Training Hall Pseudo Dungeon

After the entrance ceremony, we headed to our respective classrooms according to our class assignments.

I am in Class 1-4. It means the first year, class four.

"Hey, did you see the freshman representative? She's super cute!"

"She's the daughter of the famous Sword Saint, Shibahime. They say she's beautiful, but in person, she's on a whole different level!"

The boys, who seem to be friends since middle school, are chatting happily. It's the time between when we arrive at the classroom and the teacher comes in. Thanks to these two boys, the other students start talking with each other too.

Me? I'm not talking. I can't.

You could say I live in the shadows.

You get it, right? I'm not the kind of person who can start a conversation with a stranger right after entering a new school. Huh? Socially awkward? Shut up.

"Congratulations on entering Eiyuu High School, everyone. I'm your homeroom teacher, Fraktor Osmond. My hobbies are bonsai and weight training, and I update DungeonTube to earn ad revenue. I have the most beautiful wife in the world and two kids, and I love ramen and tsukudani. Let's have a great high school life together, freshmen!"

Our homeroom teacher for 1-4 introduces himself, and as a natural progression, everyone has to introduce themselves too. Damn cheerful American, causing unnecessary events.

My turn comes.

"I-I'm Makoto Akaya, from Saitama... M-my hobbies are games, and stuff."

"Oh, Akaya-kun, you play games? Actually, I love games too. I can't wait for the new Armored Core game to come out... Do you play it?"

"I do! Uh... yeah, I play it."

I messed up my tone. Couldn't cancel the meme.

"... Uh, well, nice to meet you all."

I finish my self-introduction safely, at least.

"That guy's definitely an introvert (giggle)."

"Looks like he plays eroge (giggle)."

"Probably uses Internet memes (giggle)."

Yup, I'm doomed to be a loner. And also doomed to... well, let's not go there.

High school debut, failed. My self-introduction was a total disaster.

"Alright, let's break the ice! Everyone form groups! We have 20 out of 1000 talented dungeon explorers here. You're all young and full of potential. Let's get to know each other better!"

After the self-introductions, what happens? Don't you know? More self-introductions begin.

This is the worst class. We don't need so many forced conversation events.

I face the five people nearby.

"I'm Kotone Rindou from Gunma!"

A cheerful girl with a ponytail starts talking first.

Gunma, huh...? The wild land of Gunma?

"My level is 6! Amazing, right? I even have two skills!"

What?

"Uh, Rindou-san?"

"Yes? What's up... um, your name?"

"Akaya, Makoto."

"Right, Akaya-kun!"

"How did you level up? Did you already defeat monsters in a dungeon?"

"No way. I started at level 6."

I see.

As expected of someone from Gunma.

In Gunma, they say each tribe raises warriors to protect their villages, and she must be one of those young warriors.

That's why she's level 6. It must be.

"Rindou's amazing. I started at level 4."

What?

"I started at level 5. I have three skills."

Wait, hold on.

"Everyone's amazing. I started at level 3."

What's going on here?

"Akaya-kun, what level did you start at?"

"... I... I'm... zero, I think."

The place goes silent.

Isn't this supposed to be an icebreaker? The atmosphere just froze over.

"I see. But it's just the initial level, so don't worry too much!"

Kotone Rindou, the girl from Gunma, encouraged me with a bright smile.

When the icebreaker ended, another one began. We rotated to interact with everyone in the class, spending enough time to get to know each other.

It was the worst forced conversation event, but thanks to it, I filled in the gaps in my knowledge. My understanding changed.

I had been mistaken.

I thought all the aspiring dungeon explorers started at level 0. I thought no one had skills at the beginning.

No one else was level 0.

No one else didn't have skills.

What's going on, and what's going to happen, I pondered.

"… Haha, so that's it."

When the icebreaker ended, and we returned to our seats, I couldn't help but smile.

The only one with level 0 and no skills.

That must be proof of being chosen even among the chosen ones.

In other words, the super chosen one. Ah, my right arm is throbbing.

I lost my parents when I was young, got bullied at school, was terrible at studying, had no talents at all, but finally, it seems my turnaround is beginning.

"Haha, I guess I'll dominate."

"You seem very confident."

A cool, refreshing voice came from the seat next to me.

When I looked, a stunningly beautiful girl was looking at me with her cheek resting on her hand, eyes wide open. She had cold silver hair and clear white skin. Ah, it's her. I knew her from the icebreaker. Her parents are famous explorers, making her a thoroughbred. They say she's one of the top talents in the school, the Swiss exchange student.

However, I won't lose to her either. No, I'll surpass this genius, beautiful, intelligent, wealthy girl with superior attributes.

Thinking I'm not losing to her gave me confidence (positivity).

"Isaiah Wirth, right? Let me subtly hint that Makoto Akaya's talent might break through the heavens. After all, I'm level 0. Do you understand what that means?"

"I don't… but it must be something amazing."

"That's right."

Watch out, Eiyuu High School. I will prove my talent.

I'll take revenge on my pathetic life so far.

In the afternoon, after completing all the schedules for the first day, I headed to the dorm.

The dorm room was unexpectedly high-quality, and I threw myself on the bed in my uniform, rolling around while researching online in detail.

As a result, I found out that there are no precedents for explorers starting at level 0.

I was convinced of my extraordinary talent.

I changed into the gym clothes provided in the dorm, took my student ID and water bottle (from home, used in middle school club activities), and rushed out of the room.

I headed to the training building with a pseudo-dungeon managed by the school.

Within the grounds of Eiyuu High School, the training building controls entry and exit with student IDs at the gate. Students can freely use the facility during non-class hours and gain combat experience in an environment similar to actual dungeons.

A genius like me doesn't neglect training from the first day of school.

Look, as expected, no students are here in the training building.

I hold my student ID to the machine. Huh, it's not working.

This thing's broken. The machine won't beep.

"Move aside."

I turn to the voice and see her.

Glossy black hair, looking down with a diminutive stature.

"Nyannyan girl."

"Feel free to say that again. I don't recommend it, though."

A cold sensation touches my neck.

Looking down, I see Shibahime Kamika, aka Nyannyan girl, pressing a blade against my carotid artery. This is what it means to get the chills. Cold sweat bursts out.

"N-no way, measuring my pulse with a sword, such an unusual hobby…"

"I acknowledge your guts for making a joke in this situation."

Shibahime slowly pulls the sword away and sheathes it.

"What are you here for? Are you here to silence me?"

"Do I seem that cruel?"

You really do. Yes.

"I came to the training facility. Of course, I'm here to train."

Looking closely, Shibahime isn't in her uniform.

This kendo-like outfit… is it called a hakama?

She's in a black hakama, carrying a towel, a water bottle, and a sword.

She looks like she just finished a kendo practice. Though usually without a real sword.

"Move aside quickly."

"I'll move, but that's broken."

"Your student ID is the wrong way."

"Huh?"

Shibahime holds her student ID to the gate, and with a pleasant beep, she enters the training facility.

"Damn you, Shibahime, were you watching me struggle from behind?"

"What if I was?"

"What if I say I won't forgive you?"

"I'll cut you down—"

"I forgive you."

"Wise choice."

Shibahime heads into the pseudo-dungeon.

I follow her.

Inside the pseudo-dungeon, it looks like a natural cave.

"This is a dungeon… ah, something's coming out, is that… a Pomeranian?"

"Pome~"

How cute.

A fluffy Pomeranian.

"Hey, even in a training facility, it's dangerous to be in a pseudo-dungeon."

"You're the dangerous one. You should avoid that fluff ball."

"Why, it's so cute."

"Pomeee~!"

The Pomeranian, toddling closer, suddenly lets out a rough, drunken old man's voice and bares its fangs.

Ah. I'm dead. My body couldn't move.

Slash. A silver slash flies.

The Pomeranian before my eyes is cut in two

 and disappears into light particles.

In its place, I see Shibahime's back, holding a sword.

"Be more cautious. You could have died."

"I won't lose to a Pomeranian."

"No, you'd die."

Shibahime retrieves the sword and sheaths it.

The title Sword Saint is no exaggeration. At least within our school, her sword skills are top-notch.

"Thanks, I guess. If it weren't for you, I'd be dead."

"Don't mention it. You owe me one, though."

Ah, I see. That's how it is.

"Well, then, in return, I'll train you."

"Huh?"

"I'll train you, as thanks for saving my life."

"Huh?"

"What?"

"What?"

"What?"

"What?"

"Are you an idiot?"

"Maybe."

"What kind of training are you talking about?"

"The kind you need, Sword Saint."

"I don't need it."

"Your eyes tell me otherwise."

"Where are you looking?"

"I don't know."

"What?"

Shibahime looks exasperated.

I thought so. This is the path I must take.

With the true power of level 0, I will eventually surpass this Sword Saint.