Chapter 3

Led by the professor, I found myself in front of a room located underground in the Demon King's castle.

"Is this the room for the advanced class?"

"Yeah, there are already over a dozen people gathered inside. You're the last one."

While I was talking to the Demon King, it seems the regular selection for the advanced class had already ended.

"This class is complete with you. I'll start the initial briefing, so go ahead and take a seat wherever you like."

"Got it."

With that, I opened the door and entered.

The room, with its stone walls, was lined with many pillars. Several long tables and chairs were arranged along these pillars. As I walked in, I thought it was quite an unusual room.

"...So, this is Chrono, the monster who took over a Mother Core in his own dungeon..."

"He looks almost human, but I can sense a strange aura. It's creepy, but impressive."

I could hear the whispers of the students who were already seated.

I felt a bit strange being called a monster by a dragon person, who has scales and claws harder than iron, and by a magic user who practices curses at a clan level, but I took a seat nearby. Then,

"Hello, you're quite the star, Mr. Chrono."

A woman sitting at the same long table spoke to me.

I recognized her face.

"You must be Sophia, the vampire, right?"

"Just call me Sophia. Mr. Chrono."

The vampire girl smiled at me. She seemed to be quite friendly.

"Nice to meet you, Sophia. But, how did you remember my name?"

I thought it would be hard to remember someone from a rather unremarkable demon race.

"You have the top grades this year. It's only natural to remember. In fact, I'm honored that you remembered my name."

"Top grades, me?"

"Yes, that's right. The professor said you're not only the top this year, but the best in history. Replacing an entire Mother Core is unprecedented."

I put my hand on my head, thinking, "No way."

I didn't expect such rumors to be circulating on the first day.

"Wasn't there anyone else who created a dungeon with a hundred floors or so?"

"No. I was second with ten floors. You're the only one above me. —So, I'd be grateful if I could observe you closely!"

Sophia said, her eyes sparkling. I didn't know what to do with such expectations. As I was thinking about it,

"Well, everyone. Now that we have everyone for the advanced class—"

The professor, standing in the center of the room, spoke up. Without waiting for our response, he continued.

"I will now begin the initial lecture for the advanced class! I will teach you the basics of being a demon, and how to manipulate dungeons using magic power. Pay attention to what you want to learn!"

The advanced class students all leaned in to listen to the professor.

"Every demon has the power to move a dungeon through visualization. Therefore, the basics of dungeon manipulation are visualization. Imagine what kind of room you want to create, what shape it should be, and what movements you want. Visualize it clearly in your mind and then speak it out loud. —Of course, it's hard to understand just by talking, so let me show you."

The professor pointed to one of the pillars in the center of the room.

"Actually, this room is part of my dungeon. If I want to, I can do this. —Break!"

As he said this, he raised his arm. In that instant,

—Crack.

The pillar, which connected the floor and the ceiling, broke in the middle.

"Wow...!"

Cheers erupted in the room.

"Within a dungeon, the owner can easily manipulate and break objects. We demons use this power to expand and grow our dungeons. Of course, we can also repair them."

The professor approached the broken pillar and patted it. The broken pillar immediately returned to its original state.

It seems that in your own dungeon, you can freely destroy and repair as you wish. Personally, I don't want to expand my dungeon any further, so this information isn't particularly useful to me, but...

...It's interesting that you can manipulate the structure.

I continued to listen to the professor's explanation.

"Now, it's natural that I can break a pillar in my own dungeon... but as you get used to building dungeons, you'll be able to manipulate objects in others' dungeons as well. —Today, I've prepared a pillar for each of you to practice with. Try to break it if you can."

As soon as the professor finished speaking, the demons in the room started touching the pillars. Commands like "Break!" and "Crack!" were shouted out. Next to me,

"It's breaking...!"

Sophia said as she touched the pillar. Cracks began to form where she touched it.

"Wow, as expected of Sophia, an A-rank dungeon creator! You have great potential!"

"Thank you, professor!"

It seems that by visualizing and focusing, you can indeed manipulate objects within a dungeon.

...So, demons have the power to move dungeons through visualization, huh.

I looked at the thick stone pillar next to me. I had no idea how to visualize breaking such a massive pillar. If I hit it, my hand would probably break, and if I hit it with a sword or a stick, the weapon would likely break.

To break such a pillar, I would probably need to use explosives or something. Or maybe, move the ceiling to snap the pillar.

"Yeah, if the ceiling moves or shifts, the pillar will break, right?"

As I muttered this and looked at a pillar,

—Bang.

A light explosion sound was heard, and the pillar twisted and broke right there. It looked as if the ceiling or floor had moved, putting pressure on the side of the pillar.

"Huh?"

Moreover, it wasn't just that.

"Whoa!? What's happening, all the pillars here are breaking suddenly!"

"Mine too! And the ceiling is moving!"

It seems that not just the pillar in front of me, but all the pillars in the room had shattered.

"Hey, isn't the ceiling rotating around Chrono?!"

"Y-Yeah, it's really moving. What's going on...!"

That's strange. I did say the ceiling should move, but I didn't expect it to actually happen. As I looked up,

"Chrono, you're incredible. Even in my dungeon, to manipulate the room to this extent..."

The professor looked at me with amazed eyes.

...Well, I did say, "If the ceiling moves, the pillar will break," while visualizing it.

I didn't expect it to actually move.

"Wait, Professor! The pillars are all broken, but the ceiling won't fall, right?"

"U-Um, no, it's fine, Chrono. My dungeon has a system to support the ceiling even without the pillars. It won't fall immediately."

However, after saying this, the professor spread his arms wide, making a gesture as if supporting the ceiling.

"Um, Professor? What are you doing?"

"Um, since all the main pillars were broken by Chrono, if I don't support it, the ceiling will fall faster. —It would be best if you all evacuate!"

Sweat appeared on the professor's forehead. I felt really bad.

"Um, I'm really sorry."

"No, no, it's fine. I'm actually grateful to see your power."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, and since the lecture on dungeon expansion is over, —everyone, today's lecture is finished! Leave quickly and start making your dungeons more livable!"

"Yes! Excuse us!"

And so, we were hurriedly ushered out of the room.

The next chapter will be updated soon!