“When are you going to go back to the dungeon?”
“…Hn? Ah, it depends on how tired we are. And we need to talk about how far we are going too.”
We have quite a bit of money, because we completed Will’s quest. We already have enough money to release Sera, if the three of us pool our money together.
We’ve been thinking about ending it here. The twentieth floor’s boss room was dangerous.
The thirtieth is different, so we might be able to get through it, depending on how we fight.
We had trouble on the twentieth floor because the monsters accompanying the boss were tough, but the thirtieth floor doesn’t have that problem.
But instead, there are two boss level monsters.
Not to mention that we have to get through the twenty-fifth floor before we get there, meaning we have a long way ahead of us.
The twenty-fifth floor is an annoying one, where different monsters appear during the day and night. The real problem is that it means there’s no time when monsters become less active.
“I wanted to go with you to the twenty-fifth floor, but I have other plans.”
In ten days, several of the strongest parties in the academy are going to be exploring the twenty-seventh floor and below.
“Judging by how it went today, Light of Hope will probably go with you if you ask.”
They’re not complete strangers, have a nice balance, and didn’t argue with us or anything. Then again, that might be because we were with Leila.
“I’ll talk to the others about it. It’s not like we’re trying to set a new dungeon record or anything.”
If it was just about making money, the fifth or the tenth floor would do. But maybe there’s more exotic food on the twenty-fifth floor. We have to go and check.
We don’t know for sure because it’s hard to deliver food from the dungeon, other than monster meat, and it gets harder the further down you go. Maybe it’s because people end up eating it before they leave.
We talk about a lot of things while we eat. About the dungeon, magic, food, and more.
“Hey Leila, you’re adventurers, but you’re still students. Why do you put yourselves in danger and go to the lower floors like that?”
“Many reasons. Every party has their own objectives, but a lot of people want to be the first to get past the thirtieth floor. I should clarify that I’m talking about students.”
“Is there any special meaning in doing that while still in the academy?”
If it’s just a test of skill or something like that, there really isn’t any reason to go that far.
If so many people are trying to go further down, there has to be a good reason.
“There’s a reward, and it opens up more opportunities after graduation.”
The current record for people enrolled in the Magius magic academy is the twenty-ninth floor. That means reaching that floor comes with a lot of honor.
Some students who accomplished that ended up joining the chivalric order and magic army corps in the capital. Of course, there are also people who became adventurers and joined big clans, or became provisional teachers in the academy. Their future is wide open after they graduate.
And what if someone breaks the record? I don’t know for sure, but I can only imagine all their dreams are laid out in front of them. They might even get a job in the royal palace.
“So it’s that important?”
“It is. I’ve even heard of villages that were developed because of that. And there’s kind of a need for the academy to produce better students than the Fortuna magic institute.
Of course, that doesn’t mean students are pushed too hard. In fact, you need to pass tests given by the teachers to go to the lower floors.”
It’d be pretty bad if the teachers pushed them too hard and someone died.
“Doesn’t that mean us teaming with Light of Hope would be a problem?”
We’ve been to the dungeon with them, but from the teachers’ point of view, we’re complete strangers. Wouldn’t they be held responsible if something happened?
“That won’t be a problem. It’s normal for students to be with adventurers. Not to mention that your party is getting quite famous with a certain crowd.”
I hope she means famous in a good way.
“So if we talk and decide to team together, what should we do?”
“…Ask a receptionist in the academy to relay a message. Why not talk about it now?”
I figured it’d be better to have a calm discussion about that, but I guess I could ask how everyone feels about it at the moment.
So that’s what I do, and no one objects. They say if the other party is willing, we should go together.
It sounds like they’re worried about taking on a floor where monsters are active day and night with this few party members.
I can’t think of anyone else I know other than Fred and the others, and I’m pretty sure they’re currently preparing to face the boss on the twelfth floor.
“Then I will talk to them about it… Should we schedule it for, let’s say… Six days from now?”
“Yes, thank you.”
After Leila and her party leave, and Taliyah and the others are resting in their room, I gather everyone in the guest room.
I don’t tell them why, but I’m calling them here to show them the letter and ask what they think.
“What’s wrong Sora, calling us so late again?”
Asks Rurika like she’s speaking for everyone, so I hand the letter to her.
“It’s from Drett, a slaver I know. Tell me what you think.”
