"Okay, now we'll start the field training. Everyone, get ready!"
In front of a certain dungeon within the school grounds, the students of Class D had their weapons at the ready.
"Now, let's have each group enter in order."
I was part of a party of five, making a total of ten parties that entered the dungeon in staggered intervals.
We were the last party to enter.
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In this world, there is something called magic practical training in the lessons.
Let's stop with the nitpicking.
Why are you playing house like this when you're neither a soldier nor an adventurer?
We stopped nitpicking like that.
This world is abnormal.
Today's mission was to dive into the beginner's dungeon of the school, hunt monsters, and collect dropped items, as well as bring back the items the teacher had prepared for us.
I worked hard day and night to play the role of a mob and achieved the lowest score in practical training.
Competing to achieve the worst score after me was Ayaka, for some reason.
A dead heat battle was quietly unfolding between Ayaka and me as we aimed for the worst mob.
It was a trashy competition between mob professionals.
On the other hand, Maria and Claire always scored the highest in this class.
"Ugh, I'm terrible at magic. I hope I don't self-destruct this time."
I muttered to Ayaka.
"Yeah, I'm the same. I just got lucky once last time."
Ayaka and I were both wooden in our delivery.
(This guy is definitely doing it on purpose!)
Ayaka and I locked eyes.
It felt like sparks were flying.
It's irritating.
This time, too, I will achieve the lowest score.
I can't give up my position as a trash mob character.
Last time, my magic went out of control and caused a self-destruct sequence.
Ayaka pretended to succeed after her failed attempt.
"You did it!"
Maria, the central figure in this class, interrupted the exchange between Ayaka and me, both of whom were underachievers with borderline grades.
"What's wrong?" I put on a gentle smile as much as possible.
"Amachi-san and Ayaka-san... are close, right?" Maria emphasized "close" with a slight glare.
"Maybe...yeah." Ayaka was expressionless. She had gone through a lot, but she was someone you could understand if you talked to her.
"Well, we haven't invited her to the party yet."
"That's true."
Lower-performing students were paired with higher-performing students to balance out the party. Our party was made up of me, Maria, Ayaka, Claire, and Nikubu.
"Damn it! What's going on?" That teacher is pretty sharp. I feel terrible.
If I slip up in front of Maria, I'm done for.
"Why doesn't Amachi-san take it seriously?" Maria asked with a smile.
"Huh?" That was all I could say. When caught off guard, humans can only say "huh?"
"It's fine, forget about it...hiding your abilities...sigh..." She breathed a deep sigh and looked like she had finally come to terms with something.
"Ah..." That was all I could say. Does she know?
No, there's no way!
I'm playing the perfect weakling who can only use minor levitation magic.
So why...?
"I really don't know how Amachi managed to get into this school. In a way, he's lying about his abilities," Nikubu said, putting his arm around my shoulder and smirking.
"Please leave it to me. I will protect everyone's safety," declared Claire confidently.
Then, the three boys from another team who were waiting in front of them said, "The liberator can't do anything. No, it's fine. Just carry the luggage and be a burden. Losing your existence is a loss to humanity."
"That's right. You're our spiritual pillar. Your existence is a bright light. Like moonlight shining in the dark night. That's you," they continued.
"When people are saved, rewarded, forgiven, it's because of you. You taught us that. Leave it to me," they added.
"Amachi is just a small fry, so he can hide behind Maria and Claire. Don't die! Liberator," they advised.
"Okay," Amachi responded.
The boys seemed to trust only him, and they all patted him on the shoulder.
"After that creepy speech, things have become strange," Ayaka said as she stood beside him and adjusted her glasses.
"Why?" Amachi wondered. Had he done something wrong? He had just solved a math problem. Give him a break. He was just showing off his knowledge.
"What charisma! We need to do something soon. Otherwise, the party will be...full," Maria muttered in amazement, furrowing her brows.
Amachi pretended not to hear her. He did not want to be scared of her. Her pen was crushed, shattered into pieces. She had broken it with so much force. She had not even broken it in half, but tore it from the end. He wondered what kind of grip she had.
Maria was strangely tense, shaking her legs rapidly.
"Don't be irritated. You're scaring me," he thought.
As they all felt the tension rise, the boys ahead of them said,
"It's our turn soon. We'll go Amachi, we wish you luck."
"We'll cut a path for you. Don't worry about the way," they added.
"We will defend your head at all costs. If you die in battle, this class will fall apart," they vowed.
"At least...don't forget me. See you later," they said, giving a thumbs up and showing their white teeth.
They looked like soldiers going to war.
Their team entered the dungeon ahead.
After seeing them off,
"A bird of a feather flock together...I guess weirdos gather with weirdos. This class is filled with trash people. It was a learning experience." Ayaka had a particularly sharp opinion.
"My bad." I also don't understand how we ended up like this. I admit that I'm weird, but saying we're trash people is going too far. She has a point, though.
"No problem. Instead of that, it's about time we start taking this seriously, Amachi-kun." Maria's deep crimson eyes glinted behind her glasses.
"What are you talking about?" I played dumb.
"It's your fault. You're the one with chuunibyou."
A loud clap interrupted between Ayaka and me.
"Enough with the nonsense. Let's start preparing. Ayaka-san, Amachi-san." Maria cut in, displeased with our conversation.
"Yeah, you're right." I could only force a strained smile.
"Indeed."
"Now then, everyone. Let's begin the strategy meeting." Maria opened the map of the dungeon and began to discuss the plan with everyone.
This is an entry-level dungeon with the difficulty equivalent to Class 1. The route branches out and becomes more complicated, but only weak monsters appear. In consideration of the teachers, disposable items, called "Space Formation Engraved Stones," are loaned to all members to be able to withdraw from the front line at any time in case of emergency.
"Space Formation Engraved Stones..." I swallowed hard, holding the magic stone. It was a high-priced item I used to hunt Metal Perippers.
I could make a fortune with just this. Let's pretend to use it and sell it off. Yeah, that's what I'll do.
While I was absentmindedly thinking about such things, Maria, who is essentially the leader of this team, made that announcement.
"We will proceed with the strategy of...".
"Understood~", Claire replied in a soft voice, seemingly satisfied.
"Roger that," Nikubu saluted Maria.
"...I understand," Ayaka nodded, with a face that I couldn't quite read.
"O-Okay," I said, feeling a little panicked.
I hadn't heard anything. My hearing impairment skill had kicked in at the worst possible moment. It's tough being a competent man.
"Alright, then it's our team's turn last. Let's go!" Maria glanced at me once, nodded, and said.
"??? What?" I wondered, confused by her signal.
And so, our impromptu party began practical training in the dungeon.