There were not so many ways for Aeric to wriggle out of this difficult question, so the best way to do it was to be straightforward with his lie, not to overthink and sound excessively smart.
To them, he was a noob, a scrawny boy looking for some beast cores and some xp to make ends meet. So it was best to act that way.
Ignoring the ever slight rush of nerves and keeping his face carefully composed, he replied smoothly, "Junior Elementalist, and my Main Skill is the [Bend] Skill. I chose the fire element but I haven't been able to create anything substantial yet."
Alzera glanced at her teammate once again, then gave Aeric a dismissive nod, her expression neutral. "That is fine. You're a courier, so you won't be fighting anyway. Your job is simple — you run errands and carry our supplies and deliver them during combat."
She looked over him one last time, a faint trace of approval crossing her face as she continued. "What I am saying in earnest is that your job is to do whatever the heavens you have been told to do. You do not hesitate, you do not argue, you just do. Is that understood?"
Aeric nodded his head. "Yes it is."
"Excellent."
There was a smirk growing on Aeric's hidden face. 'Why do I find this somehow humorous? It is interesting how different people treat you when they don't know you're the Prince of their kingdom. Imagine if I was to reveal it right here and now. What would her reaction be?'
He looked at her hungrily. 'Can't lie. It is tempting.'
Just like she was.
Alzera had the kind of body that fashion icons had back in his old world. A model one would see in Vogue or Today with her very slender and fit build, a perky set of breasts that tear dropped below her chest and was protected by her breastplates, and subtly wide hips that accentuated her beautiful long legs.
She had an hourglass figure with her fit, feminine build. The kind of build women spent months in gyms trying to replicate. Aeric didn't know if it was god-given or if her years conquering Divine Quests was what built her.
"I'm Alzera, your team leader." she continued, her voice had a no-nonsense tone, confident and sharp. "My class: Swordbearer. And my Main Skill is [Infuse]."
She let the name linger in the air, showing that she had a great weight of power, and that it was palpable.
'Never met a Swordbearer before,' Aeric thought.
It seemed like Aeric had no chance in hell. But that only made the challenge more exhilarating.
Alzera turned back to the group, discussing strategies and final preparations. She laid out details on what to expect within the Dungeon, her tone cool and unflinching. Each team member nodded along, focused and alert. When she finished, she turned to Aeric.
"I do not expect to be waiting here for you tomorrow," she said firmly. "You should be the one waiting for us. Be here before we arrive. We've been assigned for our challenge tomorrow, lucky for us, we don't have to wait long like the rest. Until then, go to your homes and prepare yourselves."
Slowly, the team dispersed. Ryn and Bel introduced themselves to Aeric, telling him not to get scared and have cold feet. They said they'd done this multiple times with Alzera and Kael and they always made it out alive.
"She's that good," Ryn said.
Aeric found his gaze lingering on Alzera as she walked away. At least he didn't have to steal the official's window now that he had already marked his target, never minding how difficult of a target she was.
[Ding!]
A notification appeared.
[Cultivation exercise to begin shortly.]
[Time left: One hour]
'Oh, hell!' He turned around and quickly ran out of the gathering of Dungeon Squads, while others watched.
Aeric made his way back to the cave, slipping off the worn, ragged clothes and donning his royal robes once more. Once their familiar weight settled around him, he climbed onto Sylver's back.
"Let's go, Sly. Mother must be worried."
As they started moving, Aeric's thoughts circled back to Alzera, an excited smile tugging at his lips. "Well at least now I've got my target," he murmured, "I just have six days to [Claim] her."
With a low howl, Sylver bounded forward, his powerful legs running on the Silver Road, propelling them back to the Castle of Starlight as night closed in behind them.