We exhaled.
The presence of goblins disappeared, and the beastly stench dissipated. The dungeon returned to silence, broken only by the sound of water dripping again.
The shield-bearer lowered their shield, and everyone else sheathed their swords.
At our feet lay the corpses of more than a dozen goblins.
“...Surprisingly, we managed somehow…”
Someone muttered quietly.
“When we actually tried, it wasn’t that big of a deal, was it?”
“Maybe this is easier than we thought? Could it be this wasn’t an accident but actually part of the curriculum?”
“Right, right! And if things really got dangerous, maybe Lili would come rescue us from that hole in the ceiling or something?”
A few people nodded in agreement, and the atmosphere seemed to relax a little.
However, there were those with grim faces. Oujin was one of them.
It seemed he understood.
If Oujin hadn’t raised his voice.
Or if Void hadn’t barged in.
The ones who would have been wiped out were the first group from Class 1-A, excluding our third team.
That wasn’t because of any relative difference in strength. It was because real monsters were suddenly thrown at inexperienced youths. No matter how strong they were, if they reacted incorrectly, even weaker monsters could devour their lives. That’s what combat is.
In this class, by chance, there happened to be three people with experience who could handle sudden events.
Oujin, Void, and me. But this was purely coincidental. The rest were just lucky to survive.
This is too dangerous.
This is absolutely not part of the curriculum. King Kilpus—my father—would never build a school that pointlessly crushes the futures of young people.
This is an accident.
“Should we wait for help or act on our own? It’s a tough call, huh?”
Next to me, Miku murmured.
“The answer is obvious. Never be a fool who entrusts their life to others.”
“Whoa, cool! El-tan, I like you! Do you like me too?”
This was a good opportunity. I decided to make it clear.
Snorting, I spat out my response.
“Not particularly. In fact, I find you somewhat annoying.”
“I like that indifferent side of you too!”
“What do I have to say to make you stop, huh…?”
“I won’t stop! Not until you look my way!”
A bit away from our classmates, who had formed a defensive formation near the injured, our third team gathered. Well, actually, Oujin had beckoned us over. Though it seemed like he wanted Miku more than me.
“Hey, hey! You two, did you find the stairs?”
“No, there weren’t any in the direction I scouted.”
“Ah, but I did find them.”
Oh…
All eyes turned to Void. He gestured downward with his thumb.
“Downward stairs, that is. Heh heh.”
Downward, huh. This dungeon is deeper than I thought.
Given that it’s artificial, it might be a very dangerous creation. If we’re unlucky, there could be a boss guarding the treasure. The instructors probably have no idea.
“I don’t think this is something to laugh about,” Oujin said.
Void shrugged at his words.
“Hey, hey, honor student. Don’t say that to me. I didn’t build this dungeon.”
“Stop calling me an honor student. My name is Ryouka Oujin.”
“Oh? And you call me a delinquent, don’t you?”
“If you stop calling me an honor student, I’ll start calling you Void.”
Oujin was truly unshakable.
Despite Void being a head taller than him, Oujin stared him down without flinching.
“Fine, fine. Nice to meet you, Oujin. Looks like you and I are about the only ones useful in this class.”
I agree.
Wait.
I looked up at Void.
“What? You’re including me in that count?”
“Yeah. I thought only someone like old man Blythe would step out of formation in that situation. But heh, you did pretty well for a little brat. Just don’t push yourself too hard. You’ll die young.”
“Who are you calling a brat? I’ll knock you out!”
“Y-your anger is s-so… cu-cute…!”
Miku suddenly clung to me and started rubbing her cheek against mine.
“Ahh, I love you!”
“Stop it!?”
Amid the chaos, she tried to kiss me.
“I’ll marry you, El-tan! Before we die, let’s tie the knot somewhere private, okay? Okay?”
Grabbing Miku’s face with both hands, I pushed her away.
What’s with her? She’s absurdly strong.
“Don’t joke around! I’d never consider someone like you!”
“Why not? Isn’t it because you like older women like Instructor Ituka? By the time I graduate, I’ll probably be like her!”
No way. Do you realize how much you’d have to grow for that?
No, that’s not the point.
“L-Lili and I aren’t like that!”
“Ohh, jealous, are we? You’re calling her by her name, even though she’s an instructor and you’re just a student!”
“I call you by your name too! Oujin, stop standing there and help me!”
Miku kept coming closer. Her lips, dangerously close.
Oujin looked at me with a deadpan expression.
“Sorry. I’m not good with these kinds of situations.”
Too serious!
Void patted Oujin on the back, laughing.
“Heh. Oujin, you should visit Elva, the sightseeing city, someday. I’ll teach you the ways of the slums.”
“N-no, I’m in training, so… I’ll pass.”
Oujin blushed and looked down. Pure-hearted, isn’t he?
“El-tan, no! I’ll teach you instead, okay?”
She should learn from Oujin—wait, no, just help me already!
Sighing, Void finally intervened. Grabbing my collar, he pulled me away from Miku.
“Enough. Stop it, Orunkaim.”
“Huh? Why should I listen to you, Void? Love is free!”
But Void’s gaze at Miku seemed wary.
He placed me on the ground.
“Love may be free, but crime isn’t. In Galliant’s capital, touching someone under ten is a crime. Keep messing around, and you’ll never be able to return to the Orunkaim family.”
“Huh? Really?”
“Really.”
“Wow, for a delinquent, you’re pretty smart!”
An awkward silence followed.
Void frowned, but Miku didn’t seem to care.
“Fine, I’ll give up… for now.”
I breathed a sigh of relief.
But then.
“I’ll just leave my mark for now. Mwah!”
“Stop it!”
Miku pouted her lips and tried to kiss me again.
Grabbing her face, I blocked her once more.
She’s way too bold. Have the youth in the ten years since Blythe’s death become this aggressive?
“Heh heh. It’s useless. With those short, cute hands, you can’t stop me!”
“That’s literally what a criminal would say!”
Urgh! She’s too strong! Ah, her lips are getting closer!