New Party

"I think this is good enough. If we just remember all that we have discussed, we should be able to clear a lot of the dungeon."

Me and Akane's heads were currently planted face down on the table, while Lindsey was still full of energy. On our side, Suzuka was looking on her DAD, probably checking out something on the internet, looking completely uninterested in our strategic meeting.

As Lindsey concluded our discussion, both my and Akane's heads rose from the table and we simultaneously cheered, "Finally!"

Our heads turned toward each other as it appeared that Akane had forgotten that she was incredibly afraid of me for a second, but as soon as she saw my face, she shrank back once more.

Though it had to be said, in the latter parts of our meeting, she had gotten slightly more comfortable with me, as proved by the fact that she had interjected with a couple of words here and there. The keyword here was "slightly more comfortable", as she still looked like she wanted to run away as fast as possible.

Gathering the papers that were spread around the table, Lindsey had another proposal for us.

"As party members need to be used to each other's presence, I think we should grab a meal before we go back to the academy."

It was a reasonable suggestion, and it held some clear logic behind it, but it still felt incredibly unreasonable in this situation.

I personally didn't have a problem with it, but it felt like it was way too harsh to demand something like that from Akane. However, to my surprise, the blue-haired girl took a deep breath and said, "Okay. Let's get something to eat."

She had gathered her courage for the greater good, most likely also thinking that Lindsey's suggestion was a good thing.

Or maybe it was the fact that she had managed to down 4 glasses of white wine during our meeting...

"Are you sure, Akane? You don't have to do this if you don't want to. There's no need to force yourself."

Suzuka had intervened, trying to make sure that Akane knew that no one would force her to eat with us. However, the girl's eyes had some serious determination inside of them as she dismissed her sister, "I can do this, Suzuka... No, I have to do this!"

I didn't know why they were talking as if she was just about to go to war in order to defeat a demon king or something, but it felt pretty bad knowing that the imaginary demon king in this case was me.

'I'm sitting right here you know...?'

"Then it's settled. I think that the food here is pretty good, so what about staying here for a meal?"

And so, we shared an incredibly uncomfortable meal together.

****

The whole class of 1-A was standing in front of three portals in the dungeon facility, all three being 3-star dungeons with our teacher in between.

I had just gotten an explanation as to how these artificial dungeons truly worked. It wasn't that there were permanent entrances open all the time, it was that the academy could choose a specific dungeon and open a way in through the use of some advanced mumbo-jumbo that I didn't understand.

"Everyone seems to be present. Then, I will start with a brief explanation of each dungeon and which group will challenge it."

Group 1, our group, was going to dive into a mine filled with kobolds, most easily explained as rat people. These monsters were most often warriors, but there were some archers and shamans as well.

Group 2 had been designated a swam dungeon, filled with slimes and snakes. This was the one dungeon I truly didn't want to enter, because of two main reasons. Firstly, the swamp would most likely reduce my mobility by a lot, making it hard to fight efficiently. Secondly, and most importantly, I didn't want to get covered in goo.

The thought of having to wade through mud and slice slimes that might explode in my face was enough to send a shiver down my spine.

Group 3 would be going to a forest dungeon where there were not only dire wolves but there were monsters similar to all kinds of animals. Bears, wolves, deers, etc. This would likely be the most similar experience to our excursion.

"Before this month is over, you will all have had the chance to enter all of these dungeons once, meaning you will rotate between them."

I felt my heart ache a bit at his words. That meant that I would inevitably have to go into the swamp as well. 'I wonder if I can call in sick...?'

Without minding my stupid thoughts, Mike continued with our lesson, finally preparing us to dive in.

"Now, get ready. You will all go in at the same time, and do remember that there will be no teachers coming with you this time."

Before, there had always been an accompanying teacher, most of the times Mike himself, but this time we were on our own, which meant that our safety was also reliant on our own capabilities.

And so, we all went into our designated portals, holding each other's hands to make sure we didn't lose anyone.

After a second of space and time warping around us, we arrived in a relatively large cave. The only light that was present was the glow from candles mounted on the walls.

Even though my stomach was churning a bit, I grit my teeth and stood strong. In contrast to me, Lindsey and Akane appeared to be completely fine, most likely a result of having done a number of dives while I was held hostage by Basilisk.

It didn't take long for Lindsey to take the lead, walking forward at a steady pace, every now and then putting her hand on the floor to check for patrols.

This was our solution to the issue of having no scout, and although this was the best way we could get around it, it wasn't a very good solution. Mainly because we didn't have anyone to go in by themselves and check the situation before we advanced. Instead, this was a makeshift solution that would only prepare us for fights, without having the option to avoid them by taking another path or knowing if there were any outliers amongst our enemies.

After just a couple of minutes of walking, Lindsey opened her mouth and held up three fingers, meaning we would soon make contact with three kobolds.

As we didn't know what the composition of our enemies was, we had to try our best to quickly assess the situation while simultaneously going into battle.

Three kobolds appeared behind a corner, all three holding pickaxes, showing that they were warrior types, albeit of the weaker kind.

*Kryaaa!*

As soon as they saw us, they started letting out shrill sounds and charged forward.

Lindsey brought out her rapier and mimicked their charge, while Akane started to send bubbles of water forward that exploded on impact.

As for me, I just stood still and waited for an opportunity, carefully looking at the three kobolds that were struggling to handle the combination of Lindsey in the front supported by long-range attacks.

*Ting, Clank!*

The knightess of ice was incredibly skilled with her swordsmanship, almost looking like she was dancing as she continuously parried the pickaxes and ripped the skin of her enemies with her weapon.

It was quite mesmerizing, looking at the silver-haired girl, dressed in light metal armor playing with the hideous rats.

And then it came. One of the rats got hit by one of the bubbles that Akane had shot, making it stagger a bit backward.

*Crrzt!*

Without any hesitation, I blinked forward with a [Lightning Step] and lunged Khanda into its neck, the big brother already fully infused with lightning.

*Akryaaa!, Spurrt!.*

It screamed a bit before falling to the ground with a *Thud*, but as it did, I quickly took a couple of steps back to make sure I didn't get attacked by any of the other two rats. Fortunately, they had their hands full trying to bring down Lindsey, thus not having the time to care about me.

"[Double Strike]!"

With two swift slashes, she claimed the life of the second rat, its torso cut open in the shape of an X. The lest rat tried to run when it saw its comrades fall, but Akane managed to land a bubble in the back of its head, making it tumble to the ground.

Before it could get up again, I dashed to it and once again lunged my lightning-infused Khanda in another one's neck.

"Good job. Now, let's try and get as much loot as we can from them."

This had been our first battle as a party, and we had come out with an overwhelming victory.