The Magical Phonograph

From Akira's perspective

"Do you know about the Dungeon Exploration Club?" Elize asked me.

"Wasn't that some school event?" I responded, as we continued exchanging questions.

"The Dungeon Exploration Club is not just a chance to climb to higher class levels; it's also an opportunity to learn a multitude of spells," Elize explained.

According to her, there's an artificial dungeon in the countryside, rumored to have been created by an ancient archmage.

It's said that the dungeon extends down to 1,024 levels underground, but no one has ever reached the bottom; it remains a legend.

The idea is for students to challenge this dungeon.

Though we are students, no one has ventured deep into it, and the farthest anyone has ever gone is the 128th floor. For first-year students in the Giraffe Class, reaching the 20th floor would already set a new record.

"At each floor's landing, there's a magical phonograph installed," she continued.

"A magical phonograph?"

"It's sort of like a source for copying the music of spells. If it's Akira, or me for that matter, we should be able to learn the spells just by listening."

"I see, so somewhere in there, on one of the floors, there’s a phonograph with a spell to restore Salieri," I realized.

"It’s on the 35th floor," she added.

"Floor 35?! Isn't that way beyond our level as Giraffe Class?"

"Don't worry. With your current abilities, and mine, we can go much deeper. You might not realize it, but you're probably at the lower Dragon Class level by now."

"Really?"

I trust Elize, but I’m not sure how serious she is.

Oh?

Now that I think about it, I have a question.

"By the way, if it’s such an easily accessible spell for someone as capable as you describe, shouldn’t someone at the school already know it? Maybe we could gather people who could help Salieri?"

But Elize shook her head.

"I thought so too, and I asked around. But nobody remembers it. Imagine? A spell that returns a soul from a machine back to its original body is very specific. Unless you're directly affected by such a situation, why would you learn it?"

"That makes sense..."

"The spells to cure poison on the 3rd floor or to appraise treasures on the 6th floor are extremely popular and useful on any adventure, so everyone competes to learn them. But niche spells, people tend to overlook."

"I see, so instead of us reaching the 35th floor, we could just ask someone else to learn it for us?"

"I’ve already asked a few of my contacts, but they told me not to get my hopes up. So, it’s best if we do it ourselves. Let's start training."

Elize reached out her hand to help me up.

Her fingers were cold and slender as I grasped them.

At that moment, I truly felt I was holding a girl's hand.

Oops.

Why am I feeling so nervous?