169 – Dungeon Design (3)
Humans do not change easily.
Each person has their own inertia in life, so they eventually return to their original place.
Struggling to change is only temporary.
Soon, you suffer from all kinds of temptations of self-justification, and the moment you lose to that temptation just once, a constant self-return takes place.
Most lives involve endless repetition of such processes.
However, there are people who escape from such a life of slavery and achieve self-realization.
If you look at this world’s standards, the cadets who entered the Imperial Academy were like that.
The tenacity to become the best by pushing oneself to the limit with natural talent and passion.
With such tenacity, they never once reached an agreement on compromise with themselves.
He steadfastly pursued the path he wanted to take, and eventually entered the Imperial Academy, where only the best talent can enter.
‘But that’s it.’
What I feel after repeating dozens or hundreds of regressions is that the passion of the academy cadets ends there.
In Korean terms, the mindset is ‘I went to a good university, so my life is over.’
In other words, the academy cadets are intoxicated.
The fact that they are Imperial Academy cadets.
And among them, the S class cadets were even more so.
Because they belong to the highest class in an academy that gathers only the best talent, it is easy for them to become intoxicated with their own skills and position.
However, if you ask whether such a mindset is wrong, the answer is usually ‘no’.
I entered Seoul National University after graduating from high school, and on top of that, I was ranked among the top students there.
Isn’t it possible to get a little drunk on one’s own efforts and talents?
To put it bluntly, even if you are in the bottom tier of Seoul National University, just because you got into it, where are you?
It’s Seoul National University. Seoul National University.
In normal cases, a certain degree of bravado and jokes can be tolerated.
No, rather, you can pat them on the back and tell them to be proud of themselves.
The efforts they have made to enter here are not easy at all.
‘But…’
But what if the Korean economy is 100% destined to collapse, and the only talented people who can prevent this are Seoul National University students?
What if it is certain that Korea will fail if they fail to demonstrate their capabilities?
In such cases, there is no choice but to lift the cane.
When other professors look at the opinions of high-ranking nobles, I have to throw that sh*t away.
When other professors are trying to train with as few injuries as possible, I have to do it as hard as possible without any of that.
If other professors design a curriculum that promotes stable development as much as possible, I must design a curriculum that is as risky as possible but ensures that I can become stronger.
“uuu…”
“I can’t move anymore…”
So, today is my day.
I pushed the academy cadets as hard as possible.
Specially, permission was given to allow Elena and the princess to stay overnight, and after staying there all day, they were prepared to sleep outdoors.
It is literally pushing the cadets to their limits.
However, this training is nothing compared to when the devil invaded in earnest, so there is still a long way to go.
This means that there is no time to watch them whine.
“Puhahahaha. “It’s nice to get some outdoor air.”
“I agree. “It feels like I’m camping.”
“It seems like a crappy class.”
Plus, the relaxed faces of those S-class cadets.
Looking at that relaxed face, I definitely feel the inadequacy of my classes.
If I hadn’t created a special dungeon for them, I would have been so disappointed.
As they have all the abilities that fill the hexagon, I plan to make sure to meet those expectations and demands.
All that’s left is to lead them into the dungeon.
I contacted Eve for this purpose.
Now it’s time to throw the bait.
***
Afterwards, Ed set up a field tent and set a watchtower.
As the place where you sleep is an ancient forest infested with monsters, staying awake is essential.
After taking all the necessary measures, Ed called the S-class cadets and said,
I have urgent business to attend to and will be back in the morning, so please stay calm and do not leave here in the meantime.
In other words, we asked for control to prevent personnel from going outside.
Most of the S class cadets shrugged their shoulders and nodded.
“Then let’s meet early tomorrow morning.”
-Paaat!
After installing the suit, Ed fired his repulsor engine and flew.
A significant number of S-class cadets blushed at the sight.
No matter the era, there was something about the sophisticated design of the mechanics that lit a fire in the heart.
“Guys, would you like to have a drink?”
However, as the person responsible for controlling the group disappeared, the atmosphere soon began to relax.
The party began, bringing out delicious snacks and alcohol that each person had been secretly promoting.
And the cadets who led that atmosphere were none other than the S class.
As I am confident in my skills, I am confident that I can prepare for unexpected situations even if I drink a little.
Moreover, today, as he watches the classes below him perform well, his unique self-esteem is skyrocketing.
“Drink~ Drink~”
Like that, most of the S class cadets gathered in groups of twos and threes and started having a drinking party.
The remaining cadets in the class also started chatting and drinking in groups as they had worked hard today.
One of the joys of academy life is gathering together like-minded friends and drinking alcohol without the professor knowing.
“Are they planning to completely turn around?”
“Okay. “How long are you going to be like that?”
However, Isabella and Enya, who had been getting along with each other knowingly or unknowingly even though they bickered every day, were completely separated.
The two stayed far away all day today without even seeing each other.
Lucas and Claire were looking at them with worried faces.
Although it was precarious, the two had maintained a friendship for over 10 years, but they had become so distant over a man.
“I don’t understand.”
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At that time, Claire said that with a sullen expression.
When Lucas asked what he didn’t understand, Claire answered.
“The two of you are doing that over Edgar Fix. “What on earth do you like about him?”
“······.”
Claire says she doesn’t understand how a friendship that has lasted for over 10 years can be broken just because of one man.
Lucas chuckled at this.
When Claire asked why she was laughing, Lucas answered.
“I just thought you really didn’t like Ed. The academy is just for the girls who have a crush on him. No, that would be 50% of all women in the empire, but I guess you just can’t find anything attractive.”
“·····Uh. He’s so perfect. Something about this person is so unrealistic. “Not my type anyway.”
Lucas nodded his head.
She replied that she knew what she meant, but that it was the image she was chasing.
“But Ed has something like that. He made people dream. It’s the same with the recent information about the existence of the universe… “He keeps making me chase him.”
Lucas said that and said that Ed had liberated him.
A feeling of inferiority that he carried as he was born as the son of a grand duchess mother and a commoner mercenary.
He said that it freed him from that inferiority complex.
Because, unlike himself, who played a perfect man to get rid of the label of a ‘half-nobleman,’ Ed was able to prove his worth and be reborn as a nobleman among nobles.
In other words, he said that he learned through Ed that in order to become a true noble, one must break away from the judgment and gaze of others and prove one’s worth.
“····When I looked back at myself, I felt embarrassed. I’ve been paying attention to other people’s opinions… All kinds of bravado and empty talk. “A shallow pride that pushes oneself to be perfect on the outside.”
Lucas smiled bitterly and looked back at himself in the past.
In the past, I was only focused on the reputation and attention of others to rid myself of the label of being the son of a mercenary.
His mother, Grand Duke Adela, established herself as the Empress of the Eastern Kingdom and was free from the contempt and ridicule of her world, but her son, himself, was ruined by clinging to the reputation of others.
“So, I like being Ed’s friend now. It felt like I found someone who could guide me… “Maybe that’s why Enya and Isabella were attracted to Ed.”
Lucas tells various stories in response to Claire saying, ‘I don’t know why Edgar likes Fix.’
However, Claire chuckled.
He tapped Lucas on the shoulder and joked that they would end up in a square relationship if things continued like this.
Lucas smiled and answered.
“Well, that’s just the way it is. I mean, Ed really attracts a lot of people. Even·····.”
Lucas said that and blurted out his words.
This is because he thought of his mother at that moment.
The beautiful Empress of the East, Adela Elmar, has just turned 37.
Her mother, who had looked after men all her life and had never smiled easily at any man other than herself, becomes a girl standing in front of Ed.
Her mother, who has always maintained a certain routine and practiced thorough self-management, does not care if her routine is broken when Edgar Fix visits.
He welcomes Ed as if his dead father has come back to life.
Her mother, who would not even drink alcohol, drinks alcohol to her lips, and her mother, who would not even look at her mirror, checks her appearance in the mirror.
After hesitating whether to put on makeup or not, I just blushed and excitedly walked out to meet Ed.
What can I say only when I see my mother acting like this towards someone her own age?
She feels a strange feeling of tightness in her chest, but she has no choice but to pass it off as an excuse, ‘Because it’s Ed Fix’.
That’s because Edgar Fix meets all the conditions of a ‘real man’ that her mother had been talking about all along.
This means that no matter how young you are, you are viewed as a man.
“Seriously? Even what?”
At that time, Claire pushed his face and asked where the next horse was going.
Lucas answered while scratching the back of his head.
“It’s nothing. It’s just that a lot of people can like Ed.”
As Lucas said that, he imagined his mother sandwiched between Enya and Isabella.
Every time I do that, I am reminded of the ‘Golden Sun’ version of Edgar Pix that I saw in my dreams or visions.
Ed chirps, ‘Giggle, giggle… You have a great mother, huh?’
How can I relieve the strange feeling of anger that rises up every time I have such absurd imaginations or dreams…?
In the meantime, Lucas’s thoughts were disturbed by a girl’s cries.
“Please help!!! Please help me────!!”
“······?”
A girl comes here, covered in blood and limping on one leg.
Lucas and Claire immediately left their seats and ran to the girl.
Some cadets who were drinking also left their seats and ran to help the girl.
Soon, the girl’s posture broke down and she collapsed, and Lucas, who arrived first, caught the girl’s body.
“What’s going on!? “How did it end up like this?”
“uuu her her… Its her whole family… If u don’t save me quickly…
“······.”
Lucas told her to calm down and treated the girl’s wounds.
Claire and the rest of the cadets soon arrived and asked what was going on.
The girl said.
“Oh, there’s a monster in the goblin dungeon… If things continue like this, my whole family will die! “The people of our village, my brother, and my father…”
The cadets looked at each other in confusion.
To suffer such a miserable situation from something like a goblin?
I asked for the location.
“Well, it’s not far from here… If you look down to the south… You’ll see a cave, there…”
Lucas nodded his head.
Then I took out the communication magic sphere and connected it to Ed.
It was a contact information given by Ed in preparation for such emergency situations.
“······.”
But there was no response, perhaps because he was busy with other things.
No matter how many times I tried again, there was only silence.
The girl shouted, grabbing Lucas’s sleeve.
“Oh no, I don’t have time…! “I mean, even at this very moment, those monsters… are going to eat people!”
“······Do you mean goblins commit cannibalism?”
“Huh… Hmm… Yes… “This isn’t a typical goblin…”
The cadets’ expressions became serious.
In the meantime, Isabella and Enya, who were curious about this situation, approached.
After roughly explaining the girl’s situation, Lucas stood up and said,
“···I can’t contact the professor.”
“·····.”
“And now, one hour is urgent. “What do you want to do?”
“······.”
For an instant, silence fell.
But that is only for a moment.
One cadet said with a hardened expression.
“It’s just a goblin den.”
“······.”
“We are obviously the highest class cadets at the Imperial Academy, so we cannot hesitate just because we are afraid of goblins. “I vote for Ganda.”
Mikan Go, ranked 26th in the S class, said that and raised his hand.
Then, most of the cadets in the S class raised their hands and added things like, ‘Yes, at least to goblins.’
Then Lucas nodded his head and answered.
“····Okay. The professor probably doesn’t want to ignore this situation either. “As cadets of the imperial army, we have a duty to protect the country’s resources.”
Lucas said that and looked back at Enya and Isabella.
Enya nodded her head with a determined expression, and Isabella shrugged her shoulders with an expression that seemed like it didn’t matter.
“Then it might be dangerous, so let’s only go to half of the S class.”
So Lucas selected the people who would go to the rescue.
We selected 13 cadets, including Lucas, Claire, Enya, Isabella, and Charlotte, and ran towards the direction of the goblin den that the girl mentioned.
Once the rescue team was dispatched, the remaining personnel moved in an orderly manner and re-established watch alert.
After moving the injured girl to the tent, she was allowed to rest.
However, as soon as the girl was moved to the empty tent, her crying expression hardened coldly.
She smiled, raised the corner of her mouth and pressed her ear.
Amidst the beeping electronic sound, the girl spoke.
“Oppa. “I went that way.”
“····Well done. “This side is ready too.”