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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Yuziro
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“Should we go work out?”
“I was wrong. Please spare me.”
I had carelessly mentioned working out and was now trapped in the muscle monster’s human shackles.
Of course, I was the one who brought it up, but I never imagined it would turn into this daily routine.
Somehow, I endured the intense workouts, returning to the dorm with wobbly legs to collapse into a deep sleep, only to wake up and attend classes.
This repetitive cycle, devoid of any free time, was finally broken by an announcement from Rain.
“Everyone, how are the combat classes going? Next week’s class will involve a dungeon exploration with active adventurers. While the danger level isn’t high, please be prepared just in case. I’ll announce the teams soon.”
Rain added that it would be a week-long group project.
Thanks to that, I was finally free from the muscle monster’s clutches.
Thank you.
Anyway, my assigned team was…
Guild: Academy
Students: Prieresil Millen
??? ]
It was a rather unique team, consisting of me, the nameless one marked as “???,” the top student Prieresil, and Rain herself as our leader.
“Headmaster?” Prieresil raised her hand.
“Yes, what is it?”
“I think there’s been a mistake with the team assignments. The other teams have 5 or 6 members, but our team only has two.”
“This arrangement is intentional. I’ve decided to personally lead a team consisting of the top student, Prieresil Millen, and the most unique individual in the class. Specifically, I want to observe the stu… the student with the bandages myself to make a judgment, as I don’t know much about him.”
Murmurs erupted throughout the classroom at Rain’s words.
‘A monster consumed by her own self-created persona.’
‘Guess there’s a reward for acting crazy for this long.’
Ignoring the chatter, I remained seated.
Prieresil glanced at me and clicked her tongue.
She didn’t complain about having Rain as our team leader, but she clearly wasn’t happy about being paired with me.
‘Well, what can you do? It’s your destiny. Suck it up and deal with it.’
After class ended, Prieresil sighed and approached me.
“…What should I call you?”
“Just call me Ron.”
Since Rain and Sora already knew my name, there was no point in hiding it, so I revealed it readily.
“Okay, Ron. We’re a team now, right? Let’s discuss what we need to prepare.”
“Sure.”
I wasn’t worried about Rain, but since I was a student at the academy, I figured I should at least show some willingness to cooperate.
Prieresil flinched slightly, surprised that I, known for my usual nonchalant attitude, was readily agreeing.
She then nodded.
“So…”
We were in an empty classroom, discussing our plans.
With only two students, we needed to be extra prepared, and as potential heroes, we had to be able to take care of ourselves.
That was the reasoning Rain had given.
And from the perspective of a former hero party member, I had to admit: this girl was a real talent.
“So, based on my research, the dungeon is about 9 months old. It’s not brand new, but it’s not yet considered a full-fledged dungeon. The monster generations have probably only changed about three times at most.”
As she said, dungeons grew stronger through a process of either plunder or defense.
Typically, dungeons that remained unconquered for over a year were officially listed as quests for adventurers.
On the other hand, dungeons that remained unconquered for over three years and whose information was scarce were dubbed “Demon Realms.”
These dungeons held valuable treasures accumulated by generations of monsters, imbued with the magical energy of the outer regions, significantly increasing their value.
They were called lands of instant riches, and thus, graveyards of adventurers.
Anyway, the dungeon we were going to explore was only 9 months old.
As she said, even if the monster generations had changed, it would have happened at most three times.
“Ron? Are you listening?”
“Ah, yes.”
“Based on the surrounding environment, there’s a high chance of encountering poison-using monsters. So we need to prepare plenty of antidotes and potions…”
‘But she definitely lacks real-world experience. This rookie!’
“Rookie?”
“No, I was just wondering if they had rookies here too.”
“…This isn’t a vacation, so please listen carefully.”
“Sorry.”
My thoughts must have slipped out.
Thankfully, she let it slide.
“This should be enough…”
Prieresil finished writing down the list of items she had prepared in her notebook.
The list included potions, antidotes, torches, magic stones for navigation, and so on.
They were all standard and useful items, but I felt like…
“I think we need a few more things,” I said.
“What? Like what?”
“You examined the surrounding environment, right? You know it’s not just poison we have to worry about, right? Have you heard of Frail Thorns?”
“Yes, I have, but… why?”
“If you get scratched by them, you get paralyzed. So we’ll need paralysis antidotes. And since we’ll be in a forest, we should prepare some ointment and thick clothing in case we get scratched. And instead of those overly bright torches, let’s get those magic torches that provide warmth. If you want to be extra prepared, we should also bring something to deal with the humidity.”
“…I see.”
I hadn’t expected Prieresil to be so receptive to my suggestions, but she was surprisingly agreeable.
Maybe it was because I had gotten used to Sora’s sharp tongue and assumed that was the norm?
Anyway, thanks to her, I was spared the trouble of arguing.
Prieresil carefully added the new items to her list.
“…Then let’s meet two days before our departure. We need to buy these items.”
“Yeah, sure.”
She left after muttering something that sounded like a complaint.
Time passed without incident.
I was starting to get bored with the academy classes when the day of our meeting arrived.
As promised, I waited for Prieresil at the park in front of the canteen.
Prieresil appeared in the distance.
She must have been quite beautiful because the upperclassmen who were nearby began whispering among themselves.
Prieresil, as if used to such whispers, ignored them and walked straight towards me, her expression neutral.
“You remember what we need to buy, right?”
“Of course.”
I didn’t bother asking, ‘Are you used to getting that kind of attention?’ It was best not to create unnecessary trouble.
“I’ll buy the medicine and stuff like that, you get the everyday items.”
“…Are you sure? Do you have enough money?”
Instead of saying, “I may look like a raggedy mess with these bandages, but I actually have quite a bit of money saved up.” I simply nodded.
Prieresil, despite her apparent reluctance, was about to pay for everything herself.
‘Let me save some face as your senior.’
Of course, we were technically both students now.
Anyway, I managed to stop her and paid for everything myself.
However, a few guys who seemed to have a crush on Prieresil apparently didn’t like the way I was acting.
“Hey, you.”
“Huh? Me?”
“Yeah, you. Don’t you use honorifics when talking to your seniors?”
“And who are you?”
“Still talking back? I’m a third-year!”
“So?”
The guy, annoyed that I kept using informal language, shoved my shoulder as he spoke.
‘Well, maybe you should show me some respect first.’
“When you see a senior, you should greet them with a ‘hello,’ you know.”
“Didn’t see you. Can’t you see my eyes are covered?”
I pointed at the bandages.
The guy, enraged, shoved me harder.
“You little shit— Stop showing off in front of the canteen and get lost. Oh, Prieresil, right? You’re the top freshman, right? Want to grab a meal sometime?”
‘Showing off? If anything, she looks like the lady and I’m the servant.’
Anyway, she was now my teammate, so I had to back her up.
“Is it on you, senior?” I asked.
“Mind your own business, you creepy asshole.”
“Hey, what’s with the freshman discrimination? If you’re treating her, then treat me too.”
“You little… Say one more word and I’ll beat you to a pulp.”
“—One more word.”
‘Snap.’ I could almost hear the blood vessels in the guy’s head bursting.
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Lol, what a troll xd