Seven Days Of Flames

Surrounded by many companions, I was shining.

“To think I’d level up at a time like this…!”

And the newly added job was “Dowsing Master”…!

The Dowsing Master is a type of magic class, but it cannot use flashy spells.

It can use only one spell: “Dowsing.”

“Dowsing” is a magic that draws the power of ley lines into the body through the soles of the feet and searches for something somewhere underground.

By watching the movement of a rod or pendulum held in the hand, one can learn the direction of water sources or mineral veins.

Its activity looks terribly plain, but do not underestimate it.

Among the legendary treasures discovered in the past, some are said to have been impossible to find without the power of a Dowsing Master.

In any case, for me right now, it was the perfect job.

There was no longer any need to think about it.

“Alright, let’s try dowsing right away!

If I remember correctly, a Habashiri branch is suitable for wooden dowsing.

And to search for water sources, a dead branch works better.”

Fortunately I was in a forest, so branches were plentiful.

I picked up a dry branch lying beneath a Habashiri tree.

I placed the branch on my palm and held it fixed in front of my chest with my elbows tucked in.

This was the dowsing posture.

I closed my eyes and quietly muttered.

“Spirits of the earth… guide me to where water lies…”

When I opened my eyes sharply, the skill “Wood Dowsing” activated.

The branch resting on my palm began to sway like a compass needle.

“If I walk in the direction the tip of this branch points… alright, everyone, let’s go.”

I started walking, leading many animals behind me.

It was the beginning of a long, long journey.

Seven Days of Flames, Day 2.

No water found.

I wandered through the vast forest and camped under the canopy.

For some reason, the forest plants seemed less lively.

Seven Days of Flames, Day 3.

No water found.

We endured hunger and thirst with dew, plants, and fruit moisture.

That said, I had not taken a single drop of water myself.

Everything I found went to the animals.

Seven Days of Flames, Day 4.

No water found.

Headaches and fatigue struck me.

Prepared for a longer ordeal, I redistributed my stats.

Abilities necessary to live, and the will not to break.

Senses to miss no clue.

“And… Luck…”

Since becoming a Jack-of-All-Trades, for the first time I tried assigning points to Luck.

But I realized Luck would not accept points no matter what I did.

“Why…?”

Even things I could normally brush off made me anxious because of the thirst.

I almost shouted, but gave up on Luck.

Thanks to that, my mood and condition recovered completely.

Seven Days of Flames, Day 5.

No water found.

Thinking it might strengthen dowsing, I removed my shoes and went barefoot.

I discovered several filled-in ponds.

I snapped the “Too bad” signs with my knee.

Without water, the forest plants were visibly wilting.

Seven Days of Flames, Day 6.

No water found.

Miraculously, I had continued for nearly a week without water.

A normal human would have long since collapsed.

My mind and body were fine, but my appearance was hopeless.

My clothes were black with dust.

My hair was disheveled, my skin dull.

But I believed my eyes still had not lost their light… and kept walking.

Seven Days of Flames, Day 7.

In the central plaza of the still-sealed residential district, all students were gathered.

On a special stage stood a giant aurora-like crystal panel.

Above it hung a huge sign.

“Let’s all watch the trash get expelled! Tragic! The fate of one who defied the principal and vice principal!”

In the special seat on stage, Nekodran lounged arrogantly like a principal.

Yesman happily ran all around the stage.

“Now then, today is finally the last day of the emergency declaration! We shall celebrate the joy in event form! And we shall all witness the trash’s end!”

The crystal panel flashed, showing Leopin covered in dust.

Holding a thin branch in one hand and using a thick branch as a cane, he staggered forward.

Though the surroundings were lush forest, he looked like he wandered a desert.

Some female students screamed as if their hearts had stopped.

They tried to run from the assembly but were blocked by guards and attendants.

However, only a few girls showed resistance — most students were excited.

“Whoa! The trash looks like a refugee!”

“This is it! This is what I wanted to see!”

“Exactly! A dropout from the Special Training Class exists to look miserable and entertain us!”

Nekodran and Yesman looked satisfied at the reaction.

“That trash is too stupid to know where water is! At this rate he’ll die! Ahhh, how pitiful! He’ll die without finding anything!”

Suddenly, Leopin on the crystal panel began running as if propelled.

Yesman pointed and burst into laughter.

“Muhahahaha! He’s finally lost his mind! There’s no water around there! I had every last one filled in by contractors! The only one left is the one I carefully hid… W-wh-what！？！？”

My dowsing rod reacted more strongly than ever, so I ran without looking aside.

I pushed through tangled thorn bushes, removed rocks from a collapsed cliff, and entered the hole beyond.

It was a small cave about the size of a room, with light shining from a broken ceiling.

On a pedestal illuminated like a spotlight, I gasped at what sat there.

“A… treasure chest…!?”

Perhaps because my sensory stats were raised, I felt like I heard a voice.

“Wh-why did you find it!? Without hints you should never have found it! D-don’t open that! Something terrible will happen! That wasn’t hidden to give to trash like youuuuuuuuu!!”