[Name: Daniel]
[Talent: The Infinite One (SSS-Rank)]
[HP: 100]
[MP: 100]
[Attack Power: 1]
[Spell Power: 501]
[Tenacity: 1]
[Agility: 1]
[Talent Specializations: Infinite Skill Points, Infinite Plunder, Infinite Fusion, God Rank Skill Compendium]
[Skills: God Rank Lightning Skill – Raging Thunderstorm (3-Star); SSS-Rank Skill – Damage Conversion (2-Star)]
He had done it.
A spark of exhilaration lit up Daniel's eyes.
With his Spell Power now over 500, the total damage output of Raging Thunderstorm had climbed to an absurd number—10,520 points.
It was time. Time to take this power for a real test drive—in the underground labyrinth.
No longer able to contain his excitement, Daniel pushed open the door and made his way toward the academy's labyrinth sector.
The Royal Academy of the Tin-Silver Kingdom was humanity's most prestigious institution of magic and martial advancement. Its wealth and resources far surpassed what commoners could begin to imagine.
When the academy had been established, it had even enlisted the help of seven demigods, who transferred and sealed various low-tier underground labyrinths directly beneath the academy's plaza—creating a controlled yet challenging environment to foster elite student growth.
And as was tradition, all newly awakened students were expected to promptly participate in their first labyrinth challenge.
These underground labyrinths were a unique phenomenon of this world. No one knew where they came from or how they were formed. After years of exploration, scholars had only managed to decipher a few general truths.
First—time flowed erratically within labyrinths. No matter how many times someone entered, time would always reset itself. It was believed to be the work of a supreme force—not even demigod-ranked beings could interfere with it.
Second—each time a labyrinth's guardian boss was defeated, a randomized batch of loot and treasures would appear. These rewards could be brought back to the real world and weren't bound by labyrinth rules.
Third—most labyrinths had stable, monitored entrances, typically guarded by local governments. But on occasion, labyrinths would spontaneously spawn in random locations, unannounced and often deadly.
These "wild spawns" frequently resulted in catastrophe—but also, potentially, unimaginable treasure.
At the Royal Academy's labyrinth gate, a group of freshly awakened students were chatting nervously.
"Did you guys hear? The Uncrowned Prince only awakened an F-Rank Talent. What a shame."
"Not really surprising. The guy doesn't even have the guts to fight. This outcome was inevitable."
"Still… I kind of feel sorry for him. I mean, he lost his entire family when he was just a kid. And all these years, people have treated him like he's a ghost. I saw the way he walked out of the Awakening Plaza earlier—completely hollowed out."
"Yeah, well, that's fate for you. Who among us can really defy it?"
"Enough about him. Let's focus on our own situation. Even though the academy's labyrinths are supposed to be beginner-friendly… they're still unpredictable. Anything could happen in there."
The last remark wiped the casual smiles from their faces. One student lowered his voice and whispered, "You guys heard what happened over at Eran Royal Academy?"
Another leaned in. "You mean the labyrinth incident?"
The student nodded gravely. "Over three hundred students entered a beginner labyrinth there… and not a single one came out alive."
The group collectively gasped.
"And it wasn't just the deaths," another added. "My cousin's at Eran. He told me the entrance itself changed. The bronze portal turned blood red after they went in."
A chill swept through the group.
Everyone knew labyrinths were volatile. But if one underwent a mutation, the difficulty could multiply a hundredfold—or worse.
Fighting was already dangerous business. All these students could do was train harder, gain experience, and advance toward their first class change.
Reaching Tier-3 (Level 30) and completing a class change quest before the final exams would be a massive advantage. That was why every newly awakened student flocked to the labyrinth as soon as they could—every second counted.
Of course, some had family backing, and others had talent. But getting to Tier-3 in time was a grueling climb no matter who you were.
"Oh! Did you hear? Saintess Marina actually cried when she saw the Uncrowned Prince leave the plaza looking so lost!"
"What?! You can't be serious. The Saintess is my goddess! Are you telling me that gloomy orphan stole her heart?!"
"Shut up. The Saintess is pure and perfect! There's no way she'd be interested in someone like Daniel."
"Regardless of the truth, it's big news."
"Careful! The Saintess is vital to the Pope himself. Do you understand the consequences if you spread rumors like that?"
"Alright, alright! Let's just stop talking and focus on our own survival. We've recovered enough. Let's dive back into the labyrinth. May the goddess bless us with rare drops this time."
"Even with all the strategies we've learned, it's still hard to win actual fights. Maybe we should scale down the difficulty?"
At the labyrinth entrance, an instructor had been stationed at a desk. Any student wishing to enter needed to register with them first.
Just then, Daniel arrived at the gate.
Unlike others, he didn't stop to read the strategy manuals or beginner pamphlets laid out on the table. His eyes were fixed on the space ahead.
A semi-transparent status panel materialized before him.
[Howling Cave]
[Labyrinth Level: 5]
[Entry Level Range: 1–5]
[Description: One of the most basic beginner labyrinths. Simple and straightforward, ideal for new students to practice. However, there is a small chance the labyrinth may undergo mutation—so do not underestimate the Howling Cave!]
Daniel's arrival instantly caused a stir among the students nearby.
"Are you seeing this?! Am I hallucinating?"
"No, you're not. The Uncrowned Prince just showed up at the labyrinth gate!"
"There's no way! What's he doing here? He awakened a Furniture Craftsman talent—what business does he have fighting in a labyrinth?!"