Raised in Dungeon

"So everyone goes down through this thing," Allen said.

With Allen, Sharik, and several fighter faculty students aboard, they found themselves in an elevator that plunged deep underground. This elevator answered Allen's question about why everyone who entered the building seemed to disappear. It turned out that those who entered mostly went underground.

"I wonder how this elevator thing works?" Allen inquired.

"I don't know, this is the dwarves' technology; maybe we can find out if we look in the library," replied Sharik.

Their conversation was unexpectedly interrupted by a stern voice from behind, "The spreading of our technology is strictly prohibited."

A female dwarf introduced herself, "Hello, my name is Geirhild. Let's be friends!" She was short, her hair a cascade of red waves, her skin tanned, and her eyes a piercing shade of bright blue.

"No problem, I'm Allen."

"Sharik,"

Geirhild's bright blue eyes fixated on Allen, her face lighting up with an excited smile. "Meeting an otherworlder for the first time is quite a thrill, so it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." Unlike humans, Dwarves didn't engage in the formalities of handshakes. Thus, Allen responded with a slight nod.

"In our place, this contraption is known as the 'Heis.' It's one of the Dwarves' greatest inventions, with numerous other innovations stemming from it. The Dwarves generously shared this technology with the academy as part of a collaborative agreement. In return, the academy permits Dwarves to pursue their studies here. Nevertheless, the academy is strictly prohibited from disseminating our technology."

Sharik, intrigued by the arrangement, voiced his curiosity. "I've often wondered about this secrecy. How can you trust that the academy won't inadvertently leak your discoveries? After all, many academy members also have homes on their own continent and could potentially reveal your work to others, couldn't they?"

Geirhild responded confidently, "That's because Principal Eliphas has given his solemn assurance. When he speaks, not a single Dwarf questions his word."

'The headmaster's name again,' thought Allen, who was getting curious about the figure of Eliphas that everyone was talking about.

Geirhild continued, her expression growing more serious and somewhat somber, "Besides, even if it were spreading, we wouldn't mind it too much; we aren't even concerned about that. The reason we keep it under wraps is rooted in our faith.

Not all technology is universally beneficial."

Geirhild's countenance shifted, her face taking on a more solemn and contemplative look. However, just moments later, her enthusiasm returned as though she had suddenly recalled she had something more matter.

Geirhild's enthusiasm was palpable as she shouted, "Right! I want to talk to you more!"

Allen, somewhat perplexed, inquired, "About what?"

Her tone suddenly shifted as she responded, "The other world! Other-worlders drive 50% of the technological development in this world. I want to know what there is in that world that can inspire me!"

Allen offered a sincere explanation, saying, "I'm very sorry, but I'm an other-worlder who entered this world by accident. I don't remember anything about that world."

Geirhild's initial excitement instantly gave way to disappointment, and her countenance reflected the change.

"Oh sh*t," she clearly disappointed. "Well, then… there should be no reason for me to make you my friend."

'Her nature immediately changed.'

Geirhild extended her hand toward Allen, a gesture that left him with a million questions swirling in his mind. As he momentarily stared at her hand, she broke the silence, saying, "Why are you staring? Let's shake hands; it's human culture, right?"

The idea of a handshake seemed strange to Allen, given that he believed Geirhild had lost interest in him since he wasn't the person she initially sought. However, Geirhild had a different perspective on their interaction.

"Since we're already acquainted, that means the fate of friends already binds us. Different from humans, we value our words," Geirhild explained.

Allen accepted her hand, going with the flow of the situation. He was left with mixed feelings, uncertain about whether he should form a friendship with someone who had just assessed the value of a human based on profit.

"Do all dwarves like technology?" asked Allen, trying to dig further about his "new friends," keen to learn more about their culture.

"Why did you think so? Of course, we don't."

"Eh?"

"None of us love technology; we live with it. Our hands are constantly at work, inventing new things to survive. Dwarves are small creatures that rely on speed. We do possess some strength, but our stamina is limited. This is why we must depend on tools to fend off wild animals."

"I see..." Allen's perspective shifted as he absorbed this insight. The dwarf women he had encountered were notably smaller than him, yet their hand muscles were significantly more robust.

The elevator gradually slowed down, indicating that they were almost at their destination

-CLATTER

The elevator arrived at the intended floor, and as it made a clattering sound, Allen's body immediately faltered and collapsed to the ground.

"Allen? Is there a problem? You don't look well," asked Sharik, worried.

Geirhild offered a potential solution: "Maybe you're feeling queasy from your first time on the elevator. I have a cure for that."

'No, it's not a queasy,' thought Allen.

However, Allen was certain this wasn't a mere queasiness. His head throbbed with pain, and his body was wracked with shivers and goosebumps. This sensation had been present since he entered the elevator but had reached its peak upon reaching the ground floor. Though the symptoms resembled a queasy, Allen was convinced it was different. He couldn't shake the feeling that it was akin to the turmoil he had experienced in the past—when his mother had passed away and when the mana gate had opened.

'Something entered my body and mixed with my mana!' Allen realized with a sense of dread. It was the demonic mana, which was once again encroaching on his divine mana. Having lived close to divine mana for an extended period, Allen struggled to familiarize himself with the newfound demonic mana within him. Just like when he entered the dungeon in Barkaley territory, he always felt this feeling.

'But why here? Why is there demonic mana here?' Allen wondered, perplexed by the presence of demonic mana that suddenly entered his body and should not be the place where the demonic mana existed.

Allen stayed silent for a while while being helped by Geirhild, who gave him a drink. It took him five minutes to take a short break. Fortunately, the event didn't start until all the Praeterea students arrived downstairs.

"Feeling better already? Geez, I thought you were a strong person, but you're already nauseous just entering the elevator," Geirhild said mockingly. "Here, take some more of this water; it's not medicine but a regular vitamin drink."

With each sip of the water, Allen gradually began to feel better, the mysterious discomfort that had overwhelmed him earlier slowly subsiding.

Allen's senses gradually returned, and he became more aware of his surroundings. He found himself standing at the edge of an immense and expansive hall.

"This is..." Allen began to say.

Sharik, always ready to provide information, swiftly responded, "The Great Hall of Oxwade Academy, and the first floor."

The Great Hall of Oxwade Academy was nothing short of impressive. Its grandeur was undeniable, and it was a vast room that could comfortably accommodate more than a thousand students. Upon stepping inside, the room's sheer size was immediately striking.

Rows of long pews, reminiscent of church seating, stretched across the hall, divided by faculty. These pews were already occupied by students who had taken their seats, waiting for the proceedings to commence. One would notice a second floor, where additional student seats were arranged in descending tiers, creating a multi-tiered amphitheater effect. The design was meant to ensure that every student in the room had a clear view of the center stage.

The focal point of the room, situated at a slightly elevated platform, was the area reserved for the teachers' seats. It is arranged in a semi-circular fashion, facing the rest of the hall. The chairs were ornate and had high backs carved with delicate patterns and symbols. At the center of this semi-circle was a special place, elevated even further, where the principal's seat was located. The chair was fashioned from a strange material, and its glowing softly. In front of the teachers' seats was a pulpit made from the same unusual material as the principal's chair. The pulpit seamlessly blended with the room's overall atmosphere, appearing to be an organic part of the hall.

Illuminating the room was a rather unconventional source of light: a strange, floating crystal. It emitted a radiant glow that bathed the entire hall in a mystical, otherworldly light. It was a sight that left Allen in awe, as he had never encountered a floating crystal before.

The peculiarities of the Great Hall didn't end with the floating crystal. There were also the presence of unusual creatures that were unlike any found on the surface. Flying cats, rabbits, glowing snakes, and several other seemingly harmless monsters added to the room's surreal ambience. These creatures, residing within the academy, seemed to defy the norms of the natural world, further emphasizing the feeling that this place was indeed like in a realm separate from the ordinary world he had known.

When Allen gazed upon the extraordinary sight before him, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was only one place in the entire world that might resemble this magical chamber. The presence of the bizarre creatures only added to his growing conviction.

"You mentioned 'first floor,' what exactly does that mean?" Allen inquired, trying to convince himself.

Sharik's eyes widened in surprise as he realized the crucial detail he had omitted. "Ah!" He forgot one important thing that would have been completely unthinkable for him if Allen hadn't known about it.

"I forgot to say. The Academy building is, in fact, a conquered dungeon."