The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter

Chapter 58: Peaceful Days

The next few days after we slayed the dragon were peaceful. I went on a bunch of quests to help Laura-san win, but choosing ones that weren’t too risky.

I decided to submit the dragon fang at the last minute mostly because I wanted to see that surprised look on Elna-sensei’s face.

It was finally the last day. After morning greetings, Sensei moved on to our exam.

「This is the last day to submit your materials. Come in front when I call your name so I can give you your total points.」

A quick review. There were three different materials you could submit for the exam: A red lizardman’s tail (3,500 points), a unicorn’s horn (50,000 points), and a dragon’s fang (300,000 points).

There was a possibility of getting kicked from the class if your total points were too low. On the other hand, if you got extremely high amount of points, you were excused from summer classes.

Sensei called our names in order, giving out our scores. Most of the students settled for getting a few lizardman’s tail. We needed 5,000 points to not get kicked. If you went solo, you needed two to be safe; if you paired up with someone, three was enough.

As expected from an elite class though, no one scored less than 5,000. Most students scored 10,000 to 30,000. There were those who garnered more than 50,000 though. Like Maria-san and her attendant Amane-san.

「Ohh… a unicorn’s horn. Great job.」

「They were hard to find so we only got one.」

「Still it’s more than enough. This plus the twenty lizardman’s tail you submitted so far gives you a total of 120,000. Divided between you two, you get 60,000 points each.

「That’s Maria-sama for you~!」

「I guess they get the highest score this time.」

「Even those two couldn’t get the required 100,000 points to be exempted from summer classes.」

Amid the buzzing of the class, Elna-sensei eyed me and Emma with a stern expression.

「You two are up next.」

It was understandable why she wasn’t particularly happy. We haven’t submitted anything so far.

「Can I expect something great? Or is this the part where your overconfidence got you screwed? If that’s the case, then I may have misjudged you.」

「Haha. It’s too early to rush into conclusions, Sensei.」

「He’s right. Okay, Noir, show it to her!」

「Take a gander.」

I take out my palm, dragon fang sitting on top of it.

「…A fang. ………Is this an earth dragon’s fang?」

「You guessed correct.」

「I didn’t expect you to actually get one. Great job. I’m honestly very impressed.」

「A fang gives 300,000 points so we get 150,000 each, right?」

「Yes. Congratulations. You’re exempted from summer classes.」

「Yay!」

Emma and I gave each other a high five.

「Can you tell me how you beat it during first period? It’ll serve as valuable reference.」

So we told her how we were able to slay the dragon. Of course, all the while trying to be as ambiguous as possible about my ability.

Emma was in high spirits on our way back home.

「We can have lots of fun this summer break!」

「I’m glad we don’t have to take summer classes. Maybe we could go on a trip.」

「This is the best! Hey, Noir. Let’s have lots of fun, okay?」

「Sure, but we can’t forget our job as adventurers.」

「Ehehe… What to do~ I have so much in mind!」

Coming up with things to do during summer break sure is fun. I have money this year too. Going on a food trip might be interesting.

A few days passed after the exam’s deadline. The time had come for a different event. We gathered in the guild, tense, while waiting for the receptionists’ results to be posted.

I tapped Laura-san’s shoulder lightly who was clearly nervous.

「You did your very best. The adventurers you’re in charge of worked hard too.」

「I did give it my all. But Sara is a formidable opponent.」

Speak of the devil. Sara-san was strolling towards Laura-san. She was oozing with confidence, keeping an air of royal dignity.

「You did your best~! No, no. I hope you do your best~!」

「You’re kinda pissing me off.」

「You remember our bet? That if I win…」

「Noir will be reassigned to you.」

「I’m glad you remember. ―― Good day to you, Noir-san~!」

「Hello.」

I just couldn’t get used to her. It was difficult to look at her with her skimpy clothes, plus she stood too close to me.

「When I’m in charge of you, I promise to give you my best support.」

「The match hasn’t been decided yet!」

「Oh, looks like it’s out.」

A staff posted this month’s results. It was a bar graph with two lines way higher than the others. They belonged to the two arguing at the moment. They looked pretty even from afar, but upon closer inspection Laura-san’s was a little higher.

「No way… Did I really win?」

Laura-san looked to be the one who was most shocked. She worked hard this month, coming early in the morning and leaving late at night. It was a miracle… no, a result of her own hard work and abilities.

「…You cheated.」Sara-san mumbled in a low whisper.

She shot Laura-san a glare, then raised her voice.

「You definitely cheated. That’s the only explanation!」

「Unbelievable. Do you have proof then?」

「I uhh…」

「You don’t have one? Please don’t accuse someone of cheating without evidence. I’m sure you’re the type who just accuses someone walking down the street as a criminal. Weirdo.」

「No! I don’t!」

「A-ny-way. I won so don’t you steal my adventurers ever again. Especially not Noir-san.」

「You don’t have to be so mean about it…」

Sara-san crouched down, crying, obviously hurt by her words. Laura-san, on the other hand, had a smug look on her face. I went over to Sara, feeling sorry for her.

「Cheer up. Second place is still a very remarkable achievement.」

「Noir-san really is the only one who understands me! Please take this. I want to get closer to you. Not in the receptionist-adventurer sort of way, but as a man and a woman.」

She slipped a piece of paper with something written on it in my hand. So she had it prepared from the start?

「For the love of god! Just give it a rest already!」

「Kyaaaa! The mad receptionist’s gonna kill me!」

An enraged Laura-san. Sara-san making a break for it. Me, baffled by the paper with Sara’s address on it. And the adventurers regarding us, roaring with laughter.

Another peaceful day in Odin!