Chapter 46

After putting all the books back in their original places, I returned to the operations room.

"Hey, hey, Orun, can I talk to you for a moment?"

Lucre spoke hesitantly.

It's unusual for her to speak like this, isn't it?

Is it that difficult to talk about?

"What's up?"

"W-well, you see? I want you to teach me the magic you used to levitate the books earlier..."

She asked me to teach her the magic from earlier, looking very apologetic.

Developers of original magic generally don't disclose their spells.

If the spell formula is known, anyone can use it.

It wouldn't be fun to see someone else easily using a spell you worked hard to create.

Therefore, when original magic is released to the public, it is usually embedded in a magic tool, and sold as a magic device that provides the same effect.

By making it a magic device, more complex spell formulas can be used.

In other words, by mixing in a large number of dummies, the original spell formula can be obscured.

While there are people who can understand it if they are truly knowledgeable about magic, such people are rare.

I myself have studied magic deeply enough to develop original spells, but I cannot analyze the spell formulas of magic devices.

As far as I know, there is only one person who can do that.

These are the reasons why Lucre is speaking hesitantly.

However, I had intended to release this spell from the beginning.

"Sure, it's fine."

"Of course not, right? --What!? It's fine!?"

"Yep, this spell was created accidentally while developing another spell. Besides, it's more useful for daily life than for dungeon exploration, so I was planning to release it eventually. I just haven't had the time."

"Hey, hey. If that's the case, can I learn it too?"

Rain also seems interested in this spell.

"Of course, no problem."

◇

I wrote the spell formula on a piece of paper and handed it to them.

While looking at the paper, they cast the spell.

Chairs, files, and chalk in the room began to float in the air.

(To succeed on the first try, that's impressive. The spell formula was quite complex, after all.)

"Wow! Amazing! This is so convenient!"

"Hey, what's going on? --Something's floating. Did you develop a new spell?"

As Lucre was getting excited, Will entered the room.

Seeing the floating objects, he immediately deduced it was a new spell.

"Will, good morning. You figured out it was magic. Did you think it was a ghost's doing?"

Rain asked Will.

"Huh? A ghost? In the dungeon, maybe, but not here. Rain, did you think it was a ghost? Haha! That's why you're called a kid."

Will laughed while teasing Rain.

--!?

Then, a chilling aura of killing intent was released from Rain.

With a smile, Rain said,

"Will, sorry, I didn't hear you clearly. Could you repeat that?"

Will was sweating profusely.

"N-no, it's nothing. Don't worry about it."

"Really?"

"Y-yeah! I didn't say anything important."

Will looked relieved that there was no further questioning.

"If you say it again, I'll make you cry."

Then, a cold voice came from Rain.

"Okay, sorry."

Will was trembling as he apologized.

"Rain is scary..."

Lucre, sitting next to me, whispered so only I could hear.

I strongly agree.

◇

At nine o'clock, Selma entered the room.

"Good morning."

"Good morning, Selma. As always, right on time."

The scary atmosphere from earlier had dissipated, and Rain was back to her usual self.

"Sorry, I stopped by the exploration management department. --Now, regarding today's plan, the exploration management department has requested that we collect Noxious Sheep wool because they are running low. So today, we will hunt Noxious Sheep on the 86th floor while confirming our coordination."

Noxious Sheep are large, two-meter-long magical beasts.

Their wool is very hard and elastic, providing high defense.

They can also exhale a red-black breath that paralyzes the body if inhaled.

They are quite troublesome magical beasts.

While troublesome as magical beasts, the fact that they are protected by their wool means that clothing made from it would have significant defensive properties.

Therefore, Noxious Sheep wool is in high demand.

"Any questions so far?"

"Can I ask one?"

I raised my hand and asked for permission to speak.

"Sure, what is it?"

"Since it's the 86th floor, the front-line fighters won't be as active, but can I participate as a rear guard?"

"No, I want you to participate as a front-line attacker. In the future, I want you to generally act as a front-line attacker. If you think another role is more suitable, you can switch, but in principle, I want you to act as a front-line attacker."

Hmm, so basically a front-line attacker, but with some flexibility.

That's appreciated.

"Also, the reason we're going to the 86th floor is as mentioned, but there's also the possibility, though I don't want to think about it, that our coordination with Orun might not work out. However, since we, the rear guards, know each other's quirks, we can cover for each other in such a case."

I see.

Even if I don't function well, if it's a floor where the rear guards can shine, the chances of getting through are higher.

"I understand."

"Any other questions? ...Then let's move on to the basic coordination check."

The content was as expected.

First, regarding support magic.

I don't need to receive Selma's buffs and can cast my own freely.

Well, with the ability to stack buffs, it's more efficient for me to cast my own.

Selma will focus on buffing the other members.

Just reducing the number of people managing buffs will significantly reduce Selma's burden.

Next, regarding attacks.

The primary attackers will be me and Rain.

Lucre will always keep some reserve for healing magic, and participate in attacks when healing isn't needed.

Will will focus on hate control, with damage being secondary.

Selma will maintain various buffs and command the team.

We also discussed various other details.

"That's about it. Is there anything else you want to mention? ...It seems not. Let's head to the Great Labyrinth!"

"Ooh!!!"

The three responded to Selma's call.

We often did this during teaching explorations. This might be a fixed routine for the Silver Hare of the Night Sky.

I want to participate next time...

Everyone stood up to head to the Great Labyrinth and left the operations room.

◇

As we approached the Great Labyrinth, the number of explorers increased.

And their gazes were directed at me.

"You're a celebrity, huh?"

Lucre chimed in.

Being under so many gazes isn't a good feeling.

And I can hear various voices.

--Is that the Dragon Slayer?

--I heard the Dragon Slayer is free now.

--But that coat is from the Silver Hare of the Night Sky, right?

--So he joined the Silver Hare of the Night Sky!?

--This might mean the Silver Hare of the Night Sky is close to returning to the front lines!

--The Hero Party can't be complacent, can they!?

Ignoring the voices, I focused my mind.

I converted from a swordsman to an enchanter at the 62nd floor, the beginning of the lower levels.

Since then, I have explored the Great Labyrinth as an enchanter.

While I understand the movements and characteristics of the magical beasts, this is my first time exploring the later stages of the lower levels as a swordsman.

I'm nervous, but also excited.

This is the position I've always wanted to explore the dungeon in.

I will do my best not to disappoint the expectations of this clan that welcomed me.

My current goal is to conquer the 93rd floor.

To match the Hero Party.

We arrived in front of the crystal at the entrance to the Great Labyrinth.

We placed our guild cards on the crystal and teleported to the 86th floor.

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