I looked out the window as I rode in a low-floating large vehicle – commonly known as the “bus.”
Passing through a large gate proudly displaying the sign, “Mana National Museum”, the bus enters the vast grounds. When we stopped in the large parking lot where several buses could stop, we students, stepped out of the sliding doors and onto the ground.
In the distance, I can see a relatively new modern structure. It seems that this is the place for the extracurricular class that will be held this time.
Monica-sensei calls out to everyone.
“Okay, listen. This is the famous Mana National Museum. There are regular visitors inside, so please be very quiet. Also, touching the exhibits without permission is prohibited. If you damage them, the school will not be held responsible, so please be fully aware of this.”
A few serious guys nodded, but the majority were listening in one ear and out to the other and were busy looking in all directions. In particular, the guys in the Manaft Club (officially known as the Mana Football Club), which is a top of the class position, are only paying attention to the women who are regular visitors passing by.
I would like to revisit this extracurricular class. We, the students of Mana Second High School, come to this history museum every year. The significance of this is to know what kind of history Mana, which is now a leading nation that unites 54 countries, has walked and how many great people have been produced. We must learn a lot from it and work hard to make this country better…… Or something like that.
Honestly, I don’t care about it. What I’m interested in isn’t the moldy history, but whether I can get into a good company in the future, how much I can earn, and whether I can date a cute girlfriend.
So, as for the specific content, it seems that the school is narrowing down the points to go around because it can only be done in a limited time. From what I’ve heard, it’s been around for the last 3,000 years. Mana, which was only one of Logas’s fiefdoms, became independent, developed rapidly, and became famous as an economic powerhouse, and from there, it went through a world war and became known as a great military power.
In between, there is the “Age of Extinction of Magic”, the advent of the “Age of Science”, and the dawn of a new era with “Science of Magic”. I mean, I learned it in class beforehand, so I don’t have to go out of my way to come to a place like this.
“Hey, idiot Peter, you’re going to go hangout with us, right?”
Deito Gloris puts his arm around my shoulder and smiles mischievously. He is the head of the Manaft Department and a High Human, who is in the top caste. He also has powerful skills and always has twin dragoneuts as his minions. In addition, he is smart and is good-looking. He says that his ancestors are elves or something.
Well, as for me, I’m at the bottom of the caste, so I’ve always been the one he looks for to vent his frustrations.
“Hey, Peter doesn’t like it.”
“Huh? You again!?”
Interrupting between me and Deito was Clarice Tanaka, a high elf. She is the most beautiful girl and the best one in the class…… No, she’s the most beautiful girl in school I should say. She is top-class in every aspect, her good looks, intelligence and athletic ability. In addition, she is the daughter of a conglomerate who is one of the top five wealthiest families in Mana. Well, I could say we are distant relative and childhood friends.
“Hey Clarice, if you say you’ll be my girlfriend, I’m going to stop bothering him, how about it?”
“You’re kidding! I just don’t like to see you bullying the weak.”
My heart ached. To think that my crush felt pity for me. She turned on her heels, her translucent blue hair swayed as she walked.
Ahead of her was the figure of Luane Doris, the second daughter of the Doris family, which is a branch family. Luane is a werewolf with a red fur that is nearly two meters tall. Although it is not as good as the werewolf of the Tanaka family, her ability is quite good. Her being close as Clarice’s bodyguard is the best proof.
By the way, Luane loves to stroke her hair. In between Clarice’s escorts, she is excited to brush her own hair. From what I’ve heard from other werewolves, she’s quite beautiful. I can’t seem to tell the beauty or ugliness of a werewolf though.
I, on the other hand, am a distant relative of the venerable Tanaka family. That’s about it, I belong to an ordinary house that runs a small supermarket in a corner of Mana. I’m also weak, and my appearance, intelligence and abilities are mediocre. I’m just an ordinary and clumsy guy who only has a lot of magical power.
“Alright, follow me! We’re going to go inside now!”
Following Monica-sensei’s instructions, we walked towards the museum. Clarice and Luane were in the front, and Deito and the twins were in the back. At the entrance of the museum, Sensei had a brief exchange with the staff member.
“Thank you for your time today.”
“Yo! It’s nice to meet you!”
The female staff member slapped Monica-sensei’s shoulder with a grin. However, the employee is clearly not hitting her seriously as she was even holding a box of donuts on her left side. I guess that’s her form of greeting.
When Clarice saw this, she has a blatant disgust on her face. Luane whispered in her ear.
“Can’t you fire her?”
“It’s impossible. She’s one of the oldest people who has been in charge of this place since it was founded. Even Father, who is the current owner, can’t get his hands on her. I think it’s probably grandfather who is blocking it….…”
“She seems to be quite young for that job. Maybe she’s a hidden child of the former Head of the Family?”
“Luane, that is something that you shouldn’t say. I said that she was the oldest staff member. This place was built about 200 years ago, so she must be older than my grandfather.”
“I see. So, despite how she looks, she is a high-ranking race huh.”
I listened intently and looked at the female employee. It’s quite rare to find a race higher than a high human. We now know that the first stage of evolution can be achieved by mastering more than a certain line of exercise, study, and experience, but the conditions for the second stage of evolution are still shrouded in mystery. It is said that there is more evolution than that in the old text, but of course, the evolutionary conditions are shrouded in complete mystery.
The current world population is about 6.5 billion. Thirty percent of them have reached the first stage of evolution. It is said that less than 1% have reached the second stage of evolution.
It doesn’t matter anyway. More importantly, the museum continues to operate with the help of the Tanaka family. In other words, this is a place that is like a garden for Clarice.
Sigh. What a different world. The son of a couple who owns a small supermarket only have a small garden the size of three mini cars. No. That is better than nothing. Let’s not be greedy.
When we entered the museum, we received a brief explanation from Monica-sensei before heading to the back of the museum. As I mentioned earlier, time is limited this time. The school’s stance is to show only the important parts and study the rest on our own. Full-fledged guidance began around 3,000 years ago after all.
“Three thousand years ago, there was a change in Mana, which was at that time, was just a territory in Logas. It all started due to the encounter between Marquis Ryan Doris and Shinichi Tanaka, whom you all know. At that time, Mana had a proven track record as an adventurer’s town. However, these two people seek further development and launch the Gourmet City Plan, which was put into practice later on.”
Several sheets of paper were displayed in a glass case. It was written in unfamiliar letters. I can’t read the content at all, but I manage to understand a few sheets of paper. Apparently, what was written was a recipe for a dish.
“It’s the writing of our ancestors. I’m always impressed when I see it.”
“This is the Tanaka script that is passed down only to the clan…… Well, it says “Suketarou’s Yakitori Recipe”. Come to think of it, there is always a yakitori at the celebration at our house. I wonder if it has anything to do with it.”
Monica-sensei continues to explain.
“On display here is a town plan and the recipes for the main dishes that they wrote in special characters. These characters are called ‘Tanaka script,’ which they often used as a cipher.”
Moving on to the next exhibit.
“This is an exhibit about adventurers, a profession that no longer exists, and you already know what an adventurer is. They are the unsung heroes who have supported the coming “Age of Extinction of Magic” for a long time. And the heroes who were born in it are the legendary five adventurers.”
A number of swords and armor are on display. The general public stopped and watched. Among them, there are five pieces of armor that stand out. Black armor, white robe and old-fashioned staff, black robe and sword, silver gauntlet and a red spear.
From the description, it seems that this is a replica of the legendary adventurer’s equipment. Anyway, the real thing must be kept in the Tanaka family’s residence. After all, these are the roots and heirlooms of the Tanaka family. It is a symbol of Mana’s independence and a national treasure.
“They were mysterious adventurers, especially their leader, Shinichi Tanaka, whose birth was unknown, and who suddenly appeared and quickly rose to glory. An investigation is underway into his case, and the full extent of the investigation is still unknown. However, if you are the child of the Tanaka family, you may know about it.”
Sensei smiles at Clarice. Speaking of which, I think that Monica-sensei was mainly researching this period. I’ve heard rumors that she asked the Tanaka family to investigate about it many times but she was refused……
Clarice shrugs her shoulders in a disgusted manner.
“We don’t have what you expect from us, Sensei. The first owner is a mysterious figure in the Tanaka family in later generations, and I have already told you everything we know.”
“But don’t you know the whereabouts of the Sacred Beast Pero-sama?”
“It is true that Pero-sama is a sacred beast, so it is highly likely that he is still alive. Unfortunately, we do not know the whereabouts of Pero-sama. If you are wondering, please find Pero-sama and bring him to our house. I’m sure you’ll be rewarded well.”
She knocked down Sensei’s question in a ladylike tone.
She was talking on the premise that he was real, but it is rumored that Sacred Beast Pero was actually a fictional Sacred Beast. This is because it is said that for a sacred beast, it is unusually selfish. The Sacred Beasts had long been recognized as a guardian beast that protects the country, but only Sacred Beast Pero was not bound by the state and acted freely. Therefore, some scholars hypothesize that the werewolf named Pero existed, but it was not a sacred beast at all. Of course, both the Tanaka and Doris families flatly rejected this hypothesis.
Monica-sensei did not lose her expression at Clarice’s words, perhaps because she’s used to it, then she quickly starts the next story.
“Shinichi Tanaka had two wives, one of whom was Erna Tanaka, a Great Mage. It is said that she saved humanity from danger many times with her amazing magic. Her birth is well documented, and she is said to have been the daughter of a duke of the now-defunct elven nation of Sanargia. It’s a well-known story that her eldest son was Mana’s first president.”
“Not only that, but Erna-sama was beautiful and intelligent enough to captivate everyone, and she was the ‘supreme mage’ who ended the history of Great Mage starting with Moore.”
“Clarice, no matter how much you love your ancestor, I would like you not to get into your teacher’s commentary. But if you can tell me the secret information of the Tanaka family, I don’t mind that at all.”
Clarice turned red up to her ears and fell silent. Monica-sensei’s revenge seems to have been successful. Luane, who spouted a puff, was glared at by Clarice.
“And his other wife is Liz Tanaka, who grew up as the third daughter of the Schmidt family, a noble family in the kingdom of Logas. She was also the model for her famous book, Biography of an Assassin. She was the one who created the image of what is now called a shinobi.”
Monica-sensei continues.
“Then there’s Sacred Beast Pero, who is world-famous, so I don’t need to say much. There are still many Sacred Beasts today, but the Twelve Sacred Beasts are said to be the most powerful of them. Sacred Beast Pero was also said to be one of them, and it is rumored that it is still alive today due to its long lifespan. By the way, his full name is Pero Tanaka, and from this it is known that Sacred Beast Pero was related to Shinichi.”
Finally, we see the red spear.
“Sacred Beast Pero had a wife, and that was Freya Tanaka, who held the title of a Holy Knight. It is recorded that she was born and raised in a prestigious family of knights. If you’re a werewolf, you know her. If you go backwards through the family tree of all the werewolves who are the mothers of all the werewolves and the werewolves that are there today, they all end up in these two.”
“Yes, Freya-sama is our werewolf goddess. The one we admire as she walked the supreme path of fluffy. She surely possessed a great fluffy spirit.”
“Luane, stop it. You’re going to lose your sanity when she gets involved.”
Sensei moves on to the next exhibition. From there, the explanation continued endlessly as I had learned in class. A major event that suddenly occurred 2,900 years ago and the magic disappeared from the world. As a result, humanity has lost one of its powerful means against magical beasts and demons. It’s a long and dark, dark age.
At the same time, however, it was a time that produced many heroes. Two thousand seven hundred years ago, a certain person created a subject called “science.” That person is “Taro Yamada”. Nothing is known about him other than his gender, but this person built the foundations of science and was followed by many other researchers. The era without magic lasted until 200 years ago.
In the meantime, humanity has enriched their lives while developing scientific capabilities. With the development of powerful weapons, the number of magical beasts has steadily decreased, and the driven demons have chosen to mingle with humanity. The Adventurer’s Guild was dismantled, and the adventurer profession also ceased to exist. After the outbreak of a world war with maritime nations, the scientific age came to an end.
After that, the “Age of Magical Science” arrived, which is exactly the present age. One day, magic returned to the world again. The world was flooded with magic that had previously been recognized as nothing more than a delusion. Scientists fainted, gurus of emerging religions blew bubbles, and realists slept for days. Those who continued to believe in magic were delighted. Scientists worked with mages to create what they called magic science by analyzing magic scientifically.
As a result, mysteries that could not be solved by science were solved, and human life developed rapidly. Nowadays, it is easy to go on a trip to the moon and to explore planets that are a little farther away. It seems that it is not long before humanity leaves the star system.
――That’s what I learned in class.
Monica-sensei was eager to explain about the Age of Lost Magic. Next to her, the female staff member is smiling earnestly while nibbling on a donut. Clarice narrowed her eyes and muttered, “I wonder why the old man is defending someone who can’t even do her job.”
“That’s boring. Come on, let’s go look at somewhere else.”
“Hey, that’s a bit….…”
“It’s okay. Or, do you just not like me?”
Deito puts his arm around my shoulder and smiles maliciously. As if he didn’t need to hear my reply, he forcibly dragged me to another aisle.
“Oops.”
There was a person in the hallway, so I hid myself. There were two women having a conversation.
“It’s time for me to go home so I’ll leave it to you. Please don’t let anyone enter the back room. It’s dangerous.”
“I know, Director. By the way, how is your husband?”
“Well, he stays in his room every day and draws lewd illustrations. It seems that he is called a god painter or something on the Internet, but I don’t really know much about it.”
“But your skin looks bright lately, doesn’t it?”
“No, t-that, hey I’m going home now! I’m counting on you!”
The girl in black gothic loli outfit ran off somewhere. The woman who was left behind muttered, “They are on good terms after all.” Then she walked down the opposite corridor. After hearing the story, Deito signaled at the twins and grins.
“She just said it’s a dangerous place. That looks interesting.”
“I have no choice but to go.” “Right”
“Hey, let’s not do that.”
The twins grabbed each of my arms, and Deito led the way. After wandering around the first floor for a while, we found a magnificent door with a puppet that looked like an android. There are two of them. It is an old-fashioned model that looks like an antique and has a metallic mechanical appearance. Sometimes you can hear a “hard” sound from inside, but it may not be very quiet because it is an outdated one.
“This is the place huh.”
“What are we going to do, Deito?” “What’s your plan?”
“Let’s make good use of that Director woman from earlier.”
“I see” “That’s genius.”
The three of them talked and agreed on their own. One of the twins, Gore, rushes to the android.
“The director said she wanted both of you to come to her as soon as possible!”
“Katakata”
The two androids left the front of the room and disappeared down the hallway. Gore opens the door and beckons.
“Ooooh! Could this be a dungeon?!”
Beyond the door was a long corridor, and beyond that door was a large dome-shaped space. Light shines through the glass wall of the ceiling, and the steps gradually sloped down towards the center.
Apparently, we are inside a building behind the museum. There was a square structure in the center of it. The square structure has a gaping rectangular hole in one part, and we can see a staircase leading down.
Dungeons – ancient structures that we still don’t know how to build or what their purpose is. It is said that there are ferocious magical beasts and demons inside, and because of the danger, dungeons around the world have been sealed under the control of the government. But I had heard that there was only one thing that was not under the control of the government.
It’s the Worst Dungeon of all, the Mohed Great Dungeon.
Since I was a relative of the Tanaka family, I knew that the Mohed Great Dungeon was owned by the Tanaka family. Of course, I don’t know where it is really located. I’m the youngest of the youngest seats, and I’m the one who carries the cushions of the Tanaka family. I am just treated as distant relative as much as possible. I don’t have the right to know that much. Even so, the reason why we don’t stop seeing each other is probably because my father is proud of his bloodline. I mean, it doesn’t matter now.
“Well, let’s see how far my strength can go against the old guys, and I can get to the bottom in about ten minutes, right?”
“It’s possible if it’s Deito.” “You’ll clearly have plenty of room to spare.”
They grinned as they picked up the swords and spears hanging on the walls of the room. I felt a chill run down my spine. Don’t say stupid things! It is said that the ferocity of the current magical beast and the old magical beast is completely different. What’s more, it will be even stronger in the dungeon. On the other hand, we’re just students with no combat experience. Sure, I think Deito and the twins are strong, but I think there’s a gap between fighting and killing. It’s like heaven and earth.
“N-No, let’s stop. It’s too dangerous, we could die.”
“Shut up! If you’re going to say that, you take the lead.”
Why!?
I was forced to hold a sword and I was pushed on my back. I tumbled down the stairs and kissed the floor with my face.
“Hahaha! So lame!”
“Stand up.” “Let’s go!”
I was forcibly grabbed by the neck collar and made to stand. We started to move on.
“There’s nothing here.” Deito mutters boringly.
It’s understandable that he wants to say that when we don’t even see a single slime. But it’s still the first level. How deep the Mohed Gread Dungeon was is not documented. Or rather, it is unclear whether it was even traversed. The reason why I know this is because Clarice spoke so passionately about it.
Clarice is more like a young lady now, but she has always been a tomboy and often said she wanted to be an adventurer. At the time, I used to tell her that I am going to invite her to a party someday. Well, it was a child’s lie, or a little appeal to the child I liked. Eventually, as time went on, she became more realistic, and it became clear that my words were just a bravado.
“I’m tired of it, it’s time to go back.”
“That’s right.” “It’s boring.”
The three of them are about to leave when they stop abruptly. He turned around and his brow furrowed.
“Do you remember the way home?”
“I don’t know.” “No.”
The three of them looked at me. I shook my head silently. It was a lie. In fact, I secretly remembered the way we came. I’m tired of having to deal with Deito and his minions so I’m going to scare them a lot here and then go home with an “Oh, I remembered the way” kind of thing at the end. If I do that, I think they will reflect on it and they won’t have to deal with me in the future.
However, the tide turned in an unexpected way.
Deito suddenly pointed his sword at me.
“You’re good friends with Clarice right? You should help me get along with her.”
“But….…”
“If you don’t, you’re going to get in trouble.”
The tip of his sword was pointed at my throat. I’m about to say “yes” but I stopped my self.
“No, I’m not going to do that.”
“What?! Peter you stupid bastard, are you going to rebel against me?!”
He kicked me in my solar plexus. I rolled on the ground and endured the pain. I’m a weak man. But I’m not weak enough to give up the person I like. I’ll do it. I’m going to show him that I can rebel.
I managed to stand up and draw my sword.
“Heh~, you’re going to fight me? That’s interesting.”
“I’m going to beat up this idiot who goes against Deito” “I might as well kill him.”
The twins raised their spears. I can see that the excitement that I have been feeling is slowly fading. There is no chance of winning at all. I am almost certain that I’ll be killed.
—Suddenly, Deito and the others start to get scared for some reason.
When I turned around, my body stiffened.
“Pigyaaa”
It was an unpleasant voice. It stirred up an instinctive fear in me. There was a two-headed giant centipede behind me. The body is pale and has its fangs opened and closed.
“Hiiiiii!?”
“M-Monster!” “Run away!”
The three of them left me and ran away. The centipede crawls along the wall and chased after them. My knees that had been trembling, buckled and I slumped to the floor.
Screams can be heard in the distance. Deito and the others could have been killed.
How much time has passed?
Sururu. Sururu. A strange sound can be heard from where Deito and the others fled. It was a sound of dragging something. When it came close to me, I pointed my sword at it with a trembling hand.
“Whoa!?”
Suddenly, I was illuminated by a bright light. It was an artificial light, like a flashlight.
“Why are there humans in this place?”
“Another kid huh. I wonder if he’s friends with the kids we just threw outside.”
It was male and female voices. I looked at them fearfully. The human man was wearing a black robe. And the beautiful woman who looks like an elf was wearing a white cloak. However, on the man’s shoulders was the centipede I just saw earlier.”
“T-that!”
“This? It’s my snack for my drink.”
“Eh!?”
What is this person talking about!?
I mean, there are people in the dungeon?? The man throws out the centipede and squats in front of me.
“What’s your name?”
“P-Peter Lockwood.”
“Lockwood huh.”
The man raises the corners of his mouth and squints at me. A woman crouched down next to him and looked at me intently.
“He’s our descendant, isn’t it?”
“Well, I guess so. What’s more interesting is his soul. Apparently, he has Shige-san’s soul.”
“Then he’s Shige-san’s reincarnation?”
“It should be.”
Shige-san? Who is Shige-san?
Suddenly, the man stood up and looked at the ceiling.
“Well, it looks like your parents are going to close down your store soon.”
“Huh!?”
“On the contrary, it seems that your future life is uncertain. You are going to join a well-paid planetary development team with your parents in the care of your relatives.”
“Planetary Development Team!?”
It’s one of those jobs that’s rumored to be hellish. I won’t be back here for at least ten years. I intuitively realized that what the man was saying was true. In fact, I had heard such a story by chance. The management of supermarkets is so tough that it may be time to reach the limit. I also knew that we are barely paying for my tuition.
I clung to the leg of someone I didn’t know.
“Pleaaase! Can you help me? I want to live with my family! I’ll do whatever it takes, so please let me stay with my family!!”
“Do you want me to take you in?”
“Yes, but only if it means that I could protect my current life!”
“Then from today on, you will be Homeless.”
He pointed his finger at me.
…………Homeless??
“I’ll arrange everything so you can train under me.”
“You’d better give up hope early. When you feel motivated, it’s when you feel hopeless, you see.”
Training? What training?
The man forcibly grabbed my arm and made me stand. Still, I nodded excitedly.
“Come, let’s play homeless again, Shige-san!”
“I’m Peter though.”
“Oh, yes, yes. My bad.”
After a brief tap on the shoulder, he stepped forward. Speaking of which, I didn’t hear the most important part.
“Um, what’s your name?”
The man turned around and grinned at me.
[Completed]
This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.
Previous ⚜ Table of Contents
Yume Neiji's Works 