When this world was still a game to me, the second year at the academy was the most hectic time for a player.
The first year at the academy was a time to solidify the character’s foundation, so all you had to do was focus on things inside the academy.
The third year at the academy was when the game was nearing its conclusion, so the focus was on the outside world, with the academy itself no longer a priority.
But the second year, right in the middle, was a time when players had to juggle tasks inside and outside the academy, making it inevitably chaotic.
Especially for the new players entering the second year, the most challenging aspect was navigating the academy's exterior.
They would need to conquer external dungeons, engage in conversations with NPCs, and complete quests, all while managing the external elements, and at the same time, handle tasks inside the academy. It was enough to make anyone's head spin.
Of course, once you got used to these elements, the second year was the most enjoyable part of the academy experience.
The personal stories with characters were progressing well, and since the plans of the Evil Gods were still in motion, the main story didn’t require much immediate attention, allowing for freedom to do whatever you pleased.
I, for example, had already made detailed plans for what I needed to do during my second year.
Since I was already in the game world, I didn’t want to leave any interesting things undone.
Well, in order to do those fun things, I first needed to take care of the tasks in front of me.
The next day, after telling my friends that I was going outside, I headed out to the academy street to use the teleportation magic circle, joining my friends early in the morning.
"Is it alright that we’re not preparing anything? Even if we’ll be back soon, we should prepare several things, right?"
"The poor prince really has no independence, does he? If you’re going to say something like that, shouldn’t you prepare it in advance? How long do you expect me to spoon-feed you?"
"No, I—"
"Don’t worry. Unlike you, poor prince, I don’t grab at other people's pants. Everything’s prepared, so just follow along while grumbling."
When I subtly turned my gaze back, I saw Arthur biting his lip.
The other friends, used to such sights, simply smiled softly, but Vishy was not so calm.
Vishy, who had reluctantly joined our group because of the need for Adrig, was sweating coldly at the sight of Arthur’s fury.
For Vishy, Arthur was a power figure, carrying royal blood.
"Vishy, you don’t need to be so anxious. This is nothing but our usual routine," Karia said quietly, perhaps noticing Vishy’s unease.
However, Karia’s words had the opposite effect.
Though a novice, a necromancer was still a necromancer, and for Vishy, who was a saint of the Church of the Evil God, Karia was far more difficult to deal with than Arthur.
"Hm? What’s wrong..."
"This is kind of sad, isn’t it? That this is your daily life."
Upon seeing Vishy’s pale face, Karia was about to say something, but Arthur let out a deep sigh. Then, Joy lightly chuckled.
"It’s not just the prince, right?"
"Yeah, it’s not only the prince who’s pathetic. Acting like he’s being bullied is just off."
"That said, do you feel relieved knowing you're not alone? Is it just me, or does something feel off about this?"
"Yeah, it seems to be just the poor prince. The only male in the party, but the most pathetic. I guess that’s what you’d call ‘pitiful’ in these situations."
"I get it. I’ll shut up, but please, just go easy on me."
Seeing Arthur raise his hands in surrender, I tried to suppress a smile, but then I heard a voice grinding its teeth next to me.
"Such an idiot, not even realizing how good he has it."
The fox, perched on my shoulder, was burning with jealousy.
Amused by the directness of her emotions, I grabbed the fox by the scruff of her neck and tossed her to Kal, who was standing nearby.
She struggled to escape Kal's grasp, but it was impossible.
Kal’s loyal, clumsy hand was far too strong for the beast to get out of.
Not long after, we left the academy street and headed toward the external dungeon location.
The dizziness from the teleportation magic was still present, but it wasn’t enough to knock me out anymore.
I calmed my stomach with a deep breath and stepped outside the building, leaving my stumbling friends behind.
The view of the territory governed by a small baron family felt more like a quaint village than a city.
It was the kind of place where, if someone confessed their feelings to another, the entire town would know by the next day.
Whether they were accepted or rejected, you could picture the local aunties clapping them on the shoulder the very next day.
I couldn’t help but recall the various quests and events in this city, shaking my head in response.
I knew exactly what would happen if I started talking to people.
My presence would be too overwhelming for this small, quiet place.
"Hey!"
Just as I was about to step back, a group of children came running toward me from a distance.
What’s this? Why are they running toward me?
Is it because of the confused fox?
Though my stomach was uneasy, my outward appearance was at least somewhat cute, so they must be coming to pet the fox!
That’s the only reason I could think of, so I pursed my lips and prepared to push the fox toward them.
"Isn’t that you?"
At the bold way they addressed me, I froze for a moment, realizing that the boy at the front had seen my picture in the pendant and understood the situation.
So these kids saw a person in the jewelry that looked just like me and came running without knowing who I was.
That’s why they’re looking at me with such excited eyes.
...What do I do? This is so awkward; I’ve never been in this situation before!
Am I just supposed to ramble on like usual?
Though I’m a bit of a trash person, I’m not the type to snap at innocent kids!
Realizing that I couldn’t shatter their illusion, I started mumbling, and the kids began chattering away.
"Of course, it’s you! There’s no way there could be multiple people this pretty!"
"But you’re not saying anything?"
"She’s probably just shy."
"No, she’s even prettier than in the picture!"
I had no idea what to do, so all I could think about was how to escape. That’s when I saw a lady running toward us, horrified.
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"I’m so sorry! Noble one! My kids are being foolish!"
"Mom, look! It’s her!"
"You all need to apologize right now! Quickly!"
The lady forced the children to apologize and then kept glancing at me, waiting for a response.
Shouldn’t she just take them and leave? Why is she still apologizing?
<In the relationship between nobility and commoners, if the noble doesn’t show mercy, how can they move forward?>
‘...Do I have to say something?! This is going to make things worse, isn’t it?!’
I was sweating coldly, realizing that whether I stayed silent or spoke, it was going to be problematic, when I heard footsteps behind me.
"Please, leave them alone. I don’t want to hold them accountable for their mistake."
With a noble and firm voice, the lady quickly bowed her head and left with the children.
Ahhh. I thought I was going to die from suffocation.
Turning to show my gratitude, I found Joy with a pleased smile, and I bit my lip in frustration.
"The young lady is soft with kids, huh?"
"Yeah, I didn’t expect that. A surprising side of her."
"Surprising? Prince, it’s only natural for the young lady to be that way."
"Natural?"
...Wait, hadn’t they just been collapsing from dizziness a moment ago?
When had they started watching? How long had they been observing us?
"By the way, Lucy..."
"...What is it, you fool?"
"They must have thought you were a kid because they called you ‘Lucy’?"
"Ugh." "Pffft." "...Heh."
Listening to the laughter that came from both inside and outside, I tightened my fist and grabbed the idiot’s cheek, pulling it hard.
"Ahaha! Aha!"
"I don’t know what you’re saying, but is the fool so dumb that he can’t speak properly?"
After the little commotion passed, we immediately headed toward the dungeon.
We didn’t bother to arrange transportation. Having gone through the brutal marches with the Alrn Order, we didn’t need any of that.
We were the types of people who were faster and more efficient running on foot than hiring a carriage!
Of course, that didn’t apply to Vishy. As a typical necromancer, her body was fragile.
So, I just handed her off to Kal. I figured it would be uncomfortable for her if I carried her.
But when Kal carried her, she made the most adorable expression.
Thinking it over, I could understand. If you didn’t know Kal’s true nature, he looked every bit the part of a knight, so it made sense.
But when it came to his true, awkward self, that wasn’t something she’d realize yet.
As I was about to tell her about Kal’s real nature, I saw Vishy blushing and decided to leave it alone.
Eventually, she would figure it out naturally when we explored the forest together.
...Besides, the reactions when her true nature was revealed would be far more amusing.
Soon, we could see the mountain and the surrounding forest that housed the dungeon, less than an hour’s run from the academy.
"Is it really safe to go in there? It looks like a great place to get lost."
The dense forest was so wild that even someone like me, who knew the geography of every area in the Soul Academy world, could easily get lost.
"Idiot. Do I look like a fool like you?"
But it wasn’t a problem for me. I had perfectly memorized the path through this wild forest.
‘Grandfather.’
<You feel it too, don’t you?>
‘How could I not feel that?’
As I frowned and subtly turned my head, I saw that Feibi was also nodding.
It was clear.
A disturbing energy was subtly emanating from deep within the dense forest.