Chapter 9

During summer vacation, the ratio of students at the training facilities naturally increased—and most of them were aspiring Explorers.

At this time of year, the influx of such customers caused the facilities to become crowded, making it hard to secure a court. This inevitably led to frustrated visitors… but the facility had a strategy prepared to turn that situation to their advantage.

That strategy was the daily tournaments. By hosting them, the facility could justify limiting normal usage, while the “tournament” label raised the psychological barrier to entry and reduced the number of applicants. At the same time, offering match spectating as a form of entertainment allowed them to profit beyond regular usage fees.

Riding that trend, students aiming to become Explorers, including those from the elite institution Meiou Exploration Academy, visited the facility intending to acquire their Explorer licenses.

“Hey, I heard the student council president is entering today’s tournament.”

“What? Really!? I thought we could only observe in the morning, but I get to see the president fight!?”

“We who still haven’t gotten our licenses can’t take many lectures or practical classes. I really want to pass the license exam this term… Not being able to train freely is rough, but getting to watch a strong fighter in action is great.”

Many students from the school Akira planned to enroll in—Meiou Exploration Academy—visited the facility during summer vacation for self-training and observation.

Most students at the academy obtain their Explorer licenses while enrolled, and there are lectures that involve practical dungeon exercises. Because of that, many came to train during the break.

Among them, three students had heard the rumor: the academy’s student council president would be participating in today’s tournament.

Naturally, they rushed to check the tournament bracket to see her match. But—

“…Huh? First-round loss…?”

“No way! Was her opponent a current Explorer or something!?”

“No, the president has a license, so she is a current Explorer. Someone who could beat the president… Did she run into one of her senior clan members…?”

Confused voices rose.

And no wonder—the opponent Akira defeated in round one was not only beautiful, but also:

• Student Council President of Meiou Exploration Academy
• A licensed Explorer
• Already scouted by a major Explorer clan while still in school

She had both recognition and proven ability.

And she lost within seconds of her first match.

Unaware that such an upset had occurred, the students continued searching around in confusion, trying to catch sight of their president.

“Ah, the prize is facility-use vouchers! That’s honestly super helpful! I’ll definitely be using the place again tomorrow!”

“Y-Yes… Congratulations on your victory, Akira.”

I won the tournament without issue.

My first-round opponent was the only one who felt remotely strong—everyone else truly felt like simple “targets.”

Most likely, my Agility stat was far beyond what their eyes could track.

But at least I managed to make an impression. This might become my daily routine for a while.

Go every day, win every time, gradually refine my barehanded combat skills, and build experience fighting people.

My goals are things like:

• sensing the intent behind an attack
• reading someone’s breathing
• perceiving the moment their will to act emerges

Abilities that represent the “pinnacle” no matter what weapon I eventually pick up.

“Alright… I’ll head home early and prepare the guest room for sis.”

Even if we sleep together sometimes, she’ll need her own private space—for changing clothes, resting, everything.

Just as I was leaving the venue in a hurry after the tournament ended, I felt—like someone called out to stop me.

But when I turned around—

“Huh? Guess it was just my imagination.”

There were only groups of students behind me, and no one who seemed like they were calling for me.

Probably someone calling out to a friend. With that thought, I left the facility.

Still… what a pleasant surprise. The prize being multi-use tickets for the facility.

Using a court for a day costs 1500 yen. During tournaments, I only pay the entry fee, but… I wonder if I can use these vouchers to cover that cost. I’ll ask tomorrow.

Returning home, my mood dipped slightly at the emptiness of the house.

Even though I knew she wouldn’t be there, I found myself expecting the older sister to be waiting for me again.

She probably wouldn’t return until the evening. I should set up her room now.

…Maybe I should actually switch the single bed for a double. Two adults sharing a single is a bit tight. Also, being hugged to sleep is not good for my mental stability.

I cleaned the room, carried in the unused bed, and set up fresh sheets and bedding.

Assuming she’d want her own PC again, I prepared a desk and chair too.

I wanted to buy her a computer, but currently I’m a financial weakling.

…Isn’t there a prize-money tournament somewhere?

“Training, building my reputation, and earning cash on the side… Something like that must exist somewhere!”

A quick search on my phone showed that in Shinjuku—away from the dungeon zone—some training facilities were hosting events with prize money.

It’s said that the users of the Ginza Relay District facilities—unlike those who clearly want to become “Explorers”—tend to be people who use it half as recreation, almost like a type of martial arts.
Because of that, there might be some “hidden masters among the common folk” mixed in.

It seems to be a facility that thrives in terms of entertainment value, and if prize money is offered, maybe I should try entering too.
This will be my first time using it, so I’m actually a little excited to see what kind of people show up.

“First-place prize is 100,000 yen… For a small-scale tournament, that’s more than enough. Tomorrow and then another one in ten days, huh?”

Maybe because prize money is involved, the event isn’t held daily. If I win both tomorrow’s and the one ten days from now, that’d be 200,000 yen total… quite a lot.

If I told my sister, she’d probably say something like, “I’ll enter too,” but this tournament seems to be for people without an Explorer License. That’s a relief.

And so, while casually preparing dinner, I wait for my sister to come home.

During my free time, I read through the textbooks and reference books thoroughly. I feel like I hammered all of it into my head. So this is the effect of [10x Experience Gain]… huh.

“I’m hooome! Your sister has returned—where’s my welcome-back hug, hmm?”

“Yeah yeah, welcome back, Onee-san. You didn’t get hurt, right?”

“Mhm, I’m back, Akira. Not a scratch on me, so relax.”

She returns home just as the neighborhood’s evening broadcast plays.
Just like she said, she doesn’t seem injured, her complexion looks fine, and smiling happily, she pats her pouch before pulling things out of it.

“I bought tons of prepared dishes and snacks~! A lot of magic stones dropped today. As expected of a dungeon during the summer season.”

“Oh right, this time of year monsters drop items more easily, don’t they?”

“That’s right. That’s why a lot of Explorers only work during summer vacation. The lower floors were super crowded today. But your sister—she looks down on those Explorers who never intend to dive deep from the start~”

“…You’re not saying that out loud, right? You tend to start trouble.”

“It’s fine! Outside, your sister puts on the act of a cool, beautiful maid. Perfectly!”

“Are you sure about that…?”

“Absolutely! I bet the forums are already buzzing about a mysterious beautiful maid.”

…She says that, but I’ll take it with a grain of salt.

Anyway, thanks to her good haul, she bought out a mountain of Ginza department store deli food, and we ended up with a slightly fancy dinner.

“Akira, your sister really likes this black vinegar sweet-and-sour pork! The pineapple is so good!”

“Ah, onee-san, you’re my enemy now. I’m anti-pineapple.”

“What did you SAY—?!”

A cheerful, lively night goes by.

Someday, once I can earn some money too, I want to treat her to something delicious.
…Energy drinks might be good enough though.

“Onee-san, tomorrow I’m entering a league tournament with prize money. What about you? It’s in Shinjuku.”

“Oh? Prize money? Then your sister will enter—”

“They don’t allow licensed Explorers.”

“Grrr… Then your sister will go as support and cheer for you.”

Now then… I wonder if any hidden masters of the ordinary world will be mixed in there.