Not a Villainess but a Maid

#024 Exciting Labyrinth Exploration (1)

At the ‘Magic Academy’, the academy I went to with the young lady, practical classes were held on rare occasions.

Students who have excellent grades and are in a high grade will actually go to remote areas where monsters live for training, but we are newbies who have not even seen monsters yet.

Considering that level, the place selected as the first practice location for first-year students was the ‘Fake Labyrinth’ located in the basement of the academy.

It is a place modeled after a place called a labyrinth or, in other words, a dungeon. Of course, since it was fake, the trap was sloppy and there were no monsters at all.

After participating in a large-scale practical training with other students, I stood in front of the door of a huge underground labyrinth.

‘Was it this big?’

When I looked at it in-game, it gave me the impression that it was a tutorial-like practice area, but now that I looked at it, it was clear that it had been created by a considerable dungeon pervert.

Fake skulls and scary decorations stuck on the walls here and there added to the eerieness.

“The atmosphere is a bit scary, lady.”

“···I kind of like it.”

“Yes?”

As I was standing next to Ruby chatting at the entrance to the labyrinth, a familiar voice rang out from the front row.

“Take a number, you idiots!”

‘This voice…’

A fierce voice that boasts a volume that will make your ears ring.

There was only one person I knew who had this level of strength.

“Hello, Chairman Citrine.”

As I approached her and greeted her, Citrine stopped handing out her number and looked back at me.

“What, commoner, were you there too?”

“Yes. Chairman, what are you doing here?”

Citrine, a second-year student, would not be participating in her practicum, and I was curious as to why she was here.

“I started working as a practical assistant at the student council. I’m so busy. By the way, take this while you’re here.”

‘Number ticket?’

She handed me a number ticket with number 44 written on it, and I made a subtle expression when I took it.

‘The number is so ominous…’

As 4 stood there feeling anxious about having entered twice, Ruby approached from behind, showing curiosity.

“Amber, what is that?”

“It’s a number ticket.”

Citrine asked, looking at the Ruby girl who came next to me.

“What is that black-haired woman?”

“I forgot to introduce myself to the chairman. This is Ruby. “She is the lady I take as my master.”

“···.”

Ruby and Citrine looked at each other warily, then remained silent.

The difference in height between the two was so great that I felt like Ruby was more of a senior.

After completing her search, Ruby first introduced herself to Citrine.

“Nice to meet you. This is Ruby Sarka of the Sarka family. “

“Oh, the head of the Free Activities Department? “It’s okay to say hello, take this too.”

Citrine handed Ruby a number ticket with number 45 written on it.

“We will enter the labyrinth in groups of five, so you two will enter together.”

“Really? Thank god···.”

I was fortunate to go in with the talented Ruby.

If I had entered alone, what dangers would I have encountered in the labyrinth?

As we took turns looking at each other’s number cards, I looked around with a question in my mind.

“By the way, where are the other three?”

While we were confused, we saw three women coming from the other side waving their hands.

I immediately recognized their faces and greeted them.

Dia, Amethyst, and Coral walked with number cards in their hands.

“You three, were you together?”

Dia answered my question by nodding her head.

“It just so happened that the order overlapped. “It all came together like this.”

Amethyst, who was standing next to her, agreed and said.

“So. There are all these coincidences. How many times did you receive Amber’s?”

“It’s number 44 or 45.”

Then Coral, who had been quiet, spoke to me with a slightly surprised look.

“Oh, Amber’s in the same zone as us?”

“Really?”

“Yes. “The three of us received numbers 41 through 43.”

It was as if the five members of the Freedom Activities Department were grouped together.

“···.”

Ruby scanned them all the way, then fixed her gaze on Amethyst and muttered.

“···Something bothersome has happened again.”

Amethyst must have heard that and came closer to Ruby and asked.

“Ruby, I think I just heard a strange noise?”

“No, I said there was something stuck to my clothes… “Why are you doing that?”

“···.”

When the two people were in a strange mood, Citrine’s voice was heard from ahead.

“First graders. “Get ready because it’s your turn soon.”

“”Yes.””

The exploration of the labyrinth was about to begin.

Chairman Citrine looked at us and gave us a warning with a slightly more serious expression than usual.

“Even if it is fake, it doesn’t mean there are no risks. “Be careful not to get hurt by tripping over a trap or hitting a wall.”

“You said the criteria for passing was finding a relic, right?”

“That’s right. However, even if you find the hidden relic, please know that you will be disqualified if you exceed the time limit or do not return with all five people.”

As we waited for a moment, the large door of the labyrinth opened and the students who participated came out and said.

“···Tsk, there’s a lot of dirt on your clothes.”

“I also hate labyrinths, Clara.”

This group is made up of the evil Clara and her followers, and they seem to have entered the labyrinth just as the girl was receiving her number.

After collecting the number tickets from the girls, Citrine looked at her watch and spoke bluntly.

“It took 29 minutes. “You passed with pull-ups.”

Clara looked around at the cages waiting for her, and then she spoke to her colleagues.

“···Thank you all for your hard work. “I was going to pass anyway.”

Clara, who came this way as if it was obvious that they passed, asked as she passed me.

“Are you next?”

“Ah, yes…”

“···Well, it won’t be too difficult. Cheer up.”

“···?”

Clara would normally say provocative and unpleasant lines, but today she limited herself to giving ordinary cheers.

‘Did I eat something wrong?’

As I stood there feeling somewhat uncomfortable with her attitude, Ruby looked at my face and asked.

“What’s wrong, Amber?”

“···It’s nothing.”

I guess I’ve been thinking about useless things these days because I’ve been tired.

“Then, shall we go in?”

I walked with them inside the large open door of the labyrinth.

***

The practice started as if we were on a picnic in a noisy atmosphere, but as we got deeper inside, everyone became noticeably quieter.

Coral, who was looking around with worried eyes, spoke to us.

“···It’s a big deal. “If you go further forward, you won’t be able to see anything anymore.”

I was feeling that way too.

The torches, which were installed in quite a few places at the beginning of the labyrinth, were noticeably decreasing as you went inward.

As I was thinking about how to solve the vision problem, I looked at Ruby and asked.

“Miss, wouldn’t it be okay to use fire magic?”

Amethyst agreed with what I said.

“That’s right. “Ruby was a user of fire magic.”

Ruby thought for a moment, then nodded and she answered.

“···I understand. I’ll give it a try. “Everyone, step back.”

We all stepped back at her words, and Ruby came forward alone and raised her hand.

As Ruby chanted softly, a small flame rose up on her hand.

-Hwareuk.

I, who was watching from behind, got angry and approached Ruby and said.

“It’s a success, lady…! Cool!”

Ruby responded to my words with a slight blush on her face.

“Yes, thank you…”

– Grumbling.

However, as soon as my praise ended, Ruby’s flames grew in size to the point that they engulfed an entire room.

The fire that had softly illuminated the labyrinth now burned fiercely, threatening to completely burn the place down.

“Ruby, it’s so hot…!”

“I’m going to burn to death if I keep going like this!”

When everyone screamed as they died due to the extreme temperature reminiscent of hell, Ruby, who only then realized what was going on, hurriedly put away the flames.

“···Sorry. “It’s still a bit difficult to control.”

“Oh, no. Miss···.”

If it had been 3 more seconds, my flesh would have been cooked.

When we were each taking a break to cool off, Dia asked me.

“That’s right, didn’t Amber use electric magic?”

“Yes. “It was like that.”

“Then, why don’t you try using the magic that produces light?”

“···!”

Why didn’t I think of that?

I was so bad at magic that I even forgot that I could use magic.

‘It’s been a while since I used it, a special move.’

The name of the technology I gave was ‘solar sphere.’ Because it clearly illuminates the area around the body.

It was just a trick that didn’t even have an official name in the book, but I was confident about it.

I stood up, clenched my fists and unleashed my power.

“···Yap!”

Then, light emanated from around my body, brightening the surroundings.

-Hwaak.

Amethyst and Coral saw me and clapped and praised me.

“Amber, you’re amazing…!”

“You had that kind of skill!”

I somehow gained momentum and spoke with a bright face.

“I will take the lead from now on. “It goes away quickly.”

I took a brisk step forward.

-Pot.

“···Huh?”

As soon as I moved my feet a little, all the light coming from my body disappeared.

‘That’s strange. ‘Why are you doing this?’

When I used the technique again and took a step, the light disappeared again along with a popping sound.

“···.”

I looked back at them with an embarrassed expression and said.

“It seems like this thing breaks if I move it…”

It was a time when I was depressed because it seemed like the method I had finally found had failed again.

Amethyst walked towards me, put her hand on my shoulder and said.

“Amber, I have a great idea!”

“Yes…?”

She grinned at me.

“I’ll give you a piggyback ride.”

***

I wanted to die because I was so embarrassed.

He is riding on Amethyst’s back, which shakes at regular intervals, and light is emitting from her body.

“···Isn’t it heavy, Ame?”

“It’s okay. “Because amber is light.”

I’m so embarrassed about this situation right now, but I had to be conscious of it to realize that it was my loss.

Amethyst’s silver hair tickled her cheek, and because she didn’t dislike the feeling, she just laid on her back.

Because our bodies were so close to each other, my head was filled with unnecessary worries about whether I might smell like sweat.

“Amber, it’s not uncomfortable, right?”

“Yes. “It’s just right.”

Actually, it was very comfortable. Would you say that not only your body but also a corner of your mind feels at ease?

I am a little concerned about Amethyst’s hand gently brushing against my bare leg.

As he was walking for a while, Ruby and Coral blocked Amethyst’s path.

Amethyst, who suddenly blocked her path, asked them.

“What is it, you guys?”

Ruby, who was blocking her path, looked like she didn’t like something about her and spoke.

“···When I think about it, I think it’s too much to only let Amethyst carry me on my back.”

Coral, who was standing next to him, also wiggled her hands and said.

“If you’re having a hard time, I’ll give you a shift at any time…?”

Amethyst, who was looking around at them, raised one corner of his mouth and spoke.

“Thank you for your thoughts. But it’s okay. “If it’s really hard, I’ll tell you.”

“···.”

When Amethyst showed stubborn will, they eventually gave up and turned around.

Ruby and Coral slowly got out of the way, but somehow they looked a little lingering.

While we were walking for a while, Coral, who was walking ahead of her, looked back at us and said.

“Everyone stop for a moment. “The floor in front of here is suspicious.”

“Trap…?”

With those words, Ruby picked up a nearby stone and threw it, and the bottom of her left side, where it hit the stone, opened wide and dragged it to the floor.

‘It’s real, right?’

I asked Coral while riding on Amethyst’s back.

“Amazing! “How did you know, Coral?”

Then, Coral smiled shyly and answered.

“···The ghost friend who followed me told me. “There are a lot of ghosts here.”

“Well, I see…”

When I heard that, I felt an eerie feeling.

We got through the labyrinth without much difficulty.

There were crude monster models made out of wooden boards that popped out, and puzzles that couldn’t be passed without solving them, but thanks to their abilities, we passed without any problems.

After some time had passed since I entered the labyrinth, I saw a shiny treasure chest in the distance.

“Look over there! “It’s a treasure chest!”

Only that room was noticeably bright and decorated with suspiciously colorful decorations.

“Can you please drop me off now, Ame?”

“Huh? Huh.”

When I got off Amethyst’s back and was about to approach the box, Ruby stopped me.

“Amber. Wait, isn’t that too suspicious?”

“Yes?”

“The ultimate goal, a relic, is revealed too blatantly. “As if you have no intention of hiding anything.”

“···After hearing it, it really is like that.”

The box of relics, which could be seen as the goal of the exercise, was clearly exposed.

When everyone was hesitant and unable to approach, thinking it was a trap, Coral shook her head and said.

“It’s okay. “My ghost friend says that it must be a relic box.”

“Really? Then there will be no hesitation.”

It’s very convenient. What is a ghost?

We all stood in front of the treasure chest.

The treasure chest containing the relics was shining with colorful jewels embedded in it.

Dia, who was watching it silently, turned to me and said.

“How about we give Amber a chance to open the box?”

“Huh? Me?”

“Yes. “Amber is the biggest contributor to helping me get to this point.”

To be considered a first-class contributor, the only thing I could do was to shine and be carried on my back for 10 minutes.

Everyone else seemed to agree with what she said, and I nodded at her with an embarrassed expression and came forward.

“···Then, shall I open it?”

I opened the box with a cautious expression and came across a shining golden bird statue inside.

‘Wow, that looks expensive.’

I slowly placed my hand on the statue, afraid that it might break if I touched it by mistake.

-Wow.

At that moment, the statue vibrated loudly and the surroundings began to appear blurry.

“···?”

When I looked back while holding the statue in my hand, I saw that they were also looking at me in confusion.

Ruby, who was watching me right next to me, tilted her head and asked.

“Amber…? What’s the matter?”

I had a strange feeling as if my body was flying somewhere, and a sensation as if everything around me was spinning.

‘What is this…?’

A strange sensation of gravity dissipating, as if trapped under pouring water.

In an instant, when they all became blurred and I couldn’t see them, someone placed a hand on my shoulder.

“Amber, let go of that!”

It was blurry, but when I realized that the person who touched my body was Diamond,

-Paat.

It was after the surroundings became completely dark.

***

“···?”

I looked around in confusion while holding the statue in my hand.

“Miss? “Amethyst?”

Until just now, I couldn’t see the girls who were in front of me.

“Coral? Diamond? Anybody there?”

I tilted my head at the strange phenomenon and used magic to illuminate the surroundings.

“···!”

What unfolds before your eyes is a stone wall with strange patterns engraved on it.

There were a lot of vines growing, and what appeared to be human bones were scattered around.

‘···No way…’

The strange smell of rotting flesh and thick dirt wafting from before.

Even strange cries of insects or beasts coming from somewhere.

If the information I know is correct, this was a real underground labyrinth.

‘How on earth…? Rather than that, why were you sent to a place like this…?’

It was a time when I was so confused that my head hurt.

Rustly, rustling.

Somewhere along with the sound of heavy breathing, what sounded like footsteps began to be heard.

‘···Monster?’

I never thought I would be shipwrecked alone in a place like this and encounter something like a monster.

I hid behind the structure, covering my mouth tightly to prevent any sound.

If I were to fight a monster with this ability right now, it would end up being a nice meal.

“···.”

I hid for a while and waited, and before I knew it, I could no longer hear the sound.

‘Thank God, I think I’m gone now…’

“Amber?”

“aaagh…!”

When something placed a hand on my shoulder, I was so startled that I fell asleep on the spot.

“Don’t eat it, it tastes bad!”

“Amber, it’s me. Diamond!”

It was hard to see because it was dark, but this voice was somehow familiar.

“···Dia?”

The identity of the person who placed his hand on my shoulder was Diamond Osteon.

For some reason, Dia was in the same space as me.

“I’ve been looking for it for a while. Thank god···!”

She was relieved and hugged me tightly.

—-( + )

Flashlight Amber