To Gapar's surprise, the professors of the Magic Association did not agree immediately.
For some reason, going together to explore the Dungeon seemed to be an extremely important decision to them—something that required careful consideration.
"Mr. Gapar, what do you think of that place?" Tursey asked with a smile. She carried the lively aura of youth. "An ancient magic academy lost to time… it sounds like something straight out of a legend."
"I'm not interested in stories," Gapar replied, unconsciously touching his forehead. Although he had lost his memories of the Solar Flare, he vaguely remembered that its casting method had nothing to do with a staff.
"But that academy will allow more people to come into contact with magic. That much is certain."
"Let more people access magic, huh…"
Tursey showed a playful expression, clearly thinking about something.
"I'd like to take a look myself. Maybe we'll discover plenty of spells that aren't recorded in the Association."
Hades suddenly glanced at her but said nothing.
Tursey's enthusiasm for Raya Lucaria was obvious—perhaps she was the professor most interested in Sein among them.
"I'm looking forward to cooperating with the legendary Sword Saint again. With unparalleled swordsmanship combined with my specialty in defensive magic—even a Demon King might be defeated."
Seeing that she was about to agree, someone else couldn't sit still.
"Mr. Gapar, we need time to think this over carefully," Set said politely. "At the latest, we'll visit you personally tomorrow with an answer."
Gapar shrugged indifferently. He didn't understand why they had to twist things around so much. If they wanted to go, they should go. If not, then forget it.
If they don't go, I'll just ask Leon instead.
With that thought, Gapar left their residence.
.
..
...
After he left, the three professors fell silent, each seeming lost in their own thoughts.
After an unknown amount of time—when the sun had completely set and the crystal chandelier lit up the hall automatically—Tursey, the youngest, spoke first.
"I hate Sein's Dungeon."
Her slender fingers tapped against the wooden armrest. She was still smiling, but the feeling she gave off was completely different.
Set glanced at her, not surprised at all. It fit her personality.
After all, the new generation of mages represented by Tursey had been deeply influenced by the Association's doctrines.
One doctrine was especially important—
"Without a diploma issued by the Magic Association, you are not an official mage."
Behind that simple sentence lay many problems.
Nowadays, almost all mages were inseparably tied to the Magic Association.
Whether learning magic, researching it, teaching it, or doing anything related to magic, you couldn't avoid the Association. Most mages were happy to deal with them anyway.
After all, as the dominant organization in the magic world, it provided the greatest convenience.
Researchers could receive support, and their results could be promoted quickly in appropriate places.
The Association's magic schools offered people the chance to learn magic. After passing exams, they could obtain a diploma and become officially recognized mages. The farthest schools were even opened near the borders.
People had come to see the Magic Association as part of the world itself—naturally representing the highest authority in magic.
Mages exchanged ideas within this environment, sparking new inspirations and helping magic flourish.
But what was the price?
Those "mages" not recognized by the Association had something to say.
"That dungeon will let countless talentless fools learn magic," Tursey said gloomily, resting her chin on her hand. "There are more and more self-taught mages these days. Their magic is chaotic, they don't take exams, they have no proper mentors, no family lineage—they don't deserve to be called mages. At best, they're just magic users."
From her reaction, it was clear that origin mattered greatly among mages.
"Here we go again," Set sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Anyone who can learn magic is a mage. Even I don't care about their background. Why do you?"
"But those wild mages don't pay copyright fees," Tursey said, switching hands. "I can't stand people stealing my spells without permission. If I catch them, I'll wash their brains with amnesia magic."
Mages could apply for spell copyrights through the Association. Anyone who learned them had to pay.
"Not all spells require copyright fees…"
Set didn't bother arguing further and changed the subject.
"So, have you decided? Will we accept Gapar's invitation?"
"Let's go. We're free anyway," Tursey waved her hand. "If we find some new spells, it'll count as contributing to the Association."
Set saw through her plan. The Association had a rule—if you discovered an ancient lost spell and its creator had no descendants, you could register it as your own copyright.
It encouraged people to rediscover forgotten magic.
And spells from dungeons almost never had owners.
"I also agree to explore Sein's Dungeon," Set nodded. "I'm curious about how ancient mages lived."
"For your next paper?" Tursey asked.
"No," Set frowned with a headache. "It's for one of my students. If he can't produce a proper thesis, he'll never get promoted."
"Oh right, that one obsessed with monsters. All his papers are about taming monsters—worthless."
"That's why I have to help him as his mentor."
Set twitched. After all these years, this was the first time he'd ghostwrite a thesis.
He absolutely refused to have a student under him who couldn't advance!
Hades quietly nodded, approving their decision.
.
..
...
The next morning, someone knocked on Gapar's door.
But the face that appeared was someone he didn't expect.
"Good morning, Sword Saint."
A scruffy, grinning face leaned into Gapar's view.
Though smiling, the man's forehead was sweating, his eyes uneasy—almost panicked.
Like an overworked slacker suddenly dragged into a gathering of big shots he couldn't offend.
"How come it's you?" Gapar asked.
"Hehe, didn't expect you'd remember me," Roger said, his smile nearly cramping his face.
"Of course I remember. You're the first person who gave me footage of fire dragon mating as a gift—and still asked for my help."
"A misunderstanding! I grabbed the wrong bag! Please forgive me."
"Ahem."
A cough came from behind him. Roger straightened instantly.
Gapar looked past him and saw Tursey waving cheerfully and Hades nodding. Set was nowhere to be seen.
"Mr. Gapar, we've decided to accept your proposal. When shall we depart?" Tursey asked.
"Anytime."
Gapar showed shocking efficiency. Within minutes, they arrived at Firelink Shrine.
On the way, they learned why Roger had ended up in this high-level party—his mentor Set couldn't come, so he dragged Roger out to join the elite team.
Surrounded by people he couldn't offend, Roger was terrified—especially of Hades. Just one glance made him sweat.
He usually joked a lot, but here he didn't dare.
He was like a Jaggi accidentally wandering into a Rathalos's territory.
"This is my first time entering a dungeon," Tursey said, looking around Firelink Shrine with curiosity.
"I heard Sein's Dungeon is full of foul water, but this place looks nice."
Roger quickly explained, "You're thinking of Farron Keep. That place really stinks."
Tursey nodded, took out a recording stone, and took several pictures, especially of the bonfire.
Hades looked at the blue sky, his expression softening.
Gapar glanced at Roger in sympathy before leading everyone toward the elevator.
To reach it, they had to pass through a graveyard behind the shrine.
"So these glowing lights are dungeon items?" Tursey picked one near a gravestone and got a Green Blossom.
Roger's eyelid twitched. "Wait—don't get close—"
Too late. A pale skeletal hand burst out and grabbed her wrist!
Roger shut his eyes, expecting rage.
"Strong grip," Tursey said calmly. A transparent barrier blocked it. As a defense-magic expert, she always kept a shield up.
Skeletons rose everywhere.
Gapar raised his sword—but Hades and Tursey didn't react, so he waited.
"Oh, picking up items triggers monsters… punishment for greed. I like that idea," Tursey muttered.
She cast a warm-colored cloud of magic.
"Healing magic?" Gapar felt vitality returning.
Then the skeletons stopped… and slowly went back to sleep.
Roger explained, "A new healing spell she invented. It dissolves hostility and calms enemies."
Interesting, Gapar thought.
Tursey stood beautifully in the glowing mist—elegant and noble.
But Sein's monsters weren't so easy to calm.
A skeleton secretly threw a round jar at her.
Gapar cut it instantly.
The jar burst—releasing a horrible stench.
It was a Monster Hunter dung bomb.
Tursey's face changed. She ran, then vomited.
The others were similar—only Gapar seemed fine.
Leaning on a gravestone while retching, Tursey thought:
I really hate this place!