Chapter 5: Beneath the Ruins of Aetherium

Two days after the interrogation, Angeline received an official letter from the head of the academy.
> “You have been selected to represent Arcana Academy in an off-campus field exercise.Destination: Ruins of Aetherium.Team of three.Both individual and group performance will impact your advanced-level graduation eligibility.”

Angeline narrowed her eyes.
> “A test? …Or another trap?”

But her name was already registered. And two others were listed on her team:
> Erian SolvineRael Durnvarn
🏞️ Location: The Ruins of Aetherium
The Ruins of Aetherium lay beyond the academy’s protective barrier—a long-abandoned battlefield where the great magical races once clashed.
The ground was fractured, the ruins etched with ancient symbols. Loose magic floated wildly in the air.This place was known to be unstable.
Their mission:
Reactivate an ancient magical beacon
Record field and monster activity
Survive for one night
💬 Team Dynamics
“Why the three of us?” Erian muttered, brushing dust off his cloak.
“Because we’re all dangerous... in different ways,” Rael replied without expression.
Angeline gave a small smirk, tying her bootlaces.
> “If you two decide to kill each other, give me a heads-up. I’ll find a good seat to watch.”

⚔️ The Trouble Begins
As they moved through a cracked corridor, Rael suddenly halted.
“There’s an active magic field. This isn’t just ruins... it’s a trap.”
Too late.
ZRAAAK!A magic circle on the floor lit up.The wall behind them slammed shut—And from the shadows emerged a guardian beast: a massive golem with glowing violet eyes.
Erian shouted, “Keep your distance! That’s a war-era monster!”
Rael attempted to restrict it with a Gravity Rune, but the golem was immune to conventional spells.
“Hit it directly!” Erian commanded. But even his fire spells only heated the golem’s surface—no damage.

🐾 Absolute Speed
“My turn,” Angeline said quietly.
She inhaled.
In a blink—her body vanished.
Three strikes:
> One—above the golem’s head, blade charged with lightningOne—at its rear leg, infused with wind magicAnd the last—straight into the crystal core on its chest, with a water-forged swordmagic thrust that drained its energy in seconds.


BOOM!The golem exploded in a contained burst of magic.
Rael nodded slightly. “You’ve improved.”
Erian, who had seen the entire thing with his own eyes, swallowed hard.

🔥 After the Battle
They rested near the ruined altar chamber.
Rael examined the ancient beacon—and successfully reactivated it.
Angeline sat beneath a shattered crystal tree. Her ears twitched as she closed her eyes.But footsteps approached.
Erian.
He stood silently for a moment before speaking.
“That technique… it wasn’t improvised. You trained that?”
Angeline opened one eye.
“I don’t have a teacher. So yeah... I learned it by surviving.”
Erian looked down. For the first time, his voice lacked arrogance.
> “If I said... I’m starting to understand why you refuse to bow down... would you laugh?”


Angeline gave a faint smile.
> “Maybe.”
🌓 End of Chapter
Night fell. The beacon glowed steadily. Their report was complete.
But as Angeline slept, a whisper stirred from the ruins’ shadow.
A cloaked figure watched them from afar—eyes gleaming green.
> “So... this is the rebellious Tabaxi girl.”He smirked.> “Time to accelerate the plan.”