Raising the Lowest-Ranked Adventurer, the Heroic Girl – Wasn’t I Just a Substitute Old Man?

Raising the Lowest-Ranked Adventurer, the Heroic Girl – Wasn’t I Just a Substitute Old Man?

Chapter 11      Signs of trouble

“Well, that’s great. That’s what I hope for.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m a congenital awakened individual. As an obligation of adventurers, I have to serve for five years, but being an adventurer is tough, especially due to my age. If I could, I’d prefer to quit being an adventurer. If you can make that happen, I’d be delighted.”

“…”

If only they could let me quit right away.

Without any reason, I can’t voluntarily quit being an adventurer during my service period, but since I’m not the one quitting, it doesn’t violate any laws.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Igami-san!”

With a glimmer of hope, Miyano Mizuki, the person who called me, arrived.

“Ah… Tenshi-san?”

“Greetings, Miyano-san.”

Though it can’t be described as a conversation, the two of us don’t seem to have any intention to speak further and silently gaze at each other.

However, the emotions held by the two are likely different.

“…I shall take my leave now.”

The girl called Tenshi, after exchanging glances with Miyano for a brief moment, spoke those words and left. But just as she was leaving, she glanced at me once again.

…Won’t they let me quit?

“Um, were you acquainted with each other?”

“No, I think she came over to caution me because I was an unfamiliar adult.”

“I see. She’s a member of the Student Council, you know.”

“Oh, she’s part of that too?”

“Yes. Despite being a first-year student, she’s a Special Class and she’s… working hard.”

Working hard, huh… Based on her behavior earlier, it doesn’t seem like I’ll be able to get along with her. Not that I want to become friends or anything, and besides, I don’t even have an opportunity to do so.

And she’s indeed a Special Class. Well, from the perspective of a Special Class, a Third Class like me would be an “inappropriate partner.”

“Anyway, let’s fulfill our purpose.”

“Yes, you’re right. Thank you for your trouble today. It’s this way.”

With Miyano accompanying me, I proceeded into the school grounds, stepping foot there for the first time in several years.

“In the direction ahead is the staff room…”

“I know. I used to come here too.”

“Oh, right… Ah, we’ve arrived. I’ll go call the teacher.”

Ah, did I come across a bit too bluntly?

Well, I guess… I never had the chance to talk to female students, so I’m not really sure how to interact with them.

Even though we’ll be working together for three months, I still want to get along as much as possible… sigh.

…I feel like I’ve been sighing more often lately. Ugh, I don’t like it. Is this what getting older is like?

Lost in such thoughts, Miyano disappeared into the faculty room and returned with someone in tow.

“Nice to meet you. I’m their homeroom teacher, Momozono. You’re the adventurer who joined them as their support in the dungeon, right?”

“Yes. I’m Iwami, a Third Class adventurer.”

“Then, Mr. Igami. May I hear more details from you?”

“Well… there isn’t much I can tell you, but…”

“Even so, I would like to hear your story. Please, have a seat here.”

Following the teacher who introduced herself as Momozono, we started walking.

However, the destination wasn’t too far, and within a few minutes, we arrived.

“Once again, thank you for coming.”

I took a seat on the sofa in the reception room, but Miyano wasn’t with us.

She had accompanied us to this room but was released by Teacher Momozono, who said it was enough to guide us up to this point.

And so, I sat facing Teacher Momozono, alone in the room.

“No, there won’t be any disqualification. We never intended to disqualify them in the first place.”

“I see. That’s good to know.”

So, they won’t be disqualified. Not that I’m disappointed or anything.

“Forgive me for saying this, but the report was just an excuse. There is another reason why I called you here.”

“Are you telling me you lied just to bring me here?”

It seems like quite a troublesome situation…

“Yes, it’s related to Miyano, but I didn’t want her to know about it… As you may be aware, she possesses exceptional talent. And it is our responsibility to nurture that talent. In a world like this, having the ability to fight is crucial.”

It’s true that such talent is valuable. Despite the gates appearing every year, we haven’t been able to destroy the same number of gates as they appear. While we try to destroy the gates and ensure safety, the gates continue to increase at a faster pace.

Although adventurers like us, with weak abilities, are currently focused on material recovery, the original goal of all adventurers was to destroy the gates.

By destroying the core-like object somewhere in the dungeon that connects to our world, the gates disappear, and monsters stop coming out. That was the objective.

However, I mentioned that it’s somewhere in the dungeon, but usually, it’s deep within. There are unfortunately not many who can reach that far.

Recently, thanks to the appearance of someone jokingly referred to as the “World’s Strongest,” we have managed to maintain a somewhat balanced situation. But even that won’t last forever.

Therefore, individuals who seem capable of achieving that — traversing the dungeon and eliminating the gates — are becoming increasingly important.

“However, she still has many weaknesses and, to be frank, she is weak. I thought they wouldn’t be able to clear the Small Demon’s Lair on their own, but they passed splendidly. However, I believe that it was thanks to you, not their individual efforts. That’s why I want you to assist her in her growth.”

“Assist in her growth… Specifically, how?”

“Our adventurer school has a system called ‘Instructor,’ and I want you to become one. In essence, I would like to request your guidance and accompanying advice when they go to the dungeon, as you did recently.”

An instructor, huh… Well, since we’ll be diving into the dungeon together anyway, I guess it’s not a bad idea. But the question is, why did they specifically ask me for this?

Sure, reading the report might make them think I did something, but I’m just a third-class adventurer. Instead of assuming I did something, wouldn’t it be more natural to think that Miyano and the others demonstrated their abilities as high-rank and first-class adventurers?

“If it’s just that… But are you sure it should be me?”

“Yes. In fact, I believe there is no better candidate than you.”

Saying that, Teacher Momozono took out a few papers from the file she was holding and placed them in front of me.

“What are these…”

“Forgive me, but I conducted some research.”

I already knew what was written on the papers as soon as they were handed to me, but upon hearing those words, I involuntarily frowned.

“I see. Well, alright. I understand.”

With a sigh, albeit somewhat impolitely, I accepted Teacher Momozono’s proposal.

Well, to be honest, it’s a proposal that comes rather late. Even though it’s only for three months, it was originally part of the agreement. There was a need to go into the dungeon. So, this is within the acceptable range.