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

This was less of a luxury and more of a feast for the eyes, which made me reflexively straighten my posture.

"I've only been a few days since I joined the [Family]... and you've already caused another stir. You really never stop generating buzz."

"I'm so, so sorry..."

As Miss Ryu finished serving Welf, she placed the vegetable rice bowl (a dish designed by Miss Ming for Miss Ryu, who is an elf, and although it did not contain any seafood or meat, the taste was still superb) in front of me and said those words, which made me feel guilty and apologize. However, Miss Ryu quickly smiled gently.

"Don't be sad. After all, the problem lies with others, not you. And this is the fate that a first-class adventurer like you, known as the world's fastest white rabbit (record holder), has to bear."

Perhaps you are simply blessed by this type of zodiac sign.

After Ms. Ryu, who was originally a member of the Astrea Familia, said this with a smile, I inexplicably felt that it was not a joke, so I could only awkwardly let out a dry laugh.

"But what is the actual situation? Has there ever been a precedent for adventurers going to 'school districts' to attend school?"

"There are countless examples of the opposite... but I've never heard of any."

Having probably overheard our conversation in the kitchen, Ms. Mikoto and Ms. Haruhime, carrying the grilled fish and miso soup that Welf had specified, came over and joined the discussion.

After Ms. Ryu, who had the longest adventurer experience among them, answered, Lily, who had grown up in Orario, closed her eyes and nodded in affirmation.

"Besides, this was Hermes's decision on his own initiative; it shouldn't have been finalized yet, right?"

"That's exactly right! This matter doesn't benefit us at all, and we don't even know what the 'school district' deity is up to! Lord Bell, you should refuse!"

Welf hit the nail on the head, and Lily's words also made a lot of sense.

In fact, the other party also explained that if they really wanted to do this, they had to avoid letting the guild know.

Even though I've only been a Level 1 adventurer for a short time, the guild can't just let me idly do nothing all day.

but……

"...Lord Bell, what do you think?"

After all the food was served, Ms. Ryu and Ms. Mikoto took their seats in turn, and Ms. Haruhime, dressed in a maid outfit, also sat down to confirm my opinion.

The others also looked at me.

As I became the center of attention, I couldn't help but think of the gods and others who were currently holding a meeting about this matter, and I looked up at the ceiling.

"I……"

"Sigh...you really know how to keep causing me trouble."

"Hey, Hestia, I've already explained it, haven't I? It's not a big deal at all."

Hestia, sitting on the sofa, couldn't help but complain, while Hermes, sitting on the opposite sofa, immediately waved his hands in protest.

"The 'School District' is a treasure trove that has traveled the world many times and encompasses all kinds of wisdom. For Little Bell, who has only lived in the small world of Orario, it should bring him an unprecedented excitement."

"What I mean is, let's stop discussing this in the context of helping Bell grow... Why not let him do what he wants, and stop controlling him based on divine will?"

"I'm just providing the opportunity, and it's also for your and Bell's sake."

Hestia, exhausted after get off work, finally returned home, only to be confronted by Hermes.

Forced to invite Hermes into an empty room on the second floor, Hestia was quite tired and her attitude was somewhat impolite. However, after sighing, she straightened her posture and perked up.

"Bell has leveled up to Lv.5 at an unprecedented speed, becoming a true 'hero candidate.' The guild must be saying something about it, right?"

"...Yes, Uranus summoned us and said he would let us rest for a while, and then we would have to focus on dungeon exploration even more than before."

Not long after the war game ended, Bell and Hestia were summoned to the guild's underground altar to speak with the old god.

Uranus first thanked the two for their hard work in resolving the various disturbances caused by the Freya Familia, but while offering his words of consolation, he also clearly assigned them a further task.

Taking advantage of the "factional war"—and with this decision already irreversible—Uranus brought the Hestia Familia, which had garnered widespread attention both inside and outside the city, into the "torrent that would determine the fate of the lower realms."

During this conversation, the guild's founding deity revealed the above implied meaning.

"Regarding the last of the 'Three Great Adventurers' Requests' given to the Labyrinth City, namely the task of defeating the 'Black Dragon,' Brother Bell must participate."

"..."

"Therefore, I hope that little Bell will not only focus on the dungeon, but also see the places outside the city (Orario), so as to broaden his horizons and gain a deeper understanding of this world. After all, this Dragon of the End is entrenched outside Orario."

Although Hermes didn't say it outright, he no longer intended to hide his plan to mold Bell into a "modern hero."

In fact, as early as six months ago, when Bell and others perished in the "middle level" and the surface side hurriedly organized a rescue team, Hestia vaguely suspected that Hermes had developed an interest in Bell, which is why she couldn't help but show a reproachful look now.

"The world yearns for the arrival of heroes"

Although Hestia was just as clear about the true meaning of those words.

"...So, by 'broadening your horizons,' you mean going to the 'school district'?"

"At least there he can grasp the trends of the whole world, which is far more efficient than traveling the world with me, the god of travel—all for the sake of making him understand the current miserable state of the lower world."

The atmosphere at the scene instantly became somewhat heavy.

Seeing that Hestia remained silent, Hermes decided to try his luck and speak his mind.

"The key point is that there is still a 'Lv.7' in this world, and I want Brother Bell to make contact with this person."

Upon hearing the words "Lv.7", Hestia immediately showed the most surprised expression she had seen during the entire conversation.

"Besides Mr. Mighty (King), there are other Lv.7s? And they're all in the 'School District'?"

"That's right, I hope that Brother Bell can also get some inspiration from 'this person.' The reason is that this hero is also hailed as a 'modern hero.'"

Hestia had not been down from the heavens for long, so naturally she was not aware of the situation in the mortal realm.

When she learned that there was another "extraordinary being" in the world equal to Otto, she was truly shocked.

Moreover, this person is a "modern hero," and once Bale finds out, his eyes will surely light up with excitement.

"Moreover, for Bell, this may be the last 'rest'."

"...Stop jinxing me."

After a long silence, Hestia reluctantly offered a rebuttal, seemingly somewhat weary.

However, this statement may very well come true.

As Hermes said, since Orario has decided to risk everything to defeat the Black Dragon, Bell cannot stand aside.

The boy is now forced to live in this unavoidable battle.

The meaning of "becoming a first-class adventurer" is that one must be at the center of the era.

"In the end, it will be up to Bell to decide for himself, and I have no intention of forcing him to do anything he doesn't want to do."

"What a blatant liar." Hestia rolled her eyes at Hermes.

In fact, before sitting down to discuss this with Hermes, Hestia had already learned about what had happened today from Bell and confirmed his wishes.

"Um... it would be a lie to say I'm not excited about moving into the 'school district'."

"Miss Eina also told me that if I want to try something new, now might be the best time."

When Bell and Hestia were alone in the corridor, he spoke haltingly but still frankly about his feelings.

"If the gods would allow me to take a slightly longer route... I'd like to check out the 'school district'."

But if it would cause trouble for the [Family], I will refuse immediately—Bell added this sentence as the leader.

Seeing that Bell could no longer live like a child, Hestia, driven by her own divine desires, wanted to prevent him from growing up too quickly. Besides, nothing particularly worrying had happened recently, and she hoped Bell could completely escape the dungeon and relax properly during this time.

Moreover, although he was unaware of it, Bell Craney had gradually become a dungeon junkie.

In fact, when Hestia saw that Bell's adventurer resume listed "Special Skill: Dungeon Conquest," she couldn't help but sigh and even had an impulse to change her job to become the goddess who governs sorrow.

(And sending Belle to "school"...that's really touching.)

Whether it stems from his position as the chief god or from his position as a goddess who deeply loves him.

Although Hestia was reluctant to accept Hermes's statement, now that Bell had become a first-class adventurer, he did need to take some time to "enrich himself".

"What did Bader say about the 'school district'?"

"Badr proposed a 'trade deal': if he wanted to secretly grant Bell special admission, the price would be for Bell to help take care of a group of 'problem students.' I haven't let Bell know about this yet."

This is what is known as an exchange of benefits.

Although Hestia was surprised to hear that there was a groundbreaking existence in the "school district" on par with the Mighty One (Ota), making her suspect that it was a den of dragons and tigers similar to the Death Warriors Group (Freya Familia)... However, including Baldr, who served as the principal, she was no stranger to the divine status of the gods there.

I believe that if we hand Bell over, these gods will never harm him.

(It seems I really have been spoiling my own family members (children) a bit too much.)

Or perhaps it's a common reaction of the gods after accepting the child.

Hestia maintained her indifferent expression, coldly watching Hermes's smiling face. Then she sighed and finally decided to respect the child's choice.

"Okay, I agree to let Bell go to the 'school district' to attend school."

The moment I slipped my hand through the sleeve of my uniform again—

My heart started pounding.

"Haha! It suits you very well, little Bell!"

"Yes, it suits you very well."

After being praised by Hermes and Baldr, I blushed shyly.

On the morning of the third day after enrolling in the "school district".

With the permission of the gods and Lily, I arrived at the "school district" and changed into my uniform in the shrine room of the central tower of Baldr God—no, in the principal's room.

The predominantly white "school district" uniforms certainly looked very stylish, which made me, who doesn't usually pay much attention to my appearance, feel inexplicably uncomfortable.

However, there is another thing that concerns me more—

"Um... this is making it a little hard for me to see clearly... By the way, is this 'disguise' really okay?"

I looked in the full-length mirror and touched the brown bangs that covered my eyes several times.

The person standing in front of the clean mirror was no longer a white-haired human, but a "brown-haired beastman".

The brown wig has a pair of long rabbit ears, and the uniform pants have a fluffy short tail on the back.

As for the bangs that cover my eyes, they are used to conceal my deep red eyes.

After changing into the "transformation suit" prepared by Hermes, Bell Crane transformed into a "Humebunny".

"After all, the commotion a few days ago was known throughout the entire school. If Bell Craney were to enroll now, it's easy to imagine that he would only be met with cold stares. Therefore, this time we'll adopt a 'disguise plan to conceal Bell Craney's true identity'!"

I gave Hermes a wry smile as he snapped his fingers, then carefully examined myself in the mirror.

At least I think that at first glance, no one would be able to tell that I am "Bell Crane". The magical artifact that Miss Asphie specially made for me in the past—to be precise, this orc wig (a cursed artifact)—cleverly conceals my features. According to the instructions, this can produce a mild cognitive impairment effect (curse) without paying any price.

Although I'm not sure if it will work on people I'm close to, at least the group of students who were chasing me the other day shouldn't have been able to figure out my identity... I hope so.

I was the one who initially expressed to the immortals and others that I wanted to visit the "school district," so saying something like that now feels really inappropriate. But should I attribute it to guilt or remorse for deceiving them? Anyway, I feel inexplicably awkward…

"From today onwards, for the duration of your life within the 'school district,' your name will be 'Rabi Flamich.'"

"Rabbi Fremish... I... I understand!"

"As for the background setting, before you returned to Orario from the 'school district,' you successfully passed the entrance exam in 'Belra City,' but due to family reasons, you met up with us in the port city (Melon)."

I repeated the new name "Rabbi" several times. I wonder if Baldr noticed that I suddenly felt a little nervous. He smiled gently and raised his index finger to his lips.

"You must make sure to conceal your identity and abilities. If this matter is exposed, even I, as the principal, will be severely reprimanded."

Although Baldr still exudes a sacred and noble aura, he also gives off a mischievous feeling.

I always felt like he was enjoying it...

"Then I'll say it again... Bell... no, Rabbi, for someone like you who longs to know what you can become, the 'school district' welcomes you."

Under the watchful gaze of Hermes, the smiling god personally pinned a badge on my left breast.

This is the school badge featuring a giant, glowing ship—no, it's the badge representing the "school district".

I could vaguely feel my heart pounding wildly beneath that badge, pounding with tension and excitement.

"Excuse me."

Just then, a soft knock came at the door.

"Please come in," Baldr responded, and a man pushed open the door made of ash wood and walked in.

This person has brown hair covering the back of their neck and eyes of the same color.

Despite his tall and slender figure, he doesn't give off a frail or weak impression at all.