Chapter 14

Academy Dungeon: 3rd Floor (Tōma Yumeno)

We cleared the second floor and entered the third.

An angel obliterates monsters, and I’m just watching from behind…

Am I just the cameraman here? This girl is way too strong. Even from behind, I can feel my skin tingling.

The more powerful the opponents get, the more Amagi-san’s magic energy surges. But it’s nothing that I can’t handle with my adrenaline pumping. I’m standing in the back, after all.

The third floor was also crawling with monsters.

“Have so many monsters already shown up here?”

“Huh? Oh, you mean despite Sayamura and the others having passed through?”

“Yeah, it feels like way too many. This never happened before.”

“Maybe another weird boss monster has appeared?”

“A weird one?”

“Last time, the Archdemon kept summoning a bunch of minions, remember? Maybe something similar is happening again. I mean, aren’t these monsters usually from the fourth or fifth floor?”

“They’re still coming up from lower floors?”

“That’s what it seems like.”

In the past, a conversation like this would have been tense and nerve-wracking. In my old party, it would’ve been heavy and strict, since our leader was short-tempered and we were always careful not to upset him.

But now, it’s different. Having an angel as my companion changes everything. Even while having such a serious conversation, I can’t help feeling uplifted whenever Amagi-san glances back with that ridiculously cute smile.

Though, whenever she does, the magic energy directed toward me also increases, making my skin sting…

We keep running, talking as we go.

Beep! Beep!

“An emergency alert!?”

“What happened? …‘A powerful monster has appeared and is impossible to engage. Sayamura has been captured?’”

“What?!”

“We have to hurry! That’s a message from Kimura, Sayamura’s teammate!”

“Yes! Eriina!”

A sense of dread sets in, and we sprint with all we’ve got.

We descend to the fourth floor.

The atmosphere is distinctly unusual—there’s too much magic energy here.

Last week, we explored this floor with ease, but now it’s filled with a foreboding aura. And why are there Dark Wolves and Thunder Kobolds here? Aren’t they C-rank monsters from other dungeons?

More and more are approaching. Are they fleeing from something?

“ Yumeno-kun, let’s find Eriina! The committee members might also be heading here after the emergency alert.”

“Right. I’ll cast support magic.”

“Thank you! Let’s go!”

I cast spells to boost attack, defense, magic, and speed.

If only I knew a spell for magic resistance. But oh well.

It’s time for sheer grit—hang in there!

Yes, I know you’ve been working hard all along, but now is a real test of endurance. Isn’t this the time to give it everything?

“ Yumeno-kun, look at that…”

As we continue fending off monsters, an unfamiliar monster appears.

“Sayamura…?”

“Eriina!!!”

“Wait, Amagi-san! Well, of course, you’d rush in! All support!”

The creature resembles a huge man with a muscular build and large wings. It’s standing with its right arm raised, where a massive, dark magic orb hovers, undulating like water. Inside it, Sayamura is trapped.

Seeing her friend in such a state, Amagi-san charges in, choosing close combat to avoid hurting Sayamura.

I cast support spells on her.

“Hmm… This magic power… Seems like I’ve finally found a worthy opponent.”

“Let go of Eriina!!”

Ugh… the magic pressure is rising. Hang on! You can handle this, Tōma Yumeno!

I cast Identify on the monster.

Yes, I know what it is, but this is for focus. I can’t afford to faint now.

Monster Data

Name: Balor
Species: Demon
Strength: Quite powerful (A-rank equivalent)
Traits: Speaks human language. Stronger than an Archdemon despite both being A-rank. Has dark and fire attributes.

Yep, I already knew… Nothing new.

I’m getting dizzy.

Oh? I made eye contact with Sayamura. She seems conscious, so she must be able to breathe in that magic sphere.

Her complexion looks bad, probably from prolonged exposure to intense magic. But it seems Amagi-san’s magic isn’t affecting her directly. Maybe that sphere is acting as a shield.

Does this mean it’s better not to free her immediately? For now, I’ll heal and support both Amagi-san and Sayamura.

“Healing Light!”

Instead of a targeted heal, I used an area spell.

It worked—Sayamura’s wounds, likely from being captured, began healing. She looks surprised… She really is beautiful, but now’s not the time to get lost in that thought.

The magic went through the sphere, so maybe…

“Mind Cure!”

Yes! Sayamura’s expression softened a bit!

“Hmm? You can pass through my magic field… You’re skilled, I’ll give you that…”

“Sorry, I’ll pass.”

“ Yumeno-kun…”

Look, now’s not the time for Balor to turn his attention to me! Amagi-san’s magic aura alone is overwhelming.

“Abyss Void!”