Wow! It's Summer! (1)
Esdinas Academy's academic calendar repeats the same pattern every year. Even if unexpected variables crop up and shake things up internally, the overall structure holds firm. New students arrive in March, classes kick off in April, midterms hit early May, and by mid-June, the semester wraps up. That's about 15 weeks plus a couple more. Right around when summer starts creeping in, the academy goes on "vacation," and undergrads either spend their break on campus or head back home.
In Esdinas of the Blue Skies—or as it's known, the "Breadcademy Game"—what do you do during summer vacation?
"The protagonist's choice, obviously."
Chang Yeom takes a sip of her strawberry black tea, smiling faintly amid the garden's heart, at a lavish table set for tea time—a scene straight out of some romance fantasy.
"Just like the semester ticks by week by week, vacation does too, with the protagonist's actions shaping up along the way."
Dressed like a graceful lady of high society, Chang Yeom savors the strawberry dessert before her.
"Right, Jeolpung?"
"Spot on, nya."
Beside her, Kim Penril—known as Jeolpung—also dons a white dress and picks up her fork. The cake she elegantly spoons up is, naturally, mint chocolate. And here I am, across from them, serving as butler to these two refined demon lords—or rather, ladies.
"Phoenix."
"Yes, Lady Chang Yeom."
"Care to give a report on everything that's happened so far? The results from the past two months."
"Two months, huh."
It's been about two months since the academy's first field exercise.
"...Aside from getting a bit closer since the last day of that exercise, nothing's really changed in our relationships."
"Tsk, RP."
"Butlers talk casual to their young ladies sometimes, Lady."
"Exactly, nya. You're not even the real deal—just another ego Phoenix summoned as a mental construct."
"Oh ho?"
Chang Yeom furrows one eyebrow at Penril's jab.
"What if I'm chatting with your mental body via a direct mana link from the demon realm?"
"If that were true, you'd have rushed over and snapped my neck a few times by now, so you're a fake, nya! Just an avatar of Chang Yeom that Phoenix made, like 100% accurate!"
"Not 'close to 100%'—it's 100%. Not the original body, though."
Chang Yeom smiles and lifts her fork again.
"That means Phoenix knows me inside and out, down to splitting his psyche in his mental world and forming this perfect Chang Yeom shape. He even gets every nook and cranny of my body spot-on."
"Pervert, nya?"
"Won't deny it."
"Ahem."
I cleared my throat to steer the two ladies away from diving into deeper waters.
"Anyway, report on the heroines. Unia, Rydmila, Evangeline, Esta, Cardisha—even Yurha. None have awakened as angels or triggered the apocalypse. They're just enjoying normal academy life."
"Yes, as members of the Old School Building crew. And as your colleagues and teammates, Phoenix Ludbekia."
"Shouldn't it be Team Phoenix now instead of the Fake Breast Squad? To fit Esdinas Academy."
"Guess we should make it official. Especially if we're prepping for the Grand Martial Tournament in October."
"Already talking about that?"
The Breadcademy game packs episodes into every month of the year, but if there's one massive, game-changing event, it's gotta be the Grand Martial Tournament.
The festival for everyone—no picking sides here.
"What is it?"
"Just humming a bit about the tournament's vibe."
"Picking a champion?"
"You got it."
The Grand Martial Tournament is a festival. Just like high school light novels have cultural fests, academy stories have theirs. And this one's a battle arena to flaunt all the skills you've honed since enrollment. The prize money's insane, and the top reward? Beyond words. Unlike academic scholarships or top-student perks, this is a one-time bonanza of massive rewards.
"Heck, winning first place is like hitting the jackpot lottery. Puhuhu."
In short, it's lotto time. Sure, various events burn through cash too, but even handing out 100 million per heroine makes it a huge deal.
First-years don't know. On your first playthrough, you're clueless about the rewards, too busy building bonds with heroines, laughing it up. Summer vacay? Off to summer camp or the beach for "Umi-da!" episodes. Desperate to see them in swimsuits, you hit valleys, oceans, or luxury hotel resorts!
Then it hits you. What if you'd trained for the tournament instead? While others goof off, you're secretly grinding battles behind the scenes. You dip in for a casual try, flop in prelims, skip all tournament events—and taste utter humiliation.
"Game over, right? Or reload from the start."
"Hey, I'm here too—cut the insider lingo, nya!"
"Oops, my bad. Thought sharp Jeolpung would get it instantly."
"Feels backwards, but... yeah, you'd wanna rewind. Money, time, seeing yourself flop at the tournament!"
Penril stands and shadowboxes the air.
"Not just students— instructors, even special guests like alumni for spars! Prime chance!"
"Great way to network with active pros, and spark connections that bring in freshmen who wouldn't otherwise enroll. Like... new heroines."
"Vicious system."
Win as a first-year, spar an S-rank ally, and boom—next year's heroine enrolls. Those late-bloomers miss prep time for year 3's apocalypse buildup, so they come prepped. Game-wise, instant first-string starters.
To recruit 'em, you smash all rivals from year 1 and build a squad to take S-ranks. Players scream, "Is this even a game?!"
But I did it. If it unlocks heroines, gotta win. Downside? Initial heroines became "comrades," not lovers. Year 2, romance newbies, comrades go angel berserk.
-This jerk skips us for underclassmen?!
-I'll protect you, senpai. From those muscleheads...!
-Kitsamaaaa!!
-Urk, senpai... sorry I couldn't... *stab*
Yeah, bad end once. But not now. Three reasons.
One: This is reality. No game stats locking A-ranks from beating S-ranks.
Two: Team Phoenix unlocks full power as needed.
"Di Ershi... setting aside DLC Evangeline for now, what about Unia? Full unlock?"
"Depends."
From main playthrough data, I know how to lift heroine limits early. Year 3 S-rank designs, but unlock ahead for overwhelming wins. Bonds matter, though.
-Unia (Lv.99, Affection 0) won't listen!
-Rydmila (Lv.99, Affection -20) ignores you!
Worst case. So...
"Handle fights with some close-quarters action, or charm 'em other ways."
Reality tweaks make allies strong, and impressing VIP guests isn't just combat. Power's more than muscle.
Best prep for the tournament?
"This summer break, team does whatever they want."
Grant every heroine wish possible.
"We win anyway."
Others grind desperately; I'll enjoy time with heroines.
That's how to stop the apocalypse.
"...Unia."
"Yes, Phoenix?"
"Finals season, and everyone's lounging in my room in their underwear? Why?"
"Not underwear—training gear for the tournament, please?"
"Exactly. Just spats and tights for sparring."
"Says the one even more undressed."
"......."
The situation dates back to after the Grand Martial Tournament announcement post-May exercise.