Whiteness.

It reminded Caelum of the void he was in before he was taken into his mind palace to select his class. This time fear did not grip him.

Only relief, whatever had happened after he destroyed the door had taken them away from the draugr.

He relished the feeling of being nothing, not existing, but somehow still thinking… and breathing?

Pain erupted from his right arm. Caelum let out a scream echoing through the hall. He looked at his right hand and saw that his fingers were crushed.

He hadn’t realized but he had fallen onto the floor. Gingerly touching his arm muscle, he realized it felt like mush.

All semblance of calm had left him and he realized the pain was getting worse. His hand was beginning to burn. As if acid was running to his veins.

He felt a hand grip his shoulder and turn him around. He came face to face to what he assumed was a maid.

Another flash of pain ran through his hand and he let out another cry.

“Oh dear August I do believe you will need to help the poor boy get some rest,” said the maid to someone behind him.

Turning around he saw a castle guard holding a sword behind him. Realization dawned on Caelum.

He turned side to side and looked around the hall. There was tapestry on the walls depicting scenes straight from history books.

The floor was stone but covered in rugs. Looking upwards he saw that the ceiling was arched and hanging candelabras hung from the ceiling lighting up the room.

Suddenly he remembered the quest notification he had received, [The Castle’s Dilemma]. He was in a castle-themed dungeon.

And now they were going to put him out of his misery because of how damaged his arm was. Terror flashing across his face, Caelum stood up and tried to run.

After his first step, his arm flashed with pain again causing him to stumble and hit the floor. The pain was excruciating, worse than when he had first awoken.

He began to scream when he felt a blow to his neck. The pain stopped and Caelum began to lose consciousness. He welcomed the darkness if it meant the pain would go away.

As his eyelids closed, he saw Leon, William, and Camellia being carried in unconscious from the end of the hall.

*

Light filtered in from an open window and hit Caelum directly in the eyes. Groaning he opened his eyes and sat up.

Looking around he quickly realized remembered what had happened before he lost consciousness. Eyes going wide he felt at his neck feeling sore where he had been hit.

He wasn’t dead though, so he let out a relieved sigh. Then it hit him. He had just used his right arm to feel at his neck.

Looking at his arm it looked perfectly fine to him. Moving it around he felt a little sore but otherwise, his arm was in perfect condition.

His arm muscles had been turned into mush, for them to be able to fix that there was no way this was a medieval castle from their history books.

After moving around a bit to make sure his body was actually completely fine he moved towards the window and looked outside.

The entire castle was huge. The main building, the keep, was bigger than any of the wealthy houses combined by his school.

And just from over the castle walls was a bustling city. The number of people and buildings was so vast Caelum couldn’t help but stare in awe.

And the outside area inside the castle, the inner ward, was stunning. Lined with blooming flower trees of all colors.

As he stuck his head out the window staring down at the courtyard, he felt a small object hit his forehead.

“Ow… he said as he rubbed his forehead.

“Hey, you!” Looking down from out the window he saw a boy who looked around fourteen dressed as a prince.

Only a little taller than Caelum with curly brown hair. His eyes were also sky blue. Caelum immediately thought he looked annoying.

And it was very obvious he was the one who had thrown something at him.

“Um yes? he said confused and a little bit annoyed. Focusing on the kid he was able to see his status, [Alwin Ergo- Prince lv4].

This annoying kid was a prince he thought surprised at that fact. And looking closer at his arms he was holding a black cat.

Was Atlas hanging out with him or was the prince being entitled and forcing Atlas to follow him around?

“You’re one of the people who mysteriously appeared in the castle right!

For being in what he assumed was the middle ages from the looks of it he didn’t talk like he was from the past.

Caelum responded with a nod and with that the kid yelled “Stay right there! I’ll be up in a second!”

Before he could say anything, the kid had already run off, with Atlas still in tow.

Sighing internally, he waited for him to arrive, thinking maybe he could even get some answers out of him about their situation.

A minute later Alwin appeared, red in the face and breathing heavily though. While catching his breath Atlas hopped out of his hands. Then quickly made his way over to Caelum.

Caelum scooped him up and began to pet him. He had missed the black cat.

That’s when Alwin coughed.

“Oh yea, um my name’s Caelum." Gesturing around himself he continued. "Exactly where am I?"

“No worries stranger, my name is Alwin,” he said. He then quickly straightened his posture and put his hand on his chest and closed his eyes.

And as if he were reciting said “Esteemed guest sent by the Gods, I welcome thee with open hands. We the Noble Ergo family will house and do whatever we can in our power to aid you on your divine quest.”

Opening his eyes, he expectantly looked at Caelum.

“Oh! Thank you for your hospitality, it will greatly aid on the divine mission to come” he said with a small bow.

Just as Alwin was about to speak a maid quickly came inside and saw the both of them conversing.

“Alwin you know it’s not fit for a prince to be alone with someone especially since you are level 4! One level away from your class advancement! She then quickly shooed him out and turned to Caelum.

“Ok, good news the mana overload injury you got was very recent when we found you. So healing you was not too big of an issue.” She then began to fuss over him and his arm making Caelum get back onto the bed.

“Luckily, your friends didn’t have the same problem. Honestly, mana control is the first thing people learn! Why did you shove all your mana into your arm without controlling it properly!”

“Now you’ve been out for three days but you haven’t missed anything too important. Hopefully, you remember the divine mission you were sent on; the rest of your friends can’t seem to figure it out.”

“And you’re all really under-leveled. I’m surprised the Gods would send you on a mission. The lot of you are not even level 5 so you haven’t gotten your specialized classes. Maybe you are all just like Alwin…, anyways you seem fine.”

“Take a quick bath in the next room, you smell terrible, change and head over to guest rooms where your friends are at.”

With a quick curtsy, she quickly left the room. Right before he left he managed to peek at her status, [Genevieve- Healing Maid- lv 20]

“What… what just happened? I couldn’t even get a word in…Caelum thought bewildered.

So obviously the people did not know this was a dungeon and that Caelum and the others were on a mission sent by the gods that much was obvious.

But mana overload, level 5 advancement… where even was the guest room he had no clue.

Still confused he changed from his ranger outfit that at this point was absolutely disgusting and quickly got into the bath in the other room.

It was almost like a hot tub. It was a large wooden tub with a round crystal at the bottom. As soon as he got in it filled with warm water. After cleaning up he left the tub and went to change his clothes.

As he was putting on a tunic left for him Prince Alwin walked in. “She’s gone, right? And don’t want to get in trouble with father again.”

Startled Caelum quickly put his shirt on and said, “You can’t just barge in here!”

“Technically I can, I am the prince. What is the issue we're both men? Alwin said confused.

After calming down Caelum explained that Genevieve had left although she hadn’t been too helpful explaining anything.

“Oh well mana overload, which is what happened to your arm, is when one circulates too much mana in a part of their body causing it to release so much energy the body cannot contain it.”

“It lets one exert a lot of power, but the consequences are dire. You are very fortunate we found you when we did otherwise your arm may have been lost to you.”

Caelum shivered thinking about trying to survive the new world without his dominant arm. Then he had an idea and asked Alwin, “You think anyone here could teach me proper mana control?”

“Definitely, I mean the Gods sent you here so we are obligated to help you in whatever way we can. And about level 5 advancement basically, it’s the first level where the God’s allow you to pick a specialized class based on your actions and achievements.”

“It’s seen as a really powerful jump in power. The next class change is lv 25 and every 25th after that one. That’s why level 5 is so important your stuck with that class for quite a while.”

“Ok cool, thanks for explaining all of that, I was pretty confused, Caelum said.

After a few seconds of really awkward silence, Caelum said, “Um thank you, that was all the questions I had.”

“How are you going to get to the guest rooms? Luckily, this affable prince is lending you his esteemed services, he said with a mock bow.

“Well let me get ready really quick.” After another few seconds, Caelum said, “I want a little privacy please.”

“Oh! Of course, I’ll be right outside the door waiting!” With that, he left and closed the door.

Turning to Atlas Caelum said, “He really doesn’t know anything about boundaries huh.” Atlas who was licking his paw looked at Caelum with a knowing look.

After being fully dressed Caelum took some time to look at himself. His hair was getting longer, but otherwise, he looked the same. The change of clothes did make him look more regal and he liked it a little.

After staring at himself for way too long he picked up Atlas and left the room.

“Ready! Ok, let’s go! Alwin exclaimed.

With that, he and Caelum set off.

After a little small talk, Caelum asked Alwin a question. “Hey, how come there aren’t that many… servants. We’ve been walking for a while and the halls seem empty?”

Alwin’s cheery mood seemed to dampen a little at the question. He answered, “Well we’re involved in a little bit of a conflict with another country, and we don’t have the biggest population so almost everyone who worked here has been drafted.”

“Oh, sorry for asking, it was a little insensitive of me, Caelum said berating himself internally for being such an idiot.

“It's perfectly fine. Well since you asked me a question can, I ask you one? Alwin said going back to his cheerful mood.

Seeing Caelum nod Alwin said, “Is it true that the Gods grant you one wish for completing your mission?”

“Oh, yea. Totally, one wish for anything we can dream of, no limits at all, Caelum said.

“Well, what would you wish for if you completed your mission?”

Taking a few seconds to think Caelum said “Honestly that all this craziness had never happened. Just to be back home, life back to normal.”

Prince Alwin stopped and gave Caelum a questioning look. “Hmm, anyways that door leads to the guest rooms. I have to take my leave now see you at dinner!”

“People around here need to stop leaving so quickly jeez he muttered.

Breathing in he steeled himself as reached for the doorknob.

Right before he opened it the door swung open and he came face to face with Leon.

“Caelum you’re okay! Leon shouted. Leon then pulled him into a hug.

It was all very heartwarming until Atlas scratched Leon for squeezing him in between the two of them.

“Yea I am, Caelum said after Leon let go.

“Dude so much has happened you won’t believe it Leon said excitedly.

“How long was I out for then?

“Three days Caelum, thankfully you seem to be fine a voice from behind Leon said. As Caelum looked over Leon’s shoulder, he saw that it was Camellia.

After taking a look around Caelum realized that the room was huge and that William and Ashley were also in here.

“While you were out Caelum, we figured out how we need to get out of this dungeon. We need to kill the entire royal family.”

[Above and Beyond!]- First dungeon discovered, uncover its mysteries, and defeat the boss for great rewards!

[Dungeon- The Castles' Dilemma]