Book 4: Chapter 131: 131
As the new year dawned, the city of Mallorca became immersed in festive ambiance.
The transition from the Christmas vibe was like a meeting of snow and warm sunlight. Before one knew it, the streets were adorned into a unique and fascinating blend of each nation's culture.
On 3rd January, Chisato turned 20 years old. On that day, she resolved herself to try out the alcohol. Long story short, she stayed despondent for the rest of the day, for she came to face the realisation; she had a terrible tolerance for alcohol. Apparently, she was yearning to be the heavy-drinker type of woman who challenges others to drinking contests and crush them beneath her feet. One had to wonder just what kind of movie she may have watched to harbour that kind of dream.
Two days after that, Mallorca Escuela also resumed its classes at the scheduled time. As the festive season drew to a close, Tenji and others found themselves back on the mundane track of life.
† † †
Today was the first lecture of the second term.
Tenji sat down on his usual seat and waited for the morning class to start as he went through his textbook materials on the thin tablet while occasionally glancing at the Book of Enma.
On the other hand, the classroom was filled with the lively chatter of other students excitedly talking asking about which floor they reached in this short-term holiday, what did they eat on new year or expressing their amazement at the strength of the monster they faced.
Amidst all, it was just Tenji who was far away from any group, alone. The classmates, too, didn't show any sign of calling out to him. There weren't just a few who thought Tenji scoring top marks had to be some kind of fluke. Like he just got lucky or something. This was the only reason everyone could make out of it for a mere swordman to reach the top.
Well, that was the general thought of all for the most part, except the four who had witnessed his true strength. Their fleeting glance as they stared at him was the window to show the curiosity they held against him.
However, following the gag order directly from President Limey, they were now unsure on how they should interact with him. As a result, their hesitant attitude made them appear as if they didn't want to talk to him despite harbouring opposite feelings. This uncertainty further pushed Tenji to the road of isolation.
Tenji, however, was unaffected with whatever was going around him. Even in Japan, he didn't have many friends due to his low attendance, so being put into such a situation didn't appear any different to him.
(Let's see...so, 12 more days till the next level up huh? I should be able to advance to the next floor. Then I guess I need to be ready by that time.)
Tenji had already levelled to 6 in that duration. And currently, he was silently pondering about his further plan.
――――――――――――――――
【Name】 Tenji Amagi
【AGE】 16
【LEVEL】6/100
【EXPERIENCE】 2,254,107/15,625,000
【HP】 6039(6022+17)
【MP】 6017(6000+17)
【ATTACK】 18,472(18,455+17)
【DEFENSE】 18,509(18,492+17)
【AGILITY】 6030(6013+17)
【INTELLECT】 6069(6052+17)
【LUCK】 6046(6029+17)
【Characteristic】Fixed Small Objects Levitation(Lv.8/10)
【EXPERIENCE】 44/182
【CALLING】Hell Beast Summon(Lv.6/100)
【SKILL】Book of Enma, Hell Beast Summon
【EXPERIENCE】2,254,107/15,625,000
――――――――――――――――
The required experience amount had increased by 5 folds, just like before.
On the other hand, the level up also brought an increase in the hell region of Red Demon and Blue Demon species, resting at '488'. So, the condition to acquire the experience point hadn't changed. Far from it, he could now summon a total of 508 hell beasts which had increased the hunting rate by two fold even with rough estimation.
As of now, he has advanced to the point of earning 100,000's of experience points on a daily basis.
Tenji expected it wouldn't be too long before the next hell beasts was released. That being said, he was also quite astonished by the gradual inflation in experience point and the abilities of hell beast summon.
'Hmm, I see,' Tenji murmured to himself excitedly while looking at the Book of Enma.
------It was during that time.
An elegant smell of shampoo, refreshing like the warm sun, gently tickled Tenji's nose. He reflexively shifted his gaze to where the scent was drifting from and registered Pyne standing there, with a head full of messy bed-hairs. Overslept today as well, do we?
"Hey, Tenji. I also want to go to the dungeon with Chisato."
With a beaming smile adorning her face, Pyne peered from the neighbouring seat.
Tenji also replied normally, as if that was a normal thing to do, while putting up his usual nonchalant, amicable expression. There was nothing out of the ordinary about his expression. He was the same Tenji he was before the exam.
Pyne, who realised that, patted her chest internally.
"Ah, actually I was just going to talk about it as well. Didn't you keep talking about how you want to explore the dungeon with Chisato-chan? So, I talked with her and she replied 'Anytime is fine if Tenji is there~'."
"Wha---, really!? Yippee!"
Seeing Pyne showing an expression of absolute delight, other classmates looked at her way with a slightly jealousy tinged gaze.
After all, who among them didn't wish to receive one-on-one guidance from Chisato, who wasn't just cute and charming, but also strong. But as things stood, she was currently being monopolised by the 'swordsman' Tenji.
Needless to say, they were in the state of where they wanted to receive guidance from her, but couldn't bring themselves to. The best they could do was to attend the lectures conducted by Chisato and receive her guidance in a group, even if that wasn't exactly what they desired.
The only way to achieve their wish was to become friends with that low-rank swordsman Tenji. But of course, their high pride didn't permit them to do so. 'Awkward' was basically the word to describe their current situation.
Soon, it was time for the classes to start.
Students gradually began their preparation to attend the lecture, bringing out their textbooks or tablets etc. And just as the classroom was filled with rusting sound, the beginning bell runged. Almost at the same time, the door to the classroom opened, as if the person was just waiting for that moment.
"Good morning--! How was your new year, everyone? Personally, I ate so many delicious things at the new year holiday that I didn’t even feel like seeing them at the end~"
Blonde-haired Mehegan-sensei, the person in-charge of Class1-A, entered the classroom with a long stride while raising her jovial voice.
She appeared as if she had gotten a bit rounded up, apparent from the increase in flesh on her cheeks and under her jaw. It seemed like their teachers had feasted on quite a lot of dishes during the new year holidays, that thought crossed past each student;s mind.
She appeared a bit sloven for a teacher persona, but the moment she showed herself, the look in the student's eye changed from those of typical girls and boys and those of aspiring explorers.
With this, another lecture on becoming the ultimate explorer started off successfully today, too.