Volume 1 Chapter 9 (1/2)

Cla.s.s B

Several hours were spent riding along the b.u.mpy 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 cla.s.s, 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 pa.s.sed 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 cla.s.ses 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 cla.s.ses 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 cla.s.ses are divided into two groups, can't people from the same cla.s.s cooperate with each other?”

I ask Bagiran this question.

”In fact, many of the students from the general cla.s.ses do that every year. It's actually a fairly common tactic. Well, it's not necessarily a good thing for you guys. The general cla.s.s 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 cla.s.s? After all, we're in the same advanced cla.s.s, 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 cla.s.s, so we should be able to help each other…..

However, Bagiran just shakes his head.

”That won't happen. The advanced cla.s.ses 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 Cla.s.s A and Cla.s.s B, even if that weren't the case.”

”Why kero~? Kerokeroro~?”

”I think you'd understand if you met Cla.s.s 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 cla.s.s?

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

”Well, the reason why Cla.s.s 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 Cla.s.s 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.