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

"And so it goes, and gradually you come to understand what 'learning' means."

Faced with those eyes I had never seen before—different from those of a deity—that belonged exclusively to a "teacher," I suddenly realized what was going on.

Professor Lyon probably wanted to tell me something.

The rules of the "school district"... no, the lifestyle of the "school district".

This was the "first lesson" he wanted to teach me.

"Could you share something you've particularly focused on since you decided to become an adventurer?"

The teacher asked the question in a gentle tone.

As I stood there, I caught a glimpse of my classmate Zuer smiling beside me, and she mouthed "Go for it!" to cheer me on.

My classmates' eyes were still fixed on me... I clenched my fists and forced the words out of my throat.

"Adventurers...you can't...take risks..."

I suppressed the trembling in my voice, which even I found utterly pathetic, and uttered those words.

Mr. Leon, who was looking at me, couldn't help but widen his eyes.

At the same time, you can feel Zuer sitting next to you staring wide-eyed in confusion.

When my voice echoed through the quiet classroom, the students began to stir.

“What does this mean…?”

"Why can't I take risks even though I'm an adventurer?"

"This is so strange! What exactly are you trying to say?"

When I once again used my heightened hearing, enhanced by the upgrade, to accurately discern the questions my classmates posed, I was so nervous that I broke out in a cold sweat—

"—That's a truly excellent opinion."

Mr. Lyon smiled gently.

"Although the rabbi's statement may seem contradictory at first glance, the teacher believes that it is indeed one of the truths."

The students' eyes shifted from me back to the podium.

"In the dungeon, acting rashly is not something to be praised. On the contrary, being 'cowardly' is more likely to protect your own life and the lives of your companions."

“““!””””

"Never misjudge the timing of retreat, and never take unnecessary risks; this mindset is crucial for adventurers exploring harsh environments like dungeons."

The students who were initially shocked now showed expressions of understanding to varying degrees.

Everyone in the classroom is listening intently to every word Mr. Lyon says.

"Now that we're about to enter the dungeon, we'll be able to learn a lot from the adventurers' way of life. Thanks to Rabbi, we've grown once again—let's give him a round of applause, everyone!"

—The next moment, thunderous applause erupted in the classroom.

Standing there dumbfounded, I found myself amidst the melody of praise from my classmates.

The male orcs, the female orcs, and the red-haired Amazons all changed their previous attitudes, looking at me with newfound respect. As for Zul, who was sitting next to me, he beamed and applauded me more enthusiastically than the others.

...This is the "school district".

Even if the opinions are offensive, as long as they are useful insights, everyone is welcome to share them without any prejudice or bias.

Feeling extremely embarrassed, I then experienced an indescribable sense of excitement.

But this praise is not because my remarks were particularly helpful.

Instead, it was thanks to Professor Lyon, who was far better at expressing himself than I was, that he was able to answer the students' questions in a simple and easy-to-understand way and convey the meaning hidden behind his words.

The key point is that he wanted to help me, as a freshman, integrate into the "school district" life, so he specially created this opportunity for me.

Even though I had only known Mr. Leon for a short time... I already felt completely inferior in his presence.

I believe that the "outstanding adults" people talk about must be exceptional people like Mr. Leon.

I always felt that there weren't many people like him around me, which made me feel a deep respect for him.

"Rabbi, were those words you just said your own conclusion?"

After the applause subsided, Mr. Lyon asked this question.

Upon hearing this, I straightened my back and honestly told the truth.

"No, it was someone very important to me who told me."

"Adventurers cannot take risks."

This statement came from Miss Eina.

She gave me this advice because she wanted what was best for me, when I had just become an adventurer and had inadvertently become complacent.

"Really? I see..."

Miss Eina had mentioned that she was a graduate of this school, and this lesson I kept in mind was perhaps the insight she gained from applying her knowledge of the "school district." As I thought this, Mr. Lyon stroked his chin with one hand and nodded slightly.

"Although I'd love to discuss this statement with you all... doing so would take up the next class time, so I'll stop here for now. If you still have any questions, you can come to me privately later."

Mr. Lyon took out his pocket watch from the pocket of his black faculty uniform, glanced at it, and then looked up at me.

To be precise, it was beside me.

"Nina, if it's convenient, could you please show Rabbi around the campus?"

"Okay! I'll be free after this class today, so it's no trouble at all."

"Thank you, Rabbi. Your teacher will pick you up after school. Remember to meet her in this classroom then."

“I-I understand!”

After cleaning the blackboard, Mr. Lyon said, "get out of class dismissed," and left the classroom.

Seeing Mr. Lyon walk out of the classroom made me feel somewhat uneasy, but he would definitely have to go teach other classes next... and even if he didn't say it, I could vaguely sense what he wanted me to do.

That is—to get to know your "classmates" and build good relationships with everyone.

"Freshman, what did you do before you came here?"

"Um... I help out with chores and farming at home..."

"You live in a big city (Belra City), yet you're a farmer? Since you aspire to be an adventurer, do you have any combat experience?"

"More or less...?"

What is your current level?

"……………………L, Lv.1?"

"Why do you answer so uncertainly? You've already received 'blessings' from the god Baldr, haven't you?"

Feeling flustered by the questions my classmates asked, I stammered and answered them one by one.

As soon as Mr. Lyon walked out of the classroom, five or six students immediately surrounded my seat.

While I'm glad everyone cares about me, what am I supposed to do now? I never even considered my (Rabi's) origins... In order to hide the fact that I'm actually a Level 1 adventurer (Bell Crane), I reflexively gave a number far from Lv.5, awkwardly uttering a mix of truth and falsehood to cope.

As expected, it made everyone laugh and say, "You're such a little weirdo!"

Yes, actually I think so too...

"But Rabbi, you're really amazing! Professor Leon praised your speech highly!"

My classmate Zuer, who was sitting next to me, praised me in a cheerful voice.

"The self-control to not take risks easily, the self-discipline to not be misled by desires... Is that right? I feel enlightened after hearing that."

"Ah, well, I really just learned it on the spot, and I'm only doing this thanks to other people's guidance...!"

As I hurriedly waved my hands to indicate that I didn't deserve any credit, the classmates who had been amused by my words all nodded in agreement.

It was probably because Zuer saw that I was quite troubled that she specially helped to change the subject.

(It might be rude to compare her to others... but she and Miss Eina are both very kind-hearted.)

It was rather abrupt for a student (Rabi) who wasn't an adventurer to suddenly ask, "Do you have any family members who are guild employees?" and I wasn't entirely sure... But through Zul, I couldn't help but recall my first visit to Orario.

At a time when I knew nothing about adventurers, the kind and considerate Miss Eina extended a helping hand to me on many occasions.

"There's nothing amazing about it. No matter how stupid the suggestion is, Professor Leon has a way of turning it into the 'best teaching material'."

Just then—

The sarcastic voice came from behind.

I turned around and was stunned.

"Iglin".

A few rows away from us sat a dwarf who casually flicked his bangs.

The male student's uniform was quite neat, but because he was a dwarf, he had a short stature and a big beard, with a rose stuck in his chest... What's going on here?

Zul addressed the person by the name "Iglin" with a mocking smile.

"Besides being a complete coward, this kid is also only a Level 1. I really wonder why you even wanted to join the Combat Technology Department."

"New students who have just joined the 'school district' naturally start at Level 1, right? Why are you saying something like that?"

"Because he looks so weak. It's ridiculous that such an outsider would appear just when the 'Special (Dungeon) Internship' is about to begin. He's just here to cause trouble."

Faced with that smirking expression, Zuer glared at me and stood up for me, but I still can't close my mouth.

The reason is that the handsome young man who made the sarcastic remark was actually a dwarf with a full beard.

Saying such things may be offensive, but his words and actions are so inconsistent with his race!

"I really feel sorry for him, that we have to recruit his 'squad'. This rabbit-man, please don't sabotage us later."

"Ah, yes, I'll be careful..."

Watching Eglin gracefully rise from his seat, I, still reeling from the shock, obediently nodded in agreement.

After adjusting his bangs again, Eglin walked out of the classroom alone.

"Don't take it to heart, Rabbi! Iglin always acts that way when he's around strangers."

“I-I see…”

My classmate Zuer quickly comforted me, but before I could feel sad, my heart was already filled with the chaotic feeling of encountering the "unknown".

This is the "school district"... a melting pot filled with all sorts of people I've never seen before...!!

Just as my mind was a jumbled mess of silly thoughts, the school bell rang.

The other students also left one after another, leaving only Zuer and me at the scene.

"...Shall we set off then?"

To change the atmosphere, Zuer gave this reminder with a wry smile on his face.

Having finally calmed down, I returned a wry smile and nodded.

We stepped out of our old school building and basked in the sunlight.

Before me stood rows of school buildings with blue roofs and white walls, and spacious walkways that didn't look like they were on a deck at all. The fresh scent of the sea carried by the wind made the "school district," nestled between the sky and the brackish lake, resemble a resort.

"One day is simply not enough to explore the entire 'school district,' so today we'll just introduce you to the academic layer."

"The academy level?"

As I was once again lost in the beautiful blue and white scenery, I could only repeat the other person's words like a parrot.

"Mm." Zul nodded with a smile.

"The 'school district' is roughly divided into a control layer, a living layer, and an academic layer."

"Uh... since it's divided by layers, then... it's similar to the floors of a dungeon, right?"

"Hehe, although it's a little different, it's fine if you understand it this way."

With a gentle smile like a mature older sister, Zuer began her explanation in a simple and easy-to-understand way.

The so-called "school district" seems to be a three-layer structure made up of three giant discs stacked together.

The bottom layer is the control layer, which houses many large magic stone devices—the same buoyancy generating devices used in the elevators of the Tower of Babel—and is the core of the ship, with its machinery and research labs concentrated on this floor.

The middle floors are the living quarters, where students and teachers live.