Chapter 22: Extracurricular Lesson

"Reima—you haven't forgotten anything, have you?"

"I'm fine, Mom. Really. That’s the third time you’ve asked."

It was a typical morning. I was at the front door, tugging on my shoes to head to school, when my mother called out to me. She hovered nearby, her face a mask of maternal anxiety. She’s a bit of a worrywart, I thought, but I kept the conversation going to put her at ease.

"Your lunch box?"

"I’ve got it."

"…Then I suppose it’s alright."

"You’re worrying too much."

"But it’s been so long since you’ve been to a Dungeon, hasn't it? I’m just afraid you’ll get hurt again…"

She meant it from the bottom of her heart. I understood her concerns, and honestly, hearing her say that made a wave of guilt wash over me for having already sneaked into a Dungeon. Still, for the sake of my goals, it couldn't be helped.

"I’ll be fine. I heard an S-Rank Adventurer is being assigned to my group. Besides, it’s just an extracurricular lesson. It’s not supposed to be that difficult."

"…So they say. I suppose you're right. Wait just a moment, Reima."

She scurried off somewhere deeper into the house. I waited, wondering what she was looking for, until she returned carrying a somewhat large box.

"I’ve been debating when to give these to you, but please, take them as a lucky charm."

She opened the box to reveal a pair of handguns, one black and one white. One look at the worn grips and the weight of the frames triggered a flash of memory. These were dedicated armaments, custom-made specifically for the original Reima.

The [Absolute Strategy Note] contained detailed instructions on how to fight with these. I’d wondered where they’d gone, but it seemed my parents had been keeping them safe. Thanks to the notebook, I technically knew how to use them, but I felt a flicker of hesitation. Is it really okay for me to be the one using these?

"Do your best, Reima. Just… don't get hurt again."

"I promise, Mom. I won't do anything reckless. I’ll come home in one piece."

I didn't have much time to linger. I left the house and immediately met up with Ayane, who was waiting for me. We walked to school together as we always did, then parted ways for our respective classrooms to start the day.

"Reima-kun, I’m looking forward to working with you today!"

The voice belonged to a student from the Support Department who had been placed in my group. It was Asahi Yugiri, a short, androgynous boy—the kind of person often described as an "otokonoko"—who had previously tried to gossip with me about the Black Robe.

He seemed quite fond of me for some reason. Thanks to him constantly chatting me up during breaks, he had officially become my first friend in this world.

"Yeah, same here. Come to think of it, Asahi, you use a staff, right?"

"Yep. I’m an Enchanter, technically. I’ll do my best not to be a burden."

"That makes two of us. It’s been a while since I’ve stepped foot in a Dungeon."

The chime rang just as we finished talking, and the teacher arrived. After a brief explanation regarding the destination for the day’s lesson, we gathered our group members and boarded a bus. Our destination: the floor-type Dungeon known as the [Beast's Lair].

"…Why? Why am I not in Reima’s group?"

We arrived at the Dungeon entrance, but the scene was already being dominated by a shadow slumped over in utter despair. Or rather, a familiar girl was sulking with enough intensity to darken the atmosphere.

I’d intended to say hello if I saw her, but her current state made it difficult to approach. More importantly, there was a girl I didn't recognize with a katana strapped to her waist standing nearby, so I decided to observe from a distance for a moment.

"Is Ayane-dono… actually moping?" the girl with the katana asked.

"Why are you so surprised, Kagura? I’m human too, you know."

"No, it is just that the Ayane-dono this one knows is an expressionless monster-slaying machine, de-gozaru…"

I felt a headache coming on as I eavesdropped. Monster-slaying machine? That was a hell of a dishonorable alias they’d pinned on her.

"…Isn't that just a bit prejudiced?" Ayane muttered.

"No, I share that sentiment. It’s an accurate assessment," a new voice added.

"Wait, even Goro is saying it? I’m really not like that!"

The newcomer was a handsome, black-haired guy who had just walked up. Ayane looked genuinely shocked by his betrayal.

"Tch. Who are you calling Goro? I possess the glorious name of Kaiser Dragonia!"

"It’s too hard to remember, so Goro is fine. Besides, your stream listeners all call you Goro anyway."

"Those are only a few of my subjects! You will address me as Kaiser!"

My first impression of him had been a taciturn, cool-headed beauty. However, listening to him speak, it was clear he was just… a lot. Is Kaiser actually his real name? Between the "subjects" talk and his use of archaic pronouns, the guy was a walking goldmine of things to nitpick.

"Honestly, Goro was the last person I wanted to talk to today," Ayane sighed.

"Why?! Did I do something to offend you?"

"…You childhood-friend-stealing crap dragon."

"Wha—! What kind of disgraceful nickname is that?! I’ve never been called that in my life! Is that really how you see me? Kagura-san… do you have any idea what she’s talking about?"

"…This one is just as confused, I suppose… ah, de-gozaru. Also, your tone has slipped back to normal, Goro-dono."

What a chaotic mess, I thought. While I was distracted by their bickering, Ayane spotted me and beckoned me over.

"What is it, Ayane? Why the sudden summons?"

"I saw you watching. I figured I should introduce you to these two properly."

"Hm? Ayane, who is this person?" Kaiser asked.

"…He is exceptionally well-trained, de-gozaru," Kagura noted, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"He’s my childhood friend," Ayane said, putting a very specific emphasis on the first word.

Since she neglected to actually provide my name, I was forced to introduce myself.

"Uh, I’m Reima Kariya. I’m a Supporter. It sounds like Ayane is always in your care. We might not be in the same group for long, but I look forward to working with you."

"Hmph. So you are the one called Reima? I am Kaiser Dragonia! It seems we are in the same group for this exercise. I shall expect great things from your support today!"

"Shut up, Goro. Keep your voice down."

"…I see. Hehe. Greetings, Reima-dono. This one goes by the name Kagura during my broadcasts, de-gozaru. My real name is Tsubaki Kanna. My Job is [Katana Oni]. As you might guess, I specialize in the way of the blade."

That was my first encounter with the S-Rank Adventurers. It was the moment I met the cream of the crop of this world—the people who would eventually become my long-term associates.