episode_0098

“Yes, then first-year students, please form a line according to the order.”

The first-year students who returned from the dungeon were lined up in the academy auditorium.

The reason was that a baggage inspection was being conducted along with a physical examination.

Originally, it was supposed to be done immediately after the test ended, but due to the serious injuries and casualties in this incident, it was greatly postponed.

In the case of physical examinations, the body undergoes exponential growth as it reacts to stress along with mana during the process of entering and exiting a dungeon.

It was an examination to check the difference before and after entering the dungeon that occurred due to this.

Of course, simple health status is also checked.

Especially in this high-level dungeon, even the mana spread in the air sometimes carried trace toxicity, making this an essential procedure.

In fact, there were cases where high-level warriors who frequently went in and out of high-level dungeons suddenly died one day due to toxins from accumulated mana in their bodies.

And in the case of baggage inspection, it is literally checking the items students brought out from the dungeon.

Although there are cases of simply checking the grade and performance of equipment or potions, the core is regarding artifacts.

First, they identify whether the item is an artifact or not, and if it is indeed an artifact, they formally and closely examine its function and grade.

Of course, after the inspection is finished, the items are recognized as the property of the students who brought them out, so they are immediately returned.

However, there are cases where the item has peculiarities such as possessing mass destruction capabilities, curses, or incurring serious costs just by using it.

In such cases, the artifact is confiscated from the student and stored by the academy or official knight orders, and in return, the student is sufficiently compensated through other means such as money or status.

Thanks to this, the surroundings were noisy with people cheering about the windfall of an item they happened to bring being an artifact, or trying to extort money by claiming an obviously ordinary item was a dangerous artifact.

While looking around like that, it was suddenly my turn already.

“Could you please take out the items you obtained from the dungeon?”

I fumbled to open my bag and took out the items.

When I was trapped in the dungeon, I had found quite a few items while exploring the surroundings for safety and to find other students.

Unfortunately, most of them were rather unremarkable large and small gems at first glance, but you never know, right?

Even if just one artifact is mixed in among these, it’s as good as a profitable business.

I had stuffed them into my pocket as I found them and brought them back, so I held onto the hope that an artifact might be mixed in among them.

“Yes, thank you.”

The first inspection is primarily done with the inspector’s naked eye.

Naturally, it’s not just looking with the naked eye, but confirming by layering various layers of magic right before their eyes.

If it is confirmed to be an artifact during this process, it is moved to a precision examination room and its detailed functions and grade are assigned.

I clenched my eyes shut, praying that at least one artifact was mixed in.

“Hmm… Unfortunately, there are no artifacts among these items.”

With those words, my shoulders slumped completely.

“Wait a minute, this is quite…!”

Oh? Well, even though they looked insignificant, there were so many items, perhaps?

“Ah, my apologies. That didn’t mean it was an artifact.”

My shoulders slumped again.

“Please take a look at this gem here.

Although it is rather small, this is a very rare gem called Metaphys.

Simply looking at its value as an item, it can be said to be quite a high-grade item.

It’s especially popular among couples and spouses due to the symbolism it holds.

You should be able to sell it for a rather high price on the market.”

“Haha, is that so…”

I replied with a weak voice, forcing a smile.

Indeed, even though it’s a high-level dungeon, artifacts are not common items.

In fact, looking around, the students who had obtained artifacts were only enough to count on one hand.

Should I be grateful that at least there was an expensive item?

Ah, come to think of it, there’s one more item I brought from the dungeon.

“I’m sorry, I forgot,

Actually, I have one more item I obtained from the dungeon.”

It had become so familiar in my hand that I had even forgotten the fact that I obtained it in the dungeon.

I handed over the mace I was carrying at my waist.

This had shown incredible durability against the powerful monster I encountered at the end in the dungeon, so I had quite high expectations this time.

At the time, I was flustered and the situation was urgent, so I just swung it, but there might be a hidden function I don’t know about.

“A mace… is it?

For now, it doesn’t seem to have any particular features visually… Let me check.”

The inspector stared intently at the mace.

…And for quite a while.

“Um… Is it not yet?”

“Yes? Ah… I’m sorry.

It seems this kind is a bit of a troublesome type…”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Do you know the difference between regular equipment and artifacts, student?”

“Yes, tools inscribed with ancient magic that cannot be replicated with current technology…”

“It’s a bit lacking, but that’s right.

Due to the magic inscribed inside, simply channeling a bit of mana into the tool allows one to use incredible skills, or it can simply enhance the wearer’s physical abilities.

My magic that distinguishes this, Observation Eye, also works by determining the presence or absence of such magic.

However, situations where it’s slightly difficult to judge arise in this process.

These are cases where the inscribed magic is too faint to be observed or so vast that it cannot be taken in at a glance.

In the latter case, there’s no problem as it can be confirmed even without observation magic, but the former case becomes quite troublesome.

Being in a dungeon means constant exposure to mana, so items might carry trace amounts of mana even after being brought out.

So, whether this is an artifact with trace mana or just an item that has been in the dungeon for a long time… it often gets confusing, I suppose.”

“That means…”

“In the case of this mace you handed over, it is certainly a sturdy and well-made item.

However, the observed magic is too faint, and even holding it, no particular power is felt.

So whether it’s just a well-made item or an artifact is… well…?

It’s difficult for my Observation Eye alone to grasp accurately, so I could take it and perform a precision inspection for you.

It will take some time, but if you wish…”

“…No, in that case, it’s fine.”

I didn’t want to needlessly endure false hope any longer like this.

Moreover, the gazes of the other students who had been lining up behind me for a long time were stinging.

With only one proper item, a ring, salvaged like that, I sighed and left the auditorium.

…I hadn’t expected much, but I didn’t think I wouldn’t get even one artifact.

I guess I should be content with just getting one valuable ring purely by luck.

The thought “I went through so many near-death experiences, and only one item…” crosses my mind, but what can I do? I should just be grateful that I survived in the first place.

Afterward, I sold all the small gems and accessories I had obtained in the dungeon.

Since gems can be used as magic stones, I sold them through the academy, and accessories through a pawn shop.

By the way, how should I handle this gem called Metaphys?

Well… Lately, the support from my main family has been tight anyway, so should I just sell it off?

…Hmm, no, that’s not right.

Come to think of it, I still haven’t thanked Meiru.

Since we overcame hardships together in the dungeon, I want to give her something in return.

Especially if Meiru hadn’t stopped the movement of that strong monster at the end, even for a moment, I might not be here.

Wouldn’t it be okay to give this gem to Meiru?

Although she doesn’t seem to be having financial problems, she might accept it as a token of sincerity.

Okay! Let’s not sell this gem, but give it directly to Meiru.

But it would be strange to just give her the gem outright, right?

Since I’m giving it anyway, let’s process it a bit before giving it.

As it happens, I had learned a bit of blacksmithing.

It was a course I chose to fill remaining credits, but for some reason, my grades are better than in my main major, the Magic Department.

So I went to the workshop for the blacksmithing class.

Since it was late, I could use the facility freely without burden.

. . .

“Phew, it turned out better than I thought, didn’t it?”

I held the ring embedded with the green Metaphys gem and looked at it reflecting the moonlight in the dark night sky.

Since the gem was small, it would have been unremarkable as a necklace, and I couldn’t remember if Meiru had pierced ears or not to make it into earrings, so I processed it into the shape of a ring.

I knew her finger size to some extent from having held her hand before, so the size shouldn’t be a problem.

“By the way, all that’s left now is finding Meiru…”

Actually, this part is the biggest problem.

Recently, I haven’t seen Meiru at all.

At first, I instinctively thought she might also be in the infirmary due to injuries from the dungeon, so I visited but couldn’t find her.

Anyway, according to Eligio, she visited me while I was unconscious, so she must have returned safely, but it’s really strange that I haven’t met her at the academy.

It’s to the extent that I suspect she might be intentionally avoiding me.

…If that’s the case, did I do something wrong?

No, saying that doesn’t make sense as I haven’t met her since returning from the dungeon…

And it’s also strange to say she’s avoiding me now because of a mistake I made before that.

While walking and thinking such thoughts, the surrounding scenery had changed before I knew it.

Oh dear, I ended up taking a strange path while walking absentmindedly.

Well, I finished all my lectures for today, so it doesn’t matter if I’m a little late getting back.

…? But a familiar human shape came into view.

The figure of a woman with her head deeply bowed, looking as listless as she had once looked.

Greenish eyes with tiny droplets gathered on black hair, it was Meiru.

In delight, I waved my hand and immediately ran towards her.

“Meiru! Isn’t that Meiru?

I was actually looking for you ever since we came out of the dungeon!

What were you doing here?”

“Uh..? Ah.. Ropel.. How did you…? No.. not that.. Hello…?”

Seeing her face after a long time, I couldn’t help but be surprised.

Because since I hadn’t seen her, she had become truly thin and her complexion was bad.

“…? What’s wrong, Meiru…? Are you worried about something…?”

“Well… sorry… I just had something… to think about by myself.

It’s nothing serious, so don’t worry.”

She tried to leave, forcing a smile like that, but even I could tell she wasn’t okay.

Even before I got close to her, she would occasionally show a depressed look, but she had never had such a sunken atmosphere.

Sensing that the situation was not ordinary, I decided that I shouldn’t just let Meiru go now.

“Wait, Meiru. Could we talk a little, just a little more?”

“It’s really nothing serious. I’m just not feeling well today. No need to worry…”

“Meiru.”

It might be a bit forceful, but I didn’t let go of her hand that I was holding, with a serious face.

Soon, as if she couldn’t help it, she quietly sat down next to me again.