“Alright everyone, today the Hero will specially form a party with you!”
This was my first time entering the famed Magic Academy, even the building itself.
About ten students were gathered in the courtyard; they were all third-years.
They were divided into classes based on their grades, and these students were in the highest class, S Classroom.
“I am Nina Starlights, leader of the C Class Party, Nina!
As a Hero, I’m C Class, but my level is over fifty!”
A chorus of “Ooh” responded to her words.
Anju was about to do something, so I grabbed her by the scruff of her neck.
She probably wanted to correct the party composition, or maybe add a “Ta-da!” sound effect when I mentioned my level.
“As a Hero, I can naturally use Healing Magic, but this time I was called as a front-liner.
Prepare yourselves, because I intend to drill into you how to support attacks.”
She’s in Knights Captain mode. So cool.
“Nina-sama, please introduce the Sage as well.”
“Ah, right. Clarice!”
A sigh escaped me as I took in her appearance, clad in a beautiful, shimmering silver “Sage of Holy Wisdom’s Robe.”
This was the commemorative item she received from the Adventurer Guild upon reaching Sage Level Fifty.
On top of that, the Sexy Panther Mantle she wore on her back further enhanced her allure.
“I am Clarice, the Sub-leader of Nina Starlights.
As I have surpassed Level Fifty as a Sage, please leave the healing to me.”
Some students were gazing at the “Saint” with sparkling eyes, or looking at her in a daze.
I thought, “She’s twenty-eight, though,” but that was fine. She was mine.
“Clarice is amazing, but even more so…”
“Nina-sama, two people are enough for the Dungeon.”
A distinguished teacher, who had been acting as the MC, interrupted.
Was Anju and I useless? What a waste.
“Now, S Class students, parties are limited to eight people.
So, we’ll divide into two groups of five. The first group will form a party of seven with Nina-sama and Clarice.
The rest will wait until the first group returns.”
Finally, the conversation turned to me.
“Porter Derus-sama, please watch over the second group.”
“Uh, I’m Hero Porter, and actually, I’m a Hero too. Here.”
I showed them my Adventurer Card, the Hero one at that.
“This design is… A Class Hero?!”
“My level is eighty.”
“What! … Please wait a moment.”
He rushed over to another teacher.
They were talking animatedly, but I wondered if they were planning to send off both groups simultaneously.
“…We apologize for the wait. First, Nina-sama and Clarice, please depart.”
“Ah, let’s go. I’ll teach you what to prepare for the Dungeon. First, you must understand…”
The remaining five were then assigned to another teacher to wait.
“Derus-sama, this way.”
“Yes, coming. Illusionist-sama.”
Anju seemed to want to keep her name out of it as much as possible this time.
The roster had likely already been submitted when the request was accepted, so the teachers probably knew who she was to some extent.
However, she hadn’t shared with them that she was an Illusionist in the party.
Still, she had been floating around the Adventurer Guild, so people who knew probably knew.
“These are students from A Classroom, who will be tackling a different Dungeon.”
There were twelve of them here, and a large teacher stood with a sword.
He was probably in charge of the front-line combat. It seemed like he had planned to teach them on his own, separately from the request.
“Everyone, please rejoice! You will be instructed by an A Class Adventurer, a Hero of Level Eighty!”
A wave of joyous shouts erupted!
“Doh, I’m the Hero Derus, introduced by your teacher.
I’ll teach you how to fight front-liners, but if you can grasp the general flow, that’s good enough.”
The large teacher then drew his sword and assumed a guard.
“I apologize, but with your short stature, I’m a little concerned. May we spar?”
“Understood. In return, please take good care of the second group’s watch duty.”
As soon as I took out the Adamantite Sword from my Item Box, the students let out gasps of surprise.
“Then, the signal is…”
“You can come at me as you please from there. An… Ah, Illusionist-sama, you just need to watch.”
Even as he spoke, I was charged at.
“You’re impatient,” I thought as I smoothly dodged and placed my sword at his neck.
“As I suspected, your movements are too exaggerated.”
“…I wasn’t supposed to have a opening.”
“When the difference in speed is this great, it’s not a matter of that.”
Leaving the dejected teacher behind, we formed up with the first group.
Of course, including Anju, there were eight of us.
We headed toward the Dungeon’s location, with the students showing great interest in Anju, who was floating.
“Amazing, I heard that even Illusionists have limited floating time.”
“They’re floating the whole time, aren’t they? What level are they?”
“They must be a very renowned Illusionist.”
Her face was more hidden than usual.
This was because Anju had cast “Darkness Illuminate” within her hood without incantation.
This made her appear even more like a mysterious, unknown Illusionist.
“Speaking of Illusionists, I wonder how Anju-senpai is doing.”
“Ah, she was the academy’s specialty back then.”
“She was bullied by first-years last year too.”
“There’s a rumor that she was taken in by a noble and became like a slave.”
“What? The rumor I heard was that she was tricked out of her Illusionist’s staff and starved to death.”
I couldn’t say, “The person herself is right here.”
A glimpse into Anju’s past at the academy made my heart ache.
I couldn’t tell how she was feeling hearing this, as she just floated there.
“This is the Dungeon, huh. Alright, I’ll handle combat, and Illusionist-sama, you stay at the very back.”
I sent a look that said, “It’s good because you’ll know if an enemy appears from behind,” and she nodded vigorously.
“Then, everyone, don’t get separated!”
“Yes!” “Yes!” “Yes!” “Understood!” “Yes, yes!” “Ah, yes, yes!”
…Ah, something just came from behind.
Oh, it’s a teacher. An Assassin who has hidden their presence.
“Illusionist-sama, a moment.”
I whispered in her ear.
“…Don’t mind the teacher following us. They’re probably just monitoring.”
She nodded vigorously.
I doubted it, but if there was a danger to her life, I’d save her.
However, I suspected that Assassin teacher was thinking the same thing.
“Whoa, already?”
As soon as we entered the Dungeon, a swarm of goblins appeared!
“Alright, I’ll give the orders, so follow them. First…”
Now, let’s see the true capabilities of the third-year Class A.
