Chapter 103: Just What Are They Thinking? "Sir, they’re eating." "Huh? Are you sure?" "Yes, sir. They’re currently eating lunch in the inn." Professor Elias blinked once, then twice, before turning to the third-year student, who had been assigned to guard the dungeon entrance against unauthorized entry with him. "Let me get this straight," Professor Elias said. "The trial already started two and a half hours ago, yet they decided to have lunch instead of going inside the dungeon?" "Yes, professor," the student replied. "Does that make any sense to you?" "No, sir. I also don’t know why they’re doing this." Nearly three hours ago, after Professor Elias had declared the beginning of the trial, Alex had proposed that their team execute their plan. Everyone had then agreed and followed the silver-haired young man back to the inn, piquing Professor Elias’ curiosity. At that time, the professor had thought that they simply wanted to hold a brief last-minute strategy meeting before attempting to clear the trial. And as per his duty, he had stayed by the dungeon’s entrance, serving as gatekeeper. Later, he realized he had been waiting for two hours, and he had yet to see even the hair of the candidates supposed to enter the dungeon. Worried that something might have happened to them, he sent one of his students to the village’s only inn to check if the candidates had encountered some sort of problem. To the student’s surprise, the challengers were happily munching on their food without a care in the world. After collecting himself, the student left to report the absurd scene to Professor Elias, who was also justifiably caught by surprise. "... Well, I guess they just decided to eat first before taking the trial," Professor Elias said. "Let them be." "Yes, Professor." The third-year nodded. But three more hours passed, and Professor Eliad had still yet to see their shadow. Out of patience, he sent another student to check on the group of candidates. When the student returned, he reported the candidates were now sparring with their hired escorts. "Maybe they’re doing some last-minute training, sir?" The third-year smiled. "Or maybe they are just warming up before they enter the dungeon." "You might be right." Professor Elias nodded. "When I was their age, I was also very diligent with my training. I guess they will come after they’re done warming up." Another three hours later... The sky had already turned into deep shades of orange and purple as the sun slowly set over the horizon. Night was coming, and the candidates were still nowhere in sight! Professor Elias sighed before shaking his head helplessly. "Kids these days really waste a lot of their time," Professor Elias muttered. "The three of you guard the entrance. After five hours, the three of you will swap with them. Do I make myself clear?" ""Yes, professor!"" The professor then headed to the inn. When he entered, he saw Alex and his group having a lively conversation as they ate their dinner. Professor Elias snorted and asked the innkeeper to bring his dinner to his room. He didn’t even give Alex’s group a second glance and retired for the night. The next day... "Professor, are they still not coming?" one of the third-years asked. "It’s already noon." "Maybe they chickened out?" another third-year suggested. "I mean, maybe we overestimated them too much." Professor Elias didn’t comment and simply sat in the shade, fanning himself. When he had first seen Cairo, Roselia, Efa, and Elaine, he had quickly assessed their strengths and confirmed they were at least decent fighters. As such, there was no reason for Alex’s group to worry about the monsters on the first floor of the Dungeon of Beginnings. Sure, the monsters might be more numerous compared to other dungeons in the kingdom, but they were still just Rank 1 Monsters. They didn’t pose a threat to Alex’s group, which had at least four Rank 3 fighters accompanying them. ’Strange...’ Professor Elias thought. ’Just what are they thinking?’ A few hours later, the sun had set once more, and the professor returned to the inn to rest. Alex’s group was having dinner again, but this time, he wasn’t able to endure his curiosity and approached them. "Have you all changed your minds?" Professor Elias asked. "Are you no longer interested in taking the trial?" "We’re still going to take the trial, professor," Alex replied. "Then why won’t you enter the dungeon?" Professor Elias asked in confusion. "Because it’s still not the right time to do that, professor," Alex answered. "Not the right time?" Professor Elias sneered. "Are you playing some kind of handicap game? Have you forgotten that you need to get into the academy before the second trial begins? Instead of wasting time here, all of you should just enter the dungeon and get it over and done with!" Alex smiled apologetically to the professor, knowing that the middle-aged man meant well and only wanted them to finish the trial even a day sooner. "Don’t worry, sir," Alex stated. "We’ll enter the dungeon in two days." Unable to tolerate any more nonsense, Professor Elias scoffed and decided not to waste any more of his time. If he could, he would disqualify them for making light of the Trial of Beginnings. Unfortunately, that wasn’t allowed. The rule only stated that anyone still stuck inside the dungeon after five days would no longer be able to take the second trial in the academy. There were four days left. Technically speaking, as long as Alex’s group cleared the trial within this time, they could still take the second test of the academy. "Suit yourselves, but don’t come crying to me when you fail." Professor Elias glared at Alex before walking away. "Looks like he thinks we’re making fun of this trial," Charles said with a wry smile. "What he thinks doesn’t matter," Alex replied. "We need to give the other candidates some time to clear the trial. Otherwise, they would be in danger when the dungeon monsters from the lower floors head to the first floor. "We will wait for one more day. After that, Master, Elaine, Efa, and I will enter the dungeon to help the candidates who are still stuck inside. Only after we’ve confirmed that the dungeon is clear will it be safe for you to enter." The Map of Forgotten Paths had a cooldown of an entire day, so it would really take them two days before they could take the trial earnestly. Given their combined strength, Alex had reasoned that, at most, they would only need a few hours to clear the dungeon and find the exit to the City of Harmonia. They were not being lazy or inconsiderate to Professor Elias. They just wanted to prevent people from dying unjustly due to Charles’ Challenger’s Mark.