◇

 

Several days later, on a Friday, the day Nagi goes to school.

I accompanied Nagi to her school. It’s an educational institution run by the country, which offers a continuous education system from junior high school to university.

I forgot the official name because it’s too long, but it’s commonly referred to as the “The School for the Awakened.”

Most countries have similar schools, but in Japan, only B-Rank and above Awakened can attend. A B-Rank is about one in a thousand. Even in this country with a population exceeding a hundred million, nearly 100,000 exist. The number of students might be in the tens of thousands, but it’s still massive enough to be called a mammoth school.

If I were a student, a school arc wouldn’t be out of place.

Everything here is free, from tuition to food. The education is top-notch because a single B-Rank or above Awakened can generate enormous wealth. It’s something like the dedicated hospital for clearers.

 

Kai: “It’s so big… and beautiful.”

 

Nagi: “It houses everything from junior high to university. I heard it’s even bigger than the land of dreams with the mouse.”

 

Technically it’s in Tokyo, but the campus is so vast it’s actually located in Chiba. Just like the “land of dreams with the mouse,” which is also in Chiba.

 

Nagi: “Tanaka-san seems to have spoken to the principal, so… the staff room should be this way!”

 

Kai: “I owe him for everything…”

 

Many graduates of this school tend to join Avalon. Even the combat training teachers are sometimes temporary clearers from Avalon. That’s why Tanaka-san is well-known here.

I probably have Tanaka-san to thank for Nagi’s enrollment since he began making arrangements after I mentioned it to him.

 

Kai: “Hey… isn’t that…”

Student 1: “Seriously, why is he here?”

Student 2: “Kai Amachi… The S-Rank that abandoned Japan.”

 

Kai: “It’s more like I was exiled, but…”

 

Students whisper and gossip about me. Joining the Battle God Guild, from an outsider’s perspective, looks like I abandoned Japan for a foreign power guild. Well, my qualifications in Japan were revoked, so I had no other choice.

Ignoring the whispers, we head to the staff room. In front of it stood a woman.

 

Midori: “Kai-kun!!”

 

Kai: “Midori-san!! Why are you here?!”

 

It’s Midori Tendo-san, Tanaka-san’s fiancée, and a B-Rank healing magician.

 

Midori: “I heard from Issei that Nagi-chan would be enrolling! Nice to meet you, Nagi-chan. I’m Midori Tendo, soon-to-be wife of Issei Tanaka.”

 

Midori-san, with her usual kind yet strong-willed career woman vibe, smiles warmly.

 

Midori: “I teach at this school. I’ve retired from dungeon clearing since that incident. Oh, and it wasn’t your fault, Kai-kun. I’m just not the age for such adventures anymore… I wonder why healing doesn’t work on wrinkles…”

 

Kai: “Better not touch the age topic…”

 

Midori: “So, I’ll drill Nagi-chan with my healing medical techniques! Leave it to me!”

 

Kai: “You’re in good hands, Nagi! Midori-san is strict but kind!”

 

Nagi: “Big brother, your Japanese sounds weird. But thank you, Midori-sensei!”

 

Midori: “I got this!”

 

Midori-san, smiling, pats Nagi’s head. She also has a nursing qualification. Perhaps learning medical techniques is the orthodox path for healers.

 

Midori: “Oh! Would you like to observe a class? It starts today, even though the official enrollment is next week.”

 

Nagi: “Is that okay? We don’t want to intrude…”

Midori: “It’s fine! Seriously! Today is a practical lesson!”

 

Kai: “So, Nagi, what do you want to do?”

Nagi: “Shall we try? Are you free, big brother?”

Kai: “I’ve got all the time for you, Nagi.”

Nagi: “Hehe, then… let’s go!”

 

With that, Midori-san takes us by force, and we get into a car. Today’s lesson is outdoors, but what exactly?

 

…

 

Kai: “Practical lesson… They’re using a real Cube. Moreover, a Cube I’ve fully cleared before.”

 

After a few minutes’ drive, we arrive at a location with about 40 students and what appears to be teachers leading the group. In front of us is a green Cube, a B-Rank dungeon.

And it’s one I’ve fully cleared in the past.

 

Kai (thinking): “If I recall… it was a palace-type. It felt like an artificial building.”

 

Midori: “Usually, it’s just 20 students in a class. However, one of the teachers suddenly couldn’t attend due to a collapsing dungeon, so it’s a combined session.”

 

Kai: “So, 40 students in total. It feels like a field trip.”

Midori: “Yes, it’s rare to see so many high-Ranked Awakened entering a Cube at once. Did you know? The average magical power of recent children upon awakening is said to be higher than before. B-Ranks used to be a rare breed…”

 

According to Midori-san, there are many recent cases where children exhibit significantly higher magical power upon their first awakening.

Today, there are 32 B-Ranks, including Nagi, and 8 A-Ranks. With 10 teachers (2 A-Ranks and 8 B-Ranks), the total number is 50.

With the formation one teacher for every four students. What you would call a ‘four-man cell’ formation and a teacher acting as a guardian.

Among them, there are about five healing magicians, including Nagi and Midori-san, mainly responsible for treating injuries.

It seems to be quite a rigorous school, holding training sessions that assume injuries will happen. But apparently, only students who are eager to participate do so. I wondered why their guardians didn’t object, but it turns out participants get to share the magic stones they acquire, making it a highly popular training session.

Even though injuries have occurred in the past, there have been no major incidents due to the presence of many veteran teachers.

Such benefits clearly show how much the country desires clearers. At present, Japan is barely holding back the collapse of Cubes all over.

 

Kai: “Alright, then I’ll just use Mirage to—”

 

Midori: “Kai-kun? That’s not a good idea. Especially with your current vulnerable position.”

 

Kai: “I figured…”

 

I thought I’d use Mirage to secretly participate and protect Nagi from the shadows, but that was obviously not possible. Already facing backlash and having my qualifications revoked, I can’t afford to cause more issues.

Those without a country’s clearer license cannot enter that country’s dungeon.

 

Nagi: “It’s okay, big brother! There are so many strong people here! Besides, you’re heading to China today, right? It’s almost time to leave.”

 

Nagi reassures me and nudges me forward.

 

Kai: “I was thinking of taking today off, but—”

 

Nagi: “Big brother! You need to let go of your little sister! Come on, let’s go! Hao-san is waiting for you, isn’t he?”

 

Kai: “Ah, Nagi. Is this your teenage phase? You won’t even take a bath with your big brother anymore.”

 

Nagi: “I already stopped doing that! Don’t say weird things! You have work, right? I’ll report back once I’m done.”

 

Kai: “Alright, alright, stop pushing.”

 

Feeling pushed by Nagi, I reluctantly decide to clear an A-Rank Cube in China as usual.

With this many people in a B-Rank dungeon, it might not be completely safe, but it should be fine. In fact, it’s a bit overkill. Is the country going all out?

However, all the students are junior high schoolers. There are a few A-Ranks, but most have limited combat experience. This might be just the right challenge for them.

 

Midori: “The expected clearing time is 2 hours. Today, we’ll go all the way to the boss battle.”

 

With this group, it seems they’ll challenge the dungeon boss. I feel bad for the boss facing 50 of them, but it can’t be helped.

I wonder if a dungeon has ever been cleared by such a large force before.

 

Kai: “Nagi, I’ll be going now…”

 

Nagi: “Yeah… I’m a bit nervous, but I’ll do my best!!”

 

This is Nagi’s first time in a dungeon. It reminds me of my first time; I was so nervous. The air inside a dungeon feels different, like the cold atmosphere of a certain theme park attraction.

Back then, with a magic power of 5, even a goblin could kill me. The constant realization of the presence of death, and the added tension of knowing that if Sato abandoned me, I’d surely die.

 

Midori: “Alright, everyone! Listen up! We’ll start the on-site training now! Absolutely refrain from acting on your own! It’s seriously dangerous!”

 

Under Midori-san’s command, the students start entering the Cube one by one. Nagi, who had been holding my hand, also heads into the Cube with determination.

 

Kai: “I need to let go of my little sister too…”

 

Watching her back, I wave at Nagi and activate Lightning.

 

…

 

Kai: “Good morning, Hao-san.”

 

Next, I teleport to the Battle God Guild headquarters in China, right beside Hao-san.

 

Hao: “Whoa! No matter how many times you do that, I can’t get used to it. Good morning, Kai-san.”

 

Kai: “I’ll be heading to an A-Rank Cube today! I’m in a bit of a hurry! I have plans later!”

 

◇ Meanwhile, Nagi ◇

 

Nagi: “So this is a Cube… It’s dark… and kind of scary.”

 

When Nagi enters, she finds herself in a dim, cave-like space.

 

Midori: “Alright, everyone, follow the training protocol! Let’s start with a roll call!”

 

There are various reactions among the 50 participants: some are scared during their first time in a dungeon, others boldly face the challenge, and some even yawn out of familiarity.

Still, this is a dungeon.

Any lapse in attention, and the dungeon won’t hesitate to consume even a child.

But there’s always a hidden element…

 

System Voice: 『 Participation limit of 49 exceeded… Calculating total magic power… Total magic power is 500,000, violation level 2. Preparing up to stage 2… Transitioning from B-Rank dungeon to EX dungeon 『Temple of Eternity』. 』

 

It suddenly appears when you least expect it.