“Damn it, that Navi guy.”
“Acting like he’s some kind of brainiac.”
“This is ridiculous.”
“Alright, it seems like Kasuya understands now. Let’s get started on our team’s strategy right away.”
“Ah! Aki-kun has started some sort of strategy meeting!”
“The other teams seem to be doing the same. It’s like a planning session.”
“…Well, I guess I’ll just pretend to understand.”
“U-um, Kasuya -kun.”
“Hmm, what is it, Kotori-san?”
“Um, over here.”
Kotori-san beckons to me, sweating a little.
“What is it?”
“Um, A-Aki-sama and the others are saying that this dungeon practice is, um, well, I know it’s a weird explanation, but this dungeon practice is kind of like a roguelike game, you know, a mysterious dungeon kind of thing, like the Fuurai no Honyarara.”
“!!!!!!!! I see…! I understand!”
So that’s what it is!
On the surface, it looks like a simple dungeon raid, but in reality, we have to select our supplies, balance our activity time and safety, and aim for a high score.
And then…
“…There are many elements needed to aim for an efficient high score…”
As is common in roguelike games, there are restrictions like food, time limits, and weight limits.
I see, we can stay in the dungeon for a week, and re-entering the dungeon is prohibited.
We can’t just repeatedly set up and attack.
We need to figure out how to maintain safety while being efficient and aiming for high scores with each attack.
To do that, we need to make judgments first.
“Kasuya ?”
“Whoa, Kasuya -kun, you’re talking to yourself a lot.”
“That’s… scary.”
“Eep… Did I say something unnecessary?”
“No, everyone, please wait a moment.”
It’s noisy around me.
I want them to be quiet.
“Judgment—how deep to go, how much to hunt, what to hunt, what to bring back. With high freedom, the personalities of each team member reflect the difficulty, and above all, it’s annoying that the teacher, while calling it a rehearsal for adventurer requests, is making it harder than the actual event. It’s like they’re trying to make us play a money-making game in roguelikes while simultaneously raiding the dungeon.”
“…! I see, that’s an interesting perspective.”
“Huh?”
Oh no.
Did I concentrate a little too much?
“Huh, Kasuya -kun is really thinking about a lot. No wonder Snow-chan likes him!”
“W-Wait, Haru-chan! Stop it! Don’t say weird things!”
“Nya ha ha, don’t get mad, Snow-chan, your princess face is too precious—But indeed, as Kasuya -kun said, we need to solidify our strategy before we invade the dungeon, focusing on which categories to aim for points.”
“Um, can’t we ask the teacher about the scoring?”
“Natsu, you’re too naive! There’s no way they’d tell us that—”
“Natsu-san, you’re a genius! Ansburna-sensei! Please tell us the scoring!”
“““““Eh?””””””
“Hoh ho. That’s impossible. However… if I were in your group, I would first aim for the second layer. That would be the most efficient, assuming there are team members with high combat power.”
“…Hmm.”
“Hoh ho ho, anymore and it would be favoritism. I wish you good luck.”
…No gains!
“Sorry, I guess I messed up…”
I return to everyone with my tail between my legs.
It’s kind of embarrassing. While I feel like I’m becoming a decent villain as Kasuya , I still feel like a mob character as Katsunita Kihito.
I need to improve—
“Kasuya , nice job.”
Pats. Aki-kun puts his hand on my head.
Huh?
“W-Whoa, impressive communication skills… Kasuya -kun really is good at talking…”
I feel like I’m getting some respect from Kotori-san.
“Wow, good job, Kasuya -kun, Snow-chan. We’ve reached an answer.”
“…Geez, Taki—not Kasuya -san—you’re trying too hard. You talked to Ansburna-sensei so casually. Hehe, you did well.”
Huh?
I’m getting a pretty nice reaction, why?
“…This means we’ve found the optimal solution. At least, we’ve understood that the teachers believe the second layer has elements that allow for higher scoring.”
“If we have team members with high combat power, there are only a few teams with four or more S-class gifted and A-class gifted members, so we should be able to manage.”
“Yes, I agree.”
“…Kotori-san, what is everyone talking about? I feel like I’ve been led around in circles by Ansburna-sensei.”
“Huh, um, humble… thanks to Kasuya -kun asking the teacher, um, well, in roguelike terms, the deeper you go, the stronger the monsters get, but…”
“The rewards you get become better!”
“Huh?! Yes, that’s right! I’m sorry for not being able to explain it clearly. Everyone is coming up with ideas and Kasuya -san is asking the teacher questions, and it’s all really helpful…”
“What are you talking about? Kotori-san’s explanations are super easy to understand. You’re a genius!”
“Eh, um, really? I-I’m flattered, but it’s not that much…”
“Kotori? You seem really happy. Did something good happen?”
“Huh?! N-Nothing at all!”
Kotori-san quickly distances herself from me.
…Did I smell bad?
I take a bath every day and use some perfume that White and the others leave behind daily…
“Anyway, our group’s action guideline has been decided. We aim for the second layer. Let’s start hunting for points from there.”
“No objections.”
“Y-Yeah, I think that’s good too.”
“Huh!”
“Then let’s proceed.”
The discussion ended on a good note.
And then.
“Well then, it seems the transfer preparations are ready. Are the transfer heroes prepared?”
“As explained beforehand, you can only stay in the dungeon for up to one week. Anyone who remains in the dungeon beyond that will be mercilessly given a score of zero. Also, you can only escape from the dungeon once. By utilizing the transfer gates available on each floor, you can return to the front of this great gate. Ah, I almost forgot to mention a few things.”
The laid-back teacher pushed up his glasses.
“Escape from the dungeon on foot is impossible. The great gate in front of you, the Maris Great Gate, has never been opened in the history of the Empire, so entering and exiting the dungeon can only be done through transfer. And then—”
The teacher’s magic power slightly wavered, a reaction indicating a change in the emotions of the magician.
“This practical training has resulted in deaths every year, so please do your best not to die.”
At the teacher’s words, the atmosphere became chaotic all at once.
“Of course, for the nobles and the reincarnated heroes alike, whether they are magicians or adventurers, the true essence of those with magic and gifts is to fight. Remember that you are risking your lives from the moment you enter as first-years.”
“…I expected it, but to be told so clearly is something else.”
“Yeah, heh, it really feels like an isekai fantasy now.”
Everyone in our group started to feel a bit tense.
Huh, that laid-back teacher must have activated some weak mental magic.
He is bringing an unconscious level of tension to all the students.
What a good teacher.
But it’s strange.
It’s common knowledge that making a mistake can lead to death.
—The weaker ones are more sensitive to their own deaths, remaining carefree until the last moment, like insects.
Are they all not used to killing or being killed?
“Now, I will begin the transfer. Everyone, don’t move recklessly—stick together with your fellow group members—yes, just like that.”
The surroundings filled with light.
And then.
“Oh, that’s right. If you encounter a monster that can ‘break walls,’ please run away immediately. A being capable of breaking through the dungeon walls is definitely an A-class or higher monster, possibly even an S-class monster.”
At the same time as the teacher’s voice, our vision became completely white.
◇◇◇◇
Plop.
I heard the sound of water.
The moment I opened my eyes next, we were inside a massive cave.
For some reason, the ceiling and walls were lit, allowing us to see, albeit dimly.
However, there was no mistaking this atmosphere.
This was number one on the “places you want to visit in an isekai but really don’t want to go” ranking.
“This is… a dungeon… a real one!”
Snow-san’s delighted voice.
With strange statues, mysterious light sources, and then—
“Ah!! Right away?! Snow! Everyone, in front! Be cautious!!”
“「「「「What?!」」」」”
“「「「「GGGGGGGGEEE」」」」」
Blue skin.
A body covered in nasty-looking pimples, wearing a loincloth.
A club.
“Oh, a goblin.”
“「「「「This is a real monster…」」」」”
“「「「「Uwaaaaahhhhh!!」」」」”
The students who were transferred nearby suddenly went into a panic.
Some were so frightened they froze at the sight of the monster.
Others turned their backs and ran away.
…Why?
“Wait! Everyone, calm down! Don’t provoke it all of a sudden—”
“「「「「GEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAA!!!」」」」”
The goblin roared.
Excited at the sudden appearance of intruders.
As a result, the scene unfolded like this:
“「「「「「「「「「「「Uwaaaaaahhhhhhh!!??」」」」」」」”
Panic.
Students were fleeing in all directions, scattering like frightened spiders.
What the heck?
Oh. Our group seems to be fine…
“Wow, my hands are sweating.”
“I’ve never faced a real monster in training…”
“Eh.”
Haru-san and Natsu-kun, the twins, and Kotori-san were slightly trembling.
Wow…
Snow-san and Aki-kun are.
“Ugh, this is troublesome. Thanks to the others, the monster has found our position.”
“Yeah… this situation isn’t great.”
Oh, I unconsciously began to strengthen my magic power.
Good, yes, yes, if a magician properly uses enhancement magic, they can handle a monster in close combat without any problem.
Now, in these situations, the standard approach in isekai stories is either to accidentally show off my strength or to hide my true power and act like a mob character.
But I’m different.
I need to cooperate nicely and contribute in a way that increases Snow-san and the others’ favorability.
Now, what should I do—?
“Uwaaaaaahhhhh! Get out of the way!!”
“Stay back! Don’t come near, you monster!”
“Oh?”
Boom.
A student ran toward me at full speed.
They crossed right in front of me—
Ah.
“Kasuya-kun! Watch out!”
“GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!”
Those two were apparently being chased by the goblin.
However, by pure chance, I happened to be in their escape route. Well, hello there.
“Train!! How irresponsible!”
Snow-san’s scream.
Ah, I see, I was made a decoy.
Oh, Goblin-kun, you seem very motivated.
“Get out of the way! Kasuya!”
“GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!”
The goblin swung its club down at me.
Take it easy, take it easy, take it easy.
No magic power.
“Here goes.”
“GA!?”
“「「「「「What???」」」」」”
I grabbed the goblin that jumped at me by the neck.
Wow. It stinks.
I took it easy and pretended to be surprised while secretly using a little magic power—
“Uwaaaaaahhh! My hand slipped!”
“G, gAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!?”
Whoa!
I threw the goblin toward the wall.
It knocked out nicely—
Crack!
“Eh?”
The moment the goblin I threw collided with the wall, a loud noise echoed.
…The dungeon wall collapsed.
“「「「「「What???」」」」」”
Voices of my teammates froze.
And then.
《Naiippeee!》
The carefree voice of the navigator echoed emptily.
…The dungeon exploration practical training has begun!!
