“…I think it is about time…” (Yuki)
“Illuna, I think it is time for you to go to school.” (Yuki)
This was a world where the lifespan of people differed from that of my previous life.
Therefore, even when it came to school, it was not uncommon for students of the same grade to be of vastly different ages.
I have heard that elves were sometimes technically up to 50 years older than their human peers, but were still grouped in the same grade or age bracket.
So, whenever I thought about the need to bring Illuna and the other little girls into the world someday, I always thought, “Well, that’s still a long way off,” but… I guess that time has come already.
If she was still a little girl, we could keep her safe and let her learn only inside the house. After all, this world was a dangerous place.
But since she had grown enough to be a young girl, then as her guardian, it was time to show her the way ahead.
This was also for Illuna’s… no, for my absolute duty to fulfill as her guardian in place of her dead parents.
“! SCHOOL!!! The one we talked about before, in Layla’s village?” (Illuna)
“Yes, it’s located in the village of the Sheep Horn Clan. I have not made a dungeon path to that place yet, but I already have a dungeon path that extends all the way to the Demon Realm’s Royal Capital, so I’m sure I’ll be able to connect to that place in the near future. So I’ll make sure you can come back here every day.” (Yuki)
“But Layla Onee-chan said they have a dormitory there, right?” (Illuna)
“Oh, right. There is an option for you to live in a dormitory. But I’d like to make it possible for you to commute from home. And then I or one of the other adults in our group will pick you up at any time, no matter what.” (Yuki)
“You’re such a worrywart, Onii-chan.” (Illuna)
“We’re a family. That’s the least I can do.” (Yuki)
She chuckled as I said this.
As a school for Illuna and her friends, I was thinking of the one in Sheep Horn Village.
It was one of the best equipped and best staffed educational institutions in the world. It would be the most suitable place for them to learn various things.
We had long decided on that decision after speaking with every one of the adults, especially with Layla. However, we didn’t know that we would need to act on that decision so soon.
“And…if we send Illuna to school, I’d like to send the other kids with her as well. So, I definitely need to make sure that they can come back to the dungeon right away.” (Yuki)
“Oh, I see. Shii and the Wraith Girls can’t leave the dungeon for very long, can they?” (Illuna)
If we sent Illuna to learn, I would want Shii, Enne, and the Wraith Girls to go with her.
However, Shii and the Wraith Girls were [Dungeon Monsters].
Dungeon Monsters could stay away from the dungeon for a day or two, even a week, but if they stayed away for a longer period of time, they start to weaken.
It was because the dungeon’s constant supply of power to them would be cut off.
The monsters in the dungeon would not starve to death even if they did not eat while being inside the dungeon, but this would not be the case if they went outside.
I know this from the knowledge that was implanted in me by the dungeon at the very beginning.
To be fair, I intended to set up a teleportation door near that school anyway.
If they told me that monsters in the dungeon didn’t need education, I would say that they were wrong, and if they said that this was all about my ego, then they would be right.
But Shii and the others were good children.
I was sure that the girls would have fun every day even if they had to go outside the dungeon. Even Shii, who hated studying, would have a good time at school.
We already knew that even the slimes and wraiths, races that could only be described as monsters, would be happily accepted in the village of the Sheep Horn Clan, or rather, they would be accepted in that village because of the curiosity of that village’s people.
The problem, then, was – Enne.
She probably wouldn’t want to go to school, claiming that she didn’t need it because her race was a [Magic Sword].
If she went to school, there would be very few chances for her to follow me from place to place.
And she took pride in the fact that she was my [Sword].
A sword could demonstrate its true nature only when there was someone who could wield it.
She would like to do what she was supposed to do. That was to protect her users in battle.
That was why she didn’t want to leave me. To be fair, I couldn’t fight at my full power without using her.
I had made many weapons, but my main weapon remained only Enne.
But I think this would be a good opportunity for her.
Enne was certainly a sword.
But now she had a will and a body.
So, she already belonged to the [Humanoid Races]. She was no longer just a sword. She was a living being.
Since that was the case, I wanted her to learn about human society at least once.
“…I wonder how I can convince Enne.” (Yuki)
With my words, Illuna must have realized what was bothering me.
“If Enne gets angry, I’ll convince her with you.” (Illuna)
“Illuna, as far as I’m concerned, I’d like you to intercede before she gets angry.” (Yuki)
“Well, Enne is pretty stubborn, so she’s going to get angry either way… Anyway, good luck, Onii-chan! Fight!” (Illuna)
“…well, I’ll do my best.” (Yuki)
I chuckled as Illuna raised both hands in support.
Your growth makes me…happy to the point of tears.