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

"Who told the etiquette and rules taught by the 'school district' to be the four words that have the least to do with adventurers...?"

"Yes, I've heard of things like that all the time."

Miss Ryu, Lily, and Welf shared their thoughts as if they were discussing a representative landscape of this period.

As for Ms. Megumi and I, who had lived in Orario for a relatively short time, and Ms. Haruhime, who had always lived in the narrow world of the Wandering Valley, they were hearing about it for the first time and couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, forming a stark contrast in their reactions.

It turned out to be the case.

Judging from this situation, the rude adventurer has a terrible relationship with the students in the "school district"...

"A bunch of arrogant brats...we'll see."

I turned my gaze toward the passage where the adventurers were gradually leaving.

After vaguely hearing those malicious words, I suddenly had a bad feeling.

Volume 19, Chapter 5: My Dream

"Hmm..."

Nina had been grumbling with worry since early morning.

In the sparsely populated study room, she looked at the large number of textbooks and reference books spread out on the table.

Hello, Nina.

"Ah, Senior Mi Li."

The elf, who was three years older than Nina, took the initiative to greet her.

Miria, who agreed to let Nina call her by her nickname, belongs to the "Seventh Squad" of the [Baldl Band]. Unlike the "Third Squad," which is known as the worst squad in history, she is among the top in the combat skills department.

As a true elite, Mililia would occasionally check on the half-elf Nina.

"It's rare to see such a top student like you looking troubled by your books. Is there some difficulty you're facing in your studies?"

"Ah, no, I'm helping Rabbi make study notes."

"Rabbi? You mean that new student who recently joined?"

Nina smiled brightly at Mililia, whose eyes were wide open.

"Yes! Rabbi is amazing! Even though he's quite lacking in knowledge across all subjects, he still works so hard to catch up! And he always studies very diligently with me... I've never met anyone like him before!"

"Well, he really does have a knack for it..."

Nina also understands that her learning style prioritizes quantity over quality.

Moreover, her workload was so immense that it could shorten a person's lifespan; even students who could attend the "school district"—those with a "will to learn"—would find it unbearable. To date, no student has ever been able to withstand such an astonishing amount of study, and she has even been criticized for being "too inefficient."

Under these circumstances, Nina was both surprised and amused to see the new students (rabbis) struggling to keep up with the pace, almost to the point of ignorance. More importantly, she was deeply moved.

Moreover, Rabbi sometimes goes to bed later than Nina and gets up earlier than her, absorbing more "volume" of material than she does. After hearing Nina's explanation, Miria's face stiffened, because she was very aware of Nina's workload and revised her evaluation of Rabbi.

"So I want to support my fellow rabbi and, in order to make the course content as easy to understand as possible, I'd like to offer to help him create study notes..."

Organizing key points and creating notes for previewing and reviewing is nothing new to Nina.

Although she didn't mean to pat herself on the back, Nina felt that it was thanks to the notes she made that the rabbi was able to keep up with the course.

Nina initially helped take care of Rabbi at Leon's request.

However, after getting to know the rabbi, she was gradually attracted by his personality and began to offer him help.

(I feel that this feeling is slightly different from the feeling of having similar interests with ordinary friends...)

It's similar to the feeling of two gears meshing together.

In short, Nina and Rabi are very compatible in terms of personality.

(Also... I feel he looks a bit like his father.)

Although his bangs were so long they covered his eyes, Rabi's shy smile and the way he rushed to help others were very similar to Nina's beloved father.

Although it cannot be said that it was for this reason, Nina, who was kind-hearted and caring, wanted to support the rabbi voluntarily.

"Senior Miri, what are your thoughts on Rabi?"

"Even if you ask me this, I haven't spoken to him many times, and he's only been in the 'school district' for about ten days."

"That's right! Lavi hasn't been here long! But he's already managed to unite 'Squad 3'! Which 'Squad 3'?! The worst squad in history that I've been unable to unite for so long, making me want to hide in the toilet and cry my eyes out!"

"Nina... isn't it a bit inappropriate for you to be so blunt?"

Although Iglin would never admit it, Rabi is now the spiritual pillar of the "Third Squad".

Rabi, described as a labyrinth (dungeon) enthusiast, displays astonishing judgment in underground labyrinths, to the point that even Nina, the squad leader, can't help but consult his advice.

Rabi never tries to steal the spotlight, spending most of his time staying at the back of the group, but he always offers advice whenever Nina and the others encounter difficulties. Thanks to this, "Squad Three" has become one of the teams vying for high scores on the leaderboard.

Rabbi Fremish.

He is truly an incredible boy.

She is introverted and shy, always appearing cautious and never refusing requests from others.

However, he is very hardworking and ambitious, and has a strong will to consider others.

Even Nina knew that whenever she talked about the rabbi, her emerald-green eyes would light up.

Seeing Nina's reaction, Mililia couldn't help but chuckle.

"Nina, you seem to be fascinated by this rabbit classmate."

"...Senior, is there any strange meaning behind your statement?"

You're overthinking it♪

After school that day, another unexpected situation occurred that could verify Nina's comment.

"Hey~ Combat Technology Department~! Could you please give me some feedback~?"

After Lyon finished announcing all the school's notices, the combat technology students began preparing for their special (dungeon) internship—

Two students from the "Forging Department" (human race) rushed into the classroom carrying a sword.

"We went to the [Gubney Familia] for a faction experience, but the result was 'fail' again! No matter what we made, we couldn't pass the test!"

"If this continues, we won't be able to join the group! We'll be eliminated like we were last time we returned!"

Two burly teenagers placed their weapons on the lectern and, in an almost screaming tone, sought Nina and the others' opinions.

Students from the Combat Technology Department gathered around the lectern with curiosity, and a seminar, quite common in the "school district," ensued.

"At first glance, it seems to be a 'functional weapon' with no apparent flaws..."

"Well, or rather, it looks pretty good, doesn't it? Even I'd like to use it."

"Hmph, I can forge even better weapons than this."

"Shut up, Iglin! You stupid dwarf freak!"

The classroom immediately became lively. When Iglin snorted and made the sword produce a "magical (glowing) blade", a surprised exclamation came from the side, "Huh!?" The source of the voice was Rabi.

"What kind of sword is that...?"

"It's just a very common 'functional weapon'... Oh, right, Lavi, is this the first time you've seen one like this? I'm the only one in the 'Third Squad' who uses this kind of weapon with 'functionality' attached, and I've never used it in the dungeon."

"This is an invention of the 'School District,' a new weapon jointly created by the Alchemy and Forging Departments. It can absorb the user's 'magic power' to increase its attack range and power."

As he explained, Iglin, who was standing next to Nina, casually brandished the sword.

Approximately three C (Selchi) of magical light appeared around the sword, as if enveloping it, or like equipping the sword with a suit of light armor. In addition to the weapon's original destructive power, its power could be further enhanced by the infused magic.

Rabbi was stunned when he first saw the "functional weapon".

"Weapons with built-in 'functionality' are not yet available on the Orario market, but I believe they are definitely valuable! And more than enough to deal with all the monsters in the dungeons!"

"But we still couldn't gain the approval of the god Gubniu... and he was taciturn and refused to answer our questions at all."

After listening to the two forging students' troubles, and despite the combat technology students offering their opinions, they still couldn't reach a conclusion. Just as everyone was struggling with this dilemma—

"Rabbi, is there something you want to say?"

“Eh!?”

"You seem hesitant to speak. If you have any opinions, just say them! You're my guardian beast, so have confidence in yourself!"

Chris, a little man, stood next to Rabi, who seemed to have something to say, and puffed out his chest with inexplicable smugness.

The boy felt a little timid because all eyes in the classroom were on him. After a moment, he opened his mouth hesitantly.

"Um, this... it seems like this 'functional weapon' is very easy to damage, right?"

"Huh? Hey, freshman, I can't pretend I didn't hear that."

"Its durability has also been praised by the teachers. So far this year's special (dungeon) internship has not seen any cases of 'functional weaponry' being damaged, right?"

After being glared at and rebuked by the blacksmithing students, Rabbi became timid and hesitant, only managing to say, "Ah, well, that's not what I meant...!" Then, he gathered his thoughts and carefully continued to explain.

"Regarding 'functional weaponry,' it seems to be created by installing 'magical tools' or 'magic stone products' into weapons, right...?"

"Yes, that's right. Its construction is very different from that of ordinary weapons."

"In order to maintain this structure, you've slightly neglected 'durability'... Am I wrong?"

"...If we're talking about comparing it to regular weapons, you're not wrong, but the difference is only very minor, isn't it?"

"Yes, I believe that's true too. That being said... once you enter the dungeon, this difference can be quite frightening."

Faced with the two forging science students who had unknowingly begun to listen attentively, the rabbi clearly stated his opinion.

"If your weapon is destroyed in a labyrinth (dungeon), it's equivalent to losing half your body... That's what I heard from someone else."

"...!!"

"Although we prepare several weapons when exploring, there is always a limit... I think adventurers in Orario may be more interested in 'durable weapons'."

The blacksmiths in Orario are all highly skilled at forging, and their durable weapons are also outstanding in performance.

Rabbi's statement, based on this premise, implies that "sacrificing durability for functionality" is a fatal flaw in a dungeon city.

The "functional weaponry" of the "school district" is indeed outstanding and can be used in actual combat.

However, this "slight difference" is crucial in the dungeon and can very well determine life or death.

Among the astonished students, Nina stared in disbelief, suddenly realizing what had happened.

"The concept of 'functional weaponry' can be applied to professions such as mages who rarely engage in close combat (fighting) with enemies... However, the fact that it is 'more easily damaged than ordinary weapons' means that even if the weapon is powerful, adventurers are unlikely to want to use it... Hmm."

Rabbi seemed to have transformed into a "participant" speaking on behalf of the adventurers, and in the face of the silent students, he gave his conclusion with these words, trembling with fear.

"...I see. So, Orario's adventurers don't pursue 'burst power,' but rather durability...or what's called 'endurance.' This makes perfect sense in dungeons where you have to face a constant barrage of attacks!"

"For example, when going to deeper floors, to put it bluntly, when participating in 'expeditions,' it's impossible to properly maintain equipment, and 'functional weaponry' requires more careful maintenance than regular weapons..."

"Even if blacksmiths are forced to join, this problem cannot be solved in an environment lacking professional equipment."

"It's highly unlikely that 'functional weaponry' will be used as a primary weapon! This means that besides pursuing weapon performance, we also need to consider the user's perspective!"

Before long, the students seemed to wake up from a dream and began to have a heated discussion.

In particular, the two blacksmithing students loudly thanked the terrified rabbi, saying, "Thanks! You've given us a glimmer of hope!" and patted him on the back like brothers.

Thanks to the boy's opinion, the students were thrilled to broaden their horizons with this new perspective.

"…Rabbi, you need to have more confidence in yourself and try to express your opinions!"

"Huh... Nina?"

"Mr. Leon also said that sharing opinions is very important! Thanks to Rabbi, we've all become smarter once again! That's really amazing!"

Nina was delighted by the sight before her, so she went up to the rabbi and said this.

All the members of the "Third Squad" spoke up to encourage him.

"Even if you make a mistake, everyone will help correct it, so there's no need to be afraid of making mistakes!"

"Hmm... because this is... the 'school district'..."

"Wow, Lavi, you truly are my guardian beast! Let's continue to grow smarter together!"

"Hmm, um!" The boy was stunned when he heard what Iglin, Rachel and Chris said, but he quickly nodded happily in response.

(Rabi is truly an incredible person...)

Nina, still beaming with excitement, left the classroom to change into her combat suit for a special (dungeon) internship.