Chapter 34: Chapter 34: E-Rank Dungeon (2)

Far away from the dungeon itself—

Inside Astraea Academy’s monitoring chamber—

Large magical screens displayed live footage from every student team participating in the assignment.

Stella stood silently with crossed arms while observing Kael’s group carefully.

Beside her, Sebas frowned deeply.

"That isn’t E-rank performance."

Onscreen, Kael casually walked past monster corpses while his teammates struggled to process what they had witnessed.

Stella remained calm.

"I know."

Sebas turned toward her.

"Are you seriously allowing a D-rank student to enter a dungeon alongside inexperienced E-ranks?"

"It isn’t officially classified as D-rank," Stella replied evenly.

Sebas looked even more annoyed.

"That makes it worse."

The footage replayed Kael’s movements against the Shadow Wolves.

Efficient.

Precise.

Minimal wasted motion.

Far beyond normal first-year standards.

Stella narrowed her eyes slightly.

"His growth speed is suspicious."

Sebas folded his arms.

"Even talented nobles shouldn’t improve this rapidly through ordinary training."

Stella didn’t deny it.

Because she agreed.

Kael Draven’s growth bordered on abnormal.

And the most dangerous part—

He still looked restrained.

Like he was hiding something much deeper.

"Even if he’s D-rank," Sebas continued, "you can’t expect him to carry an entire team through that dungeon alone."

Stella remained composed.

"If his life enters genuine danger, I’ll intervene personally."

Sebas sighed heavily.

"That boy carries dangerous blood."

The room fell silent briefly.

Then—

A portal opened behind them.

The pressure alone froze both instructors instantly.

An overwhelming aura flooded the monitoring chamber.

Ancient.

Heavy.

Absolute.

A man stepped through calmly.

White hair.

Black robes.

A blindfold covered in glowing magical inscriptions wrapped around his eyes.

Despite the blindfold—

Everyone present knew he could see perfectly.

Sebas and Stella immediately straightened instinctively.

Because the man standing before them was not merely powerful. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

He was the strongest hunter currently alive.

The Blind Saint.

The man tilted his head slightly while observing the screens.

"No need to be so tense," he said casually.

His voice sounded calm.

Almost amused.

"I only came because I heard Astraea Academy accepted an interesting student this year."

His attention shifted directly toward Kael’s screen.

"A boy capable of mimicking that old monster’s swordsmanship after seeing it once."

Stella’s expression changed slightly.

Sebas remained silent.

The Blind Saint smiled faintly beneath the blindfold.

"Tell me," he said softly.

"Is he truly talented enough..."

The pressure inside the room intensified slightly.

"...to become something greater than a mere genius?"