Chapter: 316
Dragged into the professor’s office without even getting to eat pasta, I caught a glimpse of the Dungeon Studies Professor, who was rubbing his temples.
Back then, I had lost my rationality and just acted on impulse, but what I had done moments ago was knock a few people out in front of many witnesses.
Even now, I don’t regret throwing punches, but if you ask me whether it’s a good thing or a bad thing, I’d definitely say it was a bad thing.
With everyone in the cafeteria as witnesses, there’s no way to quietly sweep this under the rug. We need to address the right and wrong of the situation and decide on the penalties.
So right now, what I need to do is explain how unreasonable and threatening the other party’s actions were and appeal that I had justification for what I did.
It’d be even better if I could show some remorse for my actions.
Even though I’m aware of what I should do, my outward behavior was completely different from my thoughts.
My shoulders were squared, looking all dignified. My eyes had a cocky gleam that seemed to say, “Why are you wasting my time?” My lips were pouting, and my legs were crossed in a way that showed no semblance of decorum.
I knew that this posture might even lead to punishment for my insolence!
But I had no choice!
With my Mesugaki skill, I couldn’t show remorse, let alone act humbly!
“Lady Allen.”
While I was lamenting to myself, I heard the professor’s voice and slowly turned my head. He was probably going to give me a lecture about what just happened, right?
“I apologize.”
I blinked in surprise at the professor, who I never expected would apologize.
Apologize? For what?
“I should have foreseen that those fools would come to you.”
My confusion was clarified by the professor’s following explanation.
It turns out that the shoddy trash that had come after me had visited the professor beforehand to discuss the dungeon.
“Is it really a place that can be cleared? Wouldn’t it be too much for ordinary students to tackle? Can Lady Allen prove that it can be cleared?”
The professor spoke with deep anger as he mentioned how he had chased them away after they rambled nonsense that wasn’t worth answering.
After all, this professor had a significant role in designing the final dungeon.
When a person who took pride in helping create the dungeon heard questions about whether it was a “real dungeon,” how irritated must he have felt?
If he hadn’t been in his position, perhaps he would have dealt with it himself before it got to me.
Ahh, just thinking about those guys makes my blood boil.
I held onto my pride in the dungeon, prepared to be bullied by the Shoddy God, only to hear those unqualified fools babbling nonsense about it.
I should have beaten them more. I should have educated them until their faces turned pale whenever they looked at me…
No, I could just visit later and calmly teach them their place, right?
Yeah, I’m a genius!
Hmm… What should I do first?
“Lady Allen?”
Huh? What?
“I have a rough idea of what you’re thinking, but please hold back for now.”
…Did my expression give it away too much? If the professor is this quick to intervene without me even saying anything, then…
“If you go visit them today, you will stand out too much. So, wait until things settle down and quietly inform them of the proper etiquette later.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle at the professor’s words, which implied he could create justification if necessary.
Oh. So he was giving me advice, not trying to stop me?
Looks like he was really pissed off too.
I mean, who wouldn’t be angry hearing that trash talk about them? Right?
“Let’s stop talking about those worthless fools. There’s something more important.”
‘Something important?’
“An important matter?”
“About your declaration to clear the dungeon in front of everyone, Lady Allen.”
Just now, I had declared in front of everyone that I would show them how to clear the upcoming final exam dungeon.
I was saying that it wasn’t that the dungeon was too difficult to clear; it was simply that they were shoddy and couldn’t do it.
This was a straightforward truth that anyone involved in the dungeon creation would nod along to, but those who heard me in the cafeteria wouldn’t think that way.
If you’re struggling to solve a difficult problem while someone next to you laughs, saying it’s because you’re shoddy, who would take that well?
“The gaze of everyone watching your demonstration will certainly be critical.”
Having made this provocation, I knew that the eyes watching my demonstration would not be kind.
They would be trying hard to pick out even the slightest flaw.
Now, I understood what the Dungeon Studies Professor was trying to tell me.
“Are you okay with that?”
She was genuinely worried about me.
She was asking if I would be alright being judged under the public eye.
Puhaha! The Dungeon Studies Professor used to send me ice-cold glares before she created the final exam dungeon.
And now, she’s worried about me?
I must really be good at making dungeons.
I let out a suppressed chuckle, and the professor’s eyes relaxed slightly.
She probably knew what answer I was going to give before I even had a chance to answer it.
‘It’s fine.’
“Kuhaha! How arrogant of you to have a shoddy professor worrying about you! Isn’t it about time for some self-awareness?”
Giving advice on how to clear dungeons had grown tiresome for me.
I had written strategies for all the dungeons in the Soul Academy, including countless dungeons that had come up in various modes.
There’s no way I couldn’t show a demonstration on clearing the dungeon I personally created, right?
“Well then, I won’t press the matter further.”
As the Dungeon Studies Professor smiled and added she would arrange a schedule for the demonstration after the final exam, the old man, who had been quiet up until now, finally spoke up.
[Good, Young Lady.]
‘What are you talking about?’
[Didn’t you dream of this moment? Planning how to demonstrate clearing the dungeon to others.]
‘…How do you know about that, Grandpa?’
[Because I saw it.]
You mean you saw me giggling alone?!
I thought it would be fine since you weren’t responding to my calls, and I was freely expressing my inner self!
And that was your sneaky trap all along!
[You were definitely laughing while thinking, ‘Everyone will surely say how cool I am when I do this…’]
‘Gyaaaah! Stop! Enough! No more!’
Wait a minute, Grandpa! You said you consider me like a granddaughter!
Is it okay for the granddaughter of a legendary Holy Knight to have her embarrassing history dragged out like this?!
Shouldn’t you show a bit more consideration?!
[Well. You shouldn’t have handed me over to Lina.]
You still remember that?!
That was ages ago! How petty!
You were the one who provoked me first!
Who was it that kept nagging and provoking me, leading to this revenge?
Just wait!
I’ll keep this in my heart as a grudge!
Desperately trying to find a new topic to suppress my embarrassment, I searched for something.
Something.
Anything appropriate.
Oh, right! The leading group at the academy dungeon!
What on earth are they doing that they still can’t clear the 5th floor?!
If they’ve been trying since yesterday, they should be getting close to a breakthrough!
I’ve been ready to face punishment since yesterday!
Why are they still stumbling on the 5th floor?!
When I threw that question, I noticed the Dungeon Studies Professor’s shoulders, which were previously buoyed with excitement about scheduling the demonstration, visibly droop.
What’s going on? Why the sudden change?
Did Prince Kurten do something weird again?
No?
What’s going on then?
Did Cecil mess something up in the process of clearing?
Not that either?
Ahh. Could it be that our foolish young lady did something outrageous?
“It’s too long to explain in words, so I’ll just show you the video.”
As the Dungeon Studies Professor waved her hand, a huge magic circle filled the desk.
And as the magic within it manifested, a video appeared between the professor and me.
It was the sight of Arthur’s party.
“Looks like it’s well-timed. They seem to be preparing to tackle the 5th floor boss.”
They were at the door, ready to confront the boss I had assigned as the final challenge in the dungeon—someone I’d put a lot of care into crafting for the dungeon’s integrity.
Arthur and Joy were setting up the magic circles they would use inside.
Phoebe was bestowing individual buffs and inscribing divine magic onto her accessories.
Frey was wearing an aura on her sword, her eyes closed, likely visualizing the upcoming battle.
‘Joy. Are you ready?’
‘Yes, Your Highness?’
‘I’m done. All that’s left is to find out if our preparations are sufficient.’
…Huh? Wait a minute.
Something feels off about the discussion here?
Why are they talking about personal preparations instead of the gimmicks?
Shouldn’t they know by now?!
The 5th floor boss was not meant to be taken down by brute force!
Wait a minute?
Are they thinking what I’m thinking right now?
‘Hah. Lucy Allen. Despite repeatedly telling you not to judge everything by your own standards, you’ve created this bizarre thing.’
‘You never know. This might be something Lady Allen was attentive to.’
‘…If that’s the case, it’s truly terrifying.’
‘Everyone. The Young Lady must have believed we could overcome this trial. So regarding our Young Lady…’
‘Don’t worry, Saintess. The two of us definitely know who we’re up against.’
‘Third Prince is right. Phoebe. It’s true that the Young Lady has high standards, but she wouldn’t present us with an impossible challenge.’
No! What in the world are they talking about?!
This boss was set up to ensure they couldn’t just bash their heads against it to clear it!
It was specifically designed to force them to find an alternative approach!
‘Then shall we go once more? After all, we have no idea what Lucy Allen will say if we don’t clear it by the final day.’
With Arthur’s words, the atmosphere turned serious, and I couldn’t help but rub my face in frustration.
Why don’t they sense something’s off?!
Not to mention, you guys are ranked 2nd and 3rd in the entire continent’s first-year class!
There’s no way a boss that seems difficult for you would be an exam problem!
After a few failures, it’s only normal to start reconsidering and searching for alternate methods, right?
Why are they just throwing themselves at it?!
And you still say you’re the top two in the academy?!
…Huhhh.
Alright! I’ve made my decision.
During this winter vacation, you won’t have any freedom!
Through the Allen family’s special training, I will drill into you the methods to clear dungeons from start to finish.
No refusals will be accepted.
This is the disaster that you brought upon yourselves!
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