Everyone Except Me Is Hiding Their Power-Chapter 96 : Suspicion Begets Ghosts (4)

Chapter 96: Suspicion Begets Ghosts (4)
The next day.
As previously announced, most of the students had gathered at the training ground for the supplementary Dungeon Field Class.
Even in my past life, there were occasional makeup classes due to scheduling issues...
…but this was the first time I experienced one being conducted so formally and on such a large scale.
To be fair, considering the significance and symbolism of the Dungeon Field Class, this wasn’t entirely surprising.
‘Well, back then, things had spiraled so out of control with one incident after another that no one even thought about holding a makeup class.’
Looking around, I saw a man who appeared to be a staff member standing on the podium, talking non-stop.
He was repeatedly reminding us not to mistakenly join the wrong group among the three designated ones, as previously announced.
This supplementary class was divided into three major groups:
First, the group that had completed the class without any incidents on the day of the event.
Second, the group that had their class interrupted midway due to the incident.
Third, the group that hadn’t even entered the dungeon because the incident occurred while they were waiting.
Professor Shagas, Professor Deiare, and Professor Yul Runberg were each assigned to lead one of these groups.
Additionally, perhaps in preparation for any unforeseen circumstances, twice as many staff members as usual were stationed all over the area.
The Academy explained that all of this was to ensure fair opportunities for every student.
‘The first group’s probably included just for appearances, since they couldn’t just be left out to play.’
Maybe that’s why.
Unlike the other two groups, their assembly location wasn’t the training ground but the main auditorium.
From what I heard, they would briefly review and reflect on frequently occurring situations and countermeasures from previous Dungeon Field Classes.
They would also be conducting relative evaluations of the teams and members who would’ve originally taken the class together.
‘As for the third group, they said it would be conducted under different conditions and settings.’
The first two groups either finished the training or, though interrupted, still had some experience.
In contrast, the third group—
That is, the students whose turn had been canceled while waiting—could essentially be considered to have had their date postponed.
Taking that into account, it had been announced that although the overall difficulty and flow of the class would remain similar, the environment and specific settings would differ from the earlier sessions.
‘And finally, the second group.’
The group whose class had been interrupted mid-session by the incident.
That included me, Allen, and Cecilia.
Apparently, the professors had quite a headache because of us—the second group.
The reason being: “They didn’t complete the class, but they did have some experience. However, the degree of that experience varies greatly between teams.”
In simpler terms, even within the same second group, some teams were stopped just before completion, while others had to stop right after entering. Ours was the most inconsistent group in terms of experience.
After intense debate among the professors, they eventually agreed to adjust scores based on the time spent inside the dungeon during the previous session. Rumors even spread among students that some professors settled things through duels.
Honestly, it didn’t seem like something worth agonizing over that much…
But I supposed, for educators, this was a matter they couldn’t compromise on.
‘But Professor Deiare… huh.’
I was sure it was supposed to be Professor Yul Runberg.
Did the plan change at some point?
Anyway, once the assembly ended, we began moving under the guidance of our assigned supervisor.
The one guiding us was a woman with striking red hair.
She was the same person the assistant, Pappleton, from my Hilts class had sternly warned me not to slip up around.
“Alright, everyone, follow me closely like ducklings. If you wander off and end up somewhere weird, you’ll fail with no exceptions—so don’t come crying later.”
Clapping her hands like she was wrangling children, she spoke.
The rest of us, myself included, followed her without complaint.
Before long, we arrived at the dungeon generator, in front of which stood a dignified Centauros.
Professor Deiare, the Centauros, looked around at us before speaking in a calm voice.
It was her usual quiet tone, but it carried clearly to our ears.
“You’ve all already heard the details and precautions so many times that you’re probably sick of them, so I’ll keep this short.”
She spoke, the rhythmic clatter of hooves punctuating her words.
“There is no difference from the previous Dungeon Field Class. The grading criteria, the cautions, the entry order, and the breakthrough test—everything will be the same. Are there any questions?”
No one raised a hand.
Deiare nodded, then turned to the assistants and staff members nearby and addressed them politely.
“Before we begin, I’d like to reiterate. I ask all assistants and staff members to do your best, and I entrust all on-site decisions to your discretion.”
“I take full responsibility for everything that may result from this, so I ask you once again not to worry.”
“If anything arises that’s beyond your judgment or outside your authority, please don’t hesitate to call me.”
At her words, the assistants and staff responded loudly and stood at attention.
Even the staff, not just the assistants, were standing so stiffly that we, the students, looked on with some surprise.
“…This feels kind of ominous.”
Tesrad, standing beside me, muttered with a grimace.
Given his usually free-spirited nature, it was clear he didn’t care for this stiff atmosphere.
“Be quiet. I’m trying to listen.”
Anette, standing beside him, muttered under her breath as she firmly stepped on his foot.
Tesrad shut his mouth with an exaggerated grimace, as if enduring the pain.
“Hoo.”
Allen let out a soft sigh, as if trying to relax.
His condition had recovered so much that yesterday’s state seemed like an illusion.
“Let’s all do our best.”
Princess Velita said that, clenching her fist lightly.
Tesrad and Anette both straightened their postures respectfully, as if honored.
Allen also bowed his head deeply in a show of respect.
“……”
I followed suit, bowing deeply without much thought.
Unlike at the beginning, I had now reached a point where I could keep a calm expression even with her standing right next to me.
Creeeak.
The tightly shut door of the Dungeon Generator opened.
Beyond the doorway, a swirling, sticky vortex of unknown nature raged without pause.
It was a sight that never ceased to amaze, no matter how many times I saw it.
Professor Deiare, who had been silently watching it, nodded once more and spoke.
“Then, according to the previously announced schedule, we will proceed with entry in order starting from the lowest number. Before entering, please double-check your gear and assigned number, and make sure that your emergency-contact necklace is functioning properly.”
At Professor Deiare’s command, the students at the front of the line began checking their equipment one by one before starting to enter.
While I was calmly waiting for my turn, I heard someone call my name.
“Mr. Gwendil.”
“Se— Miss Everglenn.”
It was Cecilia.
Perhaps conscious of the surrounding eyes, she called me by my surname instead of my given name.
“Good luck.”
“Yes, thank you. I wish you the best as well, Miss Everglenn.”
At her words of encouragement, I bowed slightly.
A quick glance showed that her teammates were split between a male student wearing an awkward, guilty expression, and the others.
‘So that’s the guy.’
The one who had sweet-talked everyone, only to abandon his teammates and flee when things got dangerous.
‘It wasn’t even a real-life-or-death scenario—just a class—and he did something like that?’
When faced with urgent situations, it’s hard for anyone to remain rational.
So I had seen students occasionally abandon their teammates or make unreasonable decisions even during exams or classes. It wasn’t incomprehensible.
But to make that kind of mistake during the first Dungeon Field Class, which wasn’t even one of the higher-level, truly dangerous ones...
It was simply beyond my understanding.
‘Hm?’
I was quietly shaking my head when I noticed—
Cecilia was staring straight at me.
Normally, she would’ve returned to her spot right away to avoid drawing attention.
I wondered if she had something else to say. As our eyes met, she spoke in a small but clear voice with a warning tone.
“You need to be careful.”
“……”
At Cecilia’s concerned warning, I gave a silent nod.
She was never one to speak without reason.
If she said I should be careful, there was truly something to be wary of.
“Yes.”
I’ll be careful.
Though I didn’t say the rest aloud, that was enough.
Cecilia gave a small nod and returned to her place.
And then…
“Enter!”
Following after her, who had entered the dungeon just before me, we too stepped into the dungeon.
…Contrary to our concerns, the supplementary class ended without incident.
No mysterious assailant appeared before us out of nowhere.
No mana distortion phenomenon occurred, nor did our Artifacts malfunction due to unknown anomalies.
No overwhelming enemies like high-ranking spirits showed up to block our path.
And of course, though it was an absurd thought, Allen didn’t suddenly exhibit any incomprehensible or mad behavior like he had in my past life...
In short, nothing ridiculous happened.
The difficulty of the class was, as Professor Deiare had warned, certainly not easy.
Even so, we smoothly passed the tests and trials presented to us, and successfully cleared the dungeon.
We all felt confident that we had completed it well enough to aim for a top score.
…Right.
At least, up until we completed the supplementary exam—until we finished clearing the dungeon—nothing unusual had happened.
“Allan Amiel.”
It was while we were waiting in a separate area prepared for post-class cooldown.
Suddenly, a group of about six people appeared and surrounded us.
Among them stood Watchman Selin, who had previously investigated me.
“You are currently under suspicion of being the perpetrator behind the series of attacks within the Academy.”
The man who appeared to be the leader spoke in a short and firm voice as he looked straight at us—more precisely, at Allen, whose face had gone pale.
“Please come with us.”
…After that, the rumor that Allen was the culprit behind the attacks spread uncontrollably.
And it wasn’t until a little later that I learned the identity of the so-called fifth victim—described by Artemia as an emergency case—was none other than Lyslin.