(Part 1) Heart Pounding★Nazarick Academy

(Part 1) Heart Pounding★Nazarick Academy (【前編】ドキドキ★ナザリック学園) is a game event in Mass for the Dead that was released on August 15, 2022 to September 1, 2022. And again on July 17, 2023 to July 31, 2023. The event was continued in (Part 2) Heart Pounding★Nazarick Academy.

Background
An emergency has occurred. After receiving the news, Narberal and CZ hurried back to Nazarick. On the surface of the earth, they see a strange sight. What was spread out before their eyes was not a chalky mausoleum, but a school building and its grounds. It was a symbol of the incident called "Nazarick Academy".

Incident
One day, Ashurbanipal received an unusual visit from Shalltear Bloodfallen. At Shalltear's request, Slimeko and the protagonist brings her a stack of books that have a description of the topic she is searching for. The vampire accepts the material and thanks the redeem slime and homunculus for taking the time to assist her.

It was no trouble, though the homunculus diplomat is curious as why Shalltear asked for the specific theme of the books, as he does not see the topic come up very often. The Floor Guardian states that her interest was sparked yesterday when she was sorting out and checking the costumes Peroroncino left behind for her. Recently she had many opportunities to loan them out and wear them. Among the costumes, there was one with ambiguous origins, although she recalls vaguely the words Peroroncino said about it, but didn't know the exact meaning, hence her query at the library.

She quickly notices the time and apologizes to the librarians as she must leave in order to meet the appointed time for her Chaos Beast subjugation. The protagonist hands her a slip detailing in the necessary procedure for borrowing the books from the library and sees Shalltear off. Once she departs, the protagonist notices that Slimeko has a questioning look on her face. The slime confesses that she wanted to know the meaning of the words that Shalltear was researching, before Shalltear took the stack of books she borrowed. She thinks that the protagonist might know, but sadly he himself does not know the exact meaning and only has some guesses, causing the slime to think that the words Shalltear had overheard the Supreme Being say were very esoteric or advanced, which the homunculus believes is possible. Slimeko cannot help but get worried and utters the words of interest: "campus love comedy."

After leaving Ashurpanipal, Shall tear joins her two Vampire Brides on the Throne Room. The Floor Guardian apologizes for making her servants wait. When asked by her servants if she is ready, Shalltear states that she is and will be able to reach her goal once she is back in her quarters.

The vampire quickly switches into her armor, and orders her subordinates to concentrate of killing the Chaos Beasts that will spring from the Crack.

The session takes only a little while, until no Chaos Beasts are seen. The vampires confirm that the Crack has been sedated for now. Despite the monsters from the Crack being weak, Shalltear doesn’t like letting her guard down. Twice she has already made fatal mistakes from being unable to prevent Nazarick’s collapse as well as the incident of when she was mind controlled. Momentarily she becomes wreathed in a dark aura of anger but calms down and decides to have the Death Knights assume guard in the site so she can retire to her room.

The Vampire Brides agree, and one asks how her trip to the library went. Shalltear is about to tell them what she found about “campus romance comedy” when the Crack begins to glow again. This alarms the wardens as the next activation session  for it to spawn Chaos Beasts should be awhile. An abnormal situation, Shalltear orders the Death Knights to get out in front. The Floor Guardian has been waiting for a scenario like this and is determined to prove herself once again in Momonga’s eyes. Strangely the Crack begins blinking until it explodes and engulfs the Throne Room is a brilliant luminescence.

Almost at the same time as the incident that occurred in the Throne Room, Momonga was moving through the corridors of the ninth floor. He had just tested out the teleportation ability of his

Ring of Ainz Ooal Gown to confirm that it is not affected by the teleportation disruption when moving between floors. He mused that it must be inconvenient for the protagonist who must return to Nazarick without the means of teleportation. While walking through the corridor, admiring the work of the cleaning done by the general maids, he wonders perhaps he should increase the number of NPCs who can have access to the rings.

There is a sound of running footsteps, and someone calling out that they are late. The individual collides into Momonga, leaving both sprawled on the ground from the impact. Momonga unhurt is shocked by the blow, and his mind races to what type of scenario he is facing and thinks it may be an enemy attack or emergency situation.

The person who ran in to him manages to get up first, complaining how he should look where he is going. To his shock the person who is berating him is Albedo who acts more concerned on being late than hurting her master. To Momonga while he is relieved it wasn’t an enemy attack, Albedo’s odd behavior worries him that this might be another situation where the NPCs are under a mental spell similar to on New Year’s.

Albedo looking more closely on who she crashed into sincerely apologizes. She monologues to Momonga on how she tried to create a "casual encounter on the way to school, but a fateful encounter that will have an important meaning later in the love story.”

Momonga is speechless what what she just said. As he gets up he wonders if her behavior is being influence by some kind of literature. Lately, maybe out of concern for Shalltear, who was depressed since the incident, Albedo had been somewhat restrained in her emotions towards him at least for a while, but now recently she’s been starting to approach him again which he laments to be his fault for being indecisive. Still he has no idea as to why she is using school themes or frantic about being late, and talking about sudden conflicts leading to love. However her words make Momonga feel like he heard them from Peroroncino.

Out of concern Albedo asks if he is okay, addressing him Principal Momonga. He is fine but the title of principal perturbs him as Albedo is relieved, making a declaration of their deep respect and love for one another. There is the sound of footsteps, as someone scolds Albedo for making such a scene with the principal. Albedo greets to speaker as Miss Alpha, revealing Yuri Alpha of the Pleiades. The maid greets the two, and while she has no intention of interfering in their private lives, asks that they refrain from doing so in a public place since students pass by. The maid goes on to say that Albedo should be more mindful of her position a Vice-Principal and should not appear like that before the staff and students. Albedo complains to the woman who she addresses as a professor to be so stiff. However the other woman reminds Professor Albedo is lax and that teachers should behave like clergyman. Momonga watching the dialogue is left speechless on what is going on.

Outside the dungeon, CZ2128 Delta in her Shizuni outfit is seen walking through the grasslands. She is soon joined by Narberal Gamma who was flying above. Once the other maid lands beside her sister, she expresses surprise that CZ has been recalled back to Nazarick like herself.

The two were given an emergency order directly from Momonga. They were not given any details as to why by their master who stated it would difficult to explain the details, until after they return. Narberal asks where Lupusregina Beta is which CZ responds that she was back at the dungeon while she was in the field. Likewise Narberal was outside the dungeon with some summons. As for Solution Epsilon, the last time Narberal saw her, Solution was already back in Nazarick with the protagonist. CZ wonders why they were suddenly called back and thinks it must be an urgent mission. Narberal agrees and suggests they hurry back to Nazarick. Narberal and CZ, who joined near Nazarick, soon returned to the surface of the dungeon. However, what the two saw after passing through the wall of illusion was not a chalk mausoleum——-but a school.

The two are stunned at the scene. Narberal is in disbelief at what happened to their most holy site as they are definitely at the right location. CZ confirms that the coordinates are no mistake, but Narberal demands to know what is before them. They are answered by a voice telling them it is a school and campus grounds.

The voice belongs to Momonga who has appeared before the two maids who immediately stand at attention. The Overlord apologies for making them come back so suddenly, but is relieved that their presence proves those outside Nazarick were not affected by the current incident. Narberal asks if they incident he refers to is related as to why the Great Tomb of Nazarick has been transformers into a school campus.

Momonga confirms it to be true, comparing the situation to the incident related to "New Year". And mentions that during those incidents the pair acted differently while under the influence of mental manipulation. Even now they probably don’t remember it save from secondhand accounts.

In those incidents, Narberal recalls someone named "Shiro" appeared to help him and Solution and the others who were were unaffected by the incident's mental effects. Momonga tells her not to worry as the mental effect affected everyone within Nazarick, stating that even the 100 level Floor Guardians were unable to resist. Although he still wishes to know why he was not affected by the changes that happened to his precious dungeon then and now. However he suspects it is due to him being a player.

Anyway, he informs the maids that the impact of the incident has spread widely even to more people within Nazarick. When CZ inquires what kind of mental effect are those under it experiencing, the Overlord suggests it would be easier to see it than explain it.

An opportunity to observe the mental effect comes in the form of Yuri Alpha who approaches the trio. She demands to know what Narberal and CZ are wearing. Narberal is confused as Yuri should know that their attire is for their undercover disguises. Yuri rebukes her stating that she must call her Professor Yuri. This draws even more questions from the bewildered maids.

Getting no meaningful response from either sister, Yuri asks if they are half-asleep, citing their behavior in dressing in plain clothes is unbecoming, especially for Narberal the Chairperson of the Disciplinary Committee. Normally such behavior she expects from Albedo and wishes they be more, a little more conscious. Alas Narberal is entirely clueless at what her older sister is speaking about.

Momonga mentally notes that the fault lies not with Narberal but so far it seems that Narberal fulfills a “role” in the transformed space. Needing more information, Momonga finally speaks praising the female professor on her adherence to the dress code.

Needless to say, Yuri states that students are required to come to school in uniform. in addition——while not part of the school rules, faculty and staff members should also wear appropriate clothing, such as a "suit" like her. In that respect, she think Professor Albedo’s suit is a little too revealing and asks Momonga if she can file a complaint as the only one in their school, the who is allowed to dress freely is the “Great Principal”.

However CZ notes that Yuri's “suit” is her usual maid outfit. On this Momonga thinks that those under the mental manipulation perceive that their own equipment is in line with their “role” at the school.

Momonga promises to look into the complaint against Albedo after he addresses Narberal and CZ. He lies to Yuri stating he asked the two of them to come in casual clothes that are easy to change into today as a prototype of the new uniform he’s considering has arrived, so he wants them to try it on.

Hearing that, Yuri apologize thinking she was too fast idiom judging the two students harshly. The two Pleiades member follow along with Momonga’s lead. Yuri then allows the two to be in Momonga’s care, promising to inform the teacher in charge of the first period of the two classes of their lateness.

Only till after Yuri leaves do the three relax, with CZ the first to speak that the situation is quite anomalous. Narberal admits is very hard to understand. Momonga to his knowledge or not, things do seem to strange but the core of the incident is before them. He points to the sign at the name plate at the front gate of the school—Nazarick Academy.

In order to prepare for their next move, the three of them headed to the Treasury while sharing basic knowledge about facilities such as "academies" and "schools" as far as Momonga knew. Looking around, CZ notes that the Treasury is unchanged. It’s not alone, as basically all of Nazarick's facilities and equipment seem to have no abnormalities in appearance or function. The only thing that was abnormal in the confirmed range was the surface. Narberal worries if Momonga hints that there is a possibility that more changes will happen as the to incident progresses. That is one of her master’s concern, though thinks it to be too quick to make assumptions, as there is a possibility of there being a time limit. The maid thinks that they should take immediate action.

Momonga agrees though they need to prepare to face the current "setting" and wonders if the changes in Nazarick Academy renders magic ineffective. If it does they will need to test it out like using [Message]. They reach the inner sanctum of the Treasury, where they they find Pandora's Actor who greets Momonga as the principal. It appears he is also under the influence of the incident, now thinking that he is a mathematics professor and also the guardian of the "Physical Education Storehouse." Despite the new title to the Treasury, there are no indications that it was seriously altered in appearance of function, but for the sake of argument Momonga plays along with the mentally manipulated NPC.

Pandora's Actor provides Momonga what he has requested, which Momonga thanks and asks the professor to wait to the side as while he speaks with his students. Once the Area Guardian moves away, Momonga directs Narberal and CZ that they will now split up to gather information. Momonga plans to use his role as "principal" to gather what he can from the teachers, while the Narberal and CZ infiltrate the academy as "students" and gather information from their peers in the classroom. With the equipment he gives them, hopefully it will resolve the dress code issue with Yuri.

He asks them to be careful, as although they haven't been able to confirm any threats like elite Chaos Beast like during New Year, they should not lower their guard down. Most importantly their is a risk that behavior that does not fall in line with their "role" will be tolerated. Worse case it could trigger exclusion or hostility from others. Momonga wishes that he could give them more detailed knowledge about "school" and asks they to try to act accordingly to the surroundings as much as possible. The two maids take his words to heart and Momonga the declares that the investigation begins now.

In the corridors of the 9th Floornof Nazarick, Narberal and CZ are no wearing school girl uniforms. The items were stored away in the Treasury by the Supreme Beings, and come in several variations such as Narberal’s Discipline Committee uniform. The equipment is for the most part easy to move in and Narberal finds herself equipped with a katana for protection. She admits to having limited experience in using such a weapon, but is confident she has enough skill from her training with Cocytus.

For now CZ believes they need to concentrate on getting to their class. Through Pandora’s Actor’s directions, the two locate their classroom for “Second Year N Class.” Entering the room, they are greeted by a class composed of Solution Epsilon, Entoma Vasilissa Zeta, Lupusregina Beta, Aura Bella Fiora, Mare Bello Fiore, Slimeko and the protagonist. Aura and Mare are the first to address the two, asking as to why they finally showed up between the break time of 1st and 2nd periods. Narberal is left awkward in speaking with the Floor Guardians as she did not expect them to be the class. Lupusregina joins in the conversation asking maybe they decided to skip class, though Solutions comments that's only something she would do. Entoma suggests may they were sidetracked, CZ most likely got distracted when she went to look at the breeding shed.

Slimeko and the protagonist points to their uniforms the two Pleiades are wearing and guess that they are prototypes that the principal gave the students. Their classmates praise the items, though the addition to the katana draws a few questions, but the class ultimately trusts the principal's judgement. Aura though asks if they have uniforms for boys yet, but before Narberal and CZ can answer her, the bell rings, signaling the start of 2nc period.

The students quickly cut all chatter and take their seats. Narberal and CZ still new to the setup attempt to follow suit and look for empty desks. While heading to a desk, Narberal studies a window and wonders how it is possible to see the outside surface of Nazarick, despite being on the lower floors of the dungeon. Narberal fails to go to her assigned seat on the first try and is redirected by Lupusregina. Once everyone is seated, Aura calls everyone to attention to greet Professor Demiurge,

Demiurge after doing attendance is glad there are no absentees and comments on Narberal and CZ roles entrusted to them by the principal. The two thank the demon, though are a bit confused when he states that there are no absentees as the room has some vacant seats. He starts his lesson by telling his students to open their textbooks. Narberal and CZ follow the lead of the other students using textbooks received from Pandora's Actor. Demiurge lessons includes the study of biology of different races, citing some creatures can be categorized based on their similarities in anatomical structure. Aura seems to be an attentive student in the class, and asks several provocative questions, which Demiurge attributes to being a member of the Breeding Committee. He underlines that to tell the difference requires experience through interaction which piques CZ interest as she believes that she will be able to play with small animals.

Sadly it turns out Demiurge refers to anatomy practices. He has brought several creatures for the class to study, in which they will capture and dissect to compare their internal with their own eyes. In addition, Demiurge states the class also serves as an art course, due to the shortage of teachers, so the material they extract from their dissected subjects will be made into "works" of art. Everyone from Solution, Lupusregina and Entoma gets excited for the sadistic fun and meat they will have, which is noted by Narberal that though they are being mentally controlled they still retain aspects of their original personalities.

Once the bell rings, Demiurge ends the class, and reminds them to complete their original reports before leaving. The students then resume chattering among themselves. Narberal takes the opportunity to speak with CZ, musing they managed to get through the first class. CZ is disturbed that for a school they saw a lot of blood. Still Narberal feels they gains some useful information, as their previous worries that space within Nazarick Academy being a place without magic are unfounded as they were able to test it out during class. So far the other classmates did not react in hostility and merely accepted the act as if it was normal. Their conversation is interrupted by their sisters and classmates who ask what they are talking about.

Their secretive nature draws some suspicion but CZ manages to make a believable claim that they were merely taking about the performance restating of their uniforms as requested by Momonga. The answer satisfies the remaining Pleiades curiosity, some like Solution believing that the principal was right to choose them. Entoma is relieved that is just the case as she was worried they were plotting something.

Solution tells her sister if she needs help to come to them when the return to their room. This piece of information is surprising to Narberal and CZ that despite the odd situation the Pleiades are still sharing a form together as a family, most acting as student whilst one is a teacher referred as Professor Alpha.

Recalling something Momonga had said,"Even under this cataclysm, if your all sisters, it's a complicated family with different surnames...", she briefly wonders what he meant. CZ though thinks their master was just musing that family members in human culture have the same surname in contrast to the Pleiades. Narberal though misunderstands Momonga random musings as a compliment of the Pleiades lack of prejudice.

The bell rings and the break session is over. The students return to their seats and Narberal wonders who the 4th period professor will be. The door to the classroom opens revealing Cocytus. Seeing the 5th Floor Guardian, Narberal is relieved as she didn't have confidence in getting through another academic class, and figures that those under the mental influence will conduct courses based on their specialization and hobbies. From this the maid deduces that Cocytus's class will be one on physical education.

She is proved wrong when Cocytus turns out to be a physics professor. He directs his students to open their textbook of "Newtonian Mechanics Second Law of Motion" and to focus their attention on "inelastic collisions." As Cocytus begins explaining the formula of the theory, this draws a blank from Narbeal who cannot comprehend what he is saying nor did she predict he a physical warrior would be teaching such a complex course. To help explain "inelastic collisions", Cocytus asks his class to describe when they might experience such a phenomena. He cites examples such as collisions between weapons like in sword fighting which cause heat and friction. Listening to his lecture, Narberal realizes that Cocytus's in-depth knowledge of physics comes from his combat training.

After demonstrating to his class an example of "inelastic collisions", he goes around the room to have them provide additional examples. By the end of his lecture, the phenomena comes off as easy to understand even to the previously clueless Narberal.

Thinking that they were having another break session, Narberal wanted to rest, but her sisters inform her that they have to move to their next class of home economics for 4th period. Having no idea where the next classroom is, Narberal and CZ have their sisters guide them. Whilst being guided to their next destination, Narberal wanting to contact Momonga through a [Message], but decides that it would be better to regroup with him during the lunch break.

At the Round Table Room which has been re-designated as the academy staff room, Principal Momonga is seen reviewing several documents that were retrieved by Professor Albedo. Albedo while happy to assist her love interest, is curious as to why Momonga requested the documents. She accepts his reason of needing them for a new organization system for the school. The documents that Momonga are studying include the blueprints of the school, which while on paper state that the staff room is located on the 2nd floor of the institution, is mismatched to what is in reality as it requires people to descend down to reach the room. It shows that while the NPCs under the mental influence have been glamoured into believing that they are in a school, the overall physical structure of Nazarick below the surface remains unchanged. Still the blueprint comes handy as Momonga hopes to use it to see if any new changes to the dungeon come about in the future.

Next is a rooster call of all the students which he notes to have Aura, Mare, the protagonist, Slimeko and even the Homunculus Maids. But he notices a discrepancy, before he can ruminate on it, the bell chimes for 4th period. Albedo hearing that needs to leave to teach her class, and excuses herself to Momonga. Now alone, Momonga returns to what he just found believing it needs to be verified. If what he sees is true then he believes he may have found a link to the center of the incident.

Elsewhere, Narberal and CZ follow their class to the Canteen which is serving as their home economics classroom. From her quick look at a textbook, Narberal deduces that home economics has to do with cooking and housework. CZ looking around wonders if their teacher will be the Head Chef. By the time the bell chimes, the teacher arrives: Neuronist Painkill. The Brain Eater warmly welcomes the class, and announces today's lesson of "Grab It! A Man's Stomach!". From the title Lupusregina assumes that its a torture method, by the torturer turned home economics professor states that their lesson will be focusing on charming a man's stomach through home cooking. And even goes as far to say that if done right, it can make a gentleman like their headmaster their pet. Though the statement is questioned by the dark elves twins on its validity.

Using her knowledge on cutlery, Neuronists declares that they will be learning how to make "Yakiniku." Since it involves meat, Entoma is excited though some like Lupusregina are disappointed in the simple fare. According to Neuronist she claims that boys prefer simple dish rather than elaborate ones. Mare being a boy disagrees but is ignored by the professor. Narberal watching the lesson, is confused as normally cooking would be impossible unless one had a specialized class. But it is later revealed that Neuronist intends for the class to marinate the raw meat. To start, she gives them the ingredients to work with: a bear, wolf, and a vulture. All which are still very much alive. It is all part of Neuronist's lesson as she believes that to understand a recipe they had to learn with their bodies, after all cooking is a battle. The students the engage with the animals to complete their lesson.

Aftermath
At the sound of the bell, after 4th period, Narberal and CZ separated from their class at lunch break and head to the principal's office. There they meet with Momonga who after hearing about their time as students is glad they enjoyed the experience. Though he finds it strange that many of their classes gave them opportunities to find and asks what kind of school are they in? Still both maids have performed well as no one has any suspicion on them.

Momonga then goes on to reveal what he discovered from his part of the investigation. He shows them a list of names that includes both students and staff for the academy. There is one name missing, that being Shalltear's. Based on Aura and Mare's presence in their class, he surmised that those of young age are classed as student in this strange space. So a question rises as where is the vampire? All of Nazarick's affiliates which includes the summons are listed on the docket. Even Sebas Tian who is listed as a janitor is on the list, as well as the members of the 8th Floor, including the youngest Pleiades, who despite not being categorized as students, teachers, or absent as still noted.

The two Pleiades maids wonder why Shalltear's name is absent out of all the rest. Momonga is not sure, but theorizes that the Floor Guardian may have been near the Crack when the incident occurred on the 10th Floor. In addition, he finds the name on the gate of the school, "Nazarick Academy" vaguely familiar. Still he believes that there is a connection between Shalltear's absence and the cause of the current incident. For now locating Shalltear is paramount to the mission in order to resolve the crisis. Though they are wary that their investigation may attract some attention on whoever is causing it.

Momonga then informs the two that he will be inspecting their classroom in the future as their principal, as he too is interested in learning more about the place. Since Yuri has been informed he presence will not be disruptive. As there still time in their lunch break, Momonga has the maids hurry to return to the Canteen which also served as the cafeteria. After seeing them off, Momonga then decides to take a break for the afternoon's investigation.

When the afternoon classes were about to start, a figure outside the gates of the school approaches. Looking at the name plate they muse that it to be "Nazarick Academy." The entity is apparently familiar with the school, having heard of the "great" principal in charge and looks forward to meeting him as they laugh.