'Dungeon exploration' is often part of a hero's job.
It's not as common as monster subjugations or hunting for artifacts, but in Kyren Zena, a continent where new dungeons appear all the time, it's a big part of what heroes do.
Dungeon exploring can be tough.
Without the right information, venturing into an unknown dungeon, full of potential dangers, isn't an easy task.
That's why many heroes are scared to take on dungeon assignments.
It's easier when they know what they're up against.
For example, in a monster subjugation, they know exactly what monster they need to kill.
Even against powerful monsters, a strategy can be made as long as they know what they're up against.
If they think the monster is too tough, they can just turn down the mission.
The same goes for "artifact hunting."
Usually, it's after basic information is discovered.
Such as what type of monsters are roaming, where the artifact is hidden, what the terrain is like.
So they can plan a strategy, just like they do for monster subjugations.
'Dungeon exploration' is different, though.
Before going into a dungeon, they don't know what kind of monster is inside or what the terrain looks like.
The best they can do is guess based on how the dungeon looks.
But guesses are never certain.
For example, what if a team of heroes, mostly skilled in physical combat, entered a dungeon full of ghost-type monsters immune to physical attacks?
They'd be in serious danger.
To a hero, reputation and honor are as important as skill.
They fear having to give up or fail a mission they have taken on.
That's why 'Dungeon exploration' is seen as scary, not just by active heroes, but also by students of the Hero Academy.
After chatting with Amy, I quickly headed to the class.
"Hey, you football idiots. You tied with the Knight Department, didn't you? What a mess. Without Eshild, your team is just a bunch of weaklings. Huh, where are you glaring at, you losers? Where are you going? We won even without Ralph."
"Yeah, yeah. Change the name of the football team, you dumb football jerks. How about 'Eshild and Kids'?"
"Hey, kids~"
"······Damn it. After you lose, just wait, you jerks."
"I had a blind date with the Magic Department yesterday, but Seria didn't show up, haah. I only went out to see Seria."
"Oh, really? I heard from a Magic Department student that she always stays in the lab, except for when she goes on blind dates. Lately, she's been wandering around the Knight Department, like she's searching for someone who owes her money."
"I wish she would come to the Hero Department too······. Wouldn't her generous heart bring some light into our dull Hero Department······."
"I agree with that. She's for sure, quite generous..."
"Hey, I tried that hot dog place you recommended. It was great. Good food. The part-time worker was a pretty girl about our age. I'm thinking of going back."
"Ha, you bastard. Let me tell you something nice. A kid from the Knight Department told me that the part-timer is also from the Knight Department. Her name's Sally, I think? She's a freshman."
"Thanks, mate. I have no one but you."
"If you're grateful, lend me some money."
"Who are you?"
"I hope we get a good team for today's dungeon exploration. The seniors said dungeon exploration was the hardest."
"No, it's not. Sure, it's hard, but it's better than going to a war zone. Did you pack everything?"
"Just some clothes and toiletries."
"That should do."
Today, too, the classroom was filled with the students' lively chatter.
As was the norm, I found myself sandwiched between Noctar and my orc classmates in the last row.
Noctar turned to me.
"Hey, Theo. You look a lot better? Anything good happen over the weekend?"
"Not really. I had dinner with my fiancée on Saturday, and I did some training yesterday."
"Ah, your fiancée~"
Noctar's laughter had a suggestiveness to it.
It set off a chorus of laughter among the orcs.
"A true warrior always finds time to meet women while training. We should learn from that. In a way, humans are to be envied, aren't they?"
"True, we don't even have any women to meet. Are there ten female freshmen across all the departments?"
"Ten now, but by next year, half will be gone."
An Orc classmate voiced his concern, and a gloomy atmosphere spread among them.
Elinia Academy wasn't a cakewalk.
As the continent's top institution, students failing to make the cut were often expelled.
The Knight Department, like the Hero Department, demanded not just physical prowess but intellect as well.
This is where Orcs, often lacking in intelligence, found the academy difficult.
An Orc graduate from Elinia Academy would make the news.
It was that rare.
'A lot of goodbyes are on the horizon.'
I cast a sympathetic glance at my Orc classmates.
Except for Noctar, currently ranking 71st in our grade, the others were barely scraping through the year.
Even though their practical combat scores had soared with my help.
Other than Noctar, who was on my side, it was hard to look after them all.
These Orcs, even less intellectually endowed than Noctar, struggle greatly with theoretical studies.
Their strengths lay in following orders, a trait more suited to aides than to future heroes.
'I hope we can continue our journey together.'
When we caught Francis, the perpetrator of the magical dungeon incident, the Orcs had helped me without hesitation.
It would be reassuring to have a faction within the academy that held unwavering trust in me.
'I need to find a way to help them.'
My current academic ranking stood at 181st.
I had to graduate among the top ranks to survive.
It sounded selfish, but I had to prioritize my survival first.
Once that was assured, I would certainly extend my help.
If I managed to maintain my current relations with Rok and Mari, I'm confident I can find a way to assist my orc friends.
As I solidified my resolution, deep in conversation with Noctar and the orcs, the classroom door opened.
Creaaak─
Rok strode in.
A hush fell over the classroom, a silence thick with anticipation.
Rok, standing at the central desk, adjusted his tie and addressed the class.
"Today, as previously announced, we set out on an expedition to Fosspatil Pass. This is not another simulated magical dungeon within the academy but a genuine one. Be prepared for unforeseen challenges."
Rok clapped his hands sharply, summoning a timid assistant into the classroom, a large scroll held in their grasp.
Rok surveyed the students, his voice steady and measured.
"From the moment your teams are announced, consider the exercise as a real-world mission. Handle all situations like a hero - with calm, rationale, and sensibility. Everyone should be on high alert."
He turned to the assistant, who quickly affixed the scroll to the bulletin board nearby.
'I want to ask Rok... Did he arrange this?'
Just like before, and now as well.
How does it go so smoothly, as if the order for the groups were pre-arranged?
Drurururuk─
The scroll unrolled with a rustle, revealing the information within.
A silence descended upon the classroom once more.
Students eagerly scanned the scroll, looking for their teams and teammates.
···
[Team 2: Piel / Andrew / Theo / Travis / Monica]
···
[Team 5: Jang Woohee / Noctar / Peter / Samir / Gerbir]
···
[Team 9: Aisha / Siena / Aeron / Jegal Hyuk / Mike]
···
"I'm on the same team as Aisha!"
"Hehehe, I'm in the same team as Neike again. Nice to meet you, Neike! I'll definitely provide solid support!"
Despite Rok's imposing presence at the front of the room, chatter filled the classroom as students discussed their new groups.
But I doubted my eyes.
I scanned the contents of the scroll repeatedly, but the words remained unchanged.
[Team 2: Piel / Andrew / Theo / Travis / Monica]
Ah, damn.
