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

That handsome face, unlike that of an elf, fell perfectly between fierceness and elegance.

Judging by his appearance alone, he seems to be close to thirty years old.

He is a "mature man" who, as a gay man, makes me think, "I want to become like him in the future."

Although this person could certainly be described as a handsome man, to be honest, that wouldn't be quite the right word.

Given his character, it seems more appropriate to use a more upright and incorruptible word—yes, that is the word "knight".

(Wow, that's amazing.)

I was stunned, but I was certain that this feeling was absolutely correct.

"He was fully aware of the matter, so he can be considered your confidant, and also a special 'homeroom teacher'."

The man first greeted the smiling gods Baldr and Hermes, then walked up to me.

There is a gold-plated sword-shaped badge (of spades) on the left side of the man's sleeve, shoes, and trousers.

As for the pouch on his right waist, it contained several pieces of chalk and a thin, long pointer that resembled a short cane.

Dressed in a black suit resembling a formal dress—that is, a "teacher's" uniform—he smiled and extended a hand to me.

"My name is Leon Wadenberg. Nice to meet you, Rabbi."

I stood there dumbfounded, gripping that hand back.

Therefore, I entered the "school district" today not as Bell Craney, but as Rabbi Flamich.

Volume 19, Chapter 3: School Life in Another World

Good morning, Professor Lyon!

Good morning!

Under the blue sky, you can constantly hear people greeting each other.

On this "school district" avenue paved with white stones, people of all races can be seen coming and going.

Humans and dwarves carrying backpacks or books.

The orcs and Amazons were dressed somewhat sloppily.

A tiny human hurriedly eats breakfast at an open-air café, while an elf comforts the other, telling them to eat slowly.

What these people had in common was that they were all wearing school uniforms and burgundy ties.

This is a scene of going to school that I have never seen with my own eyes before.

The sun-drenched Academy City is vibrant and energetic, yet it feels quite different from the labyrinth city of Orario.

Good morning, Nim and Inda. Don't be late for class today!

"Yes!"

Two female students, their skirts swaying gently with each step, brushed past us. However, upon hearing Mr. Waddenburg's response, they seemed quite pleased and even let out a faint scream.

This has happened repeatedly since we left the principal's office of God Badr—from the central tower and came outdoors.

Regardless of gender or race, every student greets Mr. Waddenburg.

Therefore, it is obvious without confirmation that the man currently standing next to me is very popular.

"Hey, who's that student over there? Look, he's wearing a 'Badelban' badge."

"He's a new face. After all, the school hasn't held entrance exams in the port city (Melon) yet, so he shouldn't be a freshman."

...As for the female students who had just passed by me, they were all staring at me, and I could hear all their whispers clearly.

This is the downside of becoming a first-class adventurer... no, should it be called a privilege?

With the enhanced perception, one can hear not only the gazes of others but also the whispers of people behind one's back.

Apart from the two female students, the other students all cast curious glances at me (a human) walking next to Mr. Waddenburg—no, I mean, an "orc student."

Those looks were different from the support they gave to high-level adventurers when they were in Orario; they were purely out of curiosity.

(I remember Grandpa once said, "It's pretty much a given that cute transfer students become the center of attention in school life~"... I guess this is something like the current situation?)

Although I often hear people praising me for becoming more mature or growing up since the incident with the heretics (Winnie and others), being away from the stage called "adventurer" and "dungeon" like this, perhaps because of my timid nature, a feeling of tension or embarrassment arises from the bottom of my heart, making me somewhat disappointed in myself.

But one of the main reasons is that I'm very worried about my identity being exposed...

Or is it that everyone, to some extent, experiences similar feelings when entering an unfamiliar environment?

While I was still unable to calm down and my whole body remained tense—

Are you nervous?

"...Yes, yes, I'm so sorry...Mr. Wadenberg..."

A concerned voice came from the side.

When I reflexively apologized, Mr. Waddenburg, who had brown hair, immediately stopped and looked at me.

"Rabbi, that's too formal. You're a student in the 'school district' now, right?"

After the smiling man in front of me deliberately called out "my name as a student," I immediately came to my senses.

"Then let me ask you a question since you're new here: 'How would the teacher Leon Waldenberg like you to address him right now?' Here, please answer."

Faced with this understanding question, I couldn't help but blush.

When someone asked me that question, I felt a tingling, itchy sensation around my neck... So I mustered up my courage and answered the first question I encountered after starting school.

"...'Teacher Leon'."

"You're right! I believe you'll become an excellent student, Rabbi."

The person in front of me gave me a kind smile and said some words that weren't exactly polite, trying to make me happy.

Blushing and blinking several times, I reflexively responded with a smile.

Thanks to this, I finally relaxed. Upon seeing this, "Teacher Leon" smiled even more broadly.

After this incident, I can vaguely understand why this man is so admired by many students.

"Look! Mr. Leon is already flirting with that new student!"

"Truly worthy of being called a 'knight-like follower (Ultra page)'...!"

"A bunny boy with long bangs and teacher Leon...this combination has potential!"

...Although I seemed to have heard something strange, I decided to pretend I hadn't.

Because a phantom (Lily) appeared in my mind shouting, "Don't listen to those words!", I believed that obeying this instruction was definitely the right thing to do, that it must be true.

"You received a schoolbag from the god Baldr, didn't you?"

"Ah, yes, he gave it to me along with the uniform."

"Then remember to check the contents of your bag later. There's a brief introduction to campus life inside. It includes information on course selection. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me."

I followed Mr. Lyon, who was taking another step, and put my backpack with two shoulder straps back on.

This is a thin, square backpack, somewhat similar in shape to the backpack I used before Lily joined, and it can hold more than it looks like.

"Then, please allow me to explain your basic enrollment information as we walk. First, your student ID is 4646B3333, you are majoring in 'Combat Technology,' and you belong to the same [Baldur Class] as me."

"Student ID? 'Combat Skill'? [Baldarban]...?"

I listened carefully to Mr. Lyon's explanation.

Unfortunately, I couldn't understand any of the words in the speech.

Although I felt extremely embarrassed, I made up my mind and immediately asked about the parts I didn't understand.

"Um, I'm sorry, there were many parts I didn't understand... Could you tell me what the word 'class' meant?"

"Good question. 'Class' is what is called a 'class,' which is a system unique to the 'school district.'"

Mr. Lyon showed no impatience whatsoever with me, a silly student who clearly wanted to join the "school district" but knew nothing about it, and explained things to me very carefully.

"Students belonging to the 'school district' come here to 'study' and will one day 'become independent' and leave. While the recruitment of familias is a good example, students who have decided on their future will join other factions or guilds or similar organizations. The 'class' system is a measure to prevent students from being labeled with titles such as 'formerly belonging to other familias' after leaving the 'school district' to become independent."

"Ah, I see..."

I almost forgot about this after I joined the faction. In fact, people value the so-called "familia" quite a lot.

The general public generally views members of the Familia with superhuman physical abilities as dangerous individuals (due to its location, disturbances are commonplace in the labyrinth city of Orario, so the citizens are used to it), and some people even overreact to the mere sight of the word "Family" in a person's resume. As for conversion between factions, in the worst-case scenario, it might even be suspected of being an espionage plot.

Out of concern for the students, the school district replaced the "faction of the deity to which they belong" with "the school district's unique group name (class)".

In addition, the issue of perception may also have been taken into consideration.

The graduates are not transferred from other factions, but are "family members" who have been educated at the "school". This reduces the impression of outsiders and makes it easier for the main god and the members to accept the graduates.

(The "school district" probably wants to emphasize that they are purely "educational institutions" for cultivating talent.)

After I understood it in my own way, Mr. Lyon added:

"The 'school district' is operated by a few gods, teachers like myself, and many students working together. In order to operate smoothly, teachers and students alike must receive 'divine grace'."

"So, besides Baldr, there are other gods here?"

"That's right, this part of the system is quite similar to the national-type [Family]. Baldr only calls himself the principal because he is the representative of the 'school district,' but in terms of status, all [classes] are equal."

After listening to Professor Lyon use the analogy of a national "family clan," my understanding of this part became more concrete.

A simple estimate suggests that the number of students here exceeds a thousand. If a single deity were to manage the "school district"—especially given the various tasks involved, including updating [ability values]—it would be overwhelming. Therefore, the only way to function is to adopt a system similar to that of a national [familia], with a "main deity and subordinate deities" to divide the work and cooperate. Otherwise, it would be impossible for the system to operate at all.

However, the "subordinate god" system established between the goddess Hestia and Lady Seele will create a so-called master-servant relationship.

In contrast, the various main gods and the "class" here, just as the teacher said, all have equal say.

Incidentally, besides the Badrband, there are also ten other bands, including the Edenband and the Bragiband.

As for how to identify one's class, it is by the badge pinned to the left breast of the uniform.

This is equivalent to the emblem of the [Family], while the "Light Ship" emblem on my chest represents [Baldrban].

"If the 'class' part is difficult for you to understand, just think of the 'family' system. Teachers like myself are the faction leaders, including the guild leader, and the students are the guild members."

"Oh~" I exclaimed in surprise, suddenly realizing what was going on.

And from this, one can discern the gap in ability between teachers and students.

Since they are mentors responsible for guiding others, the mentors, including Leon, must not only possess knowledge and virtue, but also be very capable.

"The student ID number is a number assigned by the 'school district' for easy management of student information. As for your major, 'Combat Technology Department'... we'll tell you when we get there."

When the bell rang in the central tower, signaling the start of class, and there were only a few students left around, Mr. Lyon led me into one of the buildings—the "schoolhouse."

Like other buildings, the school building, with its blue roof and white stone, was very clean inside, and I couldn't hide my excitement, constantly looking around.

The interior decoration was not as magnificent as a castle as "Battlefield". After we walked along the white corridor for a while, Mr. Leon stopped in front of one of the doors.

"We've arrived. Your students, who will be your 'classmates' from now on, are all waiting inside."

Ignoring my stunned expression, Mr. Lyon smiled and suggested, "Let's go in together."

When I followed the teacher who pushed open the door a beat behind and went inside—it was indeed a "classroom".

"!"

The space here is quite vast, which reminds me of a performance hall.

Rows of mahogany tables are arranged in a semi-circle, surrounding the podium and blackboard located deep inside the classroom. The seating is tiered, or "bowl-shaped," so it's quite reasonable that I thought of it as a performance hall.

Inside the "classroom," a large number of students were already seated.

There are humans, orcs, elves, dwarves, dwarves, and Amazons.

The event brought together people of all races, most of whom appeared to be under twenty years old, and there were no fewer than fifty people in total.

As soon as Mr. Lyon and I stepped into the room, the students, all wearing "school district" uniforms, turned their attention to us.

I was so startled that I trembled all over as I saw Mr. Lyon walking straight toward the podium at the bottom of the classroom, and I quickly followed.

"As planned, today we will give you a general overview of the field trip to the dungeon city (Oario)... But before that, let me introduce our new companions."

After hearing Teacher Lyon call me softly in the pseudonym "Rabbi," I understood completely.

Professor Lyon asked me to introduce myself.

And from now on, I will live here as a "student".

In that moment of understanding, I felt incredibly nervous, while the students stared at me with curious eyes.