**Chapter 13: The Ruins Below**

  The sun beamed down gently as the students of Virtus Academy gathered near the edge of a deep forest, their destination hidden within—ancient ruins from a time long forgotten. This was not a lesson from textbooks or lecture halls; this was a test of wit, courage, and teamwork. The students had been informed that today’s exercise would involve a real-world application of everything they had learned so far.

  The trip was organized under strict supervision. Among the students, Prince Azrael had been appointed as class monitor. As the most capable and level-headed among the Royals, his presence commanded respect and inspired calm. Even teachers chose to remain in the background for this task, watching through enchanted mirrors and spell-bound relics that monitored the ruins.

  The ruins themselves were eerily silent. As the group entered, their voices seemed swallowed by the still air. Moss-covered pillars and broken walls of a long-forgotten temple stood as testaments to time. Unknown inscriptions and carvings glowed faintly under their magical light sources.

  As they explored deeper, a student from the Elite class—his name forgotten amidst the chaos that followed—touched a peculiar ruby embedded in a pedestal. Instantly, the ground beneath them rumbled, and the earth split open. Screams filled the air as the students were sucked into the darkness.

  They landed in a massive underground chamber, stone and steel interwoven with a strange mechanical elegance. At the center stood a towering mechanical guardian made with adamantium and mythrills, its red eyes glowing ominously. The doors sealed behind them with a metallic thud. Only one passage led forward—blocked by the guardian.

  Students panicked. Murmurs of fear rippled through the crowd. "Is this a trap?"

  Azrael’s brows furrowed. He tried to calm them, but he too felt an unease crawling under his skin. The sheer scale of the guardian and the chamber was unlike anything the Academy had ever shown. But this wasn’t an accident.

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  Azrael stood still, weighing the lives around him. A fight could cost casualties. But if they tried to flee... maybe, just maybe they could make it without bloodshed. But they needed someone—or some people—to distract the guardian.

  Azrael announced, “Class we have only two choice either we have to face it or run from it.What will you choose? ”

  Few hot blooded students declared that they will face it and burn it with their fire magic.And jumped to fight but unsurprisingly their magic didn't work.Apparently they Guard is enchanted with a force field which acting like a shield protecting from magic.Students with sword and Martial tried their swordmanship and fist techniques by shouting “Heavenly swordmanship 3rd technique" — a slash technique.They could barely scratch it.

  They understood this machine isn't meant to be defeated or have attack its core which is deep in its body.Since their attacks could barely scratch it they left the idea to fight it.

  They decided that they will try to flee from it but the entrance is closely guarded and it isn't moving from the entrance.They fully understood that someone needs to distract it with lots of firepower.The only person who is capable of it undoubtedly prince azrael.But would he danger his own life for others?

  Before Azrael could speak, a voice from the Royal class suggested the Peasant class handle the distraction. The tension in the room shifted. Eyes turned. An unspoken line had been crossed.

  Azrael's calm shattered. “No,” he said sharply. “We do this fairly. The strongest from each class will step up. No one gets to dictate sacrifice based on status.”

  The air grew heavy.

  Lucien Elcarin, usually a shadow in the crowd, was suddenly asked for his thoughts. He was taken aback. For the first time, everyone looked to him.

  “I’ll do it,” Lucien said simply. His voice carried strength.

  A few gasps followed. Then Princess Elira stepped forward. “I will join,” she said with a fiery gaze.

  Azrael turned, visibly concerned. “This is not your palace, Elira. You’re a Princess.”

  “I am also a student of this academy,” she replied, refusing to back down.

  Azrael reluctantly nodded.

  Victor and Tavion stepped forward too. “Count me in,” Victor said, fists clenched. “I will also help.”

  Tavion looked over to Victor and smirked. “We’ve fought together before. Let’s not break the streak.”

  The strategy was quickly drafted. While the chosen few distracted the mechanical guardian, the rest would attempt to decode the seal on the exit door.

  Lucien stood silently at the front, his black uniform fluttering slightly in the dry air of the chamber. He stared at the mechanical guardian, analyzing its structure. Strange runes pulsed across its body—ancient arcane tech, perhaps.

  The others took positions.

  With a roar of gears, the guardian came to life.

  The battle had begun.

  Teachers grinned.Smile is on their face.What does it meant?is there something more beside the guard!