Chapter 57 – Affairs Within the Dungeon (1)

[Carrots are hard.]

“Alright. Let’s meet tomorrow to discuss the details.”

-Thunk.

Upon receiving Se-Young’s definitive answer, Byul placed his left foot on the back of the chair and struck a victory pose.

“Yahooo!!!”
-Has he gone mad again?

His FPS game teammate, Ayeon, spoke with a disgusted tone. However, Byul rebuked her with an even more spirited voice.

“How dare you! You poor single soul with cobwebs down below! I’m preparing to meet my future prince, so you, a loser, should just play games while pleasuring yourself like a loser!”
-He’s seriously lost it.
“Wait for me, my love, my prince~!”
-Ugh, that crazy bastard.

It had been four long years since being forcibly conscripted and exploited as the damn vice-president. Finally, the time had come for Byul to experience a springtime called love.

Star hugged the pillow tightly, as if it might burst, and cried out while rolling about on the bed.

“I want to get married!!!”

A grinning, bright yellow pedigree dog seemed to observe her from the heavens.

* * * * *

-Savior: Hey.
-Me: Yeah?
-Savior: There’s a blind date next Sunday.
-Me: ???? Out of the blue?
-Savior: Just stock up on some alcohol, let them sleep, and send them to a motel room. Alright?

What’s going on here?

I couldn’t help but be amazed by Lee Se-Young’s terrifying decisiveness and execution skills.
Can I really go through with this? I mean, I’m grateful, but will this actually work?
I typed with my trembling fingers. Perhaps because the blind date’s atmosphere caught me off guard, it felt like it took longer than usual to press the keys.

-Me: Okay (trembling bear emoticon)
-Savior: ㅇㅇ (emoticon of a tree person waving bye with their back turned)

Suddenly appearing, arranging a place, and then leaving.

‘Why is he so cool?’

I sent ten emoticons of a bear bowing in gratitude and put my phone away.

Se-young doesn’t even read my emoticons. But to me, it felt rather cool.

“This is like a superhero riding a wooden horse.”
“Huh? What?”

Gu-seul tilted her head in response to my muttering.
As I shrugged, saying it was nothing, Gu-seul smirked and focused on the class again, then leaned towards me as if she suddenly remembered something.

“Hey, hey. Si-heon.”
“What’s up?”
“What kind of tree did you decide to grow?”
“Suddenly?”
“Next Sunday is Arbor Day.”

It was a day I had never even thought about, so I had no choice but to keep my mouth shut for a while.

‘Well, with companion plants around, there’s no way nothing happens on Arbor Day.’

“What do people usually do on Arbor Day?”

“Hmm, well. People usually plant trees or hold festivals to celebrate the prosperity of the World Tree, right? I’ve heard that even outside the Academy, they organize modest festivities. And, well, some engage in frivolous activities, perhaps? Hehehe.”

It seemed easier to understand if I thought of it as a concept similar to Christmas in this other world.
Christmas is said to be the day when the most sexual activity occurs worldwide. Quite astonishing, indeed.

“So, have you decided which tree to grow?”
“Well, I don’t have much experience with growing trees.”
“Really? Not even once?”

There was that one time.
As a child, I remember obtaining a sapling that was on the verge of being discarded and raising it in the front yard.
With fern-like hands, I hauled bags of fertilizer and poured an immeasurable amount of dedication into nurturing that single tree.

“Would you like to try growing one on this occasion?”
“It’s fine.”

So, I know. Growing trees can be bothersome.
I smiled at her suggestion and politely declined.

Not only did I lack the time to cultivate trees, but I already had one to care for. In my dormitory, there was Shiba, who had fallen asleep exhausted from crying, not wanting to be separated from me.

Gu-seul sighed, acknowledging the situation, and skillfully changed the subject.

“So, have you thought about it? The training retreat?”

Ah, that’s right, there was that too. When I reviewed my schedule this morning, there were numerous events planned after the midterm exams.

At the largest event, the training retreat, participants would be divided into Red and Blue teams, engaging in various games. Among these games, the one with the most points at stake was a duel between the students.

“The retreat sounds good. I want to participate in anything I’m able to,” I said.
“If we’re on opposing teams, I’ll have to target you specifically,” Gu-seul teased.
“You’re crossing a line,” I retorted.
“Hehehe,” she laughed heartily.

Aside from the training retreat, there were many other events awaiting after the midterm exams. Starting with the club MT, there would be a parade competition showcasing each individual’s magical prowess. After the final exams, even a school trip awaited, like a blossoming flower of relaxation.

Combining the features of both high school and university, a plethora of unique events take place.

‘Can I really participate in all of them?’

It’s possible to skip events if there’s a valid reason, so my plan is to join in on the enjoyable ones and avoid the bothersome ones altogether.

“Anyway,”
“Why?”

Closing the notebook I had finished writing in, I pointed at Gu-seul’s notebook with the tip of my mechanical pencil.

“Shouldn’t you pass the exam first?”
“Ah…”

Gu-seul looked at her notebook with a face full of despair, covering her mouth.
Numerous strange doodles of trees marked with X’s filled the page.

Not taking any notes during the class on mathematics, specifically formulas and proofs, was unbelievable.
Gu-seul called out to me with a trembling voice.

“Si, Si-heon.”
“What?”
“Can you lend me your notebook?”

As if I would.

“Not a chance.”
“Ugh! Please!”

I pushed away Gu-seul’s cheek as she tried to cling to me and put my notebook in my bag. Gu-seul feigned wiping away tears as if her heart was shattered.

I have no intention of lending it anyway.
I’m the type of person who only lends notebooks to friends.

* * * * *

Dungeon Class.
A trial that those who will become hunters or heroes will inevitably face one day.

From wolves with protruding bones to green-skinned monsters, numerous creatures lurk within dungeons. However, the origins of these dungeons have not yet been adequately explained.

The most plausible theory thus far is the ‘Ancient Tree Origin Theory,’ which posits that dungeons were created by the accumulated energy of deceased ancient trees. This idea emerged due to the correlation between the magical power of the World Tree and the energy within dungeons. However, in my opinion, the rationale behind the creation of monsters remains tenuous.

Nevertheless, because the magic of the dungeons and the World Tree align, something could be made.

An artificial dungeon.

It is a dungeon crafted by harnessing the magical power of the World Tree.

Although the monsters from artificial dungeons hold no value as materials, they excel in training purposes, which is why the academy actively employs artificial dungeons.

And the same applies to El Academy.

– Drip, drip.

Limestone-infused water descends from beneath the stalactites, and the lantern hanging on the wall casts a dim light upon the cave.

The dungeon-style classes begin with a comfortable terrain and gradually transition to more confined spaces as the semester’s end approaches.

From fields to forests,
From forests to swamps,
From swamps to caves.

It was among the scarce information I obtained from El Academy’s Everytime, enabling me to prepare in advance.

– Hum!

A cluster of pure white light floats above my hand, illuminating the cave brightly.
Light. One of the spells I pilfered long ago.

“Wow, you knew how to use magic?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“Amazing! You’re truly multi-talented!”

Kim Soo-young, clinging to my back, applauded in admiration.
Azalea, however, looked at her with a somewhat disapproving expression.

“… Sooyoung, stay alert.”
“Ah, got it.”

– Dungeon Exploration Team C: Kim Soo-young, Lee Si-heon, and Azalea.

A team organized with a balanced mix of members based on their admission ranks, from high to low.

The exploration itself proceeded without much difficulty.
With Azalea as a proficient spirit mage and Kim Soo-young as a skilled archer, our team was well-equipped.

At the moment, five elemental spirits were floating around us, scanning in every direction.
Wind spirits, fire spirits, and so on. Their tiny forms were quite endearing.

“Si-heon, hold on a moment.”

As we continued forward, we halted at Azalea’s words.

“There are cave bats ahead… six, no, seven of them. What should we do?”

In response to Azalea’s whispered question, I raised only my right hand, gesturing for her not to advance further.

Rushing in and fighting head-on might be an option, but a mindless charge won’t even earn any bonus points.

“What do you plan to do?”
“Take care of it from here.”
“Huh? It’s that far away?”

Sooyoung, gazing into the darkness with her owl-like pupils, seemed puzzled.

“…Is it possible?”
“Just trust me. I can use a fair amount of magic, right?”
“…Ah, yes.”

Even Azalea, who usually believed in everything I said, harbored doubts this time.

I knelt and placed my hands on the damp stone floor. Gradually, as if casting a taut net, I released my magical energy and measured the distance. I saw bats with two pairs of wings flying approximately 30 meters ahead.

Found them.

As I spread my mana evenly throughout my body, a black haze started to rise above my shoulder. The slowly extending mana soon gathered at one point, assuming an unusual shape.

Seven Wind Cutters.
A simple, yet increasingly effective magic.

However, it was distinctly different from a typical wind cutter.

What manifested was a wind cutter in the shape of a half-moon, directly absorbing the black magical power.

My lips traced an arc.

-Shiiiiik!

The waves extended outward.
The not-yet-cold black crescent surged through the darkness, swallowing up the tiny bodies of the bats.

-Kwajik!

The sound of skin and flesh being torn apart, like a tree struck by a chainsaw.

[Kieeaek!]

The death cries of the devoured bats echoed hauntingly through the cave.
I rose from my spot, dusting off my knees as I stood.

“What are you doing? Let’s go.”
“…You’re incredible.”

With Sooyoung’s praise on my back, Azalea’s astonished gaze adorned it.

As we ventured further, the dismembered bodies of bats came into view.
Each corpse had its neck or belly ripped open, spilling blood and innards.

As I was about to casually disregard it and move on, something rolled and collided with the tip of my shoe.

– Rolling along.

A multifaceted jewel, emitting a blue glow. Azalea, who saw it, was the first to express her puzzlement.

“…Why is there a Mana Stone here?”
“Indeed.”

It was undoubtedly unnatural for a Mana Stone to be in this place. From the bloodstains on it, it seemed like it had been inside a monster, but monsters in artificial dungeons aren’t typically born with Mana Stones.

“Let’s keep going for now. Time is of the essence.”
“Understood.”

Although she had her doubts, she decided to set them aside due to the pressing nature of time.

And so, the dungeon assault resumed.

Securing a light source and detecting monsters from a distance, they were vanquished with bows and magic, making the raid progress smoothly without the need to use my fists.

– Thud.

Upon opening the dungeon door, a refreshing gust of air entered my nostrils.

“Good job, Team C.”

The instructor greeted us with applause. As we accepted the towel he offered, we each took a break in our own way.

“Si-heon, do you want some water?”
“Yes.”

I drank the water Azalea handed to me and wiped off my sweat with the towel. I was slightly fatigued from constantly using light magic.

‘Still, it’s been a while since I took a class. Including the mentor, how many weeks has it been?’

The battles had always been life-and-death, but this time I thought it was fortunate that I could train more at ease. I learned various ways to use magic. Above all, the abilities Lee Se-Young acquired from the acorns were beyond imagination. Wind magic was already on par with a decent professional.

The outline for future training was roughly set. It shouldn’t be difficult. I removed my mouth from the water bottle, handed it back to Azalea, and stretched.

‘Ah, right.’

Then it suddenly came to me.

‘So what exactly is that magic stone?’

I had a pretty bad feeling about it.