Chapter 7
"We did it," Novelle said, shocked. "We killed a level-20 Ratomp."
"Congratulations, the four of you," Mrs. Lexi said. "Killing a level-20 Ratomp, even with a team of level 5 or 6 monsters, was very difficult. This proves your monster's ability and yours as a Summoner. Once again, congratulations."
"Thank you, Mrs. Lexi," I said.
"Bring your monsters to me," Mrs. Lexi said. "Let me treat her. After that, we're going back."
After Mrs. Lexi heals our monsters from the poison, she leads us back to the surface and then to the Arena.
In the Arena, we were told to take a rest until all the students were gathered and safely back from the dungeon. It takes a few moments. After everyone returned from the dungeon, Mrs. Lexi told us the class was dismissed.
The four of us decided to go to the cafeteria like always.
"Do you think we have to battle against Ratomp again until our monsters evolve?" Novelle asked. "I don't even want to go down there for the second time."
"I think so," I said. "I mean, it's not like we have another option."
She cried a little bit. "Can we just go to the jungle near the city instead?"
"Isn't the monster there more fierce?" Caelenra said. "If we go there, we might die along with our monsters instead."
She cried a little bit more. And then we ate our lunch quietly until Caelenra asked. "Back then, Mrs. Lexi believed we should meet wild monsters 2 or 3 times at least in an hour. Is there something going on in that dungeon?"
"Perhaps," Cerise replied. "Or maybe something stronger lives there and scares or eats all the monsters."
"Why would something stronger live in something stink like a sewer?" Novelle said.
"Maybe we should ask Mrs. Lexi next time," I said.
"Tomorrow is Saturday, there is no class," Novelle said. "Maybe we should ask Mr. Levi's opinion after class is over."
The bell rang, meaning lunchtime was over. We rushed to the classroom, everybody was there sitting on their seats, and fortunately, Mr. Levi hadn't come yet.
Mr Levi was late, which had never happened before. He came 30 minutes after we got to the classroom. He apologizes and teaches us as usual.
He teaches us about the dungeon, more precisely, teaches us how to explore the dungeon. What to do and what not to do. Some students raise their hands, asking why Mr. Lexi teaches us about the dungeon layout.
"There is always a new dungeon at least once a year," Mr. Lexi stated. "When it comes to the dungeon, possessing knowledge about it is crucial. However, what if no one is aware of the dungeon you are about to enter? Will you cease attempting to enter?"
"....."
"All of you are Summoners, not merely adventurers. You possess the ability to utilise your monsters to comprehend your environment. Consequently, your experience in an unfamiliar dungeon serves as the most valuable instructor."
"Mr. Levi," the class president raised her hand. "How about the city dungeon? Most of us didn't meet wild monsters; the teachers said that it was weird. Can you tell us about what's going on?"
"The dungeons are similar to a jungle, particularly when it becomes quiet. This phenomenon occurs when a strong monster begins inhabiting that area. Therefore, we kindly request that you refrain from entering the city dungeon until further notice."
So Cerise's guesses were right. There's a strong monster residing in that sewer, but how strong is the monster? There, we only met level-20 Ratomp. Is it only level 20 left?
Mr. Levi continued his teaching, as I still wondered about what had happened in that sewer, the bell suddenly rang. The plan was to ask Mr. Levi after the class was over, but since someone had already asked our question and Mr. Levi had already answered it, we didn't need to follow that plan.
"So, what do you think?" Novelle turned her body towards me. "Is it really because the strong monster resides in that sewer?"
"What do you mean?" Cerise turned toward Novelle. "You're not believing what Mr. Levi just said?"
"No, that's not what I meant," Novelle said. "I mean, if it were a monster residing in that sewer, really strong, how strong would that monster be? We did meet level-20 Ratomp, but why didn't he leave that sewer if there's a strong monster?"
We keep giving our opinion on Novelle's questions, but none of those are the answer that we are looking for.
"I have an idea," Caelenra said.
"You mean, you know what actually happened, Caelenra?" I asked.
"No, I don't know," Caelenra replied. "But, I have an idea. Instead of guessing what actually happened, what if we guess what kind of strong monster resides in that sewer?"
"Perhaps we will find the answer that we are looking for from another perspective," Novelle said.
"...and it sounds more fun, right?" Caelenra said.
"Alright, I go first," Cerise said. "My guess is a dragon monster. Dragon is really strong, so that makes sense if they scares all the monsters in the sewer."
"All except level-20 Ratomp, right?" Novelle rolled her eyes.
"If you really know what happens, why don't you try to guess, smart girl?" Cerise crossed her arms.
"I don't know about the strong monster," Novelle said. "But, if I try to guess, maybe some kind of monster doesn't mind the smell of the sewer."
"You mean like spirit monsters," I said. "I don't know about other spirit monsters, but undead monsters definitely don't bother with the smell."
"Or maybe something like a slime monster, they can digest human waste or everything they can find in the sewer, that makes them huge and that scares all the monsters," Caelenra said.
"...."
"There's no way it's true, right?" Novelle said.
"I think there is a possibility, slime loves eating human waste just like I said before, so they will love to live in the sewer."
"But slime is never a strong monster in the first place," Cerise said.
"But if they turn huge, that will look strong for a weak monster."
"How do you know so much about slime?" I asked.
"Because I love slime, I think they are cute."
"CUTE!!??" Novelle and Cerise slammed their hands to the table.
"Why would you think a weak slime is cute?" Cerise protested.
"Even after you know they digest human waste, you still think they are cute?" Novelle protested.
I giggled. "You two sound like a parent who doesn't agree with their daughter's relationship."
"But mom, I love them," Caelenra said.
"No, Caelenra. You shouldn't play along," I laughed really hard, looking at them. Without knowing that the sun had already sunk. We both went to the cafeteria before going back to our dorm.
While we were enjoying our dinner in the cafeteria, Caelenra shared with us that she learned about slime from a book her parents gave her for her birthday. She also mentioned that in the Elvish Kingdom, where she comes from, there isn't a native slime monster, which is one of the reasons she attends school here.
I'm glad I could get to know Caelenra better, but it's already nighttime, and it's time to go to each of our dorms.
Just like usual, when I go to bed, Mermaphin just came out on her own and slept with me.
On weekends, there is no class, I don't know what I'm going to do until I meet with the girls.
I came inside the cafeteria, and I saw the girls from a distance; they were waving at me. I came to them, and suddenly Cerise asked, "Do you want to go to the dungeon today?"
"What!? Didn't yesterday, Mr. Levi forbid us to go to the dungeon for a while?" I replied.
"That won't work, Rain. She has been stubborn since this morning," Novelle said.
"Oh come on, what's the worst thing that could happen?" Cerise said. "Aren't you curious about what is actually happening right now and what kind of strong monster resides in that sewer right now? We were guessing yesterday, and today we could just sneak there to see what's in there."
"The worst thing that could happen is we could die by whatever strong monster is," Novelle said.
"I'm with Novelle," Caelenra said. "Even if we just sneak, I doubt that strong monster didn't notice us, and if we run, it probably could outrun us."
"Mehh, how about you, Rain?" Cerise asked. "You're with me, right?"
"Please tell me? If I said I'm not," I said. "You're not planning to go there alone, right?"
"Of course, I'm still going there," Cerise replied. "If I don't, my curiosity will kill me first."
"Okay, fine, I'm going with you." It's still morning, but my head is already hurting.
"I know I could count on you, Rain." Cerise smiled as she patted my back, like she was trying to tell me that we're going to be fine.
"Well, there's no help, I guess," Novelle said. "All I could do was just pray for your safety."
"Hehe, aren't you awfully pretty nice to Cerise right now?" Caelenra said with a grin.
"Eh!? Don't tell me you've fallen for me!" Cerise teased.
"Keep running your mouth, and I'll report your plan to Mr. Levi," I shot back.