You know about Teiei Adventurer School, right? It's the only national adventurer school in Japan.
When Saito asked, Soma nodded.
Yes, I know of it. Only by name, though...
Any student at an adventurer school knows about Teiei.
It is one of Japan's most elite adventurer schools.
It is said that students who graduate from Teiei go on to succeed as adventurers without exception.
Then to explain simply, Teiei gathers only students with exceptionally outstanding grades from other adventurer schools. For that reason, they do not hold a general entrance exam, and all students enroll as transfers partway through the term.
I see.
And to enter Teiei, you need a teacher's recommendation.
Soma understood Saito's purpose.
Are you recommending me for Teiei?
That's right. Recommendations can be made until July 20th of the first year. Then, life at Teiei begins on August 1st.
July 20th... That's only a week away.
So, I want you to decide by then whether you will transfer to Teiei.
Soma felt a surge of excitement. He had never dreamed the day would come when he could enter Teiei. However, there was also something he was curious about.
Does Teiei cost money? Since this school is public, I haven't had to pay for anything besides equipment, but...
You can rest easy on that point. Far from costing money, you actually receive money.
Receive money!?
Upon entering Teiei, you are paid a celebratory sum of twenty million yen. Furthermore, a monthly stipend of five hundred thousand yen is provided.
Is that true!?
Soma was shocked.
However, Teiei is a complete meritocracy. I don't know the details, but it seems students are constantly ranked within their grade. And students who perform poorly are forced to withdraw.
If you're expelled, wouldn't that mean you can't become an adventurer...?
No, if you are expelled, you simply return to your original school. In Kamishiro's case, that would mean attending this school. Though, I don't think someone like you would ever be expelled. Rather, I believe you could even reach the top at Teiei.
Saito paused there before continuing.
Also, this is a special case where they specifically requested you. They very much want you to come.
Requested me...?
I would have recommended you even without that, but do you have any idea why?
Hmm?
Soma shook his head. He had no memory of doing anything that would warrant a request from Teiei.
It was me who requested you, Soma kun!
At that moment, the door opened. A woman radiating allure from her chest down to her legs walked in.
Yuki senpai!?
It was Soma's coworker from his part time job, Miyano Yuki. Furthermore, two men in black suits stood behind her.
Excuse me, but unauthorized personnel are not...
As Saito spoke nervously, Yuki wagged her index finger with a No, no.
You are the unauthorized one.
Huh?
I want to speak with Soma kun alone, so please remove this man.
Yes ma'am!
The two men in black grabbed Saito by both arms and escorted him away, saying, This way, please.
Yuki senpai, what is this about? You said you requested me...
My parents are major sponsors of Teiei.
Ehhh!? Was that story about your parents being super rich really true!?
Yuki nodded with a beaming smile, saying, Yep!
Adventurer schools, whether national, public, or private, basically operate on donations from corporations. Adventurers are important to private companies, so it's a system where donations help secure outstanding students.
I see. But why did you request me?
Because I thought it was a waste to have you working at a convenience store! I don't know much about adventurers, but I can tell that Soma kun is abnormally strong. So, I wanted to get you into Teiei.
Yuki spoke touching words. However, her sentence had a follow up.
So for that reason, I've already fired you from your part time job!
Fired!?
Once you enter Teiei, you won't have time for a part time job anyway, so you won't need it!
Wait, wait, you can't just decide that on your own...
I can, you know? Because that convenience store is run by my parents' company.
Yuki senpai's parents are the top executives of a convenience store chain?
Nope, that's not it. That store is a franchise.
A franchise...?
Soma couldn't grasp the concept.
Let's put that aside since it doesn't matter. Soma kun will be a Teiei student starting next month! Even if you can't keep up at all, you'll still receive the twenty million yen celebratory gift and the first month's stipend of five hundred thousand yen! You can make life easier for your mother!
Yuki senpai...! Thank you so much! How can I ever repay you...
No need for thanks. From what I overheard earlier, it sounds like you would have gotten into Teiei even without me pulling strings, right? Besides, this is me repaying a favor!
Repaying a favor?
Remember? You helped me out the other day!
Ahh.
Soma remembered. The incident with the former professional boxer who had retired due to behavioral issues. Soma had driven away the man who was forcibly trying to pick up Yuki against her will.
Alright then, it's decided that Soma kun will enter Teiei!
Yes!
And even after you enter Teiei, you still have to keep me company! No matter how busy you get, you absolutely cannot neglect me!
Yes! ...Wait, huh!?
Alright, let's go get something to eat! You must be starving after being in the dungeon, right? I know a great all you can eat place!
Understood! Let me treat you, both as thanks and a celebration!
Are you sure? The place we're going costs twenty thousand yen per person, you know?
Twenty thousand yen for all you can eat!? That might be a bit tough for me...! I haven't received the celebratory gift yet...
Ahaha. I'll treat you today, so you can treat me once you get the gift money!
Okay!
Yuki latched onto Soma's arm and grinned.
I'm a persistent one, you know! Prepare yourself, Soma kun!
◇
Many students transferring to Teiei spend July on independent training. Some accompany professional adventurers, while others participate in Self Defense Force training. This is because the quality of instruction at their current schools is often insufficient for serious competitive development.
However, Soma was different. He continued attending Tokyo Fourth Adventurer School until the very last day. He actively participated in group raid training involving multiple parties.
The reason was simple. No matter what activity he did on Earth, he could not become stronger. Soma grew stronger while sleeping, during the time he spent in Mistoria.
Of course, he was diligently leveling up in Mistoria. Whenever he had free time, he completed quests and devoted himself to exterminating monsters.
He mostly took quests with Elena. When she was unavailable, he sometimes went solo. This time, he had come to a cave near Grandel.
Here I go! Meraflame!
Soma activated the newly acquired fire attribute spell, Meraflame. It was an unavoidable intermediate spell that generated flames from beneath the enemy's feet. The spellbook had cost thirty times more than Lightning, but it proved to be worth the price.
Defeated Nebulous Spider.
Gained 3580 experience points.
Gained 3019 gold.
Level increased to 21.
As a result of steady effort, Soma's level had surpassed 20.
Job: Swordsman
Level: 21
Overall Strength: 4388
His overall strength continued to increase at a steady pace.
What, already Level 21!? Please slow down a bit, Soma san!
Supporting from the rear, Elena puffed out her cheeks. Her own level was 18.
Now that I've gotten this strong, maybe I can afford to slow down the leveling pace. It's not like I'm aiming to be the strongest.
That's right! If the level gap gets too big, people might think I'm just leeching off you, so please take it easy!
I kind of already think you're leeching...
I am not! I contribute properly! Look! Heal!
Uh, I haven't taken any damage right now...
Hmph!
Soma and Elena exited the cave and headed toward town.
July ends today. Tomorrow, my days at Teiei finally begin.
He wondered what the students gathered at Japan's most elite adventurer school would be like. Soma could hardly wait.