Dungeons accessible from Earth.
In this place, where monsters live, there were students who wanted to become adventurers ――those who hunt monsters――.
Magma is boiling nearby, and many students are sitting on their bottoms.
Meanwhile, a male student was overwhelming the monster with a sword in hand.
At first glance, he looks like any other dark-haired schoolboy.
"What is that strength!"
"I was a dropout not long ago...!"
"How can you grow that fast?!"
Many students are like him―― Kamiyo Kamishiro I was appalled by Souma――'s strength.
"Is it the secret to strength?"
Souma turned around as she defeated the mighty monster with her cool face.
"That's sleeping. I've been saying this for a long time, right? A child who sleeps will grow up."
The story goes back a long way――.
Souma and the other students from the Adventurer's School were in a dungeon for class.
It's a forest infested with level 1 weak monsters.
As part of his classes, he makes impromptu PTs and comes to hunt.
"Kamiyo-kun, slime attack from the right!"
The female student says.
"Huh? Ah, I get it――, wow."
"Punii!"
Souma was easily hit by the slime's liquid attack.
Even though it's a level 1 attack, it's so intense that the skin where it hits you will become soiled.
"Gaaah!"
Souma writhing in pain.
"Get out of the way, you little brat!"
The same PT man shoved Souma and pierced the slime with the spear he was holding.
"You're being too tasteless to avoid slime attacks."
"I warned you properly..."
The female student also appears shocked and activates a recovery spell to treat Souma's injury.
Not only these two, but the other PT girl also looked uncomfortable.
"Sorry..."
Souma could only apologize.
(I'm trying my best too...! I'm just dragging my feet...!)
I'm trying, but the results just aren't coming.
Souma was extremely frustrated by her own inadequacy.
Tokyo Fourth Adventurer's School――.
The school in Souma is a public school that specializes in training adventurers.
In the classification of the school system, it falls under the category of higher education and is classified in the same category as universities.
The exterior of the school building resembled a typical university, but the interior was different.
The Adventurer's School had no concept of classes, so each level of the school had a spacious floor that could accommodate hundreds of people.
Souma returned from the dungeon and was on the year-round floor.
Around him are about 500 students wearing crimson blazers, just like Souma.
There were also about 20 teachers in charge.
"Each PT leader should report on their performance."
One of the teachers said.
In response to this, the leaders of each PT gather under the teacher in charge.
"Kamiyo, please report that you have dragged your feet. Don't blame us."
Says a guy with the same PT as Souma.
Two PT women nod at the words.
"I know."
Souma walked over to the male teacher in charge, Saito, drooping.
"Kamiyo..."
As soon as Saito saw Souma's face, his eyebrows wrinkled.
"Our PT killed three slimes and two goblins."
"That was all I could defeat."
"I was holding myself back..."
"I guess so."
Saito did not hesitate to affirm.
He continued:
"Kamiyo, you are doing your best. I know that and the other teachers know that. But you have no sense. You can tell for yourself, right?"
"Yes..."
Souma reflects on her actions so far.
The three months between my enrollment in Adventurer's School and today.
It was never full.
In fact, I tried harder than anyone else to become stronger.
Not once or twice have I waved my sword until I had a bean in my hand.
Still, it didn't grow at all.
"The formation ceremony is coming up soon. But no one will want to grapple with you."
Saito gives a cold but realistic statement.
"Adventurers aren't the only ones in life. Before the formation ceremony, students are guaranteed to be able to transfer to a regular university without any conditions. Once you've made up your mind, come to the staff room. I'll do the procedures."
"...I'll think about it."
Souma bows and leaves the scene.
"Saito Sensei, this achievement is because the Age of the ancient has held you back!"
"We had no issues at all so please don't give us a negative rating!"
Swapping places with Souma, students who were PT's like him ran up to Saito.
Souma left school and went straight home.
His house is an old, single-story building with a rust-covered tin roof.
It is well over 50 years old.
"Welcome back, Souma. Thank you for your hard work at school."
His mother, Namie, welcomes Souma.
"I'm back"
"How was school? Aren't you forcing yourself?"
Namie speaks to him gently.
"It's okay."
That was all Souma could say.
Even Namie understood his state of mind.
(You still can't keep up with everyone.)
Although he thinks so, Namie pretends not to notice.
"Today's dinner is curry!"
"Thanks, I'm working out in my room."
Souma moved from the kitchen to the living room and opened the bran in the back.
That's his room. It's also Namie's room.
(Adventurers earn a lot of money. If I become an adventurer, I can say goodbye to this poor life!)
Souma folded up her bare futon and began doing push-ups.
Instead of saying how many times, I look at a picture of my late father hanging on the wall.
(I'll pay off the debt my dad left me and make it easier for my mom! For that, there are only adventurers...!)
I kept doing push-ups, dozens, hundreds.
Sweat is coming out of my whole body and my shirt is damp.
(Did this help you grow a little?)
Souma sat down and closed her eyes.
I quietly think of it as "status."
-------------
[Job ] Swordsman
[Level ]1
[Overall strength ]211
-------------
Souma's status appeared in her head.
(My overall strength before strength training was probably 210. Even if you try this hard, you'll only get 1...)
Souma was in despair.
An adventurer's strength is immediately apparent when you look at their stats.
The level increases by defeating monsters, and the overall power increases through daily training.
There is a clear calculation formula, and the level ×total strength＝ is the final strength.
In Souma's case, the problem was his poor overall ability.
(Does bodyweight training limit you? No, working out at the gym at school didn't make much difference.)
When we think about overall strength, we ultimately arrive at one answer.
(I guess that means I have no taste.)
After dinner and bathing, Souma went into bed.
Right next door, Namie is also in her own futon.
With the lights out and it was pitch black, Souma said.
"Mom, I have a part-time job after school tomorrow so I'll be late."
"Okay. Don't push yourself too hard."
"It's okay. Don't push yourself too hard, Mom. Good night."
Souma thought as she closed her eyes.
(A few months into Adventurer's School. I've been working hard, but the gap between me and everyone is only going to open up. Mr. Saito also recommended that I drop out of school... I guess this is the limit after all)
I imagine him putting in the effort to do manual labor on construction sites.
(My father's debt is so great that any job other than that of an adventurer is a burnt stone.)
Souma turns her back on Namie and bites her back teeth.
(Don't be discouraged. Scratch your feet to the end. Adventurer schools are included because they are free, but regular universities are expensive, even if they are national or public. I have no choice but to go to Adventurer's School!)
Souma took a deep breath and stopped thinking.
Then fatigue set in, and the next thing I knew I was asleep
"Hmm...?"
Smelling green, Souma woke up.
For the time being, he sat up and was astonished.
"What, here...!"
There was a prairie all around.
And beyond that was a medieval European-style walled city.