CH 94

[There are many foreigners who seem to enjoy belittling others. Well, I don't really care what they say about me.]

Tenji casually brushed off the remarks and actions that could be seen as bullying. He closed his eyes and focused his mind, so as long as he didn't open his eyelids, there would be no problem. He could simply say he was concentrating if anyone questioned him.

If this weren't the safe Mallorca Island Republic, he might have already been subject to violence. However, this country is known for having some of the best public safety in the world. Moreover, Limey, a zero-grade explorer, is watching over him from nearby. There has never been a situation where someone would come and try to harm him.

[The five people who were on the bus first are still the same group that mind their own business. The eight people who boarded later, led by George from America, are the group that criticized me with words. ...Thinking about it, Pyne is really one of the good kids.]

Pyne, who was sitting in the seat behind him, had been quiet until earlier. But when she heard what George and the others were saying, she whispered to Tenji, "It's okay, I'm here.".

Pyne is considered one of the most outstanding students in this class. Perhaps it was because she was by Tenji's side that he hadn't been harmed until now.

Tenji muttered "thank you" in his heart and continued to focus his mind.

"Oh! Strictly on time, that's wonderful! Then let's head to the exam site!"

As Ms. Megan boarded the bus, all the students began to sit in the empty seats like a scattering of spiderlings.

And so the school bus departed.

The destination is the fountain square at the edge of town, from where they plan to teleport to the 15th level.

All the students already have permits to travel to at least the 18th level, so everyone can teleport to the 15th level, as it is part of the curriculum. As long as they don't slack off, they can all teleport. Apart from Tenji, the most outstanding students in the class who have permits to the some restricted levels are George from America and Pyne.

That level is 32, and they have reached depths five or six levels deeper than other students. That's the normal progress for students in Mallorca..

Others don't know how far Tenji has progressed in the dungeon. Except for Pyne, no one else has tried to find out. They don't care about a swordsman, and only Limey and Illonka can see the information about the levels they have reached, which is recorded in their devices.

They just don't know the real Tenji.

If they knew how far Tenji had reached, they might not be treating him this way.

It has been just over three months since Tenji arrived. He has personally reached the 67th level with his own ability and some help from Chigo. He has reached a place eight levels away from where Limey is continuing his exploration. However, the monster's level has clearly increased since the 65th level, and he has not been able to update his progress lately, so he has been wandering around the 62nd level.

Among the students on this bus, Tenji has by far reached the deepest level.

That fact implicitly shows the difference in their abilities.

"Hey, Tenji."

"Hmm? What's up, Pyne?"

At that moment, Pyne spoke to Tenji.

"Are you really okay? How far did you and Chigo reach? I'm worried." Pyne asked suddenly.

"I always say it's a secret, don't I? But I'm okay. I've not been trained by Chigo for nothing," Tenji replied.

"Yeah, but it's not easy to bridge the gap in rank," Pyne said, trailing off just as the school bus arrived at their destination, the fountain plaza.

And then, as if deliberately interrupting her, Ms. Megan shouted out in a loud voice, "Alright! As soon as you get off, teleport to the 15th level! We've arrived!"

She clapped her hands twice and urged the students to move. Immediately, the students stood up from their seats and grasped their weapon cases tightly as they got off the bus. Seeing this, Pyne looked at Tenji with a worried expression as she got off.

Finally, Tenji got off the bus last. Just then, someone tapped him on the shoulder.

"Are you okay, Tenji? From the perspective of a calm Japanese person, foreigners can be quite nasty, right?" Megan asked.

"No, it's not a problem at all. It's the same kind of thing in Japan," Tenji replied.

"I see, that's good then. But, well, don't worry about the test at all and do your best," Megan said.

"Yes, thank you very much, Ms. Megan."

Ms. Megan knew that Tenji wasn't really a swordsman. However, she had been told by President Limey not to pry any further, so she didn't talk to Tenji much. But today, she seemed genuinely concerned, which made Tenji a little happy.

Tenji got off the bus and stood on the platform in front of the fountain.

"To the 15th level."

"When they teleported inside the dungeon, there were five teachers and exactly fifteen third-year students waiting for them. And one more person, the secretary of the principal who wore a suit and glasses and didn't often appear in front of the students, named Illonka.

As the homeroom teacher Megan arrived last, Illonka adjusted her glasses with a "click".

"Now, let's begin the practical exam for class 1-A's first semester. I believe you have already received an explanation from Ms. Megan, so I will be brief--"

There were students who saw Illonka for the first time. Some were surprised by her cold expression, which leaked out a sadistic vibe, and her breathtaking beauty.

Illonka was originally from Croatia and was now a 28-year-old woman with Spanish nationality living in Mallorca.

"You will now move to the starting point of the field with the third-year students. Please be aware that we will be blindfolding you during the journey. The monsters along the way will be taken care of by us, so please don't worry."

Blindfolding inside a dungeon was a test that could only be done in Mallorca. In other countries, it was impossible due to ethical concerns and backlash from the public.

"From there, you will proceed alone towards this location. Please handle the monsters along the way by yourself. We will mainly score you based on the time and rank you reach here, as well as the level and number of monsters defeated. We cannot answer any other scoring criteria."

Everyone nodded powerfully in response to the known scoring criteria.

"We have many teachers stationed around the area, but we will not assist you unless you are in a situation where you could die."

This phrase was in high demand. In other words, they were saying that they would turn a blind eye to anything that did not lead to a student's death.

Obstruction, cooperation, betrayal, anything goes in this survival test.

The students swallowed hard at the harsh reality that was casually presented.

[As expected of Mallorca Escuela. A test that truly reflects a real dungeon, a dangerous act that could never be done in Japan.]

This is all to make the students understand a real dungeon. The enemies in the dungeon are not just monsters. There are also exploration experts called Black Explorers who make a living by killing other explorers. It is also common for other explorers who were in the same party to betray each other. Nevertheless, explorers must stand up and face these challenges. They must deny everything and accept everything. This test was perfect for learning the entrance to becoming an explorer. That is why the eyes of everyone here are filled with a fiery fighting spirit.

"The time limit is two hours. If you are unable to reach the goal by then, you will receive a corresponding negative score, so please be careful. We will not accept any questions. Now, third-year students, please take care of the first-year students."

Thus began the practical exam for the first semester of the Mallorca Escuela.

"Good morning, Tenji. Before we go... please put on this blindfold."

A familiar young man, Kuroi Fuyuki, appeared before Tenji.

Fuyuki handed Tenji special goggles with lenses painted completely black.

Tenji realized that this was a blindfold and put it on without any questions.

With his vision completely blacked out, Fuyuki gently took Tenji's hand.

"Well then, shall we go? Be careful of your footing... or do you want me to carry you like a piggy ride?"

"Hahaha, no thanks, I don't want to be carried."

"Oh, really? Everyone else is being carried... there's even someone being carried like a princess."

"What? Who is it?"

"Are you sure you want to know? Walking blindfolded, you might trip and fall... you might even end up covered in mud by the time the exam starts, you know?"

"Um... okay then, please carry me."

Though he felt embarrassed, Tenji climbed onto Fuyuki's back.

Feeling a bit strange, they headed towards the starting point.

"Being carried like a princess... who could it be?"

Tenji couldn't help but wonder who the person being carried like a princess was, in this situation.