Chapter 10
Chapter 10: Queen of Dreams
My proposal passed the following day, and guided by Professor Daisy, I headed into the interior of the Academy.
There, I encountered once again the principal—half-bald, his belly impossible to conceal.
The principal looked at me with a somewhat displeased expression, then glanced down at the contract.
"Ahem…. I had to deliberate quite a bit before allowing this. We can't have students getting hurt, after all."
"Strange. Isn't conquering the Dungeon a mandatory obligation of the Academy?"
"W-Well, that's true, but…. Due to the circumstances of our Academy, we simply cannot provide that level of support. You'll need to keep that in mind!"
"Hm."
Come to think of it, in the original work's setting, the Academy would provide equipment and recovery items for Dungeon conquests, and even sell goods at the shop at fairly discounted prices.
Which is to say—all of that costs money.
But something felt off.
According to Edelweiss, one of the 'Heroines'—
"I believe student support funds come with tax benefits, don't they…."
"Ahem! Isn't that a bit out of line for someone who's merely a shopkeeper addressing the Academy?"
Ah. I see.
This principal. He'd been pocketing every last bit of the support funds?
Well, skimming blind money has always been the specialty of high-ranking local officials. Who's going to be watching, anyway?
"I understand. I overstepped. Regardless, I'll take this contract as approved. I won't ask for support…. Just please don't stand in my way."
"Watch your tone. That's far too brazen for someone speaking to a principal."
Keeping up appearances till the very end—this was a man who should have been weeping and bowing the moment I revealed my true affiliation….
But if I did that, my master would come looking for me and drag me back. There was nothing to be done. I'd have to be the one to give ground here.
"Understood. I'll take my leave now."
"Ahem…. Do as you please!"
.
.
.
.
"Ahem…. Do as you please!"
As I stepped out of the principal's office, one student was waiting for me.
Black hair falling to her shoulders.
Deep blue eyes.
A clear, intelligent young woman.
"Hello. I am Yuna Linforce, serving as Student Council President. Thank you very much for visiting our Academy today."
"Hm…. Hm."
What.
What on earth is she saying?
Who is this composed, clear-eyed, luminous young woman with such poised and graceful bearing?
As I tilted my head in puzzlement, Yuna smiled softly and came to stand right beside me.
"With the approval of this proposal, Yujin Kalintz, proprietor of Yujin Snack Bar, will be granted free access to the Academy's interior. In addition to other established matters, I will be guiding you through the Academy's general regulations on behalf of the professor."
As I stood there still tilting my head, Yuna gave me a small wink.
Ah. I see.
So this is Yuna Linforce 'inside the Academy.'
Indeed…. To any observer, she radiated the dignity of a model student and Student Council President.
"Understood. I'll leave the guidance to you."
"Of course. Then first, we'll make our way to the classroom assigned to us."
Yuna and I walked down the hallway, and several students greeted her as she passed.
"Good morning, President."
"Good morning, Citron. Eating bread in the hallway isn't allowed, you know. How many times have I pointed this out?"
"I'm sorry."
"Oh, good morning, President! I had a question about the Swordsmanship lecture—"
"I'll set aside some time for that separately tomorrow morning. Right now, guiding our new contractor takes priority, so please understand."
"Yes! Of course!"
A truly well-loved Student Council President.
We settled into an empty room tucked in the corner of the school building, and only then did Yuna let out a small sigh.
"Phew. That's exhausting."
"Ha. Does the Student Council President wear a mask?"
"Not at all, Master. I simply aspire to be a great and righteous Student Council President whom everyone respects and looks up to! Calling it a mask makes it sound like I'm doing something wrong!"
"Who said it was wrong. In any case, it's refreshing to see a new side of Yuna."
"When I'm inside the Academy, I can't help it when others are around…. I am the Student Council President."
"Alright, alright. So, can you give me a proper explanation of the contract that was approved today?"
"Of course. First, Master will be able to—"
To summarize what Yuna said:
I may select students wishing to attempt the Dungeon conquest and form a party of up to five members.
If a student is injured, I am fundamentally responsible for their medical expenses.
All rewards obtained within the Dungeon are mine to keep and use, but an acquisition log and its intended uses must be submitted to the Academy.
Compensation for students can be set by mutual agreement. And so on…. It was only a handful of clauses.
It seemed the Academy's side had offset things by forgoing support in exchange for student medical costs.
Beyond that, Yuna summarized how we would be regarded within the Academy.
We were effectively equivalent to a provisional newly established department.
External activities were the premise, and anyone could submit an application.
Yuna would collect those applications, and I would review them to decide on party members.
Professor Daisy would serve as our faculty advisor, and Yuna would serve as department representative.
And this classroom would be the exclusive room for our department. We were free to set up supplies as we saw fit.
As for my own standing:
I was not required to be here every day, and I was treated as an external collaborator.
Meaning—when I wished to attempt the Dungeon, I simply had to contact Daisy, and in ordinary times, no one would say anything if I kept my post at Yujin Snack Bar.
That, more or less, was the summary.
A position with both significant responsibility and significant authority.
"So then. Where shall we set off for today, Master?"
Oh dear.
Whether it was contagious from Yuna's sparkling eyes and voice, I couldn't say—but quite forgetting my age, my heart began to pound as though a game were truly beginning.
"I see. First, call Silen. Let's head straight for the 2nd floor. Will that be alright?"
"Those are the very words I've been waiting for! I'll go fetch Silen!"
With that, Yuna darted out of the classroom, then immediately resumed walking in a neat, composed manner.
Seeing her lips curved into a benevolent smile, I laughed without even realizing it.
"The mask is flawless."
What a remarkably versatile child.
.
.
.
.
The place we arrived at, with Yuna and Silen in tow, was the entrance to the 2nd floor of Demeter Dungeon. A staircase descending below.
Peering down at the staircase that revealed nothing but darkness, Silen asked, clearly a little tense:
"Mister. If we go down there, is there a completely different environment down below?"
"There could be, or there might not be. Sometimes a grassland continues for several floors."
"I see. So the 2nd floor could also be Grass Cow territory?"
"Yes. But be careful. Going down to a lower floor requires proper caution. Imagine if you stepped down and landed directly above lava."
"You'd…. melt?"
"Correct. That's why a Rogue's Find Map skill matters. Anyway, let's head down for now."
"This place is completely insane?! How does a human being conquer somewhere like this?! If you step down and die in lava right away, there's no adventure or anything! There's no way that's fair!"
"Did you intend to become an adventurer without knowing that?"
"There have to be limits! What is this?! How can dying just because you stepped down somewhere even make sense! That's completely unreasonable!"
This one. She's saying something awfully correct.
"And yet, the hero's party currently at the frontier has conquered the 80th floor."
"They're all crazy! They did this 80 times over?!"
"And you, who wants to stand shoulder to shoulder with those heroes, will one day have to reach the 80th floor as well."
"Ah."
The color drained from Silen's face—pale to the point of white.
"Don't be intimidated by a mere 2nd floor."
"How am I supposed to not be intimidated, when even the 2nd floor could be dangerous!"
"Entering becoming dangerous from the very start only applies to floors 30 and beyond, without exception. Before that, there's what's called a Safety Zone—the entrance area is safe."
"Say that first next time!"
Silen roared, while Yuna watched her through narrowed eyes.
"We went over all of this in class. Silen. It's your own fault for not remembering."
"……."
Silen was completely sunk by Yuna's words.
If only this could get Silen to stop resting on her natural talent and study some theory as well.
In any case, amidst all the commotion, we descended to the 2nd floor—and an entirely new landscape welcomed us.
"It's a wasteland, Master! There are cacti…. and something like clumps of grass rolling around!"
"Indeed. It's a wasteland terrain. Aside from being dry and hot, there are spots to take cover, so it's not a bad terrain. Then, what about monsters?"
"Mister. Over there. Aren't those them?"
Where Silen pointed, a few small birds were visible.
Considering that mane, and that size—an extremely familiar ingredient. Chickens.
And that peculiar mane they had…. I'd seen it in the game before.
"Not a bad enemy, but caution will be needed for the hunt—"
"Chickens…. We can eat chicken, Master!"
"Yuna?"
Yuna's eyes lit up, and in an instant she drew her sword.
Then she took a deep breath.
Oh no.
She must be intending to use a skill unique to warriors. It was already too late to stop her.
"Silen. Cover your ears. Quickly. Then keep watch of the surroundings. If it seems dangerous, get clear."
"W-What's going on all of a sudden?!"
"Follow my instructions."
"O-Okay!"
The moment I gave the order, Yuna finished her deep breath and shouted from where she stood.
【Righteous Student Council President! Yuna Linforce is right—here—!】
[Battle Howling]—the skill used by swordsmen or warriors standing at the front line to draw the attention of monsters.
In principle it could be used to great effect: landing the first strike, managing aggro, inflicting a Staggered state upon ambush…. But this was Yuna's mistake.
Yuna had no idea what characteristics those chickens possessed, nor what patterns they followed.
The chickens turned their attention this way.
Then, their eyes gleaming, they compressed their bodies to the fullest—and then—
Whoooooom!!
BOOM!!
As if defying the universal truth that chickens cannot fly. They launched themselves like cannonballs.
Cutting through the air with a shriek, the chickens' speed was like a gale, and Silen went pale with shock.
"What?! Why are they so fast?!"
"Silen. Get out of the line of fire. Now."
"O-Okay!"
I confirmed Silen was clear, then stepped half a pace to the side myself and watched the situation unfold.
The name of those chickens inhabiting the 2nd floor was [Rocket Chicken].
Chickens with an attack pattern, true to their name, of launching themselves like rockets.
【Bock-bock-booock!!】
"Uwaaaaaaah!"
And of course, Yuna—a technique-type swordsman rather than a tank-type warrior—took the Rocket Chicken head-on and was sent flying along with it.
Wheeeee…CRASH!
Even if the chicken was smaller than Yuna, at that speed and with that force, there was no way Yuna's slight frame could hold her ground.
Yuna ultimately slammed into the cliff face together with the chicken, accompanied by a thunderous impact.
"Kueeng."
【Bock….】
The familiar death throes that escaped together.
I pressed a hand to my head as I looked at Yuna—knocked unconscious alongside a Rocket Chicken.
.
.
.
.
In this world, I mentioned there are job aptitudes and jobs.
In Yuna's case, while her job is swordsman, her aptitude also overlaps with [Warrior].
In this battle, carried away with excitement, she activated her warrior aptitude and used [Battle Cry]—but Yuna's actual job is that of a speed-oriented light swordswoman.
Go figure she'd end up like that, taking a hit head-on without even recognizing her own traits.
"……."
Silen, who had been staring blankly at Yuna's sorry state, walked over under Stealth and drove her dagger once into the neck of the [Rocket Chicken].
【Bock….!】
Silen, by contrast, was a pure Rogue. I had never encountered a Rogue with such unadulterated talent.
Having finished the hunt by landing the final blow on the stunned chicken, Silen stood deliberating in front of the cliff for a long while—then heaved a sigh deep enough to be visible from a distance, grabbed the unconscious Yuna by the back of her collar, and dragged her over.
She dropped Yuna in front of me with a thud, looked up at me, hesitated for a moment—then let out another sigh and opened her mouth.
"Mister. I noticed something while hunting with the Student Council President."
"What is it."
"Actually, about that president girl…. She's a bit of an airhead?"
"……."
Hm.
Hard to argue with that….