Chapter 30: Ghost Story Hotel Escape (2)

Lydia’s words were so obvious that anyone who wasn’t a fool would have no choice but to notice they hinted at the next ghost story.

And I was no fool.

That very night after hearing Lydia’s words, I immediately gathered Elaine and Rone to attempt a raid on the haunted mansion.

However, the mansion we secretly visited showed no signs of revealing its true nature, as if it wasn’t yet time. 

The building remained nothing more than an ordinary house.

Almost as if it was waiting for the day of the retreat.

In the end, my companions and I decided to give up on investigating the ghost story until the retreat. 

Instead, we made a few preparations at the mansion before leaving.

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Time flew like an arrow released from a bowstring, and before I knew it, the morning of the retreat had arrived.

What greeted my eyes upon arriving at the location Lydia had specified was a massive mansion.

An old, towering building— so eerie that it was no mystery why rumors called it a haunted mansion.

I had wondered if it might be the case, but good grief, this place was practically begging for ghost stories to emerge.

At this point, it would be more surprising if no supernatural tales came out of it.

“…Ms. Lydia. May I ask you one thing?”

“What are you curious about?”

“Why here? There must have been plenty of other suitable places for a retreat… No, even just renting facilities within the academy would have been enough, wouldn’t it?”

“W-well, the truth is, I originally planned to book one of the academy’s facilities for something simple. But I changed my mind after hearing your words, Mr. Allen.”

“…My words?”

No way. What the hell was she talking about?

“Actually, a while ago, I overheard you talking in the faculty room about founding a club.”

“I remember. It wasn’t exactly something I needed to hide from others.”

“At the time, I was deeply inspired by your perspective on ghost stories. I never imagined interpreting ghost stories in such a way—pulling them into the realms of logic and literature. It was such an unexpected viewpoint that I couldn’t help but think how wonderful it would have been if I had been able to see ghost stories that way when I was younger…”

“When you were younger?”

“Ah, no— that’s not the point. Anyway, your words made me realize that ghost stories shouldn’t be something the students of Class A fear as the unknown, but something they can overcome! That’s why I wanted to help them conquer their fears!”

In short, Lydia’s explanation boiled down to one thing:

Was this entire situation my fault?

The shock was enough to crush my spirit.

The disaster I had brought upon myself was already sapping my motivation.

“More importantly, Mr. Allen. Have you gathered all your club members yet?”

“No. I’m taking my time. There’s no need to rush.”

Truthfully, I hadn’t even attempted to recruit anyone.

There was no point in attracting interest if no one would actually join, and given how cautious I had to be, even making invitations felt risky.

“Then, through today’s courage test, I hope we can find students who are a good fit for the Ghost Story Resolution Club.”

“Did you perhaps go out of your way to consider me?”

“Ahaha. Despite how I may seem, I’m Allen-nim’s mentor, after all. If someone seems like they need help, I should lend a hand.”

Lydia smiles awkwardly while looking at me.

…

Right.

No matter what, the training camp can’t be undone now.

Should I try to muster up a little more enthusiasm?

“Then, Lydia-nim. What can I help with?”

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Before long, as time passed, the students participating in the training camp began to gather one by one.

Though it was an on-site gathering, since it was just a mansion on the same island, the distance wasn’t far, and perhaps because of that, the participation rate was fairly high.

Of course, Elaine and Rone were present, and among the others, the most noticeable was probably the young lady of the Marquis family, nicknamed “Red Ruby,” who had been innocently swept up in the ghost story during the academy attack incident and even ended up being labeled an international terrorist.

The fraudulent saint and the second prince of the Renia Kingdom were absent.

Though it was called a training camp, since everyone was still just freshmen and it was only the beginning of the semester, the atmosphere was more relaxed than serious.

In other words, it felt like the slightly awkward yet gradually friendly chatter of university freshmen at an orientation trip— a lighthearted and comfortable scene, if you excluded the courage test scheduled for tonight.

Still, with this kind of atmosphere, at least nothing should happen until the courage test tonight.

“By the way, the interior is cleaner than I expected. For an abandoned mansion, it’s surprisingly well-maintained, isn’t it?”

“Of course. No matter how much we want to overcome fear through ghost stories, we can’t have students staying in a dirty and dangerous place. Even though this building isn’t in use now, they said they still come by regularly to clean and maintain it.”

“They still clean and maintain it…? Who said that?”

“Ah. I heard it from the former steward of this mansion. He was the one who allowed us to rent the mansion for the night.”

“To still maintain a building that’s no longer in use… He must have a deep affection for this mansion.”

“He really does. Originally, this mansion was actually used as a hotel in the past. When I told him I’d be bringing students here for the training camp, he was so moved that he even shed tears, saying he was happy to have guests staying in the hotel again.”

“Hmm… So it was originally a hotel.”

A hotel, huh?

Then, this ghost story must be…

“Ohohohoh!! Today, I shall bestow upon all of you who have graced this occasion to honor me the glory of my gratitude!!”

“No, I’m telling you, today’s training camp wasn’t prepared specifically for you, Rosalia!!”

That was when it happened.

“Ohohoh! Miss Aurora, perhaps you’re not very bright in the head? The important thing isn’t who this seat was prepared for. What truly matters is who shines the brightest here!! And that would be none other than me, Rosalia Soline!! So as the most radiant person here, shouldn’t I rightfully receive gratitude?”

“W-who are you calling not bright?! If anything, aren’t you the one with the lowest grades in Class A?!”

“My, my, Miss Aurora. I’m perfectly fine! Because I’m beautiful!!! As long as I have this stunning appearance, there’s no need to rely on brains!!!!”

“S-so you’re not even denying that you’re not very smart.”

…No sooner had that thought crossed my mind than a commotion broke out among the gathered students.

The two at the center of the disturbance were both familiar faces.

[Name: Rosalia Soline]

[Classification: Human / Female / Student]

[Gift: ???]

[Characteristics: Known as the “Crimson Ruby” of high society, the socialite flower. Always exuding confidence, her entourage of followers ensures she stands out wherever she goes. She has a pure personality— in both good and bad ways— easily influenced by others while also easily influencing them.]

Rosalia Soline, the daughter of Marquis Soline, famously called the Crimson Ruby of high society.

Back when I still suspected this world might be a romance fantasy novel setting, I had wondered if she might be one of the main characters.

But in the end, that speculation was meaningless.

[Name: Aurora Victoria]

[Classification: Human / Female / Student]

[Gift: ???]

[Characteristics: The daughter of Count Victoria. Always modestly dressed, she is diligent and excels academically. Though plain at first glance, she can be quite beautiful when dressed up, and her defining traits are her bold and spirited demeanor. She serves as the representative of Class A. Further details require more observation.]

And the one clashing with her was Aurora Victoria, the daughter of Count Victoria— a neatly tied-back blonde with glasses, the model student type who always maintained exemplary conduct during Gift lectures.

From what I could see, Rosalia had gathered a large group of followers and was causing a scene, and Aurora, the class representative, had stepped in to reprimand her, leading to an argument.

“Hmph. Pay her no mind, Lady Rosalia. She’s obviously just jealous of your beauty.”

“Really, the envy of a plain woman is just pitiful.”

“We have no complaints, so why is she the only one raising her voice like that? How spiteful. Don’t let it bother you, Lady Rosalia.”

“When was I ever jealous?!”

Rosalia’s followers chimed in one after another, effectively ganging up on Aurora with their words.

Still, it was impressive how Aurora refused to back down even in the face of what would normally make anyone retreat.

This was starting to make Rosalia look like the villainess.

With her entourage of followers, striking crimson hair, beautiful looks, and consistently haughty attitude— she was practically the living embodiment of a villainess from a romance fantasy novel.

I suppose I should intervene.

“I’ve heard enough. Everyone, stop this.”

“Ah, Professor Allen.”

“First, Miss Aurora. I’ll handle things with Miss Rosalia, so why don’t you step back for now?”

“…Understood. My apologies for the disturbance.”

“No, it’s nice to see you so lively. And Miss Rosalia, Miss Aurora has a point. This training camp isn’t just for you— it’s for all the students of Class A. It’s fine to move around actively to bond with your peers, but if someone feels uncomfortable because of it, that’s a different matter, isn’t it?”

“But all my friends agreed with me!! That means, logically speaking, no one finds my actions bothersome!!!”

“…Miss Rosalia, just because the people around you agreed doesn’t mean everyone would.”

“Gasp!!!! Now that I think about it, you’re right!!!!!”

At my words, Rosalia looked shocked, thanked me, and then disappeared.

…?

Wait, is that it? Is this really over?

It was absurd, but if it ended here, I wasn’t going to complain.

After that, the training camp proceeded peacefully—  albeit briefly—  until the courage test began.

Most of the students gathered at the academy belonged to the upper class of their respective regions, but not all of them did.

Some were admitted purely based on talent, with no notable background, while others came from upper-class families in their homelands— but since those homelands were minor nations, they were still relatively disadvantaged.

And so, while the academy outwardly upheld the ideal of equal education for all, an invisible wall of class distinctions existed among the students, whether they realized it or not.

It wasn’t just class, either.

Subtle tensions also arose from academic performance and whether or not one possessed a Gift.

However, being thrown together in this old hotel— cooking meals and participating in group activities regardless of social standing— slowly, awkwardly, began to thin that wall.

The upper-class students seemed displeased at having to prepare meals themselves, but with the help of lower-ranking nobles and commoner-born students, they managed to finish cooking. 

By the time the meal began, the atmosphere between groups in the class had softened considerably.

The students were bonding better than I’d expected.

No— actually, the opposite. 

It made sense that the atmosphere was good because only students willing to understand each other had come to the camp in the first place.

Professor Lydia’s judgment had been correct.

I still didn’t like that the training camp was being held in a haunted hotel, but as an educator, her approach to guiding students was admirable.

Of course, not every student had broken down their walls and grown closer.

Rosalia and Aurora were prime examples.

“Excuse me!! Why are you adding something that’s not in the recipe to the soup!?”

“Ohohohoh! Are you moved? No need to hold back. Though I personally brought these ingredients, I don’t mind sharing them to become closer to all of you!! Feel free to thank me as much as you like!!”

“Who in their right mind would add mint-chocolate cookies to soup?!”

The two constantly bickered over the most trivial things, and it always fell to me to meditate.

Through this, I learned one thing.

At first glance, Rosalia— with her entourage in tow— seemed like a typical villainess, causing trouble. 

But in reality, she was just an overly energetic, confident airhead.

The problem was that her followers mindlessly defended and praised her, making her seem like the antagonist.

This was a case where the people around her were the real issue.

The clashes between Aurora and Rosalia weren’t because Rosalia was truly malicious— it was simply that their personalities were fundamentally incompatible.

I’d have to come up with a solution for their personality clash sooner or later.

I am a teacher, after all.

As an educator, I should mediate the students’ relationships to some extent.

But not right now.

Right now, the most important thing is the courage test in this haunted mansion— and exorcising the ghost stories that will appear during it.

As a teacher, I should resolve the issues between those two, but for now, the top priority is the ghost stories.

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Meanwhile, dinner time passed, and soon the courage test was about to begin.

“Professor. Are the preparations all done?”

The students were in high spirits, buzzing with excitement for the courage test.

Amid the chaotic atmosphere, Elaine quietly approached and spoke to me.

“Of course. I’ve already tampered with the team assignments, so there’s nothing to worry about. The preparations are perfect. Both for the team assignments… and for ‘that side.’”

The plan was simple.

The courage test would be conducted in pairs of two.

For the team draw, I would abuse my authority as the teacher to place Elaine and Rone in the first team.

Then, as the supervisor of the courage test, I would join them the moment they entered the mansion.

And before the second team set out, the three of us would resolve the ghost story as quickly as possible.

A flawless courage test where no one gets hurt.

There was no way this perfect plan could fail.

Just then, Lydia noticed me with Elaine and approached.

“Ah, Professor Allen. About the team assignments for the courage test— we’ve changed it from pairs of two to groups of four.”

It failed.

Elaine’s glare was sharp.

“What!? That was never part of the plan!”

“Well, there were more students participating in the training camp than expected. If we conducted the courage test in pairs, we wouldn’t be able to finish it on time. So we decided to increase the number per team to speed things up.”

“B-but since it was originally planned for pairs, shouldn’t we stick to that? Four people is too many— it’ll take away the whole point of testing courage…”

“If we stubbornly stick to pairs, each team will only get half the time. And isn’t it better if more people means less fear? The goal of this courage test is to overcome fear, after all!”

“W-well, that’s true, but…”

“Ah, how about we all go together at once? If all the students in the training camp explore the mansion together, it’ll be even easier to conquer fear.”

“Let’s just go with groups of four.”

The plan had gone awry from the start.

Elaine’s glare was very sharp.

An unexpected situation— due to more participants than anticipated, the teams had changed from pairs to groups of four.

But that wasn’t the only variable.

“Ohohohoh! How fortunate I am! To be first— to be able to explore the uncharted mansion before anyone else! What a blessing! I must give thanks for my luck!”

“Ugh, can you keep it down? It’s supposed to be a courage test, but the scary mood is already ruined.”

“My mere presence has banished your fear! Aurora, has my existence given you courage!? That you’ve forgotten your fear because of me— I’m overjoyed! Ohohohoh!”

“Uuuuuuh… This is hopeless.”

Of all people, the additional members assigned to the first team were Aurora and Rosalia.

Now, Rone’s glare was sharp too.

“Alright. First team, you may begin!”

…Somehow, I had a feeling it was going to be a long night.