episode_0021

“Cadets, the mock maze practical I told you about last week will be held this week.”

During a class on healing magic, the professor in charge, a very cute white male fennec fox, speaks cheerfully.

“If you just remember what you’ve learned so far, you won’t have much trouble.”

As the professor spoke, he drew a rough outline of the labyrinth along with a few circles.

A labyrinth is simply a dungeon. There is nothing better than a labyrinth for gaining experience outside of the academy or for pursuing high-quality items.

“Although it is called a mock test, the labyrinth itself is real. It is used as a test site under the Academy’s control because the risk is somewhat low.”

Unless you have not included combat lessons in your lineup, the mock labyrinth practice that you must do in most situations is a good way to check your current character’s specs.

“How long will it take, Professor?”

When a student raises his hand to ask a question, the professor briefly folds and unfolds his tiny fingers and calculates something.

“I think I can do it in one day at the earliest, or two days at the latest.”

The students start to murmur at the professor’s words. The healing magic class is 100% male, and it’s not common for males to enter the labyrinth and sleep out.

“Okay, be quiet! Cadets are specialists in recovery magic. If you don’t plan on making fun of your specialization, practice is very important. So here are a few things to keep in mind.”

The professor teaches the male students important points by writing numbers on the blackboard.

“First, always keep to the formation. Don’t go too far back out of fear, and don’t go too far forward out of curiosity. You could endanger the team itself.”

As mentioned, users of recovery magic—healers—usually stand at the back of a diamond formation, or right in front of the magicians in a straight formation.

This is because you need to defend that position in order to fight while supporting the defense and attackers in the front.

As the professor said, the moment the healer leaves his position, recovery is hindered and it is only a matter of time before the team falls apart.

In other words, the result is that if you just pay attention, that’s enough.

“Second, don’t just think about recovery just because you’re in charge of recovery. You’re all taking magic classes, right? ”

All the students answer ‘yes’ to the professor’s question. It would be foolish not to listen to the magic lecture because it provides various essential magic and spell slots essential for using magic.

“If there is a wizard on your team, divide up the roles after sufficient discussion in advance. If there is no wizard, always be ready to use the magic you have learned that is appropriate for the situation.”

This time, the professor writes the number 3 on the board.

“Follow the decisions of the team leader as much as possible. If you are the leader, I don’t know, but you probably won’t be the leader… Team division will cause your survival rate to plummet.”

Finally, the professor gives advice only verbally, not on the board.

“If you are in a situation where you cannot stand on your own or it is dangerous, always rely on the female. The female who protects the male is stronger than her limit. The thought that you will be a burden can actually put everyone in danger.”

The professor continues, saying so.

“I also had a time when something went wrong during the mock training in 4th grade and I was stuck in the labyrinth for longer than planned. I relied on the leader a lot at that time… Now she’s my first female group member.”

“Are you talking about the commander of the Imperial Guard?”

The professor also laughed heartily at the playful remark of a male student.

“That’s right. So in times of emergency, let’s rely on the team and the females to overcome the crisis.”

After the lecture, the professor calls us aside.

“Ain-kun?”

“Yes, Professor.”

“In principle, we would announce the team composition the day before the mock training, but I think Ain should know in advance.”

When the professor hands me the file, I look for my name on it.

“…Elfin, Senior Lulu, Senior Ion.”

“Ugh, I didn’t want to do this, but I’m embarrassed to say that I’m also a baron…”

The professor smiles bashfully as if he’s apologetic. It’s not like there’s anything particularly wrong, and since he’s cute, I decide to let it slide.

“It’s okay. I’ll try to control it well.”

“The Duke’s Young Lady, the Marquis’ Young Lady, and the Fourth Princess’s Highness. If it were me, I would faint as soon as I saw the list.”

“The commander of the Imperial Guard was also a baron, right?”

“Haha, yes. He is a count now, but back then he was also a baron.”

Anyway, since I had already received the information from the professor, I bowed my head to express my gratitude and left the classroom.

Then, he recalls Lulu and Ion’s schedules that they had experienced over the past month and weeks since entering the academy, and heads to the second floor of the building north of the Hall of Knowledge.

Since this is a building where freshmen never come, the noise of upperclassmen passing by feels louder than usual.

“Seniors?”

“Hey, junior? Why are you here? And how did you know I was here?”

“What is it, Ion? Why is Ain here…?????”

At my sudden appearance, Ion laughed in surprise, and Lulu opened her large eyes even wider and expressed her doubts.

“Nothing much. I just found out some news. Should I go out for a bit? I think you’re taking a break right now.”

“That’s true, but how about until break time…”

I brought the two out and sat down together on a suitable bench. There were many upperclassmen around who had come out to see what was going on.

“In this mock labyrinth test, you and I, along with Elfin, were on the same team.”

“Haha, is that so, junior? What a coincidence.”

“That’s right, that’s what I’m saying.”

The two of them, as expected, pretend not to know. I furrow my brows and look at them silently.

“Ah…haha, junior. I guess I’m worried about you.”

“…”

Ion chose to be honest, and Lulu blushed and avoided eye contact.

“By the way, you call Her Highness the Princess by her name. Are we becoming close?”

“That’s not important right now. I think it would have been better if you had just told me.”

“You, whatever we do, what the…ugh.”

Lulu couldn’t stand my words and was about to swear, but Ion stopped her and answered instead.

“I’m sorry, junior. But it’s true that I’m worried about you. There’s a high probability that unexpected situations will occur during the mock maze practice. And also…”

“Again?”

At my question, Ion made an “Oh no” expression and smiled very awkwardly.

“Nothing.”

“I didn’t mean to say anything to you seniors. I just came here because I was curious. But next time, please don’t say that to the professor and tell me.”

“Haha, I got it, junior.”

“Oh, I understand.”

At my words, Ion laughed, and Lulu answered, slightly timid in response.

“But I’m definitely relieved that you two are on the same team.”

“I see, right?”

“Of course not. To me, Lulu Anastasia, a mock labyrinth is worse than gum. ”

I nod at their boasts and get up from my seat.

“Aren’t you going to stay longer, junior?”

“I have to say something to Elfin too. And…”

As I pointed to the clock, both of their eyes turned to it as well. There was exactly one minute left until the break ended.

“See you next time.”

“Take care, junior.”

“Isn’t it weird to hear that from your junior?”

Lulu was grumbling, but when I stared at her, she mumbled something and ran off to the classroom, which made me laugh out loud.

“You’re cute, Senior Lulu.”

“I’ll be happy to pass it on to you.”

After leaving the building, I walk across the Hall of Knowledge and spend a moment in front of the fountain. And then…

“Ain.”

“Hey, isn’t that pretty~”

Elfin and Chesha (who calls me Pretty One) appear.

“Elfin, you asked the Recovery Magic Professor to put you on the same team as me?”

At my words, Elfin looked troubled for a moment, then answered simply.

“The Empress herself said it.”

“…this.”

It certainly doesn’t seem like the elfin personality would be the same for a professor, and if anything, it seems like it would be Empress Alexandra rather than her.

“Our team consists of you, me, senior Lulu, and senior Ion.”

“I bet you both said something to them too.”

“Of course.”

“Hey, pretty girl, you are confident regardless of your status~”

Chesha threw out a joke with her characteristic “Kyahaha” laugh.

“Even so, I don’t think it’s right for a student to pressure a professor. Even if the Empress says there’s nothing she can do…”

“That’s really strange. No one would think that way.”

As Chesha said, the professor is also a citizen of the Perion Empire, and even if the other person is a student, he cannot be free from the five ranks.

But I guess I have a different sense of common sense than the people here, and I didn’t like it when students showed off their status to their teachers, regardless of their status.

“Regardless of status, I think of a teacher as a teacher.”

“Kah~ Isn’t that a cool thing to say, Your Highness?”

“Hmm.”

As Chesha started to fuss at my words, Elfin looked troubled as if thinking about something.

“Doesn’t it have anything to do with status, being a teacher and a student?”

“Well, at least I think so within the academy. It can’t be helped once you leave. We’re all citizens of the same Perion Empire. In a place of learning, a teacher is a teacher. A student is a student. Let’s protect what needs to be protected.”

People who know me would probably say, “Wow, that’s an outrageous statement,” but whatever. Everyone has their own thoughts and standards.

“…I agree. I guess I’ll have to apologize to the professor later. ”

“It’s okay. You didn’t want to do it.”

“No, there was something I wanted too. I unconsciously told the Empress that I wanted to be on the same team as you.”

“…Anyway, it was the Empress who did it…”

I hide my bewildered feelings and throw a coin that was rolling around in my pocket into the fountain.

“Anyway, when we have time, let’s get together with our seniors and talk a bit. It’s called a team meeting.”

“Okay.”

Time passes and it is the day of the mock maze practice. Students, including me, are gathered in groups in front of the maze.

“Are you well prepared, junior? And Your Highness the Princess.”

“I packed enough so that I wouldn’t have to put one more needle in my bag. Please leave the rest to me.”

“Ready. But Ain, what are you carrying there?”

As Elfin asked incredulously, Lulu looked around the bag I had on my back.

“Hmm, that’s pretty good… (Lulu glanced around at the squeaking males) It’s much better than those who think exploring a labyrinth is a picnic. ”

Then, he takes out a chocolate bar from the side of his bag, opens the packaging, and puts it in his mouth.

“This is edible.”

“Yes.”

As I gave a breathy answer, the professor clapped his hands to get the students’ attention.

“Okay, now it’s time to go in. When you enter the labyrinth, you will all be moved to different places and times according to the labyrinth’s mechanism. The goal is to get the Academy Badge from the depths of the labyrinth.”

The professor who had spoken up to that point shouted energetically.

“Then, let’s start with the prepared team!!”

At the professor’s shout, Ion steps forward without hesitation, followed by Elfin.

Elfin and Lulu followed behind as we entered the labyrinth in a single formation.

The entrance to the large cave-like labyrinth was a dark space with no light for a moment, but then it suddenly became bright again, revealing the interior of the labyrinth, made up of layers of ancient architectural structures.

“I’ve only heard about it, but this is my first time seeing it in action.”

“This is for mock training, but the labyrinth itself is real, Your Highness. Be careful. ”

“Yes, my lady, Duke of Moratium.”

Lulu tapped my shoulder with her fingertips as the two of them talked, adding a word.

“You too, be careful.”

“Please leave it to me.”

We slowly begin to move towards the depths of the labyrinth.