Chapter 108: The exchange battle iii

Is it because the air within the dungeon is harmful to machinery? Or is it because magic and mechanical devices are incompatible?

That alone cannot explain why bullets are easily deflected by magical creatures that even swords cannot fend off.

Ah... there are rules like this here.

Regina clarified the dissonance that I had instinctively grasped yet couldn’t articulate.

It isn’t that most dungeons are environments where mechanical devices frequently malfunction

rather, they are subjected to a "principle that makes it difficult to conveniently utilize mechanical devices."

Regina was imparting to us the notion that dungeons are the embodiment of discipline.

"First- and second-year students, you must have experienced certain weapon groups being nerfed. Such restrictions become much more severe in high-ranking dungeons. That’s why the academy recommends basic cold weapons like swords, bows, and spears."

It seems there are fewer rules against such weapons.

They hold a steadfast presence, like a bowl of black rice soup. I couldn’t even see the struggle they faced.

If they were to be compared to guns, there should be occasions when knives are easily dislodged or broken, but that never happened.

This is evidence that swords are utilized as high-value weapons within dungeons.

"Through this exchange battle, I want to help you all develop the strength to survive in the realm of an external god that imposes all kinds of discipline."

Regina grinned.

"To be able to effortlessly navigate even slightly challenging situations."

Aria flinched.

"Ren, we might not be able to go on a date today."

"Why?"

"Now that I think about it, I’ve heard that Regina Dean’s classes are notoriously difficult, even among the third-year students... We might have to spend several days inside the dungeon."

...A shiver ran down my spine.

"From now on..."

Regina touched the gravitational wave.

An unimaginably violent air current erupted around her.

"Ah!"

"Ugh— ack!"

"You will all create a composite gravitational wave that each of you can dive into."

...Are we really going to make it?

"This is a true abnormal gravitational wave. To all the students at Veyron Academy."

*Kwajijijijik...!!*

I thought the very fabric of space had cracked.

In the indoor training ground, where up to thirty gravitational waves usually form, a single colossal wave appeared, dominating the surrounding space.

Just watching the rippling air currents was enough to leave me breathless.

[「**Crimson Eye**」 Activation]

[A-Class Dungeon]

[Number Zero: Artificial Data] [Rarity D] [Reward S] [Anomaly D]

[Interferer: Regina Dean]

[Maximum Participant Limit: None]

This is my first time encountering an A-class.

Moreover, there was no restriction on the number of participants.

Considering the low rarity and the minimal anomalies, it was evident that Regina had firm control over the dungeon’s irregularities.

What could possibly emerge from within? What dangers might we encounter?

"More eyes are upon you than usual. It’s an excellent opportunity to prove your worth. However, if you’re truly terrified and unable to proceed, you may withdraw.

Those who wish to leave should exit to the left, while the participating teams should gather to the right and register."

*Clap!*

Regina’s applause shifted the atmosphere.

"Let’s go! Move!"

The academy students began to bustle about.

’There are more withdrawals than I anticipated.’

I would have given up if my stats were still at level 5.

But now, I believe I am prepared.

"There were indeed many cameras."

"Aria, are you going?"

"Of course! Missing an event like an exchange battle led by Teacher Regina is a rare opportunity."

"What about Elle?"

"..."

Elle appeared to be frightened.

In all honesty, I cannot guarantee complete protection in an A-class dungeon.

Elle had to steel herself for what was to come.

"Honestly... I’m scared. I don’t want to do it."

"Elle, it’s okay! We’ll protect you. I’m here, and so is Ren."

"Aria, shh."

Aria clamped her mouth shut.

It was time to listen to Elle.

"Can’t we just avoid dungeons that are too dangerous? We could make money in safer places and be content with that. That’s what I think."

Elle and Aria had different personalities.

If there were a place more perilous but with incredible rewards,

Aria would already be at the entrance, waving her hand, waiting for me to join her. The epitome of a lovely dungeon wife!

However, Elle didn’t desire to take on such nightmarish risks.

She wasn’t a professional hunter; she was just a timid academy student.

There was also a future where she could give up being a hunter, become a mother, and protect her family.

There was nothing wrong with that path.

Even in a prestigious academy like this, there weren’t many people who worked as hard as Aria did.

Only a few would always run toward success, even if it meant putting their own lives in danger.

But even so

I’ve done all this for this very moment.

"But I know the reason why Ren spent so many precious coins to buy my stats... I understand their significance."

Yes, I know.

We only get to experience academy life once, and I want to share it with everyone.

I brought us together, knowing that a day like this would come.

"I... I’ll try to reach places I could never have reached without Ren’s guidance."

It feels truly wonderful.

I firmly grasped Elle’s hand.

This is why it’s never a waste to spend money on all of you.

They understood so well the reason for using those precious coins.

"Let’s go together, Elle."

"Okay!"

"Even if you can’t become a hunter and have to retire, I’ll take care of you."

Elle blushed from her cheeks to her ears.

"Is that a proposal?"

Aria tugged firmly on my sleeve.

The second girlfriend’s mouth twitched in response.

"Do I get nothing? Is it over when you two are together?"

"My dear princess, we have a date planned, so don’t worry."

Unable to contain herself, Aria’s lips curled into a smile.

She was clearly pleased.

"Doesn’t ’princess’ sound lovely? Do it some more."

"Let’s change the name of the masterpiece too how about ’Fleshlight Princess’ instead of ’Yukihime’?"

"So cute!"

See? Elle is cute, too.

"What are you trying to do to our Yukihime? No way!"

Aria hugged her sword and turned her back.

Fleshlight Princess sounds nice.

Anyway, our Fleshlight Squad...

We lined up to apply for participation in an A-class dungeon as a squad.

Cleo and Yuna were visible at the reception desk.

There were friends next to Yuna. Each one was someone I had seen before.

One had pink hair and large breasts and was a YouTuber. Was it Isolde?

She noticed us and bowed her head with her friend.

Was the other one Sarika?

She was a cute girl with brown hair that suited a ponytail well.

She saw me and greeted me with a 90-degree bow.

’So cute...’

I could feel the freshness and cuteness of a first-year student.

The most adorable ones were our younger sisters.

Cleo coldly turned her head as if questioning what she was looking at, but...

[Cleo]

Big Brother

[Cleo]

Come to me if you’re in danger. I’ll protect you, no matter what.

[Cleo]

You mustn’t get hurt, brother.

[Cleo]

(emoji of a muscular cat glaring with its arms crossed)

The messages seemed to be all about her older brother.

[Yuna]

We decided to start as a squad of three: me, Sarika, and Isolde. Brother.

[Ren Asahi]

I just made eye contact with your friends.

[Yuna]

Ah!

It seemed Yuna was chatting with her friends, and then she noticed us. Although the atmosphere made it difficult for first-year and second-year students to suddenly approach each other’s territory, it was possible to give a signal that we recognized each other from this distance.

"Oh! Who do we have here? The handsome Ren Asahi?"

Huh?

There was a student council member at the reception desk.

Had I seen her before?

When I was being utterly bested by the student council president, she made a big fuss about my looks.

"Evangeline?"

"Oh my, you remembered my name?"

Evangeline’s hair was a rich brown with elegant waves, reminiscent of a graceful aristocrat.

She was a gentle-looking woman with ample breasts.

Her chest rivaled the size of the student council president’s. Incredible.

"Go ahead and register your squad. Write down the squad name here and its members below."

With a soft whoosh, Evangeline placed her hand atop mine, which was resting on the sheet of paper.

So soft...

"Senior, I apologize, but why are you holding my hand?"

Aria guarded me from behind.

"Ah, you have a girlfriend? I’m sorry~~."

It was an awkward moment that left us with no choice but to laugh sheepishly.

No matter how brazen Ren might be, in a place with so many watchful gazes,

he couldn’t just blurt out things like, "If you’re interested, give me your number."

"Isn’t the president here?"

"The president went out for hero activities. We can’t let villains run amok on a day like today!"

"...I see."

The realization that I wouldn’t see Liliana left me feeling rather sullen.

"Oh dear. If you make that face, your girlfriend will feel hurt, you know?"

With a suppressed chuckle, I hastily composed my expression and firmly grasped Aria’s hand.

I shrugged it off.

"Guys, what should we name our squad?"

"Ren makes the decision. The leader is Ren."

Aria suddenly uttered something bizarre.

"You’re not doing it?"

"If you lack confidence, I’ll change it."

Having heard that, there was no way to back down now.