Chapter 24: Grown

“You heard that. We are going into the cave.”

I spoke loudly.

Heh. Great. Let’s see who else wants to follow us now.

Just as expected, I saw people shift uncomfortably on their weight.

And now, the catalyst.

“Alright. Let’s head off to the cave~”

I once again spoke louder than needed to emphasize that we were really going.

I took unnecessarily large and loud strides and soon was near the entrance of the cave.

“Ah- Wait up!”

“Yeah, Asher and Amber were kind of right, I think this is the best option.”

Damn these fools, kissing Asher and Amber’s asses, not even giving any sort of acknowledgement, let alone proper apology to me…

“Don’t you think Asher would make a good leader?”

“Mhm, he’s very trustworthy.”

I tried my best to suppress the victorious grin that was threatening to emerge.

Hook, line and sinker.

Gottem.

I stopped at the entrance of the cave, taking a moment to take in what I saw.

And what did I see?

A plain cave. No wonder the others were so reluctant. 

I turned around as I heard the group approach.

With a large, bright smile on my face I egged Asher to enter first.

“Well go on, “leader”, shouldn’t you have the honor to enter first~”

Although I had heard about what was going to happen, it was only the gist of it. 

The Professors didn’t include all the specific details and only brought up topics of interest to discuss along with the general idea.

Thus, I was forcing- ah, no, encouraging my dear friend Asher to enter.

Who knows.

There might be a monster waiting around the corner.

However our people pleaser Asher here, would be safe from most monsters in this relatively low mid leveled dungeon with his strength. 

Just think of this as a favour for the whole group, I silently thought. 

With a suspicious look on his face, Asher reluctantly entered the cave.

Step. Step. Step.

Right on his tail was Amber, who seemingly sauntered in carelessly but with a serious look in her eye.

I stared at them for a bit before turning back to the others. 

Tsk. What sheep they were.

“Well then, what are we waiting for? 

Let’s enter.”

I “cheerfully” encouraged the others to enter, following behind Amber.

Couldn’t have them not fighting monsters for me after all. 

Haha.

HAHA.

HAHAHAHAHAHA-

‘What?’

‘WHAT?’

‘Why are you giving me the side eye?!?’

Kaida looked at me briefly with disgust and turned away.

This brat…

Whatever, I couldn’t let this ruin my good mood.

***

“AHHHH-”

“HELP-”

“IT’S A DUNGEON BREAKOUT!”

“RUN!”

Sh*t.

I scrambled to the exit and blocked it.

I couldn’t let all of of my effort be in vain.

All of the sleepless night I spent.

All of the hours I could’ve spent with Yeni instead.

All of the cakes I could’ve shared with Kaida.

And most importantly…

THE GRADES THAT CAME WITH IT.

I might have overestimated them, by a huge notch.

“You bastard!”

“Move!”

“I knew you were trash!”

Gerald shoved his way through the crowd, and bellowed, “Why are you guys hesitating!?”

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Ah. I almost forgot about this guy…

He was going to bash me into submission, I already knew.

I hung my head low, expecting the outcome.

SWOOSH- His fists flew through the air.

“STOP IT!” Stacy screamed, “Do you not have any shame?”

Everyone paused in midst of their outrage, turning to the girl running into the cave.

You’re late.

Stacy looked into my eyes, protestingly.

‘Why?

Aren’t you supposed to be the one that can confidently stand up to me despite my status?

And for what, you cower to someone else I wouldn’t even bat an eye to?’

That was probably along the lines of what she was thinking right now.

…right.

She wasn’t talking to the others.

She was talking to me.

She made me realise.

I may not have much strength and wealth like her, but I had a different type of influence, a power over crowds.

Not to mention my combat skills.

I could at least defend myself from the weaker lot, right?

Thinking about it, I could match Gerald anytime.

I was the one who already thought I lost.

I took a deep breath, I reanalysed the situation.

I needed to by enough time so that Asher can convince them to stay.

And for that, I needed his voice.

What would Asher do in my position?

I’m already getting second-hand embarrassment but I have no choice.

With a straight face, I spoke,

“We are the students of Xira, the future pillars of humanity.

We may not be as proficient in magic as elves, intelligent as dwarves, as strong as orcs, we might not even get to dream, let alone brush the feet of the gods engraved as constellations in the sky, but we are human.

That means we have perseverance that other races can’t have because they have not faced as many adversities we have.

They can’t imagine the helplessness that we grieve, because they have not yet experienced true hardship without the aid of their supernatural qualities.

We are the only race that has survived so far without the blessing of the gods, we are even cursed with pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth, plagued with war and disease.

Yet our ancestors didn’t stand still and give up at this injustice!

They fought back!

So what if we can’t talk to plants like elves do?

So what if we can’t build the ingenious inventions that dwarves do?

So what if we can’t beat an orc in a mere arm-wrestle?

Because it doesn’t matter, there is one thing that we have that others don’t, crazy adaptability and stubbornness.

Once again, we are the students of Xira, if you want to be the future pillars of humanity then earn it.

Gather the courage that the previous generations have, if you can’t get through a dungeon breakout, then how the hell do you expect to look into anyone’s eyes and say that you are worthy of bearing the crests on your chests right now?”

Stacy walked over to me and whispered, “That was really cringe not going to lie-”

“I already know damn it! I’m just hoping no one else thinks so.”

I whispered back, starting to panic.

I ran out of words to say, what do I do now?

Well, this cues the protagonist.

3…

2,

1-

“Everyone!”

… Author-nim, why?

Asher was huffing, tired from defending everyone from the monsters alongside with some others, buying a bit of time before the next wave of monsters.

He declared, “Listen to me! I am honoured that you are putting trust into me as the leader, I promise that if you stand your ground and fight I will fight with you!

I promise that if you stand your ground and fight, I will bring you victory!

I promise that if you stand your ground and fight, this will be a step closer to why you are standing here.

To be the future of humanity, to protect our family and friends!

Please, if you stand your ground and fight with me, I will not let you down, so believe in me this once!”

Asher’s speech seemed to be the real deal as everyone started cheering for him.

… I shed blood, sweat and tears to even mangae to utter that embarrassing speech and Asher gets the applaud.

‘Wow! Elijah! I believe in you! Gooooo Elijah~!’

‘Shut up Kaida.’

I bent down to scoop Kaida into my arms.

I smiled as I watched Asher stunned that everyone started rallying behind him.

He has grown.

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