Volume 1 Chapter 8 Before The Shallow Training
The instructor stood at the entrance of the dungeon.
"Today, we begin the shallow training in the dungeon! The activity area is up to the first floor of the dungeon! Defeat at least three monsters per person and return!"
In response to the instructor's instructions, the trainees with backpacks replied, "Yes, instructor!" uniformly. It feels like military style when I look back on it. Well, there's also the aspect of mercenary training, so this method must be right.
"Now, let me explain the precautions! First, never proceed even if you find the stairs to the second floor! Next, if you judge the enemies to be overwhelming, flee immediately! Finally, retreat if there are any injured!"
These are quite strict precautions. Since I can't shake off the perception of dungeons from my previous life's game, I wonder if it's really that dangerous?
"Instructor, may I ask a question?"
Drop raised her voice. She's the second best performer and the top girl in the school caste who had invited Ice.
"Go ahead! Speak up!"
"Aren't those rules pretty strict? We are all magicians now and have already battled monsters in other practical training."
Drop seemed to have the same question in mind and voiced it. The instructor responded, "That's a good question."
"In conclusion, these rules are appropriate! Because, unlike forests, the dungeons were created with the intent to kill you, pure malice!"
Then the instructor continued,
"Sword adventurers are brave warriors. They will slaughter enemies with their weapons.
Bow adventurers are sharp hunters. They will use strategy to defeat monsters.
Torch adventurers are daring explorers. They will mock death's danger and bring back treasures from the dungeon."
A stir could be heard among the trainees.
"Quiet! Dungeons are very dangerous! On the flip side, if you can survive in a dungeon, you can survive anywhere."
It's that dangerous, huh? I smirk a little. "It's probably just a scare tactic," someone says.
"Therefore, you all have been set the goal of reaching the 5th floor of the dungeon by graduation! Those who make it through will be given a copper adventurer's badge, proving that they are full-fledged adventurers at graduation!"
But, the instructor said.
"However, last year, 9 trainees died by the 5th floor! That's 30% of you! One out of about every 3 of you died in the dungeon before graduation!"
I shivered, feeling excited like never before since I was born into this world.
"That's all for the answers! Trainee Drop! Are your doubts cleared?"
"Y-yes... no problem."
"Does anyone else have questions? ...Guess not. Then, let the training begin!"
The instructor moved to the side of the entrance. The trainees, including me, stood at the entrance of the dungeon, buzzing with excitement.
"Oh, Wade-kun, let's do our best, okay?"
"Yeah, let's do our best. They say about the top half-third become bronze adventurers, but for now, let's prioritize our lives."
"Yeah... even if we only have iron adventurer cards, it's more important to stay alive, right?"
We nodded at each other and turned our gaze towards the dungeon. Then, for some reason, five members of a party including Drop stood in front of us.
"Hmph! You two are going to challenge the dungeon alone? And with only Slow Magic and half-baked magic! Oh, but if you're both half-baked, maybe together you could be considered decent! Didn't you listen to the instructor? You need a party of more than two people for the dungeon!"
This person is so unpleasant.
"What did you come here to say?"
"Whatever. Ice-chan over there is clumsy, okay? She seems like a klutz. I'm thinking about retrieving her even now."
If I do that, I won't be able to go into the dungeon. What's this guy talking about?
"...Are you stupid?"
"What! You, who haven't received proper education, are definitely the stupid one! Aren't you the idiot!?"
Noisy.
"We're on time. Let's hurry up and get into the dungeon. We'll dive in ourselves."
"Ugh...! Hmph! After witnessing that girl's clumsiness, it's too late to come crying to me!"
Saying that, Drop and the other went into the dungeon one by one. I sighed as I watched them go. "What's with that?" I muttered.
"That person is fundamentally hopeless. Even though she was talking about Ice, she didn't even bother asking Ice."
"...Drop-chan always thinks she's the most right."
With a wry smile, Ice said. She must have been troubled for a while. So, this is where she finally had enough and said it.
"Well, adventurers only meet once in a lifetime. Some people graduate and never see their classmates again. Let's take it easy."
"Uh, um... I, I want to stay friends with Wade-kun even after we graduate."
"...Yeah. Let's hope that can happen."
My response carried the nuance of being equally likely to happen or not, but Ice nodded and said, "Um...!" She's a determined girl. I hope she becomes happy.
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