Field Trip (1)

Two weeks had passed since the student council request came to an end. Naturally, nothing particularly eventful happened during that time. The only notable thing was the announcement regarding midterms.

'Well, it can't be helped.'

Originally, midterms were supposed to take place on the island where the previous practical evaluation had been held. However, the demon race's terrorist attack had left the island in complete ruins. As a result, the exams were postponed. Only now had the official notice finally been released.

'It's exactly like the original story.'

They had decided to combine the midterm and final exams into a single test. It was an unavoidable decision. It was simply too late to hold midterms at this point.

'Though a terrorist attack will still happen during the final exam episode anyway.'

But that wasn't important right now. While the finals were incredibly significant, the episode that was about to unfold was far more critical.

The Saintess Episode.

This time, the academy had decided to visit the Holy Federation. Unlike the Manchester Continent, it was a nation without any concept of social class. At first glance it might seem like a democratic country, but in reality, it was essentially a country founded by the church. It was easiest to think of the Pope as the king and the Saintess as the princess.

And the incident that would occur during this trip was the Saintess Escape episode. It involved rescuing her from the heretics within the Holy Federation. From the perspective of the original story, she absolutely had to be saved. After all, she would become an essential member of the party I planned to build later.

'Hoo. Well, that's why I'm preparing for it.'

As I was thinking that, a voice suddenly called out right in front of me.

Miroel had floated right up to my nose and asked the question. I answered politely.

-Huh?

My sudden answer made a question mark pop up above her head. She clearly ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠hadn't expected the word "gift" to come out of my mouth. Miroel asked again, her voice full of suspicion.

At my question, she narrowed her eyes. It was as if she were asking why I was bringing this up with her of all people.

She let out a deep sigh with an expression that said I was hopeless, then puffed out her cheeks and disappeared into the Bow of the Beginning. It seemed she was properly upset.

'Ugh. Looks like I'll have to prepare everything myself.'

With that thought, I finished my training and went to purchase the items I would need to prepare for the upcoming episode. As a side note, Miroel's anger completely vanished the moment I gave her fried chicken and cake.

Several days later, the long-awaited field trip finally arrived. Normally, students would be excited about a school trip. However, unlike the others, I wasn't particularly thrilled.

Because an incident would occur midway through this trip.

'Well, it's only a sub-episode, so it's not a major event...'

Even so, I couldn't afford to let my guard down. You never knew how things might unfold in this world.

As I was thinking seriously about it, a voice called out to me.

Sherry asked with a worried look on her face. I shook my head.

She tilted her head at my words. I smiled kindly and continued.

I had expected her to be happy, but contrary to my expectations, she made a rather awkward expression.

'What? Did something happen?'

Harboring doubts, I quickly glanced at her status window.

She had grown tremendously. Her level had risen by a full four since the practical evaluation. On top ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠of that, her Mana talent had increased by one stage, and her Flame Resistance had grown even further. It was a moment that made me realize just how hard she had been working.

'Well, it's not for nothing that she's set up as the greatest genius in Patrick family history.'

Anyway, that was beside the point. Why was she making such an awkward face? Wasn't defeating Luden her goal? I had honestly expected her to be overjoyed, but she didn't seem happy at all.

Unable to contain my curiosity, I asked her directly.

'Your goal?'

At the mention of her goal changing, I tilted my head. This was completely different from the original story.

The next moment, she flailed her arms wildly while her face turned bright red. Just what kind of goal could make her react like this?

She changed the subject so blatantly it was suspicious. But in the end, it wasn't that important. What mattered was ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠that she had grown far more than she had in the original story.

'Good is good, I suppose.'

While I was continuing my conversation with Sherry, Risa's voice called out from nearby.

Risa waved us over along with the rest of the group. We turned our heads at her words.

The next moment, a massive ship appeared, slicing through the ocean waves with a tremendous roar. Sherry's mouth fell open at the sight.

Perhaps because civilization here wasn't as advanced as in the modern world, this was probably her first time seeing such a gigantic cruise ship. Well, it was my first time seeing one in person too.

Miroel narrowed her eyes while looking at the cruise ship. It seemed she had seen similar vessels in the past.

'But were there cruise ships back then too?'

While I was pondering that question, Sherry called out to me with a puzzled look.

I nodded and started walking. At the same time—

-Squeeze.

Someone hugged me tightly from behind. When I turned to see who it was, Miroel was staring at me with an expression that said it was only natural.

She wasn't wrong. But couldn't she just stay inside the Bow of the Beginning? I had that question for a moment, but she tightened her arms around me as if she had no intention of letting go. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠It looked like I'd have to walk around like this for a while.

While the first-years were lining up to board the cruise ship, Luden was deep in thought.

'Hmm. No matter how much I search, I can't find anything.'

She recalled what had happened last time. Baran coughing up blood inside the artificial dungeon. He had claimed it was simply because he had overused his mana, but...

'I just couldn't quite believe it.'

If that had been all, she wouldn't have paid it any mind. But then she saw the medicine he was taking at the inn. When she asked, he said it was medicine that was good for the body. So she had asked Risa about it—whether there were any pills that improved one's health.

Risa had said there were and handed her a book about medicine. However...

'There was no medicine like the one Baran was taking.'

No matter how thoroughly she searched the book, the pill he had taken wasn't listed anywhere. Just to be sure, she had asked Risa again—whether there could be medicines not included in that book.

Risa had answered:

The moment she heard that, she became certain once again. Baran was suffering from some kind of illness.

'Ugh. Is there really no way?'

It hadn't even been a full year since they had met. Still, during the practical evaluation and combat classes, she had received his help multiple times. She wanted to help him somehow.

'Sigh. Is there really no way?'

Just as she was thinking that, the announcement came.

It was finally Class A's turn. Following Professor Dale's guidance, the students of Class A quietly boarded the ship. Once everyone was aboard, the vessel slowly began to move.

Everyone marveled at the unexpected experience. Since it was Luden's first time on a ship as well, her feelings were rather complicated. But at that moment—

The rest of the group rushed over to him in a panic. Wondering what was going on, Luden shifted her gaze. There, she saw Baran's face had turned deathly pale as he covered his mouth with his hand.

The moment she saw that, the incident from the artificial dungeon flashed through her mind. It seemed his illness was far more serious than she had imagined.