A Delicious Draw and Dungeon Preparations
"So, whose food was tastier?"
Melina leaned forward, planting her hands on the table with a somewhat aggressive edge to her question. A faint wrinkle creased her forehead, and her eyes burned with competitive fire. She looked utterly serious, as if this were a grave matter, tension radiating from her.
"Yeah, this is a major issue."
Elisha chimed in eagerly, as if she'd been waiting for her cue. Her expression mixed worry and anticipation as she stared at me intently. There was even a hint of solemn resolve in the air.
"Hmm…."
I traced a small circle on the table with my fingertip, lost in thought. I recalled yesterday's memories, picturing the dishes each had prepared. One was a soft, flavor-packed pasta; the other, a steak with perfect sear and juicy richness. If asked which was better… honestly, it was too close to call.
"……"
The reason it was so hard to choose was simple. Both had made excellent dishes. The problem was that picking one would inevitably spark endless arguments and conflict all over again. Especially seeing them growl at each other right in front of me….
"My pasta was the best, right?"
Melina crossed her arms, asking leisurely with full confidence lacing her tone.
"Ha? What are you talking about? Obviously, my steak was better!"
Elisha shot back sharply, glaring at her without missing a beat. The two eyed each other like beasts in a standoff, the tension thick between them.
"Both were delicious."
I broke the silence with my verdict. In that instant, they both stopped talking as if on cue and turned to me. Their eyes, filled with tension and expectation, focused entirely on me.
"So, let's call it a draw."
The moment I concluded, disappointment flickered across their faces. It was like hearing a deflated sigh.
"Ehh~ What kind of answer is that…."
Melina puffed out her cheeks in protest and turned her head away.
"I thought Melina would win, though…."
Elisha muttered softly, looking deflated and drained.
A cold, empty wind seemed to sweep through, blanketing the room in hollow awkwardness. Their shoulders slumped like defeated warriors, utterly dejected.
"Ahem, we didn't gather here for that in the first place."
At that moment, Eily cleared her throat to lighten the mood. With her polite, composed tone, she chided Melina and Elisha, deflating their momentum. Her sharp remark left them momentarily speechless, lips pursed.
"So, please stop troubling my master and get to the main topic."
"Yeah, fighting isn't cool~"
Varis tossed in a lighthearted quip, softening the atmosphere further. In the end, though reluctant, Melina and Elisha let out deep sighs, shaking off their lingering regrets about yesterday.
"Fine… okay. We can't forget why we're really here."
Elisha propped her chin on her hand, tapping her foot under the table. Melina nodded quietly in agreement.
"So, where should we start? I want to prepare properly this time."
The mood finally shifted back to the real discussion.
"Right, just like we were notified in advance—the previous evaluation was invalidated, so this final exam is the most crucial."
The reason we'd gathered was the upcoming final evaluation. In my old world's terms, it was like a school's finals. The midterms had been nullified due to the Ramiel attack, making the finals even more pivotal. The schedule had been moved up, and this exam would determine our entire grades. For students, it was the ultimate challenge—and opportunity.
"First, we need to form our team."
Elisha lifted her head and spoke up.
"Honestly, ours is basically set."
Melina replied with a touch of pride in her voice. It didn't mean much to me, though. I already knew what was coming.
"The numbers work out too."
Unlike the midterms, the finals were team-based, not individual. Teams of five, each assigned one high-achiever mentor. That was because the exploration site wasn't some simple forest or plain—it was a dungeon of far higher danger.
The classic RPG underground labyrinth. That was the stage for this final evaluation.
The format was straightforward: The team bringing back the rarest spoils got the highest score. Spoils' value increased in deeper, riskier areas, making it the fairest method.
In any case, team synergy and strategy would decide victory or defeat.
"So… what's our goal?"
Varis asked in a playful tone, livening things up.
Eily straightened some papers with calm movements and spoke.
"Our goal is clear: Secure the best spoils."
"But only if we all return safely."
Everyone nodded at her firm words. From here on, there was no room for jokes.
"You all know which dungeon, right?"
"What was it… Deep Temple Dungeon?"
"I've heard of it—the one where an ancient god slumbers in the depths?"
Their eyes grew more serious by the moment. Elisha and Varis answered Eily's question in turn.
"They say undead and evil spirits crawl out of there."
"Then we should stock up on useful items from the cathedral."
Everyone nodded at Eily's suggestion. Melina rubbed her chin, pondering what she knew about the dungeon.
That's when I slowly rose from my chair and said quietly,
"I'll step out for a bit."
As they exchanged opinions in uncharacteristically cooperative fashion, my sudden move drew Eily's gaze.
"Where to, Master? I'll come with you."
"No, I'll be right back. I can go alone."
"I see…? You don't have much time before next class, so hurry back."
I nodded lightly at Eily's concerned words, waved, and turned to leave. Glancing back as I opened the door, I saw them still deep in serious discussion.
The reason I was bowing out now was simple. No matter what they said, I already knew how things would unfold. Rather than wasting time on pointless talk, it was better to handle the necessary prep myself.
"Finals next week—I'm so nervous."
"I heard it's a creepy dungeon where ghosts pop out everywhere?"
"R-Really?! What do I do… I'm weak to that stuff…."
Along the way, other students' voices buzzed with exam anxiety and excitement. With the rescheduling making it even bigger, everyone seemed geared up. But I stayed calm. I'd been through it before.
I headed to the academy's equipment shop. My goal: Tools for the dungeon.
"Welcome. What can I help you with?"
The clerk greeted me with a friendly smile. I got straight to it.
"I'm looking for accessories engraved with holy magic stones."
The Deep Temple Dungeon crawled with undead and wraiths. Its eerie aura eroded mental strength just by entering. In the game, without prep, you'd suffer a constant debuff draining mana even at rest. Varis and Melina might manage, but for mana-heavy Elisha, it was deadly. I still remembered her flailing from mana shortage in my first run.
"Hmm~ Got it. What style? Pendant, necklace, ring?"
"One of each type. I need five in total."
The clerk nodded with a smile at my request and went to fetch them. While she did, I glanced around. The shop brimmed with glowing gems and gear.
"Hm? You're a first-year, right?"
As I took in the familiar sight, a questioning voice came from behind. I turned slowly.
"Hey."
A woman stood there, exuding an extraordinary aura at first glance. Her blue hair cascaded in soft waves over her shoulders, and her sharp yet elegant features resembled an ancient statue's perfection.
"Holy magic stones… You're a first-year doing finals next week, huh?"
Her deep, icy blue eyes fixed on me. Cold as frost, they held startling intellect, and her thin smile carried a playful edge. But what truly caught my eye was the badge on her chest.
That's….
It was the academy's prestigious emblem, given only to top academic performers—a noble mark of scholarly achievement and prowess.