explained, her own expression growing somber, "Unfortunately, Madelin confessed she doesn't want him joining because she is terrified of something happening to him.”

  “Was he part of this last choosing day?” Andro asked, glancing around the common room to see if he could spot a familiar red haired dwarf.

  “No” Kayla shook her head, “He won’t have his choosing day until next year if I’m remembering correctly.”

  The pieces clicked together as Andro put it all together, now convinced the outcast's attack likely has nothing to do with Madelin’s departure from the league. He now suspected more than anything else that Madelin’s son had joined despite her wishes and was killed out on the field, likely on a job. With someone as cheerful as her, he could easily see that level of tragedy breaking her to the point she just up and leaves, wanting nothing to do with the league afterwards.

  He kept his thoughts to himself and off his face as he worked his mind on a solution. Meanwhile, the lady in question returned down the stairs, her smile still present on her face as she did.

  “He will be down in just a moment darling’s.” She stated as she made her way back behind the counter. “Now, is there anything else I can help you with?” she asked, smoothing her skirt down in the process.

  “Actually, yes” Kayla piped up, “Do you know who is going to be the examiner for the practical test in roughly a month?”

  “Let me check,” Madelin said, reaching up under the counter and pulling out a stack of papers. After leafing through it for a moment, she seemed to find what she was looking for and pulled out a single page.

  “According to this, Lady Kalicena has volunteered her team ‘The Savage’s’ to conduct the practical test for the entire month of Wellinder.” Madelin stated, a hint of surprise in her voice, before giggling once more. “I wonder if little Lief got himself in trouble again.”

  Kayla laughed as well and said, “That is perfect. I couldn’t ask for a better judge of character for my little brother's entrance exam.”

  Andro had heard what the two had said, but his attention had focused almost entirely on the word Wellinder. He had forgotten how late in the year he had done his choosing day which meant they were nearing winter. There was even a chance it could snow before they do their entrance exam, with it being cold at the very least.

  He suppressed a frustrated groan as he once more wondered if he should have returned to a different time instead. Perhaps he could go back to the dungeon he found the Tablet of Return and use it again. He was pulled from his internal grumbling as he heard a resonating “Little miss Kayla” boom out in a rough, gravely voice that originated from the stairs, the tone a mixture of joy and annoyance.