[ uhhh... It broke? when I wake up it's already like that glitchy... I don't really get it too. ]
Hajime's lies seems to be effective because some of them breath a sigh of relief, but others still has doubts especially Meld, he'd never heard of a status plate broken like this, for now he put that aside and just accept that he really were Hajime. If the stats here were true, he's like a monster already that can destroy the kingdom with one hand. Kondo, Saito, and Nakano are already laughing for his sorry state, but for some reason Hiyama is sweating profusely and seems to be panicking. Discovering Hajime's survival seems like a nightmare for him. For now they confirm that his word were true and he really were Nagumo Hajime. Most of them were grateful to see him alive, they didn't dislike him that they want him dead. Something lifted up from their chest and they felt relieved to see one of their classmate still alive.
Shizuki let go of Kaori and she sprinted to him as fast as possible tears on her eyes, but this time Hajime's beloved vampire pricess stop her. She step between Kaori and Hajime, and spread his arms wide. Yue already guess that these people were Hajime's classmate and she had already seen through Kaori's feelings for Hajime. Yue already know it based on Hajime's story so she can't let her guard down here against her rival.
All of them stare at Yue for a few seconds, none of them were able to sense her until now. Blond hair, red eyes, and a pale skin, with the same height as Suzu, everyone without exception were captivated. Her unparalleled beauty that can only be described as devine, despite her looks that seems to be childish, the aura she emitted were so mature and alluring, it attract everyone's attention.
Kaori returned to her senses, her cheeks red, she seems also smitten by Yue's beauty even they were both females, she question this girl that seems to be quite close to Hajime.
[ Who are you!? Why are you getting in my way?! ]
Kaori tried to get past Yue but she still stop her.
[ Who are you to Hajime anyway? ]
[ Wha- ]
Kaori grew Impatient while Yue were just giving her a deadpan stare. Hajime was staring at Kaori with cold eyes and sigh, he walked forward and patted Yue on her head, she turns to him and Hajime just smile warmly, already knew what he was going to say she reluctantly put her hands down and pout, Hajime finds that reaction cute. Their little world they created attracts everyones attention some of the boys click their tongue in anoyance and some of the girls just glare at him, in just a few actions they were able to guess their relationship already. Kaori were still confuse about their relationship but her maiden heart tells her... that Yue is her enemy.
Hajime take a glance at the rest of his classmates and turn to Kaori still wearing his emotionless eyes.
[ What is it Shirasaki? ]
No honorifics?! Girls glares Intensifies. Kaori flinched a little in his cold eyes and annoyed tone.
[ I just want to ask about your situation... how are you doing?, what happend after your fall?, why are you look like this?, and... how did you survive? ]
Kaori's emotions is overflowing but Yue's actions put a stop to it, she calm her pounding heart and the ask the questions what everyone wants to ask themselves. Hajime just breathed a sigh and answer nonchalantly.
[ Well as you can see im still alive, thank you for asking and... I just did what I can to survive, thats all there is to it.]
Hajime's nonchalant answer annoyed everyone especially Shizuku and Kouki.
[ Hoyy, Nagumo! Kaori is just concern you know?! try to answer her properly!! ]
[ Nagumo-kun, I can't just let you do that you know. She's my best friend after all. ]
Kaori just look down and smile sadly, she thought she caused trouble by asking some sensitive questions. Kouki grind his teeth in frustration and Ryutaro just pat him to the shoulder to calm him down, Suzu berated Hajime for his attitude toward Kaori, next to her is Shizuku massaging her temple in annoyance.
For now Meld and the other knights finished confirming his status plate, they haven't heard of status plate broke like that so they still have doubts and returned Hajime's status plate to him.
[ Im glad that you're still alive shonen, thank you for what you did for us last time, and I'm sorry I can't save you back then... really I'm sorry. ]
Meld bowed his head along with his subordinates. Hajime's classmate only just remembered now what he did back then, they also bow there heads to him with slight guilt harboring inside their heart, but of course Kouki, and Ryutaro didn't, they can't realize the weight of Hajime's sacrifice back then, same goes for Hiyama and his gang, they didn't like him on the first place afterall. Hajime just dismissed all of them, smiling awkwardly while waving his hand saying-.
[ Ooh! Don't worry about it. Anyways what are you guys doing down here anyway. ]
Hajime change the topic to remove the solemn atmosphere. He already know the answer to his own question though.
[ Actually we're on training right now for the incoming war against Demons. Improving stats and getting new skills is also important but practical training is a must, so im teaching the childrens the proper way of fighting and making sure they are ready to anykind of situation. ]
On Meld's explanation, Kouki and the others faces turned resolute, it seems the training has a lot of progress and they are pretty confident for their skills. They looked like bragging to Hajime's eyes but he decides to ignore it and turn to Meld. Hajime saw how proud Meld were, he looks like a father watching his kids grow faster than he thought.
[ By the way! Where are you going right now? I'm quite impressed you managed to escape and find your way through here. There's a lot of stronger monster here compared to upper floors you know? ]
[ Actually I already map out the area and already discovered this magic circle, but lots of monsters are lurking here so I decided to rest halfway through. I'm on the way to surface though so I'm here to use that magic circle to skip floors. ]
Some of the students laugh, thinking that he's incompetent as always. Shizuku and Kaori looks at him in sympathy imagining everything he must have gone through.
Actually Hajime and Yue already wipeout most of the monsters here on there way to the magic circle, but they decided to take a rest cause Yue spends lots of mana for her experiments.
[ For now we're on break since we just finished exploring the previous floor and decided to camp out here cause there's a few monsters nearby, wanna join us?. Since you're alive I'm thinking of returning to kingdom for now and report it to his Majesty about your miraculous survival. I'm sure you're teacher and your other classmate would be happy to see you. ]
Hajime weigh his options. He already know the locations of the other labyrinth and one of them are located in Heiligh kingdom, more specifically on the Divine Mountain, but he knows that the kingdom would try to control him to join there war against demons. He really don't care what happens to this world so he's not gonna join them and try to avoid becoming a pawn of their gods. He wants to focus on his goal which is " Find a way to go back home to Japan". Meld tilted his head wondering why Hajime was having a second thought, he's already convinced that he would return to the kingdom along with his classmates, but he smiles happily after his reply.
[ Yeah! Let's return to the kingdom for now I also have something to do there. ]
[ Glad to have you back. We're having lunch right now. Wanna join us? ]
[ Sure! it's been a while since I had real food and I'm starving. ]
All of them tilted their head on Hajime's statements and was about to ask a questions but, Hajime along with Yue walk passed them, tapped his foot twice and suddenly two chairs pop up besides the campfire, he breathed tiredly and sitdown comfortably ignoring everyone else, Yue walked toward him and sit on his lap like it's only natural, she wriggled her butt a bit and when she found her spot, she lean on Hajime and entrust herself to him entirely. The students already guess what kind of relationship they have and glared at them in annoyance for flirting in front everyone. Kaori's lightless eyes stares at them lacking the warm feelings that always present and her demon stand were visible to everyone that they unconsciously ready their weapon. Shizuku stared at her best friend worriedly like a mother hen, but for now she pat her on her shoulder and smile warmly. Kaori returned to her senses and she dejectedly walk back to the campfire. Kaori sit next to Hajime and served him food she cooked herself. Looking at Hajime smiling happily while eating her food also brings smile on her face. Yue pouted when she saw Hajime enjoying his meal. For now she gather her resolve to practice cooking too, for him in the future.
After the meal, Meld discussed their plans to everyone. All of them were listening, or so it seems. Most of the boys were staring at Yue on Hajime's lap, they can't believe that such a beauty exist, but when they saw how she flirt with Hajime, they can't help but glared at him. Some students were staring at Hajime, they still can't believe that the person in front them was really him but for now they tried to examine him. Looking at Hajime's body they could only imagine how hard he trained to acquire his well built body. Meld noticed that most of them so he cough loudly to attract everyone's attention.
[ Seems like only Hajime were the only listening to me. Listen carefully, this is important afterall. I know most of you are curious to Hajime but bear it for-... You know what I'm curious too. So Shonen can you tell us what happened down here? ]
Suddenly Hajime became the center of attention and everyone were looking at him expecting some exciting answers.
Hajime just sigh and give in. He knows that they would pester him eventually.
[ Down there were a lot of strong monsters. If even one of those monsters were able to escape this labyrinth, they would terrorize a small town like Haraud. There's also lots of ores that you can't find here which has interesting functionality. The traps were also quite deadly, you know there is a floor which is filled with tar like substance that is highly flamable good thing I made it out there, it's quite a hassle afterall. ]
The students and the knights were dumbfounded. They can't believe this guy with a non-combat job cleared those floors. They all thought Hajime would just hide himself but it seems that's not the case. The knights stared at him with amazement and for the students, some had come to admire him for his braveness and some were pretty enthusiastic exploring this floor, they thought Hajime were exaggerating the monsters down there, if he could do it, it will be a piece of cake for them.
[ Ohh!! seems like we can reach 100th in no time! I'm getting pumped up ] Kouki stated.
[ Yeah! man this will be much easier than I thought! ] Ryutaro replied.
[ Even though you have gone through a lot it seems you're pretty fine huh... Your equipments too seems top class, did you make it yourself? ] Meld asked.
[ Huh? oh this. Yue made it for me it's pretty cool right. ] Hajime answered.Yue puffed up her chest proudly, looking smug. Kaori looks at her in frustration.
[ Then how come your hair is white now? don't tell me you dyed it yourself? "Dasa" ] Kondo scoffed.
[ Hahhaha! and he's wearing an eyepatch too! don't tell us you're trying seal your powers within. ] Nakano followed up.
[ And look at that arm dude! Ahahhahaha, does your left arm have the power to destroy worlds, no matter where you go Nagumo you're still a gross Otaku. ] Saito said while laughing.
Most of the student too started laughing, they didn't really mind it at first, but when someone pointed it out, Hajime were really look ridiculous, they didn't bother trying hide their laughter. Shizuku glared at trio but doesn't say anything, looking at her own friends she seems disappointed. Kouki and Ryutaro were also laughing but not pretty obvious like the rest, Kaori were just staring at Hajime, it seems like she thought he wouldn't get bothered by it cause he's already gets used to it hearing everyone's mocking him. Kaori's emotions were all over the place, for now so she can't find herself to get angry. Shizuku just massaged her temple and was about to apologized to Hajime but she noticed something was lacking, Hajime's troubled smile he always wore while talking to them weren't present. What she saw were just his expressionless face and chilling gaze. Goosebumps rose without her noticing, she can't help but cower in fear looking at his emotionless mask.
[ Nah.. I didn't have the power to destroy worlds yet. But, I can still kill all of you, right here, right now. ]
Hajime released a tiny bit of pressure to state that what he says weren't a joke. Yue on his lap were just looking at everyone with cold eyes, the fact that her hair were fluttering proves that she's exerting mana enough to released one powerful advance spell.
In truth Yue wants to annahilate everyone present here, she won't forgive anyone for mocking his beloved, but her consideration toward Hajime allowed her to resist unleashing her wrath.
The laughing students stop immediately, they unconsciously took a step back. Sweat rolled down from their forehead and everyone gulp nervously. Kaori was an exception she just sit there at stared at him in confusion. Everyone stared at Hajime full of wariness, they put their shaking hands on their weapons battle ready, they can't believe this kind of pressure were coming from him, of all people.
[ Hahha.. It's just a joke, I bet some of you peed on your pants. ]
Hajime laugh whole heartedly. Yue on his lap returned to her previous state. None were able to talk or even meet Hajime's eyes. The fact that he hasn't done this before makes him much scarier.
Hajime chuckles a bit and divert the topic away from him.
[ Enough about me. What about all of you? what are all of you doing up until now? what are the current events on surface? and why just only you guys are present? where are the rest? ]
Everyone returned to their seats and wipe their sweat. Hiyama and his gang seems angry for cowering from Hajime, they would definitely teach him some lesson when no one were present.
Shizuku just sighed and answer all of his questions.
[ W-well as you can see we're fine, the rest of the class are on the kingdom right now and they didn't join because of... that accident. They are traumatized you know, so they decided to not join the war and stay safe instead. Nothing much really happens on the surface that worth to be mentioned, we only trained and- oohh! I just remember we met with the Emperor, he's pretty strong considering he's from this world. ]
Hajime nodded.
[ So all of you are still alive huh...? wait a sec, what do you mean by accident? ]
[ Huh? Oww.. What I mean was that accident where a stray spell hit you and fall down to the bottom of the dungeon. ]
[ Hoo.. that was an accident huh? ]
Hajime shoot Hiyama a glace with a knowing grin. He instantly went pale, looking at Hajime's expression, it's pretty obvious that he knows something, sweating profusely he decided to butt in but Hajime cut him off.
[ Well it's not like I care really if that's what you believe. Well enough resting, should we go now Meld-san. ]
Hajime isn't interested on revenge afterall, but If Hiyama wants to be his enemy, he would blow his head off without hesitation.
[ Yeah we should hurry up before nightfall. Okay kids tomorrow morning we will depart and head to the kingdom. We need to have a discussion with Hajime by King and Pope's attendance. We might discover something that might help us clear until 100th floor. That's all, now get ready everyone, we're leaving. ]
Everyone move quickly grabbing their belongings, Hajime carry Yue in princess style, she seems tired from listening to everyone's story. Hajime tap his foot twice, instantly the chair he transmuted earlier ( He already remove the other one ) crumbled. Everyone stared at him in amazement for casting spells without migic circle and far faster than before. They also notice how the color of his mana turned crimson, Kaori seems captivated by its beauty.
Meld step in the magic circle and activated it, instantly teleporting everyone to 20th floor.
