A Brief Interlude of Rest
The instructors' meeting room.
It was a routine they went through every morning out of habit, but today, their meeting was dragging on because there was much more to discuss.
"The boring theory classes are finally winding down... and 'The Labyrinth' will inevitably open this year as well. Principal Juliut suggested that we 'specially' allow the first-year cadets to enter at the same time as the other grades this time. What do you all think?" Edward said, his lips curling up in anticipation.
"The Labyrinth? Isn't it still too early for the first-years..." Kaliman replied, stroking his rough beard with a worried expression.
"What do the other instructors think?" Edward asked, undeterred, looking around at the others.
"Priscilla is already going to be busy enough once the Labyrinth opens. If the first-years go in at the same time... won't that make things difficult for her? It's obvious the number of casualties will skyrocket." Reina worried about her long-time friend, Priscilla. Reina could already picture Priscilla venting her anger over drinks.
Edward silently looked at the old instructor sitting in the room. A great leader who had spent many years as an instructor at Innocence Academy, and who had also been the instructor of Edward, Kaliman, Reina, and Priscilla in the past. Currently, because Edward had unexpectedly joined as an instructor, he had handed over the position of Class C's instructor to Kaliman. Seeing his former students become instructors themselves made him proud, so he had no complaints.
"The Principal must have his reasons. It doesn't seem like a bad idea for the cadets to gain experience as early as possible. Expectations for this batch are quite high... I will speak to Priscilla myself."
Edward clapped at the old instructor's words.
"Excellent. There's still some time before the Labyrinth opens, so we'll have plenty of time for the mandatory training." Edward left the meeting room, looking excited. The other instructors were used to it. It wasn't the first time Edward got excited like this.
"I wish I could find some joy in my work too..." A heavy sigh hung in the meeting room after Edward left.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
After calling the cadets to the classroom, Edward announced that the Labyrinth would open soon. Unusually, it would be open to first-years at the same time.
Edward explained there would be mandatory training before entry and gave a basic explanation of the Labyrinth.
"The Labyrinth... wasn't it supposed to open much later for first-years? Sigh." After Edward's class, Yuri sighed, brushing through her red hair and focusing on braiding it lock by lock, as if trying to ease her mind.
Other cadets were also talking about the Labyrinth.
'Normally, yes...'
The Labyrinth. A unique dungeon located inside Innocence Academy. Many said the academy was built here precisely because of this Labyrinth. Its structure and rewards changed every year. The deeper you went, the higher the difficulty. It was a classic dungeon structure. In the game, it was one of the places where you could gain experience outside of regular classes.
Originally, since first-years had no experience, they were only allowed in after the upperclassmen had made some progress in their exploration. But for the player in the game, the first-years exceptionally started at the same time.
'This is playing out exactly like the game.'
Well, the faculty's reasoning made sense. This first-year class was called the "Golden Generation" because of their high caliber. Sending them in early wasn't entirely absurd. In the end, strength was everything. They wanted to spark competition with the upperclassmen. Of course, from a player's perspective, it just felt like a new place to grind experience.
"Perhaps it's because our class is highly anticipated," I replied to Yuri, who was staring at me intently.
As a side note, Sierra had retreated into the pendant before class started, muttering something about reaching her limit. I wasn't sure when she'd pop out again, but once the Demon Blade was made, she would definitely be able to spend much more time outside.
So far, no one had noticed Sierra's presence. Since she was a spirit, it would be hard for anyone other than high-ranking priests or necromancers with high spiritual sensitivity to perceive her.
'Edward's class didn't give much experience today either...'
The opening of the Labyrinth was welcome news. It was a dungeon imbued with unique magic, so no one actually died inside. Of course, injuries were common, but the leveling and hidden pieces inside made the risk well worth it.
By this timeline, I should be able to craft the Demon Blade before the Labyrinth began. Having the Demon Blade ready would allow for faster leveling and make securing hidden pieces much easier.
Most importantly... there was a troublesome enemy lurking inside this Labyrinth.
'Eisel, as a regressor, must know of its existence too.'
However, she probably wouldn't care much. Whether she deemed it not worth her time or because it had nothing to do with the demons she loathed, Eisel in the game never interfered in this event.
I looked at Eisel, who had a blank expression. Since defeating the enemy yielded rewards and triggered various quests, it was actually better for me if Eisel didn't get involved. Fewer variables.
'There will also be a quest related to the Medical Exchange...'
Treating cadets injured by that enemy would yield experience and some monetary rewards. Money aside, experience was always welcome.
Thinking about how busy I was about to get made my body feel weary. There's still time before the Labyrinth opens, so I should visit the blacksmith beforehand.
'Before that... let's rest today. Just for one day...'
I hadn't slept properly in days. Even if my body was fine thanks to Reina's bracelet, I could feel the mental exhaustion. Sierra and the carriage driver's constant chatter might have played a part.
Deciding to get some proper rest today, I stood up.
When the instructor's class ends early, cadets get "autonomous training" time, where they can do whatever training they want. They can seek out instructors to learn specific techniques, or visit the Labyrinth once it opens.
Until now, I was always busy crafting the Demon Blade or practicing mana control in the training grounds all night.
"They said there's an exploration ranking, right? I wonder if we, as first-years, can even make it onto the leaderboard..." Yuri muttered, standing up after me.
"It's possible, isn't it? The rewards seemed quite good."
I planned to aim for that ranking too. The monthly exploration ranking spanned the entire academy, and the rewards were generous, so there was no reason to pass it up.
'Once the Labyrinth opens, things are going to get incredibly busy.'
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
I trained until late at night before finally returning to the dormitory.
Mana control. I was still lacking in many ways. The sensation of handling mana felt too foreign. At this rate, when would I ever be able to infuse mana into a weapon? It felt daunting.
Even though I said I'd rest, I couldn't neglect my training. Not leaving the academy at night was rest enough for me.
'I'll visit the blacksmith tomorrow...'
Tonight, I planned to sleep soundly.
Sierra hadn't come out of the pendant since class. Indeed, from the carriage ride to touring the academy, she had maintained her form for quite a long time for someone bound to a pendant.
As I opened the door and entered my room, I felt Sierra's energy beginning to emanate from the pendant. A thick mist flowed out, taking shape.
"This Lady was bored to death within the pendant. ...Though, of course, I am already deceased."
Sierra stretched and joked.
'Active at night, resting during the day...'
It seemed Sierra had unexpectedly become nocturnal. But tonight, I had no plans to go out.
"I plan to sleep soundly tonight, so perhaps you should return to the pendant..." I said firmly to Sierra, who was looking around the room for something interesting.
"Hmm? What of the Demon Blade? Wert thou not planning to seek out the blacksmith today?"
"I can't push myself any further. I'm taking a day off. Since the troublesome matters were resolved quickly, I think taking a single day of rest... should be fine." I replied, unpacking my bag.
Sierra floated around the room, then drifted close to me. Her characteristically serene voice echoed in my mind.
"Indeed, the materials for the Demon Blade must have been quite troublesome to obtain... Hast thou truly been moving day and night without a single moment of rest?"
"I suppose so...? There were reasons for it. And I wanted to meet my master as soon as possible." I playfully teased the worried Sierra.
Hearing my playful remark, Sierra shivered slightly and drifted toward the bed.
"Pfft, thou art certainly skilled at flattery."
With those words, Sierra lay down on the bed.
'Laying down so naturally.'
Actually, calling it "laying down" wasn't quite accurate. Sierra passes through physical objects. So right now, she was merely maintaining a floating state in the air, pretending to touch the bed.
"You aren't planning to watch your disciple sleep the entire time, are you?"
"This Lady has no intention of watching...? "
Sierra's languid voice echoed.
"Won't you be bored?" I asked, changing into comfortable clothes where she couldn't see.
Returning to the bed, I saw Sierra still lying there.
"And... pretending to lie down like that must only be uncomfortable for you."
"The inside of the pendant is simply too tedious..."
When I hit the nail on the head, Sierra grumbled and vacated the bed, clearly finding it uncomfortable indeed.
Only then could I lie down. Since I had no memory of the last time I collapsed from drinking, the touch of the soft bed felt like a distant luxury.
"I'm sorry. I don't think I can keep you company tonight," I said to Sierra, who was staring at me intensely from the side.
Sierra hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"...Couldst thou lend me thy shoulder for a moment?"
Saying this, Sierra drew closer to me. Her voice trembled slightly. Without waiting for my answer, she leaned against my shoulder.
"Ah..."
Her skin lightly brushed against my arm.
"After decades of being unable to touch another soul, being able to feel warmth like this... somehow brings peace to This Lady's heart..." Sierra murmured softly, leaning against my shoulder.
"Ah... Yes..."
"It matters not if thou dost not comprehend the meaning of This Lady's words. For now, just like this. This Lady wishes to remain still like this."
I let Sierra be. I didn't try to move her.
Sierra closed her eyes. Whether she could actually sleep or not, she looked... incredibly peaceful.
It seemed I wouldn't be getting a proper night's sleep tonight either.
Yet, strangely, I didn't mind it at all.