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Class B

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Several hours were spent riding along the bumpy road in the imperial carriage.

When suddenly, the carriage stopped. I was awoken from my nap by the abrupt stop.

A seemingly endless forest was spreading out before me.

“We’ve arrived. This is the location of the expedition, Vakyanarel Forest.

Bagiran says this as he gets out of the carriage.

Looking in the direction we had come from, I could see several other imperial carriages arriving.

“The building where we’ll be staying is in the forest, so we’ll have to proceed on foot from here, and we’ll be leading the other students. Because you are the special class, the regular students will be watching you to see how you handle everything.”

Bagiran gives us this advice, then proceeds into the forest.

We followed after Bagiran.

I pay close attention to the surroundings as we walk through the forest.

Walking through unfamiliar territory like this, it’s important to pay attention to one’s surroundings.

As I was looking around I noticed Bagiran had stopped moving.

“Oh, stop here. You all wait here for a bit.”

Bagiran who disappeared from our sight after saying this, defeated an unseen demon in an instant and returned to us.

Even though I was searching our surroundings, I didn’t notice that demon at all.

Bagiran must have a very large perception range….

Every so often Bagiran would stop us and take care of any nearby demons.

At first, I thought it was a waste that we were not allowed to take care of these demons, but after some time had passed I began to change my mind.

Perhaps Bagiran does not want any of the students to know what kind of demons are in this forest.

I was guessing Bagiran wouldn’t let us see any demons unless there was an emergency.

In other words, Bagiran wanted all of the students to go into this time trial with as little information as possible.

If my prediction is right, people in the other classes should not be seeing any of the demons as well. So, we’ll all be on even ground.

***

About an hour or so later, we were standing in the forest in front of a strange man-made structure.

I’d guess more than a thousand people could fit inside the wooden building.

It’s comparable in size to the academy.

“Alright, we’ve arrived. This is the building you all will be staying at.”

“Uwaa, it’s amazing…..”

“Something this big was hidden away in the woods.”

“Well, with magic anything is doable. Alright, I’ll tell you the plans for the forest expedition. Today you’ll be broken up, and the first time trial will start tomorrow at 8 a.m. The classes will be separated into two time slots, the second group will leave in the afternoon, so be sure not to be late tomorrow.”

Today we’ll be broken up?

Well, it is already evening.

So, the time attack is tomorrow…..hmm? Wait?

“If the classes are divided into two groups, can’t people from the same class cooperate with each other?”

I ask Bagiran this question.

“In fact, many of the students from the general classes do that every year. It’s actually a fairly common tactic. Well, it’s not necessarily a good thing for you guys. The general class is already rather hostile to you, so I doubt that any of them would want to help you.”

I see, so this is a bit of handicap for us.

“Then, can we cooperate with the other advanced class? After all, we’re in the same advanced class, so there should be no jealousy. It would make sense for us to help one another.”

Tsurugi finished speaking.

That’s right. This year is different, there are two groups of students in the advanced class, so we should be able to help each other…..

However, Bagiran just shakes his head.

“That won’t happen. The advanced classes are being kept separate.”

Really, so that’s how it is.

Bagiran went on to add.

“Anyway, I doubt there would be any cooperation between Class A and Class B, even if that weren’t the case.”

“Why kero~? Kerokeroro~?”

“I think you’d understand if you met Class B. Now then, everyone it’s free time….*ahem* It’s free time!!”

Why does he just repeat it even louder……

Bagiran entered the building ahead of everyone else.

What shall I do……Maybe meet with the other advanced class?

“I wonder what Bagiran Sensei meant……It sounded rather worrisome.”

“Well, the reason why Class B wouldn’t want to cooperate, I’m rather curious as to why.”

“Kero”

Apparently three people seemed to be in agreement.

“Well, let’s go look for Class B —”

“Wait a minute. You guys there.”

It was a strange boy that called out to us.

People have been arriving to the building one after another. I guess it’s someone from the school.

He has very feminine features. He has smooth, blonde hair, a high-bridged nose, and deep blue eyes.

He’s a perfect ten, a very handsome guy.

The boy brushes his hair back with one hand and lets out a, “Hmph” before speaking.

“You’re Class A? I’m Elgil, from Class B. I’ve come to declare war on you guys.”

Class B…….that means he’s a member of the advanced class!

I didn’t even think that a member from Class B would come find us.

“Ah, thanks. I’m Class A’s Lute.”

I lightly greet Elgil.

Elgil listened to me as his black cloak fluttered in the wind. As soon as my greeting was done, he put his hand in front of his face.

And he begins to speak with a voice mixed with anger.

“Thank you for introducing yourself…but, honestly I hate that you all are in Class A, while I’m in Class B. After all, we’re all in the same advanced class, so isn’t it strange?”

“Is that something to be worried about…..?”

Is being in Class A somehow better than Class B?

We were all evaluated separately, but no matter which class everyone is in, we are all in the same advanced class.

But, Elgil didn’t seem to think so.

He stared at me with sharp eyes.

“You said your name was……Lute-kun?”

“Yes.”

Elgil pointed at me and declared,

“If I defeat you, then I will join Class A!”

“Eh? I decline. Besides, you don’t have the authority to decide that.”

This person is weird. He’s really strange, right?

“…….It will be fine!?”

“No, nothing about it is fine.”

I had to tell him twice that he can’t just decide who joins which class……..

It seems that he was surprised that I declined his challenge, Elgil’s blue eyes widened.

Though, to be honest, I’m surprised he thought I’d just accept his challenge.

“Fuun~, are you scared? Of course a commoner like you would be.”

Since he called me a commoner, I’m guessing Elgil is a nobleman.

If he’s trying to become an Adventurer, his position shouldn’t matter.

Elgil was clearly looking down on me. I felt a little offended.

“Are you deaf? Or is there just something wrong with your head? How many times do I have to tell you, you can’t just join whatever class you want.”

“……! ……!? I….I’ll absolutely defeat you! This is the first time someone has made such a fool of me!”

It seems like this guy is the type to quickly become angry.

No, maybe he really has never had someone talk to him like this before.

Elgil headed towards the building with his shoulders shaking in anger, before stopping and turning back towards me.

“Ah, right. I forgot to tell you my name!

“No, you already told me. It’s Elgil, right?”

After hearing this, Elgil looked outraged.

“You truly lack any class…..It’s cool to say your name when making an exit! Stay silent if you don’t understand at least this much! Commoner’s have no respect!”

Eh…….

This guy is ridiculous……

Elgil stands in front of me before clearing his throat and begins to speak.

“Well, it can’t be helped. Since you want to hear my name so badly, I’ll just have to tell you. I am Elgil, Elgil von Istria — I am the man that will beat you guys.”

Right, I already knew that.

I’ve known since you introduced yourself at the beginning of this conversation.

“Now then, have a nice day.”

He said this before heading back to the building, with his cloak flapping in the wind.

***

“What just happened…..”

“Maybe that person was from a different planet kero. That conversation was rather strange kero. So Lute, don’t worry about him, I’m sure you can beat him kero.”

Patricia tries to encourage me.

Thank you Patricia. I can never understand what you’re saying, but thank you.

“I can’t lose. I don’t want to be separated from Lute.”

“I will also do my best for Lute-dono.”

“All of you, for me…Thank you!”

After all, it was a good thing to enter this class.

All of them are such good people.

We entered the building determined to beat Class B.

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