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

Nano and Luke seem to be from the same hometown and were childhood friends. Nano enrolled in the school because Luke was determined to attend the "school district," and she did so without telling her family. Judging from her name, she should be from a noble family, but she is actually a rather unruly wild girl.

"Also... um, Senior Lefia... you... you can't seduce Luke!"

As for Nano's crush being Luke... well, the answer is obvious without even asking.

After all, she immediately came to assert her dominance and kept stealing glances at the boy.

"Luke is very reliable, but once he makes up his mind, he just charges ahead. Plus, Nano is a bit clueless, so we have to keep helping him correct his course."

"Mi...Mi Li...Those words are a bit hurtful..."

Mililia and Cole are a very caring elf and beastman.

Unlike most elves, Mililia is not unapproachable—presumably because she has become more well-rounded after experiencing group life in the "school district," just like other students (elves)—and agrees with Lefia calling her by her nickname (Mililia).

As for Cole, he's a frank and well-behaved boy, making one wonder if he's really a werewolf like Bert. Meanwhile, Raúl couldn't help but let her gaze drift, instantly realizing that in this team of three with distinct personalities, his role was that of the unfortunate one (Raúl's perspective).

In short, these two are the coordinators in the team.

"Senior... don't just stand there and watch, can you demonstrate your 'magic'? No one will be willing to obey if they don't prove their strength first."

Luke's attitude towards Lefia was equally barbed.

Although he would smile in front of Nano and the others, he would put on a stern face whenever Lefia came into view. Mi Li would then help scold Luke, while Nano and the others would look on with trepidation.

So Lefia cast a spell in a corner of the training ground. After watching, Nano and Mili exclaimed with even greater admiration, "Please teach us magic techniques!!"

Although Lefia felt a bit lost, she immediately remembered that she had the same attitude when facing Riveria, so she gave a wry smile and impromptu lecture, which attracted a large number of students other than Nano and Mili to come and ask for her advice, causing her a lot of trouble.

Luke's face turned very ugly when he saw this.

(Speaking of which... it's not just "Seventh Squad," I feel like the other students are also unusually proactive in their studies.)

Lefia stayed in the room arranged by the "school district," wielding her quill pen like a real "educational intern," organizing information on parchment.

While the emergence of Lv.3 is the best example, the students' average strength (level) has indeed improved.

The "school district" is a hallowed hall of knowledge and technology, so it is only natural that its strength (level) will be improved, which is something that everyone would be happy to see... but the reason is probably not so simple.

These are Rafia's thoughts.

(Since the "school district" has traveled all over the world, it has gained a wealth of experience. As a "warrior," it is already well-developed. As for what I, as an "adventurer," can teach them...)

Lefia pondered Leon's words, and after updating the details of each team member's individual abilities and interpersonal relationships within the team, she figured out how she should guide Luke and the others.

Two days passed in the blink of an eye, and the "main event" began.

*

"Special (Dungeon) Internship" is one of the educational courses offered by the "School District".

Classes will only be held in the year when you return to the labyrinth city (Oario), and the school will approve applicants to explore floors that match their abilities.

One of the necessary "credits" for graduating from the "district" is obtaining the "dropped items" from a specific monster. Since the school requires a report to be submitted along with the item, you'll almost always be caught if you haven't personally explored the dungeon.

For combat technology students aspiring to a combat role, this is also a required practical course.

"Is everyone here? Let's head to Orario now."

After confirming that all members of the "Seventh Squad" had arrived, Lefia set off from the port city (Meren).

She submitted a "school district" pass and passed through the "gate" on the southwest side of the giant walls of Orario.

Nano and the others were very excited to return to the labyrinth city after three years. Lefia easily shook off the adventurers who wanted to tease the well-behaved students. After completing the formalities at the "guild", the group entered the dungeon.

The "Seventh Squad" was indeed outstanding, and they reached the "middle level" without any obstacles.

"Today we'll be doing our internship on this 15th floor."

After being attacked by monsters several times, Lefia stopped in an empty cave and turned around to announce this.

The members of "Seventh Squad" wore combat uniforms provided by the school and were equipped with their own gear.

Nano was wearing a hooded robe and carrying a long staff.

Mi Li was wearing a single-shoulder breastplate covering the right side of her chest and a longbow.

Cole was wearing two short swords and goggles.

Luke was dressed in light armor—a self-modified combat suit and a longsword.

Fully armed, Nano and the others became taciturn along the way.

The atmosphere of the dungeon is truly unique, both then and now.

Even students from “school districts” who have explored secret places, fairylands, or undeveloped territories around the world still couldn’t hide their nervousness.

To guard against monsters suddenly emerging from the walls and attacking, Nano looked around anxiously, while Mili and Cole relied solely on the movement of their eyes to keep watch.

Just as the "Seventh Squad" was so focused—

"Senior, please guide us to the 25th floor."

Luke was different from everyone else.

Nano and the others were stunned upon hearing this, and even Lefia couldn't help but widen her eyes slightly.

With the school restricting other students to only going as far as the 15th floor, Lefia plans to lead four students to explore the 18th floor during the guidance period, and has obtained the consent of teachers such as Bald and Leon.

This was Lefia's assessment of the overall strength of the "Seventh Squad"—

"No, I disagree."

"Why? We've been to the dungeon several times already, and we've explored this 'cave labyrinth' long ago."

"That was three years ago, wasn't it? I advise you not to underestimate the gap period—and 'lower class' is still too early for you."

Lefia shook her head, resolutely rejecting the suggestion.

Luke looked furious after hearing this.

His rebellious spirit, which he had been suppressing until now, was fully revealed at this moment.

"Nano and I are already Level 3, and our abilities far exceed the thresholds set by the 'Guild' for each floor! We should be able to go to the 'lower floors' and fight!"

"No matter how high your level is, going to a floor you're visiting for the first time is fraught with risk. Even if I were to accompany you, I wouldn't want to entrust my back to you all."

"...!"

Lefia said those words out of concern for the safety of Nano and the others, but Luke heard it in a completely different way.

He probably thinks he's been completely looked down upon.

Luke gritted his teeth, his gray hair trembling with rage, and finally roared in fury.

"You'd already been to the 'Deep Layer' back at Lv.3, right?! You even entered the 'Unreachable Realm,' which only the gods (Zeus) and goddesses (Hera) had ever been to, hadn't you?! This news was spreading like wildfire even outside the city (Orario)!"

"...Yes, you're right."

Lefia understood what Luke was trying to say.

Although it was called the Great Expedition of the [Family], she was indeed taken to the deeper and deeper levels without regard to level thresholds, and even entered the "Dragon Pot".

Since Lefia could fight in harsher environments, they should be able to too—that's what Luke wanted to convey.

"But that's because I'm a mage of the Loki Familia."

Even so, this was the only answer Lefia could give.

Lefia's survival until now is entirely thanks to Finn and the others. It is under their protection that she has been able to escape death time and time again. Moreover, the Lefia and Luke present are not members of the Loki Familia, but rather instructors and students.

Luke frowned even more deeply after hearing Lefia's concise answer.

"You don't understand dungeons as well as I do, and I'm not yet a skilled adventurer capable of ensuring your safety. Although saying this is tantamount to exposing my shortcomings, which is truly embarrassing... I can only ask you to give up on that idea."

Lefia calmly rejected the proposal.

Nano, Mi Li, and Cole didn't dare to interrupt, holding their breath and watching the conversation between the two.

Luke lowered his head, his clenched fist trembling slightly.

"Because of you...because adventurers are always like this!"

He suddenly looked up and vented his dissatisfaction.

"Why haven't you all realized that we no longer have time to procrastinate!?"

"No time to procrastinate anymore...?"

For the first time, Lefia frowned, her mind filled with doubt.

Luke seemed to dislike her expression as well, and roared sharply:

"Do you even know what the world outside of Orario has become!?"

Hearing this—

Lefia finally understood what the boy was trying to say.

"The number of people suffering from monster attacks is increasing all over the world! And it's accelerating with each passing year! Whether it's humans losing their homes, orcs seeing their towns reduced to ruins, or elves whose homelands have vanished from the map, we've witnessed it all firsthand!"

"..."

"The main reason is 'Dragon Valley'! Ferocious dragons have been emerging from there one after another, causing countless deaths! This lower realm has truly descended into chaos!"

The "School District" is an educational institution and also one of the "World Powers" sponsored by Orario.

Another aspect of it is the volunteer or mercenary organization. When the countries or towns it visits need help, the "school district" will send teachers and students to handle the situation under the guise of "battle volunteer".

Such acts include persecution by monsters or natural disasters, and sometimes they also intervene in regional conflicts.

During this period, Luke witnessed the "tragedy of the world" firsthand.

"Do you know how many people are still crying their eyes out? Can you imagine the locals bursting into tears of joy just to see us arrive? We're not even adventurers from Orario, just ordinary students!"

The anger in his eyes actually stemmed from sadness and a sense of powerlessness.

Luke, trembling as he recalled those past events, exclaimed:

"This world has always been waiting for adventurers—awaiting the arrival of heroes like you!"

"The Three Great Adventurers' Requests"

This is the common aspiration of all beings in the lower realms.

The last remaining task—to defeat the "Black Dragon"—is the mission that the Labyrinth City must complete.

The boy in front of me was deeply saddened by the tragic state of the world.

And she felt the world's crisis much more closely than any adventurer in Lefia or Orario.

Lefia finally understood the true nature of Luke's "anxiety".

He was extremely dissatisfied with all the adventurers in Orario who had yet to save the world.

"We, as teachers, should praise him."

She understood the implication of Leon's words.

After all, Luke's righteous indignation was perfectly justified and stemmed from an extremely noble sentiment.

"Since you keep dragging your feet, I'll be the 'hero'! We'll become stronger and save those still suffering! So don't get in our way!!"

This boy named Luke Faul must be very kind.

His "heroic aspirations" were not for himself, nor were they for the pursuit of wealth or fame.

It is not a selfless act, but a desire to help erase the sorrow of innocent people.

Lefia was also deeply impressed by his attitude.

But—

"In that case, I can't let you do this any longer."

"Huh...!?"

"Your consideration for others is commendable, but you are about to become a 'dead person' just for the sake of others."

Lefia remained unchanged in her original attitude.

Luke's will is only a hair's breadth away from "the spirit of self-sacrifice".

Even though he himself was unaware of it, in Lefia's eyes it was tantamount to courting death.

Lefia was absolutely certain.

If Luke were to become an adventurer like that, he would definitely die a violent death.