Chapter 31: What of the Final Exam Results?
After finishing the study session, Kazuma finally faced the day of the test.
Unlike the Combat Course, the Support Course had no practical exam, only a written exam in the morning. However, for that very reason, it was stricter than the Combat Course. The failing mark was set higher than for the Combat Course. It was a measure established to ensure fairness, but right now, Kazuma found himself hating it.
“(I get it… I get it!!!)”
Although he was screaming that in his mind, his test paper had many blank spaces. So, what was it that he understood? It was the future where he would get a failing grade.
“(That if this keeps up, I’ll get a failing grade!!!)”
With a ghastly, intense expression, Kazuma stared at the question paper. It wasn’t that he had neglected his studies, but the exam was more difficult than Kazuma had anticipated. That was all there was to it. Kazuma’s efforts were by no means in vain.
“(Kieeeeeeeeeeeeh!!!)”
Kazuma, the Hero who had defeated the Demon Lord and saved the world in another world, was about to fall before the final exams.
The bell signaling the end of the period rang. The students who heard that sound were filled with joy at finally being liberated from the test. However, among them, there was one man who had burned completely white, his soul seemingly about to escape from his mouth.
Yes, it was Kazuma. He had persevered until the very, very end, desperately trying to avoid a failing grade, even by a little. However, reality is cruel. Time had passed as if to mock his efforts.
Towards Kazuma, who was slumped over his chair like a corpse, the usual three approached. The three of them saw his state and understood. Probably, no, nine times out of ten, the test must have been disastrous.
Kazuma, who had remained unfazed even during practical training with the Combat Course, was this burned out. Guessing it must have been quite something, the three decided to invite Kazuma to hang out.
“Kazuma, are you alive~?”
“……”
“No reply. He’s just like a corpse.”
“Auu… Ahh…”
“He’s turned into a zombie.”
He was now a zombie who had lost his sanity. Kazuma’s brain had been destroyed by the test, and his spirit was broken. He would likely never return to normal. A pitiful end.
With eyes as if looking at a pitiful creature, Akatsuki, Taichi, and Kosuke hit Kazuma. They thought that if they inflicted some pain, he would probably wake up. However, this was Kazuma. Due to his extraordinary endurance, minor attacks didn’t even make him flinch.
“Even hitting him doesn’t work, huh…”
“What should we do? Leaving him like this is just too pitiful…”
“Hey, Kazuma! There’s a gravure idol in a swimsuit over there!”
The three of them tried hitting his head a few times to wake him up, but were bewildered when Kazuma showed no reaction at all. Kosuke racked his brain, Taichi wondered if there was some other way, and Kosuke then tried telling a lie for starters, but Kazuma didn’t respond.
“This looks serious.”
“Seems like it.”
“Can’t be helped. If it’s come to this, it’s time for the last resort.”
“Do you have some idea?”
“Well, just watch, Akatsuki. I think you’re about to see something interesting.”
Saying that, a confident Kosuke took out his mobile terminal from his pants pocket and contacted someone.
After a short while, the sound of someone running down the hallway could be heard, and the door to the classroom where Kazuma and the others were was forcefully thrown open.
“Satsuki~~~!!!”
The one who appeared was Miyazono. Yes, the person Kosuke had contacted was Miyazono from the Combat Course, with whom they had interacted at the study session before.
Kosuke had reported to Miyazono that Kazuma’s test had been a disaster and called her over. Of course, the content of the call was that Kazuma was completely listless. Miyazono, having heard that, had come over, indignant, wondering what was going on despite her having gone to the trouble of teaching him.
“You! I went out of my way to help you study the other day, so what’s this about your test being a disaster!”
“Ugeee~~~h!”
Miyazono, who had come in response to Kosuke’s call, lifted up the incapacitated Kazuma, wrapped her arms around his neck and the base of his leg, and executed an Argentine Backbreaker.
Even for Kazuma, this was effective, and he let out a groan. The three watching this scene let out small shrieks. As expected, she was terrifying. They vowed never to anger her.
Then, a little later, Kaede and Kaori arrived. It seemed they had chased after Miyazono when she rushed out. They were surprised to see Kazuma being put in a wrestling hold by Miyazono.
“What are you doing, Miyazono-san!”
“Hm? Ah, Natsume, huh. I got a call earlier. Seems that Satsuki bastard did terribly even though we helped him study.”
“Even so, isn’t that going too far…?”
“He was a zombie until just now. This much is no problem. Besides, Satsuki is tough.”
“Agaa~~~h!”
“Fufu, interesting, isn’t it.”
Although the hold was applied, Kazuma was relatively unfazed. Well, that was to be expected. He had faced death many times in the other world and had survived countless life-or-death situations. A half-hearted wrestling move like this wouldn’t even make him itch.
“Really, Makimura-san, stop laughing and help him.”
“Alright.”
“Oh? Telekinesis, huh?”
“Uooo~~~?”
“There.”
“Aitaaah!”
Kazuma, rescued by Kaede’s Telekinesis, was dropped onto the floor. It wasn’t much of a height, but Kazuma, who had landed on his butt, rubbed his rear as he stood up.
“Owowow… So rough.”
“But you’re awake now, right?”
“Well, that’s true. Anyway, is it okay for you guys to be here? The Combat Course has practical exams this afternoon, right?”
“It’s fine. It’s lunchtime now. The Support Course finishes in the morning, but we have more from the afternoon.”
“Ah, I see.”
“More importantly, behind you.”
As Kaede said that and pointed, Kazuma turned around and gave a dry smile.
“Ahahaha~… Miyazono-san, what’s with cracking your knuckles like that?”
“Of course, I was thinking of teaching you, who looks so composed, another lesson.”
“N-No thank you!”
“Don’t be so reserved. We’re friends, aren’t we?”
“So yesterday’s friend is today’s enemy!”
“I won’t let you escape!”
“Nuh! As expected of a Body Enhancement-type Gifted! So fast!”
“You say that, but you’re pretty good yourself! To outwit me even for a moment, are you really a Support Course student!?”
“Hmph! I am the fastest man in the Support Course!”
It couldn’t be said to be a complete lie. In terms of physical ability, he was probably, without a doubt, number one in the Support Course. Or rather, he might even be number one in the world. That is, if Kazuma were to get serious.
“Sorry, but I’m gonna run for real!”
“Hah! You think I’d let you get away that easily?”
Just as their game of tag was about to begin, chalk flew towards the space between each of their eyebrows. Kazuma sensed his and dodged, but that piece of chalk, as if it had a tracking function, changed direction towards the dodging Kazuma and struck him squarely between the eyes.
“Guhaah!”
“Ouch!”
“You lot, what are you doing in the classroom! And why are Combat Course students here!”
Kazuma and Miyazono, clutching their foreheads and writhing in pain, couldn’t answer. Well, Kazuma was only pretending to be in pain, though.
In place of those two, Kaori answered the teacher’s question.
“Um, we had some business with Satsuki-kun from the Support Course.”
“And does this ‘business’ involve rampaging in the classroom?”
“No, that’s not it…”
“Hah, well, fine. You’re probably excited now that the tests are over, but be prepared if you get a failing grade. Also, Support Course students are to go home promptly, and Combat Course students are to return to their own classrooms. That is all.”
“Yes. Understood.”
Kaori, having received a scolding though not quite a lecture, let her shoulders droop dejectedly and approached the two who were crouching down, clutching their foreheads.
“Geez! We got scolded because of you two! Honestly!”
“Even if you say that…”
“No excuses! Satsuki-kun, you too, try not to provoke Miyazono-san so much, okay?”
“Ussu…”
The two, scolded by Kaori, reflected on their actions.
After that, the three Combat Course students, Kaori, Kaede, and Miyazono, returned to their own classroom to prepare for the practical exams in the afternoon. The four remaining Support Course students, since their tests were also over, decided to go out into town for a change of pace.