Chapter: 421
Starting from their second year at Soul Academy, the value of the Academy Dungeon significantly drops.
From second year onwards, unlike in the first year, they can now tackle dungeons outside.
This applies to gaining experience too.
They can aim for proper rewards and enhance their reputation.
They can also obtain rare encounters through various quests.
Compared to exploring external dungeons, there’s not much merit in tackling the Academy Dungeon.
The only distinguishing factor is the rewards from the first clear, but even that falls short compared to what can be gained from wandering in external dungeons. Therefore, it’s more conventional to just meet the bare minimum requirements to head out to those dungeons rather than work on achievements here.
Initially, I thought of following the game’s strategies, but while planning, I started questioning whether I really had to.
It’s understandable, considering this is not a game.
Unlike in games where I had to move within system constraints, now I can move as much as I want if I wish.
To put it bluntly, if I conquer the Academy Dungeon in a day, I can collect the first clear rewards and later visit external dungeons too.
With this thought in mind, I called my friends together to draft a class plan and then brought up the discussion about the Academy Dungeon.
“I checked the announcement for the Academy Dungeon too. Will you challenge it as soon as it opens again?”
“Of course! After all, it’s just a dungeon made by those sloppy, unqualified professors from the Academy.”
“Lucy. Who are you going with this time? Hmm?”
Frey expressed her desire to join me in the dungeon with her whole body, and beside her, Phoebe showed subtle anticipation.
“Well… I’m not sure, but I think it won’t be someone who’s reckless and only causes trouble?”
“Heehee.”
“And certainly not someone who nagged me endlessly yesterday.”
“Young Lady, you know it’s not meant to be with any malice towards you.”
“Not someone who pinched my cheeks a lot either?”
“…I’m sorry.”
“Wow, being led around by every word. You all are just pathetic. If I said I’d take you into the dungeon, you’d probably really get down on your knees and beg, huh?”
“Beg?”
I barely stopped Frey from genuinely kneeling and stealthily turned my gaze toward the oddly quiet Arthur.
Why is he deep in thought today?
Has puberty hit him?
Considering his age, it’s not too strange though.
Hmm. I’m not sure, but it seems easy for him to build up a black history.
Arthur is the kind of guy who can actually fight saying lines like, “Flames of hell, manifest upon my sword!”
Some might think that’s cool, but it’ll just optimize him to get embarrassed later on.
Remembering my own past filled with cringeworthy moments from middle school, I grabbed Arthur’s shoulder and gave him a serious look.
“Pitiful Prince, please consult with me when naming your skills. Because I don’t want to die laughing at your trashy sense of humor.”
“…What’s with the sudden nonsense?”
Arthur looked at me as if I were strange.
Hey! I gave you sincere, serious advice, and you respond with that look?
This is really annoying.
Just you wait. When you inevitably end up creating a black history, I’ll roast you with Mesugaki language.
I’ll tease you until your face turns red and bursts!
“Enough joking. Let’s talk about the dungeon. You’ve thought of something, right?”
Fuming with hidden resentment, I clicked my tongue and shared my plans with my friends.
“Let’s place a bet. Let’s see who can clear the sloppy Academy Dungeon faster.”
As of now, I can bring everyone in without any limits on numbers.
However, that only applies to regular dungeons.
In the artificially created dungeons from the academy, this ability doesn’t work, making it impossible for everyone to enter together.
So, I thought of splitting into parties with just me and four others for the dungeon exploration.
This approach would be the most efficient, and by doing this, I could assess how well Arthur and Joy have internalized what I’ve taught them.
…and more than anything, by placing this bet, I can get back at the humiliation I faced during the second semester.
I’m a petty, resentful person, and I haven’t forgotten that humiliation yet.
“…You want to bet on the Academy Dungeon?”
“…Young Lady, that’s a bit much.”
“Splitting into parties is one thing, but betting…”
“Lucy, that’s just pathetic and lame. So sloppy.”
Of course, my friends didn’t react positively.
From their perspective, having seen me run amok in dungeons countless times, it probably just sounds like I want them to be the butt of the joke.
And that’s exactly my intention.
“Are you scared?♡”
But what are you gonna do about it?
“Are you cowering?♡”
Just because I’m petty and small-minded, what can you do about it?
“Fuhuhuh♡ Alright~♡ If you think you can’t win, it’s best to bow out from the start♡ You seem pretty self-aware, so how about a pat on your head?♡”
What can you do against my Mesugaki Skill‘s provocation?!
It’s true that my friends are now quite used to my mannerisms.
They can laugh off my usual tone since they’ve grown accustomed to my Mesugaki flair.
But this only applies when I’m not being sincere!
If I unleash the provocation inherent in my Mesugaki Skill, there’s no way they wouldn’t get heated!
“Why are your glares getting so fierce?♡ Do defeated ones like you even have the right to get mad before trying?♡”
I can see my lips trembling. Just a little more, and it’ll be perfect.
“Now~♡ Let me tell you what you should say~♡ I’m sorry for acting out as a sloppy subject♡ We’re just mere pawns for the noble Lady Allen♡”
Just a little more.
Just a smidge more.
“Hurry up and repeat after me♡ Then I’ll forgive you for running away instead of bowing down♡…”
“Stop it! Lucy Allen!”
I couldn’t help but burst out laughing when I saw Arthur slam the desk and stand up.
Nice.
Now that I’ve provoked enough, should I sweet-talk them a bit?
To get them to accept the bet naturally.
The conversation moved entirely in the direction I wanted.
So, Frey is the only one not accustomed to politics or etiquette?
So what? If they’re all flustered and can’t see in front of them, it’s advantageous for me to keep my cool!
Of course, just because I can play around with them doesn’t mean I’m going to set conditions that only benefit me.
The bet itself is somewhat forced, so it wouldn’t be fair to throw in any extra unfair conditions.
I laid out several restraints like entering the dungeon after a day, not skipping levels, or not bypassing the boss.
Naturally, I rejected any excessive constraints. I believe I could win no matter what conditions I have, but there are contingencies after all.
My friends’ growth has reached a level where I can no longer gauge it.
What if.
What if.
What if Arthur and Joy have perfectly integrated the dungeon strategies I handed over?
I could actually lose, right?
Isn’t that petty?
Isn’t that small-minded?
I know! But losing and becoming a trashy person is way worse than just placing a bet and losing!
I will win!
I’ll get back for the humiliation I suffered last time!
[You’re not counting the time you tried to turn the Third Prince into a rabbit, are you? That’s not revenge, right?]
‘That was a fair bet!’
[So you’re admitting this one isn’t fair at all.]
‘…Shut up.’
*
On the day the Academy Dungeon is set to open.
Parnah Kent was waiting for the dungeon door to open.
Among artificially created dungeons, the one boasting the largest scale and magnificent structure is the Soul Academy Dungeon.
The thought of being able to explore such a place with newly made friends had Parnah brimming with excitement.
“Chester! How long until the Academy Dungeon opens? How long?!”
“Do you not remember asking the same question thirty seconds ago?”
“I do! So how long is that?”
“That’s thirty seconds less than before.”
“So what’s that time?!”
“…There are now 30 minutes left.”
Seeing Parnah’s innocent eyes, Chester resignedly sighed before responding.
She’s unusually full of energy today.
She’s never been this lively, but I guess the anticipation of conquering the Academy Dungeon has her that hyped.
While Chester contemplated how he wished to go back even before entering the Academy Dungeon, Jack finally made an appearance.
Having repeated his first year after missing the entirety of the second semester, he sparkled his eyes at Parnah’s excitement and let out a soft laugh.
“Duke Burrow! I’ve been waiting!”
“Are you really that eager to enter the Academy Dungeon?”
“Yes! Absolutely!”
Originally, Jack had little interest in the Academy Dungeon.
He would tackle it someday for the sake of his grades, but he wasn’t planning on rushing in like this.
However, the reason he moved on the day the Academy Dungeon opened was due to Chester’s desperate plea.
“Please, Duke. I can’t handle Young Lady Kent’s enthusiasm alone. Please save me.”
Chester felt that without someone to keep Parnah in check, his energy would be completely drained, leading Jack to reluctantly accompany them.
After all, Jack and Chester are partners in crime, after all.
“Duke Burrow! Duke Burrow!”
“What’s got you curious?”
“Can you tell me how the inside of the dungeon is? You must have tackled it last year!”
Jack recalled the near-fatal experience from a year ago in the Academy Dungeon and smiled wryly at the bouncing Parnah.
“That’s not a difficult question, but I doubt last year’s experience will be any use this year.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because the very direction of the dungeon might be completely different.”
Last year, the final exam dungeon created by Lucy Allen shocked the professors at Soul Academy.
It drew endless praise not just internally but also from outsiders, igniting the professors’ enthusiasm significantly.
Thanks to this, what used to be a task for lower-ranked professors to handle became a job that all upper professors flocked to.
The Academy Dungeon set to open now is rumored to possess the most effort ever put into it in the history of Soul Academy.
“Lady Parnah, let me warn you before entering the dungeon—don’t move until commands are given. This Academy Dungeon is likely going to be pretty devilish.”
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