Is it wrong to try to meet someone in a dungeon?

We are currently on the 7th floor of the underground city.

On my first attempt at a dungeon, I managed to conquer seven floors on the very first day!

Perhaps it's because we're still on the "upper level," and everyone has already reached Lv.2, but we've already broken through seven levels in less than half a day... That's terrifying! Any floor you enter for the first time is incredibly scary!!

Faced with this action that even a seasoned adventurer would never do, I almost fainted from fright.

"They've been like this in all their field investigations and combat missions so far, everyone just charging forward headlong. Luckily, they're all quite capable, so nothing went wrong... but it's caused a lot of problems. I was hoping they'd tone it down a bit after coming to what's known as the world's most difficult dungeon..."

From Nina's words and her helpless profile, like that of a lost child, one can see how much effort she has put into this matter and how many methods she has used.

After watching Nina, who seemed to have exhausted all her sighs in her life, for a while, I turned my gaze forward.

"Get out of my way, you stinking elves and damned little people! Do you want me to beat you to a pulp?!"

"Those dwarfs...as expected...are really annoying..."

"Don't be afraid! Leave all the enemies to me!"

The other three, who had completely left us behind and gone ahead, were faintly heard talking in the maze.

Looking at the monster carcasses scattered all over the ground and the "magic stones" left unattended, Nina and I stood in the middle of the road, not knowing what to do.

"You ask me why I don't cooperate with others? It's because these savages are just a hindrance!"

The night I returned from the underground city.

Because the monster corpses were so numerous that they blocked the way, other adventurers and students complained. So, after Nina and I went around apologizing and cleaning up the mess (it took a whole day to barely finish), I finally caught up with Iglin and the others after returning to the student dormitory on the residential floor.

We used a corner of the dining room to gather the team members, who had already changed into their loungewear, for a meeting.

"They always seem to wander into my attack range, preventing me from fully wielding my family's heirloom hammer!"

"Clearly... the savage and the troublesome person... are all because of you... because you are too fat... preventing me from... properly slaying the monster."

"Because I am a very powerful dwarf, I must take the lead and fight the enemy!"

...It might be too harsh to directly criticize Iglin and the others for their lack of coordination, but after hearing that the three of them held their own opinions, even I couldn't help but feel a headache coming on.

Although they are willing to abide by the "school district" rules and enter the dungeon in "teams", that's all they do. Once they encounter a monster, they will fight on their own.

Team members should be people who can entrust their backs to each other.

In contrast, these three people completely lacked trust, reliance, and care for each other.

(...Of course, they might be considered quite extreme cases...)

Although this feeling only comes from such a special case, I am once again convinced that Lily, Welf, and others are truly remarkable.

Discord among adventurers is actually quite common.

Everyone has their own temperament, beliefs, and ways of doing things.

Finding a compromise to improve teamwork is a constant challenge for both adventurers and supporters. In this respect, I now deeply feel that the Hestia Familia is truly blessed by the heavens.

"It's all your fault that I don't have time to study! You're such a terrible student (last in the class)! You write the report for the teacher for me!"

“Eh!?”

"You've gone too far, Iglin!"

As I was startled by the report paper pushed in front of me, Nina, unable to bear it any longer, reprimanded me sharply.

But Eglin ignored those words.

"All this kid does is recycle 'magic stones' and 'dropped items'! To put it bluntly, he just picks up our leftover 'credits'! He should at least be of some use!"

I was speechless at his attempt to convey that "this kid should be grateful to have joined the team." After all, it was true that I, as his teammate, couldn't offer any help.

Before Nina could stop him, Iglin left the dining room.

"I...I've finished writing. Could you please...hand it in for me?"

"I haven't finished writing yet! Nina, please teach me how to write a report this time too! Please!"

Rachel placed her report on the report paper that had just been pushed in front of me, while Chris, using a "kneeling and kowtowing" technique he'd somehow learned, begged Nina for help. Nina wanted to catch up with Rachel and Iglin as they left, but Chris stopped her, and she could only lower her head in frustration.

The worst squad in history.

From an adventurer's perspective, this description might be considered quite flattering... After understanding the origin of this nickname, I deeply felt that many disasters were likely to follow.

"Excuse me, Professor Leon... Ah, Baldr?"

I managed to finish my report just before bedtime.

Nina wanted to come with me, but I declined and came to Professor Lyon's office alone. I was surprised to see Bader and my eyes widened in surprise.

"It's been three days, Rabbi. What are your thoughts on life in the 'school district'?"

"Uh... I've already suffered a lot just from getting used to it."

Across the table, Baldr was chatting and drinking tea with Teacher Lyon—could he be waiting for me?—I answered truthfully with a wry smile in response to Baldr's gentle concern.

"However... I also encountered just as many new things as hard work, which made me very excited."

This is the truth.

Although studying is indeed hard work, it has also made me realize that gaining new knowledge is a joyful thing.

Not to mention the content that interests me. Such as exchanging ideas with knowledgeable teachers, discovering or mastering new ways of fighting, various facilities including the Great Library and the Arena, the "School District" has a complete environment where anyone who wants to become stronger can endlessly improve themselves, which is perfect for me to practice what Miss Eina called "returning to my roots".

In addition, the lunch brawls that break out over the limited school meals are quite astonishing, making this place full of novel things and various excitements that are different from the life of the [Family].

If we were to borrow Eden's catchphrase, this might be what is meant by "the innocent spring of youth."

"I see." After I finished sharing my feelings, God Baldr smiled with his eyes still closed.

"Ah, Professor Lyon, this is our report."

"Thank you for bringing it over, Rabbi. Although I will read the contents carefully later, please tell Iglin to come and report to me first thing tomorrow morning."

Looking at Professor Lyon, who immediately recognized the report as something I had ghostwritten after only a quick glance, I couldn't tell whether it was out of embarrassment or some other feeling, so I could only obediently reply, "Okay..."

"Today is your first time entering the dungeon with your classmates. What are your thoughts on 'Squad Three'?"

"That... is it a group of very unique people?"

Faced with Professor Lyon's question, I managed to come up with a tactful response, and the statue of Baldr, who was touching his lips, couldn't help but chuckle.

"...Professor Leon, God Baldr, why did you two want me to join Nina's team?"

I blurted out the question that mattered most to me—

"Because if they continue to conduct special (dungeon) training in this way, they will all be wiped out."

The result was this very straightforward answer.

I was quite surprised that Mr. Lyon did not use any euphemisms.

Although it only vaguely came to mind, I came to the exact same conclusion.

"The members of the 'Third Squad', apart from Nina, originally belonged to other 'squads'. Because the three of them caused problems repeatedly and kept changing teams, they eventually ended up together like they are now."

"...So, does that mean I'm considered a problem student?"

"At least that's how the students see it. While they all have commendable strengths from the teachers' perspective, that can't compensate for the severe lack of coordination."

These three are too unconventional.

Badr and Leon took turns answering my questions.

I feel the same way. Although Eglin and his friends really don't understand teamwork at all, on the other hand, they can break through several floors of the dungeon by themselves.

Each of them is exceptionally strong, even among Lv.2 Familias.

However... even those with outstanding "single-handed strength" will eventually follow in the footsteps of these high-level adventurers and lose their lives in the dungeon.

"If I or another teacher were to accompany them on the exploration, it would give the impression of favoritism, and it wouldn't benefit Eglin and his group at all. Besides, there's a severe shortage of manpower during this period."

During the special (dungeon) internship, many teachers will be stationed in various parts of the maze.

However, considering the vastness of the dungeon, the teachers will probably have to be deployed along the regular routes.

Frankly, the focus is solely on protecting students from any unusual situations, leaving no room for manpower to address the details.

Furthermore, according to the two, students from the "school district," which can be considered elite, are easily disliked by adventurers who deliberately provoke them, leading to numerous disputes...

"Even if we disband the 'Third Squad' and reassign them to other squads, we'll only repeat the same mistakes. We're trying our best to avoid the risk of causing and escalating unrest in the dungeon, and just when everyone was at a loss... you happened to arrive in the 'School District,' Rabi... no, I mean, a Level 1 Adventurer (Bell Crane)."

"!"

"Actually, when Hermes asked me to admit you, I made this 'exchange condition'. I agreed to let you come to the 'school district' to gain various experiences, and at the same time, I hoped that you could take care of the 'Third Squad'."

My eyes widened at Leon's words, and after hearing the "answer" given by Baldr, I understood perfectly.

I didn't spend a single penny to attend this "school district"; it was entirely a one-sided benefit. I initially felt a little guilty about this, but after learning about the terms of the exchange, I felt a bit more at ease.

In other words, this is an adventurer's request.

Now that the "school district" has paid a fee to enroll me, I have no choice but to meet the expectations of Badr and his ilk.

"How are you feeling? Do you have a way to protect the safety of 'Third Squad'?"

"Ah, yes, if there is any danger, I will fight with all my might and will never let anyone be sacrificed."

This part is fine.

So I made this guarantee.

As long as it's within the "middle level," I will definitely be able to protect Nina and the others.

After hearing my firm reply, Mr. Lyon narrowed his eyes slightly.

"I'm sorry I've already entrusted the work to you, but could I trouble you with one more thing?"

"Please speak."

"Besides Iglin and the others, Nina also has some 'problems'."

I was quite shocked after being told this unexpected fact.

Nina, who is kind and well-liked by her classmates and continues to lend me a helping hand even today, actually has her own "troubles"...?

"If you can, I hope you can help her."

"...Could you tell me what happened to Nina?"

"I hope you can find out from her as a 'classmate,' rather than having me relay the message."

I understood after listening.

Leon and his colleagues did not ignore Nina's problem; rather, they believed that the best solution was for someone with the same perspective to guide her.

"Nina is currently going through a sensitive adolescence. If we 'adults' interfere in her 'confusion' at will, we might cause her to lose many precious things."

"After hearing Hermes's account... I think you, who have personally experienced what it means to be strong and weak and have the same perspective, are perhaps the best candidate."

After Leon finished explaining, Bader continued speaking.

"So I discussed it with Leon and thought you should be able to guide her from the perspective of a student and an adventurer."

Faced with the appreciation of God Badr, I scratched my head, somewhat unsure how to respond.

Because I don't consider myself such an outstanding person, but I also have no intention of giving an answer that I cannot fulfill the request out of humility.

I hope to repay Nina for her continued help to me.

The answer is that simple. For a "friend from school," that's definitely enough.

"...Okay, I will do my best."

Mr. Lyon said "thank you" to me, and Mr. Bader also expressed his gratitude with the words "I am very grateful".

Feeling a little embarrassed, I smiled at the two of them.

"Originally, we wanted to give everyone a break, so we considered organizing 'school field trips'... However, the 'school district's' education system is already similar to constantly organizing school field trips around the world, so we are worried about whether it will be effective."

"'Field trips'...?"

"These are short-term trips mainly for students, allowing them to broaden their horizons and gain experience by experiencing different environments."

After a brief chat, it was almost bedtime in the dormitories. Each class in the "school district" would appoint students as "supervisors"—similar to candidates for officers in a "family"—who would be responsible for disciplining students who violated the rules.

To avoid angering the group of people who also serve as dormitory heads, it's time for me to say goodbye.

"Rabbi, may I ask you one last question?"

As I was about to leave the faculty room, Mr. Lyon asked me a question from behind.