Volume 6 Chapter 3 Regular Class
The day after returning to the dorm from dungeon practice,
Elk was having breakfast made by Mamma with Emma in the cafeteria.
No one else was around. Just Elk and Emma, the two of them.
Elk asked Emma while drinking milk.
"Where is everyone? They didn't oversleep, did they?"
"No way! Everyone went to morning practice. Mr. Nickes said he has 'preparations for the presentation,' so he's doing research in the library."
"Oh, I see... What about you, Emma?"
"I'm all set for what I'm presenting."
"Oh, what are you making?"
"Yes. Recently, I've been enjoying making leather goods. I'm thinking of making a wallet and a small pouch."
"A wallet and a small pouch, huh... But the assignment is 'something new,' right?"
"Of course, I'll add a little twist to it! Ehehe... Please look forward to it!"
"Oh, wow."
Emma smiled brightly and took a sip of her hot milk.
Elk also took a bite of the leftover bread and washed it down with milk.
"You still have time, right?"
"Yes. Um, Mr. Elk... don't you do morning practice?"
"I do early morning training."
Elk's early morning training mainly takes place 'in the sky.'
Since no one is watching, it's fine to train in pajamas. After training, he changes in his room and comes down to the first floor. There's nothing to do in the training area.
Also, he didn't really like the idea of having breakfast just with Emma.
By the way, Emma actually enjoys this time having breakfast with Elk.
Elk poured another cup of milk.
"Alright, one more cup. Still, everyone really works hard at morning practice, Mr. Elk."
"It seems normal in the Skill Department..."
"Don't they get all sweaty in the morning and feel sleepy during class?"
Drinking milk, Elk placed his dishes in the wash area, and Mamma started washing them.
"Well then, Ms. Mamma, I'm off."
"Take care!"
"Okay, see you later!"
The two of them grabbed their bags and headed toward the school building.
It was an ideal distance, taking less than ten minutes from the dorm.
Elk and Emma walked side by side toward the school.
Along the way, students from the Skill Department and Commerce Department were walking.
In the central plaza, many students were heading toward the school building.
"Yawn... starting today, it's regular classes."
"We're preparing for the 'presentation', Mr. Elk."
"That sounds nice. Oh, what are we doing for lunch?"
"Um... I promised to eat lunch with the other kids from 'sewing' skills."
"I see. Then I guess I'll eat with Gambo."
"Excuse me, Mr. Elk."
"It's fine. So, Emma, see you after school."
"Yes!"
After parting ways with Emma in front of the school, Elk headed to Class A's classroom.
As he opened the classroom door while yawning, many eyes turned toward him.
"...What's up with that?"
It wasn't a look of fear or dread, but rather one of curiosity.
They had questions.
But it felt awkward to ask... that kind of gaze. Elk ignored the stares and went to his seat.
Then, Yato, who sat next to him, spoke up.
"Kaya is coming today."
"Oh, okay. Good morning... um, I feel like I'm being watched."
"Who knows?"
Yato seemed indifferent and opened a small book.
He glanced at the book... but the book written in 'Nihongo' used in Yamato country was unreadable to Elk.
Elk then yawned and went over to Gambo at his seat.
"Hey."
"Hey. So, I feel like I'm being watched..."
"Well, it's become a rumor. They say Elk fought a priest from the Goddess Holy Church during the dungeon training and retrieved a treasure."
"What!? Why!?"
"I don't know. It's probably just a twisted version of what happened in the 'Nest of Insect Poison'."
Elk got lost during the dungeon training.
A priest from the Goddess Holy Church appeared in the dungeon.
A treasure was retrieved.
Elk returned from the dungeon.
These events got twisted into the story that 'Elk fought and defeated a priest from the Goddess Holy Church in the dungeon, retrieved a treasure, and came back.' Ironically, the truth got out.
"No, the one who found the treasure is Mister Bob!!"
"Huh? ...Is that so?"
"Ugh!!"
Elk covered his mouth.
Yes, the treasure was indeed found and retrieved. But the discoverer hasn't been made public yet. It would be strange if Elk knew... it would ruin the cover-up.
"Ah, no... I think Mister Bob found it!!"
"Is that just wishful thinking? Well, the treasure being found is just a rumor too. You probably want to ask me a lot of things."
Just then, Merry arrived.
"Haa... My place got a visit too. They wanted to know what happened in the 'Nest of Insect Poison'. I only fought weird insect-like monsters, though."
"Me too. That pill bug-like guy... I'll get my revenge next time."
"Me too."
"...I will too! Yeah."
For now, Elk tries to change the subject even in the dungeon.
Merry and Gambo are looking at Elk with eyes like, "Who is this guy?"
Then, Fine hugged Merry from behind.
"Hey, what are you talking about?"
"Ah!? Wait, Fine... don't just hug me out of nowhere!"
"It's fine. Are you talking about the dungeon practice?"
Fine let go of Merry and looked around the classroom.
"Everyone seems excited about fighting monsters and treasures in the dungeon, so it'll probably be like this for a while. We can't enter the dungeon without a senior adventurer guiding us, so it can't be helped."
The classroom was definitely buzzing with excitement.
Gradually, the curiosity about Elk faded, and everyone got more hyped about the adventures in the dungeon. Elk was relieved since there were many things he didn't want to be asked about.
Just then, the classroom door opened.
"Good morning!"
"Good morning~!"
Soara walked into the classroom with Sylphid on her head.
The classroom went silent, and Soara headed over to Elk.
Sylphid cheerfully said,
"Good morning, Elk~! Hehe, I was surprised by how much delicious food there is on the surface!"
"Uh, Soara... you..."
"I got the teacher's permission!"
"W-what--"
"What is this cute kid!!"
"Bbwa!*"
Fine pushed Elk aside and stepped in front of Soara.
Then, with a cough, Merry casually stood next to her.
More girls and boys gathered around Soara.
"Ms. Soara, right? Um... who is this?"
"Wow, so cool!" "So cute!" "A butterfly... no, a human?"
"So small..." "Wow~." "C-can I touch her?"
The classroom suddenly became lively and noisy.
Then, Merry clapped her hands, and it got a little quieter.
"Cough, Ms. Soara. Who is this child...?"
"Sylphid. She was sleeping deep in the dungeon. She's cute, so I made her my friend."
"Does that mean she's a monster?"
"Hmm! I'm not a monster! I'm a bug person!"
I see, so that's how it is. Elk understood.
Honestly, saying Sylphid's existence could lead to a lot of trouble. He couldn't say she was the last bug person created by Balthazar.
Sylphid floated gently to Elk's head.
"Elk, I'm with you today!"
"Uh, okay."
"Hehe! Everyone, nice to meet you!"
And just like that, Sylphid was easily accepted.
* * *
Shakariki entered the classroom.
As soon as he sat at the teacher's desk, he grinned.
"Hmmm, it seems everyone is here... Oh, well, every year a few students quit school or go missing after the dungeon practice. But it's not a big deal. Hehe, it means this class is all here. Yes."
It was really annoying.
As everyone felt down, Shakariki looked at Sylphid and grinned even more.
"Oh ho ho ho. Is this the new species reported to be living in the dungeon? How interesting!!"
"Ugh, that's kind of creepy... Elk, I don't like that guy."
"That's too bad. Hehe, if the opportunity arises, I'd love to examine your body."
"No!!"
Sylphid flew off Elk's head and jumped into Soara's clothes.
Shakariki chuckled softly and placed the textbook on the podium.
"Alright, let's start the class. Everyone, thank you for your hard work in the dungeon practice. It's truly wonderful that there were no deaths or missing persons... Hmm, it seems some of you have 'Skill Evolution.' Oh, and your levels have increased quite a bit."
Shakariki's glasses sparkled. Then, Merry raised her hand.
"Teacher... outside the temple, viewing skills other than Appraisal is a criminal act."
"Don't worry. I used to be an Appraisal person, so I have the qualifications... Ah, this isn't the temple, after all. I'll be more careful from now on. Yes."
"......"
That jerk.
Merry's eyes weren't smiling.
By the way, only a few students were seen, and it seemed Elk's skill level wasn't looked at. If it had been, his brain would have been destroyed, and he would have collapsed.
"Now, let's get started with the lesson. Turn to page 29 in your textbooks..."
The class began.
The first-year classes included general education and skill lessons. The main focus was on physical education and elective classes.
In skill lessons, students learned about skills in theory, while physical education aimed to improve physical abilities. Elective classes were divided into 'weapons,' 'martial arts,' and 'magic,' where students learned about each topic.
Of course, there were tests too.
"This will be on the test. After the commercial 'presentation,' there will also be a midterm exam, so make sure to remember it well~."
Elk wrote in his notebook.
Then, Sylphid spoke up.
"Hey, is it fun?"
"Not really..."
"Elk, I want to draw too!"
"Drawing... okay, okay."
Elk tore a page from his notebook and handed a spare pen to Sylphid.
Sylphid held a big pen and happily started drawing.
Watching her, Yato said.
"You're a good 'dad,' aren't you?"
"I'm not a dad."
"...?"
Elk quickly denied it.
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