Chapter 41

On the way back to the classroom from the principal’s office, the usual test scores—the bane of all students—were posted on the bulletin board along the hallway where the third-year classes were lined up.

Even though the advanced track classes weren’t in the same row—they were on the opposite side of the U-shaped building—the scores were posted on this hallway, so advanced students still made the effort to come see them.

In other words, this was one of the few occasions where students from the advanced and regular tracks would meet face-to-face.

Sure, many students maintained normal friendships, but some treated themselves like a “privileged class” and avoided interacting with the regular-track students entirely.

“Oh! First place on the written test—me and Kasumi are tied! Damn, couldn’t beat her!”

“Ah, Akira. You got called out first thing this morning—are you okay?”

“Huh? No problem. Everyone apologized to me all around.”

“Ah… about that incident?”

“Yeah. Well, since the scores are posted like this, it’s officially fine.”

Kasumi, who knew about my situation, looked concerned, but as you can see, there’s no problem at all.

Now then, let’s check the results of the practical exam—the real deal…

“Labyrinth Practical Exam (Third-Year Second Semester Midterm Course)”
“Top 10 Clear Times”

1st — Higashiyama Akira — 13:54
2nd — Kitajou Kasumi — 19:44
3rd — Nanjou Ryousuke — 22:33
4th — Nishizaki Yukie — 25:09
――――
――

No surprises—clearly I had taken first place by a large margin.

Still… Kasumi’s time was impressively fast. I knew she had exited the labyrinth ahead of me, but I hadn’t realized she had left Nanjou that far behind.

And Nishizaki… better luck next time. Kasumi’s wall was still high.

Anyway, the fact that the first and second places in both the written and practical exams went to regular-track students—me and Kasumi—was causing quite a stir.

Well, technically the written exam was a tie for first.

“Wow… Akira, you’re amazing! Clearing that in this time!”

“I just got ahead of the slowpokes. That’s how dungeons work, right?”

“Even so… tied with Kasumi in the written test, does that mean you both got everything correct?”

“Ah, maybe. I reviewed everything at home, and it was all correct.”

Seriously? She memorized all the questions and checked them at home…! Natural-born genius. She casually says the most ridiculous things.

Nowadays, at least among regular-track students, there’s no jealousy or rivalry, so they talk to me normally. But some advanced-track students… looked at me as if they were sending curses.

“Why!? Why are you here, Higashiyama!?”

“Oh, Nanjou. Hey there. Looks like you finally lost to Kasumi in the practical exam too.”

“Shut up! What’s going on with you!?”

As expected, Nanjou appeared, giving exactly the reaction one would predict.

The surrounding students reacted with, “What’s going on? Is the advanced track picking on the regular track out of jealousy again?” This sort of scene had become somewhat well-known recently.

“This is everything. Sorry to disappoint, but ‘I’m clean.’ I’m clean, got it?”

“!! What does that mean!?”

“Well… you’re on the decline. Nishizaki will probably surpass you. By the way, there’s a PvP match in the advancement exam. Want to fight ‘again’? This time, lots of people will be watching.”

Taunting him. Thoroughly. Since he’s clearly an opponent now, there’s no need for mercy.

Due to my subtle “declaration of war” and his frustration at things not going as he hoped, Nanjou didn’t argue further and slunk away.

“Well then, let’s head to class. Today’s just checking announcements and confirming meetings and career counseling, right?”

“Yeah. Third-years get an early winter break, followed by free-attendance days. There are still a few school days, though.”

“Right, Kasumi also has the ‘Explorer License Exam’ this month, doesn’t she?”

“Yeah! After school today, I’ll go to Akira’s house to review the exam and organize the info—trends, strategies, that kind of thing.”

As expected—right after exam results come out, she’s already preparing for the next one.

This is the same exam I took in my previous life.

After winter break begins, we move into the New Year, then free-attendance days follow.

A little nostalgic. In my previous life, it was then that I first told Kasumi I wouldn’t be going on to further schooling, and that I’d become an explorer straight after high school.

And that was when we first went to a dungeon, where we obtained the Dungeon’s Blessing.

Come to think of it, maybe that was the beginning. That’s when I received the Second Playthrough Bonus and chose 10x Experience Gain—and my advisor, my sister, was also dispatched.

“Soon… I’ll reach the place where it all began.”

“Hm? Did you say something?”

“N-nope, nothing. Let’s go to homeroom.”

Later, the class covered winter break notices, the Explorer License exam schedule, students requesting career consultations, and three-way meetings during winter break.

“Hey Higashiyama, just got a call from your family. For the three-way meeting, your aunt will be coming. The schedule is clearly written on the handout I gave you, so check it.”

“Wha!? I didn’t hear about that!?”

“Oh, really? Then make sure your guardian sees that handout.”

…Well, the teacher will probably accept my usual cool maid act… but still, I can’t help feeling a bit uneasy.

Afterwards, the school day ended. Students with lunches ate in the classroom; others hurried out to enjoy winter break. Well, few would actually “enjoy” it—they’d be preparing for the advancement exams.

Kasumi and I waited for the school bus at the terminal as usual.

Then—

“Hello, Akira-kun, Kasumi-san.”

“Oh, Senior Souryuji! You’re on winter break too?”

It was the student council president, Senior Misaki. Apparently, no other council members were around today.

“Hello. You two have been busy lately, huh?”

“Yes. Many classrooms are taking practical dungeon exams at the end of the term, so I’ve been busy checking the dungeons beforehand. That means I haven’t had time to spar with Ms. Arney.”

“I see… if you’re around during winter break, let me know. Your sister might return to the dungeon too.”

“Oh, then I’d love to spar together.”

As we chatted about school events and curriculum details, we all got on the bus. Misaki agreed to join us while Kasumi and I studied at my house.

…Though I suspect her main reason was to spar with my sister.

I noticed she was taking a 500-yen coin from her wallet. Noted.

“I’m home!”

“Welcome back, Akira! Geez! Bringing a girl home again, huh? Naughty, naughty!”

“What are you talking about? Kasumi’s taking the Explorer License Exam, so we’re studying. Since I recently took the exam, I can make it more efficient.”

“I see. So, Misaki came to give your sister 500 yen again! With the snow coming soon, today’s sparring is the last one. My sister hates the cold, after all!”

“Th-then we could do it indoors…”

“Nope! It’s just a way to kill time at home! Wait until spring!”

I have to side with my sister here. Going outside for sparring would be inconvenient for me—preparing meals and all that.

“Kasumi and I will study, so you make sure to properly instruct Senior Misaki in today’s last sparring. She’s paying, after all.”

“Hehe—Kasumi isn’t asking my sister to go that far anyway.”

“It’s alright. I always learn a lot from seeing new fighting techniques from your sister. Once Akira-kun’s advancement exam is over, please fight me again. I want to show you how much I’ve grown.”

I cast a quick glance at the second empty-can piggy bank that had somehow appeared in the living room.

…Yeah, I really can’t let my guard down. Looks like she’s had quite a few matches.

Also, since she’s already received this much money, the thing Senior Misaki mentioned before—that her birthday and Christmas are practically at the same time—means I’d better celebrate it properly… otherwise, it won’t be worth it…!