Good morning, Allen.
G'morning, Rifol!
Did you hear?
Dverg the Sword Lord is coming here next month to teach a special class.
Really, the famous Sword Lord?
I hear the Hero will be coming with him, too.
Jeez. Doesn't he have anything better to do?
Three months from now, over summer break, you'll be tasked with beating a dungeon.
Anybody who fails will be expelled.
Here are the rules: only parties of 8 or less.
And no help from seniors or anybody from outside the academy.
Be aware that a number of students die during this every year.
Huh?!
So make sure you're well prepared.
No way...
I'm recruiting for my party! Any there any Spear or Axe Users in here?
I'm looking for Mages!
Sword Lord Krena, can I get you to join my party?
Forget him! Come with me!
I guarantee my talent will come in handy!
Inviting strangers to your party to accomplish a short-term goal.
The ol' "recruit from chat" strategy.
Uh, Allen?
Let me show these noobs how you really do it.
DUNGEON PARTY
LF 1 HEALER
HAVE:
SUMMONER, SWORD LORD,
WIZARDESS, AXE USER
NOOBS WELCOME
We're also looking for one person with a healing talent to join our party!
The four of us have already conquered two C-rank dungeons.
If you need any proof, just look at this.
ADVENTURER CARD
D-RANK
We typically go dungeon crawling twice a week,
NO-LIFE GAMER
PRO TIP: MAKE YOUR STIPULATIONS UP FRONT
so you have to dedicate at least one day a week to join us.
We split all treasure evenly.
NO-LIFE GAMER
PRO TIP: HIGHLIGHT THE BENEFITS
And since we're a small party,
that means bigger profits overall!
Don't miss out!
Big money could be yours!
Big money, huh?
All you can eat is the best!
EPISODE 14: A NEW FRIEND
Don't skip your veggies.
Nobody came to take up our offer.
Maybe there are no Clerics in our class?
It's probably because most kids with a healing talent get taken in by the Church.
I figured it wouldn't be simple.
Pardon me.
You're Allen, right?
That's right.
My name is Keel. I happen to be a Cleric.
If you're still looking for a healer, I'd be interested to hear more about your party.
Let's gooooo!
Absolutely!
Have a seat and we can discuss it over lunch.
Uh, actually...
I'm trying not to eat during the day.
Hm? I doubt this guy needs to be on a diet.
It wouldn't feel right if we just ate while you have nothing.
Please let me treat you.
Well... gosh.
Thanks.
Weird. Was he hungry all along?
Let's cut to the chase.
How rich do you get from dungeons?
You're curious about the money?
As of right now, we each earn 20 to 40 silver coins per dungeon cleared.
Th-that's a lot.
Could I join you on a trial basis?
Why of course!
Okay. Then next weekend... count me in.
Yay!
Glad to have you!
Here, eat some meat!
Don't skip the veggies.
Th-thanks.
By the way, Allen.
Why all the politeness?
Oh, please don't let it bother you!
Can't let a precious Cleric slip away. I'll butter you up as much I have to!
Hiyah!
Whoa, I feel powered up all of a sudden.
That's normal. It's because you passed a Trial of the Gods.
Really?
But I haven't done anything.
Being friends in the same party means we all get stronger when anyone beats a monster.
Friends, huh?
DUNGEON CRAWL DAY 3
So, is that the boss monster for the final floor?
Yeah.
Okay, you three. Do your thing!
We're all over it!
Flame Lance!
Are you okay?
This is your Summoner power?
Whew.
Sorry about that, Keel!
Ow, that stings.
I was so distracted trying to use my skill that I let my guard down...
Heal.
All the boo-boos went bye-bye!
Thanks a bunch, Keel!
Bummer that I can't see his stats, since he's only a guest.
How did you learn how to use healing magic?
By using it on wounded people at the Church.
They told me I could earn 10 silver coins a day, so I spared no effort to learn it.
Wow, what a well-paying job!
I'm so jealous you guys can use skills.
W-well, it took me two months of practice to get it right.
I'm gonna master mine, too!
Whoa! Th-th-this must be the treasure chest!
A silver treasure chest! We got lucky today!
Wow, I can't believe it! They really exist!
We got a Mithril Buckler!
How much did it go for?
A whopping 15 gold coins!
We split it evenly, right?!
Here. Three gold coins and a fifth of all the magic stones we got today.
You can exchange the stones for even more money, by the way.
He seems way more focused on the money than our summer break assignment.
But I can't complain, that works better for us!
Well, good sir? How do you feel about joining our party, the No-Life Gamers?
We've rented out a house that we all live in together.
Would you be interested?
Come join us!
Sorry. I'll have to pass.
Huh?
I hear having the Cleric talent is a big deal at the academy.
I want the option to work with other parties that might pay more to have me.
So I don't plan on being exclusive to one.
I need to... earn as much as I can.
See you later.
He wants to be freelance, I guess?
ONE MONTH LATER
Wahoo!
I'm gonna go out for some practice!
What's gotten into him?
Ugh! Put some clothes on!
Sweet! I've finally hit my next milestone!
EXP OF THE FUSE SKILL HAS REACHED 10,000,000 / 10,000,000
THE FUSE SKILL HAS GONE UP TO LEVEL 6
THE SUMMON SKILL HAS GONE UP TO LEVEL 6
GRIMOIRE EXPANSION HAS GONE UP TO LEVEL 5
YOU HAVE UNLOCKED THE AWAKEN SKILL
My card inventory is up to 60 now.
YOU HAVE UNLOCKED THE AWAKEN SKILL
What kind of skill is "Awaken"?
C-RANK DUNGEON
I spent most of my money and magic stones, but hot damn, was it worth it!
After 2 years and 11 months, we finally get some new faces on the roster!
I summon you! My C-rank creatures!
BEAST C
BIRD C
INSECT C
FISH C
STONE C
GRASS C
You guys are huge!
Bacon.
TYPE: BEAST
RANK:
NAME: BACON
HP:
MP:
ATTACK:
ENDURANCE:
AGILITY:
INTELLIGENCE:
LUCK:
BUFFS: HP +50, ATTACK +50
ABILITY: CHARGE
Fran.
TYPE: BIRD
RANK:
NAME: FRAN
HP:
MP:
ATTACK:
ENDURANCE:
AGILITY:
INTELLIGENCE:
LUCK:
BUFFS: AGILITY +50, INTELLIGENCE +50
ABILITY: BREAKTHROUGH
Pion.
TYPE: INSECT
RANK:
NAME: PION
HP:
MP:
ATTACK:
ENDURANCE:
AGILITY:
INTELLIGENCE:
LUCK:
BUFFS: ENDURANCE +50, AGILITY +50
ABILITY: PARALYZING STING
Finny.
TYPE: FISH
RANK:
NAME: FINNY
HP:
MP:
ATTACK:
ENDURANCE:
AGILITY:
INTELLIGENCE:
LUCK:
BUFFS: MP +50, INTELLIGENCE +50
ABILITY: SHARK OIL
Steely.
TYPE: STONE
RANK:
NAME: STEELY
HP:
MP:
ATTACK:
ENDURANCE:
AGILITY:
INTELLIGENCE:
LUCK:
BUFFS: HP +50, ENDURANCE +50
ABILITY: SUBSTITUTE
Mapo.
TYPE: GRASS
RANK:
NAME: MAPO
HP:
MP:
ATTACK:
ENDURANCE:
ABILITY: GARNISH
AGILITY:
INTELLIGENCE:
LUCK:
BUFFS: MP +50, LUCK +50
And now, to unlock the newest type of summon creature.
BIRD C
FISH C
Just gotta try all the possible combinations and...
BIRD C
FISH C
SPIRIT C
Wow! It's a Spirit!
SPIRIT C
ENDURANCE +50, INTELLIGENCE +50
PHYSICAL DAMAGE RESISTANCE
So like, the supernatural type?
Master Allen. It's nice to meet you.
Whoa, you can talk?!
Tee-hee! I certainly can!
Neat. Must be because of your high intelligence stat.
Wow, you've got a lot of MP, too.
Please give me a name, Master!
Let's see... how about Maria?
Maria!
I love it!
It makes me so happy!
Whoa! You can phase through walls!
Yes, indeed. I'm a spirit, after all!
That will definitely come in handy during dungeon crawls.
I can also pop into the dreams of any humans you wish to curse with nightmares.
Thanks, but no thanks.
Anyways, I better move on to testing this new Awaken skill.
ENDURANCE +1, AGILITY +1
INSECT H
Denka, awaken!
ENDURANCE +1, AGILITY +1
INSECT H
Whoa!
TYPE: INSECT
RANK:
NAME: DENKA
HP:
MP:
ATTACK:
STAMINA:
AGILITY:
INTELLIGENCE:
LUCK:
BUFFS: ENDURANCE +1, AGILITY +1
ABILITY: HOP
AWAKENED ABILITY: SWARM
"Swarm", eh?
Argh! What the actual hell?!
Well, I guess that's another powerful weapon to add to my arsenal.
Thank God I didn't try using it in the house...
FRAN
TYPE: BIRD
RANK: C
HP:
MP:
ATTACK:
ENDURANCE: ABILITY:
AGILITY: BREAKTHROUGH
INTELLIGENCE: AWAKENED ABILITY:
LUCK: FLEETFOOT
They've arrived!
There's Sir Dverg!
So cool!
Wait until I tell my family about this!
Lady Sylvia!
You're beautiful!
Sir Helmios!
Great, the goofus is here.
Hope he notices Dverg is a way more popular champion.
Pipe down.
I doubt they really need an introduction, but...
Sir Helmios the Hero. Sir Dverg the Sword Lord.
And Lady Sylvia the Sword Lord.
They took time to pay a special visit to our academy today.
Anybody have questions for them?
I have a question for Sir Dverg!
How can I learn how to use skills?
Skill?
Ugh, that's part of next year's curriculum...
What's that?
Jeez, Krena!
What's your name, little one?
I'm Krena, sir!
Ah, the new Sword Lord.
Why do you want to use skills?
Because I want to be stronger! Like Allen!
Allen?
The raven-haired boy I told you about before.
I see.
Come with me, Krena.
Okay!
Alrighty, guess we better work with the rest of the students.
Strike at me!
And focus your mind on using your skill!
Here I come!
Time to see how well Krena stacks up against a veteran with 40 years on the frontlines.
Slash!
Wrong, that's no skill!
Slash!
Slash! Slash!
I can't believe how easily her attacks are getting repelled...
Slash! Slash! Slash!
He's not explaining anything to her at all.
What a hardass.
Want to give up? You can take a year to learn the proper way instead.
I'll keep going!
Oh, Krena...
Slash! Slash! Slash!
She must already feel like she's behind, since Cecil and I can use skills.
Wow, they're still going at it?
Wanna cross swords with me for a bit?
Absolutely not.
Damn geezer. He better give her some real advice.
How about you just call it quits?
No way.
Allen wouldn't give up in my shoes.
He's never been the type.
Whenever I saw him, he was challenging himself or racking his brains about something.
Allen is chasing after a big dream!
So I need to step it up! And get tougher!
Then empty your mind of everything but your skill. And throw your full might at me!
Slash.
Well done.
Remember this moment.
Wow... it worked...
Krena!
Yeesh.
Would it kill you to teach by example?
I got the feeling she was more suited to hands-on learning, instead of just watch-and-mimic.
But I'm impressed she did it in just one day.
I'm all better!
Thank you for the lesson, sir!
THANK YOU
FOR THE LESSON, SIR!
Takes a real maniac to go that hard on a twelve year old.
I couldn't agree more.
So, this big dream of yours... Gonna tell me what it is?
You'll find out after I'm convinced I can trust you, Mister Hero.
Goodbye!
Okay, people!
I'd like to introduce you to a new comrade!
Maria! I choose you!
She's going to live with us as a bodyguard of sorts.
Nice to meet you!
She talks?!
BIRD C
AGILITY +50, INTELLIGENCE +50
And that's not all...
Come on out!
Fran!
Wow!
We're zooming!
Enemy approaching from the left corner!
Great. Time to use my new skill!
Air Slash!
SKILL: AIR SLASH
SINGLE TARGET ATTACK
SENDS A SLASH ATTACK THROUGH THE AIR
I can use skills whenever I want now!
Man, she's on fire.
JEALOUS...
Now we all have C-rank Adventurer status!
What do you say we celebrate with a feast?
It'll also be a welcome party for good sir Keel.
Woo! I'm ready to eat!
No, thanks. That doesn't work for me.
I would feel bad for my family.
Your family?
Are you originally from Academy City?
No. Everybody moved here with me after I enrolled in the academy.
But it's been hard to make a decent living because we have no connections here.
So enjoying a feast on my own would make me feel guilty.
Well, shucks...
As it happens, we're looking to hire someone to help with chores around our house.
Would your family be willing to do that and live with us at the same time?
Huh?
We have plenty of empty rooms they can use. And, naturally, we'll pay a fair salary.
But why would you do that?
Because we're friends, good sir.
And to be honest, it's hard to watch you live in poverty.
B-but...
Well, what if we split our treasure from the dungeon six ways instead?
The extra one-sixth would be used as the salary for your family.
And in return, you give all your magic stones to Allen.
Why magic stones?
It's 'cuz Allen needs a bunch of magic stones to get his level up.
That seems like a fair deal to me. What do you say?
Thanks. I'll take you up on that.
Welcome!
Sorry that we're a little late.
Huh? I'm not seeing any parents...
I am Keel's younger sister. My name is Nina.
We are most grateful to be invited into your home.
Oh, sure. The pleasure is all ours.
Cheers!
There is plenty of food to go around. Please help yourselves to seconds.
You, too, good sir!
You can stop calling me "good sir" now.
Just treat me like you do everybody else.
All right, Keel!
That was fast!
His name hasn't shown up in my grimoire, even though we're friends now.
Anyways, I'm surprised to learn that you're a member of nobility, Keel!
Huh? He is?!
The way his sister introduced herself was a dead giveaway.
Yeah. We're former-nobles, to be exact.
Our family was stripped of their titles.
Which is how I ended up living with my sister and our servants who had no place to go.
Oh, I'm sorry I brought it up...
It's no problem for me. I'm used to the commoner lifestyle.
But Nina on the other hand...
Elder Brother! I will do my part to help with the chores just like everybody else!
It's cool. Who cares about social status?
What he said!
Krena and I rose up from serfdom, actually.
You were serfs?!
Makes sense for Krena, but I can't believe you have that kind of background, Allen.
To be honest, I thought you and Cecil were both from nobility.
Well, you're half-right. I am a noble.
Oh, don't let it bother you. We're all equals at the academy.
We're from a village out on the frontier, and Cecil is the daughter of the baron who rules over it.
Oh yeah? Whereabouts?
The Granvelle Fiefdom.
What about you, Keel?
Lady Nina! Please get behind me!
Granvelle...?
Wh-what's the matter?
Dammit, how dare you?
It's all your fault! You destroyed the Carnel family!
Wait! Are you saying...?
My father is Cabroni Carnel!
Hey, what's this all about?
We had some trouble with the Carnel family late last year.
Don't try and downplay it like that!
A royal messenger told me everything!
It was all a plot by the Granvelle family!
Ah, this explains a lot.
I seem to recall your eldest son also had a talent, Viscount!
You know how it goes. We must fulfill the noble's duty.
The talentless daughter who Carnel came to brag about that one time is Nina.
And his son with a talent is Keel.
What the hell did we ever do to you?!
It seems that you've been misled.
I'm happy to explain, but will you please have everyone else leave the room?
All right. It's just me now.
Tell me what happened.
Very well.
Viscount Carnel was trying to steal the Granvelle fiefdom's mithril mining rights.
Part of his plan involved hiring assassins, who then kidnapped both me and my manservant, Allen.
Kidnapped?!
I was able to escape safely with Allen's help.
Afterwards, my father appealed directly to the king, and all the perpetrators were incarcerated.
So, yes, I won't deny the fact my father had a role in the end of the Carnel family.
But there is no shame in that.
Kidnapping?
Assassins?
If you don't believe me, then go to the royal capital and ask around.
They should show you the evidence.
Oh man...
I didn't think he was the type to do that...
Will you tell us what kind of father Carnel was to you, Keel?
He took good care of me until I turned five, at least from what I remember.
But everything changed after the Appraisal Ceremony.
That's where my childhood memories of my parents end.
I was separated from my family and had to move to another town.
I lived on a small allowance and didn't get any of the education typical for nobles.
But then, a tutor showed up when I turned 10 years old.
Hearing that my father had sent one to prepare me for the academy was exciting.
It felt like I was still part of the Carnels. That I had my own role to play.
Until October of last year... my allowance stopped coming without any explanation.
Then Nina showed up with some servants who were now jobless with my parents gone.
That's when I started working at the Church.
A royal messenger visited us just before the end of the year.
They said the Carnel family had been dissolved due to a plot by the Granvelles.
I also heard about the noble's duty to defeat monsters.
They told me if I served for five years, the king had granted permission
to forgive all our crimes and reinstate the nobility of the Carnels,
with me as the head of the family.
Five years?
It should only be three years, normally.
Damn royal messengers. This means there are still more of them scheming out there.
I hated my talent for the longest time.
But now I realize how valuable it is.
There's purpose behind it!
I'm sorry for what my father did.
I won't hold it against you if you want to kick us out of your house.
But I'm going to do whatever it takes to restore the Carnels to nobility.
I will fill in my father's shoes, and make sure our family has a place to call home again!
Even if it takes me five years to do it.
So, you have a goal to strive for.
That works out perfectly.
What do you mean by that?
The four of us also have a goal to achieve.
We're all on the same path.
You should serve in the war with us.
Did you even hear a word I said?!
I'm from the Carnel family and-
That doesn't matter.
Half of those sent to the frontlines die within three years. The death rate is even worse for five years.
Did the royal messenger mention that to you?
It happened to my big brother. He died after just a few months.
Cecil...
The rampaging monsters are all controlled by a greater evil called the Demon Lord.
We have to get much stronger to have any hope of defeating him.
And a huge part of that is having you join our team.
Because we help make up each other's shortfalls.
Keel. Let's be in this fight together!
You realize I'm just going to use you to further my own goals, right?!
That's fine.
You should just fight for what you believe in.
I don't care about the Demon Lord!
I only want to get back into nobility!
Let's join forces! We can all fight and be nobles, Keel!
I don't see anything to fuss about.
We're already friends, ain't we, Keel?
Living under the same roof as the Carnels...
I bet I'm the first Granvelle to ever do that.
You don't have to shoulder all the burden by yourself, Keel.
Let's all give it our best.
O...okay.
KEEL HAS JOINED YOUR PARTY