“Yeah, this dungeon really is a bust. The weak monsters are way too strong…”
My classmate is grumbling while fighting nearby.
It’s true that the monsters appearing in today’s exploration practice aren’t the usual goblins and skeletons; they’re mostly one or two levels up. The type is the same, though.
But if I were to express my current feelings, it would be like this:
It’s a dungeon RTA (Real-Time Attack), so I want to get through quickly, but because of you all, Amagi-san can’t fight seriously, and it’s such a hassle…
Right. I’m currently fighting alone without letting Amagi-san join the battle.
After all, this is a class dungeon exploration practice.
Last time, we could go and fight wherever we wanted.
So surely Amagi-san must have been practicing in a less popular area.
This time, with a simultaneous start, she obviously got interrupted by the parties of Kise and Ando and failed to break free.
Why would they cast area-effect earth magic right as we start an RTA?
Only the committee head’s party and Sayamura-san’s party managed to slip through.
The seven parties, including us, ended up tangled together.
Well, in an emergency, I could just let Amagi-san fight without worrying about the surroundings, but I can’t just tell her to hurt our classmates unnecessarily.
She seems to be feeling frustrated too, but for now, she’s obediently following my lead.
By the way, when I asked Amagi-san about the range of her “Magic Release,” it wasn’t that wide.
It seems to have a directional effect, mainly spreading wide in the direction she’s facing and tapering off behind her.
So as long as I can get to the front, I should be able to break through even if there’s some influence.
I need to pull my weight until then.
However, for some reason, the other six teams are moving together at a constant distance.
Wouldn’t it be nice if a really strong monster showed up or something?
Thinking about that, I calmly cut down the Hobgoblin and Goblin Mage.
Normally, if you’re surrounded, it seems like you wouldn’t have a chance to fight, but they keep popping up, so I’m not short on opponents.
I could chop off this guy’s head and throw it at Kise.
“Whoa!?”
“Hey, don’t just throw heads over here!”
“Sorry. It kind of flew off cleanly in that direction.”
“Yumeno Ma-kun… snicker“
I really don’t care about Kise and Ando’s anger anymore.
I won’t miss the small sound escaping from Amagi-san, who’s trying to stifle her laughter. It’s important to relieve stress.
“I’m sorry, Yumeno Ma-kun.”
“You don’t have to apologize. If it comes down to it, just release your magic without worrying and break through.”
“…”
The atmosphere around us cools at my words. They seem to be worried about our conversation, so I should clarify.
My classmates are misunderstanding things.
“That is…”
“That is? You can’t think so lightly, Amagi-san.”
“Lightly…? I’m sorry.”
“You don’t have to apologize. But, for example, if a strong monster appears, when you feel like you’re going to lose, or when someone important’s life is at stake. In those moments, it’s unthinkable to hold back, right?”
“Yeah…”
“Right now, this is dungeon exploration practice. But we are training to explore the dungeons outside eventually. We should take this seriously, right?”
“Yeah…”
“Do you really have the luxury to hold back just because it affects those around you? Are you that strong?”
“No… I’m not strong. I’m still weak.”
“Right? Well, I understand you don’t want to hurt your classmates, so I won’t say anything for now, but it won’t do if you always think like that, okay?”
“Yeah…”
“So let’s go.”
I pick up my speed all at once.
Amagi-san follows me. With a slightly dark expression.
Uh-oh, did I say too much?
Honestly, I just want to tell my classmates, “You’re too soft!” Communication is tough, huh?
The classmates I glimpsed as I slipped through didn’t look very happy.
Kise was glaring at me, but what do they think they’re doing, bullying the strongest girl in the top class at a school for explorer training?
“Alright, we’ve broken through. From here on out, let’s go without worrying.”
“Yumeno Ma-kun… I’m sorry. I…”
Hmm, maybe I was a bit harsh in my wording?
If I were a handsome guy, I could probably just pat her on the head and say, “Let’s go!” to smooth things over, but is that okay?
No, I’d feel sad if she looked down on me like I was an insect… I should start with words…
“I like the gentle Amagi-san, you know? I’m the one who should apologize.”
“Eh? Yeah… Thank you.”
She seems surprised for some reason… Oh, I just said I like her.
What an idiot I am!!! If I’m going to say it, I should say it properly!
I might actually be able to do it… No, wait, that’s not right. I’m sorry for the misunderstanding.
I was the one being soft when we should be focused on the practice.
“Alright, let’s change our mindset. It’s not like I’m the one who dropped the ball, but it’s our first party exploration after all!”
“Yeah! I’ll do my best ♡”
It seems that after a moment of weird thinking, when I patted Amagi-san’s head, she managed to pull herself together.
Thank goodness. If she had unconsciously avoided me, I would have been in serious trouble.
But Amagi-san, now smiling, is cutely making a fist with both hands and saying, “Alright!”
Um… it would be nice if she could tone it down just a bit.
Ugh…
It seems Amagi-san has gotten pumped up without worrying about her “Magic Release.”
From here on out, even if I follow behind… no, I’ll go. I will.
“Alright, let’s chase after Sayamura-san and the committee head’s party.”
“Okay!”
After shaking off our classmates, Amagi-san, who fights without worrying about her surroundings, is still lovely and graceful.
We pushed forward, cutting down all the monsters in the new area.
Wait, didn’t I forget to mention what the content of today’s practice is!?
