Micro emerged first from the dungeon’s glowing green portal, and he smiled brightly at the sight of clouds of energy and dust swirling around Kira and Kolt, who sat quietly with their eyes closed. Lena was standing several paces away, her own face marked by a satisfied grin.

  “You were only gone a few hours, but they’ve made considerable progress,” Lena declared. “Did the others survive?”

  “We’re all fine,” Micro replied, right as Blue and Arbur appeared behind him. “We got four Core Cards each!”

  “Well done. But I would advise waiting a little longer before continuing our journey. The boy child in particular is finally making some progress.”

  “You’re a good teacher, Lena,” Micro said. “We’ll wait over here.”

  ~

  Micro led Arbur to the edge of the cavern, Blue floating close behind, and the three sat down with a deep sigh.

  “I really just survived an unfamiliar dungeon…” Arbur whispered in disbelief. His eyes were wide as he tightly grasped the Core Cards in his hands. “It feels like waking up from a dream… Was that all real…?”

  “It is generally accepted that the purpose of such a dungeon is to allow the challenger to fully master the simple practice of meditation,” Lena explained without looking away from the children. “With so much uninterrupted time, one can fully master their mind, though the weak of will and feeble of heart typically lose their minds and are consumed by the dungeon.”

  “It was like the world in my mind and the world around me became one,” Arbur recalled. “The wall between my thoughts and reality dissolved.”

  “It does feel a little weird coming out of a dungeon, now that you mention it,” Micro agreed. “It’s easy to articulate though. Ura mentioned something about your soul and time getting moved around…”

  “Don’t overthink it. You’ll hurt yourself,” Blue smirked. “Hey, if they’re going to be a while, let’s go find the Crystal Art Dungeon. Those things are fun.”

  “I guess we could,” Micro replied. “Just a second…”

  Micro suddenly closed his eyes, and repeated the familiar process of placing his new Core Cards in the back of his truck-shaped soul, greeting the friendly dog who was resting on the roof of the truck, then closing the garage door behind him as he awoke. Unlike the last time he mastered several Core Cards, this time he was able to restrain the sudden surge of energy accompanied by the influx of knowledge.

  “What was that…?” Arbur gasped as the dust settled around Micro.

  “Just loading up some Core Cards,” Micro said as he stretched his back. “They’re not too heavy, but it does take a minute to get used to them.”

  “You mastered those cards… in that single moment!?” Arbur wheezed, forgetting to breathe until his face reddened.

  “Oh, appraisal is really useful!” Micro said as his right eye began to glow with a bluish hue, unlike the green glow that accompanied activation of the Spirit Vision Skill. While spirit vision allowed him to see both the physical world and the energy around him with greater clarity, appraisal filled his eyes with information. He turned to face the cavern wall, and he focused on a small orange patch of rock. As he concentrated, words began to appear in his mind, like labels floating in the air which only he could see.

  “You—you—you just, but…” Arbur continued to stammer as Micro looked around with a wide smile.

  “Iron… Gold… I see…” Micro nodded as the names of familiar materials came to mind. He looked down at the Core Cards in Arbur’s hands next, and the names of each card appeared before him. The names of some other minerals also appeared as they caught his eye, though some unfamiliar materials’ information seemed blurry. He looked at Blue next, but the words flowing into his mind grew so fuzzy that his head ached.

  “Hey, nosy brat,” she shouted at him as she met his eye. “Take that prying eye elsewhere!”

  “Hmm…” Micro sighed, rubbing his eyes as they began to feel fatigued. “It’s useful for analyzing things I’m familiar with, but there are limits to what I can learn with it.”

  Blue frowned, then took out the Appraisal Skill she’d stored away, through it on the ground, and jumped on it. With a grunt, the card seemed to crack beneath her feet, then burst into tiny particles of energy which swirled around her for a moment before being absorbed by the small core in her chest. She opened her eyes again, their blue glow matching Micro’s, and nodded.

  “I can’t decide if I love or hate this,” Blue stated with a frown. “It’s such a human skill.”

  “What do you mean?” Micro asked.

  “It takes the mystery out of things, to an extent…” Blue explained. “I can see why this would be useful to somebody who was equal parts lazy and in a hurry… Anyways, next dungeon, please.”

  The three stood up in unison at Blue’s suggestion, though Arbur was surprised when he realized he’d jumped high up into the air, bumping his head against the ceiling of the cavern so hard that it left a small crack in the rock.

  “Woah—” he stammered as he fell back to the ground.

  “You’re a lot stronger now,” Micro congratulated Arbur, patting him on the back. “You’ll do even better in the next dungeon.”

  “Thank you…” Arbur whispered, tears forming in his eyes. “Without you, I would never have… the dungeon… this power—”

  Micro patted Arbur’s back again, and Arbur did his best to stifle his joyful sobbing as the three walked toward another tunnel.

  “There’s definitely a dungeon down this way,” Blue announced. “We’ll see which one it is when we get there.”

  “Lead the way, Blue,” Micro replied.

  ~

  Not many monsters dared show themselves as the three cultivators walked casually through the cave, brightly illuminated by Micro’s headlights. Some petrified remains of Lo’s unfortunate assailants decorated the tunnels, but their journey to the next dungeon portal was so relaxing that even Arbur’s anxiety waned.

  “And we’re here,” Blue announced happily.

  “That!” Micro shouted after analyzing the portal. “That’s definitely the Jade Crystal Art Dungeon. Good job finding it so fast, Blue!”

  “I have a knack for treasure hunting,” Blue said with a wink. “Just wait until I’m back to normal, and I’ll find you more dungeons than you’ll know what to do with!”

  “It’s… dark energy,” Micro continued. “Alright, let’s go—”

  “Are you sure?!” Arbur grabbed Micro’s hand to stop him before he could enter the portal. “This is a lost art, isn’t it? It could be like nothing you’ve ever seen!”

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  “I haven’t seen most dungeons,” Micro replied blankly. “I’m sure there are a lot of things that are like nothing I’ve ever seen…”

  “But there are commonalities among the prevalent arts of this region,” Arbur said quickly and anxiously. “It’s one thing to dream of mastering numerous arts, but without accounting for synergy between them and—”

  “You can wait outside if you’re worried,” Micro said with a reassuring smile. “I need to master every art. That includes this one.”

  “You’ve already mastered ten cards, haven’t you?!” Arbur pleaded.

  “More than that, but it seems like there are thousands out there,” Micro shrugged. “It’s lucky that at least one of them will let me go back in time, so I don’t have to worry about finding all of them too quickly. Slow and steady.”

  “Slow and steady?” Blue mocked Micro with a shrill laugh. “That turtle guy really got to you, eh?!”

  “It’s more fun than being in a hurry, isn’t it?” Micro replied.

  “That’s actually a good point…” Blue conceded, then immediately flew into the portal. “It’s still a race though!”

  Micro gave one last confident smile to Arbur, along with a thumbs up, then quickly followed Blue into the dungeon. He’d grown accustomed to the sensation of being pulled through the surreal vortex of lights and colours toward the dungeon’s entrance, and he was pleased to notice Arbur had followed shortly behind him.

  ~

  “Wow…” Micro said as he emerged on the other side of the gate. “This is so—”

  “Comfortable!” Blue shouted as she floated by him.

  Although Micro wasn’t sure what to expect, the nature of the dungeon was as pleasant as it was surprising. Surrounding him on all sides was nothing but a white fog, so thick that it felt almost like being wrapped in a soft blanket. He then noticed that his feet were not on the ground.

  “I might never leave this place!” Blue cried out, stretching her arms and wings with a bright smile. “Oh, that feels wonderful…!”

  “What?!” Arbur blurted out in panic as he materialized next to them. “Is this impossible even for you two?”

  “It may be impossible to complete the trial, sure…” Blue replied lazily. “I’m too comfortable… I need… to sleep…”

  Arbur’s panicked expression made Micro laugh, while Blue indeed fell asleep while hovering peacefully in the foggy air.

  “She just likes napping,” Micro reassured Arbur. “The trial hasn’t started yet.”

  “Ah…” Arbur let out a troubled sigh as the gravity of the situation settled in his mind. “Forgive me. I will work harder to remain calm…”

  “Okay. You’re doing fine so far,” Micro said. Micro looked around again, and noticed the exit had vanished. He was disappointed that there wasn’t a convenient way to escape, but he felt content in the strange, comfortable fog.

  “Welcome, challengers,” a tiny voice called out to them. “You seem different than my usual guests…”

  “Ah, you mean the Crystal Sect?” Micro replied. “They all died a long time ago. We’re new here.”

  “How unfortunate…” the voice replied, though its tone was unchanged. “They showed promise, once upon a time…”

  “I’m Micro, by the way,” Micro said, waving to the fog in front of him. “This is Arbur, and Blue is the one sleeping.”

  “I see…” the voice answered.

  “What’s your name?” Micro continued. “Are you a friend of Ura’s?”

  “Though I am familiar with most guardians in this realm…” the voice stated. “I have no friends, nor have I enemies.”

  “Oh…” Micro said with a sad expression. “I have a fair amount of both, but I’d be happy to count you among my friends.”

  Suddenly, the fog cleared in front of Micro to reveal the source of the mysterious voice. The dungeon guardian was human in shape, the size of a child, but its body was completely transparent, as if it were carved from a single diamond. Although it was impossible to discern its expression, Micro found it easy to understand what the being was feeling.

  “You may call me Teka, friend,” the guardian replied, radiating a warm, welcoming air. “I am pleased to meet you. You are all equally suited to this art, though for entirely different reasons.”

  “What?” Micro tilted his head in confusion.

  “This dungeon’s trial rewards purity,” Teka answered.

  “Purity?” Micro asked.

  “Purity of mind, purity of spirit, purity of intent…” Teka explained. “The Crystal Art requires purity, first and foremost.”

  “That makes sense, so far,” Micro said, straining his mind in trying to follow the explanation while Blue slept. “Impurities in metal make it weak, and impurities in fuel can be a real nightmare for an engine…”

  “I see that you are pure by nature, guided by an unalterable purpose,” Teka explained. “Your human friend is pure in his intent. Within the chaos of his heart, he has distilled a singular purpose. It disciplines his anxious mind…”

  “I—I didn’t realize, you could—” Arbur stuttered, but Teka ignored him.

  “The ancient one is unpolluted by uncertainties…” Teka continued. “When she awakens, I shall enjoy the spectacle of her success.”

  “So what is the trial like?” Micro asked. “I don’t see any exits, so I’m guessing we’ll have to succeed if we want to leave…”

  “Crystals represent the persistence of order amidst the chaos of the world,” Teka explained. “Only those who can manifest such purity may leave this dungeon with its reward.”

  “Manifest… purity?” Micro repeated, looking to Arbur with a questioning look.

  “Excuse me, master,” Arbur whispered. “But I expect we are meant to grant will to our energy.”

  “Why?” Micro whispered back.

  “I have been taught that one’s energy is greatly influenced by one’s will,” Arbur explained humbly, awkwardly smiling as Micro’s confusion grew. “For example, the energy in an attack can contain your anger. Your aura can also reveal your emotions.”

  “Oh!” Micro shouted, the answer clicking in his mind. He immediately held out both hands to Teka, producing a ball of energy between them. At first, he simply channelled his energy without much thought, but keeping Arbur’s advice in mind, he began to take note of his energy’s nature. At first it felt as much like a part of him as any other part of his body, but he started to notice the way his thoughts and awareness affected the energy.

  “You will find it easier to complete this task if you make use of the energy around you, my friend…” Teka whispered in a friendly tone. “It functions not just as a comfortable place to nap, but as a catalyst…”

  “Thanks!” Micro replied, feeling refreshed by the kind atmosphere around the guardian. He had been growing more familiar with various feelings as he continued his journey with his new friends, but Micro wondered which feelings he could summon to fill the ball of energy in front of him.

  “You are doing well, but you must choose…” Teka added, leaning in to observe is progress. “Choose wisely…”

  “Should I make it happy…?” Micro wondered allowed.

  “Pure happiness may be difficult, master…” Arbur quietly replied while staring intently at the energy.

  “How about fear?” Micro asked, but the energy grew unstable in his hands as he recalled the paralyzing fear he’d felt in the presence of the Cerena shortly after she was summoned into the body of a young magician girl.

  “How about a feeling you are more familiar with?” Arbur quickly asked. “The honourable Elder of our Truck Sect, young Kira, informed me that you are much older than you appear. What feeling most characterized your existence on your homeworld?”

  “I didn’t really feel anything then, at least not the way I do now…” Micro replied softly, but as his memories of the life he’d spent with his driver flooded his mind, the energy in his hands began to change before he realized. “But thinking about it now…”

  The energy between Micro’s outstretched hands, which normally swirled and flowed like a cloud of shimmering colours, suddenly became perfectly still. Micro felt most of the energy which had comprised the ball float away like exhaust, leaving behind a completely pure, glowing white ball, emitting a soft, warm light.

  “It’s beautiful…” Arbur whispered. “What feeling is that? It’s so warm…”

  “I don’t really know how to describe the feeling itself,” Micro replied. “But I think it’s how I felt whenever we arrived somewhere safely after a long journey.”

  “I am honoured to witness purity of such a will,” Teka commented, nodding in approval. “You honour my dungeon with this display of skill.”

  “What is it?” Micro asked.

  “It is not definable by mortal terms,” Teka replied. “You are more than worthy of the jade Crystal Art.”

  “Thanks, Teka!” A Core Card immediately appeared before Micro’s eyes, and he released the energy he’d accumulated in his hands before grabbing onto the card happily.

  “Huh?!” Blue suddenly blurted out. “Already? Ugh, I thought it would take you longer. Don’t get all proud of yourself just yet. Hold on, what was the trial?”

  “Just gather some energy with a pure emotion and you pass,” Micro assured her.

  “What? That’s all?” Blue frowned, then rolled her eyes. Blue held out one hand, and a swirling mass of energy began to form. At first it was the same colour as the rest of Blue, but it became greener after a moment. Eventually, it was a deep shade of green which barely glowed at all. “There. Happy?”

  “I was correct,” Teka said. “You have indeed shown me something unprecedented. I have never seen such a pure display of what may be called, in mortal terms, annoyance…”

  “Give me the card or you’ll see it again,” Blue said, holding out her hand. “There’s a lot more where that came from.”

  “It is my pleasure…” Teka bowed slightly, and a card appeared before Blue. She quickly stored it, then nodded in satisfaction.

  “Alright. Your turn,” Blue snapped at Arbur, but her sour mood already seemed to be drifting away as she adjusted her position in the comfortable fog. “I’m going back to sleep…”

  “Okay,” Arbur stated blankly. “I’ll do that…”