Volume 5 Chapter 13 I'm The Type Who Cherishes And Doesn't Use Eliza Until The End.
The eclipse altar. That mysterious word wouldn't leave Randy and Liz's minds as the second day of exploration began.
As usual, Catherine's second team was doing great. Even with a new leader taking over from Catherine, their marching speed showed no signs of slowing down. The sudden change in leadership wasn't because Catherine was sick or they were slacking off.
──From the 4th level onward, they will rotate leaders.
Following the new rule announced before they set off, they were now taking turns as leaders at set times.
This enforced rule was also a sign of the instructors' kindness. It seemed there was a boss in the deeper fifth level, and they were marching with that simulation in mind. If the leader had to step back during the boss fight, it would prevent the team from falling apart all at once.
It looked like the second team had considered this too. Even with a new leader, the system they had created together was working well. It was clear they had tested it many times and built it as a team.
And that wasn't all.
"Wind, Edge!"
Almost at the same time as the shout, the two boys jumped in front of a pitch-black wolf-like beast (Abyss Hound).
"Miss Cecilia!"
At the same time, Cecilia unleashed magic on a misty humanoid beast, the Grim Shadow, causing it to disperse.
"Alright, everyone──"
"Shadow Spider!"
With the report of an ambush, the student leader turned to the one holding back the Abyss Hound.
"Wind!"
"We're good over here!"
In response, they immediately switched targets to "Target: Shadow Spider!" and took it down before dealing with the Abyss Hound.
Not only did they show a systematic approach in the corridors, but they also handled the open space smoothly when facing a group. They understood their strategy well enough that they didn't need to be told every little detail.
With that, the leader assigned roles and strategies, and the others moved according to the plan.
"You're quite skilled."
"Yeah. The priority for taking down beasts is clear."
Multiple types of beasts, when they attack in groups, it's important to decide which enemy to take down first.
The Grim Shadow drains the strength of anyone it touches. The Shadow Spider is tricky with its poison, paralysis, and binding threads.
The Abyss Hound is faster and hits harder, but in this situation, its status effects could break the team apart. The student who noticed the ambush and reported it right away, the one who kept the Abyss Hound in check, and the leader who made quick decisions──all of them share the same understanding, which is why they can pull off such teamwork.
"What would that Randy have done?"
"Who knows? Maybe he would have told Catherine to give buffs... maybe."
The two vanguards reporting on equipment wear still seem pretty relaxed.
"That might have turned into a useless buff."
Randy sighed, and Burk, the instructor, nodded in agreement. Their strength comes not just from sharing awareness but also from knowing each other's abilities well.
Yes. Everyone has a pretty accurate grasp of things. No, it's more accurate to say they've created a system to understand each other.
After the battle, while everyone checks their equipment and stays alert, the student leader raised a paper and spoke up.
"Mary, give me a magic potion──."
At those words, the Reserve Student, who managed the supplies, handed a magical potion to the girl in the rear guard.
"Still so thorough with resource management, huh?"
"That's their strategy, I guess."
What they heard from them during yesterday's meal was about their strategy. To put it simply, it's a dungeon raid with safety first. The best example of this is the leader's item management shown earlier.
──No wasting magic, no reckless charges. This tactical approach connects to their strategy, but what surprised the two even more was how literally 'thoroughly managed' the resources were.
"I never thought they would quantify each person's magical power."
As Liz said, Catherine worked with Celicia and the others to quantify everyone's magical power.
It's like the MP display in a game.
Based on basic magic, how many times can it be used?
Based on basic magic, how much magical power is needed for stronger magic?
Spending almost 2 weeks, each person's magical power and the magic power cost of spells were measured. The paper that the leader has summarizes these numbers. It shows how much magic each person used in one battle.
This way, enough magic potions can be given to those who need them.
Unlike when individuals manage their own magic, everyone can follow the leader's orders with peace of mind because it's managed as a group. No, the leader can give orders confidently.
By saying to use magic, they can avoid the silly situation of someone saying, "I'm out of gas" at a crucial moment.
Randy's thought after hearing Catherine and the others' strategy was... (gamer vibes)... for sure.
Bringing familiar game numbers into reality shows Catherine's unique perspective, especially since she has a status window. Of course, this is real life. Even the same fireball will use more magical power if it's stronger.
But considering all that, Catherine manages resources with a safety margin, like a gamer who buys a lot of herbs in a shop. And she's also the type who clears the game without using them all.
"Seems like she's adapting well to reality."
He looked amazed, but he didn't feel bad about it. Luke patted Randy on the shoulder.
"Both the milady and Miss Catherine have been working hard together every day."
With a sigh, Luke said, "So there's nothing left to do," but his face showed he was happy. It's definitely a good thing when the guards don't have to do their job.
Looking at the second team's smooth exploration, Randy decided to glance at Instructor Burk.
"Instructor, I heard that no students have gone beyond the fifth level so far?"
"Well, that's true."
Nodding, Burk continued that this dungeon has only recently been used for training, and until now, the highest anyone has reached is halfway through the fifth level.
"Going all the way to the deeper levels is faster... there was a time like that, but there's a boss in front of the teleportation device on the fifth level."
Looking at Burk's bitter face, he can tell that they didn't have enough strength or equipment to defeat the boss and teleport.
"With how the second team is doing this time, can't we aim for the 6th level?"
Randy tilts his head, and Burk still looks grumpy as he replies, "I wonder about that."
"Is there something bothering you?"
Liz, also tilting her head, sees Burk let out a small sigh before he speaks.
"From the 6th level onward, the Knight group is still working on it. We haven't gotten permission from the academy and the kingdom yet."
Hearing such a typical reason, both Randy and Liz slump their shoulders. They thought that if they could reach the space below the fifth level, they might find out something, but now they hear permission hasn't been granted.
"But that's strange."
Luke suddenly jumps in, and Randy furrows his brows, asking, "What do you mean?"
"Well, this place was chosen as a training site a few years ago, right?"
With those words, Randy realizes what Luke is getting at.
"That's true. It's taking too long to clear it."
If it was chosen as a training site a few years ago, that means the discovery happened even earlier. Plus, if there are students who reached the middle of the fifth level, it means the fifth level was already being cleared at that time.
Even if it's a complete exploration from scratch, it's odd that it took years to cover a distance that students could reach in 2 days. So, the fifth level must have been cleared not long after it was discovered.
"Is it that tough with the beasts and traps on the 6th level?"
Liz tilts her head, and Burk shakes his head.
"We haven't been informed about that. All we know is that we can only go to the deepest part of the fifth level."
By the time Burk sighs, the second team has just reached the end of the 4th level. But looking at the open door to the fifth level, it seems the first team has already gone down.
"Well, we'll find out when we get there."
In Randy's line of sight, the second team's students, who were a bit anxious after being overtaken by the first team, are visible.
* * *
Edgar and his team left the third level and were charging through the 4th level like a bullet train. They were supposed to rotate leaders, but everyone followed Edgar's instructions, which had been getting better and better as they moved through the third level.
The orders Edgar gave had really stuck with them, and their pride made them perform even better.
Since they were all well-educated kids, each of them was more capable than the second team. Even though it seemed like the first team only listened to Edgar, they had all been trained to lead others.
The leader rotation was quick, and now they were back under Edgar's guidance, already halfway through the fifth level.
Other students were good too, but when Edgar was in charge, everyone felt more motivated. Still, Leonard quietly sighed at what seemed like a bit of a brute-force approach to exploring.
"I wonder if they're managing their resources okay."
Leonard muttered this, and Serena almost said, "Come on, don't be silly." Managing resources, including items, is super important for adventurers exploring dungeons.
No matter the rank, everyone should know their own health, how many items they have, and how long they can keep up at this pace.
It was such a basic thing that Serena shot a glare at Leonard for even saying it.
"They are smart students, right?"
"I know, but it feels like they're pushing too hard."
As Leonard sighed, he noticed another student pulling a magic potion out of their magic bag.
"They're nobles, so they've brought more than enough."
Serena had a point. Unlike poor adventurers, they were well-off.
"Still, I agree they're pushing too hard..."
Serena sighed and shrugged, saying, "Honestly, they're just too good."
(They are good. Very good. But too good.)
According to Leonard, Edgar probably doesn't know what it's like to fail. He's a so-called genius, smoothly handling various tasks, something even Leonard could see at their first meeting.
His instructions are spot on. He has a strong charisma. Edgar himself is quite skilled too.
Even instructions that seem a bit rushed might be just right for the talented students. But that's what makes it scary.
If they stumble on something, it feels like this team could fall apart in an instant.
"I think it'll be fine."
Irios, next to Leonard, sighs in agreement.
"The strength of the beasts and the difficulty of the traps, they're a bit lacking to really threaten them."
"But didn't they say there's a boss on the fifth level?"
Leyra's drawn-out voice gets a "It's okay" shake of the head from Serena.
"A boss on the fifth level won't be a match for His Highness the Crown Prince and the team."
Serena is right; the boss at the deepest part of the fifth level is a B-rank beast called a Lesser Demon. It's tough for students, but with so many talented students gathered, finding problems should be harder.
"Still, if Leo is worried, it's better to keep an eye on it."
Serena shrugs, and Leonard nods, saying, "Sorry about that."
"It might be a wish for them to experience failure..."
Leonard continues with a wry smile, talking about the future they're heading towards.
"This team could be the future of this country. If a slightly reckless king stumbles, the whole country could turn upside down."
Leonard hopes he'll experience at least one failure before that, but with how things are going in this dungeon, it seems impossible. Edgar and the others are moving along smoothly and are about to reach the boss.
"The fastest in history. Plus, it's the boss of the fifth level that no one has reached..."
As Leonard mutters this, he sees a bright light ahead in the dim corridor. The pressure felt in the hallway is definitely coming from the boss.
Rushing through the corridor, the first team finds a huge figure standing before them, with a goat head and bat wings.
The roar of the red demon echoes throughout the room.
"Everyone, get ready for battle! Let's go!"
With Edgar's command, the fight between the boss and Team One begins.
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