Chapter 83
Chapter 83
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 83
Chapter Title: Zaqnir's Proposal
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As the students buzzed with noise, the professors gathered in one place.
Befitting their status as instructors to the prodigies of Galshdin Academy, they remained composed.
“…What do you think caused this?”
“All the artifacts were thoroughly inspected before our departure.”
“And the preliminary survey was confirmed through the report submitted by the investigation team, was it not?”
They were clearly surprised by the incident.
No matter how many undiscovered secrets the ruins held, it had been centuries.
For hundreds of years, the academy had explored, recorded, and documented the ruins of the Great Desert.
That was why they couldn't comprehend how something like this could happen during a practical that was supposed to proceed smoothly.
“Well, it’s not just any ruin, but a massive one. I suppose unexpected things can happen.”
“That’s true, but…”
Knowing they couldn't continue this fruitless discussion, they changed the subject.
“First, how are the students who collapsed?”
“They woke up a short while ago. Aside from their memories of the event being hazy, there are no issues.”
“Have you checked the students’ video recording devices?”
“I was the first to check them…”
At the others’ questions, the professor holding the recording device let out a low groan and stood up.
“It was impossible to tell. I and a few other professors investigated the scene ourselves, so I’m certain.”
“Pardon? What do you mean by that…?”
Deciding it was better to show than to tell, he activated the artifact.
A rectangular screen materialized in the air, replaying the scene.
“As you can see, this group of students was attempting to acquire relics from the relatively safe first floor.”
“…Hmph, the first floor.”
The students were proceeding cautiously, just as they had practiced in the academy’s artificial ruins.
“But… look here.”
No sooner had he spoken than the screen abruptly turned black, followed only by the sound of thuds as bodies hit the floor.
No screams, no resistance, no threats.
The students had collapsed without any warning.
At the bizarre sight, Milton, the spearmanship professor, furrowed his brow.
“It doesn’t seem like poison… A mental trap is the most likely culprit, wouldn’t you say?”
“But the students showed no characteristic signs of resistance. Hasn’t it been proven that humans instinctively resist any mental intrusion?”
“That’s right. And to eliminate that resistance in an instant, as seen in the video, would require an overwhelming difference in power…”
He trailed off, then let out a disbelieving laugh.
“And you think the investigation team would have missed a being like that?”
If such a being existed, why would it let cadets run amok in the ruins for over a week?
It remained quiet when the investigation team delved into the ruins’ depths and when the advance party scouted the area, only to act after the students had been rummaging through the place for a week?
“That’s ridiculous. It’s more plausible that a new type of trap was discovered.”
“Hmm… True. The Director personally oversees that area; there’s no reason she would make such a mistake.”
“The same goes for anything soul-related. That would fall under necromancy, and what would be the point of just knocking them unconscious? Those lunatics.”
The professors conversed with little change in their expressions.
To them, an incident of this magnitude was something they encountered several times a year.
A terrorist attack from some faction, an ancient monster emerging from the ruins, or a perfectly functional artifact suddenly ceasing to work.
Unexpected situations had become a part of their daily lives.
Thus, rather than getting agitated, they pointed out a different issue.
“Even if it was a sudden situation… not a single one of them managed to react properly. This warrants a demerit.”
“If at least one of them had reacted, I might have taken it into consideration, but tsk. Students these days are too soft. It wasn’t like this in my day.”
“Exactly! I’m not just saying this. What if this were a real battle, huh? Shouldn’t they at least buy enough time to fire a signal flare for their comrades?”
Following one professor's comment, others chimed in, remarking on how today’s students lacked alertness or had grown lazy, relying solely on their talent.
Zaqnir found himself both agreeing and disagreeing with the sentiment.
‘As if kids that age are any good at handling such situations…’
On the other hand, he also felt that students of Galshdin Academy, who had beaten out thousands of competitors to get here, should naturally be able to overcome such a trial.
Of course, they should. The entire purpose of their education was to raise them as companions for the hero, in preparation for the day an enemy like the Demon Lord appeared. Even if winning was impossible, they should have put up some semblance of resistance.
Even if that resistance was nothing more than a desperate struggle.
*Clap, clap—*
“In any case, that’s not the important issue here. Word has already spread, and the students seem to be getting anxious.”
“What? Didn’t they all come here knowing the risks? A real battle is no picnic. Surely they anticipated an incident like this?”
“Well… several teams have already stated their intention to forfeit the practical…”
The professors’ jaws dropped as if they hadn’t expected this at all.
“What in the world…”
“They also plan to protest, claiming there’s a problem with the artifacts. A considerable number of students agree with them.”
“What… ha…”
Is a real battle a joke? Acting as if this were a field trip?
“How times have changed…”
“Hmph, tsk. Just thirty years ago, anyone who gave up was treated like an idiot…”
The professors sighed. Still, they couldn't just stop the dungeon practical here. The students backed down because the ruins were too high-level?
“I dread to think what people will say.”
“There have been few major incidents in hundreds of years, but still…”
“Absolutely not, never! Even if it weren’t for the academy’s prestige, does it make any sense to stop here?”
A real battle couldn't be stopped just because one wanted to stop, nor could one escape it just because they wanted to.
This practical, this training, was meant to teach them that.
“The practical must continue, regardless. However, if we force it, many students will likely get cold feet and give up…”
How could they boost the students' morale and encourage them not to give up?
As their expressions darkened in the face of a situation they had never experienced or expected to experience in their entire careers as professors, Zaqnir, who had been quietly observing the meeting, spoke up.
“I will enter the ruins.”
“What? Lord Zaqnir, what are you…?”
To the question from Clyke, the illusion-type professor who had spoken first, Zaqnir replied with a nonchalant expression.
“Inform the students that I will personally enter the ruins to watch over them.”
“Ah!”
With that single sentence, they understood what Zaqnir was suggesting.
“Their anxiety has no tangible source. To put it bluntly, it’s no different from superstition. So, if they have something to rely on, something to reassure them…”
“They will enter the ruins…”
“Even though nothing has actually been resolved.”
Who wouldn't trust one of the Eight Strongest when he personally declared he would enter the ruins to ensure their safety?
“And if something like that were to happen again, I could actually protect them, so it wouldn't be a lie, would it?”
The professors nodded, their faces showing that they thought it was a plausible idea. However, they couldn't agree right away and could only glance at him nervously.
There were six days left to enter the ruins—no, after today, only five.
For those five days, Zaqnir would have to be in the ruins day and night. It was clearly an arduous task, so who could ask him to do it?
This was a matter the professors were supposed to handle.
If one of the Eight Strongest, who had come along just in case, were to take charge…
However, seeing no downside for themselves, one professor gathered his courage and spoke cautiously.
“We are truly grateful, Lord Zaqnir. We thank you for your passion in taking direct action for the students…”
“Hm? What are you talking about?”
Zaqnir said with a deep smile.
“Haha, I can’t be the only one serving the students, can I?”
“By that you mean…”
“Let’s all go together. All of us.”
At his words, the professors’ faces turned pale. As if anticipating this ordeal, Malvern, the water-type professor and the oldest one present, spoke with a mournful expression.
“B-but I am over sixty this year, and I’m about to see my first grandchild…”
“Are you suggesting I should enter those dark, dangerous ruins all by myself?”
When he spoke with a hardened expression, Malvern hastily corrected himself.
“N-no, not at all. What I meant was, I would be disappointed if you left an old man behind. Ha, ha…”
Even as he said it, a stream of curses welled up inside him.
What in the world could possibly be dangerous to one of the Eight Strongest!
“Hahaha, my mistake. Please understand, it’s because I’m still young and lack social experience.”
“O-of course. I will show you the power of old age.”
“The other professors will all join for the sake of the students as well, right?”
When he asked with a smile, everyone nodded in unison. The desire to refuse was overwhelming, but the fact that they couldn't was depressing.
“I’ll go. I must. Ahem, it’s for the students, after all.”
“Ahem, it’s been a while since I’ve entered a ruin. My heart is pounding.”
“Hahaha… being with the students at this age makes me feel young again. I feel great.”
Satisfied with their answers, Zaqnir replied energetically.
“I’m glad we’re all in agreement. Oh, and since we’re going, we should have something to talk about, shouldn’t we? It seems you’re all stuck at the 6th or 7th Rank…”
At Zaqnir’s words, the professors’ eyes sparkled.
The gazes of the old, middle-aged men were not pleasant, but Zaqnir endured it.
Dragging them along like this would only sour feelings, so he had to offer a carrot as well.
“It will be boring in the dark, so how about we take turns discussing the topic of Ranks?”
“I-I’m all for it!”
“My, my, I happen to be exceptionally fond of dark places!”
“Ahem… Perhaps it’s my age, but I’ve grown fond of dark and quiet places recently.”
Zaqnir watched them chatter like children and burst into laughter with them.
“I’ll be in your care.”
The meeting concluded with great success.
***
“William, did you hear?”
“…It’s all anyone is talking about.”
“Who wouldn’t know, with all this noise?”
“So what should we do…?”
Ariel looked around with a worried expression.
The surroundings were noisy with people talking about the morning’s incident.
“What do you mean, what should we do? We can’t just give up here.”
“Still… they say the artifacts aren’t working…”
“I trust Lord Zaqnir. Isn’t he the youngest of the Eight Strongest? And the professors announced it was just a new type of trap, didn’t they?”
“That’s true, but…”
“The professors are also on standby throughout the ruins just in case. What is there to worry about?”
Ariel, her expression still tense, stared blankly at the sky.
She was probably busy weighing the new trap and its risks against the potential rewards.
Allen watched them, wondering what could be in the ruins.
‘A subordinate of the Demon Lord? A black magician? Or perhaps an ancient demonic beast?’
The evening glow had already faded from the sky, not a single streak of orange remaining. Only the twinkling stars in the black veil of night quietly shone down on them.
As everyone fell into their thoughts and the mood settled, William mustered his courage and spoke up.
“H-hey, everyone, don’t worry so much. Why don’t we look at the stars? A friend of mine from the central region told me that a meteor shower happens in this area once every few decades…”
“……”
“H-he said there are so many stars that it looks like a sea of stars… Um, I looked it up, and a comet passes by on an 82-year cycle, which is the cau…se of the meteor shower… and the time is… soon…”
Reaching his limit, William’s voice grew progressively smaller until he fell completely silent.
“……”
The atmosphere turned static.
In the silence that seemed to separate them from the boisterous surroundings, just as Allen was considering speaking up, he heard a laugh.
“Pfft… What was that, William? Were you trying to change the mood? For me?”
“N-no, that’s not it. I just meant you shouldn’t worry so much…”
“Isn’t that the same thing? Really, William, do you have a crush on me? You’re being so obvious, it’s not like you’re Evan…”
“*Cough!* H-hey, when did I ever say that!”
William was flustered, and Ariel gave a subtle, smiling glance. Evan, for his part, choked and started coughing.
“Phew, still, I feel better now, thanks to you. Thank you. And about the ruins…”
Ariel seemed to ponder for a moment before bursting into laughter.
“When have we ever not taken risks…? Let’s give it a shot. At least if we try, we won’t have regrets later, right?”
“Mm, you’re right. Personally, I’d like to have a conversation with Lord Zaqnir, too…”
“We can try if we meet him. Though I don’t know if we’ll be able to find him.”
As the three of them laughed and talked, Vestla suddenly interjected.
「Allen, do you think they know how much you’ve struggled during this practical?」
‘What?’ Allen’s gaze shifted to the three students.
They were beings enjoying their youth, with worries and ambitions befitting their age.
「Does it matter that you’ve spent weeks trying to accommodate them and gather information for them?」
‘I doubt they know.’
「Then why are you trying so hard to fit in? You said you were just going to get on their good side. This is so unlike you, it surprised me a little.」
At Vestla’s question, Allen thought for a moment.
‘That’s…’
「Have you grown attached to them?」
Allen poked at the blazing yellow campfire with a stick before answering a little late.
‘No, that’s not it. I was just… playing along a little.’
Ariel checked the time and stood up.
Unlike when she had first sat down, her face was clear, without a single trace of worry.