Academy Dungeon, 4th Floor (Student Council President, Reina Shiraishi)
After entering the 4th floor, we continued exploring as best we could amidst the increasingly intense magical energy.
Mizoguchi’s team was ahead of us, but their speed had significantly slowed down.
The fact that the magical energy here is so thick means that the boss is undoubtedly a powerful monster. It could possibly be something like a dragon.
Although I don’t believe there are legendary monsters like that here, could it be even more potent than the Nightmare King we encountered earlier?
However, just as we were pondering this, Yabuki and his team passed us by.
Were they unaffected by the magical energy? I thought, but it seemed they were using some kind of magical tools.
There are various magical tools crafted from dungeon materials. The Dungeon Controller we installed on the 5th floor, as well as the weapons and armor we use, are all magical tools. Some of these can suppress the effects of magical energy. I assume they’re using such a tool, judging by the gas masks and work-like uniforms they’re wearing.
Let’s let them go ahead. There’s no need to push ourselves to follow them.
But can they handle the boss on their own and win? Did they bring something else along?
“President…”
I was suddenly called, and when I turned around, I saw the strained faces of my party members.
This is bad. I’m the party leader. As student council president, I don’t have the luxury of worrying only about other parties anymore.
It seems I’ll have to slow down a bit and proceed.
I decided it would be better to move forward with Mizoguchi’s team, so I approached them and called out.
As I got closer, it became clear that their faces weren’t looking good either. They were probably being affected by the dense magical energy.
“Why don’t we team up? If we cast support magic on each other and move forward, it should be a bit easier.”
“President, right. Alright, let’s do that. This is tougher than I thought.”
Mizoguchi agreed without hesitation.
Though he’s a bit of a wild character, like when he was messing with Yumenoma, he’s good at judging situations and is a considerate leader. That’s why I didn’t understand his earlier actions, but maybe it was because of the potential magical energy surge we’re facing now.
“Reina!”
“…!?”
That was close. A beam of heat-like energy shot toward us, almost hitting.
“Misaki you saved me.”
“Yeah… Magic Shield.”
Misaki the reliable vice-president, quickly cast a protective barrier to defend against the incoming attack.
But what exactly attacked us?
We’re in an open area with large rocks scattered around, and I don’t see any monster that could have launched such an attack.
What’s going on?
“Ah… over there…”
Kuro pointed at something in the distance. But I couldn’t make it out. There was just a large rock there… could that be the monster?
Kuro has the Identification skill, so I quickly checked my phone.
This exploration is being streamed. It’s mandatory for the Academy’s selection exam, so the streaming is purely for reporting purposes—not like my usual personal streams where I talk and explain things.
Still, in cases like this, I’m allowed to ask the viewers for help.
[Is that… a Rock Dragon?]
[No way…]
“A Rock Dragon?”
[Yeah. It’s a giant dragon covered in tough, rock-like scales. Usually, it just sleeps lazily, but when it detects enemies, it attacks with breath, heat rays, and even long-range attacks like throwing rocks.]
[It’s a rare monster, but it’s S-rank.]
“What…?”
[What’s troublesome is that when it attacks, it’s already encroached on its territory. It’s usually lazy, but it doesn’t let intruders go free…]
At that moment, red magical energy wrapped around each of us.
[No! Get away from it! That’s the marker for the Rock Dragon’s lock-on!]
I didn’t know what to do, even though I was told to escape.
[Evade! The attack will come toward the lock-on marker!]
“Magic Shield!”
The two teams stacked their magical shields together.
I stepped forward and raised my shield.
But the attack came from above.
“Everyone, retreat! Run! It’s a rock!!”
As soon as I realized, I gave the order and quickly moved to escape.
Boom!!
We barely avoided the attack, but the sound of it crashing and the shockwave from the falling rocks sent us flying.
Damn, the enemy is too far to launch a counterattack…
More heat rays and fireballs came flying at us.
We were on the defensive, barely holding our ground.
[Someone contact the Academy!]
[What happened to the team that passed by earlier? Did they slip by unnoticed?]
[What about the other team?]
[Someone, help Reina and her team!]
“Ugh…”
This is bad.
Only Mizoguchi and Misaki are still standing.
No one has taken any fatal damage yet, but if this continues, we’ll be picked off one by one…
“Ark Shield!”
I planted my large shield into the ground, channeling a massive amount of magic to create a huge magical barrier.
I would need to hold out for a while, recover, and then retreat.
Hurry up and recover… I thought, as I headed toward the students.
The closest one was… Kanesaki from Mizoguchi’s party.
But a heat ray came flying toward us, hitting someone who had fallen nearby.
Why? What happened to my shield?
I turned around, and there, standing before us was the gigantic dragon… when did it move?
My shield was crushed, and the magical barrier shattered.
No, I can’t just stand here in shock. There are eight students behind me. They’re all people I, as the student council president, need to protect!
I summoned a spare large shield from my item box and blocked an attack from the Rock Dragon’s tail.
But it was tough.
I had no way of attacking, and the students, including myself, were all potential targets. I had to protect everyone.
But there’s no time to feel weak.
I just have to keep enduring.
Whenever the magical barrier breaks, I cast it again.
Heat rays and fireballs are blocked by the barrier, and I defend against the tail and rocks with my large shield.
I have no choice but to keep going until help arrives.
But when will it come?
I don’t know.
The teachers who entered the dungeon before us said they would contact the Academy, so maybe they’ll come soon. But can they handle the Rock Dragon? It’s an S-rank monster.
“Damn…”
I was getting more and more cornered while lost in thought.
I barely managed to block a rock with the magical barrier, but I failed to re-cast the shield in time.
Then, a heat ray shot out, hitting one of the students who had fallen. I rushed over and blocked the attack with my shield.
I made it…
But from the side, the Rock Dragon’s tail came flying toward me.
Before I knew it, I was sent flying.
I braced for the impact as I fell to the ground, terrified that someone else would be attacked in that moment.
“Made it…”
I was caught by someone.
Despite the tremendous speed, I was gently held.
Yumenoma…?
And then, I lost consciousness.
