Episode 5: There are three kinds of people in this world…
It was the start of the second semester, and the first joint class with the Combat Course was finally taking place. It was practical combat training using a Virtual Space accessed via VR machines. For the Combat Course, it was a fun class where they could measure their own strength; on the other hand, for the Support Course, it was a hellish lesson where they were merely trampled unilaterally.
As usual, Kazuma and the others changed into the provided suits specifically for the VR machines and moved to the simulator room. As always, the female students’ body lines were clearly visible, so the boys did their best to look away, though some occasionally stared with lewd eyes.
“(This is nostalgic, but the boys’ gazes haven’t changed, have they? I suppose this much is common across all generations, isn’t it?)”
Momoko, reading both the gazes and the minds of the boys and girls, felt a sense of nostalgia. She had experienced similar treatment when she attended the academy, so she could understand the feeling.
“(If you clear your mind, even fire feels cool! Rin! Pyo! Toh! Sha! Kai! Jin! Retsu! Zai! Zen! KIEEEEEEEEEI!!!)”
“(He’s louder than a chimpanzee. However, for an ape, should I praise him for trying not to look at the girls…? Even though he’s usually like that.)”
Kazuma’s mind, his eyes closed as if in deep concentration, was in turmoil. However, Momoko thought she might give him credit for desperately suppressing his lecherous gaze, unlike the other boys. Still, since his usual behavior was the worst, her evaluation of him remained low.
The Support Course and Combat Course students had gathered in the simulator room, but for some reason, the teacher in charge was absent. Not only that, but the number of Combat Course students was slightly smaller than usual.
Just as the Support Course students were murmuring about what was going on, the teacher in charge arrived, leading a few students.
Thinking they were merely late, the Support Course students tensed up as they watched the tardy students enter. This was because the students the teacher brought in were mainly those known for their bad conduct.
These were individuals one wouldn’t want to associate with, as they behaved outrageously in class and often made remarks looking down on Support Course students in their daily lives.
However. For some reason, these students were strangely quiet. It might have been because they were brought in by the teacher, but it was an attitude unthinkable for their former selves.
The Support Course students tilted their heads in confusion, as these students genuinely believed they were special and should have maintained their arrogant attitude even in front of teachers.
“My apologies for the delay. Before we begin the lesson, I have something important to discuss briefly.”
The waiting students quietly turned their gazes to the bowing teacher and the students he had brought with him.
“(Ah, it’s that annual event, isn’t it? There’s really no other way for this. I wonder what the students will think?)”
Being a graduate, Momoko had an inkling of the current situation. She watched to see how the other students would react.
“Students of the Support Course. I sincerely apologize for all the discourtesy you have endured up until now. Originally, we, the faculty, should have protected you. However, we ended up overlooking the actions of some Combat Course students, and for that, I am truly sorry.”
“(Seriously?! That rumor was true! What Makimura-san said wasn’t a lie!)”
“(It seems he knew beforehand. Was that why he’s so carefree, unlike the other students?)”
While the Support Course students harbored complex feelings towards the apologizing teacher, only Kazuma seemed carefree, almost as if he were picking his nose. Momoko, reading his mind, understood it was because Kazuma had heard about this beforehand.
The truth was, for Kazuma, who had fought more than enough in another world, the attacks of amateurs who didn’t even know the first letter of “real combat” were less than nothing to him—though she probably wouldn’t understand that.
After that, things proceeded like an apology press conference. The students with bad conduct apologized to the Support Course, bowed deeply, and made a show of their remorse.
Of course, they wouldn’t be forgiven with just that. Seizing the opportunity, the Support Course students hurled foul-mouthed abuse. The students receiving the verbal lashing didn’t retort, merely accepting it in silence.
“(Well, it was the same in my time, so this can’t be helped, I suppose.)”
“(Humans are truly terrifying creatures, aren’t they?)”
“(What does this man think he’s enlightened about?)”
Momoko couldn’t help but question Kazuma’s detached words and actions. Why was this man, and only him, so off-kilter? Momoko found another item to add to today’s report.
“(Well, they’ve shown the video of the special curriculum, so I guess this is about the end of it?)”
Currently, a video was being shown of the students with bad conduct undergoing a special curriculum. They stated that they had reflected on their actions and would approach school life with a changed heart from now on, but how many students would actually forgive them?
In Momoko’s time, people had been divided into three types: those who forgave, those who didn’t forgive, and those who were indifferent. The first two were victims, while the latter were those who had been unaffected by the harm.
In any case, it was certain that ill feelings would remain.
“(History repeats itself. Humans are foolish creatures who do not learn, you know.)”
“(Who does this man think he is? I think it would be better to purge this man rather than those standing over there.)”
Their inner voices connected to such an extent, it was as if they were having a conversation.
Their anger hadn’t subsided, but most students resigned themselves to the situation, figuring it couldn’t be helped if it was the academy’s policy. However, among them, there were naturally those who would not forgive them. This was a problem that simply couldn’t be resolved.
The class started a little late, and Kazuma boarded the VR machine, diving into the Virtual Space.
This time, the stage seemed to be a seaside, and the horizon spread across Kazuma’s vision.
Standing on the beach, Kazuma scanned the sea, looking for a Combat Course student who was likely nearby. He found one right away.
Unfortunately, his escort this time was a boy, not a girl.
Kazuma’s shoulders slumped a little, but since he needed to be protected, he pulled himself together and spoke to him.
“Looking forward to working with you this time~”
“Yeah, likewise. I’ll ask just in case, but you’re Satsuki Kazuma, right?”
“Yeah, but, huh? Have we been paired up before?”
“No, no, we haven’t, but you’re pretty famous around here, you know.”
“Really? Why?”
“Easy to protect, acts as a decoy, helps out in a pinch. You’re famous in the Combat Course for stuff like that. Plus, you’re known for being good friends with that Makimura.”
“I-Is that so? I was famous…?”
Previously, Kaori had called him “Unlucky-kun,” and he was famous in a bad way. But now Kazuma, famous in a different sense, seemed genuinely pleased.
“Hahaha, well, no need to feel so pressured. Even if it’s training, it’s still a class, so let’s relax.”
“Oh, true. Now that you say it, I feel more at ease. Thanks, man.”
“You’re welcome.”
Kazuma might have seemed a little pressured knowing he was famous, but he was perfectly normal. In the first place, as a Hero, he had been subject to the expectations not just of others but of the entire world. Being expected of a little by Combat Course students wouldn’t be a burden for Kazuma.
“Alright then, we haven’t done introductions yet. I’m Ohtsuki Shinya. My Gift is Magnetism. I can manipulate Iron Sand from the sand like this.”
Saying so, Shinya held his palm over the sandy beach and used Magnetism to gather Iron Sand. He manipulated it freely, showing Kazuma how it could change shape like a sword or extend like a whip.
“Oooh~! Could it be you’re skilled in both offense and defense?”
“Oh, good catch. I can use it for defense by cladding my body with it, and I can also use it as a weapon like just now. But it’s not that strong yet, so if I extend it over 5 meters—”
While explaining, Shinya extended the Iron Sand. When it reached a certain distance, the Iron Sand dispersed as if it had lost its power.
“Ah…”
“So, well, it has limitations like this, but it’s a pretty easy-to-use Gift.”
“Hohou. That’s handy.”
“Alright, now that introductions are over, shall we move? This place has a good view, but it’s easy for enemies to spot us.”
“Right. Let’s move.”
Just as the two were about to start walking, Kazuma thought of something and called out to stop Shinya.
“Wait a sec!”
“Hm? What’s up?”
“Could you gather some Iron Sand like before?”
“Are you planning to carry it around?”
“Yep, yep. Then you can use it as a weapon right away, can’t you?”
“Well, it’s faster than attracting scrap iron from around here, but…”
“Then it’s better to have it, right?”
“True. But are you going to keep it in your pants pocket?”
“That’s all I have for now. If I had a plastic bottle or something, I’d put it in there.”
“We might find one if we search around. For now, let’s gather some Iron Sand.”
“Oui, oui.”
And so, with the reasoning that it would be better for Kazuma to have it than Shinya from the Combat Course, his pockets were stuffed full of Iron Sand.