Volume 5 Chapter 4 Yes, Then Please Form Pairs
Three days after heading to the Guild for dungeon training, Randy and Liz were called to the principal's office.
Sitting across from them on a fluffy sofa was Lucius Elderwood, the principal of the academy. The old elf, with a gentle smile, had been teaching at this academy for a long time, invited by the kingdom.
"Now, both of you..."
His slow and calm voice made Randy feel relieved, thinking, "I'm glad he's not strict." If he had taught classes with that voice, Randy would have definitely dozed off.
"I'm sorry for calling you out of the blue."
With a smile, Principal Lucius continued, "By the way, do you have any idea why?"
Randy and Liz exchanged glances.
"Thinking logically, it should be about the request we received..."
Randy thought it was probably about the Guild recommending them as guards. That's the only reason he could think of for being called. After all, they hadn't done anything at the academy yet.
As Randy muttered, "The test isn't even here yet..." the principal and Liz shared a wry smile.
"Um, ahem──."
With Liz clearing her throat, Randy said, "Sorry," and turned his gaze back to Lucius.
"Well, the reason I called you is 2──."
Lucius raised 2 fingers and then folded one down.
"──First, I want to formally apologize for the chaos at the end of the year."
Lucius bowed his head, explaining that he had heard the truth. The incident where Chris and Pope conspired to overthrow the kingdom. And at the center of that incident were none other than Liz and Randy.
Due to a mix-up, the Crown Prince was attacked, and the kingdom used that mistake to cover up the truth. Lucius was apologizing for not opposing the fabricated truth, even though he knew it.
"I truly regret involving you kids in the dirty politics of adults."
With a sigh, Lucius said, "Even if it's exile," bitterly. Even though both were incidents that happened at the academy,
exile couldn't be involved.
The assassination attempt covered the truth with chaos and calm among the people.
To Lucius, both outcomes must have felt pretty pathetic.
"It's fine. Both are already done."
Lucius bowed his head again, saying, "Thank you for your kind words," to Liz, who shook her head. He managed to lift his head and moved the topic to another reason.
"And another reason. Just like Victor said earlier."
With a smile, Lucius quickly agreed that he would definitely like to ask for protection... but...
"There's a bit of trouble. It might be a pretty tough request."
"Oh? Can I ask what the not-so-peaceful reason is?"
Even though it's a dungeon exploration, it's an event organized by the academy and managed by the country. Guiding students might be mentally tough, but I couldn't understand why the principal was being vague about it.
"The situation is complicated."
Lucius started explaining about the participants in this dungeon training. Of course, there's Crown Prince Edgar and his companions, but Saint Catherine had also expressed her intention to join a while ago.
The academy's dungeon training usually involves a large party of about ten to 15 people. So even if the two were absent, the numbers wouldn't be a problem. He gently urged both of them to decline participation since there was a contact ban, but neither agreed.
The academy could force a withdrawal by asking the royal family and the Church, but losing the opportunity to learn would go against the purpose of the institution.
So the proposal was to separate Catherine and Edgar into different groups. They decided to break apart some groups that had been set a few months ago and reassign them with the instructors.
Furthermore, even though there was only one entrance, they decided to have completely different exploration routes. They would take measures to avoid any overlap from the movement to the dungeon and the exploration inside.
"I see. That's not peaceful at all."
Randy gave a wry smile, and Lucius looked apologetic.
To put it simply, the school trip group has been reset, and the teachers have rearranged it without asking. This means that while some friends are together, there might be others who don't get along.
If the group isn't united, it can lead to danger. Plus, the routes are different. It's better to think that we can't count on help if something goes wrong.
"Of course, the school will do its best to keep students safe, but... there are just too many unknowns."
Seeing Lucius sigh, it's clear he's been working hard to make adjustments.
"There are only a few points that can be called dangerous when exploring from shallow to mid-floor."
"Does that mean 'it's actually too few, which makes it dangerous'...?"
Randy sighed, and Lucius nodded, "Exactly." A large group that can't communicate well. A path with little danger. This will definitely make someone let their guard down. That feeling can spread quickly, and before you know it, the party could be in real danger.
By the time you realize it, it's already too late.
When people relax, a large group that can't communicate is just a big target for beasts.
So, wouldn't it be better to split the party into smaller groups with people who can communicate? You might think that, but it's actually missing the point.
This is a kingdom school, not a training center for adventurers. The dungeon exploration training is meant to prepare for organized group exploration and the experience that comes with it. It's like training for a situation where the Knight Brigade explores a dungeon.
──Responding to a growing line.
──Dividing roles between reserve and the main group.
──Timing for switching.
──Moving around in a big room.
And of course, gaining experience as a leader who directs all of this. Each of these is a valuable experience that can only be gained in real situations.
That's why the adventurers assigned as guards were supposed to be skilled and few in number.
They need to follow the students in the front and back rows while being careful not to interfere too much. That's the ability required of a guard.
"So? The tough reasons aren't just that, right?"
Randy gave a wry smile, and Lucius looked a bit surprised. Still, Randy wanted to say, "I get it." He thought the bodyguard training was pretty much like babysitting. After all, even the academy instructors were going along to the dungeon managed by the country.
In that situation, the Guild sent an A-rank party. Just that alone made him feel like it was going to be a babysitting job. Of course, the fact that the party was not getting along was unexpected.
He thought they would just keep an eye on the show-offs... like watching students who were getting too wild on a school trip.
So, when the principal called him and said it would be "hard," he thought it wasn't enough to worry about.
Lucius, surprised by Randy's expression that seemed to say, "I understand that much," softened his face and nodded.
"I'm sorry. The truth is deeper than what I just said."
Lucius continued to explain about the reorganization of the groups and the reactions when they announced the changes.
"There were originally 36 students expected to participate, with 5 accompanying attendants. But after we announced the new groupings, many withdrew..."
Randy understood everything just by looking at Lucius, who seemed to struggle to say it.
"Everyone doesn't want to be in the same group as Miss Evans."
"Yes, and only Miss Hartfield raised her hand to join."
Lucius nodded with a wry smile, which said it all. Since that incident, Catherine had become completely isolated. It was also a consequence of how she had manipulated the Crown Princes and done as she pleased, but even Randy sighed at the obvious situation.
"I heard there were quite a few complaints when you had to reorganize the groups because of the withdrawals, principal."
"It's not just disharmony; it's more like they're in conflict."
Then, next to Randy, Liz opened her mouth with a worried look.
"...So, could it be the same for the classes?"
Lucius silently nodded at Liz's hesitant question. It was clear that Catherine was completely out of place in the combat training class that had already started. She was still in the magic training with Cecilia, but she wasn't participating in the combat training.
"Basically, you want us to lead the shaky team with Miss Evans and Miss Cecilia."
"Do you really get that?"
Randy shrugged, saying, "I understand," to a seemingly happy Lucius.
Even though Randy defeated an S-rank, it looks bad for a student to guard the Crown Prince's team. Edgar would never allow that.
──If that's the case, we can handle it ourselves.
He has a feeling he might say something like that. He's heard his pride is even higher than his ability.
Also, the school decided on this team setup. It's clear that many noble students are around the Crown Prince. Even if the school knows the truth behind the assassination suspicion, they have to show the regular students that their response to the "assassination attempt" is perfect.
This incident was caused by Chris, a big noble's heir, but it's true that nobles are trusted more than commoners. So, it's natural for Edgar to be surrounded by his supporters.
The Edgar team is easy to manage because it's made up of high-ranking nobles with Edgar at the top.
The Catherine team is made up of those who were left out and are unhappy with the banner.
If Randy and Liz join in, things will get even more complicated.
Thanks to the Church incident, Catherine's actions are blamed on brainwashing, but it still looks like victims and perpetrators are in the same room. There's no doubt that curious eyes will be on them.
Rumors are more burdensome than the actual guarding.
"If there's one good piece of news, it's that the members of the second team... Miss Evans' team, unlike those who declined at first, are unhappy but not enough to back out."
"Miss Evans isn't surprisingly disliked, huh?"
Randy raised his eyebrows with hope, and Lucius shook his head, saying, "I don't know."
"It might also be because the second team is made up of quiet kids..."
With a big sigh, Lucius might be worried that he's pushing them too hard.
"Well... I heard that because of her performance at the Year-End Festival, the common folks in the capital have a good impression of them, and most of the team members are those kinds of kids."
Catherine's determination might be shining a light on her. Randy and Liz exchanged glances at that fact.
"It'll be a bit of a problem to push this troublesome group onto you, but are you okay with that?"
"It will be a problem, but we have our reasons for accepting the request."
With a smile, Randy said, "I see," and Lucius nodded, not saying anything more. He just looked back and forth between Randy and Liz and nodded again.
"Wasn't the class already a group project for training?"
"Yeah."
"Can we observe that?"
"...I'll allow it."
Lucius nodded, and Randy looked satisfied as he nodded back. It's better to have some understanding now than to suddenly face problems on the day.
"I'll let the instructor know about the observation. So, I'll be counting on you on the day."
Lucius extended his hand, and Randy smiled, saying, "Leave it to me," as he shook Lucius's hand. After shaking hands with Randy, Lucius turned his gaze to Liz.
"Miss Braubelg... oh, I should call you Miss Elizabeth now."
Lucius nodded big, and Liz also nodded, saying, "Yes."
"It seems we've been blessed with a strange connection."
Liz furrowed her brow for just a moment at Lucius's meaningful smile, but...
"Yes. Thanks to you."
...she returned a big smile. Maybe sensing Liz's feelings in that smile, Lucius didn't say anything more. As if to signal the end of the conversation, he said, "Sorry for the long talk," and urged Randy and the others out of the principal's office.
"Well then, I'll be counting on you."
"Yes. I'll do my best."
Randy shook hands with Lucius at the door and left the room.
After the two left, Lucius stared at the door for a moment and let out a big sigh of relief.
"The forbidden witch and the Saint who should seal her... Is this a connection from a lost era that I don't even know about? Fate is quite strange."
Despite his words, Lucius's expression was bright. It showed his hope and joy for the young people who had just begun to walk their own path.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Donate me
Support Me with USDC
(ERC20)
Support Me with XLM
(Stellar Lumens)