The Mysterious Child: An Adventure Tale Beginning with Numerology

The second dungeon lesson had arrived.

This time, it was an overnight stay in the dungeon, so everyone was carrying luggage.

Among them, the students from the Knight School were all carrying enormous backpacks. The sight of knight apprentices carrying bulging hemp sacks was quite surreal.

For now, we had come to the 10th floor using the transfer device, so I asked a question before starting the lesson.

"Um, why do the Knight School students have such large luggage?"

"Yes! As soldiers, we must be prepared for any situation!"

The one who answered with a straight back was the oldest student.

If I remember correctly, his name was Kurujiddo. Apparently, he had reached graduation age last year but re-enrolled as an apprentice to the spear instructor. Like Margaria, he's an adult student who used the re-enrollment system—something like a graduate student.

Thanks to that, his spear handling is exceptionally skilled. Also, he has a loud voice.

"Any situation, you say. Kurujiddo-san, what kind of situations are you anticipating?"

"Yes! Injuries from monsters, status abnormalities from traps, securing lifelines in case of getting lost, dealing with troubles with other adventurers, and so on!"

"I see. So that's why you brought everything. Is that big one a magical device to repel monsters?"

"That's right!"

"I see. I understand now."

"Teacher! Did we make any mistakes?"

"Well... if you had calculated the burden of carrying that amount of luggage while walking continuously in your assumptions, it would have been even better."

"...Ah!"

If the luggage is too heavy, you'll quickly become exhausted.

That's why adventurers enter dungeons with minimal equipment. They carry as many potions as they can, but they use magic to substitute for water sources and avoid troubles with manpower, making it a rule to travel light.

Preparation isn't just about preparing many items. It's also important to select what to bring.

"So, let's all reorganize our luggage. Keep only the potion-related items and try to make it as light as possible. If you think something is unnecessary, we'll keep it here for you, so please don't hesitate to say so."

The Knight School students have particularly large amounts of luggage, but the Magic Academy students are also carrying too much. Especially, they've brought food, which I instructed them is unnecessary.

Basically, meals in the dungeon are procured on-site. However, salt and black bread are necessary. Also, solid fuel.

"Still, the girls from the Ladies' Academy are as exemplary as ever," Tanya remarked admiringly.

True to her words, the Ladies' Academy girls had an appropriate amount of luggage. Well, most of them seem to have experience entering dungeons at least once, and their average level is over 20, so they're probably used to it. Come to think of it, it's strange that the young ladies from the Ladies' Academy are the most accustomed... well, never mind.

After instructing about the luggage and everyone becoming light, we finally proceeded to the 11th floor.

By the way, the dungeon boss on the 10th floor was the regular boss, Gray Boar. Compared to the Catoblepas that Savey defeated before, it was cute, so I left it to Princess Mamared, who instantly killed it.

In the first room of the 11th floor, I turned around once to look at everyone's faces.

"From here, we'll advance through the 11th floor, but this time I'll divide you into five parties to conquer it. Until the 12th floor, there are marked routes, so it's basically like a single path. You won't need to do mapping, and each party will take turns leading. We teachers will basically not intervene, so the leading party will deal with monsters and traps."

Saying this, the Magic Academy kids started to stir.

"There shouldn't be any monsters or traps that cause instant death, but please be careful. The following parties, please observe well and think about how you would act while following. However, please refrain from interfering with other parties."

"Teacher, how will the parties be organized?"

"I've decided that. We've mixed experienced and inexperienced members, so please teach each other about usable magic and weapons and cooperate as you advance. Here's the party composition. By the way, I've also designated the leaders."

I distributed papers to everyone.

There are no absentees, so it's five teams of six people each.

The leaders are Savey, Lilith, Margaria, Kurujiddo, and another Knight School student. I've placed other students under their command.

Especially Margaria, who has a level equivalent to a B-rank adventurer, could probably handle up to the 40th floor alone. I intend to have her act as support.

"Then, first is Savey-san's party. Please."

"...Hmph!"

Saying that, Savey glared at me before turning away.

I feel like I'm disliked, but I don't know why.

Since Savey had easily cleared the 11th floor before, I entrusted him to set an example first. As expected, he quickly detected and neutralized or avoided traps, and efficiently eliminated monsters.

With Mamared explaining about monsters behind us, the other students don't get bored. Rather, even I learn niche information I didn't know. As expected of a monster-obsessed researcher.

We reached the exit in about an hour, so it's time to switch.

"Now, for the 12th floor, Lilith-san's party, please."

"Understood, teacher."

Lilith stepped forward with a bright smile.

She seems to be in a very good mood today.

The monsters on the 12th floor are mostly unchanged, centered around E-rank. Lilith seems to have abundant knowledge, not just relying on brute force but properly targeting weaknesses to defeat them.

Also, she's changing positions to allow all party members to fight in a balanced way. Having participated and leveled up last time, she's moving like an experienced person.

By the way, there's a boss at the end of the 12th floor.

Multiple Gray Wolves, slightly increasing the difficulty from before. This marks the end of the beginner-friendly floors. Beyond this, the floors suddenly become wider and monsters are mainly D-rank, so it's not recommended for novice adventurers. The route guidance also disappears, and mapping becomes necessary.

In any case, the first-time dungeon kids were intimidated by the Gray Wolves, but Lilith gave precise instructions to surround them and repeatedly attack with magic.

There were still level 1 kids in the party, but she skillfully guided the Gray Wolves so that all attacks were received by Lilith and another experienced person.

Unlike Savey's group who used brute force, this was a more technical approach. There's no correct answer to fighting methods, so unless it's terribly bad, I don't intend to say anything about tactics. Adventurer parties are about coordinating in the way each leader thinks best.

"We've cleared it! Ruruk-sensei, how was it?"

"It was very stable. Well done."

"Teehee."

Lilith came close, looking shy.

I had to resist the urge to pat her head.

"Now for the next floor, please proceed with Margaria-denka's party until further instructions. Please also decide on a mapping person."

"Understood. Everyone, please work with me."

"""""Yes!"""""

With her charisma, Margaria's party formed an unwavering formation like a master and servants.

From here on is the true labyrinth, so we'll move while creating a map. The speed will slow down, and inevitably, the number of monster encounters will increase.

So, I planned to have Margaria, who has the highest level, set an example. Margaria seemed to understand this intention and delegated mapping and enemy detection to her compan... I mean, teammates, while she gave instructions from the rear. She truly has the dignity of a leader in both name and reality.

"Charisma, huh."

It's an enviable talent. Perfect for a leader.

I don't have any charisma, I'm just the leader because of long experience, and Saaya is the smartest. But Saaya is still inexperienced as an adventurer.

The one with the most charisma or presence is Seori, the strongest species, but she's useless so that's out of the question.

Elen, who has leader-like adaptability and quick wit, is too quiet to be suitable for giving instructions.

Nagi is inherently a vanguard, so it's impossible for her to take on a leader role due to her position.

If there was someone with charisma like Margaria, smart, and with balanced abilities, our party battles would be much easier.

As I was thinking about this, I suddenly realized.

Since Elen alone is enough for battles, we don't really need charisma or anything.

"Ruruk-sama, are you not present in mind?"

"Ah, sorry. I was just so impressed by how reliable Margaria-denka is that I lost focus. Mamared-sama, you must be proud to have such a reliable sister, right?"

"No, Margaria is still far from perfect. She's too wasteful when finishing off monsters. I've told her countless times that cutting perpendicular to muscle fibers increases resistance, but she still doesn't understand. And even if the targeted materials don't drop, where's the need to damage organs? It's clearly visible that she's indulging in the dungeon system. If this were outside, it would be the same as carelessly damaging research materials. Really, at this rate—"

Here we go again.

I let Mamared's complaints flow from one ear to the other while observing the students' dungeon conquest.

By the time we reached the 16th floor, it was already night in terms of time.

After each party had taken two turns, we arrived at the first room of the 16th floor, which was our planned lodging. The students, who had used far more stamina and concentration than last time, collapsed into sitting positions. Even the Knight School students with high basic physical strength were exhausted.

Only Lilith, Savey, and Margaria still looked relaxed.

"Now, let's have dinner. Since we're eating inside the dungeon, please eat freely. If there's no one in your party who can cook, I'll do it for you this time, so please let me know."

Since lunch was something that could be eaten on the go, everyone seemed to be starving.

With energy that seemed to blow away even their fatigue, they took out the monster meat they had obtained so far and started discussing.

Fire magic is necessary for cooking, so I've included someone with that aptitude in each party. The same goes for water magic, which is vital.

What was unexpected here was that the cook in each party was a Knight School student.

I thought for sure that the Ladies' Academy students would do the cooking, but apparently, they don't learn cooking at the Ladies' Academy. Come to think of it, nobles have servants cook for them, so it's not the role of noble young ladies.

I remember hearing long ago that there was a custom where noble children only cook for their fiancés.

"Wow, Ruruk-kun's bento is so cute!"

"Isn't it? It's my pride and joy, a loving wife's bento."

"...A loving wife's bento? Ruruk-kun, are you married?"

"My familiar Punisuke made it for me."

"Oh, that talking slime child. I didn't know it could cook too~"

"It's actually on par with court chefs. But if you think about it capturing my stomach, Punisuke might indeed be the most suitable marriage partner for me."

"...Ah, haha. W-well, adventurers are free after all..."

Huh? Tanya seems taken aback. Why?

As I was savoring my loving slime bento instead of a loving wife's bento, it seemed the students had finished cooking as well. They were exclaiming things like "Delicious!", "The effort was worth it!", "So this is the taste of monsters we defeated ourselves...", expressing their emotions.

A while after we teachers finished eating our brought bentos, all the students finished their meals as well.

Everyone seemed to be full and chatting happily. Smiles were constant.

"Ruruk-sensei"

As I was resisting the urge to drink after-meal tea in front of the students, Lilith approached. Margaria was behind her.

"Oh, Lilith-san and Margaria-denka. Good work today. What can I do for you?"

"Thank you. Are we sleeping here today?"

"That's the plan. I intend to include a short lecture from Mamared-sama."

"Then, before that, may I make a request?"

I wonder what it could be.

There shouldn't be any personal matters between a teacher and student, but with Margaria behind her, it doesn't seem like a private conversation between siblings either.

"Sure. Shall we move over there?"

"No need. It's a request from Margaria-sama."

"Is that so? Your Highness, did you have something you needed from me?"

"Yes, teacher. I would like to request a sparring match with you."

"...A sparring match?"

The Fifth Princess Margaria. Also known as the Princess Knight.

It seems the rumors that she, like other knights, pursues strength are not entirely false.

"I'm still inexperienced, but I would like to make this impolite request. I would very much like you to train me."

"Well... I can do a light sparring session, but I'm a mystic arts user, so I'm not sure if it will be much of a training for you? I'm not very proficient with knight swordsmanship."

"That's fine. Rather, that's exactly why I want to spar with you."

Margaria gazed at me with straightforward eyes.

Well, some light exercise after a meal is actually welcome. Besides, I haven't moved much today, so I wanted to move a bit.

"Alright. Shall we do it over there?"

"I'm grateful."

So, Margaria and I moved to a place away from everyone else and faced each other.

I had Margaria use her usual equipment.

"...Is it alright for you to be bare-handed, teacher?"

"Yes. If I used a weapon with my status, it might cause fatal injuries in case of an accident."

"I see. As expected of the rumored Ruruk-sama."

"Your Highness, please don't hold back and come at me with full force."

"Of course. I'm well aware that someone like me is no match for you."

Margaria smiled and took her sword stance.

It's the basic middle stance. It was a stance Verugana was also good at.

Just as Margaria's aura sharpened, Lilith quietly said one word.

"Begin."

"Hah!"

Margaria stepped in straight, thrusting at the shortest distance.

It's a good speed without hesitation. I think the technique was called sword-spear. It's the first move of a continuous attack that starts with consecutive thrusts, then a downward slash, followed by a reverse diagonal slash in the evasion direction.

If you let them take the initiative, it's quite difficult to defend against. I remember only getting beaten up by Verugana in the past, but compared to that sadistic old woman, this seems gentle.

I lightly avoided the thrust and kicked low before the downward slash came.

"Ugh!"

The key to the continuous attack from the sword-spear is the front foot, so disrupting it creates a big opening.

Margaria hurriedly tried to regain her posture, but it was too late.

I approached Margaria at almost zero distance and lightly tapped her chin with my fist.

"That's enough!"

"...I concede."

It was over in an instant.

Since this is just a sparring match, there's no need for unnecessary prolonging.

I'll give some advice as well.

"You put too much weight on your front foot. That makes your attacks predictable. You had a versatile middle stance, but there was a lot of waste in your weight shifting as you moved your feet."

"Weight shifting... Are you also knowledgeable about swords, teacher?"

"I'm not particularly knowledgeable about swords, but I have a companion who's versatile in all martial arts. I often receive guidance from her."

After all, even though Nagi's status is only about a third of mine, I've never been able to beat her in hand-to-hand combat.

My goal is to someday throw that martial arts cheat tanned loli.

"Your Highness has a stable upper body, so it would be better to lower your center of gravity a bit more when moving."

"Lower my center of gravity more?"

"Yes. Probably in knight swordsmanship, that position is ideal for the middle stance, but... um, well, Margaria-denka's center of gravity is higher than other knights..."

It was a bit difficult to say, but I tried to convey it clearly.

After all, her twin peaks are violently prominent.

To begin with, most knights are men, so knight swordsmanship itself doesn't anticipate a body type like Margaria's. When the body type changes, the muscles used and the center of gravity also change.

"I see! I understand!"

Phew. I'm glad it wasn't taken as sexual harassment.

I told her to focus on training her lower body and explained which muscles are interconnected and how. Of course, all of this is just me repeating what Nagi taught me.

As I was giving advice like this,

"Ruruk-sensei! I would also like to request your guidance!"

Kurujiddo approached with a spear in hand.

Before I knew it, all the Knight School students were lined up. It looked like a queue in front of a ramen shop.

I smiled wryly and said,

"Alright. But only once per person."

And so, I sparred with all the Knight School students and gave as much advice as I could think of.

However, I also told them not to break their favorite stance. If their form collapses, it would throw off their balance and make things worse.

As I was observing the Knight School students, I noticed that the other students were also watching with interest.

Of course, the Magic Academy and Ladies' Academy students were unrelated to the basics of martial arts... or so I thought.

"Hey, spar with me too."

The last to come was Savey, looking displeased.

Come to think of it, his confident attitude had disappeared, and he had been quiet all day.

"I don't mind, but I can't use magic, so I won't have any advice or anything to offer, you know?"

"Who said I wanted advice? I said I want to spar with you."

"I see."

I sensed a burning fighting spirit hidden within Savey's irritation.

He's a boy after all. Seeing the Knight School students trying to get stronger must have made him want to test his own skills.

"Alright. Then, please come at me with all you've got."

"...Don't regret it."

As a precaution, I asked Mamared and Tanya to move the students near the entrance.

Although Savey's level is low, his magic proficiency is quite high. He's a skilled magician who can defeat C-rank monsters with beginner magic. If he were to use advanced magic, it could affect this entire room.

Savey and I faced each other at a distance.

Just as I was thinking how it was like a duel, it happened.

Savey chanted a spell as if spitting out hatred.

"Abyss, melt everything — 'Acid Ballad'!"

It was the dark magic that once stole my heart.