Chapter 49: Rowene Dungeon(9)

Avalli had entered the Rowena Dungeon determined to avenge her teacher’s honor—

“Your hair is so dry and frizzy.”
“Do you even brush it? It feels like… Senior Evelyn’s pet dog.”
“When are you coming to the Magic Tower? You’re old enough to apply.”

—but being surrounded by a gaggle of teenage mage girls, including Sophia, was proving to be a different kind of challenge.

‘…This is… exhausting.’

She had initially tried to engage with their playful banter, but they wouldn’t stop. They giggled and stared at her with wide, expectant eyes, hanging onto her every word.

They weren’t being malicious. Even Avalli, despite her limited understanding of female social dynamics, could tell. But their relentless friendliness was even more difficult to handle.

“Your skin is so soft, like a baby’s.”
“How old are you, Avalli? Ten?”
“…I’m twelve.”
“Really? Only two years younger than me? You’re so cute!”
“Don’t… call me cute!”

Avalli snapped at Sophia, and the girls paused, momentarily surprised, then giggled again, poking her cheeks.

“So cute!”
“Adorable, Avalli.”
“What do you eat to be so tiny and precious?”

Avalli was aghast.

‘They’re not even listening!’

This one-sided conversation was unnerving. No matter what she said, they always brought it back to ‘cute’.

“H…Hans!”

She looked around for Hans, hoping for a rescue. But he was engrossed in a conversation with the other boys.

“Hans? Is that his name?”, “Do you like him? He’s pretty cute… not as cute as Senior Gish, though.”, “He’s pale, but good with a sword. I like him.”

The girls chirped like sparrows, their excitement increasing at the mention of the opposite s*x.

Avalli gave up trying to follow their disjointed conversation.

“Lucy, your student is popular.”
“…I hope she doesn’t cause any trouble.”
“Don’t worry. They’re good kids, despite appearances.”

Lucy frowned at Gish’s words.

‘Good kids?’ She still had nightmares about the bullying she endured on the fourth floor.

Just as Lucy was about to retort, Professor Pel, finished talking to Sedral, approached her.

“Lucy, is it true that you’re going to the lower levels?”
“Yes, Professor.”
“Is that wise? With just the four of you?”
“Three, actually. I’m just guiding them to the fourth floor, then I’ll be returning.”

Professor Pel considered Sedral’s words.

“Then I’ll accompany you.”
“Professor?”

Gish asked, surprised by the unexpected announcement.

“I need to investigate the situation on the lower levels. But I can’t bring my students.”
“…Isn’t Lucy your student too?”
“A former student, to be precise. You said you weren’t planning on returning to the Tower for a while, didn’t you, Lucy?”

Lucy nodded.

“…A change of heart.”
“Change is good. Whether it’s progress or regression, it’s better than stagnation.”

His tone was tinged with a strange sadness. Both Gish and Lucy sensed the underlying meaning but remained silent, waiting for him to continue.

“Exploring the lower levels is your decision, Lucy. I would normally stop you, since I’m responsible for my students’ safety, but… I see no reason to do so now.”
“That’s… not very reassuring.”

Gish, surprisingly, looked displeased at the Professor’s dismissive tone.

“You don’t care if she gets hurt?”
“Gish, that is what’s disrespectful to Lucy.”
“What? Disrespectful?”

Lucy, who had been listening absently, looked confused. Was Gish’s concern considered disrespectful?

“Anyway, Gish, take your students and return to the surface. If I don’t return in two days, report to Professor Zafar.”
“…Alright.”

Gish reluctantly agreed and stood up. While he instructed his students to prepare for their return, Professor Pel addressed Lucy.

“Have you examined your inner world lately?”
“No.”
“Change comes more often than you think, especially for young people. It wouldn’t hurt to take a look while you’re in the dungeon.”

Professor Pel handed her a few amulets.

“I’m glad I made extras. Take these. You’ll need them on the lower levels.”

“I already have one.”

Lucy held up her arm, showing him a well-crafted bracelet, imbued with protective magic as powerful as the Professor’s amulets.

“…Did you make that?”
“No. I’m terrible at Thaumaturgy. I bought it at a magic shop.”
“You bought it? That must have been expensive.”
“I’ve… come into some money lately. I came prepared.”
“Having money is good.”

Professor Pel sighed, a hint of wistfulness in his voice. Lucy, knowing he was always struggling with funding, shared his sentiment silently.

“What about your student… Avalli, was it?”
“Yes, Avalli.”
“I don’t see an amulet on her.”
“She’ll be fine. Avalli is… special.”
“Special?”

Professor Pel raised an eyebrow.

“Yes. You’ll see.”

Lucy spotted Avalli finally escaping the throng of giggling girls. Avalli, looking like she had just returned from a near-death experience, hurried over to Lucy.

“Good work, Avalli.”, “How did you survive those demons, Teacher?”, “…I don’t think our experiences were comparable.”, “Let’s go. I’m sick of them.” ,“Wait, I want to ask Avalli something before we leave.”

Lucy relayed Professor Pel’s suggestion to Avalli. He watched them, a strange feeling of unease settling over him.

‘…Lucy should be the leader.’

Sedral was just a hired guide. Hans was a novice swordsman. And Avalli was Lucy’s student.

Lucy was clearly the leader of their group. Yet, she was explaining the situation to Avalli in detail, as if seeking permission from a superior.

“…I’d prefer it if just the three of us went.”
“But if we handle everything ourselves, there will be no one to report back.”
“That’s true.”

After their cryptic exchange, Avalli looked up at Professor Pel and asked,

“Are you someone important at the Magic Tower, Professor?”
“…I wouldn’t say ‘important’, but I do have some influence.”
“What do you think of my teacher?”

It was almost an interrogation. He should have been offended, but somehow, Professor Pel felt like her attitude was… appropriate.

“Lucy is a hard worker. A diligent student. …Quite talented, by my standards.”
“See? I told you.”

Avalli beamed at the praise of her teacher.
“Let’s go, Teacher. The professor seems like a good person.”
“…That’s your criteria?”
“Of course!”

Professor Pel felt another wave of unease at their exchange. Lucy, noticing his reaction, said defensively,

“You’ll understand soon enough, Professor.”
“Understand what?”
“…You’ll see.”

Her cryptic reply triggered a primal sense of danger within him.

‘Why do I feel threatened?’

He lamented his dulling instincts yet again.

“Professor, we’ll head up now.” Gish, ready to lead his students back, approached Professor Pel.

“Take care, Gish.”, “…Be safe. And please, look after Lucy.”

Gish led his students back the way they had come.

“Let’s go!”

The group of four, now five with the addition of Professor Pel, began their descent into the dungeon.

And soon enough, Professor Pel realized that his instincts were, in fact, as sharp as ever.

During a brief skirmish just before they reached the fourth floor—

“…Lucy.”
“I told you she was special.”

Special. Was that all it took to explain… that?

“Teacher! Professor! All done here! Let’s move on!”
“Right behind you, Avalli! Coming, Professor?”

Lucy looked at the dumbfounded Professor Pel, and he saw it in her eyes.

Camaraderie.

He had just gained another colleague… a colleague who would soon learn something he wished he could unlearn.