Mushoku Tensei (WN) - Volume 7 - Chapter 68

Mushoku Tensei:Web Chapter 68 - Baka-Tsuki 
After homeroom ended, Zanoba dutifully attended his next class. 
It seems he is not allowed lesson exemptions. 

Cliff seems to be naturally serious about his lessons. 
Rinia and Pursena seem to give off the feeling they're boycotting their lessons, but they appear to attend seriously. 

According to Zanoba, in two hours, it will be time for lunch. 
I was invited to join him for the meal. 
How pleasant! 

I will eventually be taking classes. 
However, don't misunderstand my reason for coming here. 
I never came to this school to study. 

But I also can't be 'doing nothing' for as long as two hours. 
Though, I did not come to play around either. 

For the time being. 
I decided to take a look around the campus. 
I was able to see the approximate locations of each classroom on the map. 
However, it would probably be better if I went to see it by walking there. 

As I thought this, I began to walk. 

First off is the School Infirmary [1] . 
The infirmary of this school is spacious. 
It has 8 beds which are in a line, 
There are two healing art users residing here. 
It must mean that it is possible that there are many people who become injured in magical accidents. 
Just now a man twice my height was carried in with a stretcher. 
One arm seems to be broken, and a leg is bent in an unusual way. 
One of the healing art users is rapidly chanting spells on the broken arm. 
It is Intermediate-rank recovery magic. 
At once, the man's tortured expression relaxed a bit. 

So as to not be a nuisance there, I left. 
When I looked at the placard at the entrance, I saw [Primary Medical Ward] written there. 
It wasn't the School Infirmary. 

Next stop was the Athletics Warehouse. 
This room was adjoined to the one I took the Training Examination in the other day. 
Of course the door is locked. 
Do I need to get the key from the Administrator's office, or perhaps I need to find the Gym teacher? 
Or, if I was to happen to use a little bit of chantless invocation earth magic, would I not be able to unlock it that way? 

So, with just a little bit of magic, I unlocked the door and entered inside. 
The inside is a bit dusty and smells of mold. 
Rather than an Athletics Warehouse, I got the feeling it was just a regular Warehouse. 

Lining the shelves were various Kendo equipments, like Helmets and Chest Protectors, in the corner of the room is a box that looks like an umbrella stand, which has many places for magicians to put their magic wands. 
Some kind of iron figure had a number of places marked with some kind of unknown white powder. 
However, this is not what I was looking for. 
It seems this school doesn't have the equipment for Platform or Floor Exercises. 
So basically, this isn't an Athletics Warehouse, it's just a [Training Tools Room]. 

Next stop, the rooftop of the school building... oh this school doesn't have a rooftop access. 
Since it snows a lot in this area of the world, a sharply sloping roof is a fundamental design it seems. 
Though it seems there is something like an attic, I pass on it for now. 

With the rooftop being no good, I decide to visit the library. 
The library of this school has its own independent building. 
Leaving the Athletics Warehouse, I walked for about ten minutes until at last I reached a particular two-story building. 

When I tried to enter, I was stopped by a door guard. 

[Stop!] 
[Eh?] 
[I haven't seen your face before, are you a new student? A problem with your lessons?] 
[Eh, yes, I'm a new student. [Special Student], and I'm exempt from lessons.] 
[Show me your student identification.] 

Trying not to act suspiciously, from my breast pocket [2] , I take out the identification, and hand it over. 
The guard stares me up and down for a moment, alright, I seem to be confirmed. 
I am deliberately checked for anything suspicious. 
Afterwards, a rough explanation of the important points on how to use the library was told to me. 

Magic is forbidden in the library. 
Removing a book from the library is strictly prohibited, however sometimes certain materials may be loaned out, but only temporarily. 
In cases like that, permission must be obtained from a librarian, which means forms need to be filled out. 
Naturally, any damage to a book will be met with a disciplinary action. 

It's pretty much the same as any library anywhere. 
But if a book is heavily damaged, it's possible that the result could be a heavy fine and expulsion. 

Incidentally, all the books that exist in this library are said to be transcripts. 
Even if the damage is just to a transcript, that is grounds for being made to withdraw from school. 
Is that because books in this world are naturally expensive? 

[You are considerably strict here, aren't you?] 
[There was a troublesome person here before who was substituting books. They were selling these precious materials in the marketplace.] 

So the guard says. 

When I entered the library, it had the faint smell of books. 
The unique mixture of mustiness dried ink and old paper. 
It also has a bathroom near the entrance. 
Perhaps it's a countermeasure to the Aoki Mariko phenomenon? 

I offer a light greeting to the librarian, then head further inside. 
At the entrance are tables and desks lined up, from the middle to the back are rows of bookshelves. 

[Ooooh.] 

I instinctively exclaimed in sheer admiration. 
How many books have I read since coming to this world? 
It is the first time I have seen such a large amount of books side by side. 
The first floor opened up wide to an atrium-like ceiling. 
The entire second floor is occupied by bookshelves. 
Various places throughout the library have a chair and desk, as expected there is likely no shortage of schoolwork that needs to be done here. 
It's just about time I looked into some things. 

[Ah.] 

Then, I recalled the advice of Hitogami. 

[Rudeus, enter Ranoa Magic Academy. 
Then, examine the matters of the Fedoa Territory Metastasis Event [3] . 
If you do this, you can regain your confidence as a man once more.] 

Up until now, I have done nothing but give special care to that last sentence. 
However, [Investigate the Metastasis Cases] was what he was saying right? 
That was close. 
I had almost completely forgotten. 

It's fine though. 
There should be quite a few books on that subject, so in regards to it, I should be able to do some detailed research. 
However, since there are just a few books... where should I begin looking from? 

[Should I ask a librarian about this...?] 

I shook my head and decided against it. 
For the time being, it's not like I have to immediately start researching. 
And anyway, as for facts about the Metastasis Event cases, Asura Kingdom wasn't done confirming everything yet. 
And just a cursory amount of studying won't make me understand the whole situation at once. 
So for now, it'll be good just to know where the book reference materials are in the library, I guess. 

As I thought this, I meandered between the bookshelves. 
There were indeed many books of different kinds. 
Though the majority of the books were in Human language, there were those that were also written in Beast God language or Demon God language. 
There was a book in Fighting God language as well. I am not knowledgeable if there are some in Heaven God language or Sea God language languages though. 
I would need to transliterate the letters of those languages to one I know already, before I could even begin reading it. 

[Ah!] 

From behind me, a small voice raised up. 
I turned around. 
That white-haired, sunglasses-wearing boy was looking at me. 
It's Fitts! 
He seemed to be carrying several books and scrolls. 

I panicked for a moment, stood at attention quickly, and then bowed apologetically. 

[I am sorry for the other day. 
It was through my thoughtless actions yesterday that may have caused Senpai to lose face. 
I am truly sorry for what I have done.] 

[I was thinking about going out for a box of cakes for which I planned to bring them to you when greeting you properly at a future time, but since I just became a new student moments ago, I've been caught up doing this or that since....] 
[Uea!? ...I, It's fine, raise your head.] 

In my previous life, the one person I respected was a character called [Masa]. 

He is a member of society who managed to weather all the problems of the world by performing dogeza [4] . 
One of his techniques is called [When you've made a mess of something, make the humble apology in a place like a toilet or the like, not by shouting abruptly in an important place!] 
I rushed into a direction where I would be excused of the bad feelings Fitts may have held for me, and tried to clear them away. 
It seems successful. 

[Rude...eh, Rudeus-kun? For what reason are you here?] 

[Doing a little bit of research.] 

[About what?] 

[Metastasis Events.] 

When I mentioned that, Fitts seemed to bring his eyebrows together. 
Did I say something strange? 

[The Metastasis Event? Why?] 
[I was also a resident of Fedoa Territory in the Asura Kingdom. And The Metastasis Event there had flung me far away to the Demon Continent, for instance.] 
[The Demon Continent!?] 

Fitts-senpai's astonishment seemed exaggerated. 

[Yeah, it took as long as three years, but I managed to come back. 
During that time I managed to find my family. 
Though there is still one person I haven't found yet. 
But there is a good chance, if I examine this in detail, I may find a lead, right?] 
[...Is perhaps, for the sake of that one person the reason you are in this school?] 
[That's right.] 

Though there is no way I can say that the reason is actually for the sake of curing my Erectile Dysfunction. 
However, it's not a lie to say I do want to examine what happened with the Metastasis Events. 
Why did that event even occur? I have the desire to know. 

[I see, you are an amazing person...after all.] 

Fitts says so, and the back of his ear makes a crunching sound as he scratches it. 
What's so amazing about a person who hasn't discovered anything yet? 
That is, what did you mean by that? 
Well, it's fine, however. 

[So, what is senpai doing here?] 
[Aaaaaah! That's right! I was supposed to be bringing these materials somewhere. 
I've got to run. Rudeus-kun, see you later!] 
[Ah, sure, later!] 

Fitts gave off a panicked look, he was about to turn on his heels and head to the librarian. 

[Oh, that's right.... If it's about Metastasis, then a book by Animas called [Investigation Records of the Metastasis Labyrinth] is a good story you should read, it'll be easy to understand what it's about.] 

And with those parting words, Fitts left. 
While it did not seem Fitts was good at talking with me, he didn't leave me with the impression that he harbored ill feelings towards me. 
It appears that he wasn't holding a grudge about the matter of the Examination Test after all. 
Though I may have misunderstood because his gaze was so strong, it seems that he might be a relatively good person after all. 
I inquired with the librarian where the [Investigation Records of the Metastasis Labyrinth] was located, and passed the remaining time until lunch came, lost in reading. 
It wasn't a very thick book. 
It was barely the thickness of a notebook; the number of pages was less than 100. 

The story was about Animas Macedonias who was an Adventurer from the Northern Lands who was said to have challenged a labyrinth. 
The labyrinth he challenged was said to be the [Labyrinth of Metastasis]. 
It was a rare labyrinth where it was said that all of the traps were metastasis traps. 
And there were 5 kinds of demons that inhabited it. 
All of the demons were highly intelligent, and knew the locations in the labyrinth where the traps would fling adventurers to. 
When an unfortunate person steps on the metastasis trap, they are sent to a room where there are usually a large number of demons waiting to kill them. 
It is difficult to avoid stepping on traps during battles within the labyrinth. 
If the battle becomes complicated, then the whole party could end up scattered throughout the Labyrinth. 
The labyrinth's difficulty level is classified as extremely high. 

Animas and his associates went to challenge the labyrinth, and investigated about the metastasis traps while they were there. 
Chiefly, there are three kinds of metastasis traps. 
One. One-way teleporting. It is always to the same location, returning must be done manually. 
Two. Two-way teleporting. There is usually a magic formation which can return you back the same way somewhere in the location one was teleported to. 
Three. Random teleporting. There is no way of knowing where you will end up, and no guarantee of being able to go back. 
In the metastasis labyrinth, it's just a matter of aiming for the interior of the cavern while repeatedly dealing with the teleporting traps that move you further inside. 
However, the random teleporting traps are interspersed. 
If one accidentally steps on it by mistake, the party can be separated, and one person can be stuck fighting solo against a huge swarm of demons. 

There was even a record on how to recognize a random transport magic formation over other types. 
In the middle of the story, Animas discovered a method of use, to allow him to be transported towards the back of the labyrinth rapidly. 
Animas and company gradually got careless. 
And they thought they would able to capture the labyrinth. 
However, they were not able to tell the method with certainty how to distinguish the trap. 
The final part of the story involved failing to identify a formation correctly, and stepping on a random teleportation trap which put an end to the party. 
Animas was surrounded by a large amount of enemies, and though he lost his right hand, he somehow managed to survive. 
However, he lost three colleagues at the same time. 
And since Animas' body was no longer able to fight, he gave up adventuring. 
The end of the book was a story of why it was written, and that the secrets of capturing the labyrinth were entrusted to whoever read this book. 
Whether this story was fiction or non-fiction is unknown. 

However, [Monster House] ending up dividing into new parties is considerably amazing. 
In my previous life, I seem to remember an RPG that had a dungeon similar to one like this. 
However, the conditions required in order to clear the dungeon in the game are different, it's not always possible to reach the final level in one of this world's dungeons. 
Although other adventurers have said that at the innermost part of the Labyrinth is almost always a magic crystal. 
However, I wouldn't be surprised to find there was one fraudulent dungeon that didn't have an achievable end to it. 

The study with regard to the random teleportation magic formations appeared at the end of the book. 
Essentially the limitations and ranges of the random teleportation formations, and their usual or unusual characteristics. 
Also, that it is highly unlikely to wind up being teleported into the middle of something, like the ground or a wall- even if it is inside a cave. 
If it's the case with Animas, it's because the magical power of the metastasis ahead and the magic of the thing itself doing the metastasis repel each other, this may be related to the concept of not being able to materialize an attack magic directly inside the body of a person. 

Attack magic cannot be generated directly into the body of another person. 
Even I seem to have been aware of that principle. 
However the recovery magic is able to be done inside of the body of another person. 
It's fuzzy logic like that what keeps me from being able to use Chantless Invocation healing magic. 

Even if it's related to metastasis, such a theoretical exception may work. 
Even if earth magic is generated from the soil, it cannot be generated into it. 
Unexpectedly, it is a simple theory, to move a person's body to a certain space may require a certain level of extra magic over the normal required amount. 

While thinking, the noon bell sounded. 
Time flies. 
I head to the meeting place with Zanoba, it's the dining room. 
The dining hall is a separate building with three floors. 
Students are separated by hierarchy. 

The 3rd floor is for royalty and nobility of the Human Race. 
The 2nd floor is for the commoners of the Beast Race. 
The 1st floor is for adventurers and Demon Race. 

I think this is more distinction than discrimination. 
When nobles eat with demons and adventurers, fights happen too often. 
That, and there is a big difference, like table manners and such. 

Because I am an adventurer, I thought the first floor would be good. 

[Please come this way] 

Zanoba recommended that we will get a better meal and service on the third floor, so he is pulling me along. 

[Uu....] 

When I appeared from the stairs, the gaze of everyone was on me all at once. 
It seems that with the current shape I'm in, the smell of commoner is oozing out of me. 
I am wearing my robe over my uniform because it is cold outside. 
The grey robe bought five years ago, the cuff is worn out, and large patches are visible near the chest. 
Since I have become taller recently, likewise it has appeared smaller on me. 
To say it bluntly, it is a shabby thing now. 

There were some students on the 1st~2nd floors who wore a robe as a counter-measure against the cold outside. 
However, there was not even one person on the 3rd floor who did. 
Those of the third floor who wished to stay warm would wear a mantle or cardigan. 
If I use an easy to understand analogy: if everyone is wearing a suit, I alone am wearing a jersey. 
Even I, who don't care about clothes, can read the piercing atmosphere. 

[Zanoba, I don't think I'm agreeable to the atmosphere here, could we possibly go eat on the second floor?] 
[I don't go down to the second floor, because of Rinia and Pursena.] 
[Then, what about the first floor?] 
[The number of crass people on the first floor who do not comprehend a concept such as table manners is high. Royalty such as myself will not for a single moment share company with the likes of them.] 
[Then, I guess we will be eating apart.] 
[How cruel! This one up until now hasn't been able to meet Shishou, does he not think of how much I must have had to endure? At least take a meal together with myself....] 
[Please don't make me have to stomach eating here.] 

We argued on the edge of the stairs. 
Though the stairs were made wide, because of us, some students are having an issue going past us who are blocking the top. At that moment... 

[Kya~ It's Luke-sama!] 

From downstairs, I hear noisy voices. 
Those shrill voices approach closer. 

[Luke-sama~ is next to me~] 
[No way! Luke-sama don't go~!] 
[Nee~ Luke-sama, for your next date, would it be alright if I also go with you?] 

One lady-killer, besieged by women, tries to make the climb up the stairs. 

[I can't possibly do that, I am sorry, I can't possibly date more than two women at once. 
You see, I only have two arms, if I were to date three, since I don't have three arms, that lady would feel terrible if I was unable to lead her around as well, right?] 
[E~ That would be disappointing~] 
[Fufu, Terrible right? Because I'm such a popular person. Let's make a date for another time alright? Certainly, if it's next month, my left arm will be vacant by then!] 

While saying some incredible things on the way, from downstairs came the boy who looked Paul-like. 
On both sides of the boy are girls whose chests are clearly cramped into their uniforms. 
Moving his hands to their waists, while laughing frivolously, he climbs the stairs. 

This is definitely the same fellow I saw at the entrance ceremony. 
Luke? Was what he was called, right? 
What was his family name? Skywalker [5] ? 

While pondering that, suddenly there were eyes. 

[Hey you....] 

Luke's eyes narrowed. 
That frivolous face from before gradually steepens. 

[If I remember right, the one of Fitts's...] 

As he said that, I bowed immediately. 
This person was also one who saw the match between Fitts and I. 
And while it seems Fitts might not be angry any longer, because he is a colleague, there may be some lingering feelings of animosity with this one too. 
These kind of people tend to worry about the honor of their group members. 

[It is nice to meet you, I am Rudeus Greyrat. 
From this day forward I hope to receive your favor. Please kindly look after me, senpai.] 
[Ah~ I know of you, heard about it from Fitts.] 

Luke looks at me in a disagreeable way. 

[Then, I take it that you know my name already?] 
[No....] 

Like the younger brother of an end of the century champion suddenly being asked a question, I shook my head. 
Though I have heard the name Luke, I didn't know his real name. 

[I see, so you have no consideration for others do you?] 
[S, sorry. If it is alright with you, may I please receive the honor of knowing your name?] 

For a little while, Luke just looked into my face with a sullen mood. 
After a while, he let out a harrumph, and then a snort. 

[I am Luke Notos Greyrat.] 

[Eh~ What's this, is it not impossible~?] 
[Perhaps I should tell you, but that robe, wa~y unfashionable, you should probably start by trimming the edges on that thing.] 
[Since the fabric is worn out, you might as well buy a new one instead~] 

I hear the reproaching voices of the accompanying girls group as they sharply rain down criticisms. 
But nothing they said to me went into my ears. 

Luke Notos Greyrat. 

It was a former name of my father Paul. Paul Notos Greyrat. 
A love child? 
Not likely. 
Paul had long since thrown away the Notos name. 
But since he stated his name in a dignified way, perhaps he is... something like a cousin? 

[Shishou, you sure seem to be attracted to all sorts of troublesome people.] 
[Indeed, now, how I will go about stopping all this attraction?] 
[That one was Luke, an upper level noble of the Asura Kingdom. Though he is tentatively a student, he is actually a guard of Princess Ariel.] 
[...At any rate, I will certainly be giving a pass to eating here.] 
[Isn't there some other way...?] 

Afterwards, as a compromise, we ate the meal outside. 
Since the weather was cooperating, the earth magic was really easy to create a table and chairs with, an impromptu Café Terrasse was completed. 
Zanoba upon seeing this one act of magic was impressed and loudly voiced a [Whoa!]. 
I happily accepted the feelings of the one before me who was so moved. 

While eating, I heard all about the situation of Princess Ariel and her honorable entourage. 

Ariel Anemoi Asura. Age 17. 
A genuine heir to the Asura Royal Family. 
The Second Princess. 
The Empress of Asura was not blessed with many children and had just one daughter; she was given third rights of succession to the throne. 
After the Empress gave birth to another, the recovery of the child after birth was terrible, and she was unable to bear with burying the corpse of her (stillborn?) child. 
In the end, she was only able to produce one with the blood of the Asura lineage. 

In addition to Ariel, there are two princes who also aim for succession. 
The 1st Prince and the 2nd Prince. 
The influential people of Asura Kingdom's upper aristocracy competed to bring one of them to power as a king, then drew the benefits of their backing. 
As is almost always the case, with many supporters available, not everyone will be able to have their backing returned. 
Because there is a rank in the minister's group, it's a natural course of events. 
Those of low rank are neglected. 

Therefore, those who would have been unlikely to be backed by either prince, crowded the naive princess (Ariel) with promises. 
This was the creation of the Second Princess Faction. 
However, four years prior to current times, the group of men who gave the most support had been overthrown. 
Under the pretext of studying abroad, she headed to this school in a self-imposed exile. 

Such a princess has two Guards. 
The first is Fitts. 
[Silent Fitts] 
A person who can use Chantless Invocation magic. 
During the chaotic time when (the princess') group lost power, he fended off would-be assassins with tremendous ability. 
Where he was born and what he has done until adulthood is largely a mystery, but the thing that is known is that he is a member of the Elven Race. 
Those who can be taught to use Chantless Incantation are said to be few. 
Although I have not heard of their master. 
It seems to be a tendency to conceal all that they can about his existence. 
The cover story given was that Fitts was secretly trained by the Asura royal palace to be some kind of cold blooded Killer-Machine Combat Machine . 

The other guard is Luke. 
Luke Notos Greyrat. 
The second son of Philemon Notos Greyrat, the current head of family of the Notos branch. 
From the beginning, he was Princess Ariel's Guardian Knight; from the time he was born, he had been given a special education. 
Even after she lost her standing, he continued wanting to be her Guardian Knight, if by chance the princess can recover her standing, at that time he will be her insurance when it is time to return to the succession dispute. 

They have kept bathing in the limelight since they first came to this school, at the same time they are envied, it seems they are also respectfully feared. 

[However, some of this story includes This One's conjecture, I warn you.] 

So finished Zanoba. 

[Ah, thanks.... Say Zanoba, you seem to be well informed.] 
[It was because Myself had been made to check into it.] 
[By whom?] 
[It was those two foolish people of the Beast Race.] 

Rinia and Pursena it seems. 
The pained face of Zanoba said as much. 
Was he also made to be a porter too? 

[Zanoba... you.... Are you being bullied by those two people?] 
[Bullying? No, this one had to admit defeat during a fight, that's all of the matter.] 
[Surrendered, eh?] 

Zanoba made a difficult face. 
However, his voice is flat. 
If he consented to such a thing it's fine.... 
If bullying is done by those people to make it hard for Zanoba to go outside. 
If this guy is being troubled, I want to help him out. 

However, I don't know the power of the other party. 
Perhaps I should join the Zanoba faction, I think. 
Among the beast race, they are from the "Dorudia Tribe" because of that, they are like a special existence - they also make enemies of and terrorize other members of the beast race. 
They immediately take a prejudiced view to things. 
It's scary how much of a difference in common sense there is. 
But, there are also those who are good guys. 
Like Ghyslaine for example. 
Besides, I am an ally of the bullied children! 

[Please say if you have something unpleasant done to you, even if I can't do much, I want to help.] 
[HAHAHA! Shishou need not be tied up with my troubles, don't worry. 
Instead, let us talk about such wonderful things, like the figurines!] 

Zanoba said so and laughed. 
Fu~mu... 
Maa, I'll look into the situation for a little longer. 
After lunch, I returned to strolling. 
However, since I couldn't think of a place I should see, after I took a rough tour of the school building I turned around, I went back to the library. 

I hunted for more documents related to the Metastasis. 
But, to begin with, I have not really ever use the thing called a library until now. 
Just searching for the document, I had used up a considerable amount of time. 
The librarian hands me a book list to look over. 
One book had the word [Metastasis] in its title, so I chose that book. 
Also, I found a book from the Sea Race I sought out. 
All of it took about a few hours. 

Moreover, the book I got is not a detailed account with regards to Metastasis, and has a great deal of difficult words and technical terms. 
It's written in a language I don't even know.... 
If I don't read this book carefully, I will lose out on the majority of information. 

[For the time being, if I'm going to be doing a proper research, I would like to at least have a notebook.] 

Reading, learning, and memorizing all have their limitation 
After realizing this, I get permission to keep the book for now, and I left. 

It had already become evening outside. 
All the students who were done being taught their lessons began to head back towards the dorms. 
There are a few who also seem to be heading to the library. 

I braved the oncoming flow of students, and went towards the canteen. 

The canteen, it is in the vicinity of this school building. 
Rather than a canteen, it felt like a corner drug store. 
When I went inside, there were several students merrily shopping. 

When looking about, roughly, there were magic textbooks, magic stones, robes, wooden swords, training wands, and etc. placed out for sale. 
Even daily necessities like bags, shoes, and soap were also placed out for sale. 
Again, even food such as dried meat and smoked meat, and bottles of drinks such as sake or drinking water were placed out for sale. 
In short, it gave the feeling of having had just about everything one needed. 

I make a proper purchase of a bunch of paper (held together by a cord), ink, and pen, and then I headed back. 
In the first place, I wasn't shooting to buy these many things in coming to school. 
Honestly, what was I coming to do here anyway? 
Of course, it was to treat my illness. 
I still have no clue where to begin treating this matter. 

After I finished making my purchases, and went outside, the surroundings were dark. 
While something like a streetlight was non-existent, the normal road was dimly lit, so it could be walked without an issue. 
Even though winter is over, there is still a bit of remaining snow on the road. 
While watching my step, I hurried along the road to the dormitory. 

There is no one around the surroundings. 
Though I can hear some clamoring in the distance, I got the sense that I had strayed off into a place where people don't normally go. 

In the case of the schoolhouse in front of me, it's the women's dormitory. While it's near the men's dormitory as well, the road that leads to the men's dormitory happens to cross in front of the woman's dormitory as well. 
Without considering deeply about it, I just press on walking. 
At that time. 

[Mm?] 

Suddenly, something dropped from above. 
It was white. 
However, it was not snow. 
I caught it by reflex. 

[Oou] 

When I expanded it, it was a pure white cloth. 
It had a little decoration, but was not too showy, giving off the impression that it was neat and clean. 
The traditionally respected name was "Panties". 

Someone may have possibly been trying to dry them in the shade. 
I thought that if I looked up, I had the feeling I might be able to see the owner of this missing item. 
However, because it is dark, I cannot make out a face. 
But, I saw a form... 

[...Ee~to, Did someone lose something important?] 
[Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! Underwear Thief!] 

Eh? 

A schoolgirl's yell. 
It wasn't from above. 
I heard it from behind. 
Turning around flustered, I was being pointed at, while a figure was shrieking. 

It's a misunderstanding. 
But, it's too late to think about it now. 

In a matter of moments from the time the shriek began, a window from the veranda opened with a banging sound. 
And from the first floor, a shadow jumped out. Shadow. Shadow. [6] 
With that, while besieged by accusations, I remained in the position of holding the raised panties. 
Somehow, I don't know what's going on. 

[A, e~to, um...] 
[Hmpf!] 

The one spearheading it was a girl with an excessively well-built body. 
How should I say it? A girl? A woman? A bandit? A gorilla? 
This person gave off that kind of impression. 
The width of her shoulders was nearly twice my own. 
Is she a beast race...? Instead she's likely a demon race. 

[You are perverted trash!] 

To the confused me, she spat that. 
I was suddenly insulted. 
That doesn't seem like the actions of someone who is supposed to be the sage of the forest. 

What? 
What is going on? 
Why am I suddenly being treated as an underwear thief? 
Certainly, as a 15 year old boy, I have an interest in underwear. But, I wasn't trying to steal them this time, I didn't even smell them. 
I just had grabbed it before it reached the ground is all, I was only trying to return it to its owner. 

[Please wait a minute, I haven't done anything.] 
[Haven't done anything?] 

The Gorilla-girl grabbed my arm. 
She's got huge hands. 

[If it's nothing, then what do you have in your hand?] 

There is a certain item in my hand. 
A face was made, about to say that it was the evidence in question against me. 
The surrounding stares are filled with hostility. 
My feet start to tremble. 

[Those, those are Ariel-sama's underwear aren't they? Even if someone like you admires the princess, you must have no shame at all to do something so brazen as that!] 

To Gorilla-san's caustic words, the surrounding girls pour on the jeers towards me with things like [That's right!] [Hentai!] [Go Die!] 
What the hell, I am already crying now. 

[Listen! Don't come this way, someone like you should repent on their actions, and never be allowed to do these kinds of things again.] 

I am pulled along, being caught from arm-to-shoulder. 
The only resistance I could put up was the tracks in the dirt the bottoms of my shoes left as I was being dragged. 
The power of the dorm. 
Even though I had been building up my muscles, was the difference in our muscle strength really that great? 

I am being dragged into the building, as it is. 
Am I about to be subjected to a horrible lynch mob? 
I'm being falsely accused. 

Should I run away? 
Even though I didn't do anything wrong? 
If I run away, will rumors spread widely? 
What should I do, this is like the feeling of being falsely accused as a train molester. 
Can I make them understand through talking? 
However it's probably already too late for that.... 

No, at times like this I need to remain stubbornly confident in my innocence. 
I did nothing wrong here. 
Thinking so, I used earth magic, and firmly affixed my feet in place. 
I immediately stop being dragged, and the Gorilla makes a surprised face. 
I was going to fight through the misunderstanding. 

[Hee~, What's this, planning to become violent? 
Even though you are just a shitty, shameless underwear thief. 
Against this number of people, do you think you can win?] 

Maybe, I wonder. 
While I get the feeling I won't win in the way I want to. 
However, underwear thief. 
If I get violent here, I will have the label of my person changed to that of an Underwear Thief. 
It's a false accusation. 
However, if I get violent, the false charge would likely change into something like Rape and pile up. 
Then, the current false charge becomes lost entirely. 
I might be dealt with in some kind of appeasing move by the administration, could be driven in a corner to the point where I would have to withdraw from school. 
How annoying. 
What good can come out of this? 

[Wait a moment! Stop the arrest, wait for just a moment!] 

It was the voice of a boy with a high pitch. 

[Fitts-sama!] 
[E~! Fitts-sama!?] 
[Fitts-sama talked!?] 
[What's going on here!?] 

Parting the crowd here, was a small boy with white hair and wearing sunglasses. 
It was Fitts. 

[I am sorry- that underwear- I was just trying to air dry them after I cleaned them, and they accidentally fell down. He only picked them up because of my mistake.] 

Fitts stands between the Gorilla and me, while panting heavily. 
And took the trouble to explain what had happened. 
Gorilla made a snort and humph. 

[Fitts...sama. I already know that Ariel has entrusted you with taking care of washing her undergarments.] 

However, the Gorilla continues. 

[That and this are a different story though. This guy, at this time of night, was walking in front of here. It was decided already that after sunset only women can go down this street.] 

Oh, what that what it was? 
I didn't see any sign mentioning that. 
I who look puzzled, gave a backward glance to Fitts. 

[He is a new student, a [Special Student], with a single room so he didn't have a roommate who would have explained that minor rule of the dorms to him yet. Will you please overlook this matter for me?] 

Fitts was desperate. 
I also felt the desperation in his voice. 
I somehow want to know why. 

The Gorilla faces this direction. 
Is it the truth, or so she was about to say. 
I nodded moment by moment. 

The Gorilla had gripped my hand for a moment still, Fitts's face was also looked at. 

[Hmph, since Fitts-sama is defending you here this much. It might be the truth. 
However, it is also true that you violated the agreement of the dormitory. 
So you still need to receive a punishment as a lesson.] 

As she said that, she tried to drag me again, but her movement was stopped. 
Before anyone noticed, Fitts had pulled his wand out. 
And it was pointed at Gorilla's face. 

[I'm pretty sure I just said he wasn't in the wrong. 
Listen up, you better take your hands off....] 
[Fu~ Fitts....sama?] 

A voice that has anger mixed into it. 
The surroundings became noisy. 
Even in the dark, I could understand that Gorilla's face was going pale. 

[Or perhaps, everyone here would like me to send them to the medical office?] 

SO COOL~ 
I also want to be able to say something like that once. 

[Tch.... Fine I get it already.] 

My hand was released albeit a little violently. 
And she separated from this child who was pinned. 
My wrist hurt still. 
However I didn't need recovery magic. 

[Fitts-sama, only because you went to all the trouble to show deference to him. 
However, you over there! 
Never again find yourself after dark wandering around the women's dorm. 
If I find you next time, there will be no forgiveness then!] 

After throwing such a parting threat directed at me, she returns through the veranda window that she popped out from. 
The other girls also, after giving me a strong look, faded away. 
In a split second, all the women were gone from that place. 

[Fuu~... Honestly, Goriade-san, not listening to a person's explanation first...] 

Fitts breathed a sigh of relief, all the girls were seen off. 
Some time ago, the Gorilla had been called Goria-de. 
That Strength and Power satisfies having a name like that. 
The exact case of Name-is-body. [7] 

Fitts bowed to me. 

[Sorry, it's because of me accidentally dropping that underwear...] 

I wonder why this boy is in the women's dorm washing underwear. 
Perhaps it is because he has such confidence from being a guard of Princess Ariel that he may be specially permitted to attend to her here? 
He seems to be a sincere person. 
The feeling that he's harmless comes out from his whole body. 
He's reliable. 
He's young. 
A handsome guy wearing sunglasses. 
Rather, I get the feeling he's part of the "Pretty Boy" faction. 
It would be dangerous if he said he longed to be by my side. 
Would it be indecent of me if I said I wanted to lick your feet? 

[No, Fitts-senpai isn't bad either... I was rescued.] 
[To say rescued.... If you were serious at all, they might have been injured.] 

It was then that I understood the reason he panicked and seemed upset when he came to help. 
If I behaved violently, I would have injured the girls. 
He probably considered that. 
Although, in consideration of that, he still cared about me. 

[However, I was suddenly surprised. So what now then?] 
[A.. un. Goria-de-san also said that after the sun drops, any boy who approaches the girl's dorm is no good.] 
[Is that so? But, something like that should be in the school regulations.] 
[It was a mutual arrangement between fellow students who lived in the dorms. 
At sunset, this road isn't used by the boys, and instead the roundabout way is taken instead to the men's dorm.] 

Is it called a "local rule?" 
Even though I didn't know, it would have been good if someone had taught me that from the start. 
For example, Zanoba... 

[I didn't know about it.] 
[It couldn't be helped. Just be careful from now on, okay?] 
[Sure.] 

It goes without saying. 
Even if it's daytime, I'm sure that I won't ever take this road again. 
Besides I don't need more hostile glances from any more people. 
To be surrounded by those devils, well I'll be alright if the number is kept limited to the count on one hand. 

The general trend of the looks women have given me is hostility. 
If I think about it, I trembled. 

[Anyway, I was saved. If I can ever return the favor to Fitts-senpai please do not hesitate to ask me....] 
[It's fine already, I only did what was natural.] 

What was natural...? 
When I think, I remember all the times in the last few years where I have acquired all kinds of misunderstandings and false accusations. 
Starting from Beast Race, Paul, and Orsted. 
Maybe my face instills distrust? 

However, Fitts-Sempai did not assume me to be a bad person. 
Instead, he even stood by my side. 
An even handed position. 
Though there might have been my mistake in that basis too. 
Even the matter with the examination as well... 

It's a nice thing. 

Fitts-Senpai. 
A refreshing disposition, no grudge about the examination matter. 
Gave me advice in the library. 
Is well known in the academy, and isn't prideful. 
Properly helped before with the state of things. 
Externally he's a shota, but he's a man of character. 
A Senpai. 
That's right. I will get him to allow me to call him senpai. 
Fitts-senpai, and I will put a lot of respect in it when I call him senpai. 

[If it's Rudeus-kun, can you not get through it on your own power?] 
[Things aren't like that, really, thank you though, Senpai.] 

When I bowed, Fitts-Senpai was scratching his cheek with a crunchy sound while being embarrassed. 

[Ahahaha.... The way Rudeus-kun says his thanks, gives me a strange feeling.] 
[Eh? Why is that?] 

When I asked why, Fitts embarrassingly laughed. 

[.....It's a secret.] 

To me, the loser, that smile left me completely shocked. 

-- 

Thus, my first day of school ended.