Volume 1 Chapter 13 Aria-san Is Looking For A Master
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
It’s been years since our whole class got pulled into this world. Day after day, we dive into dungeons, chasing after monsters and collecting magic stones. Sometimes, we pick up things we can sell for money. Even though we keep living like this, nothing gets better. In fact, just like Shimizaki-san warned, things slowly get worse.
”I wonder what’s going to happen to us,” I said quietly.
”Hey, Shion, what if you all just tried to be happy for once?” Haruka asked, glancing up from where she sat.
We were in Haruka’s room, the leader of the 3rd Division party. It was a rare break in our usual rhythm.
”That won’t work,” I said, shaking my head. “Sorry, but if we leave, we can’t even eat. Divisions like the 1st or 3rd aren’t based on effort. It’s just luck—what skills we were given. That’s why we help each other. Don’t worry, Ginga-kun and the others feel the same way.”
”Yeah, but it’s still strange,” Haruka said, frowning. “Most of the girls in our class have never dated anyone. The reason is… well, ‘so we can sell ourselves for more later,’ right? …I’m not saying it’s your fault, Shion.”
In our class, the only couples are me and Ginga-kun, and a few from the 2nd Division, like Kanou-san and her group.
”Until Haruka becomes Takumi-kun’s girlfriend, she has to keep pushing. But the competition’s strong, right? Chinatsu-chan and Hikari-chan are aiming for him too,” I added.
Everyone knows the girls in Takumi-kun’s group are doing inappropriate things. Even Haruka wants to go to his room, but she holds back—there’s a gap between the 3rd and 5th Divisions. Girls like Nagai Kahoru-san from the 5th Division have already chosen to sell their bodies. Even so, life hasn’t gotten easier for them.
”No, it’s not like that between me and Takumi-kun…” Haruka murmured, her cheeks turning red.
But her voice lacked strength. Haruka clearly wants a boyfriend too.
That was around the time Ginga-kun—my boyfriend, childhood friend, and the class’s strongest skill-holder—brought it up. He said he wanted us to go independent, just when everything was starting to fall apart.
”You know, Shion-chan… maybe we should go off on our own,” Ginga-kun said gently.
”Huh? Why? If we leave, Haruka and the others might die. Are you serious, Ginga-kun?” I snapped.
My voice came out too sharp. Ginga-kun lowered his head.
”Ah, sorry. I didn’t mean to yell,” I said, biting my lip.
”No, it’s fine. I should’ve explained better,” he replied, managing a soft smile.
Ginga-kun has a very cute face. During our school’s festival, when he dressed as a girl, he groaned, “Ugh… this girl power’s too strong… The only thing I’ve got is chest size…” and completely crushed the girls’ spirits. He’s small and looks like he could lose a fight to Kurumi-chan. Still, with his rare skill Magic Swordsman: Master, he’s our strongest.
Our party is built around him: Tatsuhiro Suenaga, quick and in charge of scouting; Katsuya Domoto, the shield; and me, handling long-range support and healing with my rare magic. We’re called the 1st Division. Together with the 2nd Division, we’ve managed to reach the lower levels of the upper floors.
”Shion-chan… You know if we keep going like this, it’s only going to get worse. So that’s why I think…”
* * *
Now, Ginga-kun stands before the eight of us who moved into a new base. Like last time, we’ve rented out an old military building. Watching him speak with confidence makes my heart warm. He used to always hide behind me as a kid.
”Thanks for agreeing to the plan, everyone,” Ginga-kun said, facing us. “Let me explain it again.”
Even Suenaga-kun and Rinko Kanda, who were against it at first, now nod along. I’m proud of how serious everyone looks.
”Tomorrow, we’ll head into the middle levels of the new dungeon. It’s said to be the best one for earning money out of the five in McGaref. Until now, we’ve played it safe—but this time, we’ll take some risks,” he continued.
”I’ll protect everyone from attacks,” Domoto-kun said, clenching a fist.
”I’ll handle the openings,” Suenaga-kun added. “Since it’s mostly plains, Nagasaka-san’s archery should shine.”
Hearing that from teammates who’ve stood beside me for years makes me want to cry. We all exchange a quiet nod.
”Thanks. Since we’ve split off, we’re in a tough spot now. Shimizaki-san will tell the others what we’re doing. I didn’t say this earlier, but… if I told you our goal from the start, I was afraid you might stop us,” Ginga-kun said, looking down.
I think of the others we left behind. I’ll miss Yawashi-kun’s cooking, but I can deal with it for now.
”Our goal is to save up 200 silver coins each. That’s how much it takes to buy citizenship. With that, a person can own up to four slaves. There are 27 of us, including Nagai Kahoru-san. Sanada Shiori-san is already a semi-citizen through adoption, so we have 26 left. If five of us get citizenship, we can protect the rest, at least keep them out of worse situations. They could work as servants, not just as fighters or… other things.”
”Wait, that leaves one person out, doesn’t it?” said Kotaro Kano, the 2nd Division’s leader, counting on his fingers.
”I’ll be that one,” Ginga-kun replied with a soft smile. “I’m joining the army and will get partial citizenship like Sanada-san. I’ve already gotten an offer.”
”Well, someone like you would get picked right away,” someone muttered, clearly impressed.
I cursed Gatsuka in my head. Ginga might act calm, but joining the army here means danger. I wish he’d think it through more.
”We need to earn a total of 1,000 gold coins—five people’s worth. Shimizaki-san said if we don’t take risks, we can last about 100 days. So even though we’re trying to live as the 3rd Division, we’ll need to earn fast,” Ginga-kun explained.
”I’ll cut my spending down to a third, so please be patient,” he added.
”What?! That means I can only go to the brothel once a month…” Domoto-kun groaned, sounding like he was dying.
Didn’t he just promise to protect us earlier?
”Anyway, that’s the plan. If no one objects, we’ll dive into the dungeon tomorrow. But I have one last thing to say,” Ginga-kun said, glancing at us with a shy smile.
”I… I love all of you. And I love the ones we left behind too. So let’s work hard together these next few months, and make sure everyone who survives has a chance to live in peace.”
We all clapped. Our hearts were one. Watching Ginga-kun’s red face made my chest tighten—and yeah, I’ll spoil him a bit later.
”Um, can I ask something?” said a soft voice.
Funakoshi Aria raised her hand. Her rare skill “Maid” supports us with cooking, cleaning, and daily needs. She’s half Scandinavian, with silver-blonde hair, fair skin, and a graceful body that makes people stare. I remember Kahoru-san, who recently returned to her natural hair color, muttering with envy.
”Sure, Funakoshi-san. It’ll be hard on you too, but we’re thankful,” I said.
”No, I’m not putting my life on the line like the rest of you,” she said softly. “But… who will be my master this time?”
Everyone froze.
”Huh? Did she just say master?” someone whispered.
”Ah, sorry,” Funakoshi-san said, bowing slightly. “I forgot to mention. My skill only activates when I’m assigned a master. So… I need someone to take that role.”
”…So that’s why dinner tasted weird?” Suenaga-kun muttered.
”I’m sorry. It probably wasn’t very good. Since we changed locations and I don’t have a master now, the effects didn’t trigger,” she said.
Ahh… That’s what it was. I was starting to fear we’d have to eat like that from now on. I let out a breath of relief.
”Yes! I’ll be your master, Funakoshi-san—or Aria-chan!” Domoto-kun shouted, jumping up.
”Me too! I don’t mind being a servant either!” Suenaga-kun added.
”No! That makes no sense! I’ll become Aria-chan’s slave!” Yoshizuka-kun cried.
The three of them raised their hands at once. I couldn’t help but laugh. Idiots. Mido-kun and Chinatsu-chan used to lift the mood, but I guess these three will take their place. Still, you fools—rejected, all of you.
”Um… well…” Funakoshi-san stammered.
Then she dropped a shocking line.
”I have to serve my master at night too. But I’m still a virgin, so… maybe it should be a woman.”
”Eh.”
”Eh.”
”Eh.”
”Eh.”
”Eh.”
”Eh.”
”Eh.”
”Eh.”
We all said it at the same time. Even I was caught off guard. Ginga-kun, you’re not blushing right now, are you? I’ll count that as cheating.
”No, I have my stepbrother, so it’s impossible!” said Kanno Sayoh-chan, waving her hands like crazy.
She became a stepsister when her parents remarried. Even in this world, she started dating her brother without shame. She’s a full-on idiot couple type.
”Then… I guess it’ll be me or Rinko,” I said with a sigh.
”…Fine. I’ll do it,” Rinko Kandakawa said, face red. “But Aria, seriously… Do I really have to serve you at night? I’m a virgin too…”
”Yes. If I don’t… my skill doesn’t work well,” Aria said with a small smile. “So please be kind, Master.”
And so, Aria-chan was registered under Rinko. I still don’t get what kind of skill needs that kind of service. But if I ask, I might regret it… so I’ll stay quiet.
”Well then, let’s get some rest,” Ginga-kun said, ending the meeting. “We move out at dawn tomorrow. Thank you, everyone.”
Everyone scattered to their rooms. I gathered my thoughts, then headed to Ginga-kun’s room.
Aria-chan… That look you gave? Yeah, I’ll need to have a word with you about it.
Notes:
• Haruka – 3rd Division leader. Aspires to be Takumi’s GF.
• Shion – Ginga’s GF. Archery, healing.
• Chinatsu-chan – Hikari’s party. Frustrated, jokes about prostitution.
• Hikari-chan – 4th Division leader. Stressed, relies on Takumi.
• Chinatsu – Hikari’s party. Frustrated, jokes about prostitution.
• Hikari – 4th Division leader. Stressed, relies on Takumi.
• Nagai Kahoru – Former gal, courtesan. Desperate relationship with Takumi.
• Kaho – 3rd Army leader. Worried, ceremonial magic.
• Shion-chan – Ginga’s GF. Archery, healing.
• Tatsuhiro – Classmate, Kahoru’s customer.
• Suenaga – Classmate, Kahoru’s customer.
• Katsuya – 1st Division vanguard. Wanted virgin at brothel.
• Rinko Kanda – Reluctantly becomes Aria’s master. Hesitant, responsible.
• Suenaga-kun – Classmate, Kahoru’s customer.
• McGaref – Fortress city, adventurer hub.
• Domoto-kun – 1st Division vanguard. Wanted virgin at brothel.
• Funakoshi Aria – ‘Maid Skill’ expert. Initially masterless, joins Rinko. Leaves group, impacts chores.
• Mido-kun – 4th Army leader. Optimistic, cooperative.
• Sayo – A Cup. Non-virgin. The younger sibling in the fake-sibling couple.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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