Each unit consisted of four and a half men, seven troops in all, made up of students.
　Each squad was divided into two and began to move with an escort to the place where the mission began. The map they received was drawn on thick paper. The reason for this is that even if we were to convert it into data, there is a high possibility that the image would be disturbed inside the deposit. Otherwise, paper maps are used in many cases in the outside world.

　Felinella's gaze fell on the map that had been crammed in many times, and she tried to reconcile it with the map she had constructed in her brain.

　The size of the interior would be much larger than she had imagined.
　This deposit is at an altitude comparable to those of those mountains. However, the surface of this deposit is so steep and steep that it is like a wall of rock.
　We never felt like we could see the edge of the deposit, and we felt like we were going to lose all day just going around. It was like an insurmountable wall that stood next to each other. More than anything else, the ground around the deposit is soft and has a noticeable earthy color, as if it had been dug up once.

　If you look closely, you can see trees leaning at an unnatural angle and the remains of fallen trees. It was as if this mineral deposit had suddenly grown out of the ground.


　It was only after running long enough that a few troops, including the troops from the second magic academy, arrived at the entrance not far from the base.
　Even this is not far from the entrance near the base, and they have not been able to secure any other entry routes at the moment. Shortly after, a somewhat smaller outpost also comes into view.

　It is a camouflage base that is designed to be used up and discarded, not to cut through the surrounding trees, but to blend in rather well.
　One of the guards reported what was going on, and without even stopping by, Felinella and the others were led to the entrance.

　As they walked up several reinforced wooden steps, they were suddenly greeted by a large hole in the ground that greeted the students. The entrance was hollowed out into a stunning semicircle as they lay there. The hole is wide enough for five people to fit through even if they spread out on their sides.

　Evidence of excavation work was evident, and mithril emitted a faint light from the rock surface, illuminating the interior to the depths. The illusory light is more like an artificial light than a natural one. It is different from the brilliance of jewels, and is filled with a magical light.
　And the light seemed to be transmitting light as if it were connected to all the mithril in the deposit. The same amount of light shone all the way to the back.

　All of the students, including Felinella, cowered involuntarily as they were caught in a strange sensation. Unlike the lights of life, it might be an unfamiliar color. For some reason, I even have a feeling that if I stay inside long enough, I'll go crazy.

　I'm not sure why, but I have a feeling that this deposit is also an unknown world.

　A mature man, who looked like the captain of the security team, confirmed the time and gave the signal to all the guards, and the mood for the mission to begin increased. The students are not allowed to be timid or to prepare themselves, and the signal to start is given inexorably.

　The tension around them seems to be palpable, as if they are being dropped off a cliff and not allowed to return.

　It was Felinella who took the lead.

''Group 2, we will now head to explore the interior. The formation will be as we've decided...''

　The numbers from 1 to 7 given for each academy were used directly at the head of the squad.
　Felinella first stepped out into the interior of the ore deposit, forming a basic formation.
　The second magical academy of Felinella and the others, the first magical academy of Rusalka and the fourth magical academy of Iberis are here, and they all invade the interior at once.

　Since he has experienced the outside world more than the other students, Felinella led the ranks with a calm gait as if he were in the academy. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to get the best out of it.

　Perhaps knowing this, students from other schools also uttered their impressions of the mithril that illuminated the interior of the deposit.
　It may not have been inspired by that, but Seniat, whose eyes changed color, suddenly uttered some inappropriate words.

''If I take this lump home, oh, I wonder if I'll be rich...''

　The other members of the squad also exude a wry smile at her as she points to a rock that is lying around to the extent of a sitting position and swallowingly thinks such an evil thought.
　Of course, Illumina, who is a nobleman, seemed to be troubled by the lack of tension in her remarks, but she knows that this is Seniat's original temperament.

''Seniat-san, we're not here to steal,''
Having said that, Illumina-san, you won't be able to see Mithril as a luxury item anytime soon, will you?
That's..... There is a certain amount to be mined, and it's not even enough to use for AWR, that's for sure.

　This is the amount of reserves we've seen in just a few minutes. It is hard to imagine how valuable these deposits are.
　In addition, mithril is a rare mineral that is said to be one of the highest quality materials used in AWR. The value of this mission may be higher than you can imagine, since it is the power of a magician on the front lines.

　Ferinella, who took it as a moderate release of physical tension to be able to talk like this, also joined the conversation.
　She held up one finger and looked over her shoulder to the center of the conversation. It was a gesture like that of a tourist guide.

''This light itself is Mithril emitting light due to magical power. That alone means it's a high conduit of magical power and has an extraordinary affinity for it.

　The way it even reacts to the leaking magic power released by the magician shows the high conductivity, or so-called purity, of this place.

''As expected of you, Felinella-san, who's been called a living magician.

　Seniat praises Ferinella's reputation for erudition and admiration. In fact, she's always been the best student on campus, and everyone agrees she's a brilliant person.

I guess that's a compliment," she says, "but I feel like I'm being treated like an older person. And if you take an AWR-related course, you'll be taught that.
I don't know...

　Although basic, it may be knowledge that those who haven't taken a lecture have no way of knowing. But Seniat was at least a high grade student and she should have been at the lecture.
　So..........

''Huh, you just wanted to say...''
Have you found out?

　Since they were in the same class, Seniat was friendly and joked around with his tongue a bit.

　In the past year, Seniat, as I say, has become more and more like a senior student. Of course, I would never say something like this. It's a bit rude to say it when it's said by a classmate. So maybe it's okay to put it this way here. Yes, Seniat has become more mature and comfortable after the extracurricular activities.

　There is no doubt that she has grown up. Is it possible to say that she has lost her sweetness?

　To put it simply, a wizard who goes out into the outside world and a student who is called the chick of the academy. I'm going to be able to say that the decisive difference between these two is whether or not you accept the reality reflected in the place called the "outside world".
　Probably more than as a person, it's directly related to your growth as a mage.

　Such temporary conversations were contagious to the rest of the troops... or rather, they were listening to the conversations of Felinella and the others at some point.

　It was noticed because an unexpected person joined the conversation.

'Technically speaking, mithril is the mineral that is the best candidate for a permanent agency. I'm sorry to be so abrupt, Mr. Felinella.

　The one who came with a bail in lieu of a greeting was the only irregularity in the unit that consisted solely of students this time. It was Kalia Ferrado. He had come from a famous family that excelled in martial arts, and like Felinella, he had achieved the top rank within the First Academy of Magic when he was a student.

　She is currently in the midst of training a new recruit for the Rusalka army. The reason why she joined the mission this time is not because she had concerns about the students enrolled in the school... but because of Kalia's own strong request. In any case, it was Jean, a single wizard, who facilitated the convenience.

　Anyway, he's a reliable presence for Felinella and for each squad.

''--!　Kalia I beg your pardon, Count Ferrard.

　It was Kalia, who was most surprised by Felinella's response, which was hijacked by civility. Her jade-green hair danced softly in surprise, and then she smiled as if to mock herself.

　Nevertheless, if the place was the place, Felinella's response was correct.
　Kalia had assumed the position of head of the Ferrard family upon graduation. He was the head of the family who had been given a formal title.

　Of course, as a rookie serving in the military, the implications of this are strong for me as a foil. It's also true that having a title and not having a title makes a difference in how one is treated.
　Knowing this, Kalia smiled to herself with a self-mocking smile. It's just that I was made to take over the reigns of the family against my will.

Although we are a noble family, to be more precise, we are of a family that was only ordered to be the martial arts instructor for the royal family in ancient times. To put it simply, we're a kind of 【Master Teacher】.

　It was many generations ago. Furthermore, its roots are not even in the continent of Arzecil, where these seven nations gather. Nowadays, it is only written down in a few dusty books.
　Perhaps only solid bloodlines and the schools that are still being handed down today are enough to prove it.

'That's why I'm indebted to the unit that treats me as a newbie. Could you please not be too careful, Mr. Felinella?
'I understand. If you say so, Kalia-san....