LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 81 - Chapter 81: Earth Attribute Boot Camp (Part 2)
Chapter 81: Earth Attribute Boot Camp (Part 2)
On Monday, March 10th, in the Kingdom’s calendar, a school-wide mock battle was held.
The following day, Tuesday, March 11th, we were summoned by His Highness Richard and joined the Student Council.
Immediately from Wednesday, March 12th, we became members of the Student Council. Then, on Thursday, the 13th, in the afternoon, we embarked on our first boot camp after being caught by the B-Class Earth Attribute Alliance.
On Friday, March 14th, we also headed to the beginner dungeon, hunted weak monsters while gathering herbs, sold them at the guild, and disbanded. On the weekends, we submitted overnight stay notices and attacked dungeons vigorously with Luca-sama. I really wanted to take them all around during spring break.
And then, on the following Monday, March 17th…
“You guys are up to something interesting.”
His Highness Richard, who came to the Student Council office, approached us with a smile on his face. But his eyes weren’t smiling.
“Well, uh, it’s not really…”
“Even though I’m also of the Earth Attribute, you didn’t invite me. That’s harsh.”
With his single decree, he also decided to join the boot camp. It’s such a hassle to entertain royalty. I wish they could just understand the atmosphere.
But he’s not stupid either. Understanding that he didn’t want to disrupt everyone’s schedule, it was decided that we would depart for the advanced Golem dungeon today as planned. Of course, we couldn’t just take a shared carriage, so three carriages were arranged from the royal palace. It couldn’t be more conspicuous.
“Um, if possible, we’d rather not reveal too much…”
When this was mentioned, one of his attendants immediately rushed to the Adventurer’s Guild. The Golem dungeon was reserved for the day. Wait, this just makes us stand out even more…
The B-Class Earth Attribute Alliance consists of volunteers from first to third years of the middle and high school divisions, totaling 12 members. It worked out nicely with just two parties. Practicing and splitting experience points by party is better since solo isn’t ideal. So, reluctantly, His Highness joined our party. Everyone was rigid under His Highness’s influence, but that’s no way to camp.
“Today, we’ll be attacking the advanced dungeon. However, there’s nothing to worry about if we proceed carefully. Please follow instructions diligently.”
First, let’s make our positions clear. Everyone is serious students, but reckless actions should be avoided.
“Now, let us show you an example of how to conquer this dungeon. Luca-sama.”
Luca-sama nodded and took out his staff.
“Stone Stone, Wall Wall, Rock Wall.”
He deployed stone walls like embankments at his feet. The first floor had scattered puddles everywhere, making it muddy and difficult to walk on. Moreover, from within the puddles, sporadically, Mud Golems emerged. It’s much easier to fight if you prepare the footholds in advance. Sensing his approach, the Mud Golems emerged with a squelch, but immediately…
“Little Small, Stone Stone, Fly Fly, Hit Hit, Stone Pellet Stone Bullet.”
He fired Stone Bullets in a barrage from atop the embankment. With his heavily invested INT stat, his INT value is substantial, so even with the weakest stones, he could achieve sufficient firing rates and damage.
Yes, it was like a perfect demonstration. As a mentor, I felt extremely proud. The gallery exclaimed, “Wow…” and soon applause broke out.
“Next, it’s my turn. There’s also this approach.”
I took out a staff from my pocket and…
“Stone Stone, Crush Crush, Replace Replace, Sand Soil Sandy Soil.”
The effective range is INT square meters. The entire area turned into sandy soil, and from where Mud Golems had been appearing, as well as from expected emergence points, coins and clay balls appeared. The group again murmured, “Oh…”
“There are many ways to defeat monsters and conquer dungeons. Normally, it’s generally best to break through with the advantageous fire attribute skills. However, by improving our skills and being resourceful even as Earth attributes, we can create breakthrough power that rivals other attributes. We’re good at diligent effort and trial and error. Let’s continue to practice diligently.”
Since last week, the enthusiastic B-Class Earth Attribute Alliance had dispersed with cries of “Oh!” Each party was busy deploying the newly learned Mud Wall and fervently hurling stones with Stone Bullets. Voices could be heard saying, “Sorry! I’ll also learn Stone Bullet!” or “Got one down!” Some even said, “I actually have Land Escape, but I can’t use it until the sandy ground.” There are no unnecessary attributes, and no skills are truly useless (well, not entirely). I want them to keep trying and getting stronger.
“…Luca-kun, Alexi-kun. You’ve been doing something amazing.”
“Your Highness. The amazing one is Alexi. I learned everything from him.”
“Well, um, although this is an advanced level, each floor only has one type of monster, making it very easy to practice.”
“Ah, we’ve really got good talent here. How about it? Would you like to join my retinue now?”
“Alexi is my retainer!”
“Um, Your Highness, please also join us in defeating the Mud Golems…”
That’s right. Rather than wasting time with idle chatter, I want them to hunt and earn experience points as much as possible. The Mud Golems themselves are slow-moving and not particularly strong enemies, but this floor has poor footholds. If you get stuck in the mud, have your vision blocked by mud, and get surrounded by endlessly spawning Mud Golems, it’s over. Humans suffocate and die in no time. It’s a floor that’s subtly frightening in places other than the combat power of the Mud Golems themselves. Coins and dropped items also sink into the mud, which is why this floor is disliked.
However, on the flip side, if you can somehow manage footholds and mud countermeasures, it’s just a good opportunity for profit. Although it’s classified as an advanced dungeon, it offers experience points that are unparalleled compared to other dungeons’ small fry enemies. Even though the experience is divided among the party, as you defeat one or two, the number of stones shot from the staff increases, as does their power. And before you know it, skills like Sandy Soil and Brick Wall, which couldn’t be used until just now, are also usable. At first, they were cautious, but eventually, they were enjoying themselves, hunting Mud Golems like clam digging.
However, the half-day from the afternoon passed in the blink of an eye. We boarded the carriage waiting in front of the dungeon and returned the way we came.
His Highness, Luca-sama, and I rode in the lead carriage. The B-Class Alliance members rode in party units in the following carriages. The fallen coins were divided among everyone. The clay balls dropped as loot were taken as my tuition fee.
“That was fun. Call me again sometime.”
“Yes, if there’s another opportunity.”
As we said, “The secrets of adventurers should be kept,” the carriages and attendants had been waiting at the entrance, blocking the dungeon the whole time. It was good that His Highness kept his promise. If things continue like this, we won’t hesitate to have the B-Class Alliance participate in our boot camps.
Or so I thought. Until that day.
“Hey there. I also reached out to Class A. That’s okay, right?”
The boot camp companions increased. And the advanced Golem dungeon was rented out for the duration of spring break in the name of the Third Prince. It was originally an unpopular dungeon, rarely visited by anyone. The guild apparently received rent from His Highness Richard and said, “Please, be our guest.” The power of royalty is formidable.
In the morning, there was Student Council work. Occasionally, I was sent on external investigations, and I also had a reunion with Bruno. Behind the scenes, power leveling for all Earth attribute students at the academy was quietly underway.