Chapter 60

The girl’s name was Sena.

Sena had been learning magic at the Magic Tower since she was young, and her talent was so exceptional that she had already mastered most spells at a young age.

“At least when it comes to magical talent, no one in the Magic Tower can keep up with me. Even the Tower Master said so. If I continue training diligently like this, I’ll eventually rise to the ranks of a Grand Mage… but.”

Sena frowned.

“I already know how to do everything. What more training do I need? I’m sick of training. All it is is repeating and mastering trivial spells every day. I want to use more spectacular magic and gain real combat experience.”

A smile spread across Sena’s lips.

“That’s why I sneaked out of the Magic Tower. I heard there’s a newly discovered dungeon nearby. Sure, dungeons are dangerous, and people say you shouldn’t enter recklessly, but that’s for ordinary folks. For a genius mage like me, it’s no problem. I’m going to conquer the dungeon. And when my achievements are recognized… Hey, are you even listening?”

Sena stopped talking and looked at Ariel.

Ariel was crouched in front of the Black Wolf and Ghost, examining their wounds.

The Black Wolf had a large wound on its side, and Ghost was limping on its leg.

“……”

Ariel bit her lip.

This was clearly her fault.

If she had cast a Shield spell to secure safety before dozing off, Ghost and the Black Wolf wouldn’t have had to fight the Owlbear.

Ghost and the Black Wolf had fought the Owlbear to protect the sleeping Ariel.

Otherwise, they would have fled early and avoided getting hurt.

Ariel gently stroked Ghost and the Black Wolf, filled with guilt.

From now on, she’d have to cast a Shield spell as soon as she felt drowsy.

Sena approached from the side.

“Hmm, the wolf’s hurt. Don’t worry. Didn’t I tell you? Meeting me is your luck. It might not be as effective as a priest’s Sacred Magic, but I’ve also learned healing spells. I’ll help. Phew, what would you have done without me…?”

Just then, Roo spun around above the Black Wolf and Ghost.

Healing powder fell from Roo’s body, and the wounds of the Black Wolf and Ghost healed completely.

“Ah… there was a Fairy… Hmm… good…”

Sena awkwardly scratched her cheek.

As the Black Wolf and Ghost were healed, Ariel stood up.

Since she was already awake, she planned to head back into the dungeon.

Then, Sena tapped Ariel on the shoulder.

“Hey, what’s your name?”

“Ariel.”

“Right, Ariel. I introduced myself earlier, didn’t I?”

“……”

Ariel blankly stared at Sena.

She hadn’t been paying attention to Sena’s story while tending to Ghost and the Black Wolf’s wounds.

Sena sighed deeply and said,

“Ugh, I’ll tell you again. My name’s Sena, Sena. Got it? Make sure to remember it. Someday, I’ll become a Grand Mage… no, never mind that. More importantly, Ariel, where are you headed? If we’re going the same way, I’ll join you. It seems dangerous for you to wander around alone, so I’ll specially protect you.”

“I’m going to the dungeon.”

“Really? The newly discovered dungeon nearby? You’re going in there?”

“Yes.”

Sena’s expression turned serious.

“But dungeons are super dangerous. A kid like you going in would… Hmm, is that too dismissive? Sorry. I apologize. But why do you want to go into the dungeon?”

“To go on an adventure.”

“Pfft.”

Sena burst out laughing. Then, waving her hand, she apologized again.

“Sorry, I laughed. But an adventure? You’re really an Elf, huh. I heard Elves are a reclusive race, and it seems true. Is this your first time out in the world?”

“……”

Ariel quietly stared at Sena. She felt like she was being looked down on.

“Hey, human.”

Roo, standing nearby, crossed his arms and glared at Sena.

“Our big sister may be out in the world for the first time, but she’s incredibly strong. Even stronger than a Dragon. Just yesterday, she was with someone named Rakia…”

“Pfft, okay, stop.”

Sena held her stomach and laughed.

“Stronger than a Dragon…? Pfft, you guys are really funny. Anyway, I like you. Alright, let’s go together. You’re really lucky to have met me. I’ll protect you, so let’s go on a dungeon adventure!”

“……”

Roo glanced at Ariel, and Ariel quietly nodded.

It meant they’d go with Sena.

They didn’t really need help, but Sena had taken care of the Owlbear earlier.

Her personality seemed a bit peculiar, but she didn’t seem like a bad person.

And so, Ariel headed to the dungeon with Sena.

*

Sena was quite talkative.

As they headed to the dungeon, she chattered nonstop beside Ariel.

“Ariel, come visit the Magic Tower sometime. Then you’ll see how amazing I am as a mage. Oh, how about you learn magic too? I heard Elves have decent mana talent. Well, not as good as mine, but you could learn quickly, right? Learning magic is really convenient. If you run into monsters like earlier, you can handle them with magic.”

“Our big sister is already a mage.”

Roo interjected.

“She just doesn’t use it often, but sometimes she deals with monsters using magic.”

“Oh, really? Ariel, you’re a mage? You don’t look like one. Or maybe you do? I can’t tell since you don’t have a staff. Mages usually carry staves, you know.”

“Hmph, that’s just humans. My friend Rakia could cast magic without a staff.”

At Roo’s words, Sena raised an eyebrow.

“Oho, this Rakia sounds impressive. I’d like to have a magic duel with her sometime.”

“You shouldn’t…”

Just then, a massive monster blocked their path.

A large figure with the head of a bull.

It was a Minotaurus.

Ariel smiled at the corner of her mouth.

Minotaurus was a monster very suitable for cooking.

She hadn’t bothered storing the Owlbear in her inventory, but for a Minotaurus, she’d have to process the corpse carefully to keep it intact…

“Fire Burst!”

At that moment, Sena swung her staff and cast a spell.

Boom!

An explosion erupted beneath the Minotaurus’s feet.

Compared to the magic Rakia used, it was cute, but it was enough to knock the Minotaurus down and burn its legs.

“Fire Lance! Call Lightning!”

Sena unleashed several spells at the Minotaurus and eventually defeated it.

“……”

Ariel looked at the Minotaurus’s corpse with a regretful gaze.

The body was so mangled it was hard to recognize.

It was beyond salvaging.

“How’s that? That’s the power of magic.”

Sena wiped the sweat from her forehead and smiled.

“It might look a bit gruesome, but that’s reality. If I hadn’t used magic, the Minotaurus would’ve crushed us instead.”

Sena patted Ariel on the shoulder and then walked ahead.

Her back seemed to say, “I’ll take the lead, so just follow me.”

“That kid’s personality seems a bit off…”

Roo muttered quietly.

Ariel nodded slightly in agreement and followed Sena.

At any rate, they were almost at the dungeon.

If they kept going, they’d arrive by evening.

*

The area in front of the dungeon was bustling with people.

Most were adventurers, with some merchants mixed in.

When adventurers found treasure in the dungeon, merchants would buy it at a fair price.

This way, adventurers didn’t have to lug the treasure back to the city, and merchants could resell it for profit—a win-win situation.

It was natural for adventurers and merchants to gather when a new dungeon appeared.

Usually, everyone would be excited, hoping to strike it rich, but this time was different.

The people gathered in front of the dungeon all wore serious expressions.

“Dammit… what kind of dungeon is this?”

The dungeon’s difficulty was much higher than expected.

Just moments ago, a group of adventurers had boldly entered the dungeon, only to return with severe injuries.

There had already been quite a few deaths, and even the dungeon’s entrance remained unconquered.

“It’s because of that giant… it’s guarding the next area, preventing anyone from advancing…!”

One adventurer, pale-faced, shouted.

He had just barely escaped the dungeon.

He had lost all his party members and was the only survivor, still trembling with fear even after escaping.

“We should give up on this dungeon… there’s no way we can defeat that giant…”

At his words, the crowd began to murmur.

This wasn’t the first time someone had said this.

Every adventurer who had entered the dungeon said the same thing.

“Should we really give up…? But we haven’t even properly retrieved any treasure…”

No one dared to enter the dungeon anymore.

Everyone just lingered at the entrance, deep in thought.

The majority opinion was that they should abandon the dungeon.

And then.

“Ariel, we’re finally here. This must be the newly discovered dungeon.”

Ariel’s group arrived at the dungeon entrance.