Chapter 3: A Sharp Review of Childhood Sweethearts

“Hey, Bried, is he really your childhood friend? It feels so weird.”

Break time.

A girl with pink hair started chatting with Bried.

Using “weird” instead of “funny”—is that her way of being gentle?

Bried thought so, replying with a wry smile, “Our parents happened to know each other, we were neighbors in the same district, and the school was close, so we walked together. We played a lot in elementary school, but after graduating from junior high, we hardly kept in touch. That’s all.”

“So is he always like that? It’s the first time I’ve seen a high school student confidently announce they’re going to the bathroom. Not even in elementary school did I meet someone like that.”

Bried felt awkward, her face full of black lines.

She’d bumped into Siloque on the way back to the classroom after helping the teacher organize materials.

It was bad enough seeing his expressionless face, and now she was hearing from a friend that Siloque shouted about going to the bathroom during class…

It really didn’t suit him.

It didn’t match Bried’s memories of a childhood friend.

As she pondered this, Bried’s gaze unconsciously drifted to Kersey’s dangerously lethal assets—her uniform couldn’t hide their overwhelming presence at all.

Two round peaches, the touch must be softer and sweeter than cotton candy.

Ah…

Compared to that, mine are so plain.

It’s fine.

If they’re too big, it affects sword swings, makes your shoulders sore after a while, and during high-speed movement, they throw off your balance…

“Um… what’s wrong? Your expression looks scary.”

“No, it’s nothing.”

How can I look at a friend with such eyes? My sword heart still needs more training…

“But you’re right. Silo isn’t usually like that. He’s even more reserved.”

A grown man, always so timid—what’s with that? Eat more meat and get stronger already.

Besides, even if you’re at the bottom, at least you’re an official Explorer!

“Uh, I don’t really get it?”

“Speaking weakly, indecisive in action, a bean sprout.”

“Ahaha… No, Bried, you’re so strict. I’m also a bit afraid to talk to him. I’m not used to speaking with strong people.”

Huh?

With that appearance, how do you see him as strong?

“…Let’s not talk about him. The teacher will be here soon to hand out Ring Charts. Kersey, what kind of talent do you hope for?”

Bried didn’t want to keep talking about Siloque.

She wanted to distance herself, but the topic kept returning to him.

Kersey hesitated slightly.

“I hope it’s something like [Flight], [Complete Healing], or [Great Magic Power]. After all, my goal is to become a Priest.”

“A Priest, huh? That does suit you. Wait, [Flight]? What does that have to do with a Priest?”

“I think,” Kersey curled her pink hair shyly, “flying would look really cool.”

“…..”

Bried stared wordlessly at her friend.

“…If it’s [Complete Healing], I could enjoy pain even more…”

Kersey whispered, a dangerous smile spreading.

“Kersey?”

Bried didn’t catch it and was about to ask more…

“You can find out your talent by going to the Awakening Institution before entering the Dungeon, right? A good talent makes it much easier for an Explorer to raise their Lv, and higher Lv also enhances the effects of your talent. But I don’t value it that much.”

“Talent is just support. I believe that with enough hard work and self-improvement, even a disadvantageous talent can become the strongest Explorer.”

The voice came from a third person.

“Ah, Cas.”

“Oh… Cas, were you eavesdropping just now? Anyway, isn’t the value of an Explorer in Dungeon Contribution rather than personal strength?”

Kersey greeted happily, and Bried also joked with a smile.

The three of them were a temporary team drawn by lots during the exam.

“Yeah, I agree with you too.”

The cheerful young man wiped sweat with a handkerchief, his deep blue hair spotless and neat.

The reason was that he’d just helped the teacher move some boxes.

“One, two, three… You carried all these boxes alone?”

Kersey was amazed at Cas’s strength.

“How could I? Someone helped me. They’re valuable tools, and the boxes are made of special metal—like solid iron blocks.”

“Helping others is a good thing.”

Bried felt favorable toward those who acted kindly.

“Cas, come with me for a bit.”

A hand landed on Cas’s shoulder.

Bried found the voice oddly familiar, doubting her own ears.

No way.

She looked up, and flowing black hair gleamed in her vision—

“Siloque?!”

Bried stood up in shock.

“You know each other? He helped me move the boxes. If he hadn’t, my back would’ve broken. Hahaha.”

Don’t even mention helping.

If a stranger gets close, he acts like he has a radar and avoids all contact.

That’s the real Siloque—gloomy, timid, and conflict-averse.

“How is this possible…”

Unlike Cas, Siloque’s uniform was soaked with sweat.

With poor stamina, he’d still done heavy labor.

What was this guy doing?

“Cas, let them talk. Class starts in a few minutes. Come with me.”

“Uwaaah! Siloque! Don’t choke me—so close! I can walk by myself! I’m suffocating—I can’t breathe!”

Siloque dragged Cas away.

Bried suddenly noticed a strange detail—

Whether it was when he bumped into her or when Siloque took the initiative to help…

“Siloque… can actually look people in the eyes normally…”

***

Siloque dragged Cas into a dim space beneath the stairs.

“Siloque, can’t we talk after class? There’s no need to suddenly pull me over. It makes me nervous.”

You wouldn’t have wasted time helping the teacher move boxes if you hadn’t insisted, dragging me down with you.

“There won’t be time after class.”

For some reason, Cas blushed as he straightened his wrinkled uniform.

Siloque scrutinized Cas—the absolute protagonist of the game.

In reality, he was gentle, polite, and friendly, with hair slightly longer than the character illustration, wearing ring accessories, clean and tidy to the point of being unmanly.

And even by this world’s standards, he was incredibly handsome.

Players had a general consensus about the protagonist—a standard Japanese nice guy (da yuan ren zhong).

If he weren’t so hung up on virtue, he’d only ever be a victim in eroge.

Though he really did play the victim role…

Siloque didn’t dislike Cas. In fact, he pitied him.

Why should good people suffer?

Besides, Cas was never a weak-willed nice guy—he pulled through in countless crucial moments, fighting fiercely on the front lines, fighting fiercely in the harem with blondes—damn, what a tragic guy…

“Cas.”

Siloque said encouragingly.

“I’ll help you. I really hate Bad Endings.”

“?? Sorry, bed what?”

“Take this.”

A thin silver card was pushed into Cas’s hand.

Cas looked closely.

“X21 Equivalent Shield? I remember, it’s last year’s Benor Corporation product, a tool for negating excessive damage.”

“To be precise, it can only block attacks from Explorers or monsters below Lv15, limited to physical damage. It’s expensive, single-use, and the conditions are strict. Production basically stopped six months after release.”

“You sure know a lot. Wait—where did you get this? I heard it’s rare, only sold in the commercial district near the Dungeon now?”

Ding-ling-ling—

The most hated pleasant bell rang through the corridor.

“Perfect timing. Let’s go back to class.”

“Wait, you called me out just for this? My family has these too.”

If your family has it, why aren’t you carrying it?

What do you mean ‘just for this’?

This damned item drained my living expenses.

You better survive the Main Event, or (if possible) I want to return this card for a refund.

“Listen up, Cas.”

Siloque turned.

The gentle spring breeze lifted his long hair as he met Cas’s azure gaze.

“Protect what’s important to you, to avoid stepping into a world line filled with despair.

Keep this card in your shirt pocket for 60 minutes. If you drop it, I’ll expose that you’re the Benor Corporation President’s son.”

Cas: ?????