Joint Practical Training (1)
The Joint Practical Training for the final evaluation. It was a dungeon assault event involving the entire first-year class at once. Of course, it was a scoring event only in relation to the protagonist, Sierra. For me, this was the decisive event for conquering Chris.
At last, the day has come...
For reference, conquering Chris through this event wasn't knowledge from the original story. After all, the Joint Practical was just a mini-event for Sierra's dungeon exploration and spec-up. But in the previous 4th loop, while I was trying to conquer her, I learned that this event could definitely secure Chris.
...Of course, she ended up betraying me in the end.
But doesn't that mean it wasn't a surefire conquest...?
For a moment, doubt crept into my decision, but I quickly shook my head. No distractions with stray thoughts right before the crucial moment. I'd endured all that grueling training for today.
In the last loop, it was a close call.
I recalled that moment from the 4th loop. Crunch. And naturally, the moment right after when I learned Chris had betrayed me came to mind too. My jaw clenched involuntarily.
"Emil?"
At that instant, Chris beside me noticed the change and called out to me.
"You okay? Your face looks kinda bad..."
"Huh? Oh, yeah, it's nothing."
Right now, she and I were heading to our usual training ground together. To prepare for the Joint Practical starting in a few days.
"There's a lot of people..."
As we neared the training ground, Chris muttered that. She was right—there were tons of people. It was a spot only Chris and I ever used before, but with the combat-testing Joint Practical right around the corner, students were flocking there.
And among them were the two who'd be joining us for this Joint Practical.
"Ah, you guys are here."
"......"
Sierra spotted us and waved with a smile. And next to her was the other one: Edric.
Just like last time, you're in our group for this practical too, huh.
Edric stared at me intently with his emotionless, impassive face.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Back in the 4th loop, my relationship with Edric hadn't been that bad up until the Joint Practical. Same with Malcolm. As long as I didn't get into a romantic relationship with the heroines, they at least showed me a favorable image.
'Emil, right? Let's do well in this practical.'
Of course, by the 4th loop, I'd been screwed over by those male leads plenty of times, so even as I smiled, I was wary of him inside. But I held onto hope until the end. And the result?
'Ngh, ahh...! Haa..., nng...!'
Screeech, screeech, screeech.
'......'
He'd trapped me. I barely survived and faced reality right in front of his room.
And now, in this 6th loop, we were grouped together again for the Joint Practical.
"Then let's settle on this formation."
Edric folded the map provided by the academy and said that.
"Emil, no issues, right?"
He flashed a grin at me.
"Yeah, fine by me."
I nodded back with a smile at Edric.
What should I do with him?
Like with Malcolm, I harbored resentment toward Edric too. So I planned to make him pay somewhat for his crimes—even if not fully. Sure, this 6th loop's Edric hadn't done anything to me yet.
But from the vibe, it's only a matter of time before he pulls something.
Edric was smiling, sure. But I could feel thick wariness radiating from him. It was the same as what I'd sensed from Malcolm recently with Marie. No doubt about it.
For some reason, Edric was already aware of my relationship with Chris. The change that only started after becoming her lover in the 4th loop was already underway.
"Still, having Chris in our group makes it solid! Hehe, right, Emil?"
Then Sierra, who'd been listening to the strategy, beamed brightly and chimed in.
I glanced at her and replied a bit curtly.
"It's not just Chris. I've been training hard too."
"Pfft, everyone knows you're a weakling, Emil. Still showing off?"
Sierra teased me playfully with a laugh.
Maybe I should've picked someone else instead of her.
The reason Sierra was in my group now was because I'd invited her. The day after I suggested to Chris that we team up for the Joint Practical, after the group announcements, we each decided to recruit one more member. Chris naturally picked Edric, just like in the 4th loop.
But for me, with no other acquaintances to bring, I only had two options.
Ask the currently precarious Marie? Or ask Sierra?
Obviously, I had no choice but Sierra. Entrusting my back to Marie in a dark dungeon was way too risky.
And the result?
"Ufufu, if you're scared, you can hide behind your big sis, y'know?"
"......"
I'd ended up tangled with Sierra again somehow.
"M-Meeting's over, right?"
Then Chris beside me yanked me close and said that.
"Huh? Yeah?"
"Uh..."
Sierra looked a bit surprised, while Edric replied quietly with a slightly displeased expression.
"Then let's wrap up. Not like we can do much from here anyway."
Chris spoke to them while subtly gripping my clothes under the wooden table.
"Sure, sounds good?"
"......"
They reacted differently but agreed with Chris.
"Um... Emil, got a sec?"
As everyone prepared to head back, Chris—who'd been holding my sleeve—spoke cautiously to me.
"Huh? You two not leaving?"
Sierra, who'd packed her stuff, looked at us and asked.
"Oh... training. We still have training today."
I blurted out a white lie. There was no training today. We'd decided to rest until the Joint Practical in a few days.
"Oh? See ya tomorrow then."
Luckily, Sierra nodded without suspicion and headed back to the dorm alone. Edric watched us for a moment before quietly following her.
"......What is it?"
"......"
Finally alone, I asked Chris. She finally let go of my sleeve.
"Um... well..."
"Yeah?"
Chris hesitated, fumbling for words. She clutched her arm tightly, looking embarrassed and fidgety.
Huh...?
I'd seen this before.
No way... right now...?
A confession. Yeah, Chris was hesitating to speak just like a girl on the verge of confessing.
Gulp.
"A-About this dungeon practical..."
"Oh."
Phew, not that.
Of course... event's not even done yet.
Maybe I was too focused on the goal—I'd gotten my hopes up over nothing.
"Yeah, what about the practical?"
"...You know how I get when I enter a dungeon... like..."
"Ahh..."
I got the gist of what Chris wanted to say. She falls into panic from her trauma in dungeons.
"Sierra just said she was counting on me... but really, I'll just be a burden..."
"Yeah, that's tricky."
It was exactly the point I was aiming for, though.
Chris seemed bothered by her own flaw.
"What do I do...? You went out of your way to invite me..."
Deflated and crestfallen, unlike her usual self. Her conquest had progressed lately, softening her sharp edges a lot.
But this was still unexpected.
"Don't worry about it."
"......"
I smiled at her. Chris's eyes widened slightly as she stared at me.
"You're not going in alone this time. So it'll be better than before."
"......Really?"
"Yeah. I'll watch over you as much as I can."
"......"
At my words, her anxious look faded, and she bowed her head tensely.
"Okay... then I'll lean on you a bit."
She grabbed my sleeve tight again and said that.
I'm the one who should say please take care of me.
I thought that while looking at her. From my perspective, her panic was essential.
"Alright, that it? Let's head back then?"
"......"
Afterward, I tried to head to the dorm with her. But...
Grip...
Huh?
Chris's hand on my sleeve gripped even harder. The girl who'd been shyly ducking her head in a warm atmosphere just moments ago now eyed me with the sharp aura I'd seen often before.
"Also, about that."
"Uh, yeah?"
"......Sierra. ...Why'd you pick her of all people?"
"......"
Guess this was the real issue. Before, she'd hesitated to even ask, but now Chris was direct.
"Haha... just, y'know..."
"......"
Proof her conquest was going well, but still scary. I averted my eyes from her piercing gaze.
"I-I don't have other friends. That's why."
"......"
She finally released my sleeve at my half-assed answer.
"Really...?"
Her sharp edge softened, and she asked like a shy girl again.
Marie too, and now her... why do they all fixate on Sierra?
Of course, as their conquest progressed, they'd develop feelings for me, so jealousy was natural. But it felt a bit unfair. It wasn't like I wanted to team with Sierra.
Still, luckily, Chris bought my "no friends" excuse.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Time passed, and the day of the awaited event arrived.
The final evaluation Joint Practical. Countless students gathered at the site, equipped with gear provided by the academy.
"...━To repeat, if it's dangerous, break the bracelet like last time. So don't tense up and make mistakes..."
We huddled with our group members, listening to the professor explain precautions and rules. Meanwhile, I was conscious of Chris and Edric beside me.
Finally, today...
Once today ended, Chris's conquest would wrap up. And my own revenge on Edric too.
With the results of this long, arduous second conquest right before me, I clenched my fist—not from tension, but anticipation. My heart raced.
And so.
"Then, enter in the designated order━!!"
The dungeon assault Joint Practical began.
"Alright! Let's snag a good score!"
Our group entered the dungeon on schedule, amid Sierra's spirited cheer.
And shortly after, while proceeding through the practical inside the dungeon.
"U, ugh..."
Edric pissed his pants. Right in front of Chris, Sierra, and me.