Class B

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.

Time Trial

Dawn, the next day.

In contrast to the cool air in the forest, we are fired up.

"Al~right, I'll do my best!"

"I will too!"

"Kerokero! Kerokerokeroke!"

Everyone seems really motivated.

"What's this, you all seem fired up? If that's the case, you all should do fine. You don't need to worry."

"Kerorororororo!"

"Can I make a correction? I'm only worried about you."

Bagiran says this while looking at Patricia. To be honest, I agree with Sensei.

Bagiran begins to speak again.

"Aa, let's draw lots to see if you'll go during the first or second half."

Apparently we need to decide who will be the one that draws.

"I feel like it should be Lute that draws."

"Okay, I understand."

I went to the place where other students were drawing lots.

Elgil was already waiting there.

"Ah, it's you. Did you come to see me because you missed me so much?"

"No, I just came to draw lots."

There's no other reason for me being here, it was just a coincidence we even met.

However, Elgil doesn't seem to be discouraged.

"Well, you came up with a good excuse to see me."

"No, I really —"

"Ah, it's okay. I know your true feelings without you trying to come up with an excuse, right Lute-kun?"

Elgil says this with a triumphant look on his face.

This guy is ridiculously annoying.

***

As a result of the lottery, Elgil and Group B would do the time trial in the morning, and the afternoon we would go.

Since there are dozens of teams from the general class, it would take forever for all of them to pull lots. There were only two groups from the advanced class, so we finished relatively quickly.

"I see, so we'll go during the afternoon."

Luluna placed her hand on her chin after I reported back.

I wonder what she's thinking about.

"The morning groups seem to be at a disadvantage, by going in the afternoon we'll know the other groups time."

I was a little surprised after hearing Luluna's words.

That does make sense though. I didn't even consider it because I was so absorbed in the conversation with Elgil.

.......It's rather unpleasant saying I was absorbed in the conversation with Elgil. I definitely don't want it to sound like I'm obsessed with him.

"More or less, it seems to be a good thing. Well, we're already ahead before the trial even starts......Is it too soon to say that Lute-dono has won?"

"In the morning, there are less monsters active, but in the afternoon more will be around. Considering that the number of enemies will increase, I doubt it will be so easy."

"I see....."

Everyone turns their heads to me. I feel like they're all thinking, "If there's a tough monster Lute will take care of it."

I'll reflect for a little while.

***

After a while, the morning time trial had begun.

The objective of the time trial is to travel to a shrine about about ten kilometers away and return as quickly as possible.

There seems to be someone waiting at the shrine, so it's impossible to cheat.

The distance is twenty kilometers in total. Even if the students here used to be civilians, if they wish to be an adventurer, they should be able to run that distance in an hour.

But there are demons.

It was about two hours later that Class B returned.

"Fuu.....everyone, I've returned."

Elgil makes his cloak flutter as he says this.

I think it's amazing that he's trying to keep up his elegant appearance while breathing so heavily, but the words he said were even more amazing.

The students of the general class that were preparing for the afternoon's time trial, stared at Elgil with jealous eyes and some were clicking their tongues at him, while some of the girls faces were even becoming red. After all, he really is a handsome guy.

"Advanced Class B's time is two hours and eight minutes."

There are some shocked voices coming from the students. However, that time isn't impossible to beat.

The average time of this time trial for the general class is around four hours. The average time for the advanced class is usually three hours.

Elgil's time is impressive without a doubt.

Once Elgil spotted us, he separated from the rest of the crowd and approached us.

"So? This is the strength of Class B. It's all but confirmed now that I will join Class A."

"Like I said before, you can't make that decision.......besides"

"Besides?"

To my words, Elgil shows a fearless smile.

"— Besides, I don't intend to admit defeat just yet."

Elgil hears this and smiles broadly.

".....Interesting, let's see how far you can go commoner!"

"If that's what you want. Right, everyone!"

I look back at everyone.

"No, well, it's not like that......"

"Yeah, sure......."

Eh, what's with that reaction?

.....Why does it seem like I'm the only one still fired up........

I....I'm so embarrassed!

"What's wrong with them kero?"

"Ah, no..nothing. Let's do our best, Lute....Lute!?"

"I'm so ashamed......"

I was crouched down, hiding my face in my hands.

I was the only one in high spirits....

I don't understand why, but my heart feels like it's about to break......

"Why are you so ashamed, Lute-kun?......Ah, I know, it's because my face is so beautiful. Ahahaha, I'm happy hearing such things. When you lose I'd like to hear you say it out loud to me."

"No, you're definitely mistaken......"

Ah, I'm already exhausted......

***

Four hours later. All of the morning teams had now finished, and it was time for the afternoon teams to start.

Before we started, Bagiran tried to encourage us.

"Everyone, do your best!"

"I'll do my best!"

"Me too!"

"I will as well!"

"Me too!"

Alright, this time I wasn't alone in being enthusiastic

....This isn't the time to be thinking about that.

I need to focus on getting a better time than Class B.

"Now then, let's start the afternoon time trial. Three, two.......begin!"

As the signal went off to start the trial, we rushed into the forest.