Chapter 274 : Chapter 274

Chapter 274. Secret Friend Operation (3)

Combat Magic class.

The first-year Combat Magic majors gathered at an open field on the Academy grounds.

This was because there had been a notice from Professor Lilian that this time they would conduct class outside rather than at the Combat Tower.

'Was there not an Academy Dungeon near here?'

Radel looked around, recalling the Academy Dungeon map left by ancestor Hayden.

There was definitely one dungeon with a key sealed near here...

Then, Inette approached Radel and whispered.

"You are not really doing it, are you?"

"Doing what?"

"What else besides your ridiculous operation?"

The so-called Secret Friend Operation.

It was part of the plan Radel had announced in front of his friends.

It was also a preparatory stage to open Leon's heart.

Radel was confident it would succeed because he had experienced the effects of a secret friend in his previous life.

'Was it during my school days?'

It was a game the teacher had suggested to become close with friends.

Even if friends fought and did not get along well, if they were selected as secret friends, they had to secretly help the other person.

Because that was the rule.

The key to this secret friend operation was not getting caught by the friend.

It was especially effective for friends whose hearts were closed.

Would their hearts not melt warmly if they knew someone was watching over them?

That was the part Radel was aiming for.

He planned to make him feel human warmth, melt Leon's frozen heart, and then attempt conversation.

It would be much more effective than recklessly proposing to open a booth together.

For that, Radel was always observing to see if there was anything to help Leon with.

Having confirmed Leon, who was alone as usual, Radel said as if it was natural.

"I am doing it?"

"Did you just see Leon?"

"Yeah, I was checking if there was anything I could help with. Leon has been distancing himself from his followers and going around alone lately."

Inette, who got goosebumps, said to Gusto.

"Why is he like that? Does he think Leon is five years old or something?"

"The Prince might see it that way. No matter how strong a mage, he is still a younger brother, is he not?"

"That guy Radel is doing that because he has another purpose!"

"The Prince simply cannot leave his lonely younger brother alone. Did the Supreme Deity not also say to love siblings as your own body?"

Inette glared at Gusto and got irritated.

"I really cannot communicate with you!"

"How strange. I feel the same way."

Gusto answered without changing his expression.

Radel, who had been watching them interestingly from the side, threw out a comment.

"Are you two not communicating right now?"

Then Inette and Gusto answered simultaneously.

"Absolutely not!"

"That is not it."

The two were perfectly in sync.

The first-years chatted with each other or looked at the scenery while waiting for Professor Lilian.

But a suspicious sound could be heard from somewhere.

WHOOSH.

"What is this sound?"

Several students who sensed something suspicious raised their heads to look at the sky.

Radel also felt something and hardened his expression.

"The flow of mana has changed. Take out your staffs!"

"Yes, Your Highness."

"What? What is it!"

And not long after, all the first-years gathered in the open field learned the identity of the sound.

"Yahoo! Everyone gathered well!"

Professor Lilian appeared from the sky riding a broom.

Fluttering her pink hair and waving her hand, she flew up to above the students' heads.

"Then I should give you all who waited nicely a chance to receive a reward, right?"

A smile appeared on Professor Lilian's face.

Radel had an ominous feeling.

The reward Professor Lilian spoke of had never actually been a reward...

"I will give a praise stamp to the student who dodges the best!"

'As expected, I knew it would be a praise stamp.'

The expressions of the students gathered in the open field darkened.

But what did she mean by the student who dodges best...?

The first-years realized something and took out their staffs one after another.

"This is serious!"

"Everyone prepare!"

"The professor's attack is starting!"

Then, as if she had been waiting, Lilian chanted a spell.

"Whirl!"

WHOOSH!

The magic that started from the tip of Professor Lilian's staff summoned a fierce wind.

The students' robes fluttered mercilessly in the violently blowing gale.

"If we are not careful, we will be blown away!"

"Use earth element magic!"

"We must hold on no matter what!"

The first-years responded to Professor Lilian's magic by using wind element magic or holding their feet with earth element magic.

"Wind!"

Inette also used wind element magic to change the direction of the wind blowing at her.

Gusto deployed divine magic.

"Supreme Deity's Shield!"

A shield formed in front of Gusto, protecting him from the wind.

Radel also quickly chanted a defensive magic spell.

"Block!"

A translucent sphere quickly wrapped around Radel.

It was a more stable appearance than when he first succeeded.

Radel tried to maintain the defensive magic while sneaking a glance at where Leon was.

It was in case there was something to help with.

It was a habit that had formed from immersing himself in the secret friend operation for several days.

'Since his magic skills are superior to mine, he must be holding on well.'

And Radel, who confirmed Leon's side, was surprised.

Leon was not holding on.

No, the word "holding on" did not suit him.

'The wind... disappeared?'

It was calm around Leon.

So much so that one might wonder if wind was even blowing.

It was too different from the situation where other friends were squeezing out even the strength they used while suckling to avoid being pushed back.

Not even a single strand of hair fluttered.

Without even glancing at the surrounding situation, Leon simply smoothed back his hair with a peaceful expression.

As if he belonged to a different world.

'...He is like a dragon.'

Having seen that appearance, Radel felt he understood why the Magic Supremacists praised Leon.

He was different from ordinary mages.

It did not feel like he was using magic.

This was something far more natural to be called magic.

"Oh?"

Professor Lilian also seemed interested seeing Leon's magic and her eyes lit up.

"It seems the student to receive the praise stamp has been decided."

It was the moment the reward no one wanted was decided.

* * *

"This is a gift for the student who dodged the best!"

Professor Lilian, who had withdrawn her magic and descended, stamped a praise stamp on Leon.

However, Leon, who received the praise stamp, did not look in a very good mood.

Only the followers who had been cheering for Leon from afar had joyful expressions.

"As expected of His Highness...!"

"He surpassed the 8th Prince and received recognition from the professor!"

"Of course! Our prince, who is on a different level, has the qualifications to receive such the best reward, does he not?"

The best reward given by Professor Lilian.

But there was no first-year who agreed with those words...

Regardless of that, Professor Lilian smiled brightly and said to the students.

"Now that you have warmed up, shall we start the real class?"

The place Professor Lilian led the first-years to was an Academy Dungeon on one side of the open field.

Seeing that chains were wrapped around the entrance, it seemed no one had entered since dungeon access was prohibited.

Radel could tell where this was as soon as he saw the dungeon.

The Academy Dungeon map unfolded in Radel's mind.

'It is the green dungeon.'

The place where the key sealing Asmodeus, the Archdemon of Lust, was located.

Radel unconsciously smacked his lips.

'An opportunity has come this quickly.'

A frying pan, scissors, broom...

The Archdemon tool set seemed to hover before his eyes.

"Everyone, you heard the news that Academy Dungeons are being opened, right? Climbing the tower is important, but exploring dungeons is also a virtue of combat mages. So today we are planning to conquer a dungeon for the first time in a while!"

Professor Lilian stretched out her arm holding her staff and shouted.

"Open the dungeon!"

Then the chains blocking the dungeon entrance smoothly unraveled and fell to the ground.

THUD.

"Oh, you do not need to worry about accidents happening. The principal has agreed to lend flying golems for safety. They will enter together with you and send signals outside if dangerous situations arise."

Professor Lilian sighed as if it was regrettable.

"...Sigh. Unfortunate news, right? The principal worries a lot. The time you really grow is when you risk your life."

The students who heard the professor's carelessly revealed true feelings were at a loss for words.

Could they really trust only those golems and enter?

They suspected Professor Lilian's intentions.

Radel also had mixed feelings about whether to be happy that a safety device was created or to regret that a monitor was created.

"It is a rather difficult dungeon. But the more dangerous the place, the more worth entering, right? If you are lucky, you might obtain a splendid reward, and friends who conquer the dungeon together can become closer!"

'Somehow I have a bad feeling.'

Radel's expression became subtle, knowing what Professor Lilian meant by becoming closer.

Professor Lilian was interested in duels unfolding between people who risked their lives or had bad relationships.

During the first semester, did she not ask them to write down the names of friends they wanted to fight?

'What is she planning to do again...'

Radel, whose eyes met with Professor Lilian's, flinched his shoulders.

The smile on the professor's lips was very suspicious.

"So, today! You will explore the dungeon cooperating with friends!"

Professor Lilian's eyes gleamed toward Leon and Radel.

* * *

Green Sanctuary.

That was the name of the Academy Dungeon the first-years would conquer this time.

The unique feature of this dungeon was that there were four entrances.

'There are four entrances, but only one boss room. There is a convergence point in the middle, so after meeting other friends there, if you defeat the boss monster together, it is over. Since there are many friends, it should not be too difficult, right?'

Radel chewed over Professor Lilian's explanation he heard before entering the dungeon and looked to the side.

'Did you not certainly say there were many friends, Professor?'

However, there was only one friend with Radel.

It was Leon, who was glaring at him as if to kill him.

'You did not say two people would enter each entrance...?'

He should have anticipated it when he saw Professor Lilian's smile.

Who would have thought she would bundle Leon and himself together and send them in?

Radel decided to try speaking to Leon to lighten the atmosphere.

"Haha. I did not expect to enter with you."

"...Shut up."

However, the response that came back was only cold.

DING.

[Skill, Superhuman Intuition activates.]

[Someone's killing intent is felt.]

Moreover, terrible killing intent was even flowing out from Leon.

He could not proceed with the secret friend operation like this.

A secret friend had to help from where the friend did not know.

Once the identity was revealed, it was no longer a secret friend.

'Since he told me to shut up, I should stay quiet for now.'

In any case, thinking he should do as Leon said for now, Radel closed his mouth.

"No... speak."

Until Leon asked viciously with eyes that seemed to spew killing intent.

"What is the reason you are playing such tricks on me?"