Chapter 56

"Alright! Then let's head to the Great Labyrinth this afternoon!"

After teaching them about the monsters, I also explained the basic concepts of various roles and the essentials of being an explorer, and it was just noon.

"Eh, is that okay...?"

"Yeah, the educational policy is entrusted to me. You guys must be bored just sitting and learning all day, right? And you probably want to move around a bit. I also want to see your true abilities to decide on the future educational policy."

I planned to have the three of them eat lunch in the cafeteria, but I instructed that the portions should be small.

When they asked if I wasn't eating in the cafeteria, I told them I would be fine with my homemade portable food, and they showed interest in the portable food, so we all ended up eating it.

The taste of the portable food I made is secondary.

I've managed to improve it to the point where it's not bad, but it's not delicious.

Naturally, the moment all three of them put the portable food in their mouths, their expressions froze.

"What is this! It's not deli---gulp gulp!"

"Oh, it's delicious, Master! To be able to make something like this, Master is amazing!"

Just as Carol was about to give her honest opinion, Log covered her mouth with his hand and tried to smooth things over.

"Phew! You'll die!"

"Haha... I know the taste is a bit off, so you don't have to force it. Do you want to eat in the cafeteria instead?"

"N-no! I can't leave something I've been given!"

It seems that not just Log, but the other two will eat everything too.

You don't have to force it here...

◇

After lunch, we arrived at the eleventh floor of the Great Labyrinth.

"Alright, now I want each of you to fight individually. I want to see how far you can go on your own. No matter what happens, I'll definitely protect you, so give it your all. Also, when you fight, wear this necklace around your neck."

Since the monsters are more likely to target a group of three rather than an individual, I had them wear the necklace I used during the black dragon battle.

Sophie will be the first to fight.

The enemy is five slimes.

"Sophie, good luck!"

"Y-Yes! ...[Fire Arrow]!"

Slimes are considered a typical example of weak monsters.

However, they have high physical resistance, and their weak point, the core, is small and hard to see in the center of their body.

Therefore, they are challenging opponents for new swordsmen.

However, Sophie is a mage.

She should be able to easily defeat five slimes.

She chose [Fire Arrow], a mid-level fire magic that slimes are weak against.

When the slimes get close, she calmly keeps her distance.

She maintains a certain distance and takes them down one by one.

If she could perform parallel casting, her elimination speed would be even faster, but for a beginner, her choice of magic and movement are fine.

I should teach Sophie parallel casting from now on.

◇

Next is Log's battle.

The enemy is four goblins.

Since Log is a blessing mage, he should focus on buff management rather than participating in attacks.

However, with only three people in the party, he has no choice but to participate in attacks.

It would be great if there were a new person who could keep up with these three...

Log quickly cast spells like [Earth Spikes] and [Fire Arrow], turning the goblins into magic stones.

After watching the battle again, I was certain.

Log can perform parallel casting.

The Exploration Management Department is a place to train beginners, so I don't think they would teach advanced explorers' necessary parallel casting.

So, he either learned it on his own or from another explorer.

In any case, it's impressive that he can do parallel casting at his age.

Despite his attitude, Log already has the necessary skills to be an explorer.

Now, what should I teach Log from here?

◇

Finally, it's Carol's turn to fight.

The enemy is two White Wolves.

White Wolves are known for their quick movements and powerful bites.

Carol, as usual, sticks close to the enemy, dodges attacks, and counters with her dagger.

Carol is clearly suited to be a front-line attacker.

Since she's my disciple, I won't let her be a dodging defender, which has the highest death rate.

I don't want to put her at such risk.

However, Carol is the only one who can be a front-line attacker right now.

Not having a defender in the party is fatal.

For now, I have to let her be a defender, but only up to the middle floors.

When we go to the lower floors, I'll convert her to a front-line attacker.

I need to find a defender who can keep up with these three.

Carol is dodging and slashing one of the White Wolves while the other is circling around.

Perhaps because she was focused on one, she left her back exposed to the other.

"Dangerous!"

Sophie screamed in alarm.

I channeled magic into the spell I was constructing and activated [Reflective Barrier].

The White Wolf that touched the gray, semi-transparent wall was thrown backward.

I activated [Triple Agility Boost] and closed the distance to the White Wolf in an instant.

I then bisected the defenseless White Wolf in mid-air.

◇

"Carol, you're fighting alone now, so you need to be aware of your surroundings."

I tried to reprimand Carol without sounding too harsh.

"Hmm? I knew it would come from behind. That's why I left myself exposed."

Carol said this as if it were obvious.

What does she mean? I don't understand.

"You knew? You could have been seriously injured!"

"Hmm? I wouldn't get hurt."

Our conversation isn't syncing.

Carol then slashed her wrist with the dagger she was holding.

Naturally, a lot of blood flowed from her wrist.

...Huh?

I didn't understand at first, but I immediately started constructing a spell to activate [Heal].

However, before I could activate it, the wound healed rapidly.

(What is this...?)

I couldn't hide my confusion and muttered to myself.

"This is my ability. No matter how badly I'm hurt, I heal immediately! I can't die! I'm used to pain, and I don't get hurt, so you can relax!"

She told me with a full smile.

How can I relax?!

This kid is too unbalanced.

Maybe it's not the time to be so relaxed.

Is this why she always charges into monsters?

Her skewed thinking and this ability.

I need to correct this dangerous thinking as soon as possible...

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