After returning all the books to their shelves, I headed back to the strategy room.
"Um, hey—Orun-kun? Can I ask you something real quick?"
Lucre approached hesitantly.
Her acting this shy was unusual.
Was the question *that* hard to ask?
"What's up?"
"So, um... that spell you used earlier to float the books—could you teach it to me...?"
She asked timidly, shrinking in on herself.
Original spells are usually kept secret.
Once the formula is known, anyone can use it.
Nobody wants to see something they poured their heart into mastering get casually replicated by others.
That's why, when originals *are* shared publicly, they're usually sealed inside magic tools and sold as enchanted items with the same effect.
Sealing them allows for more complex formulas—lots of dummy patterns to hide the real one.
Even experts struggle to reverse-engineer them.
I know magic deeply enough to develop originals myself, yet I couldn't crack most commercial tool formulas.
As far as I know, only one person in the world can.
That's probably why Lucre was so hesitant.
Still—I'd always planned to share this one eventually.
"Sure, no problem."
"I knew it—probably a no... Wait, really?!"
"Yeah. I stumbled on this one by accident while developing something else. It's way more useful for daily life than labyrinth diving, so I was going to release it eventually. Just haven't had time."
"Then—could I learn it too?"
Rain-san looked interested as well.
"Of course."
◇
I wrote out the formula on paper and handed copies to both of them.
They studied it briefly, then cast the spell.
Chairs, files, chalk—everything around us floated gently.
(First try, huh? Impressive. That's a pretty complex formula.)
"Wow! This is so convenient~!"
"Whoa—things are floating. New spell development?"
As Lucre cheered, Will walked in.
He took one look at the floating objects and instantly pegged it as magic.
"Morning, Will. You figured out it was magic right away? Didn't think 'ghost'?"
Rain-san teased him.
"Huh? Ghost? In the labyrinth, maybe—but not here. Wait—did *you* think it was a ghost, Rain? Haha! No wonder people call you childish!"
Will laughed while poking fun at her.
—!
A wave of chilling killing intent rolled off Rain-san.
She kept smiling.
"Will... sorry, I didn't quite catch that. Could you repeat it?"
Will broke into a cold sweat.
"N-No, nothing. Forget it."
"Oh?"
"Y-Yeah! It wasn't important!"
He relaxed when she didn't press further.
"Next time you say it, I'll make you cry."
Her voice dropped ice-cold.
"Yes ma'am—sorry!"
Will trembled as he apologized.
"Rain-san's scary..."
Lucre whispered so only I could hear.
I nodded vigorously in agreement.
◇
At exactly nine, Selma-san entered.
"Morning."
"Morning, Selma. Right on time as always."
Rain-san's terrifying aura had vanished—she was back to her usual gentle big-sister mode.
"Sorry—had to stop by Exploration Management. Anyway—today's plan. They requested Noxious Sheep wool due to shortages. So we'll head to the 86th floor: confirm coordination while hunting Noxious Sheep."
Noxious Sheep are massive—two meters long.
Their wool is incredibly tough and elastic, offering high defense.
They exhale reddish-black breath that causes paralysis if inhaled.
A real pain to deal with.
But that same wool makes excellent protective gear.
Demand stays high.
"Any questions so far?"
"Can I ask one?"
I raised my hand.
"Go ahead."
"The 86th floor isn't great for frontline attackers. Should I switch to rear-line support?"
"No—you'll participate as frontline attacker. Going forward, default to that role. If another position seems optimal in the moment, feel free to switch—but principle is frontline."
Got it.
Main role: frontline attacker, but flexible.
That's appreciated.
"Besides the wool request, there's another reason for the 86th: if our coordination with you doesn't click right away—and I hate to think it—we can still manage. The rest of us know each other's habits perfectly, so the rear line can cover."
Makes sense.
If I flounder, a floor where the rear line can carry increases our survival odds.
"Understood."
"Nothing else? ...Then let's go over basic coordination."
Pretty much what I expected.
First—support magic.
I could self-buff freely without relying on Selma-san's.
Made sense—my stacking gave better efficiency anyway.
Selma-san would focus on buffing the others.
Even just one less person to manage would lighten her load significantly.
Next—offense.
Main DPS: me and Rain-san.
Lucre: prioritize keeping recovery mana in reserve; join attacks only when safe.
Will: full hate control. Damage secondary.
Selma-san: maintain buffs while commanding.
We fine-tuned smaller details too.
"That covers the basics. Anything else to discuss? ...Looks like no. Then—let's head to the Great Labyrinth!"
"""Yeah!!"""
The other three responded enthusiastically to Selma-san's call.
They did this a lot during the guided expedition too.
Probably a *Silver Rabbit* tradition.
I wanted in on it next time...
We stood and left the strategy room for the Great Labyrinth.
◇
The closer we got, the more explorers we passed.
And the more eyes turned to me.
"Mr. Famous~"
Lucre teased.
The stares weren't exactly comfortable.
Whispers followed.
—That's the Dragon Slayer?
—Heard he's freelance now.
—But that coat's *Silver Rabbit*, right?
—So he joined them?!
—This could mean *Silver Rabbit*'s back on the front lines soon!
—The Hero Party better watch out!
I ignored the voices and focused inward.
I'd switched from swordsman to enchanter at the 62nd floor—lower-layer entrance.
Since then, I'd explored exclusively as an enchanter.
I knew monster patterns and traits well.
But as a swordsman? This was my first time in the lower-layer depths.
Nervous—yes.
Excited—definitely.
This was the position I'd always wanted.
I wouldn't let down the clan that welcomed me.
I'd give everything.
For now—target: conquer the 93rd floor.
Catch up to the Hero Party.
We reached the crystal at the labyrinth entrance.
We pressed our guild cards to it.
And transferred to the 86th floor.