Episode 40: The Strongest Clan in the Nation
Otemachi, Tokyo. A prime location in the heart of the city, lined with the buildings of major corporations.
There stands the headquarters of DeNA Elceed, Japan’s largest Dungeon enterprise. On the eighth floor of that building, two men were walking down the corridor.
One was Honda, the general manager of Elceed. His distinguished gray hair was slicked back, and he was clad in a well-tailored, high-class suit.
His slender figure made him look every bit the capable businessman.
Following Honda was Amasawa Rui, a high school student.
He was visiting the company to complete the procedures for joining after graduation and to confirm his schedule.
Honda spoke to Rui as they walked.
“What’s your current Mana Index?”
“It’s up to 321.”
“Hoh, to raise it that high in your third year of high school is quite something. Is it all colorless Mana?”
“No, I’ve dyed about 50 of it. But I’m trying not to use any more than that.”
“Hmm, to save it for the Ruby Magic Gem, I see. But to raise your Mana Index efficiently, you need to add a little more color to your Mana.”
“I’ll leave that to you. I trust Elceed’s training know-how.”
“Hahaha, a wise decision.”
Honda stopped and held his employee ID card over the card reader installed next to a door in front of them.
The unlocked door opened automatically to the left and right.
As they entered the room, they found three men and women in a bright, open space. All of them were wearing Seeker uniforms, sitting on a bench sofa, chatting amiably.
When they saw Honda and Rui, one of the men stood up and walked towards them.
He was a short-haired man wearing mirrored sports sunglasses.
If he took off his sunglasses, you would see his distinctive, narrow eyes.
He was slender, but not frail. All unnecessary muscle had been stripped away, and only the necessary muscles had been trained. He gave off that kind of impression.
“Sorry to take your time before your expedition.”
Honda smiled apologetically.
“It’s fine. I wanted to meet the rookie everyone’s talking about, too.”
After a firm handshake, Honda turned and looked at Rui.
“Let me introduce you. This is–”
“Of course, I know!”
Rui stepped forward, excitedly.
“Mana Index 3957. The strongest Seeker in the country, “Raijuu” Tennoji Hayato-san! I always see you in magazines and such.”
“Hahaha, I’m honored you know me. You’re the rookie everyone’s talking about, after all.”
“The honor is mine!”
Rui held out both hands and shook hands with Tennoji.
“If you know me, do you know about those guys too?”
Tennoji pointed to the members behind him with his thumb.
“Of course! No one aiming to be a Seeker doesn’t know Tennoji-san’s Seeker clan, “Roar of the Raijuu”.”
The two men and women who had been waiting behind them came forward.
Standing before him was a tall, tanned woman, looking down at Rui as she spoke.
“Heeh, so you know about me too?”
“Yes, Mana Index 2549. Misaki Bluewell-san, the Seeker who wields the Scorching Magic Sword. I really admire you as a fire mage.”
“Fufu, I’m happy to hear that. Thank you.”
Rui shook hands with Misaki and smiled.
“Hey, hey, don’t forget about me.”
Looking at the exceptionally large man, Rui’s face lit up.
“Of course not! I could never forget Akira Taizen-san, Mana Index 3077, said to be the second strongest Seeker in the country, known as “Railgun”!”
“I see, so you’ve got all our data in your head, huh? Interesting!”
Rui shook hands firmly with Taizen. Tennoji, who had been watching the scene with a smile, spoke.
“We’re about to head to the “White Dungeon” in Hokkaido. The other members are already there. We’ll be staying there for a few weeks… well, it’s an expedition.”
“That’s… tough. I hope you can complete your mission safely.”
“Haha, thanks. You hurry up and become a valuable asset and help us out. You’re planning to master “Fire Magic,” right?”
“Yes! That’s the plan.”
“Are you aiming to be “Flame Emperor Albert”?”
At Tennoji’s words, Rui couldn’t help but blush.
“Y-yes… it’s presumptuous of me, but my goal is to be the strongest in the world. Albert Müller-san, with a Mana Index of 8211.”
“Good! It’s good to aim high, that’s what I expect from a promising rookie. I’m looking forward to it.”
“Yes!”
Tennoji and the other two greeted Honda and left the room together.
“So, how was your first meeting with our Seekers?”
“I was really nervous.”
“Is that so? You seemed pretty composed to me.”
“No, no, not at all.”
Honda smiled as he watched Rui shake his head modestly.
“About your plans after graduation, I’m thinking of having you go to Fukuoka right away.”
“Fukuoka? Then–”
“Yes, the “Green Dungeon” is there. I want you to raise your Mana Index there. The Seeker clan in the Fukuoka branch will fully support you.”
“The Fukuoka branch… I’m grateful, but wouldn’t I be a nuisance?”
“Hahaha, Ishikawa, who scouted you, said so. He feels you have more potential than Tennoji.”
“No way, more than Tennoji-san…”
“If you think you’re bothering those around you, then break through the Mana Index barrier and quickly become a valuable asset. Amasawa Rui-kun.”
“Y-yes! I’ll do my best.”
Rui realized the magnitude of the expectations placed on him.
To meet those expectations, he renewed his determination to do everything he could.