Chapter 9
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: Psycho Pink Nurse
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I lost consciousness.
Just from that.
When I opened my eyes, an unfamiliar ceiling came into view.
There were no signs of anyone nearby.
'...The nurse's office?'
White curtains, white ceiling, white bed—an all-white interior that could drive anyone insane.
I glanced around cautiously.
Everyone seemed to have stepped out.
This feels like the perfect timing.
"An unfamiliar ceiling..."
I've always wanted to say that line myself at least once.
Swish.
The curtain slid open.
"Awake now?"
A cross necklace dangled around her neck, glinting faintly.
I stared blankly, taking in her appearance.
She matched the image in my memory.
The one and only school nurse at Heart Soul Academy, Ritta...
'In her thirties, yet stubbornly clinging to pink twintails and a nurse outfit...'
In other words, the psycho pink hag.
Her ability: Ship of Theseus—biological reconstruction and transplantation.
The power to perfectly transplant another person's body parts or even other organic matter without any risk of rejection.
A miracle ability that could save critical patients in an instant.
Even in this post-apocalyptic setting at Heart Soul Academy, the genre's typical grimness was barely present thanks to her.
Serious injuries didn't even show on the surface. She'd just whip up a new body part from plants, bugs, or animals and transplant it on the spot.
Ritta spoke up.
"Oh, even if I am pretty... staring like that for so long is embarrassing, you know?"
"...Sorry."
I bowed my head politely.
I don't mess with psychos.
That was my creed.
"No need to apologize that much. There weren't any external injuries, so I didn't even use my ability."
"......"
"It was just extreme stress or the shock from the dire situation causing you to faint. That's all."
"I see."
Ritta winked.
"Want a drink or something?"
"I'm good."
I slipped my hand into the pocket of my uniform.
Cold glass tube, plastic cap, plunger.
A syringe.
I desperately kept my expression neutral.
'...Why is this here?'
Ritta looked at me.
Was she reading my face? I hope not...
"Oh, worried?"
"Huh?"
"I didn't undress you. Obviously didn't peek at your underwear either."
"What are you... talking... about?"
"The guy who carried you here running all the way? Good manners."
...It was about Ja-an.
I carefully withdrew my hand from my pocket.
Keeping it there would just raise suspicions.
"Thank you."
"Sure."
"......"
"Oh, right. You prepared?"
"Prepared for what?"
"You slept a full day straight. There's class today."
A full day...?
"What time is it now...?"
"8:43."
[Abnormal Status: Drug]
[Address it within 49:58:54]
Day 2 at the academy.
Today's event: sparring matches.
I hadn't prepared at all.
Can I even win?
Who am I even up against?
Ritta said,
"Don't panic too much. Class hasn't even started yet."
"First period is..."
"Around 9, I think? My memory's fuzzy. It's been over ten years since I was a cadet myself."
"Thank you! I'll head out!"
"Yeah. Try not to end up back here anytime soon."
I bolted up from the bed and dashed straight for the nurse's office door.
As I grabbed the doorknob, Ritta's voice called out from behind.
"The student who brought you here already reported the incident."
"......"
"Don't worry too much. They'll catch the guy soon. That student already handled all the annoying stuff, so just relax."
"Please pass on my thanks."
"Better do it yourself. He was pretty handsome."
That's exactly the problem with handsome guys.
I bowed my head and opened the door.
I raced down the hallway, piecing together yesterday's memories.
Thankfully, I found the classroom quickly.
As I opened the door and stepped in, all the other students' eyes turned to me.
It was a bit overwhelming.
I avoided their gazes as best I could and sat at my desk.
Not long after, someone approached.
It was Ja-an.
"You okay?"
"Yeah."
"You collapsed out of nowhere and scared me. You sure you're really fine?"
"I said I'm fine."
Who says visual novel protagonists aren't smooth? The way he pretended to worry while hitting on me was pretty slick.
Though the fact that he didn't even realize it was flirting made him even more insidious.
It had only been a day since we met.
Even if we'd exchanged contacts, closing the distance this much?
Maybe it was because I'd spent my school days as a lone wolf, but I just couldn't gauge the distance properly.
There were even manga where girls let guys grope their chests to cheer them up. Was that for real...?
'Maybe test it out later.'
Not that I'd actually let him, but a joke like that should be fine.
Everyone jokes like that with friends, right?
Ja-an kept glancing at me, checking my mood.
Finally, I threw him a line.
"I'm really okay."
"...Got it. I'll head back then."
"Yeah. Oh, right—you know about the sparring today, yeah?"
"Of course."
"You prepared? I haven't done a thing."
"Everyone's in the same boat. The schedule got texted out last night all of a sudden..."
So the story flow was still on track so far.
Still, this sparring... what do I do?
With my stats, even Class B would be a stretch—I'd need to drop to Class D to have a shot.
No, wait—I'm a model citizen who's never even been in a fight.
And my opponent? An ability user, trained professionally their whole life up to adulthood.
No way I win.
Might be better to just lose quick to a strong opponent.
Getting my hidden cards exposed would mean getting looked down on by the other classes, which already soured my mood.
If the other cadets realized I didn't belong in Class A, what then?
No idea. Never been through it.
Ha.
Just sigh after sigh.
I glanced at Ja-an.
He was still hovering by my side, watching my expression.
Even though it wasn't his fault. Why?
Oh, right—this is why he's the protagonist.
I accepted it instantly.
I spoke up.
"Well, if we end up matched, go easy on me?"
"Doubt that'll happen."
"Hmph, you're no fun. Come on, take it easy."
Ja-an grinned.
Watching him, I couldn't help but smile too.
The laughter was contagious.
Creeeak.
The classroom door opened again.
Irene Rock, our homeroom teacher, made her entrance.
"Everyone, take your seats."
Ja-an waved as he headed back to his spot.
Once all the cadets were seated, Irene Rock spoke again.
"You got the notice about today's sparring yesterday, so you all know. We're heading to the arena now."
No explanations?
Right now?
No, this was her style. What was I expecting?
Irene Rock smirked and opened the classroom door.
"Follow me."
The view beyond the door shifted.
No more familiar academy hallway—instead, an enormous empty gymnasium appeared.
"As a little preview: almost every unit on the front lines has a teleporter. The academy's no different. You're cadets, but you're still reserves."
Everyone started eyeing each other warily.
Teleportation.
Even knowing it was an ability, the unease was unavoidable.
If the power cut out mid-jump, you'd get sliced clean in half.
Just like kids scared of their first plane ride.
"No volunteers for the first try? Really, no one?"
I raised my hand slightly.
"I'll do it."
"Oh, nice. Ashamed yet, everyone? Can't even beat this little girl's courage."
A few male cadets averted their eyes.
They were embarrassed to lose out to a girl like me.
'Honestly, how do you even deal with teleportation.'
Just in case.
'Checkpoint.'
[Checkpoint set.]
Even if an accident happened—and those were super rare, like once a year—I could return to this point.
Teleport mishaps were that infrequent anyway, so no real worry.
Just preparing for the what-if.
Whew.
I took a deep breath and stepped out the door.
The scenery shifted.
My vision spun.
The gym whirled around, and the floor rushed up at me. No—I was falling forward.
A hand caught me from behind.
I stopped precariously in midair.
Someone gripped the back of my neck.
"...?"
I steadied myself and stood properly.
Turning around, I saw a familiar face.
Ja-an.
"You okay?"
"...Thanks."
Through the rectangular door, Irene Rock waved.
She called out,
"Wow... fast, huh? Ran that quick just 'cause a girl's cute and might trip?"
"I'd do the same for any cadet."
"Sure you would."
Tsk.
Irene Rock clicked her tongue like it was boring.
The classic counter to troublemakers: the model student.
Worked for teacher-student dynamics too.
.
.
.
The gymnasium auditorium.
A makeshift-looking stage, chairs below it.
I looked around.
Students from other classes were filing in through doors one by one.
My eyes returned to the stage.
In the vast auditorium that could hold thousands, at the center lowest point, sat a pure white square stage.
No ropes, no fences.
Fifteen meters on each side, broad marble tiles.
It evoked ancient Rome's Colosseum or those martial arts tournaments from certain manga.
Blinding white lights poured down from above.
'...Ugh.'
My eyes hurt.
I shifted my gaze to the floor.
The arena rose about a meter high, leaving the concrete below exposed and open.
The rules were straightforward.
Just like in a game.
Fall down, get knocked off the stage, or become combat ineffective—you're out.
'The events during sparring were random probability too. Definitely.'
Same class vs. same class, or Class A vs. others.
Opponents drawn at random.
Method: lots.
An academy teacher in a suit stepped onto the podium.
"This sparring is intra-class matches. To gauge your skills, assess your level, and measure growth by semester's end. That's it."
Unfamiliar face.
Low-rank teacher, an extra probably.
Even I couldn't memorize every single character's face.
"First up, Class A draws their opening opponent."
Better to take the hit early.
Maybe going first means people forget you quicker.
"Entrance rank 9th, Ivy Lane. Step forward."
...Damn it.
Didn't expect to actually get hit first.
"Next, entrance rank 1st, Ja-an. Step forward."
Fuck...
Looks like he's not planning to go easy.
I'm screwed?