Chapter 47: Beneath the Surface

The garden of Saint Lepheria Academy.

The autumn flowers that had just begun to bloom were emitting a strong fragrance. In a corner of the fragrant garden, a man and a woman sat facing each other.

Kamian and Annette. Their expressions looked somewhat exhausted. Especially Annette, who had deep dark circles under her eyes.

"You look tired."

Kamian said, looking at her face.

"...I couldn't sleep well because of nightmares."

Annette sighed deeply in response.

"Nightmares?"

"I think I died more than ten times just last night. Ugh, my head kept getting smashed by the troll..."

"Stop, stop, there's no need to recall it."

Kamian interrupted Annette's words.

"In the end, we survived. We survived with our skills."

Pride was evident in his voice. Honestly, he wasn't very confident in real combat.

He lacked experience, but the fierce battle of yesterday filled that void.

As the saying goes, small successes build confidence, surviving the harsh reality of combat for the first time gave him confidence.

"Yeah, that's true. Honestly, I thought I was going to die at the end....."

Although less so than Kamian, Annette had definitely changed before and after the incident.

Being naturally kind, she hesitated and couldn't be cruel in battle.

However, having faced a life-threatening crisis, she had overcome that to a considerable extent. Therefore, for both Kamian and her, this incident seemed certain to be a nutrient for growth.

"We would have been in real trouble without the senior."

Annette mentioned Max first.

An indispensable figure in yesterday's event.

If Max hadn't come to help when they were floundering, not knowing they had fallen into a dungeon, they would have surely experienced something terrible.

Regardless of personal likes and dislikes, Kamian naturally acknowledged that fact.

"If that person hadn't been there, we probably wouldn't have come out alive like this."

Kamian nodded.

"He was quite different from the rumors."

Annette recalled yesterday's events.

The worst problem child of the second year in every aspect. That was the public's assessment of Max Celtrine. Everyone said so, and Annette believed it too.

And the person who had rudely spoken to Kamian in front of the restaurant the first time they met seemed no different from the rumors.

But the person from yesterday was different.

At least enough not to worry about tuition for the second semester. That alone was enough to relieve some of the heaviness that had been constricting his heart.

"Then that's good."

Annette relaxed her expression as if relieved.

"But I'm still a little concerned about accepting such an item so readily."

Annette took out a small ring as she spoke.

It looked like just an ordinary cheap copper ring, but it was not just an ordinary ring.

This ring had the power to amplify magic.

She had tested it several times by wearing it herself, so she was sure.

Of course, it wasn't as powerful as a high-grade artifact, but the change was definitely noticeable. Even an item of this level was more than welcome at her current level.

"There's nothing you can do about it. He was so stubborn."

Kamian shook his head and said. In his hand was a black dagger. It looked crude but seemed sturdy.

It was a dagger made of black iron.

Not only its strength but also its sharpness surpassed that of ordinary steel.

Considering his financial difficulties, it was an item he could never afford. And that was what he had gained from this incident.

In addition to ancient silver coins and a fair amount of jewelry. It wasn't for nothing that he said his suffocating life had gotten a bit of breathing room.

"But we did contribute, so don't worry too much about it. More importantly."

"Yeah."

"Let's pretend nothing happened yesterday."

Yesterday's event. The appearance of a dungeon and three students getting involved was no ordinary matter.

It would have caused quite a stir if it had become known. It was bound to cause a headache later on.

Neither Max nor Kamian wanted that.

So, without anyone saying who should go first, they agreed to keep it a secret among themselves.

Only Annette hesitated.

"I understand."

There was still hesitation in her voice, perhaps a pang of conscience. Considering her personality, she probably wouldn't have agreed if it hadn't been for Kamian.

To that extent, Kamian was special to her.

"And one more thing."

"Yeah."

"I want to quit my part-time job and focus on my studies."

A welcome statement in the midst of listening. Annette's expression brightened.

"Okay, I understand."