Not only Luis. Two other people also noticed these details. Emily's lips curled up in amusement as she wondered how to get the most fun out of this three-way drama.
On the other side, Sera was irritated upon seeing Alex on the same team as Rura. However, her concern for Alex's safety suppressed the irritation in her heart.
'No! I need to calm down! I've made enough preparations! Even if there are unexpected variables this time around... Alex will be fine.'
Before, Sera wasn't as worried as she was now. The reason for her current nervousness was that this morning, her subordinates reported to her that a first-year student died yesterday.
Despite the news claiming it to be an accidental death, she remained unconvinced that it was a mere coincidence. She guessed that Alex's enemies not only targeted him but also other students.
'If my memory serves me right. No student should have died around this time.' Sera bit her lip in frustration.
'Is this another butterfly effect of my regression?!'
'Why are things getting out of hand?!'
Since she couldn't think of an answer for these changes, Sera's confused mind was going through tough mental stress. While the person responsible for all this was listening to Professor Hardy's speech with a blank expression.
'If it weren't for their powerful strength. I would have already created an illusion and skipped this boring speech.'
When he thought so, it once again recurred to Luis. Just how weak his current strength was.
'My foundation after entering D-Rank is already very good, but it's not enough.' He sighed.
If other D-Rank humans knew his thoughts, they would have cursed him for being too greedy. Whether it was his mana core or physique. He was already way stronger compared to the humans of the same rank.
However, Luis wouldn't have cared much about their thoughts. Until his physique isn't comparable to that of the Giants and the mana energy to that of Fairies. He would always be unsatisfied with his foundation.
'After this exam, I must include a brief trip to the Esperia kingdom on the agenda.'
'Hmph! This time, there isn't a direct fight between us. We are competing for points. Just having powerful strength is not enough. Besides, now that I have the 'Flying' Skill, I am certain that I can obtain a lot of points.'
After thinking this through, Alicia nodded with surety.
"Alright, what are we betting on?"
"Let's see..." Luis hummed. "The winner can ask for a favour from the loser."
When she heard the word favour, Alicia was struck with a sense of déjà vu. She hastily said. "Nothing outrageous!"
"You can count my word." Luis nodded with a sincere smile, which made her relieved, but Alicia didn't notice the cunning look he gave her afterwards.
***
At the entrance of the Vernos Dungeon, there are six routes. Five of them lead to each zone and the last one leads to the altar. All the students have received this information in advance and have made plans in line with their team.
That's why the professors, who were also the examiners for this test, didn't waste any time explaining and let the test begin. Of course, Professor Hardy wanted to say some encouraging words to the students, but Professor Darrin rejected his idea. That made him disappointed.
As soon as the 12-hour timer for the Dungeon Rush exam started. The students, along with their team members, rushed inside the dungeon, choosing the routes they planned to enter, as if delaying any second would be a loss of points.
Fortunately, they were sensible enough not to start fighting at the dungeon entrance. Otherwise, the examiners would have acted already, disqualifying them from the test.
After the students, many rescue staff members also followed them in silence. While maintaining enough distance from the students.
Luis also found the figures of Frank and Rover among the rescue staff. Who followed behind Alex's team and entered the route leading to the Tech Mech zone. Sera's team and Thomas' team also entered the same route.
Emily's team and Seraphina's team went to Evergreen Paradise. As for Alicia, she along with her team went to the raging desert.
"Let's get going, guys!"