Volume 1 Chapter 2
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Yaaaawn… so sleepy…”
In a classroom bathed in the soft glow of the spring sun, it was a Herculean task to stay awake during the period immediately following lunch. It was even worse because the class I was currently enduring was ‘National Citizenry¹‘ – a course supposedly designed to teach us the proper way to be a Japanese citizen.
In reality, it was just a blatant attempt to indoctrinate students with the outdated idea that we should remain subservient to the state and the government, no matter how much power we eventually obtained. I’m sure plenty of students had opinions on the curriculum, but if you were caught dozing off in a class the government took this seriously, there was a real chance your entry permit to ‘Phase Zero²‘ would be revoked. So, I did my best to choke back my yawns and kept up the act of paying attention.
(Well, it’s not like I’m the only one struggling here…)
My classmates looked just as drowsy as I felt. The only reason they even attended this academy was the hope of diving into the ‘Dungeons’ to secure money and fame. They only tolerated this place to get the minimum qualifications to use ‘Phase Zero.’
None of them were actually going to rebel against the classes they needed, but I doubted there was a single soul weird enough to want to use their powers for the sake of the country’s higher-ups – men who did nothing but play pathetic political games.
Finally, the chime rang out, signaling the end of the tedious lecture.
”…The next period will be training in ‘Phase Zero.’ Change into your athletic gear and assemble at the dungeon entrance,” the teacher said.
At the teacher’s words, the classroom erupted into life. Once the girls headed for their locker room, the remaining guys started changing quickly right there in the classroom. I also changed into my academy-issued gym clothes, and a classmate approached me.
”Kanade! Let’s head to the dungeon together!” Youta shouted.
It was my friend, Nakayama Youta, his gym clothes stretched tight over a physique that was already becoming ridiculously buff. He didn’t look like a mountain of muscle when we first met, but every time he went through a training cycle in ‘Phase Zero,’ his body seemed to bulk up more. It was a sign that he was destined for a melee-focused [Dungeon Job³]. Melee types were always in high demand, so Youta probably wouldn’t have any trouble finding work after graduation.
”Yeah, let’s go…” I replied.
I fell into step with Youta as we left the classroom and headed toward the dungeon entrance.
”Man, the Four Heavenly Kings in our class were looking top-tier today! I was so bored during ‘National Citizenry’ I was basically just staring at them the whole time,” Youta said.
The Four Heavenly Kings of our class… though it wasn’t because they were the four strongest. It was just a nickname for the group of beauties who had somehow all ended up in our class, specifically the four who stood out the most.
”Haha… I mean, I get it. But even if you say ‘Four Heavenly Kings,’ you were probably just looking at Higuchi-san again, weren’t you?” I said.
Higuchi Maria… she was a standout even among the Kings, a blonde gal with a chest so impressive it practically defined her. Among the guys, she was nicknamed ‘Boob Gal,’ but if anyone ever actually said that to her face, she’d probably punch them while laughing it off. Anyway, Youta was a self-proclaimed fan of hers, so I was willing to bet he’d spent the last hour staring at her chest.
”Hell yeah! Maria-chan’s tits are on another level! I’m hoping she’ll give me a tit-sandwich one of these days! What about you, Kanade? You’re still a fan of the Class Rep, right?” Youta said.
’The Class Rep’… also known as Tanaka Mana-san. She was the polar opposite of Higuchi-san – a serious, prim-and-proper girl with glasses and silky black hair tied back in a ponytail. She wasn’t actually a class representative or anything, but she had that vibe about her, so the guys started calling her that out of affection. She didn’t seem to mind, so the name had stuck. Her look was a direct hit to my personal strike zone, but…
”I mean, sure, but… the Class Rep already has a boyfriend,” I said.
”Ugh, that smug soccer ace, Kosaka… Mana-chan was born with everything, but her taste in men is a total tragedy!” Youta shouted.
Youta hit the nail on the head. Her boyfriend was the star of the soccer team. He might have been nice to the Class Rep and the other pretty girls, but his attitude toward everyone else was absolute trash. Because of that shitty personality, he was universally loathed by the other guys. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to steal the Class Rep away from a guy like that, but it wasn’t like I could actually do it. In this world, being a handsome guy was the ultimate stat.
”So, does that mean you’ve switched to Haruka-san? Or is South-chan too loli for you?” Youta asked.
”Haha, well, yeah… but Haruka-san is just a bit too cool for me,” I replied.
The remaining two of the Kings were Izumi Haruka-san and Matsuyama Minami-chan. Minami-chan – or ‘South-chan’ – had a face that was way too cute and a body that lacked any curves, which earned her a cult following among certain gentlemen. To put it bluntly, she was a loli. Her nickname, appropriately enough, was ‘Loli Princess.’
Then there was Haruka-san, a cool type who used the masculine boku to refer to herself. She was so handsome in both looks and personality that both guys and girls called her ‘The Prince.’ Despite her tomboyish charm, she actually had the second-largest chest after Higuchi-san. In my personal ranking, Haruka-san was definitely number two… but the Class Rep was still my top pick.
”Man, I really hope she and that soccer prick break up soon…” I sighed.
”Heh, you might get your wish! That ‘Season of Encounters and Partings’ is about to kick off today!” Youta said.
The Season of Encounters and Partings… that was just another name for the time when we academy students finally obtained our [Dungeon Jobs]. While there was some individual variation, you generally got your [Dungeon Job] once your total training time in ‘Phase Zero’ hit a certain threshold. Since we only entered ‘Phase Zero’ during class hours, most of us would be getting our Jobs at almost exactly the same time.
A [Dungeon Job] was a life-altering event. And humans are materialistic creatures. Depending on what Job someone landed, they might suddenly dump their current partner or start dating someone new who got a high-rank Job. It was a time of pure social upheaval.
”Well, the ‘parting’ part doesn’t really apply to us since we’re single… so let’s just pray for some bad luck for the normies, especially Kosaka!” Youta laughed.
”True that… damn, I’d love to actually get laid with the Class Rep just once…” I muttered.
”And I want Maria-chan to give me a tit-job!” Youta replied.
Engaging in that kind of dirty talk typical of guys our age, we made our way toward the entrance of ‘Phase Zero.’
—
Summary:
Kanade and Youta finish a boring class on ‘National Citizenry’ while anticipating their upcoming training in ‘Phase Zero.’ They discuss the ‘Four Heavenly Kings’ of their class, revealing their personal crushes and the toxic social dynamics involving the popular soccer ace, Kosaka. The chapter ends with the reveal that the time to receive ‘Dungeon Jobs’ is approaching, an event that frequently causes social shifts and breakups.
—
Trivia:
- Physical Transformation: Youta’s rapid muscle growth is a direct result of his affinity for a melee-type Dungeon Job, suggesting the power system influences the physical body even before a Job is assigned.
- Government Distrust: The protagonist’s internal monologue highlights a deep-seated tension between the state’s desire for control and the independent power gained through dungeons.
- Job-Based Social Darwinism: The ‘Season of Encounters and Partings’ establishes that in this world, personal relationships are often dictated by the perceived value of one’s magical profession
—
Character Insight:
Kanade and Youta have a classic ‘bro’ dynamic, bonding over shared exclusion from the school’s elite social circles. Kanade’s resentment toward Kosaka shows he is at the bottom of the current social hierarchy, while Youta’s physical changes suggest he might soon climb it.
—
Lore And Worldbuilding Context:
The ‘Phase Zero’ facility appears to be the primary training ground for students to unlock their [Dungeon Jobs]. The society is heavily structured around these Jobs, influencing everything from education to romantic relationships.
—
TL Notes:
The term ‘National Citizenry’ (日本国民学) was localized to reflect the indoctrination-heavy tone Kanade describes. The Four Heavenly Kings (四天王) is a standard trope, here adapted as a school popularity ranking.
—
Glossary:
Notes:
• Kanade – A first-year student and self-described virgin who has just obtained a [Dungeon Job]. He is a fledgling Dungeon Explorer trying to activate his unique skill. The protagonist. A student at the academy. He possesses a cynical view of the government’s ‘National Citizenry’ classes and is highly attracted to the class representative, Tanaka Mana. The protagonist. A student who has spent a few dozen hours in the Phase Zero dungeon. He possesses a strong admiration for the Class President and a cynical view of his handsome classmates.
• Youta – Kanade’s classmate and friend. An energetic boy who recently obtained the [Heavy Warrior] Common Job. Kanade’s friend and classmate. He is enthusiastic about dungeon exploration and is the first of the duo to sense his awakening.
• Nakayama Youta – Kanade’s friend. A heavily muscled male student whose physique has grown through ‘Phase Zero’ training. He is an open fan of Higuchi Maria and is likely destined for a melee-type Dungeon Job.
• Higuchi Maria – One of the Four Heavenly Kings. A blonde, tanned gyaru with a very large chest. Known by the nickname ‘Boob Gal’ among male students.
• Tanaka Mana – The ‘Class Rep’ (nickname). A serious, prim beauty with glasses and black hair in a ponytail. She is currently dating the soccer ace, Kosaka.
• Matsuyama Minami – One of the Four Heavenly Kings. Known as the ‘Loli Princess.’ She has a childlike face and a flat chest.
• Izumi Haruka – One of the Four Heavenly Kings. A handsome, ‘Prince’ type girl who uses ‘boku’ to refer to herself. She has a large bust size, second only to Higuchi.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
Leave a Reply