Chapter 27 

The quiet heartbeat unique to a sleeping person.

Yet it is a biorhythm that unmistakably signals life.

Listening to that comforting, reassuring sound, I quietly open my eyes.

I don’t wake up to a timer or an alarm clock—such crude methods are unnecessary.

This body naturally awakens at the designated time, and I prepare lunch, breakfast, and send this child off to school.

However, today is Saturday. I remember that I don’t need to make a lunch for Akira, the source of this heartbeat, and I close my eyes again, tempted to succumb to the lure of a second sleep, using this heartbeat as a lullaby.

Even so, with a will of steel, I rise and gently place my hand on Akira’s chest, warmer than other parts of the body from my heat, and choose to wake him.

“Akira, wake up. We need to leave a bit early today, or we won’t make it to the exam venue!”

I move my hand from his chest to his cheek.

Feeling the warmth in my palm, I press gently and shake his head.

In the dimly lit room, faint light from the curtains highlights Akira’s outline.

I shake that outline. I call out. I interrupt his breathing, to wake him.

“…Akira, if you don’t wake up, I’ll do something even more amazing!”

Wondering how to wake him, curiosity, mischief, maybe affection, and a teasing impulse that I can’t resist—these drive me to lean close to his face.

I lightly nibble his body. Just a bit on his ear.

And then—

“Whaaa!? W-what the—!?”

Akira jolts, lifting his head from the pillow.

Watching him react with satisfaction, I say:

“Hey, Akira, sleepyhead! We need to leave early to catch the Shinkansen today, right? Come on, wake up!”

Guiding him, opening the door to the start of today, I draw back the curtains and let the sunlight into the room.

“Good morning, Akira.”
“Mm… good morning, onee-san. W-what… how did you wake me…?”
“Hmm? Secret. Only I know the special trick to absolutely wake Akira up!”

As usual, I’m woken by her.

Recently, my sister has been waking earlier than me to prepare for the morning, so I’ve been woken this way instead of by phone or alarm clock. But today, she woke me earlier than usual.

“Come on, we’re taking the Shinkansen to Karuizawa. I’m coming with you today too!”

“Huh? You? You already have your license. Don’t we need to submit a request for this?”

“What are you talking about? You’re my most talented disciple’s big moment—I can’t not come to cheer! Besides, there are going to be plenty of other people being trained by active explorers anyway. Surely there’ll be a crowd cheering, right?”

Processing her words while half-asleep, I understand. She’s coming as support. That… makes me really happy.

Indeed, she’s right. In my previous life, I had taken this exam twice, and there were plenty of people cheering.

After all, spectator seating is prepared, and some people come purely for entertainment.

Among them, of course, are members of explorer clans—many of them scouting for talent.

“And Akira is probably already on the government’s radar. They know you as my associate. By showing myself, I’m also sending a clear message to those people. I haven’t gone to a dungeon in the last two months, so they’re probably just waiting for me to act.”

“I see… so it’s also to make an impression. Then, as your disciple, I need to give it my all, right?”

“Of course. Go all out, even enough to make the exam chaotic. Together, we’ll be the strongest duo negotiating on equal terms with the government.”

“That sounds great. With you, I can become stronger than ever.”

“Yes. For the last two months, we’ve been tirelessly practicing basic combat together. Your martial arts skills are practically at a master level. During the exam, you can rent weapons, so it’s time to unleash the sword. That will plant ‘doubt’ in people’s minds—maybe the mysterious swordsman who was active during the Odaiba incident is actually Akira.”

“Huh? But doesn’t that rule out me being your master?”

“That’s the doubt. Perhaps even back then, you had ‘extraordinary strength.’ The exam results will strengthen that doubt. It might accelerate the government contacting us again.”

“So, what exactly are you going to demand from the government?”

“To prevent Akira from being freely scouted or contacted until he decides where to belong in the future, I’ll establish a clan. Even if it’s not a Nationally Selected Clan, a government-recognized clan prevents anyone from recruiting Akira without permission.”

“Starting a clan…!?”

Anyone can call themselves a clan casually. A kind of group that provides mutual support beyond party boundaries.

But official government recognition provides support funds, office space, and access to registered participants—even if you don’t get missions or dungeon priority like a Nationally Selected Clan.

With more members, government-provided funds increase, and dungeon drops can be partially bought at higher rates.

Becoming an official government-recognized clan is a coveted status.

Of course, it requires achievements and strength, attainable only by the top few percent of existing groups claiming to be clans.

And… my sister plans to obtain that status through negotiation. With just the two of us as members.

“That’s why I need you to stand out in this exam, Akira. I’m counting on you!”
“Ha… got it. I’ll give it my all.”

After a slightly hectic morning, we take the Shinkansen to the exam venue, a vast forest surrounded by nature.

In the past, there was talk of using the Aokigahara forest near Mt. Fuji, but opposition due to distance from Tokyo and other “superstitions” led to choosing Karuizawa.

The venue is essentially a natural forest fitted with equipment, enclosed by wide fences. Cameras and drones broadcast the scenes onto large monitors, allowing spectators to watch—successfully running the venue like a show.

One hour from Tokyo by Shinkansen, then another hour by shuttle bus, we arrive at the forest entrance.

“Hello, I’m an examinee. Here’s my registration.”

I show the registration displayed on my phone at the examinee gate and enter.

My sister will enter through another gate as a spectator, and we’ll meet there.

I receive the special armor marking me as an examinee and put it on.

“…Phew. First is the practical survival exercise, then depending on performance, combat, and finally the written exam.”

I remember the exam structure. I’ve studied daily, and the effect of my recent learning—experience points ×10—engraves it deeply into my mind.

Even school tests are no longer challenging for me.

After putting on the armor, I enter the main venue.

Many examinees are gathered, talking to family and supporters, easing pre-exam tension.

I scan the area for my sister.

I spot her. There’s already a crowd around her, probably other active explorers who know her. I move to join them.

Judging by the attire of the person she’s speaking with, they’re likely exam staff or government personnel.

And of course, other spectators are gathered.

Most likely… current explorers who know my sister.

I expect she’s in her usual “capable, cool maid mode.”

I move toward the small crowd to show that I am the apprentice of the admired maid.