Stuck as a Dungeon Mob

In the Bosque Kingdom's capital of Pith, there was a young man who looked thin yet healthy. This was none other than the second prince, Aaron Bosque.

This young prince who just a few weeks ago looked sick and child-like now held the appearance of a thin yet refined young man, for this he had to thank his secret partner.

"Bloody, is this really where you want to go?" The prince was currently reading a detailed article which he had someone procure for him inside his tent. This book was all about a certain dungeon and the prince naturally had his apprehensions.

"Yes!" Bloody replied using the prince's own mouth. Unlike the prince, Bloody's mentality hadn't grown over the last few weeks so his reply contained childish innocence.

What had grown for Bloody were instead its skills, all his skills had grown much stronger. For example, Bloody no longer had to override the senses of the prince. This couldn't be called a new development, but Bloody had certainly mastered this skill by now.

Another thing that improved was Bloody's blood sense skill, Bloody could now sense creatures within the entirety of the destroyed capital city. That was an insane range! This range meant that it was impossible for most living creatures in the entire capital to go unnoticed by Bloody.

The prince then put down the article he was reading a shot the entrance of the tent a glance. Someone was approaching, the second prince had the privilege of using Bloody's blood sense thanks to Bloody's aforementioned progress.

"Aaron" The prince then heard a gruff voice call his name from outside his tent. Aaron was not surprised to recognize it as the voice of one of the knights in charge of protecting him.

"Yes?" The prince probed.

"His highness Alvin was wondering if you could join him to play" The knight responded.

The second prince's mental age quickly progressed past that of a child but he would still play with his younger brother.

"Hm… I don't think I can today" Unfortunately for him however, Aaron had other things to consider.

"Understood" The knight didn't say anymore and quietly stepped away from the tent. He would surely pass on the message to whoever Aaron's younger brother sent to inquire.

Not paying that any more mind, Aaron became pensive.

"Should I escape… or ask to leave?" Although Aaron had his apprehensions about the cave of myths, he was more than anything curious. Bloody and Aaron had bonded a lot in a brief time, maybe due to Bloody's skills?

Whatever the case, the two had no ill will towards one another. Aaron's point was that he did not think Bloody would try to harm him by suggesting visiting the cave of myths.

"But father probably wouldn't let me…" Ever since Aaron recovered his mental capacity he had picked up books and articles about everything that had occurred regarding himself and his family.

From his understanding, his father was almost assassinated and then kidnapped. He reemerged from within this dungeon, however. Aaron doubted his father had good memories of the place, so he had no hope of being allowed into any regular old dungeon never mind there.

Just as the prince was considering escaping, he came upon a realization.

"Maybe…!" If he made an important distinction the path to the dungeon suddenly became clear. He didn't need to sneak out of the capital, he just needed to sneak into the dungeon!

It sounded nonsensical but what Aaron meant was that convincing his father to let him leave the destroyed capital shouldn't be an issue, especially not since he had a perfect excuse.

Thinking this far, Aaron just had to wait for the perfect time to put this excuse to good use.

Later that same day, Aaron Bosque was gathered with his father, Brennan Bosque, and his brother, Alvin Bosque, for dinner. The food was one befitting nobility. Not quite royalty, but it did befit nobility.

Needless to say, the old royals were still living lavishly compared to the common people. Actually, compared to even Miller Bosque they were eating quite well. They were being well cared for by the current king.

"Father" Amidst the quiet chewing, Aaron opened his mouth to speak.

"Yes Aaron?" Brennan Bosque asked back with elegance. After returning to his lavish lifestyle he had regained some of his… pride…?

"I want to learn more things" Aaron said with resolve.

"I know, that's why I gave you lots of books" Brennan said before cutting a piece of meat to chew.

"And, you know I don't think that-" He wanted to then continue speaking but he was cut off.

"No, I don't want to learn from books! I want to learn from the real world! All these books do is tease me about all the things I've missed! I can't take it anymore, dad!" Aaron cried out as he stood up from the table they were sitting at in rage.

"Aaron…" Brennan didn't know how to react. Who would have thought that the meek boy who was always sickly could have this much energy?

"Then… How do you want that to happen Aaron?" Brennan might not be a great parent, but he was willing to at least listen to the opinion of his son.

"I want to go to an academy, the Arbor Academy!" Aaron declared. Brennan was left taken aback.

"I- I want to go too then!" Alvin said anxiously. Aaron frowned inwardly when he heard this. 

But how could Alvin let his sickly older brother go to an academy by himself? More importantly, although Alvin was the younger ever since Aaron woke up he imagined he would become a reliable mentor for him.

In his head, Aaron who had never experienced much of life, and had child-like innocence could only go under his wing. Yet, Aaron's illness seemed to have faded into the past in a matter of days and his intelligence grew as the sickness fizzled out.

"You both-!" Brennan didn't know how to react to Aaron's declaration and Alvin's determination to follow him.

"Why there?" Brennan calmed down and asked, he did not feel happy letting his kids go to Arbor Town. Which was why he decided to propose a better location instead.

"Well… The Aristocratic Academy of Bosque which was here is obviously gone…" The capital of Pith used to be the home of an academy for nobility. Generations upon generations of nobles had emerged from that institute. 

It was a place to make connections, friends, and of course learn what it meant to be a noble. Young aristocrats were already taught to read and write so all they really learned was about politics and civics as well as history.

Of course, that academy also provided other courses such as sword and bow training but they weren't in any way mandatory, there were proper knight academies for anyone partaking in the art of the sword or bow.

"The Monte Academy at the Rift city border is also temporarily closed due to the recent battles" The dragon Pyre burned a lot of things over there. The Monte Auction House which owned the academy had no choice but to close it

"There aren't any other academies that are well-known here in Bosque" Aaron continued to explain.

"But that's a new academy, how can you-?" Brennan was vehement about not sending his kids to Arbor Town but he was interrupted again.

"The Academy head fought a dragon!" Aaron said with shining eyes.

"He is more than qualified to teach me!" Aaron added with the same enthusiasm.

"This…" Brennan didn't have a rebuttal for that point. It was true that Samuel was qualified to teach them as a hero of the kingdom.

After his reluctant mutter, Brennan could not find any words to deny his sons the privilege of learning from this hero.

"What if he isn't doing any of the teaching? Won't you be disappointed then?" Brennan finally come up with a new argument but Aaron resolutely shook his head.

"I'll make it so he'll have to teach me!" Aaron then stated.

Brennan could insist that Samuel would do otherwise but... If that was his sole argument it was clear that he'd be fighting a losing battle judging by Aaron's determination.

"Very well, I will allow you to go to Arbor Academy" Due to the existence of magic, the creation of the academy was moving smoothly. Brennan suspected that it could very well be open to students in a single month.

"However, you will have to wait until it is accepting students. Not just that, but I'll have to accompany you" Brennan declared causing the previously enthusiastic Aaron to form a small frown. Brennan didn't notice this detail, however.

"That's the only way I am letting you go" Brennan added sternly.

Aaron wasn't willing to back down though.

"But… what if Samuel finds other students? We need to forge a bond with him now!" Aaron said.

"That's right!" Alvin also proclaimed completely sold on the idea.

"Well..." Brennan's resolve suddenly faltered now that he was being stared at by his two sons. Their pleading eyes were too hard to ignore!

"Sigh… Fine. We will go to Arbor Town" Brennan said caving in.

Realistically, with the capital in its current state, it was better for them to leave. Not just that, but since Miller was the one currently holding the throne his presence in the capital could actually spark trouble. Why not go to the countryside for a while?

Plus, Arbor Town was not even that far from Pith so they could always return without too much trouble.

"I'll have to inform the Duke and Miller…" Brennan muttered to himself as his children rejoiced and chowed down on their remaining food happily.