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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Lord Fourth
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The final exam was a major event in the game, known for its grand scale, unique scenarios, and powerful enemies, all designed to ignite the players’ adventurous spirits and fire up their imaginations. And the scene that best captured the allure of this event was—
“Master~! We’re floating in the sky!!”
Eilly’s eyes sparkled with excitement as she pressed her hands against the window, her voice filled with wonder and amazement.
The view outside was indeed breathtaking.
The deck of a massive ship soaring through the clouds, the vast expanse of land and the rolling waves below, were a majestic sight, almost too grand to be real.
“It’s an amazing view. This is my first time on an airship.”
Elisha leaned against the window, her gaze fixed on the scenery outside, her voice calm, but her eyes sparkling with admiration.
“Is that… the royal capital? It looks so small from up here.”
Melina tilted her head, her voice filled with wonder, pointing at the distant city.
The massive walls and densely packed buildings of the royal capital looked like a miniature model, the blue sky stretching endlessly like a vast ocean, the familiar landscape below taking on a strange, new perspective.
The city, which had once seemed so vast, now looked small and compact, like a delicate sculpture.
“Aren’t you amazed, Master?”
Eilly turned to him, her eyes still sparkling with excitement.
“I am.”
He smiled faintly, but he wasn’t as awestruck as they were. Air travel existed in his original world. The only difference was that in this world, it was powered by magic.
The massive Magic Cruiser they were on was the epitome of fantasy transportation.
Powered by a giant magic stone, it resembled a passenger ship, but the powerful magic devices installed throughout its hull made it clear that it was no ordinary vessel.
They were traveling on this Magic Cruiser because their destination, the Shrine of the Depths, was located far from the royal capital.
“It’s amazing. It looks like a normal ship, though.”
Elisha looked around the interior of the airship.
The wooden floors had a classic elegance, and the silver decorations adorning the walls gave it the feel of a noble’s banquet hall. The light streaming in through the windows bathed the interior in a warm, gentle glow.
“So this is what it feels like to fly.”
Melina also expressed her wonder, her finger tracing the condensation on the window, seemingly lost in thought.
But one of them wasn’t enjoying the experience.
“Ugh…”
Varis sat huddled in a corner, his face pale, beads of sweat on his forehead, his discomfort evident.
“Varis, are you alright?”
He asked with concern.
“Arnold…? Thanks for your concern. I-I’m fine – Ugh……”
But his words were cut short, his body succumbing to motion sickness, a known weakness of his.
“I wonder which upperclassman will be assigned to our team.”
Eilly, still gazing out the window, suddenly voiced her question, drawing the others’ attention.
They turned away from the scenery and looked at each other, a sense of anticipation building as they wondered about their new companion and the impact they would have on their journey.
The academy assigned teams of five students with one upperclassman as a mentor for dungeon explorations.
This was a necessary precaution, as dungeons were dangerous places, and they had to be prepared for any situation.
While evaluating individual student abilities was important, the academy prioritized their safety, especially after the Lamia incident during the midterm exam, which had raised concerns about the academy’s preparedness.
“I hope we get a good one.”
There had been rumors that the dungeon exploration would be canceled this year due to the Lamia incident, but the fact that it was still taking place suggested that the academy was committed to upholding its traditions.
“And hopefully someone we get along with.”
Someone said, trying to lighten the mood, and the conversation naturally shifted to the topic of their mentor.
“So… what kind of upperclassman do you all want?”
Varis leaned forward, looking at them. It was a familiar line from the game. The only difference was that he and Eilly were also present.
“Hmm~ I don’t know.”
Eilly was the first to respond, tapping her chin thoughtfully.
“I don’t really care, as long as it’s not a ‘woman’.”
It was an unexpected answer. It was a rather unusual preference, but it seemed Eilly simply didn’t want a female mentor.
“Hmm~”
Elisha seemed about to speak. He vaguely remembered their answers from the game. They would usually say something like they hoped for a capable mentor…
“I also hope it’s not a woman.”
“I agree. I don’t really care about their abilities, but a female upperclassman is a bit…”
Wait a minute.
Something was wrong.
These weren’t the lines from the game.
“What? I mean, shouldn’t we be more concerned about their abilities—”
“I don’t care.”
“Me neither. They’re all top students anyway. It’s not like we’re in a position to judge them.”
“I agree, for once.”
For some reason, they all seemed averse to having a female mentor, as if they had a shared, unspoken agreement.
“……?”
This was going to be a problem. He knew who their mentor would be.
“…Is there something on my face?”
He suddenly felt their gazes on him, their stares intense and unsettling.
“Haa, no.”
“Don’t mind us.”
“We just… have a bad feeling…”
They sighed almost simultaneously, their expressions troubled. He didn’t understand their reactions. It felt like they knew something he didn’t.
“Anyway, I think they’ll be here soon. It looks like the other teams have already been assigned their mentors.”
Varis said, looking out of the room, trying to change the subject. They could see other upperclassmen entering their assigned rooms in the hallway, exchanging greetings with their teams.
“I wonder who will be assigned to us.”
At Varis’s words, their gazes turned towards the door, a mixture of anticipation and nervousness in their eyes.
And then,
Creak –
The door opened, breaking the tense silence.
A familiar face appeared.
“Hello! Nice to meet you all!”
Flowing blue hair, clear blue eyes, and a bright, confident smile. She seemed to change the very atmosphere of the room as she greeted them warmly,
“I look forward to working with you all for the next few days.”
“I’m Lucy!”
It was the final heroine of the game.
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“So, this is… Team A-1? I’m Lucy, a third-year, and I’ll be your mentor for the dungeon exploration.”
Lucy approached them with a cheerful smile and a friendly demeanor. Her voice was clear and bright, instantly easing the slight tension in the room.
“Hello! I’m Eilly!”
Eilly was the first to respond, greeting her with a bright smile, her cheerful demeanor complementing Lucy’s energy, further softening the atmosphere.
“…….”
But he could see a hint of displeasure in Eilly’s eyes. She had just said she didn’t want a female mentor, and her wish had been denied.
“I’m Elisha. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Elisha also greeted her politely, bowing her head slightly with an elegant air. Though her words and demeanor were refined, there was a subtle wariness in her eyes.
“Melina Ferdinand. I look forward to working with you.”
Melina introduced herself calmly, nodding her head slightly, her expression composed, but her eyes subtly scrutinizing Lucy, a quiet charisma emanating from her.
“I-I’m Varis!!”
Only Varis seemed genuinely enthusiastic, his voice trembling slightly with nervousness, but he tried his best to make a good impression.
“I’m glad you all seem so welcoming~”
If only this harmonious scene could last…
But the situation quickly changed.
“Oh? Arnold! What a coincidence!”
Lucy’s cheerful voice rang out as his turn approached, and the air in the room instantly froze.
“Huh?”
Eilly, startled, nodded absently. The previously peaceful atmosphere shattered.
“I said it might be fate, and here we are!”
Lucy smiled brightly, seemingly oblivious to the sudden shift in the atmosphere, but the others’ gazes were now fixed on her, a chilling aura directed specifically at her.
“Um? Master, do you… know her…?”
Eilly was the first to react, a flicker of worry in her eyes, her gaze shifting between Lucy and him, as if trying to assess their relationship.
“Wait, you two know each other?”
Elisha asked directly, her eyes narrowing, her usual composure replaced by a hint of displeasure, as if she felt her territory had been invaded.
“Who is she?”
Melina stepped forward, her voice calm, but with an icy edge, her lips curved into a smile that was difficult to interpret.
The previously cheerful atmosphere had turned frigid at Lucy’s single remark, a subtle tension filling the room.
“Oh? Did I… say something wrong?”
Lucy scratched her head, seemingly confused, but her nonchalant demeanor only exacerbated the situation, further fueling the hostility in the room.
“Master, who is she?”
Eilly’s voice rose slightly, her eyes filled with suspicion and unease, her gaze fixed on Arnold.
“Where did you meet her?!”
Elisha’s displeasure was evident, her hand instinctively going to her hip, her posture challenging.
“Explain yourself!!”
Melina’s voice was firm, her eyes sharp, a hint of anger and jealousy beneath her calm tone.
The room was on the verge of chaos. Lucy’s innocent demeanor and cheerful expression clashed with the others’ hostility, creating a strange tension.
“Haa…”
He sighed deeply. The peaceful moment had shattered so quickly.
The upcoming journey already felt tiring, a heavy weight settling on his shoulders.
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Hi Lord Fourth here!
I’m new to translating so if you find some mistakes or inconsistencies let me know about it on the dedicated channel on discord.
