The Boy Who Fell to the Lowest Level of the Dungeon, Becoming the Strongest and Returns to the Surface After 10 Years~He Just Wants to Live a Quiet Life, but His Childhood Friends Who Have Risen to Prominence Won’t Leave Him Alone~ - Chapter 10: Nostalgia and Excessive Expectations

<Third Person’s Perspective>

“Did you make the student council president angry?”

Tina tilted her head as she said that.

It seems like she’s talking about Elta, who just got back to the student council president, Leone.

“That’s right.”

“Then, is that really possible…?”

Of course, knowing that Leone is her brother’s childhood friend, Tina ponders deeply.

Then Elta continued, providing the details.

“I didn’t look up the student council president’s name.”

“…Huh?”

“That was really rude, right? After that, it turned into a game where if I guess her name, she will forgive me.”

“No, no, there’s no need to investigate anything──”

Just as she was about to say that, Tina stopped herself.

(Ah, I see…)

Tina is also somewhat sharp.

It seems that Elta’s insensitivity, Leone’s matter, and even a woman’s intuition have all come into play, and she has figured out everything about this incident.

(Leone-san, among us, you’re the most unusual one…)

That said, Tina also hopes that they will notice.

Then, Tina brought up a memory as if to test her brother.

“Hey, big brother, do you remember how we used to play dodgeball at the orphanage?”

“Of course!”

To that, Elta responded with great enthusiasm.

“Tina and I, along with Celia, used to hang out a lot at ‘Leone’, right?”

“You remember that.”

“Hey, Tina, there’s no way I could ever forget my childhood friend.”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

Although her name is mentioned, with a sigh, Tina reminisces along with Elta.

────

“That’s it!”

With a high, childlike voice, the blonde girl Celia threw the ball.

Standing at the end of Celia’s throw is Tina from the opposing team.

“Ah!”

Tina’s body involuntarily shrinks back from the slightly fast ball.

However, as if to protect her, a body suddenly leaps out from the side.

“Phew!”

Stepping in, her brother Elta made a splendid catch.

“Tina, I’ll protect you.”

“Big brother…!”

Seeing that robust figure, Tina stood up with a gasp.

Elta is the same as now, but at that time, Tina was always protected by her brother’s back.

Then, it might seem like the team has a poor balance, but that’s not the case.

Because──

“Elta, that’s amazing!”

Because Leone was also on the weaker side.

The boy Elta and the timid Tina.

The strong-willed Celia and the weak Leone.

It seems that this balanced both teams.

With such a strong image from that time, Elta would never have imagined that Leone would become the student council president of the academy.

Also, at that time, Leone’s hair color was different.

“Leone, are you growing silver hair?”

“…!”

Celia suddenly speaks out.

Overall, Leone’s hair was supposed to be black, but it seemed there were silver parts visible.

In contrast, Leone quickly covered the top of her head.

“It’s just your imagination…”

“Hmm, I see.”

Celia didn’t have any particular doubts and didn’t press further.

However, Leone herself knew it well.

From the top of her head, something she has never seen on anyone else… silver hair is starting to grow.

Ten years later, her silver hair would shine all over, but at that time, Leone seemed to be hiding it.

Why she stopped hiding it is a story for another time.

And then, Elta calls out to the two of them.

“Hey! Celia, Leone, I’m throwing it!”

“Oh, El-kun is throwing it back! Leone is behind me!”

“Y-yeah!”

Thus, Elta and the others played together until they were completely exhausted that day as well.

────

After finishing his reminiscing, Elta nodded in agreement.

“Ah, how nostalgic. Leone was like Tina, wasn’t she?”

“…Yeah.”

“Speaking of which, I wonder what Leone is doing right now.”

“…Haa.”

Tina can only hold her head in her hands at such a brother’s remark.

But at the same time, there were moments when he found comfort in reminiscing.

As expected, Elta had never forgotten about Leone.

She was worried about what she would do if he had forgotten, but she felt a little relieved that he wasn’t that heartless.

However, if they continue the conversation any further, Elta might catch on with a “No way” (though it seems unlikely).

Tina decided to wrap up the conversation here.

“Then, big brother, do your best in the match. If you don’t guess the name soon, it’ll be awkward for me as a member of the student council too.”

“Right? I’m sorry for being a bother.”

“I-I’m fine…”

(Yeah, he’s not a bad person…)

The fact that he straightforwardly apologized suggests that Tina feels the same way as Leone.

However, the only flaw in his otherwise exceptional “insensitivity” is a minor blemish.

In a way, this is typical of Elta.

“Then, starting tomorrow, at school too. Good night.”

“Good night~”

And so, Elta began his life as an instructor.

★

The next day.

“I’ve just become a new instructor, I’m E-Elta!”

Standing on the podium of the large lecture hall, Elta introduced himself.

Even though he practiced many times the day before, tension is visible on his face.

No wonder, in Elta’s line of sight are──a lot of academy students.

“Did you hear that he beat the vice principal, Virgo?”

“It seems that’s the case!”

“Aren’t we not that different in age?”

“Ah, they say he’s eighteen.”

“Even so, he’s that strong!?”

“Huh, what, what, an amazing person?”

The academy students are already buzzing at the sight of Elta.

It seems that rumors about Elta have already spread since the mock battle with Vice Principal Virgo.

“Um, I’ll be in charge of ‘Demonology’ and ‘Combat Training,’ so, uh, nice to meet you all!”

That’s why a considerable number of people flocked to Elta’s lecture.

The classes at the Royal Capital Etoile Academy are “elective.”

Each student can choose the lectures they attend and earn credits by achieving certain results.

If that’s the case, popularity and unpopularity will also emerge depending on the lecture.

And as for Elta’s lecture──

(Wh-why are there so many people…?)

It was extremely popular.

Even in the largest lecture hall prepared for the expected crowd, it wasn’t filled to capacity.

There are even people standing in the back.

However, among them, Elta glances briefly at the front row.

Sitting there as if it were the most natural thing in the world is──Tina.

(Are you really in the front row?!)

(Because I’ve been lining up since morning…!)

The two exchange conversation through eye contact.

Being able to understand each other this well is something only siblings can do.

Having confirmed the rare sight of students “lining up from the morning” at the academy, Elta peeks into the seat next to her.

It seems there was one more person of interest.

The person sitting there was a student who had already completed the required credits and was supposed to hardly attend lectures.

“Hehe.”

“…!”

She’s the student council president, Leone.

Sitting in the front row, arms crossed, wearing a distinctive red cape.

As decided, it seems she has immediately started a full-scale appeal to make Elta remember her.

In that appearance, even the surrounding students couldn’t help but pay attention.

“Seriously? The student council president is here!”

“Wasn’t she already not attending the lectures?”

“Actually, it’s harder for the ones teaching!”

“Yeah, she probably has more knowledge and skills than most of the teachers.”

Along with that, the anticipation for Elta increases even more.

What kind of class would even make Leone come to watch?

(Um, um…)

Elta got caught up with Tina and was recommended as a lecturer, and got caught up with Virgo and was hired.

This time, he got caught up with Leone and ended up with excessive expectations.

However, what is about to begin is Elta’s first lecture will exceed even those expectations──.