Chapter 58
Chapter 58
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: Artificial Dungeon Practicum
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"I will now explain the artificial dungeon practicum."
We were in the large training ground on the academy branch campus.
It was a place normally used for large-scale spars or festivals, but this time, it was being used for the artificial dungeon practicum.
And in the center stood the familiar A-Class professor, his voice amplified by magic.
I wonder if being the A-Class instructor makes him stronger than the other professors.
Whenever all the classes gathered like this, it always seemed to be that professor in command.
"The cave-like structures behind me are the dungeons you will be entering today."
The dungeons looked like obviously man-made caves.
There were three of them lined up behind the professor.
"Inside the dungeons, traps and monsters have been placed at random. You are to cooperate with your team members to hunt the monster located in the deepest part of the dungeon."
*He never says they're fake.*
Because I had read the novel, I knew that all the monsters inside were fakes made to look real.
They were magic tools that, when infused with mana, created tangible, fake monsters.
These magic tools had been filled to the brim with mana and placed inside the artificial dungeons.
The reason they weren't explaining this fact was probably to instill a sense of caution in the students.
If the students knew the monsters were fake, some would inevitably not take it seriously, and eventually, the very purpose of this practicum would be lost.
"We will be on standby at the dungeon entrances to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances."
But contrary to the professor's words, while there were three dungeons, there were only two professors.
So who was going to watch over the last one?
The answer to that question came soon enough.
"And today, the professors who expended a great deal of mana creating these dungeons have all taken sick leave due to mana exhaustion. Therefore, we have requested assistance from the Adventurer's Guild for the remaining position."
"What...?"
Arthur whispered softly, too low for the professor to hear.
It was only natural, as in the original story, no professor had taken sick leave, and there was certainly no support from adventurers.
No wonder there were only two professors for three dungeon entrances.
*I knew the original story had been twisted, but I didn't think it would be this much.*
Considering the relationship between students and adventurers, this was something that should never have happened.
Perhaps this was only possible because the Headmaster, Lucia Merigold, was a former S-rank adventurer.
There must have been some kind of arrangement between the higher-ups.
*Please don't let it be him...*
When he heard the word 'adventurer', one person immediately came to mind.
But there were countless adventurers out there. Surely, it wouldn't be him, right?
"Professor Liana. Where is the adventurer who was supposed to come today?"
"Well..."
When the A-Class professor asked the C-Class professor, she whispered something in his ear.
"What? They're late?"
"It's been a while since I received the message, so they should be arriving any moment now...?"
"Haa..."
No matter how quietly the professors tried to speak, unless they used a soundproofing spell, the students in the front were bound to hear.
The reaction from the students, who already had a poor perception of adventurers, was immediate.
"Typical of adventurers. What would people like them know about the value of time?"
"It's disgusting to think our tuition fees are going to them."
The noble students fanned the flames of their elitism towards commoners, while the commoners went along with it to stay on the nobles' good side.
Each with their own agenda, they began to tear them down.
Their reputation was already in the gutter, but isn't it human nature to pounce on any little mistake made by someone you dislike and drag them down however you can?
The training ground, filled with first-year students, was instantly abuzz with murmurs.
The professor clapped his hands to regain control of the situation that had erupted in an instant.
It wasn't an ordinary clap, but one infused with enough mana to make ears ring.
Ziiiiing—
The ringing in their ears made the students belatedly cover them, their faces scrunching up.
Arthur was no exception.
There were a few students who were standing there, completely unfazed.
But they were either main heroines like Liche and Tia, or top-tier students from B-Class and above.
They must have anticipated the professor's action and protected their ears with mana beforehand.
"Quiet. We were the ones who requested their assistance. Show our guests a minimum of courtesy."
At the professor's words, even the students who looked full of complaints clammed up.
They all looked like they had a lot to say, but they were afraid of the professor's reaction if they spoke up further.
"Form your groups before our support arrives. This time, I will permit you to form them freely instead of assigning them."
This line, too, was something Arthur knew from the original story.
He already had a group in mind, and he immediately moved his feet.
Arthur approached them in order: Tia, Stella, then Liche.
Tia, as always, was popular with everyone, regardless of gender, and Stella, despite her timid personality, was a skilled fighter with looks that drew the gazes of many young men.
As for Liche... it was a bit tough since she gave him a flat-out rejection, but when Tia and Stella helped persuade her, he somehow managed to get her to join.
As time passed and the other students had more or less formed their groups, the professor announced the adventurer's arrival.
"Attention! Our support from the guild has arrived, so we will begin the practicum shortly!"
Everyone stopped what they were doing and gathered in an orderly fashion, looking to the front.
Then, they began to murmur again.
'......!'
Arthur, too, could only stare wide-eyed at the adventurer who had arrived.
The adventurer had come with two beauties on his arms.
No, that was the least of it.
He was wearing an academy uniform.
The person who had come to help the academy's students.
And the first thing he said upon his late arrival was...
"What are you staring at, you shits? First time seeing an adventurer?"
***
I arrived at the academy a little later than scheduled.
The Guild Master said he'd let them know I'd be late, so since I was going to be late anyway, I took my time and had a meal on the way.
Honestly, who tells you about a request you have to go on the day of?
It wasn't our fault we were late. It was the Guild Master's fault for telling us so late.
Anyway, when I arrived at the academy, a female professor was standing at the main gate, presumably to guide us.
"Oh...? Why is a student arriving so late? All the first-years are gathered at the training ground right now."
"I'm not a student."
"Uh...?"
"The service for an adventurer here to help is pretty poor. I'll be giving you one star."
"An adventurer? Then that uniform...?"
"I'm wearing it because I have it."
Just because I don't attend the academy, I can't wear a student uniform?
In my past life, there were people over 30 who bought and wore school uniforms for cosplay.
And what about the students themselves?
Some kids choose their school based on the uniform alone.
Some specialized schools even promote their uniforms when they come to recruit.
Going on about how pretty their uniforms are and what not.
"Ah... uh... um..."
The female professor struggled to find her words for a long moment.
*If you're not a student, you shouldn't be wearing that uniform.*
*Can you really help? You look the same age as the first-years who have their practicum today.*
Her lips moved, but since the practicum had to start soon, she decided not to say anything and let it go.
"Ahem. My apologies."
She bowed her head.
It took her more than three seconds, but she's nice, so I'll let it slide.
We followed the female professor's guidance to the place where the students were gathered.
The location was a large training ground.
Even from a distance, I could see three cave-like dungeons and a crowd of students.
As we continued to follow the female professor, we saw another male professor. After confirming our arrival, he glanced at us strangely a few times.
Then, seemingly having processed it in his head, he turned to the students and shouted.
"Attention! Our support from the guild has arrived, so we will begin the practicum shortly!"
The students, who had been chattering while forming their groups, could have their attention instantly captured by the professor's voice.
But it was a bit unsettling that their attention was on me, not the professor.
"What are you staring at, you shits? First time seeing an adventurer?"
They should be paying attention to the professor, not staring at me.
Tsk, tsk. Kids these days have no discipline.
"Perhaps it's because of your uniform."
Luna whispered.
"Can't help it. This thing's too good~"
At first, since the uniform kept attracting unwanted attention, I thought about changing it quickly.
But whenever I went to the blacksmith, I couldn't find any decent armor, and armor itself was so expensive that I lost all interest in buying any.
In fact, it would be strange to buy new gear when I already have something this good.
You don't even have to wash it if you just infuse it with mana, and it has a feature that repairs any tears. Who wouldn't use something this great?
Maybe if you've never used it, but once you get a taste, you can't escape this convenience.
In my past life, didn't men who were discharged from the military, despite hating their service, absolutely love military-issued items?
Things like ROKA t-shirts and PT uniforms were a common sight even after discharge, and many people still used the razors or underwear they received in the army.
The student uniform I'm wearing is a similar case.
If something is good, you should use it, regardless of where it came from.
Did people really not buy or use Japanese products when they were boycotting Japan?
No, they bought and used them just fine.
"So. What do we need to do?"
Leaving the male professor who was instructing the students, I asked the female professor.
They said 'support', but I hadn't been told what exactly I was supposed to do.
"Ah... I didn't explain. I'm sorry."
Her manners were impeccable.
Like the male professor earlier, this person didn't seem to have any prejudice against adventurers.
I was thinking of making an example of someone if they started giving me shit.
"Do you see the dungeons behind me? For safety during the practicum, one professor is supposed to be stationed at each entrance, but this time, the professors used up so much energy that they all went on sick leave..."
"Ah, there's a magic tool inside, right?"
"Yes, wha...? That's something only the professors know, how did you...?"
"Don't worry about the details. So, our job is to get paid to loaf around at the entrance?"
"I don't know what 'loaf around' means, but... yes, you'll be on standby at the entrance and rescue the students if a dangerous situation arises. The monsters inside are all fake, but they are tangible, so injuries can occur."
I wonder if I'll get experience points for killing fake monsters.
If so, I'd like to go inside and camp in front of the monster generator.
"But how much power do you have to use to need sick leave?"
"Haa... I know, right? You're aware of the Demonic Human incident that occurred in the marquisate, aren't you?"
"Of course."
I know it well. I was at the center of it, after all.
"Then you must also know that a nameless hero defeated that Demonic Human and saved the marquisate."
"Pfft."
"...Is something wrong?"
"Nope. Nothing."
The 'nameless hero' schtick almost made me laugh out loud.
"Some of the professors were so inspired by that hero that they infused the magic tools with mana to the point of exhaustion. They're probably all lying in bed right now."
We have a word for people like that: morons.
They're just like those military officers who get inspired by some drama or movie and make their soldiers do ridiculous things.
Exactly like them.
After the explanation, we went to our assigned spot and waited.
Then, one group at a time began moving toward each cave entrance.
The first to come to our entrance was a double-date group, composed of two guys and two girls.
I thought I just had to watch them go in, but one of the guys approached me.
"Hey, aren't you the last-place loser?"
"Do I know you?"
"Pfft. You think there's anyone in the first year who doesn't know you? The guy who got into the academy without any mana."
Ah. So that's why these kids kept staring at me. Of course, no one in the first year wouldn't know me.
It was a while ago, so I'd forgotten, but now that I think about it, people used to pick fights with me before I dropped out, too.
"What kind of adventurer are you without any mana? You should just go back to your hometown and farm. I think that would suit you."
Hearing that, the other group members snickered.
I'm a man who doesn't tolerate being picked on.
I immediately served him a dose of Dragon's Wrath.
"Yipe!!"
"Haaak...!!"
"Professor, we have an injured student over here!!"
"What!? Already!?"
Nice. First blood.
400 gold is a sweet bonus.