Volume 4 Chapter 18 Mid-Semester Sub-Event – Study Session
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
We’ve been putting our energy into dungeon training to fulfill our duties as sorcerers, but as high school freshmen, dungeon exploration isn’t the only thing we have to do.
Regular schoolwork is important, too, and there are those who actually want to enjoy their club activities.
If you focus on schoolwork and aim to go to university, you end up competing with classmates who don’t have dungeon training. Generally speaking, that puts us at a disadvantage. That’s why many of my classmates hope to get into the Magic Studies major, where sorcerers get priority for admission. To get into any other department, we have to pass the same entrance exams as the plain-folk.
For sorcerers whose families expect them to go into medical or economics departments, focusing on schoolwork is a must. Time is limited. Unless you’re superhuman, it’s hard to do everything perfectly.
The adults are well aware of those circumstances. One of the ways to help students who focus on schoolwork is the Tower Dungeon.
By clearing the Trial Tower created by the Simulated Dungeon device (a machine that makes fake dungeons) to a certain level, you can earn credit equivalent to passing your dungeon training. Since the Tower Dungeon is on campus, travel time is short. Its inside is simple—a careful selection of typical things found in real dungeons, like fighting monsters and solving dungeon puzzles.
If you can clear the challenges on each floor, it’s considered that you can handle a real dungeon.
You might think, Wouldn’t every student just choose the Tower Dungeon to save time? The reason that isn’t the case is that, naturally, using a substitute comes with downsides.
In the end, the Tower Dungeon is just a simulation.
No matter how strong a monster you create, it’s always within a predicted range. You don’t get the sudden, unexpected events that happen in real dungeons, so your ability to react to crises isn’t trained.
The veterans who have been diving into real dungeons for years still hold strong views against the Tower Dungeon; no matter how hard you work, your grade will only ever be a “pass” at best. What’s more important is that the monsters don’t drop items.
Since there are no drop items, you can’t turn anything in. As a result, you can’t raise your equipment purchasing rank. You’ll struggle when you decide you want to dive into a real dungeon in the future.
Effectively, by the time you’re in high school, you’re already choosing how you’ll be involved with dungeons from here on out. It’s a lot like choosing between humanities or sciences. While almost everyone used to dive into dungeons in the past, a group that chooses not to dive is slowly growing.
”Ugh… differential and integral calculus… integer problems… my brain is…” Risa groaned, her voice filled with exaggerated stress.
”Please, do your best~” Yurina offered, her tone gentle and encouraging.
After school, the whole group is studying in Risa’s room.
The midterms are coming up. These next two weeks are a break from dungeon clearing.
Risa and Yurina are desperately trying to solve problems.
I heard that originally, neither of them planned on going to university. After graduating from National High School, they were supposed to join the Naruse merchant guild, their family home, and make a living by diving into the dungeons within the 13th District. If you sell the rare items you get as drops to the merchant guild, no one calls you a parasite.
Because they’d intended to do that since junior high, their academic grades were very low. They only just barely managed to pass the National High School entrance exam. Their academic class rank is easier to count from the bottom.
Since they’ve joined my group, I won’t go as far as to say they need to get into the same university as me, but we’re going to have a problem if they don’t get into a university in the same district. I’ve packed their schedules with heavy, hard study plans.
The other one, Mitsuki, who carries an air of a “muscle-brain” just from her physical size, is surprisingly good at academics. She’s about as smart as Asari, so she’s fine.
”Risa, you got that wrong.” I pointed out, keeping my tone neutral.
”Ugh… I don’t get it at all…” Risa whined, her voice high and dramatic.
The one teaching Risa, who is clutching her head in frustration, is her older sister, Momono-san.
Apparently, she hopes to go to a national university in the Old Capital, so she’s acting as Risa’s home tutor while taking a break herself.
”Are you okay with being abandoned by Minoru-san?” Momono-san asked with an air of refined superiority.
”No way!” Risa exclaimed, her tone frantic.
”Then, shall we do our best?” Momono-san prodded elegantly.
”Okaaaay…” Risa sighed, sounding completely defeated.
Risa mutters complaints, and even though she looks like she’s about to break, she keeps solving the problems. Yurina is also solving training problems with Chifumi and the others teaching her.
”Done~!!” Risa cheered, her enthusiasm bubbling over.
”Yes, good work.” I said, offering a calm nod.
As time passes, Risa, who finished a little earlier, stands up.
”What’s wrong?” I asked.
”I’m going to go get tea and snacks. Yurina, you help too.” Risa commanded with a flourish.
”Oh, me too…” Yurina replied softly.
Risa, Yurina, and Momono-san leave the room.
”Your sister is really smart, huh~” Chifumi remarked casually.
”That was a really easy-to-understand explanation. …Risa can do it if she puts her mind to it, so if we have two more years, we should be able to manage something.” I replied.
”I suppose so~” Chifumi agreed.
I comment on the members of the Naruse family estate who aren’t here, while chatting with Chifumi. The three of them return with a tray of Japanese sweets and tea, so we take a break.
As I’m having some tea and catching my breath, Momono-san speaks up.
”Everyone is excellent, with a couple of exceptions. I’m impressed.” Momono-san declared, maintaining her noble posture.
”Thank you very much.” I said.
”You really are all such good kids… Minoru-kun, are you sure about Risa? If it were you, couldn’t you have chosen someone smarter and cuter? Especially Risa. She doesn’t have a demure ‘Yamato Nadeshiko (a traditional ideal Japanese woman)’ personality like Yurina-chan, either.”
”No, no. It’s hard to find someone cuter than Risa.” I insisted.
There are rarely any sorcerers with a slender build who still intend to dive into dungeons. On top of that, since she’s also beautiful, she was my top-priority target. Risa, who uses a magic pistol, is a very useful person for dungeon exploration because she can do many different things.
”Minoru…♡” Risa breathed, her tone filled with sugary affection.
Risa’s gaze feels good.
Risa, who is packed with the “strong-willed gyaru-style (a flashy, trendy young woman style) young lady” quality. A girl like that obediently spreads her legs for me on the futon and serves me. Once you’ve tasted that feeling, there’s no way you’d ever want to let her go.
”……”
Among the members watching my response, I notice Yurina’s expression isn’t looking good.
Don’t tell me she’s thinking less of herself?
Momono-san seems to have noticed, too. She cheerfully steers the conversation.
”How about you, Yurina-chan? Do you have any complaints about Minoru-kun being your master?” Momono-san asked pointedly.
”Me!? Um… complaints? Nothing like that!” Yurina stammered, her voice shaking slightly.
”That face tells me you have some. Now’s the time to say it. Your big sister gives you permission.” Momono-san coached with a smug smile.
”Um…” Yurina hesitated.
She glances at me, so I nod, and Yurina opens her mouth.
”Um, I’m trying hard with my cooking too, so… I want you to eat it.” Yurina whispered.
”…Let’s do some training, little by little. Risa, I’ll leave the tutoring to you.” I instructed.
When Yurina comes over to stay, we either bring dinner from the main house or I cook.
I knew she was worried about being the only one who couldn’t cook. But I had ignored it to protect my own comfort. It’s pathetic to tell her “no” here, after all. This is a good opportunity—I’ll have Risa teach her how to cook.
Risa looks at me with a “Seriously!?” expression, but it seems she’s made up her mind after seeing Yurina’s serious gaze.
”Got it. Yurina, you’re doing this for real this time, okay?” Risa chirped, though her tone remained sharp.
”Of course.” Yurina promised earnestly.
Something caught my attention.
”This time…?” I murmured.
At my mutter, the two of them make an “Oops” face.
”No, well, we’ve tried a few times before, but it didn’t go very well.” Risa admitted, shifting uncomfortably.
”I wanted to surprise you, so I was doing some training in secret… I’m sorry…” Yurina apologized.
So that’s what it was.
Momono-san, who was watching the exchange between the two, chimes in.
”I’ll cooperate too, so let’s do our best.” Momono-san offered gracefully.
”Big sis, isn’t it bad if you don’t enter ‘exam mode’ soon?” Risa asked.
”You’re saying that now while you’re watching Risa and the others study? It’s a good change of pace for me, so it’s perfectly fine.” Momono-san countered with a light laugh.
”Though, whether it’s actually a ‘change of pace’ depends on Yurina…” Risa noted dryly.
Anyway, it feels like we’ll be able to manage the studying and the cooking, thanks to Momono-san’s help.
”Momono-san, thank you very much.” I said.
”It’s fine~. It’s only natural, since it’s for my cute little sister.” Momono-san replied with a warm, noble air.
They’re supposed to be half-sisters, but she’s incredibly devoted to her little sister. She’s a wonderful older sister.
”But, if you’re even a little bit grateful, I’d like you to grant my request, too~” Momono-san added, her voice dropping into a playful tone.
Momono-san starts saying things like that.
”A request, is it?” I asked, my voice guarded.
”Yes.” she confirmed.
”…What kind of request would that be?” I probed.
I can’t see her intention. I ask while being a little on guard.
”Nothing in particular for now. I’d just be happy if you could help me when I’m in trouble in the future~” she teased.
”That’s, well, if it’s within my power.” I conceded.
”You might end up having to help me sooner than you think. Take care of me, okay? ♡” Momono-san chirped.
From the way she deliberately winks, I know she’s just teasing me.
The fact that Risa and the others aren’t saying anything after hearing the exchange suggests it wasn’t something bad. Momono-san seems like the mischievous type, so it’s likely part of that.
We finish the break, sit at our desks for about another hour, and today’s study session ends.
”Alright! Let’s train! I want to use that.” Risa shouted energetically.
Risa stands up energetically.
We’re supposed to dive into the Daily Dungeon today to test out new equipment. Risa takes a tube-shaped unit out of the magic pistol storage box and immediately begins attaching it to her assault-rifle-type magic pistol.
We thank Momono-san, part ways, and move to the dojo.
From there, we head toward the underground dungeon.
What Risa had prepared was a grenade unit.
By attaching it to the barrel of a magic pistol, she can fire high-explosive shells. We swap out the non-attribute unit she used in the previous battle against the Unique Variant for a heat-attribute unit and check that it works.
With our contribution points being low right now, the units we can buy don’t have convenient features like attribute-switching.
They’re units designed for a specific attribute. By the way, this one item alone costs a pretty penny. It’s an early investment based on the expectation that she’ll be using heat shells in the future.
The monsters I set for the dungeon were those with high evasion and high mobility.
We succeed in burning away the rats, the delinquents, and the anatomical models in a runaway state.
The bullet velocity is good, and I judge that it can be used in battles against statues as well.
After clearing the dungeon, the sun is already setting by the time we get outside.
Tonight’s shift is Chifumi. Let’s go do some shopping and head home.
The four of them besides Chifumi decided to stay at the Naruse family estate. Tomorrow is a day off, so that’s fine, too.
I hope they do their best with Yurina’s cooking training.
We plan our schedule for the future while walking home together.
Anyway, it’s all about raising funds right now.
Having purchased three rocket shells and two grenade units, we ended up draining almost all the money we got from selling drop items. This decision wasn’t wrong. It’s natural to spend money where it’s needed.
It’s obvious that we’ll need even more money in the future. The next thing we’re aiming for is purchasing uniforms for everyone. It’s a large amount. We need to earn efficiently, or get some temporary income somehow.
Depending on the family is considered pathetic, so that’s the last resort.
The treasure collected by the sea snake we killed at Onigashima is our secret card.
We talk about this and that.
The conversation goes off on various tangents, and it’s hard to reach a conclusion, but just talking with Chifumi, whose expressions change so quickly, is fun in itself.
—
Summary:
The group takes a break from dungeon training to focus on intensive mid-semester academic studies. Minoru oversees the study efforts at the Naruse estate, where Momono-san provides extra tutoring to help the girls improve their grades. The day concludes with a dungeon test run of Risa’s new equipment and a discussion on financial strategies, highlighting the group’s ongoing need for funds.
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Trivia:
- The Tower Dungeon provides a way for students to pass dungeon training without entering actual, dangerous dungeons.
- Tower Dungeon performance is graded, but it never allows for equipment rank-ups due to the lack of item drops.
- The choice between prioritizing academics vs. dungeon diving is framed as a “humanities vs. sciences” style decision for high schoolers.
- Naruse family members, including Momono-san, are heavily involved in Minoru’s group’s success.
- Minoru is carefully managing his resources, sacrificing liquidity for long-term gear investments like grenade units.
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Translation Notes:
Notes:
• R – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has successfully built a squad and added multiple girls, including M and A, into his group.
• M – A first-year student at District 13 High School and the childhood friend of Anonymous Student 0006, described as an atavistic strong-female who looks plain but possesses significant power.
• S – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has taken B from North Middle into his squad.
• T – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has recruited K and N from East Middle into his group.
• B – A student originally from North Middle School who was added to S’s group.
• N – A student from East Middle with an eccentric personality who entered National High School due to complex family circumstances and used herself as leverage to negotiate a protective agreement for K.
• A – A student from South Middle School described as an idol who has been recruited into R’s high school squad.
• Risa – A tall, well-endowed Plain-folk Naruse merchant student and disciplined Onibara practitioner. Minoru’s strong-willed, protective childhood friend and servant, she defers to Chifumi, knows Yurina, and suspects Komoda. Lacking innate sorcery, this cautious Shooting club member works hard to cover the squad’s weaknesses, using a rifle and magic pistols with magic bullets to snipe monsters and harvest loot.
• Yurina – A black-haired, refined Plain-folk Kendo vanguard and devoted partner in Minoru’s squad. Stoic, polite, and Chifumi’s childhood protector, she relies on Minoru’s support sorcery to execute front-line battle maneuvers. Distrusting the Komoda group, she wields a swift katana and Severing Sorcery to explore dungeons. She aspires to join her family guild despite struggling academically and culinarily.
• Yuri – A cheerful and energetic first-year student at Higashi High who is a classmate of Shibuya and an acquaintance of Kibe Yurina from their middle school days. A girl known for being aggressive toward Hayato and displaying overt favoritism.
• Naruse – The Naruse family, an old‑money, influential sorcerer lineage and the surname of Risa, inhabits a modest estate whose dojo is smaller than the Onigahara estate’s, reflecting their prestigious yet understated presence.
• Mitsuki – A tall, dark-skinned transfer student with a physically imposing, athletic hourglass figure and unexpected academic prowess. Blunt yet enthusiastic, she is Minoru’s deeply devoted, clingy childhood friend, rival, and Witch. Wielding a Kanabo with destructive Oni-fication and recovery sorcery, this top assassin candidate leads a vanguard party alongside Manaka and Koki.
• Asari – A serious, diligent Kasakura first-year, this tall (170cm+), long-haired, curvy (E-cup) Handicrafts club member and Onigahara Dojo trainee is highly intelligent. As a reliable defensive vanguard in Minoru’s squad, her barrier sorcery defeats anomalies and strong seniors. Close to Mari and Nagase, she is a devoted, intimate partner to Minoru, until she is tragically devoured by a Phantom.
• Momono – A petite, chubby high school senior with gentle, drooping eyes, Risa’s older sister also acts as a tutor. Possessing a refined yet mischievous nature, she displays a welcoming curiosity rather than hostility toward Risa’s partner.
• Minoru – A lean, black-haired student sorcerer and reincarnated dungeon explorer leads an all-female party in a reversed-beauty world. Clad in a uniform, this pragmatic, calculating tactician uses Tatemiya magic, an iron whip, and shadow/space sorcery. Balancing academic pressure and an upcoming duel, he manages route pacts and guides his childhood friend, partner Risa, recruit Mitsuki, and sister Mai.
• Chifumi – Scrawny and long-haired, this first-year Lead Majo is Minoru’s childhood friend, protector, and top harem member who interacts with Muto. An intellectual strategist, she masks a sharp demeanor with bubbly idol poses and quick-changing expressions. She coordinates the team, gathers intel on Aberrations, and wields a water staff for destructive AOE magic and ice-based defensive sorcery.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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