Sword, Magic and Academic Society

The late autumn season, two months had passed since the second half of first-term had begun.

We, the students of Royal Academy, were currently out for the outdoor class.

The destination of the outdoor classes were different for each grade, along with the location and the details of classes.

A typical school wouldn't have been able to achieve a flexible curriculum of this level absolutely, with the hindrance being the budget more than anything else. Well, that was the gulf between a typical school and Royal Academy with the budget and human resources allocated to them.

The training place elected for first-years this year was halfway up on the Darre Mountain Range, located in the Viscount Vangyush territory that comes within Dorveil region. In short, it was the territory that Godorfun-sensei's family ruled over.

While Godorfun-sensei bear the title of 'Von,' and were effectively the present head of Vangyush family, his constant stay in the royal capital following his extremely busy schedule rendered it impossible for him to govern the territory. Thus the title of viscount has been inherited by his little brother.

Anyway, it was outdoor training where classmates would spend the night together.

We had heard about the general gist of the situation from the seniors of our dorm and while the details varied by year, the class would be split into several groups and from there, they would contest for better rankings.

But more than that, the girls and boys would work together for things like setting their outdoor tents and all, so there were going to be lots of chances to sharply close distance with girls with all the chit-chat and giggles.

Just the mere thought of it caused an exhilarating sensation to circulate inside me. At last, the diary of my life had finally turned to the most awaited page of my youth!

It wasn't just me, even my otherwise sensible and mature classmates were showing an upbeat mood as we rode into the magic car train, booked for our trip to the destination. Though of course, neither of them could best me my relentless excitment!

…Speaking of, I think we would be having the typical love talk as well. I mean, it's the staple after all, wasn't it?

While listening to everyone's type of girl, maybe I would also pass some valuable advice—some excerpt from 'The Secret to Being a Successful Man' if there was someone struggling with their love life.

At that moment, I was drowning into the blissful moment, my heart surged surging with a fuzzy feeling.

◆◆◆

The camping ground we had arrived at—the grassland that spreads at the foot of Darre Mountain Range, with red leaves around putting a display to the peak autumn season—was a picturesque spot.

A faint patches of snow could already be seen at the peak of steep Darre Mountains. Today's weather was otherwise perfectly clear. If anything, with pleasant wind swirling, it was just the sweet spot for an excursion.

Once the hundred Royal Academy's first year students had lined up according to their classes, Godorfun-sensei started with his speech.

"Fuhahaha. To preface, welcome to the distant Vangyush Territory. I'm the class teacher of Class 1-A, and will be in charge of guiding everyone in this year's outdoor classes."

Godorfun-sensei's, too, was showcasing his upbeat mood.

"According to the guidelines of Royal Academy, the goal of outdoor classes has always been to speed up the endurance training and inner discipline of students as they work out in the embrace of nature, and to further raise their bond with their fellow classmates. The curriculum has been based around this topic."

Hmm-mm, the classic Royal Academy move. They really have think through things huh.

"The general gist involves the specific assignment passed to each class, where you will compete to clear it first. Also, the degree of achievement would also be taken into evaluating the final score.

Of course, I have properly evaluated everyone's ability and made it so that it remains a close struggle between all the classes."

Woahh! So we're really going with class battles?! Now it suddenly feels more and more like another world's school program as a reincarnator!

I took a quick glance at the faces of Class D and E and they appeared just as excited. With the difficulty adjustment, they must have felt they could have a shot to top out as well.

"I need not to emphasise it, but the score you earned will also affect your current term's overall result. In addition, to further fuel the competition spirit, the academy has prepared a small reward as well.

The final destination of every class at the end of their assignment is the Villa of Vangyush family, located at the lakeshore of Citing Lake, famed for being a scenic place. It's also the Vangyush's territory's foremost therapeutic Hot Spring Resort. The outdoor classes will be one week long, so the earlier you clear your assignment, the more you will be able to relax in the villa.

I'm not fond of much luxury, but let me preface here that this sole resort has one of the best facilities available. No effort has been spared to build it as magnificently as possible, and it has seven bath houses that draw water from natural hot springs as well as four saunas. I can also boast this facility is first-class even to welcome His Majesty unashamedly here.

But of course, do remember that villa isn't that grand so the latecomers would have to make do with the servant's room, and also the last class would have to sleep in the hall together."

"We're going to win at all costs!!"

I unwittingly ended up shouting at my loudest voice.

I don't really care about the lavish room, but...we need to be first if I want to thoroughly enjoy the hot spring.

As I suddenly ended up raising my fighting spirit, Leo pulled in like a moth, suggesting.

"Of course, it would be our win. The question is how do you suggest we win. Hmm...sure enough, we should go for crushing win, eh. What do you say, Allen?"

"You bet! Buckle up for the rough ride, you lot!"

" "Yes Sir!" "

Seeing the display of our fighting spirit, I thought other classes would falter a bit, but I only saw an intense fighting spirit in their expression.

Then again, they're still the elites gathered from all over the kingdom. At Leo's remark of 'Crushing Victory,' their expressions were enough to convey 'we will make you swallow those words back.'

Kukuku, but fine with me. It wouldn't be exciting then!

◆◆◆

"Hahahaha! It seems like everyone's pumped up enough. So moving on, I believe you all understood it by now, but the nature will be your opponent in this outdoor class.

Unlike Royal Academy, where everything is provided, a safe haven to proceed as you like, a slight bad luck or mis-step may put you face-to-face with an accident. The dead have appeared in the past, an unfortunate case of ill-luck, so keep your senses wide open.

We also don't have much time, so let's begin. Rias-sensei would take the explanation from here."

Once Godorfun-sensei started, Rias-sensei, the class-teacher of Class E, stepped forward.

"Each class will be tackling five different 'scenarios' respectively. I will now state the first 'scenario' for Class E.

Scene - It has been reported that a group of Orcs has made their nest about 50 kilometres in north-northwest direction. The report has also cited the appearance of a General Orc, and should the assistance be delayed to the citizens, the situation risks an outbreak of demon's disaster! So before the damage can be widespread to nearby regions, mount an attack at the spot, wipe out the group of Orcs and destroy their nest!

Inspect your equipment from the warehouse on the right rear side, and depart as soon as preparations are complete!"

......I see. So they would be confirming how the students were going to tackle the given task.

On the right rear side, there was a huge tarp tent erected, amassed with items required for camping like tent, harvesting tools etc, or tons of weapon and armament. Success will likely hinge not just on physical fitness and martial prowess, but also on thinking skills and teamwork.

No wait, wasn't this clear cut military exercise?! What happened to the outdoor classes?

This must have been the doing of Godorfun's doing, something he would definitely like......

Ugh, I was getting bad vibes all over.

Aside from whatever my thoughts were, Rias-sensei added one condition to the situation.

"The leader of 1st Scenario is Sorio Rijack. The discussion is allowed but we do not concede final decision-making authority or decisions based on majority vote. That's all."

......Wow, now they'd even pulled a command chain on purpose huh. Plus, considering the phrasing '1st Scenario's leader...' means leader would change with each scenario.

They were really hellbent on putting all sorts of disgusting blockades.

The responsibility of everyone's safety, the outcome of their strategy etc would be for the Leader to bore. It was definitely going to put a huge pressure on the Leader.

......This, too, must have been the idea of Godorfun-sensei.

The path ahead from here would have no correct answer, nor would it be possible to decide the direction of the event with 51% vs 49% votes. At the end of the day, everything would depend on the leader's guidance.

A misstep could topple the entire group easily.

With the leadership changing hands each time, there would be a slight shift in how the class will operate for sure. It would further propagate the dissatisfaction between them since the leader wasn't decided by them.

Maybe, feeling it beneath them to take orders from someone they always thought was no match for them, someone who's especially egotistical about this fact might create a blunder that would cost the whole class.

Well, this happens all the time in society, so maybe this was quite the suitable theme for an educational institute or to develop one's temperament.

Afterwards, class teachers of other classes took their turn to reveal the scenarios of their respective class. The difficulty of scenarios increased as they climbed up in class order.

"I will now reveal the 1st scenario for Class 1-B!

Scene - The Barony of Fliguel, adjacent to Viscount Vangyush territory, has detected the sign of impending stampede! Your task is to swiftly join the Dorveil region's army and support them!

The convergence place is Yatoma village, about 70 kilometres toward the east and then 40 kilometres to the north. The time limit to meet them is 10 PM tomorrow. You have a total of 36 hours.

Inspect your equipment from the warehouse on the right rear side, and depart as soon as preparations are complete! The leader for 1st scenario is Aris Masculean!"

"What~? It's too tough!"

"Isn't the jump in level a bit too steep?"

"It isn't fair, only we get that tough task!"

Hearing the condition of 1st scenario, the students of Class B mumbled their complaints.

According to the simple map passed to us, the 40km turn to the north is almost through the mountain. The distance might be comparable to the activity of Hill Road Club, however taking into account the appearance of monsters midway completely overturn the implication.

The anticipated difficulty level, or in other words, the required time compared to what would be needed if performed by individuals of the same level, is likely 1.5 to nearly twice as long in E class.

The leader Aris of Class B pulled in the reign of her classmates, who had begun complaining before even making a start.

Well, she was one of the staff of Hill Road Club, and exceptional in keeping the situation or calm mind in such scenarios.

And finally, Godorfun-sensei stepped forward and started unravelling the scenario for Class 1-A.

He still looked like your friendly neighbourhood grandpa, but the impression he exude was an inverse of his 'Godorfun the Buddha' expression that he had when he gleefully explained about the rewards etc.

Everyone from Class A was familiar with this look, it was the same look of 'Fiend Geezer' that would go gung-ho and on our regular practical classes.

A strain of nervousness crossed across the faces of Class A students.

At this moment, everyone was unanimously clear we're going to receive one hell of a mission.