“I didn’t expect His Highness the Second Prince to co find .”
Jeff Partlan, the heir of the Partlan Duke family, shrugged his shoulders in feigned surprise as he looked at the Second Prince before him.
“That goes for as well. Who would have thought I’d end up seeking out a wizard first?”
Cecile, who had trained alongside various knights in the royal palace his entire life, had a tendency to dismiss the existence of wizards.
Thus, Cecile didn’t feel the need to approach Jeff, and Jeff thought there was nothing to gain from getting close to the Second Prince, who had almost no chance of inheriting the throne, so he also refrained from approaching him.
Because of this, despite frequently crossing paths over the past two years, the two were practically strangers.
“May I ask the purpose of your visit?”
“Can’t you guess? It’s about sothing related to dungeons.”
“Are you suggesting we form a party?”
“Correct.”
Despite not liking wizards, Cecile recognized Jeff's skills.
If he could team up with him, they would surely be able to conquer the dungeon much more efficiently.
Having reached that conclusion, Cecile lowered his pride and ca to et Jeff directly.
“This is unexpected. I didn’t think His Highness the Second Prince would be interested in accessories.”
Jeff’s tone carried a hint of sarcasm, laced with criticism towards Cecile, who usually looked down on wizards.
Cecile, sensitive to the criticism directed at him, quickly grasped his intent but chose to smile instead of getting angry.
“You’re right. What I’m after is rely the fa of being the first conqueror of the dungeon.”
“I see.”
Jeff pondered while observing Cecile’s expression and deanor.
Normally, the Second Prince would have thrown a fit by now.
Could it be that he was in such a dire and desperate situation?
Indeed, the Second Prince had beco so focused on martial skills that he was clumsy in politics and negotiation.
If he revealed his weaknesses like this, wouldn’t it be far too easy to pick at them?
“I apologize, Your Highness.”
It seed certain that entering the Second Prince’s party was a given.
Regardless of his chances of becoming king, he was still a man with the blood of a duke and a king.
There’s no harm in owing him a favor.
“It’s an honor to receive your proposal, but...”
However, I shouldn’t nod my head right away.
That way, the Second Prince wouldn’t feel as though he owed sothing.
It would be right to bounce back a couple of tis to make him anxious before finally nodding.
“There are already others I’ve agreed to team up with.”
It wouldn’t be bad to gather so rights to the accessories while at it.
Accessories made by the Apostle of the Arts Academy were renowned for their beauty.
If I gave one to my younger sister, she would surely be delighted. She might even run up to , saying, “I love it, big brother!”
Imagining Joy acting all cute like when she was younger made Jeff chuckle inwardly while outwardly letting out a dramatic sigh of disappointnt.
“Please understand.”
Even though Joy was not involved, he was a ticulous person like this.
The 100th floor of the academy’s second-sester dungeon.
The mont Arthur confird that the boss guarding the place had crumbled, an exit appeared. He lowered his raised sword.
“Did I finally succeed in conquering the academy dungeon?”
It had truly been a long and arduous journey.
Specifically, it had been grueling due to one person.
Frey, who t Arthur’s gaze as he seed so cold, tilted her head as if to ask why he was making that expression.
That clueless look of hers was incredibly frustrating.
How many tis had they faced crises because of her sudden actions?
Thanks to their bet with Lucy Alrn, Frey was obliged to follow orders, or they would still be wandering around the 80th floor.
“Third Prince. You really do like the small ones.”
“That glare is ant as a reprimand! Frey Kent!”
Hearing Frey’s absurd comnt, Arthur exploded with anger.
“Reprimand? I did well today, didn’t I?”
“Yes, you did well today. However, didn’t you act on your own previously, causing all sorts of incidents?”
“Obsessing over past events is a bad habit.”
“...Sigh. I feel like the dungeon boss communicated better than you did.”
As Arthur sighed, feeling he had no confidence in winning, Joy chuckled from beside them.
“Still, it feels like we’re finally in sync now. If we continue like this, conquering the dungeon should go smoothly.”
“Right. At least until we conquer the dungeon created by Lucy Alrn, this beast will cooperate.”
In response to Arthur’s blunt dismissal of Frey, Faivy cautiously raised her voice.
“Third Prince, no matter what, calling Lady Kent a beast is...”
“Saintess, what else can you call a creature that doesn’t communicate but has sharp fangs?”
“It is true that communication is lacking, but...”
Faivy couldn’t bring herself to refute Arthur’s words.
The incidents that had arisen because of Frey were far from few; it was unavoidable.
“Very well, I understand the Saintess’s words. It’s not right to call a companion a beast.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
Arthur waved his hand at Faivy, who bowed her head, and she felt it was alright. He sheathed his sword and stretched.
After resolving to conquer the dungeon, the last few weeks had been a relentless effort on their part.
And soon, they would find out what the fruits of that labor would be.
“Let’s call it a day for now. Starting tomorrow, let’s focus on managing our conditions since finals are just around the corner.”
“Grandpa, we’re in big trouble.”
“No, nothing like that.”
“I haven’t studied at all for the finals.”
The issue lay in the fact that I had been entirely absorbed in creating the dungeon lately.
Normally, I would have at least pretended to study, but I had completely put aside other subjects in my focus on the dungeon creation.
“I don’t even know what the scope of the finals is! What should I do? What should I do?!”
My brows furrowed at the old man’s words, which showed not a trace of empathy.
Isn’t this the ti to reassure that he would help out?
His thoughtlessness is why he’s been unpopular all his life. He’s just an inconsiderate old man.
“I’ve told you several tis not to read my thoughts.”
With a shrug, the old man’s casual apology made sigh.
The strengthened connection between us wasn’t his fault.
After all, I still dread of mories of when Adri was alive. The tis when she was happy.
“Fine. Anyway, if you can give it your all in the environnt you’re in, it should be possible to be the first conqueror, right?”
Seeing Adri puff out her chest confidently made Bish chuckle.
“Show that strength when you beco a second-year and conquer an external dungeon.”
“Yeah, I will.”
“Bish!”
Not long after I answered Adri, I heard soone calling my na from behind.
Turning my head to follow the voice, I saw my long-ti friends and the girl who had been forced into joining by Lucy standing in the middle of the line.
“You ca out early. You’re pretty close to the front.”
“Belma was waiting in line since dawn.”
“...Really?”
“Yes. I thought if I didn’t do this, I wouldn’t be able to get into the dungeon.”
“Thanks to that, it looks like I’ll be able to see the dungeon before taking the final exam.”
“Wow! Thanks, Belma! I’ll buy you sothing delicious later!”
“Hehe. It’s nothing special.”
“Is it really nothing if you waited since dawn?”
“Right! Are you saying our Bish is lazy?”
“Eh?! No, no!”
“Belma, don’t be flustered. These two with bad tempers just want to insult .”
As Bish spoke, she affectionately patted Belma’s head, causing the girl, who was at a loss, to nod with an awkward smile.
“Calling soone with a bad personality!”
“The worst is pretending to be nice after making a late entrance!”
“Wow. Look over there. The dungeon studies assistants are coming. I guess it’s about to start.”
“Hey! Don’t change the subject!”
“You're really dark inside and out!”
“...What do you an by being dark outside?!”
“Everyone? Calm down! Calm down!”
Regardless of how loud the voices rose between Bish and her friends, the assistants moved as instructed by the professors, and the dungeon for the final exam in dungeon studies was opened to the students.
Then, after about half a day had passed,
those desperately rushing for the first conquest of the dungeon realized why this dungeon would be open throughout the finals.
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