Chapter: 321
Jeff smiled as he watched Joy surrounded by many, being the first conqueror of the dungeon.
Joy, with her fan covering her mouth, nonchalantly remarked that being a descendant of the Partlan family, she had to handle this much. Though she possessed the elegance befitting a noble lady of the Ducal Family, Jeff, who had watched her since she was very young, roughly guessed the expression hidden behind that fan.
Looks like she’s really happy with all the praise from those around her.
After all, she’s a kid who loves to be complimented.
While she might find those adoring gazes uncomfortable, she’s probably struggling to hold back a beaming smile.
Jeff, watching her fondly, thought it was a good decision to deliberately act ignorant of the gimmick.
If I had clumsily informed the Second Prince about the dungeon’s gimmicks and thus taken Joy’s status as the first conqueror, she would definitely resent me.
Imagining Joy shouting, “Big brother! I really hate you!” made Jeff clutch his chest as if it would tear apart, again praising his own choice.
“That brat.”
Turning at the voice from beside him, he found Cecil, gazing at his half-brother with a peculiar expression.
The biggest emotion radiating from his face was, of course, envy and jealousy.
However, unlike the past where the Second Prince would lash out in frustration, it seemed he’d learned to manage his emotions.
What could have changed this guy, whom I thought would never change?
I should rethink my assessment of the Second Prince. I thought he was someone I had no reason to get closer to, but now he might have some utility.
Even if grabbing the throne seems unlikely, it wouldn’t hurt to leave some room for a relationship.
“Your Highness, the Second Prince.”
“What is it?”
“Let’s head back into the dungeon soon.”
Let’s start acting like we’ve gradually realized the gimmicks.
“Though I’ve lost the status of the first conqueror in the entire grade, isn’t there still some glory left?”
By revealing one clue after another, I’ll make him realize that I can be a useful tool, while also invoking a sense of debt.
“I haven’t said I won’t keep challenging it. I’ve invested way too much time and effort to just give up now.”
“Haha, I’ve spoken unnecessarily. I apologize.”
While it’s regrettable not to see Joy puffing up with pride anymore, there are things to do right now.
Besides, it’d be obvious that she’d run eagerly to brag about defeating me later—it wouldn’t be enough just to see her cute face then…
Our Joy’s cuteness is never too much to see!
Ah. Damn. Should I just say we’ll rest a little longer? Maybe I could stall for time under the pretext of offering clues?
“Apologies, but let’s move. If I cannot be the first, at least I should be the second.”
Unfortunately for Jeff, there was no time for him to chat leisurely.
Before he could say anything, Cecil got up from his seat, and Jeff lamented how the Second Prince had become annoyingly diligent, forced to follow behind him.
*
“Truly a Young Lady Partlan! You achieve things we wouldn’t even dare dream of.”
“Oh my, but Young Lady Rumli was closely chasing Young Lady Partlan too, wasn’t she?”
“Right! For a while there, it was unclear who would lead!”
“Ohoho, it was just luck on my part.”
In the midst of a garden gathering, the young ladies exchanged superficial smiles while building rapport.
Meanwhile, Toby, watching them a few steps back, sighed multiple times, hesitating to step forward.
To re-enter the dungeon, he would have to face Young Lady Rumli and persuade her.
He couldn’t muster the courage to squeeze himself into that circle and ask her while facing scornful looks!
Should I just wait for a better opportunity later?
Maybe wait until Young Lady Rumli is alone?
No, that won’t do.
With the exams almost over, every moment counts in this situation; I can’t afford such luxury.
To confirm whether my thoughts about the dungeon are right or wrong, I have to persuade Young Lady Rumli as soon as possible!
Toby, troubled between his selfish desires and the hunger for dungeon conquest, ultimately steeled himself and moved forward.
“Excuse me… who are you?”
“I remember you! You’re the commoner who entered the dungeon with Young Lady Rumli.”
“Why is someone who got carried along by the Young Lady’s abilities here?”
Despite the whispers of the noble ladies, Toby pressed on and finally reached Avery.
“What brings you here, Toby?”
“Lady Rumli. There’s something I must discuss. Could you spare me a moment?”
“Is it about the dungeon? If it is, I believe I’ve already conveyed my intentions.”
Indeed, Avery had previously declared to Toby that she had no plans to conquer the dungeon anymore.
Expressing reluctance with words unbefitting a young lady.
“Has it been just a few days, and you’ve forgotten already?”
“No, I have not forgotten.”
“Then you understand that my response remains the same.”
So, it’s going this way again. Toby, recalling the scene where Avery had shivered, anticipated her refusal.
Naturally, he had prepared a way to turn that refusal into acceptance.
“If that’s the case, I’ll have no choice but to seek help from that person.”
“…That person?”
“Yes, you know who I mean.”
Having entered the academy as a special recruit from a mercenary group, Toby hardly had connections with the nobility.
Unless it involved his father, the situation would differ, but it was a fact that Toby had no known noble acquaintances.
So if he dared suggest seeking help from someone, it could only mean one person.
Lucy Allen.
The eldest daughter of the Duke’s family and top student of the first year at Soul Academy.
She was someone within the academy that no one knew of, and for some reason, Avery wouldn’t dare act against her.
“Sigh. Fine, let’s talk for a moment.”
Understanding the meaning behind Toby’s words, Avery shrugged as if resigned, yet her hidden hand under the table was trembling.
After the other young ladies shot cold glares at Toby and departed, he became convinced that during the vacation, his father would make him receive a brutal beating.
At that moment, abandoning her composure as a Countess’s daughter, Avery gazed at Toby with cold eyes.
“Are you here to beg me to enter the dungeon with you?”
“Yes, that’s correct. There’s something I need to verify.”
“You’re quite curious, aren’t you?”
Her scornful remark lingered as she sighed deeply, adding a further comment.
“I’m grateful to you. Though it was out of necessity to accompany Lady Allen, it’s true that thanks to you, we reached greater heights in the dungeon.”
Had it not been for Toby, Avery’s party wouldn’t have reached even the 0th floor, let alone compete for the lead.
Being stuck within the confines of the noble ladies, lacking practical experience, how could they reach such heights?
Avery felt genuine gratitude on that note.
“But that’s our limit. Without the brute force of the Third Prince’s party, we can’t go any higher.”
Even noble ladies are not without their desires.
The praise of those around them. Adoring gazes. The glory of competing with great figures.
In that environment, Avery convinced the other young ladies of the thrilling tales they would share in the social circle, pouring herself into conquering the dungeon.
She struggled so hard that she almost flunked a few other exams.
However, even with such effort, there were limits.
Even if someone knowledgeable about the dungeon like Toby was there, the fact they lacked the capacity compared to others leading the way wouldn’t change.
While others surged ahead, stuck behind a wall, Avery and her party ultimately had to give up on conquering the dungeon.
“You know best that even if we re-enter the dungeon, nothing will change for us.”
Having benefited from Toby, and with Lucy behind him, Avery tried her best encouraging words to send him away, but Toby firmly shook his head.
“No. It will change. If my thoughts are correct, we won’t need brute force to conquer that dungeon.”
“Huh?”
“I will explain now. Listen to my story and then decide if you wish to enter the dungeon or not.”
Initially, Avery thought he was spewing nonsense, but as Toby’s story drew on, her eyes gradually sparked with interest.
At the very end of Toby’s explanation, she exclaimed they should enter the dungeon immediately.
And the next day.
On the last morning of the academy’s final exams.
Avery’s party successfully conquered the dungeon, standing second among the first years.
In the entire year, they followed Cecil’s party and reached the third position in dungeon conquest.
*
Seeing Arthur and his party return from outside the dungeon, I hurried to meet them.
Punishments are most terrifying before they’re implemented, but after, they seem trivial, right?
Desperate to get that over with and ease my mind, sadly, the world doesn’t flow as I’d like.
“I’ll talk to him after the final exam is over.”
“It’s better done when one is relaxed.”
“Sorry, Young Lady. Please wait a moment.”
“I’m fine doing it now. You’re telling me to pick up on cues? Umm, got it. I’ll be quiet.”
Thus, I ended up in a position of waiting for the punishment that would come once the final exam was done.
I hope the things they want don’t change until the end of the final exam.
With anxiety that their hearts might flutter and demand something outrageous, a day passed.
Around noon, when the academy’s final exam concluded, I found the Dungeon Studies Professor at the examination venue.
Perhaps owing to just finishing the exam, the place was filled with chaos.
“Now I think I understand the strategies!” Some pleaded for another chance while clinging to the assistant.
Others wore a forlorn face, certain they’d failed.
A group lamenting that they wouldn’t be able to counter anything thrown at them by me, desperately pulling their hair.
Some simply gazed longingly at the dungeon entrance.
All sorts of students were expressing their emotions about how massive that uproar became.
Even though I revealed myself, those remaining in the exam room didn’t notice at all.
“Well, this is something. Quite a riot.”
The Dungeon Studies Professor, sporting a wry smile, said he’d calm them down and was about to cast an amplification spell, but I halted him.
“I’ll handle this myself.”
“Don’t disturb me. You clueless self-proclaimed professor.”
From this moment on, this is my stage.
I need to vent my stress by mocking these sloppies who couldn’t even grasp the dungeon gimmicks, and it’d be troublesome if you snatched my spotlight.
“Got it. Do as you wish.”
Confirming the Dungeon Studies Professor took a step back, I concentrated the Divinity around my neck.
One of the applications of physical enhancement. Who would’ve thought I’d use this technique to provoke?
“Look here!♡ Sloppy ones!♡”
From now on, I’ll carefully explain how to conquer this rotten water of a dungeon.
Everyone should get ready to listen attentively in gratitude.
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