By week three, the students were deemed ready for their first real mission—a simple clearing operation in the nearby Orcus Mountains. A goblin and orc nest had been reported by scouts, threatening trade routes. It was perfect for inexperienced heroes: real combat, but manageable danger.
Fifteen students were selected, including all the top-tier fighters. Daisuke made the list easily—his level 4 status and combat performance had earned him a spot. Kura was included too, not for fighting but for equipment maintenance and ore identification.
The expedition set out at dawn. Along with the students came ten kingdom knights led by Captain Reynard, a scarred veteran who'd been assigned to keep them alive.
Kura rode in one of the supply wagons, surrounded by spare weapons, repair tools, and camping equipment. Through the canvas, he could see the combat students riding ahead, talking excitedly about their first real battle.
Daisuke rode near the middle of the group, quiet and focused. Kura noticed him glancing toward the front, where Shirayuki rode beside Kobayashi, her white robes bright in the morning sun.
The Orcus Mountains rose before them—jagged peaks and dense forests, beautiful and dangerous. The monster nest was reported to be in a cave system three hours from the main road.
They found it easily—the entrance was marked by bones and the stench of unwashed bodies. Captain Reynard organized them into formation: combat classes in front and on the flanks, support in the middle, healers in the rear with guards.
"Remember your training," he said. "Stay in formation. Watch each other's backs. These are low-level monsters, but they can still kill you if you're careless."
They entered the caves.
The first battle came quickly—a group of eight goblins charged from a side passage with crude weapons. It was over in seconds. Sakurai's holy blade cut through three in a single sweep. Yamamoto's spear took down two more. Fujimoto's fire magic incinerated the rest.
"Easy," Sakurai said, grinning.
"Don't get cocky," Captain Reynard warned. "Stay alert."
They pushed deeper. More goblin groups, dispatched with increasing ease. Then orcs—larger, tougher, but still manageable for the leveled students. Daisuke fought with controlled fury, his Berserker abilities activating as he took damage, making him stronger and faster.
Kura watched from the protected center, feeling useless. When they stopped to rest, he went to work checking weapons for damage, using his Transmutation to repair chips and reinforce weakened metal.
"Thank you, Tomohiro-kun."
Shirayuki had approached with her staff. "Could you check this? I think it took some damage when I blocked that orc's club."
"Sure." Kura examined the staff. Minor fractures in the shaft, easily fixed. He placed his hands on it, activating Transmutation, feeling the wood's structure and guiding it back to integrity.
"You're amazing," Shirayuki said, watching him work. "The way you understand materials, fix things so quickly. It's like you can see what's wrong just by touching them."
"It's just my class ability."
"It's more than that." She smiled. "Not everyone could do what you do, even with the same class. You have a real talent."
Kura handed back the repaired staff, unsure how to respond to genuine praise.
"I mean it," Shirayuki continued. "Back in our world, you were always like this too. Noticing things others missed, being thoughtful in ways people didn't appreciate."
Kura looked up, surprised. "You noticed me? Back then?"
Something flickered in her expression—a momentary vulnerability before she smiled again. "Of course I did. Not everyone sees the quiet ones, but that doesn't mean they're not worth seeing."
Before Kura could process that, Kobayashi called for Shirayuki to help heal someone's minor injury. She gave Kura's arm a brief squeeze and walked away.
Kura stood there, staff in hand, trying to understand what had just happened.
And twenty feet away, partially hidden behind a rock formation, Daisuke stood watching. His knuckles were white around his sword's grip.
* * *
They cleared the nest by late afternoon. The final chamber held an orc chieftain—a massive creature that took coordinated effort to bring down. Sakurai landed the killing blow, his holy blade piercing its heart.
"Level up!" someone shouted. Several students had gained enough experience to advance—Sakurai hit level 7, Daisuke reached level 5.
During the celebration, Kura explored the cave's deeper sections, his Ore Appraisal pinging on something interesting. He found a vein of Flamesteel ore—rare material with heat-resistant properties. Using his tools, he carefully extracted a sample.
"Find something good?"
Captain Reynard had approached, curious.
"Flamesteel ore. Useful for forging high-quality weapons."
"Good eye. That's valuable." The captain paused. "You did well today, kid. I know you're not out there swinging swords, but keeping everyone's equipment functional matters more than you think."
"Thank you, sir."
They camped in the cave's cleared entrance that night. Fires were lit, rations distributed. The combat students traded stories about their battles, comparing levels and skills.
Kura sat apart, examining his Flamesteel sample. Master Galhard would be excited about this. Maybe Kura could use it to craft something significant enough to finally gain a level.
"Tomohiro."
Daisuke dropped down beside him. Not threateningly, but not exactly friendly either.
"Daisuke."
They sat in silence for a moment, watching the fire.
"Level 5 now," Daisuke said finally. "Feels good. Getting stronger, more useful. Actually contributing to the mission."
"Congratulations."
"Meanwhile, you're still level 1. Still in the back. Still not fighting." Daisuke turned the words over like he was examining them. "Must be frustrating."
"It is what it is."
"And yet," Daisuke continued, "Shirayuki still seeks you out. Still smiles at you like you matter. Tell me, how does that work?"
Kura felt his chest tighten. "I don't control who talks to me."
"No, you don't." Daisuke stood up. "But maybe you should think about what you're taking from people who actually deserve it."
He walked away before Kura could respond.
That night, Kura couldn't sleep. He kept replaying Daisuke's words, kept thinking about Shirayuki's comment that she'd noticed him even back in their world.
Why had she noticed him? What had he done to warrant that?
And why did Daisuke's resentment feel like it was building toward something inevitable?