Having finally navigated a half-month that had been hectic in more ways than one, I decided to head out to a school festival held at the high school attended by an acquaintance and client of mine. I figured I could use the change of pace. Those past two weeks had truly been exhausting. Triggered by a massive, unexpected discovery, I had spent my days running around to various departments to obtain permits and coordinate conflicting interests. Because the discovery was so sensitive, my company kept the number of personnel read into the details to an absolute minimum to prevent information leaks. As a result, the burden on each individual was immense.
The paperwork never seemed to end, and working on my days off had become a routine...
"So this is the school Hirose-kun and the others attend."
Relying on a map app on my phone, I managed to reach the campus without incident. It seemed the festival was already in full swing; a steady stream of external guests—likely parents and local residents—were passing through the main gate and filing into the school.
The entrance gate was likely the work of the Art Club. It was a vibrant, impressive piece of craftsmanship. They had clearly put their hearts into it; I could only imagine how many hours of labor it had required.
"Hm?"
As I was admiring the gate, I noticed several men in suits emerging from the campus. Their faces were clouded with dark dejection, and they were being escorted by several stern-faced men who appeared to be teachers. Other visitors noticed the strange atmosphere and stopped in their tracks to watch the scene unfold.
Did those men do something they weren't supposed to?
"Now then, please leave for the day. We will be in contact with your respective companies at a later date."
"..."
"Is that understood?"
"Yes. We apologize for the trouble."
It seemed they really had caused a scene.
The teachers stood their ground just inside the gate, their expressions remains cold and severe until the men in suits had disappeared from sight.
To be treated with such hostility... what on earth could they have done? The rest of us watching from the sidelines could only look on with stunned expressions.
"Sorry for the disturbance. Welcome to our school festival. Please, enjoy the results of our students' hard work today."
Sensing the mixture of worry and anxiety hanging over the crowd, the oldest of the teachers offered a welcoming bow and a polite smile.
Well, honestly, after seeing a display like that, it’s a bit hard to just smile and move on...
"If you'll excuse us."
Whether my internal monologue reached them or not, the teachers turned and headed back into the school, their "job" apparently finished.
I'd seen something quite intense before even setting foot inside. I couldn't help but wonder if the rest of this festival was going to be all right.
Despite my initial unease, the interior of the school felt like a perfectly normal festival once I stepped inside. It had been several years since I'd last attended one, and I was struck by how much things had changed since my own student days.
Specifically, the presence of explorer-related stalls really drove home how much times had changed.
"I suppose that’s only natural in a society where dungeons have become such a part of life."
I filled my stomach with a skewer of orc meat I’d bought from a courtyard stall, flipping through the guide pamphlet as I ate. At a glance, the basic concept of the stalls hadn't changed much since I was a student, but the influence of the dungeons was visible everywhere.
While few places explicitly used "dungeons" or "explorers" as their main hook, many of the stalls were clearly influenced by them in some way.
"Before I go to greet Hirose-kun and the others, maybe I'll walk around for a bit to find some conversation starters."
I’d been so busy lately that I figured a bit of aimless wandering would do me good. If I went to see them right away, I might end up doing nothing but complaining about my workload.
Nobody wants to listen to a guest who does nothing but vent during a fun event. With that in mind, I decided to start by poking my head into the nearby stalls.
By the time I’d finished a casual circuit of the stalls, a fair amount of time had passed. Students were running their booths with lively, happy expressions. Others were roaming around with their friends, enjoying the festivities to the fullest. External guests, mostly parents, watched the students with warm smiles as they took in the sights. Everyone seemed to be enjoying the school festival in their own way.
Perhaps thanks to this upbeat atmosphere, I felt the stress I’d been carrying lately finally beginning to dissipate. I felt confident now that I wouldn't be a nuisance of a guest.
"Time to go say hello, I suppose."
Consulting the map in the pamphlet, I headed toward the clubroom Hirose-kun had mentioned. It seemed they were running a research presentation in the building where the culture clubs were clustered.
He’d said it wasn't a particularly flashy exhibit, so I figured I could probably talk to them for a bit without getting in the way of other visitors.
"Let’s see... according to the map, it should be this building."
Being the hub for culture clubs, the building had a unique atmosphere, with decorations that felt different from the standard classrooms. I could feel a certain level of pride here, as if these clubs considered themselves the true stars of the festival.
This was especially apparent on the first floor, where students from various clubs were aggressively scouting for customers.
"Welcome! This is the Art Club! Won't you come take a look?"
"Calligraphy Club here! We’re about to start a performance with the giant brushes!"
"We’re the Cooking Research Club! We’re holding a sweets tasting!"
"Brass Band Club! Our concert starts very soon!"
They were holding up handmade placards and calling out to everyone who passed by. While it was all very tempting, I decided to finish my greetings first.
I politely navigated through the sea of students and headed up the stairs toward my destination.
"...Huh?"
That was when I saw it.
A massive, strangely tense queue of more than ten people snaking out from what I assumed was the correct room.
"I’m in the right place... aren't I?"
Doubting my own eyes, I double-checked the sign on the door, but it was definitely the line for their club's stall. I’d seen the other exhibits on my way up the stairs, but I don't think any of them had a line this long.
They’d told me they’d be free enough for a chat, but the reality was the exact opposite of what I’d expected.
"I guess... I just have to wait."
Ignoring a line that long to push inside seemed like a bad idea for several reasons. Judging by the aura of the people waiting, I had a feeling that trying to cut in would lead to a major headache.
It was safer to just join the queue, even if it was going to take a while.
After about fifteen minutes of feeling slightly out of place in that odd line, my turn finally came. Stepping into the room, I found most of the visitors staring with dead-serious eyes at the documents and data posted on the partitions. They were peppering the club members with questions about the materials.
Some guests were even clutching their foreheads as if they had a migraine. The atmosphere in the room was far heavier than I had ever imagined.
"Ah, Yuta-san?"
"Hello, Hirose-kun. You invited me, so I thought I'd come take a look."
I’d been momentarily stunned by the mood of the room, but Hirose-kun noticed me and called out, allowing me to snap back to reality and return the greeting.
"You're certainly busy. I never expected to see a line like that outside."
"Haha, we feel the same way. We never dreamed this many people would actually come to see it."
"Doesn't that just prove your research is top-notch? People wouldn't be lining up like this if the reputation of the exhibit wasn't good."
"I’d like to believe that. But honestly, we feel like we just gathered and edited some fairly basic information, so it’s a little awkward for us."
Hirose-kun gave a modest smile, downplaying their effort. I hadn't looked at the posters yet, but the value of a document lies in the quality of the information and how clearly it’s edited for the audience.
"No, there’s no need to be so humble. The fact that so many people are here means your work was clear and accessible. That’s a real achievement."
"You... think so?"
"I do. Now then, I think I'll have a look around myself."
"Sure, please take your time."
Other guests looked like they were dying to ask him questions, so I ended our chat there and moved toward the displays. I didn't want to hog his time.
As I skimmed through the materials they had prepared, I quickly understood why the parents and external guests had such intensity in their eyes. Whether for an individual or a company, neglecting tax matters is a recipe for disaster later on.
Looking around the room again, I saw a chaotic mix of emotions: parents with looks of pure relief, some with deep, worried frowns, and others desperately questioning Hirose-kun and the others.
It felt like I, someone not directly affected by the content, should probably make a quick exit. I caught Hirose-kun's eye to say goodbye.
"Hirose-kun, I’m going to head out now."
"Ah, right. Thank you for coming by today."
"Not at all. It was a great change of pace."
"I'm glad to hear it. Oh, that’s right. Once the school festival is over, I was hoping to stop by your office... I’d like to sync our notes on that matter."
Regarding that discovery, it was definitely better to ensure we were on the same page. If our perceptions were even slightly off, it was the kind of project that could spiral into a catastrophe.
"Understood. Just let me know in advance, and I'll have everything ready."
"Will do. Thank you."
"Good luck with the rest of the festival."
"Thanks!"
I gave him a final nod and left the room.
From there, I decided to enjoy the rest of the festival as a normal guest.
After seeing everything I wanted to see, I finally left the school and started for home. I’d originally just come for a change of pace, but I’d ended up having a genuinely good time. Since entering the workforce, I’d been so busy learning my job that I hadn't had any reason to visit a school festival; they had become a distant memory.
But having the chance to attend this one, I saw how much had changed in the era of dungeons.
"I used to think explorers only really mattered in the world of sports, but they’re starting to find their place in the cultural and technical fields too."
The most obvious benefit of a level up is physical enhancement. It was still fresh in everyone's mind how superhuman athletic performances had shattered world records in professional sports. Next were the special abilities known as skills. Even though they were rare, seeing powers that looked like they belonged in a manga or anime was far more "romantic" than simple physical buffs.
And yet...
"When body control is improved alongside physical enhancement, dexterity goes up too. That means explorers can excel in artisan crafts and precision work."
I thought back to the Calligraphy Club's performance, where someone had written a haiku on a single grain of rice. It had been incredible—they’d finished the whole thing in under five minutes. When I checked it with a magnifying glass, the characters were perfectly formed and elegant, without a single tremor in the lines.
That was a performance, but what if a surgeon had that level of control? The success rate of high-precision, difficult operations would skyrocket, and more lives would be saved.
"Perhaps we’re entering an era where revolutionary breakthroughs will start coming from places like this."
As I walked away from the school, my heart was filled with a mix of anticipation and a hint of anxiety for the changes this new era would bring.