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 7: The Demon Vice Principal

“This is my older brother, Elta.”

While extending her hand towards Elta, Tina bowed.

Somehow sensing the atmosphere, Elta hurriedly bowed his head.

This is the Royal Capital Etoile Academy, “the Principal’s Office.”

In front of Elta and Tina, there are two teachers.

The principal is a man, and the vice principal is a woman.

“Hmm.”

“Well.”

In contrast to the seemingly gentle principal, the vice principal’s gaze is sharp enough to seem like it could pierce through him.

And so, the principal sitting in the chair spoke first.

“Is it true that Elta-sama has returned from that Asterla Dungeon?”

“Yes, for the time being… as Tina explained.”

The day before, Tina had thoroughly informed the principal about Elta.

The fact that Elta was caught in a trap ten years ago.

As soon as he returned, he knocked out the A-rank explorer, Gorea.

And from Elta’s perspective… the fact that he didn’t encounter any monsters.

Having heard that content, it seems there will be no further explanation.

“If that’s the case, then make use of that experience to become a lecturer──”

“That’s not good!”

However, just as the principal was about to formally hire, a sharp voice interrupted.

The one who raised her voice was the female vice principal standing next to him.

“Principal. If I may, that’s too lenient.”

Always with sharp eyes and intellectual glasses.

She is holding a thick stack of documents at her chest.

She has the aura of a truly capable educator.

Her name is──”Virgo.”

“I absolutely will not accept it.”

“Vice Principal…”

Even against the pouting principal, Vice Principal Virgo doesn’t back down at all.

No wonder, Virgo is famous as the “demon instructor.”

Conducting combat training herself, she has produced numerous outstanding students to date.

Being in this position at such a young age, in her early thirties, is also an exceptional promotion due to her outstanding abilities.

“Having someone like this as a lecturer would tarnish the dignity of our school.”

Virgo is known by various titles such as the Hero Contractor, the Demon Instructor, and the Martial Arts Expert.

Her own abilities are also well-established.

They can’t say this too loudly, but the shortage of faculty at the academy can be seen as partly due to Virgo’s “unyielding refusal to tolerate leniency.”

“Then, what do I have to do for you to acknowledge my brother!”

“Hey, hey…”

For some reason, it was Tina, his younger sister, who raised her voice at Vice Principal Virgo.

She must really want his brother to be the instructor.

“Then, let’s do this.”

However, to his surprise, Virgo responded.

Tina’s spirit might have been appealing.

“I will acknowledge him if he wins a mock battle against me.”

“With Vice Principal Virgo…!”

As expected of the so-called martial faction, Virgo also has a meritocratic aspect.

It’s a proposal that only someone like her would make.

In fact, even now that she has become a teacher, she is said to still be recognized as a top-tier explorer.

Even so, she agreed without hesitation──

“Understood, I’ll take it! My brother will!”

“Yes, that’s more like it!”

“Why?”

His younger sister.

★

“Do your best, big brother!”

Tina calls out from outside the field.

It seems that Elta and the others went straight to this “First Arena” after the incident in the principal’s office.

“The instructor’s salary is high!”

“Then, I guess I could take her… maybe.”

He wants money to live with Tina.

With those thoughts in mind, Elta decided to think about whether he could handle her later and turned to face the person in front of him once more.

“Are you ready?”

For the mock battle, Vice Principal Virgo changed into a black bodysuit.

The intellectual glasses remain the same, but she doesn’t have the thick documents.

Instead, the sound that’s been cracking repeatedly is the combat whip.

She often uses this both in educational settings and in combat.

For most, it is a symbol of fear, but it seems that some receive it as a reward.

Also, some academy students, having heard about the situation from somewhere, have come to see it.

It seems that the second floor and above of the arena are spectator seats.

“Hey, that demon vice principal is going to fight!”

“Seriously? A demon’s true form is extremely rare!”

“That outfit… No, that’s crazy!”

Even the top academy students still have their childish sides.

It seems that there are high expectations for Vice Principal Virgo’s serious side, which is rarely seen.

“I’ve noted down those who called me ‘demon,’ so shall we get started?”

“Y-yes.”

“Then, it will start the moment this coin hits the floor.”

As soon as she said that, Virgo tossed the coin high into the air.

While thinking “How unfortunate…” for the student who was noted, Elta also took a stance.

And then, the sound of a coin landing goes “cling.”

It’s the signal to start the match.

At the same time, Virgo surged forward.

“It can’t be avoided.”

“!”

What was unleashed from there was──”countless whips.”

Using the whip’s snap, a barrage of high-speed strikes that look like dozens come crashing down on Elta.

As it was, several strikes hit the ground hard, creating a deafening roar and kicking up dust and sand.

“We don’t need softies at our school.”

“””…Ugh!”””

With a first move that could only be described as merciless, the entire venue gasped.

Something like this, dodging it on the first try would be impossible.

──If I were an ordinary person.

“B-big brother!”

Tina’s voice echoed from behind.

Then, as if in response, something could be heard from within the dust.

“Cough, cough! Wow, such sand!”

“…!”

Should he say as expected, Elta was not ordinary.

On the contrary, he appeared unscathed from the dust, still speaking with an air of nonchalance.

“Are you kidding? You mean you dodged everything…?”

“Ah, I was surprised. But──”

Elta turns back to Virgo once again.

“Maybe ‘Tako-cchi’ had more punches.”

“…! Who do you think you’re comparing me to?!”

“Whoa!”

Elta has no intention of provoking, but Virgo’s expression becomes even more severe.

She, who is strict with both herself and others, thought of finishing off the seemingly easy Elta in the first move.

However, the ultimate strike, which had never been broken before, was easily dodged.

They must be shaken by such an unexpected situation.

(Wait, this kid…!)

And so, as she swung the whip again, she immediately felt a sense of discomfort.

“Oops!”

“Hey! In this ridiculous position!”

Elta’s reckless behavior has no trace of martial arts.

It should have been erratic movements like a monster, but it feels like the attacks never hit.

(My strength has declined? ──No, that’s not it!)

However, even though it’s a monster, it’s of the “monster class.”

(This kid is more than me…!)

Sensing something outrageous within Elta, Virgo stops the attack.

Instead, this time she provoked him.

“You keep avoiding, but I wonder if you won’t attack.”

“Well, but I don’t lay a hand on women…”

“This is a mock battle! Don’t underestimate it!”

“Yikes.”

Glaring with sharp eyes, Elta showed a startled reaction.

“I don’t lay a hand on women” is something he learned from Fen, but that doesn’t mean he wants to be scolded any further.

And so, after weighing the scales──Elta squatted down deeply.

“Then, just one then… phew.”

“!?!”

(The atmosphere suddenly changed…!?)

The moment he regulated his breathing, the atmosphere of the “monster” that had been lurking all along came to the surface.

The aura that Elta currently exudes is that of a monster itself…

“I will go.”

Elta spent time with various strongest races in the deepest level of the Asterla Dungeon.

Seeing them daily and with the help of Fen, who could speak human language, they were able to create their own unique style.

That is precisely a perfect recreation of the movements of the strongest races.

“The Strongest Race Series, Part One──”

“…!”

“[Claw of the Divine Wolf].”

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Afterword

Just to clarify, the “Strongest Race Series” is a play on words from a third-person perspective, and Elta-kun himself doesn’t know that his friends are the strongest race!

For Elta-kun, it’s just imitating his friends, right? Haha.