Chapter 22

The garden of Saint Lepheria Academy.

The autumn flowers that had just begun to bloom were emitting a strong fragrance. In a corner of the fragrant garden, a man and a woman sat facing each other. Camian and Annette. Their expressions looked somewhat exhausted. Especially Annette, who had deep dark circles under her eyes.

“You look tired.”

Camian said, looking at her face.

“…I couldn’t sleep well because of nightmares.”

Annette sighed deeply in response.

“Nightmares?”

“I think I died more than ten times just last night.Ugh, my head kept getting smashed by the troll……………”

“Stop, stop, there’s no need to recall it.”

Camian interrupted Annette’s words.

“In the end, we survived. We survived with our skills.”

Pride was evident in his voice. Honestly, he wasn’t very confident in real combat.

He lacked experience, But the fierce battle of yesterday filled that void. As the saying goes, small successes build confidence, surviving the harsh reality of combat for the first time gave him confidence.

“Yeah, that’s true. Honestly, I thought I was going to die at the end……………..”

Although less so than Camian, Annette had definitely changed before and after the incident.

Being naturally kind, she hesitated and couldn’t be cruel in battle. However, having faced a life threatening crisis, she had overcome that to a considerable extent. Therefore, for both Camian and her, this incident seemed certain to be a nutrient for growth.

“We would have been in real trouble without the senior.”

Annette mentioned Max first.

An indispensable figure in yesterday’s event. If Max hadn’t come to help when they were floundering, not knowing they had fallen into a dungeon, they would have surely experienced something terrible. Regardless of personal likes and dislikes, Camian naturally acknowledged that fact.

“If that person hadn’t been there, we probably wouldn’t have come out alive like this.”

Camian nodded.

“He was quite different from the rumors.”

Annette recalled yesterday’s events. The worst problem child of the second year in every aspect.

That was the public’s assessment of Max Celtrine. Everyone said so, and Annette believed it too.

And the person who had rudely spoken to Camian in front of the restaurant the first time they met seemed no different from the rumors. But the person from yesterday was different.

Too different. It’s true he had a somewhat frivolous side, but that was all. He risked danger to come and rescue them, and in battle, he always led the way more than anyone else.

Not only that. The insight to immediately realize they had fallen into a dungeon.

The courage not to shrink back even in front of a horde of monsters. The knowledge to pinpoint the weaknesses of every monster they encountered. The seasoned combat ability that even felt like a mercenary who had been through many battles. And the leadership ability to give appropriate commands whenever they were in crisis. It was hard to believe that he was the same person from the rumors.

“People show their true colors when they’re in a crisis.” Camian muttered.

“So, is that really the senior’s true self?”

Annette agreed and continued.

“I had no idea he was such an amazing senior.”

“Amazing, yes, you could say that, but I find it rather scary.”

“Scary?”

“Yes. It means he perfectly hid his true colors without anyone noticing.”

“…Camian, you’re too cynical.”

Annette narrowed her eyes and looked at Camian.

“If you’ve received help, you need to accept it purely.”

This is where their personality differences showed. Annette, who was naturally kindhearted, tended to see people in a good light, while Camian had the coldness to doubt what hidden motives lay beneath the surface.

Moreover, if the other party was the extreme Celtrine Max, there was no need to say more.

But it was also true that his view of Max had softened considerably due to this incident.

At least he no longer treated him like human trash.

He had abilities and didn’t seem as much of a delinquent as the rumors suggested, but he was promoted to a senior whom he was somewhat reluctant to trust because he couldn’t know his true intentions. Even that was a significant development compared to the beginning.

“Well, I think so too about this incident.”

They had received great help. That was undeniable. And then there were the artifacts and treasures from the last night in the dungeon. Even if Max took 60% of those relics of the ancients, there was nothing to say. He had contributed that much. But Max was the first to insist on dividing it into thirds. The reason was that it would have been impossible to conquer the dungeon without any one of them.

It wasn’t wrong in some ways, but it was hard to accept. That’s why Annette and he rejected that claim together, but Max was stubborn. Since the person who contributed the most kept insisting, Annette reluctantly agreed, and in the end, he had no choice but to accept it too.

His share of the loot. It wasn’t a treasure that could change his life. But it was enough to give him some breathing room in his difficult life. At least enough not to worry about tuition for the second semester. That alone was enough to relieve some of the heaviness that had been constricting his heart.

“Then that’s good.”

Annette relaxed her expression as if relieved.

“But I’m still a little concerned about accepting such an item so readily.”

Annette took out a small ring as she spoke. It looked like just an ordinary cheap copper ring, but it was not just an ordinary ring. This ring had the power to amplify magic. She had tested it several times by wearing it herself, so she was sure.

Of course, it wasn’t as powerful as a highgrade artifact, but the change was definitely noticeable.

Even an item of this level was more than welcome at her current level.

“There’s nothing you can do about it. He was so stubborn.”

Camian shook his head and said. In his hand was a black dagger. It looked crude but seemed sturdy. It was a dagger made of black iron. Not only its strength but also its sharpness surpassed that of ordinary steel. Considering his financial difficulties, it was an item he could never afford. And that was what he had gained from this incident.

In addition to ancient silver coins and a fair amount of jewelry. It wasn’t for nothing that he said his suffocating life had gotten a bit of breathing room.

“But we did contribute, so don’t worry too much about it. More importantly.”

“Yeah.”

“Let’s pretend nothing happened yesterday.”

Yesterday’s event. The appearance of a dungeon and three students getting involved was no ordinary matter. It would have caused quite a stir if it had become known. It was bound to cause a headache later on. Neither Max nor Camian wanted that.

So, without anyone saying who should go first, they agreed to keep it a secret among themselves.

Only Annette hesitated.

“I understand.”

There was still hesitation in her voice, perhaps a pang of conscience. Considering her personality, she probably wouldn’t have agreed if it hadn’t been for Camian. To that extent, Camian was special to her.

“And one more thing.”

“Yeah.”

“I want to quit my part time job and focus on my studies.”

A welcome statement in the midst of listening. Annette’s expression brightened.

“Okay, I understand.”

“One thing has been resolved.”

I circled the calendar in red. I had succeeded in forcibly caring for the protagonist as planned. He must have gained some real life experience from this incident. It will surely help his future growth. And money.

He managed to secure enough funds to cover tuition, so he won’t need to waste time on part time jobs for a while. That means he can invest his time entirely in growth. For now, that’s enough.

“Well, I might as well take care of my own interests too.”

It’s not only the protagonist who gained experience. I’ve also grown more through real battles. And the items were a bonus. A ring of magical amplification. The downside of harsh iron.

A bracelet of strength increase.

These are the three main items that could be obtained there. Among them, the bracelet of strength increase was especially useful to me. With my current weak strength, this item that increases strength by 10% was definitely going to be helpful. That’s why I chose it.

The rest of the items were distributed appropriately to those who could benefit from them.

“Then next is….”

I was busily thinking about what to do next. 2nd year common class. No matter how much of a dump the class was, there were naturally honor students. Allen Benesse was one such person.

The eldest son of the Benesse Viscount family, he came to the classroom earlier than anyone else in the common class and listened to the lectures more intently than anyone else. Even after classes, he practically lived in the library or the training ground.

And his efforts were not in vain, as he was achieving the highest grades in most of the subject assignments in the class. Still, Allen was not satisfied. He detested the fact that he had to set foot in such a dump of a class in the first place.

‘Ugh, if only I hadn’t had that stomachache that day.’

The day before, I must have eaten something wrong, because on the important day of the first semester’s final exam, my stomach screamed as if it was going mad.I was In a situation where I couldn’t concentrate properly no matter what. As a result, the exam was a catastrophic failure.

And as a consequence, I had to spend the second semester in the common class.

A frustrating situation. But Allen tried to regain his composure.

I will return.

I will definitely return.

To a place that suits me. It wasn’t the noble class where he originally belonged. The royal class at the very top.

That was where he was supposed to be. But then….

“As I announced, the next class will be a joint class. However, it’s not that we’re going to learn something new in the class. We’re going to test the things I’ve taught you all along. And not just individual achievements, but I also want to see what kind of synergy can be created through harmony and cooperation with your classmates. So everyone, please form groups of three by the next class. That’s all.”

Karen, the professor of elemental magic, made an announcement that hit like a bolt from the blue. Allen’s pupils shook as if an earthquake had occurred. He had expected a test since it was a joint class. But he had never expected it to be a group evaluation.

What kind of group evaluation in a subject like elemental magic? What does magic have to do with harmony and cooperation! Allen glared at Professor Karen with a strong protest in his eyes, but of course, that gaze had as much impact as the tears of a chick. Karen gave a slight smile as if to say she was looking forward to it and then left.

‘Ugh.’

That’s what it is. Group evaluations are trendy among professors these days, so she wanted to try it too.

Damn it.

Students are not experimental subjects.

Allen’s dissatisfaction did not subside. The reason for his dissatisfaction was simple. With individual evaluations, it’s fine as long as you do well, but with group evaluations, it’s not enough to do well alone. Because it’s the group that’s being evaluated.

That means…

‘What, am I supposed to do something with these incompetents?’

From Allen’s perspective, the students of the common class were nothing but incompetent failures. Without exaggeration, there was not a single person who stood out. There was no way a good result would come out of forming a group with such people and being evaluated. The royal and noble classes would obviously pair up with the talented elites.

‘Tch, but there’s nothing I can do about it.’

Still, forming a group with the better ones among them was the best choice he could make right now.

Having made that decision, Allen moved. Or rather, it would be more accurate to say he tried to move. In reality, he hadn’t moved an inch from his spot, just rolling his eyes. That’s right. He was the proud loner of the common class.

He claimed to be a voluntary loner who didn’t want to be involved with the incompetents as much as possible, but was it just a feeling that he seemed to be an involuntary loner?

“Class president, let’s be in a group together…”

“Sure.”

While that was happening, the class president, whom Allen had been aiming for as his first choice, had already been scouted. He was the most competitive rival in the common class.

‘Ugh, I’m late.’

Allen’s gaze quickly moved to the next target.

But,

“Hey, you’re with me, right?”

“Of course.”

That target had already formed a group with a close friend.

“Uhoh……?”

Allen became flustered and stammered. But of course, time did not wait for him.

Groups were quickly formed among the usual friends. In the blink of an eye, the students worth being with had already flown away like birds.

‘This, this isn’t right…………?’

Allen was genuinely flustered.

Now the problem wasn’t about forming a group with the capable ones. The problem was whether he could form a group with the normal ones. He was so desperate that Allen finally kicked his seat and stood up.

But.

It was too late. The bus had already left. The normal ones no longer existed. What remained were the delinquents and others.

‘The group, it’s screwed.’

Allen’s mind went blank.

It was over. This group evaluation was over.

“Damn, what a hassle, a group evaluation.”

The blond delinquent grumbled. Yet, he formed a group with his parasite brother and another gang member. Delinquent or not, if you’re not going to drop out and quit, you have to do what you need to do to get a diploma. Now the real three were left, including himself. ……Me, form a group with that guy?

Allen’s face turned ashen.

Of all the delinquent gangs, the one left was Max Celtrine, known as the worst.

It would have been a little better if it had been the blond delinquent or the parasite brother, but why did it have to be that guy?

And the other one belonged to the others, a presence as inconspicuous as air. In short, a being that couldn’t possibly be of any help. But it would have been better if he was just unhelpful. Max could even be a hindrance.

‘There’s no answer. There’s no……..’

That’s when.

Allen, who was in despair, locked eyes with Max. Allen was startled and averted his gaze without realizing it, but Max gestured for him to come over quickly.

‘Gasp’

Damn, did I just look upset? Thinking that, Allen was about to take a heavy step when someone moved behind him. That airlike presence belonging to the others. A girl who looked the epitome of frailty approached Max with an obvious look of annoyance.

“What now?”

“What do you think? We’re in the same group.”

“Why?”

“What do you mean why? It’s just us left.”

“Let’s do our best.”

Max patted Riviera’s shoulder as if to say he was counting on her, Allen’s expression turned to one of dumbfoundedness as he watched. Who does he think he is? He’s the best man in the common class….Self Proclaimed, but still a fact.

And yet, he’s left alone while that airlike presence is asked to do her best?

This is humiliating.

“Wait a minute.”

Allen, shouted at Max without realizing it. Max and Riviera’s gazes turned towards him. A gaze that said, what are you? Allen’s pupils shook under that embarrassingly intense scrutiny.

“Well, it’s… I think I’m in the same group too…………….”

With a trembling voice. Talking to Max, who was called the scum of humanity, was a tough mission even for himself.

“Really?”

“Uh, yeah.”

“Your name?”

This, this damn delinquent. How dare he, he doesn’t know my name? Allen barely calmed his excitement, purely out of survival instinct.

“It’s, Allen Benesse..”

“Oh, that Allen.”

Only then did Max pretend to recognize what kind of man he was.

It was when Allen thought ‘I knew it’ and cleared his throat, puffing up his shoulders.

“Hey, Allen.”

“Hm?”

“Don’t just hold us back.”

It was then that Allen truly understood what it meant to lose one’s composure.