Chapter: 296
In the personal room of the Soul Academy.
In the center stood Arthur Soladin, the Third Prince of the Soladin Kingdom, clearly recognized as the second-in-command of the Soul Academy.
“As you all know, the reason we are gathered here is simple. It’s to conquer the dungeon created by Lucy Allen.”
Joy Partlan, the young lady of the Partlan Ducal Family and expected to become an outstanding Great Wizard, alongside Frey Kent, the eldest daughter of the Kent family known for her swordsmanship, both of whom were praised as the brightest talents of their generation before Lucy’s appearance.
And Phoebe, the Saintess from the Jushin Church, whose overwhelming Divine Magic skills earned respect from many priests and bishops.
These individuals could be called the best among the first-year students of the Soul Academy, aside from Lucy. They had the skills to easily surpass an ordinary dungeon, yet there was a hint of seriousness on their faces.
Because what stood before them was the dungeon created by Lucy Allen.
“Given that she has provoked us, Lucy Allen must have put considerable effort into creating that dungeon. So, it would be foolish to approach it with a half-hearted mindset; if we prepare thoroughly, we will surely reach the end of the dungeon.”
“Yes. Of course, Your Highness.”
“Yeah. I’ll give it my all.”
“We have to do our best.”
Just as the four exchanged serious glances, Jeff Partlan, seated at one side of the table, blinked and quietly spoke up.
“Excuse me, but I haven’t yet heard any details. Can someone explain why the mood is so tense?”
Jeff, who had been dragged along by Joy amidst the piles of assignments from professors who believed students should only listen to their own subjects, was utterly bewildered.
He had left behind his precious assignment because his little sister asked him to tag along, only to find himself surrounded by influential figures like the Third Prince, the Saintess, and the Young Lady of the Kent family.
Amidst his confusion, he managed to maintain his composure and sit down, only to hear weighty statements about things he hadn’t even caught a hint of.
Even Jeff, skilled in the art of socializing, could only smile wryly in this situation.
“Joy, did you bring me here without any explanation?”
“…I focused on bringing you here as quickly as possible.”
“Ha. Foolish Young Lady. If you live like that, not only will you not shake off the foolish title, but everyone, including Lucy Allen, will start calling you foolish.”
“You’re always so kind that it was a mistake. Please don’t talk as if I always commit such rudeness, silly Prince.”
“Who are you calling silly?!”
“Blushing and running away with that youthful charm—how can that not be silly?”
“And who’s the one who didn’t even realize their hair was going in the same direction?!”
“…You knew and didn’t tell me?!!”
While the pair raised their voices, ignoring their princely and noble statuses, Jeff wore a wry smile.
Phoebe, seated next to them, spoke softly with a gentle smile.
“I apologize for the disruption, Sir Jeff.”
“No worries. It’s entertaining to watch, so it’s fine.”
“Then, that’s a relief. For now, let me explain the situation, at least until this commotion settles.”
Jeff tilted his head as he heard about the proposal made by the Dungeon Studies Professor to Lucy, who accepted and proceeded to create the dungeon.
“Isn’t that even better? No matter how remarkable Lucy may be, she can’t possibly be good at dungeon creation right from the start.”
Jeff’s remark, suggesting that it would be better for Lucy to step in rather than leave it entirely to Professor Jessel, known for making dreadful dungeons, caused Phoebe, Arthur, and even Joy to shake their heads in unison.
“Jeff, that Professor Jessel engaged with Lucy Allen for nearly half a day, skipping his class to discuss her dungeon. Do you think that dungeon could be easy?”
“…I suppose that’s true.”
If the professor, who had left many students in despair with his tests, was so excited to talk for half a day, the dungeon’s quality must be high. Yet for the students who had to conquer it, it would likely become a hellish place.
“But isn’t it better from the Prince’s party’s perspective if it’s tough? The tougher it is, the easier it’ll be to distinguish the differences, right?”
“Normally, that would be true. But our current goal is to conquer the dungeon entirely. Grades are merely a secondary outcome.”
“Why is that?”
“Because there’s a reason it has to be that way.”
The reward for conquering the dungeon—the promise that whatever Lucy Allen desired would be granted.
Upon hearing Lucy’s affirmation, the first thought that crossed Arthur’s mind was his desire to understand the true meaning behind her past words.
However, Arthur did not aim for that. How could one hope to learn the answer to a question after defeating Lucy Allen in such a way?
Instead, his wish was for Lucy Allen to kneel.
If she, who always looked down on and mocked everyone, would concede in a trembling voice that her meticulously crafted dungeon was sloppy.
Hmm. Wouldn’t it feel really refreshing?
Just imagining those vivid and alluring eyes welling up with tears made him feel a surge of joy.
“Your Highness?”
Arthur, caught off guard by Jeff’s question, quickly closed his mouth and cleared his throat.
“…Ahem. Don’t ask too many details. I can’t answer.”
“Understood.”
As Jeff tilted his head and turned to the side, Joy and Phoebe averted their gazes, while Frey wore her usual impassive expression.
Though the other three shared the intent to aim for Lucy’s proposed reward, the details differed for each.
Joy dreamed of walking around with Lucy, decorating each other.
A day of laughter spent with her close friend, dressed beautifully.
It was a wish Joy had since she was very young, one unfulfilled as she had no one to share it with.
If they succeeded in conquering the dungeon, Joy would take Lucy to the capital during vacation to fulfill this dream.
Frey, sitting next to her, had simpler wishes than Joy.
She merely hoped Lucy would praise her.
To hear a pure “Well done.” To have her head patted and to be looked at with a smile.
Frey wished for Lucy, who rarely praised others, to say something commendable without sarcasm.
And blushing while lowering her head, Phoebe wanted Lucy to pray for her—placing her warm, gentle hand on her head while kneeling.
If she could receive a prayer that happiness would fill her future with that beautiful yet clear voice, she felt there would be nothing but smiles in her life.
Though aware that personal and selfish requests should not go into prayers for Lord Jushin, Phoebe still wished for it.
Noticing that each had sealed their lips for their own reasons, Jeff realized he wouldn’t get any answers and shrugged, moving onto the main point.
“So, what help do you need from me?”
“Please tell me all the types of gimmicks that may appear in the first-year Gimmick-type Dungeon and all the methods to apply them.”
Even if Lucy was in charge of the overall design of the dungeon, the bottom line was that the questions would ultimately fall within the exam scope.
So, if they memorized all the gimmicks that could potentially be asked in a Gimmick-type dungeon and their applications beforehand, they would conquer it much more easily.
“I heard Joy said you researched this after facing challenges from Professor Jessel in the past. Do you still have that data?”
“Yes, I do, but it’s information I gathered with considerable effort.”
Upon hearing the request, Jeff smiled slyly, trailing off his words.
The quality of information gathered through intense struggles was remarkably high. How could he offer such information to these bigwigs for free?
He thought at the very least he’d need some verbal promises…
“Brother.”
At the sound of Joy’s voice, Jeff turned his head and lost all his thoughts.
“Brother, could you help me just once?”
With her cute little sister looking up at him and speaking in a cutesy tone, how could he think about anything else?
“Could you wait a moment? I’ll bring everything I have.”
Despite having offered to become a pushover, Jeff melted into a smile of happiness.
For this crazy sis-con, his little sister’s charms held value beyond gold.
*
A few days passed since I made that slip of the tongue.
During that time, Arthur, Joy, Frey, and Phoebe prepared diligently for the dungeon conquest as if they were possessed.
They engaged in fierce training individually, met every evening to synchronize their tactics for the Academy Dungeon, and even gathered information on gimmick-type dungeons to prepare accordingly.
What in the world could they want from me to be this serious?
Various ominous thoughts crossed my mind in unease, but now I felt a certain level of resignation.
Those four weren’t the type to make strange demands like that foolish fox.
It’s probably going to be fine. Maybe.
Even if it’s not fine, there’s nothing I can do about it.
If I were to backtrack now and say I was joking, I’d probably end up in a real mess.
Anyway, having decided not to worry about what the four did, I began contemplating another important issue.
It was about the rewards for clearing the dungeon.
To me, the completion of a dungeon ultimately lies in its reward. If the reward doesn’t match the hardship endured in conquering the dungeon, it’s bound to leave a bad aftertaste.
Realizing this fact from Phoebe’s question last time, I immediately sought out the Dungeon Studies Professor to discuss the matter of rewards.
The professor agreed with my opinion, but regrettably, there were limitations to the rewards the Academy could offer.
Ultimately, the dungeon I created was intended for exams, so it couldn’t offer rewards comparable to the Academy Dungeon.
Dissatisfied with that, I rejected the Academy’s support and firmly stated I would bring the rewards myself.
After leaving the professor’s office, I pondered endlessly about what would be an appropriate reward, yet nothing convincing surfaced in my mind.
I couldn’t think of anything that would make every student tear up.
So, I decided to stop thinking alone and sought advice from Karia.
“Got the general condition down. Employer.”
Karia responded without a second thought to my question.
“If that’s the case, jewels are the best. Expensive, eye-catching, and anyone would want them.”
‘I thought of that too…’
“Hey, Auntie, you haven’t forgotten that most of the sloppy nobility at the Academy have nothing but pride, right?”
I hadn’t thought of jewels as an option.
But since most of the Academy was made up of nobles, jewels couldn’t be a practical choice.
Why would they seek something they could buy with their own money while enduring the hardships of a tough dungeon?
“What I’m talking about isn’t the ordinary jewels you’re thinking of, Employer.”
‘Something else?’
“What do you mean by something else?”
“Jewels processed and guaranteed by the Arts Church. Items that even high-ranking nobles and filthy rich magnates couldn’t get their hands on. If you offer those as rewards, it’ll surely create a stir.”
The Arts Church…
Surely she meant that repugnant pervert who’s an Apostle there.
“That’s fortunate. Didn’t we schedule to meet tomorrow? Just ask then.”
Karia said that while handing me a newly fitted bunny girl costume.
“Try using some charm. That pervert will probably roll over and give you everything and anything.”
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