Two weeks has passed since they were summoned to this world.

Currently, Hajime was taking a break from training to check out the Royal Library. There was one particular book that Hajime was looking for called “An Illustrated Guide to The Monsters of the North Continent”. Why read was he reading books when he was supposed to be training to fight demons? Because even after training for 2 weeks, his limited knowledge about the world was starting to annoy him. He wasn't that strong anyway, he decided to study to gain knowledge and wisdom to use.

Hajime looked through the book for quite a while, but eventually sighed and threw it back onto the desk. When the book slammed into the wooden surface of his table, the librarian glared at Hajime.

Not minding the glaring book keeper, Hajime took out his Status Plate and rested it on his palm.

NameNagumo HajimeAge16 Years OldGenderMaleLevel6ClassMagician (Affinity Earth)Strength 18Vitality12Resistance12Agility12Intelligence68Wits72Magic20Magic Resistance24Skills[tr]

[tr]• Transmutation

• Language Comprehension

This was the result of 2 weeks of hard training with meld. Kouki’s on the other hand

NameAmanokawa KoukiAge17 Years OldGenderMaleLevel10ClassHeroStrength200Vitality200Resistance200Agility200Intelligence25Wits21Magic100Magic Resistance200Skills[tr]

[tr]• Aptitude All Attribute

• Resist All Elements

• Resist Physical

• Complex Magic

• Swordplay

• Herculean Strength

• Quick Movement

• Foresight

• High-speed Magic Recovery

• Sign Perception

• Magic Perception

• Limit Break

His growth rate was 5 times that of Hajime’s.

Though Meld’s training was only to increase physical abilities and resistances, so unlike Hajime who constantly visited the library to increase his knowledge, Kouki’s intelligence didn’t rise at all as he spent his free time training.

Hajime just sighed as he put away the pitiful status card and picked up the next book on the list. “The history of Magecraft and Sorcery” was inscribed on its cover in gold letters, a book Hajime picked out to see if he could learn more about the Earth Magic his class was attuned with and possibly what his skills did. He flipped through the pages skimming over them for anything useful.

It seemed the magic in Tortus is a process where mana doesn't from one's body, but from the area around the caster. It’s simply focused through one’s body when utilized with an aria and magic formation. The mana will then be directed into the magical formulas the caster wishes to use by chanting a spell. There doesn't seem to be a way to directly manipulate raw mana in its base form (this was not for lack of trying , but everyone who did never came back), most mages have to set up a constrictive magic formula if they ever want to use magic.

The amount of mana used is directly related to how long the incantation, while the amount of formulas dictates its complexity and scale of effect. All of this is necessary to perform stronger spells. Just to cast a simple “Fireball” like in classic RPGs it takes a 20 cm diameter magical formation. The basic concepts are: attribute, power, range, scope, and mana usage all of which is required for even the simplest spells. There can be other things added to the formula like delays and sustained duration to create stronger magic.

However, there are exceptions to this rule and they are referred to as “affinities”. With this, some parts or all of the formula can be left out as a mage's own power can compensate. For example, if you have an aptitude with Fire, you can skip writing the attribute section of the magic formula. This effect is even stronger in classes like magicians or some warriors. While no one can manipulate raw magic, magicians can directly manipulate an element through physical contact. This is done by resonating with the mana flowing through an element so that the magician and object are almost like one being. Though very dynamic and flexible, this process is slow, difficult, and has disastrous consequences if you fail.

For magic formations on the other hand, there is two ways to create magic formula, by engraving them into special metals/minerals that are reusable (Magic tools) or writing them on a special kind of paper that's used up in casting (scrolls). The former way is more expensive and more powerful than using disposable "scrolls", but since scrolls are light and compact, you can carry around more of them. Both of the variations have their own advantages and disadvantages, but most mages prefer to use scrolls as it allows them to use different kinds of spells as well. A master mage is said to be able to create new kinds of scrolls mid-battle and isn't against testing them out on their hapless enemy

Because of how magic worked, it wasn't practical in close combat, and it would be impossible to use in battle if you didn't have the aptitude for it. As a manufacturing class, “Earth Magician” was stuck with useless skills that just process or changed the forms of minerals. There was no artifact that helped with magician magic as they would only get in the way in most cases, just gloves that had the synergy magical formula drawn on it. Well, he can make pitfalls, spike traps, and sense traps in the area, this is why earth magic was nicknamed “Thief Magic”.

After a few more hours of reading he realized this was all the information he going to get out of this book. Putting the book down, Hajime watched the blue sky from the library window and considered taking a walk outside to cool his head. His thoughts escaped him as he wondered where he wanted to go, and he dreamily remembered what he’d learned in these past two weeks.

He thought about what meld had said to him about demi-humans or demi-devils if you live in the devil kingdom. Like how, while they did in fact has a name for themselves, it was so hard to pronounce by everyone that didn’t have animal vocal-cords that everyone else unanimously decided to ignore it. Thus they were generally referred to as demi-(insert speakers race hear) as their close relations to animals and humanoids made them resemble every other race on the planet.

To Hajime’s knowledge, the Demi-humans were a race that was rather mysterious to the other races. They lived in the Hartzena Forest that spread north and south on the east side of the continent, where they lived completely

unchallenged as they're the only ones who can navigate the maze-like landscape. This makes it next to impossible to gain any information on them, save the occasional slaver who nabs one, and 90% percent of them mysteriously disappear afterword(the other 10% were just found dead in their homes).Though of what we do know it seems they do not have any magical power at all.

In ancient times, it was said that demi-humans once roamed the continent freely, their natural ability to navigate vast distances combined with their almost supernatural physical abilities made them natural messengers and soldiers. Yet when the humans and demons began having open hostilities over religious and political differences, they pulled their people to the homeland to avoid getting caught in the cross-fire.

The Devils on the other hand, as far as Hajime could gather, worshiped a different God than the official human Church. Due to a difference in belief systems, both the demon and human races had deep-seeded prejudices against one another. While no one was entirely sure who attacked who first, most historians believed both sides had already been waiting for a chance to go to war.

Humans thought the Devils were their enemies because they worshiped a different God, and the devils thought the same. Both races killed thousands of the other side out of prejudice and now the stakes on both sides have risen until they threaten to completely wipe out the loser. The Demi-humans were just keeping their heads down until it ended so they can establish good relations with the victor.

It seems that relations weren’t good between any race at the moment.

(We’re in this mess because of some old religious war and the guys who summoned us aren’t even bothering to hide it. I guess if we tried to betray them they’d just threaten to never let us go home…. Though, they’d be pretty screwed if one of the heroes they summoned didn’t WANT to leave)

Hajime giggled at the thought, but paused as an idea hit him like a sack of bricks. Why would He want to leave? How was the world he came from any better? Was there even anything waiting for him if he got back?

Hajime pushed the idea to the back of his head and picked up another book. Now was not the time to be questioning his only motives, he could do that when the time came to leave. However right now he needed a goalto keep him going. The next book he picked up was called “Geography of the Holy Continent”, as he skimmed through the chapters, Hajime found an article on one of the only known demi-human towns. The town itself is said to be off the coast of the western sea and a group of demi-human fishermen are said to live in the area. Even though it was the only demi-human group that is protected by the Empire, no none demi-human has ever been aloud with its borders, only coming in contact with humans to briefly do business before leaving. Even though the church doesn’t favor this arrangement, it was allowed because 80% of the seafood the northern continent consumes is provided by them.

Hajime continued to skim through more of the book, but all he found were the geographic locations of the “holy continent”. Past the western sea is the large Guryuen Desert. In this desert is the great transist oasis the Dukedom of Ancarge and the Mountain of Great Flames. This Mountain of Great Flames is one of the 8 Great Dungeons….

Hajime blinked, “8 Great Dungeons?” He continued to flip through the book, but he found no other references to the subject. He went up to the librarian to turn in the other books and asked if they had any material on the subject. He merely pushed up his glasses and replied.

“The 8 Great dungeons? I’m surprised meld-sama hasn’t told you about them yet, why yes we have material on them. I would recommend you check out “Wonders of the World Vol.III”, it should be over there, fifth aisle from the right.”

Following where the book keeper pointed, Hajime looked through the stacks of books mumbling to himself as he went.

“Wardrobe of the king, Wilder’s Bestiary, Wonderful life of druids, Wonders in Waiting Vol. I… Ah, Wonders of the World Vol. III!”

He took a quick look at the table of contents before skipping to the chapters about the great dungeons.

The 8 Great Dungeons are the most dangerous areas in the world. The Hartzena Forest, The Mountain of great flames, and the Orcus Dungeon, which is located southwest of the Hairihi Kingdom, are the only three known to have been explored. Ancient documents and manuscripts found within these places and ancient ruins across the land refer these locations as part of the “8 Great Dungeons”. The other 5 Great Dungeons have yet to be located as writing that speak of them are either to illegible due to age or conflict with too many other sources to be believed.

One of the proposed Great Dungeon is the Raisen Great Canyon, which expands from the north to south of the continent, but due to lack of information from the texts that refer to it as such as well as the lack of anything turned up by explorers of the area, this hypothesis is held in question. At the southern hinterlands, where snow and ice are prominent is another rumored Great Dungeon called the Schnee Snowfield, yet due to the hostility of the environment and the growing rumor of an unrecorded race living there, it has been deemed too dangerous to explore.

(After all, it seems that the church doesn’t know much more than I do, and even if they did, I wouldn't expect them to share state secrets any time soon.)

When mentioning Empire, it refers to the Hersha Empire. It’s a rising country that was formed by mercenaries that fought a large-scale war against the Devils 300 years ago. The Empire is known for employing mercenaries and is regard as a military centered nation, often adventurers congregated there. Advocates the supremacy of force and is quite the hostile country.

The Hersha Empire existed to the east of the Hairihi Kingdom, and between these two countries is the neutral Fyulen Commercial City. The neutral city is an independent entity that does not rely on any country. Using its neutrality, the city was able to exert all of its management into economic expansion. If there is anything you want, the Commercial City is believed to have it.

(Crap, it’s almost time for training!)

After looking out the window and seeing the sun nearing the horizon, Hajime left the library in a hurry. From the library, it was a short distance to the Royal Palace, and on the way you can see the bustle in the Royal Capital. There were the voices of children playing and shopkeepers advertising their wares. A distance away you can hear someone scolding a child, this was the picture of a daily peaceful day.

(Even with political tensions burning just over their heads, it’s amazing how people can manage to find time for fun and games.)

* * *

When Hajime arrived at the training facility, there were already many students there. Some of them were chatting while others were doing some free practice. It seems like he arrived earlier than he thought. Hajime went over to the warehouse to get some protective gloves. As a magician it was mandatory that he learn hand to hand combat, just in case he had to protect himself at close range and couldn’t use spells or traps.

He entered a building filled from wall to wall with racks of training gear. Each wall was organized into sections each with a specific type of weapon or armor based on what was needed, and each section was sorted by alphabetical order. The entire room gave off a sterile, organized feeling, like a supermarket aisle that sold medieval weapons.

Hajime browsed the shelves looking for his training gloves, when a loud clanking noise behind him caught his attention. Looking back he saw a wooden sword speeding toward him just in time to duck.

“Whoa! What the He-“

Yet before he could finish the sword changed direction and forced him to roll away with all his might to avoid getting cleaved in half like the dirt that was just below him. Hajime rolled into a crouching position, ready to run and call for help at any moment as he got a look at his attacker. His breath caught in his throat as he realized who it was.

There stood before him Hiyama Daisuke, his hands clasped firmly to the sword that was buried half-way into the ground. He smiled at Hajime as he wrenched the sword out of the dirt and rested it on his shoulder. They stood there at an impasse for what seemed like hours, until Daisuke finally spoke up.

“Yo, Nagumo. This level up stuff is great right? I’m only level seven and I’m twice as strong as I’ve ever been. It’s almost like Magic.”

Hajime just sat there staring as Daisuke laughed. He lifted his right hand, clenching and unclenching it as he continued to speak.

“Hey, that’s so mean Nagumo, giving your old pal the silent treatment after all this time.”

“I kind of want to know why you tried to kill me before we start having a casual chat”

“What “old friend’s” can’t have a friendly spar now and then?”

His voice practically dripped with sarcasm as he eyed Hajime up and down, distain barely hidden beneath the fake smile that plastered his face.

“Speaking of which, Meet me behind the first tower to the right of the training grounds, and bring a weapon.”

Hiyama to meet in an area where other people would not see, he looked like he was itching to prove something. As Daisuke started to leave, he whispered one last line to Hajime as he passed.

“Unless you’re scared.”

Hajime didn't even need to answer, they both knew it.

* * *

As was agreed, Ten minutes later Hajime found Daisuke behind the first training tower, a wooden sword in hand. When he sure no one else could see them, Daisuke bull rushed him.

“Hey, let’s hurry up and start. It’s time for fun training.”

At this moment he, turned sharply to the left of Hajime. Hajime just stood there and prepared himself.

“Gua!”

At that moment, he got smashed in the back from behind. He’d hit Hajime with the sheath his sword in his right hand after Hajime tried to guard against his sword. Hajime lost balance and fell down face first, but Daisuke continued to press.

“Hey, why are you sleeping? Burn~! I command thee Fire, “Kakyu (Fireball)”.”

Daisuke’s sword burst into flames. Hajime, desperately rolled to avoid the spell-enhanced blade as it singed the grass. Daisuke’s magic might not have been powerful enough to cause damage, but the scolding heat would still be incredibly painful. However at this time he walked into another trap.

“I command thee Wind, “Kazedama (Windball).”

The sudden light breeze from Daisuke’s sword kicked up all the ash and dust off the ground, temporarily blinding Hjime as he tried to get up.Before he knew what was happening, Daisuke’s sword hit Hajime directly in the abdomen, and he fell on his back. A “blech” could be heard as Hajime vomited from the pain.

Still there was enough power in that blow to knock out a pro boxer. Although neither windball or fireball were powerful magics on their own, as normally these would have been used in cooking or just making a breeze, Daisuke was nothing if not a master strategist.

“Wow, so weak! Hey Nagumo, take this seriously~”

Hiyama kicked the crouching Hajime in the stomach as vomited. Hajime did his best to control the nausea welling in him.

The lynching, disguised as practice, continued for a while after that. Hajime tighten his jaw to endure the pain, while he tried to get up. Normally at this point the hero would make a counterattack, a surprise power boost to take down the villian.

However, Hajime wasn’t a hero and he wasn’t a match for Daisuke, who spent him time training like Kouki while Hajime on the other hand was reading books.

Hajime, who was getting ready to black out, suddenly heard a girl’s voice rang in his ears.

“What are you doing?!”

When the Daisuke heard that voice, he paused from knocking Hajime to the ground for the umpteenth time. Hajime looked up to see that it belonged to Kaori, and not just her, the rest of the gang was there too.

“Iya, looks like the fun is over Nagumo.”

“Nagumo-kun!”

Kaori totally ignored Hiyama, and rushed over to Hajime, who was coughing up a fit. The moment she saw Hajime’s state her face twisted with concern and anger like she couldn’t decide whether to help Hajime or punch Daisuke in the face.

“Fun. This is such a one-sided game.”

“Iya, I wouldn’t say that…”

“Good excuse. Even if Nagumo can’t fight, he is a fellow classmate. Don’t do something this again.”

“If you have so much free time, go train yourselves.”

Not wanting to argue more, Kouki left Hiyama to see if he could help Kaori heal Hajime with her healing magic.

“Thank you, Shirasaki-san. You saved me.”

Kaori just shook her head at him while looking teary eyed.

“Has he always been doing this to you? If so, I’ll…”

Kaori’s face morphed into an angry expression and glares at the direction of Hiyama who was still standing across from them, but Hajime stopped her.

“Just let it go Shirasaki-san.”

“But…”

Hajime smiled at an unconvinced Kaori,but they were quickly interrupted by daisuke.

“Iya, Kaori is so scary. Do you let your “friends” fight all your battles for you, or is this a special case?”

“Bastard, I-”

“Kaori, let it go.”

Hajime put his hand on Kaori’s arm, and she looked at him for a brief moment before reluctantly letting it go. Hiyama just smiled as he said.

“How sweet, it’s almost enough to make someone sick. You have all these strong “friends” to help you with everything you do, it doesn’t matter that you’re too weak to kill a fly.”

Hiyama pointed his sword at Hajime, his smile not wavering in the least.

“But if you keep on like that, someone who does all their training alone and gets twice as strong as any of your friends is going to come by, and steal your spotlight as the real hero.”

At that Hiyama just walked off, his wooden sword resting on his shoulders as he walked. An angry and confused Kaori just shouted at him.

“I don’t know what you have against Nagumo-kun, But what kind of “hero” beats up a defenseless classmate.”

At that Hiyama stopped mid stride as he replied.

“Girly, before you start taking stabs at other people…”

And Hiyama looked back at them, his fake smile gone as a dull, angry look lit his eyes.

“You should ask your boyfriend to actually fight back instead of taking it on the chin.”

And he resumed his bouncing stride as he left the group without another word.

* * *

After training finished, usually they would have free time until dinner, but this time Meld held them back to make an announcement. The students wondered what he would say. Meld used a deep voice to announce.

“Tomorrow, as practical training, we will be venturing into the Orcus Dungeon. All the necessary items have been prepared for beforehand, the monsters outside the capital are completely different from training scenarios so please make the necessary precautions yourself. Get ready! Today is your free time. Dismissed.”

After saying that, he quickly left. The student were hustling and bustling at the announcement. Hajime just looked up into the sky.

(…Really bleak.)