episode_0011

“ Hey, he’s not the top or second class member of the 1st year combat department for nothing.”

This was Jack’s comment after watching the game.

“Both of them are amazing!”

“At that age, it would be difficult to find someone of that level even if you search the Kingdom of Wolfron.”

Mary and Alexis also added their words.

That’s probably the opinion of most.

Cedric and Aira’s sparring was definitely on a different level from what other students had shown so far.

So much so that I wondered if I was really a freshman.

However.

Nevertheless, there are winners, and there are also losers.

“Airela is strong, but… Still, it doesn’t work for Cedric.”

“Who is not? I don’t think the difference will be easily narrowed. Isn’t Cedric going to be the top student until he graduates?”

Words spoken casually comparing winners and losers.

And the gaze is directed at the loser.

“… … .”

How does the protagonist who receives that attention actually feel?

I didn’t know.

***

The big event called the tournament is over, and daily life returns to the academy.

But I knew. That daily life will soon be broken again.

‘There’s only one week left.’

Exactly one week later, an event will occur that will break this routine.

Well, that doesn’t mean I have to worry about it.

In the original work, Mary and her group resolved the issue safely and the situation was resolved well.

I, who did not exist in the original work, rather than interfering, I am helping.

So, all I have to do is go about my daily life without worrying.

With that in mind, I was on my way to the next lecture.

“Hmm?”

I felt like something was chaotic around me.

Although it is common for students to gather together and have conversations, there was a clear feeling that it was noisier than usual.

What else could have happened?

I looked around with a puzzled look on my face.

“Hey! Wade… !”

At that time, I saw Jack running towards me, calling me in an urgent voice.

What appeared on his face was a truly agitated expression that Jack rarely saw.

“You girl, you’re trapped in a dungeon building… !”

“… What?”

What is this now… ?

“Lecture Building No. 2 has now been turned into a dungeon, and your lady was there!”

The moment I heard those words, I was already running.

“Huh? Hey, man, let’s go together!”

I felt Jack hurriedly following behind me, but I didn’t slow down.

Fortunately, lecture building number 2 was not far from where I was, so there was no need to use the tram.

Even as I ran, I tried to understand the situation.

There was only one corner in the dungeon of Lecture Building No. 2 that made sense.

But the original time for that event to occur is not now.

I had a feeling that something bad was happening.

My urgent heart whipped my legs, and soon I arrived in front of lecture building number 2.

Roaring Roaring─

There were a lot of people gathered in front of Lecture Building 2, probably because everyone heard the news.

And actually, lecture building number 2.

‘… Dungeon phone.’

A unique wave symbolizing the dungeon enveloped the entire lecture building.

Just as I heard, the lecture building had been converted into a dungeon.

‘why… ?’

Given the circumstances, this is probably an incident caused by Aira, or more accurately, Aira who was consumed by the magic sword.

However, it happened a week earlier than it should have happened.

why?

‘Because of that sparring at that time?’

That was the only thing I could guess.

A sparring match before the tournament that did not appear in the original work.

That may have caused something to change, and as a result, the time when the incident occurred was brought forward.

First, I approached the entrance to the lecture building with the intention of getting information.

“Stop. You must not approach this place now.”

At that time, someone stopped me with a silent voice.

It was a familiar face.

“What happened?”

“Hmm? … It’s Wade Heblon.”

The person standing in front of the lecture building was Urt, a combat department professor.

It seems that they were controlling the students to prevent any unexpected incidents.

“The entire lecture building has been converted into a dungeon. I was blocking access just in case.”

“Is this a closed dungeon?”

“Yes.”

A closed dungeon, a dungeon that is blocked from the outside.

Up to this point, it was the same as what I saw in the original.

“Have you tried disabling it?”

Urt shook his head.

“The dungeon is quite unstable. If you try to forcefully unlock the dungeon, those inside will be in danger.”

“What about entry? Is it impossible?”

“Practically impossible.”

The answers to my questions one after another came from someone other than Urt.

When I turned my head in the direction from which I heard the voice, I saw a man with an intelligent and cold appearance walking from the direction of the lecture hall.

I immediately recognized the man’s identity.

It was Patrick, the magic professor.

“The barrier surrounding the dungeon is quite strong. It’s not impossible to get in, but if you’re lucky you’ll barely be able to maintain any form. Of course, you won’t be holding your breath.”

“… okay. Thank you.”

After receiving the information, I thanked them and walked away from them.

‘Nothing has changed except the timing.’

Only the time when the incident occurred changed, but everything else remained the same.

It happened exactly one week early. Even the time zone was similar.

‘At this level, it may be nothing more than a simple incident.’

It was a good thing that the time was brought forward by just one week.

Since the time zone is the same, the same lectures would have been going on inside as when the incident occurred in the novel, and the number of people inside would have been the same.

If so, there is no big problem.

I tried to calm my anxious mind.

“Wow, hehe… Now… I caught up… … .”

At that time, Jack came running this way.

Judging from the fact that he was sweating profusely and out of breath, it seemed like he had run all the way here.

“Phew… So, is it okay?”

Jack took a deep breath and asked me.

“Well… I feel like I’m trying a lot of things, but I don’t know how it will turn out.”

That’s what I said, but I was somewhat certain.

Mary, Alexis, and Cedric will join forces to subdue Aira, who has been consumed by the magic sword, and lift the dungeon.

Although it wasn’t a bit unsettling, I decided to trust them.

I was about to organize my thoughts, step back, and observe the situation.

Cracking─

Urgent footsteps were heard.

The sound of footsteps is so urgent that it makes my head spin.

And the moment I identified the owner of the footsteps, my mind turned completely white.

“What on earth happened?!”

Because there was someone there who shouldn’t be here.

Alexis should have been inside by now, advancing through the dungeon with Mary and Cedric.

“… Why are you here?”

“The lecture building has become a dungeon… yes? What does that mean?”

“Why are you here? Isn’t this the time you should be sitting here listening to the lecture?”

“… I don’t know how you know that… That’s right. Originally, that would have been the case. However, I was unable to attend the lecture today due to an urgent call from the royal family.”

After hearing that explanation, I reflexively grabbed my forehead.

It happened.

A large and fatal variable.

‘shit… … .’

A lot of swearing comes out of nowhere.

“Hey, what’s wrong with you?”

What happened to the situation inside “? What about Miss Mary?”

I heard Jack and Alexis’ voices, but I didn’t have time to respond.

Because if you make a mistake, everything will end.

In the original work, when this incident occurred, there were three people who played a key role in solving the incident.

Mary, Cedric, and Alexis.

However, because the incident occurred earlier, Alexis was left out.

This was a huge problem.

Alexis is an outstanding wizard in her own right, aside from everything else.

Mary is also quite good at magic, and Cedric’s skills go without saying, but in that episode, Mary and her group were able to safely go through the dungeon and unlock the dungeon thanks to the three’s combined efforts.

Even in that situation, he succeeded by crossing a fairly dangerous bridge, so if one of the members, Alexis, is left out, the probability of success will definitely drop drastically.

Maybe it won’t succeed at all.

Then I don’t know where things will go.

I don’t want to imagine it, but if the worst happens, we could all die.

Besides, that’s not the only thing that bothers me.

‘… Ira.’

Ira Librion is also concerned.

In the original work, Aira appears as an enemy, possessed by a magic sword.

After overpowering Aira, Mary and the others manage to save Aira from the control of the demon sword.

‘That may not be possible.’

The magic sword eats away at the ego as time passes.

Even if you somehow manage to subdue Aira, if the time is delayed, there is a possibility that Aira may not regain her sanity.

Plus, something that didn’t happen in the original, where Aira takes someone’s life with her own hands… It could happen.

In the original, Aira caused this major incident, but thanks to the fact that it was not her will, there were no deaths, and she was always a diligent student, she barely escaped expulsion.

But if things go this way, there’s a chance it won’t stop there.

No, that’s very likely.

“… … .”

Now is not the time to think about the original story or anything.

This is a situation where the case must be resolved by force, by any means necessary.

So what should I do? How can I resolve this situation?

‘Solving things externally… impossible.’

The dungeon itself is unstable. As Urt said, hasty intervention will only increase the damage.

The only person in the academy who can suppress even that and unlock the dungeon from the outside is probably the principal, Veluid.

However, judging from his absence and Urt’s reaction, it seemed like the principal was currently absent. Just like it was in the original.

“… How long has it been since this was a dungeon?”

“Huh? hmm… Well, it’s been a while since I’ve heard any news, so I guess it must have been more than an hour… … .”

Jack was confused by my sudden question, but answered.

In response, I closed my eyes tightly.

If so much time has already passed, time is running out.

If it’s delayed any longer, something really big will happen.

“Hey, it’ll be okay, so don’t worry too much. I heard that guy Cedric is inside too.”

Jack patted my shoulder and comforted me.

I could feel his sincerity there, but I didn’t have the strength to respond.

‘if it goes like this… … .’

Can not help it.

Instead of Jack, I called Alexis, who was standing next to me with a nervous look on her face.

“Your Highness Alexis, please talk to me for a moment.”

“… What’s going on?”

***

After finishing my business with Alexis, I walked towards Urt again.

Urt recognized me and shook his head.

“… Wade Heblon, now that I think about it, you were close to Mary Bluenoa. I understand how you feel, but for now we have to wait. wait a moment. I’ll try my best.”

His expression was still hard, but I could tell from his tone that he was truly comforting me.

“Sorry.”

I apologized to Urt, who had a rare sad look in his eyes.

I truly feel sorry for him.

“I don’t think that will work.”

Because I don’t want to listen to that.

“Wade Heblon… ! no way… … !”

Urt seemed to sense something and tried to move his body.

But I was already prepared before handing over the apple.

“What… ?!”

Patrick’s voice, mixed with agitation, which is rarely seen, was heard.

When I took a quick look, I saw that he was casting magic in the meantime. It seemed like they also sensed my intention in this brief moment.

His skills were indeed at a level worthy of a professorship at the Academy, but it was too late.

I was already too far gone for them to deal with it.

“Hey! This crazy… … !”

With one last look at Jack, who was approaching with a shocked expression, but was blocked by Urt, and Alexis, who was looking at me with complicated eyes, I jumped into the dungeon.