With Orun-san seeing us off, we teleported to the entrance of the 30th Floor.
"How do I look? Does it suit me?" Carol asked, preening as she showed off the necklace she had just received from Orun-san.
"Yeah, it looks great on you."
"Thanks! It looks good on you too, Sophie!"
"D-Do you think so?"
I looked down at the red necklace hanging from my neck.
A present from Orun-san... Hehe, I’m so happy.
"Both of you, stay sharp. Even if this is a Safe Zone, we’re already inside the Great Labyrinth," Log warned.
However, Log was fighting a losing battle to keep a grin off his face. Even though his advice was sound, his expression made it hard to take him seriously.
"It’s hard to listen to you when you’re making a face like that," Carol pointed out, as expected.
"I-I can't help it! I never expected to get a gift from Master! It was way too sudden!"
I felt that Log had changed immensely over the past month. Until recently, he had always acted as if he were looking down on everyone around him, but that attitude had vanished completely.
I wonder if Orun-san slew Log's nasty side along with the Black Dragon? I joked to myself.
"Anyway, let’s go over the route and our strategy one last time," I suggested.
I wanted to keep staring at my new necklace forever, too, but we were here to conquer the 30th Floor. We had been the ones to insist on challenging this floor with just the three of us. I wanted to show Orun-san how much we’d grown. I didn’t want to let him down.
The two of them agreed, and I pulled the map of the 30th Floor out of my Storage Magic Tool for a final check. I had already memorized almost the entire layout, including the path to the Floor Boss. I had even planned out escape routes in various areas just in case, so we were ready.
In terms of combat, Carol was our Front-line, Log was the Midguard, and I took the Rearguard. Carol and I were the primary damage dealers. Log’s role was to support us with buffs while switching between the front and back as the situation demanded. It put a heavy burden on him. As Orun-san had warned us, we needed to make sure our battles didn't drag on.
"Okay, this should work. We have Orun-san’s seal of approval, so let's keep our guard up and move out!"
"Yeah!" "Right!"
While keeping a close watch on our surroundings, we proceeded along our planned route, doing our best to stay calm without letting our nerves get the better of us.
"Stop. I hear footsteps coming from up ahead."
Log was in charge of our party’s scouting. He had [Hearing Up] active—a spell he’d learned from Orun-san—which significantly boosted his auditory range. It seemed his enhanced hearing had picked up the approach of Magic Beasts.
"Can you tell what they are?"
"Sorry, not that much. But there are probably three of them."
Since we were in a narrow, straight passage, magic was the best way to handle this. While some enemies on the 30th Floor had ranged attacks, their power was low enough that we didn't need to be overly concerned.
"If they’re coming from the front, Log and I will intercept them with magic. Carol, please watch our backs to make sure we aren't flanked."
"Got it." "Aye-aye, sir!"
I gave my orders and began constructing a spell formula. Moments later, four Goblins rounded the corner and walked toward us. They hadn't noticed us yet.
"Sorry. I got the number wrong," Log whispered.
"It's fine. We'll stick to the plan and take them out with magic. I’ll take out their legs, so Log, you handle the three on the right. I'll take the one on the left. [Aero Cutter]!"
A blade of wind, nearly as wide as the corridor, swept low along the ground, slicing through the Goblins’ legs below the knees.
"[Rock Needle]!"
Spears of earth erupted from the floor, accurately piercing the vitals of the three fallen Goblins.
"[Thunder Arrow]!"
I followed up with the spell I had been constructing immediately after my first. The final Goblin fell.
I still wasn't very good at Parallel Construction. Log, on the other hand, seemed to have already mastered it; he was able to activate his magic faster and more accurately than me, even though I was the dedicated Mage. There was no point in envying what I lacked, but it still stung.
I'm a Mage, so I have to be the best at attack magic in this party! I have to work even harder...!
"Good job, you two!" Carol cheered.
"Sophia’s instructions were spot on. It made things easy. Now I understand why Master told me my own command skills were pathetic the other day..." Log admitted.
"I still have a long way to go. I’ve been learning a lot from my sister, but I can't pull it off nearly as well as she does."
"You guys are way too negative! It’s only natural since we don't have as much experience. We’re just getting started! It’s too early to start comparing ourselves to Senior Explorers, don't you think?"
"Yeah, you're right. I can really feel how much I've grown in the month since Orun-san started teaching us. Let's keep at it and catch up to our seniors!"
"Right! To do that, we first need to conquer the 30th Floor and reach the Middle Floors! Once we do, we’ll officially join the Third Unit and start our lives as Explorers in earnest. Let’s give it our all!"
"Yeah!" "Oh!"
...Wait.
Once we joined the Third Unit, we wouldn't be rookies anymore. Did that mean Orun-san wouldn't be teaching us anymore? He was only instructing us as part of the clan's rookie training program. If we conquered the 30th Floor, would his guidance come to an end?
The thought made my heart sink.
But I knew I couldn't rely on Orun-san forever. We had to become full-fledged Explorers sooner or later.