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 11: The Lowest Tier Living Witness

“T-then, let’s begin the lecture on ‘Demonology.'”

Feeling nervous under the expectant gazes of the crowd, Elta began the lecture.

What has already been distributed to the academy students is last year’s… “Demonology” materials.

Since he suddenly became a lecturer, he was told to use last year’s materials only for the first session.

Based on that, he will proceed with the lecture.

“Like this, ‘lion-type monsters’… wait, what?”

However, Elta suddenly starts tilting his head from the beginning.

After staring at the materials with a “hmm,” he nodded.

“This might be a bit different.”

“””…?”””

Among the confused students, Elta adds an explanation.

The documents state that “the lion lineage evolved independently,” but it seems to be different from what Elta has seen and heard.

“The lion species didn’t evolve independently. Actually, they are surprisingly related to another type of monster. That is──”

With both hands in front, Elta makes a “meow” gesture.

“Cat-like.”

“””…!”””

The students all open their eyes wide at once.

Can they believe it? He says the materials from this top-tier educational institution are incorrect.

Then, some students might start asking questions.

“Is it that small and quick cat-like creature?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

In response to that, Elta spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

“When you bring a cat toy close to a lion, it gets really curious and comes over slowly.”

“Wow, so cute!”

“Among them, there are quite a few… larger individuals.”

However, that “quite a few” is likely to differ between the two parties.

To the students who imagine a lion the size of a person, Elta envisions one that is dozens of times larger than himself.

The discrepancy was not resolved, but Elta continued the lecture in the same tone.

Then, while thoroughly revising the materials, he kept coming up with new theories one after another.

“Sure, the legs are a weakness, but actually, there’s an even weaker spot.”

Elta speaks while looking up a bit with a “hm-hm.”

What he remembers is the ten years with his friends.

In this country, the history of dungeons is shallow…

As can be seen from the fact that regulations have only recently been established in the past decade, dungeon exploration is still in its infancy.

No wonder, the first dungeon was discovered about thirty years ago.

At that time, only a few enthusiasts would dive in, but once treasures were discovered and the materials from monsters were found to be useful, it finally gained popularity.

Then, they still don’t know most of the things about the monsters.

In such circumstances, Elta spent ten years in the lowest layer that no one had ever reached.

The amount of knowledge and skill has significantly advanced from the present.

The one most surprised by such Elta is the student council president, Leone.

(I’ve never heard a story like this before…!)

Leone is worthy of that title and has mastered everything that can be learned at the academy.

She is much more knowledgeable and capable than the average advanced explorer.

The fact that she has never heard of it means there is a very high possibility that it has not been discovered until now.

Additionally, Elta occasionally mixes in “bottom-tier episodes” to capture the students’ hearts.

“So, my friend… got left behind, you know~”

“””Ahahahaha.”””

The friends Elta is talking about are, of course, the strongest races.

However, most students perceive the story, which seems too absurd and unrealistic, as a metaphor or fiction.

However, Leone alone was still trembling.

She can’t shake off a certain thought that keeps crossing her mind.

(What if all the little stories were true…?)

Thinking about it like that, it’s absolutely terrifying.

A monster that makes her tremble just by hearing about it fights a larger monster and is defeated.

Elta had been experiencing such scenes on a daily basis.

However, the scariest part is that Elta is making a “joke” out of it.

How much does he have to overcome, how much stronger does he have to become, to treat it as just a trivial matter?

Because Leone herself is a strong warrior, she trembles at the unfathomable depths of Elta.

(This is… Elta.)

It’s not even worth mentioning.

The students are now facing the “lowest tier living witness” right in front of them.

However, before long, even Leone couldn’t keep up with the overwhelming number of new theories.

(Well, it’s just a story if he assumes everything is true…)

She decided to think that way and, from a certain point on, she just enjoyed it half-heartedly like everyone else.

She can’t possibly believe that Elta would lie, but Leone’s sharp mind couldn’t accept it any further, theoretically.

In other words, the lowest tier episode of Elta has surpassed Leone’s understanding.

And then──

“Ah.”

The end-of-class bell rings, and Elta stops talking.

Thinking “Oh no,” Elta quickly bowed his head.

“I’m sorry! I talked too much about various things!”

However, the students’ voices were a great success in contrast.

“Is it already over!?”

“The lecture was over in an instant!”

“Elta-sensei, I’ll come again!”

“This time, I have to get a spot at the front!”

Most of them were wearing expressions of great satisfaction.

“Really! That’s so nice!”

Elta felt relieved by such a reaction.

The anxious instructor seemed to gain a bit of confidence, thinking that they might be able to continue with this.

“Well then, see you in the next lecture.”

“””Thank you very much!”””

Thus, Elta’s first lecture ended with an unprecedentedly great reception.

★

Lunch break.

“Big brother!”

“Ah.”

Elta had been told to come to the square as he turned around at Tina’s voice.

In the hurried hands coming towards him, there was a cute lunchbox.

“Sorry, big brother, the lecture ran long.”

“No, no, not at all.”

After the “Demonology” class, Elta was free, but it seems Tina had a lecture.

Also, Elta glanced over at Tina next to her.

“Uh, the student council president also came?”

“…”

Leone was also accompanying Tina.

However, she puffed up her cheeks at that distance.

“Stop using honorifics.”

“Y-yes, I understand──I got it.”

Elta is still somewhat awkward because he hasn’t realized Leone’s true identity.

Then, Tina beckoned to them to come between the two.

“Anyway, let’s have lunch since there’s some for you too, big brother.”

“That’s true! Thank you!”

And then, the three of them opened their lunch boxes.

In the midst of all that, Leone made her move right away.

“Elta, do you want to eat this?”

“Eh.”

What was placed in front of him was a bite-sized omelet.

Of course, it’s handmade by Leone.

Holding the chopsticks, trembling, she watches Elta with bated breath.

“You used to like omelets, right?”

“Yeah! Thank you!”

Then, as expected… Elta popped it into his mouth.

“Mmm! Delicious!”

“~~~Um!”

Seeing Elta’s satisfied expression, Leone’s cheeks also turned slightly red.

Then, Elta asked back with a puzzled expression.

“How did you know I like omelets?”

“…!”

Omelets are Elta’s absolute favorite, but he doesn’t remember telling her.

If she doesn’t know the old him, she shouldn’t be able to prepare for this.

In other words, this is Leone’s “remember me” appeal.

However──

“The student council president can even guess the other person’s favorite food!”

“…Um!”

As expected, Elta doesn’t notice.

Leone involuntarily looks up at the sky.

(How can I do something like that?!)

Even here, Leone went unnoticed.

★

After school.

“…”

In the student council room, Leone is facing the mirror.

What she is holding is long hair that shines silver.

“I wanted you to watch me all along… but, Elta.”

First lecture, lunch break, and Leone was trying to get Elta to remember her.

After that, she tried many times, but in the end, her name was never called.

“…Hmm.”

What caught her eye in the corner of her vision was a pair of self-cutting scissors.

On a sudden impulse, Leone swiftly picks it up.

“Maybe I’ll just cut it off, like before…”

It’s mostly a joke, but Leone is somewhat serious as she brandishes the scissors.

There might have been some sentimental attachment to this silver hair.

However, in such a place──

“That.”

“…!”

She heard a voice coming from behind.

Perhaps she was quite distracted, as Leone seemed to have forgotten to close the student council room door.

The one who came in was──Elta.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m thinking of cutting my hair.”

“Eh! Is it really okay!?”

She was trying to cut off the symbol of Leone.

Elta tries to stop her immediately, but Leone continues speaking.

“Yeah, the person I want to notice doesn’t notice me. So, I guess I don’t need it anymore.”

“Th-That kind of thing…”

“!”

Seeing Elta’s sad expression, Leone realized that she might have acted a bit too hastily.

Then, she changed the subject.

“By the way, why is Elta here?”

“I didn’t really have a reason, but… I did it now.”

Then, Elta peeks at Leone as if observing the situation.

He’s not completely sure yet, but there’s a look of determination on his face.

And then, what came out of his mouth was──

“Leone, right?”

“…!!”

It was truly her name.