Roles

The final week before we would get to go on our 'first' dungeon dive had begun with Mr. Brown explaining how it all would go down.

Standing in front of his podium in front of us the big man looked even more cheerful than usual.

"As you may or may not know, we will be doing our dungeon dive in conjunction with the B-class. Your parties will also be mixed, consisting of two students from each class."

The digital whiteboard behind him lit up, showing us a list of the parties we were assigned to.

[Party 1: Sophie Red, Adam Rue, John and Bellatrix Rue]

[Party 2: Sebastian Crawb, James Jackson, Sarah Lindt, and Trisha]

[Party 3: Mike Denver, Anna Dubois, Peter Harrow, and Bradley Strong]

[Party 4: Adriana Aldon, Suzan Eldritch, Brad Strong, and Arthur Luminary]

'The third party looks like they will implode as soon as they enter the dungeon...'

Thinking about just how weird that union was brought a smile to my face. Imagining Mike trying to take control and lead the very independent Anna, the muscle head and the crazy person was just amazing.

In contrast, my party appeared to not only have quite amicable people but also very well balanced.

Frontline in the form of Sebastian, ranged attacks from Trisha, healing and support from Sarah and me. Me who could... Throw mist?

It was something I had noticed when fighting with Sophie in the Monastery; I didn't have a very defined role in a group setting.

In my mind, I would be a close combat specialist. However, this was quite reliant on me using my mist to gain an advantage, hiding in it to launch surprise attacks and confuse my enemies.

'I have to find a lot more uses for it...'

There was no doubt in my mind that I wasn't using my element to the fullest of its potential, and although it wasn't like I didn't have a couple of ideas that I had tried out, I hadn't gotten proficient enough to use them in combat yet.

Using the mist to create a dome was relatively easy, it was just a matter of spreading it out while keeping the density intact. The other tricks I was thinking of learning were more intricate, needing a more delicate touch to use.

"Also! Do remember that even though your ranking event is over for this semester, your rankings are always up in the air. If you do not show your good sides, there is a risk you might be demoted to B-class."

'Ah... I guess Ainu wants to keep promoting rivalry in order to spur the growth of the students. Seems like I'll have to work hard.'

Having finished what he wanted to say, I was about to get up when a very familiar scene of someone quickly making his way to my desk.

"I'll get in contact with the rest. Please come to the academy café at eight."

And then he walked away.

Watching the purple-haired youth, I truly had a hard time figuring him out. However, there was one characteristic that shone through in everything he did. Pride.

I had already thrown away my view of him trying desperately to resurrect his dying family name. The way he moved, talked and was always serious about performing were all ingrained with a sense of pride.

The reason why it wasn't connected to his own family? Because he had no issues talking to a commoner to plan a simple dungeon dive in order to show off his prowess. That was a very distinct difference between him and Mike. Mike held pride in being luckily born into the Denver family, while Sebastian appeared to pride himself on himself.

Pride as a concept was truly interesting to me, as the spectrum and the way it could show its face were so incredibly diverse.

Everything from how Bella and Mike acted, to the pride Adriana held in her race, to how Sophie prided herself in her newly acquired strength, going as far as to get launched by a huge skeleton to prove it.

I also had a sense of pride, however, it was much more subtle, or at least I imagined it to be.

My pride was about reaching my goals, no matter what they might be. On Earth, I didn't care about how many hated and spat on my thesis, I carried on. In games as well, I wouldn't give up until I managed to do whatever I wanted to do.

No matter the costs.

****

"Thank you for coming."

It was weird sitting down at the table where the others were already sitting, seeing them all in casual clothing, Sebastian included.

From the pink, frilly and girly dress that Sarah wore, the black jeans and green hoodie that Trisha his her nonexistent curves with, to finally Sebastian wearing a very ordinary pair of blue jeans and a tight white t-shirt, showing off his incredibly built body.

My body in this world was also quite athletic, but almost as if to show off what inherent stat values I had, it was quite skinny. My thigh was probably 1/4 of what Sophie's was. Granted, she had really big legs as they were proportionate to her body, but I didn't have much muscle.

However! This had started to change as my strength stat increased, bringing with it another very amazing perk. In just one month from being brought here, I had grown one whole centimeter!

Interrupting my inner celebration, Sebastian initiated our little strategy meeting by handing out papers telling us all the relevant information we needed to know.

Still keeping his very neutral face, he asked us, "Please read through these before we begin. Meanwhile, I'll go get us something to drink. Coffee or tea?"

"Coffee, please.", "Tea", "Tea please, if you would be so kind."

After giving him our orders, we got to it. Or at least the two girls started reading the information we were given.

I already had a pretty good understanding of what the Wolf's Den was about. Therefore, it was more interesting to me to try and understand the humans around me a bit more.

So while Sebastian fulfilled the basic requirements of being the 'host', as he was the one to drag us out here, my eyes began with scanning the tall girl with dark hair.

There was no doubt that Trisha was tall, but she wasn't abnormally huge like Sophie, nor did she have even close to the same amount of 'softness'.

Noticing my little looks, she finally talked for the first time during our meeting, "Please stop. It's distracting."

Pretending to be a bit flustered, as if I got caught peeping, I waved my arms while defending myself, "Oh! Sorry! You are just so beautiful, I couldn't help myself!"

She flinched, her body almost jumping back in her seat while her face started to flush. Still, she managed to play it somewhat cool, as she turned her eyes back to the boring papers, "Shut up. Just start reading instead."

'Yep, she is just extremely shy, after all.'

While I was happily confirming her personality, another girl was sitting at the table who was less than content with what I had just said.

Sarah almost looked like she was on the verge of tears, unable to hold back after I just verbally 'cucked' her in front of another woman.

So, I quickly chose some words that I assumed the girl who was interested in me would appreciate.

"You are beautiful as well, Sarah. I'm just more comfortable with you. After all, it just feels natural to be around you, it just feels right."

Although Trisha got pretty embarrassed by my compliments, it was nothing compared to the state that I had put Sarah in.

Her face now had the color palette of a tomato, her body shaking as if she was trying to decide whether to run away or to just bask in the happiness.

*Tak!*

Sebastian had returned, saving Sarah from her impossible situation.

"Thank you, Sebastian."

I felt a surge of happiness when thinking about the fact that I had already conquered the art of talking in smaller groups. It was still hard when there were more than five people, but as long as there weren't, it was now smooth sailing.

Taking a seat next to me, with the girls sitting on a couch on the other side of our two chairs, he began, "So, I assume that you have already the essential information. Now, I think it is obvious that Sarah will be supporting, Trisha will be doing ranged attacks and I will act as the vanguard."

All three of us nodded in agreement, urging him to continue, making him, still as serious as ever, open his mouth again.

"However, James. We have never seen you fight. What is your preferred role? As we have filled the vital spots, it doesn't matter that much, but knowing the tools at hand will help us a lot."

It wasn't unexpected that we would start by defining our roles. It was, for many, an essential part of cooperating. However...

"I will be going on my own. So there is no need for you to know. Now, if you will excuse me, I have other preparations to do before Saturday."

Having finished my business, not minding the questioning faces around me, I withdrew sub-me.

*Poff!*

Back in my room, I was already simulating battling wolves by fighting Matt who was now Bobby...

'I need to find some better ways to refer to myself...'