Sword, Magic and Academic Society

At dawn of the following day, Bester and I surveyed the terrain and the local produce.

Bester was the one who suggested it. Though we had taken turns sleeping, so that the other could keep watch, Bester for some incomprehensible reason couldn't sleep. He said something along the lines of 'My head may explode if I stop thinking' with dark circles under his eyes while presenting the sketched-out plan.

The plan was actually quite exciting from my perspective as well, as if he had a sudden burst of inspiration while still making sure all our bases were covered. It was very much like him.

It expanded far from the simple setup we once had where we would have just used whatever we got our hands on. The plan included strengthening the spots we absolutely needed to cover, along with other schemes to take down enemies.

Well, it would take years if we were to build everything with only the Class A students and with only the materials we had on hand. So instead of trying to cover the base up completely, we would be putting our stakes on other aspects.

Following the list of priorities, we would be focusing on things that would help in beating that smelly geezer black and blue.

Anyway, a survey was required to have a clear grasp of the area and also to note down the terrain and the local materials we could use to solidify our plan before our classmates came back.

I didn't sense Godorfun anywhere, so I presume he must have chased after the other team to see how they had dealt with the 3rd scenario.

While pretending to collect materials, I was surveying the area and only found one observer from earlier. However, he must have felt that we had given up on difficult stuff like building fences due to the lack of human resources and instead were doing the paltry stuff like securing materials.

"Is it really necessary to look around that hard?"

Bester was hoping we could start with the construction stuff to save whatever time we could. I nodded assertively at his words.

"—80% of a plan’s success is in the preparation. In everything, preparation is the most crucial step and it is what decides the outcome more often than not. Whatever we do in a hurry would only be just a drop in the bucket. In that case, we might as well have the whole terrain under our thumb."

Bester blinked in surprise, then his expression suddenly cracked into a smile as he chuckled.

"80% is in the preparation, huh? It does sound great, I like it."

◆◆◆

Our classmates returned by 6 PM, though that old geezer was nowhere to be found. He must be taking a rest in a temporary headquarters somewhere nearby.

The deadline for their team was 10 PM today, so they were even 4 hours early.

"Hey~, you guys worked hard. You're quite early, eh?"

I asked their leader, Shal.

"It's because we had pretty much all the class with us. But this also means the second scenario group would lag behind, so I guess we're at even… yup."

Shal said while interlocking her fingers with an aloof appearance. Though Viz's expression seemed strange as he chimed in.

"What are you saying, it was mostly due to your effort that we managed to wrap everything up quickly. Haa, I bet even the teacher didn’t expect the usually demure Shal would be a 'Monster Girl'..."

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Shal's face turned completely red when she heard him, eliciting a wry smile from others.

...Shal and monster girl? Grgh, what was the fun group event that happened, I so wanted to know.

"I so agree, I mean, no one had thought we would be hearing her from that thing's stomach! She was in it for a whole night too!

I would have never believed that you could chase monsters that way if I hadn't seen it myself. Maybe I should visit the Halloween territory during their festival season. I had heard rumors but oh boy, did that scare me silly. I thought we'd run into a giant monster!"

Al also chimed in with an excited look, explaining some other tidbits.

Damn you, Al. Do you think I can't tell that you're bragging?

"How're things on your side, Allen? From what I can tell, you have yet to begin with any of the labor stuff and focused on only gathering materials, huh? Where’s Bester?"

Leo asked, tilting his head. So I replied while stirring the soup glistening in a green color.

"Bester seemed to have been struck with drowsiness so he’s currently sleeping like a log inside the ruin. Anyway, you guys have this too.

.............Oi, what's with that expression? Just so you know, Bester didn't sleep for a whole day and night and was even drawing up the plan until a couple of hours ago. This is also made from one of Riyad-senpai’s recipes."

Everyone fearfully stretched their hands toward the soup.

To sum up their review— it was so-so but had a medicine-like taste.

Well, this was made with whatever I could find, so it was closer to a medicine that focused on speeding up the recovery of stamina and mana.

"So he stayed up all night?...... He must have worked hard, then. I was sure you would rather decide everything quickly... This base isn't that big so I’m actually surprised that it's taking this much time."

Leon murmured, and the rest of the group also nodded in confusion.

"Hmph, that's why you lot are ordinary and he's the pride of the Royal Academy, the <Overseer Guardian> Bester Von Stocklaud. All of you will fall on your knees once you see his plan."

After scolding him for his rudeness, I then showed everyone the plan Bester had come up with great dedication after we had finished our survey of the terrain at noon.

And sure enough, none of them were on their feet after I showed it to them.

◆◆◆

"Oh, everyone’s back? Sorry, I had to take a nap."

When Bester woke up and joined everyone, Fey grinned as she called out to him.

"Good morning, Bester. Pfft!...... You know, I underestimated you. You really left me speechless with that grand plan of yours, and came up with all of that within half of the 72-hour time limit. I wonder if that plan from our Royal Academy's greatest <Overseer Guardian> is supposed to face an army?"

Bester sent me a reproachful glare and then sighed before he started explaining.

"......This is just a possibility for the scenario. This border post is going to be attacked via the Roderia Mountain route. So the question is: how should the defense post be handled?

It's obviously impossible to turn it into a mountain fortress within the time limit. And according to Allen, we would definitely be given a scenario to defend this border post… and I have the same thought. So this is just what I had considered what we must do in that sort of situation."

And so, he explained to everyone about the border defense plan.

"......Let's assume that’s true, then what's your plan to deal with the enemy using this route?"

With Coco taking the lead, soon the rest of the smart classmates also expressed their doubts. Bester unhurriedly cleared up all of them.

"Amazing...... you really thought this through. If everything within the plan can really be realized, I honestly don't think I would be able to take this place down even with five times the force. And even if we're attacked, it would be a total wipeout of the opposite party for sure."

Once everyone had their meal, Dan flashed a wry smile, seemingly exhausting all the doubts he could have asked.

After everyone voted for this plan, Bester and I took turns taking the night watch as the members of the third scenario slept so that they could recover their stamina as much as possible.

◆◆◆

"Then I’ll reveal the fourth scenario."

Godorfun appeared before us at 10 AM, just as the 72-hour time limit came to an end, and started revealing the next scenario to us.

The final destination of these outdoor classes was the holiday villa of the Wangyush family, and we were competing to reach there first, so time was of the essence. Since every class was given scenarios with varying difficulties, the score would surely be based on more than just the finish time, but...

I had no idea if finishing early and using the remaining duration for recovering our stamina would grant us a full score, later giving us an edge. Or maybe it was just Godorfun's thought to not rush the deadline after having a look at our situation.

"Scenario— Five foreign spies, having acquired top-classified intel, are planning to escape from the Viscount Wangyush territory and leave the kingdom through the Roderia mountain border route.

You have 36 hours to catch the spies. The leader will be Kate Sankalp. It's up to you to decide how you're going to split the class with the second scenario team. That is all."

Nonchalantly, I asked just in case when he was finished with his words.

"And I presume ‘the leaders of each scenario are to stick with their scenario' still holds true?"

However, Godorfun shook his head.

"So I would have preferred, but... I also need you to go through some team-building exercises. It would be all for naught if you can't muster your best when needed. Hence this one condition is lifted for the fourth scenario. I’m looking forward to your imagination."

Leaving these words, Godorfun departed.

"Y-You guys heard?! Finalllly! I can finally act in a team as well, hell yeahhh!!"

Kuh, I could finally have the outdoor classes of my life!

As I howled in excitement, the leader Kate, on the other hand, heaved a sigh.

"Haa...... I guess everything really is dancing in the palm of your hand, Allen. There are three routes the spies can use to escape from the Roderia Mountain and to the Kukora Metropolis Federation.

The question is which route would they pick and how should we proceed to pin them down...... Normally, we would have to hastily decide everything and thinly spread our members out to prevent the enemy's escape."

Kate said and then unfurled the blueprint Bester had written out.

"But this plan makes it obvious where we need to put our forces. We’ll split into three teams under Bester, Leo, and I, and from there, we’ll put our focus on setting up these bases for the next scenario while also taking down the spies."

After announcing that, Kate swiftly put down a list of the teams and where they would be deployed.

However, there was one flaw in her arrangement.

The gist of the fourth scenario basically said it would be impossible to move the army, and given the spy count, they could make their exit without standing out. The terrain gave them an advantage after all.

Yet, the team composition was missing my name with no mention of it whatsoever in any capacity.

I could feel my cheeks strain as I ran my gaze over them, but no one would turn to look at me.

"K-Kate...... it's a joke, right? I definitely can't take another solo mission for the love of god!! If anything, I’m full of energy after having my afternoon nap, so I definitely have no problem giving my 200%!"

As I accidentally blurted that out, all my classmates turned to give me a distant look. Meanwhile, Kate curtly cut down my proposal with a cool face, giving the vibe of a typical class president.

"......Sure enough, I had that nagging thought as well. Bester's plan required plenty of time to make it a reality, while we also would have to tackle the fourth scenario. I presume you had taken this into account as well and had Bester sketch out the overall plan, right?

But now that we know we can easily deal with the fourth scenario, I believe it's possible to finish everything before the fifth scenario's siege battle...... with everyone except Allen. We may have to push ourselves without you, but since you have so much energy to spare, then good luck, Mr. Solo handler."

S-So cold!

I immediately protested.

"Hold on! That afternoon nap was a slip of the tongue, I agree. And putting aside the fifth scenario, which is obvious, there's no way I could have guessed what the fourth scenario cooked up by that geezer would be! What do you think am I, a god?!"

Kate however ignored me and asked Bester.

"......Say, what spurned you to come up with this absurd plan, while Allen was taking his nap? I reckon you must have come up with a more realistic plan, right? What were Allen's words back then?"

Bester pushed up the bridge of his glass and replied.

"I objected to this plan as well. But he said 'It's not enough to make that old geezer pay' or something and then immediately rejected my plan."

With Bester's words, Kate clapped, urging everyone to get up from their seat.

"Alright everyone, we can't let those spies pull one over us as well if we want to be the first. Let's move immediately. We can't leave this base exposed, so let's have one person from each group take turns and build a fence with logs to block the view inside"

" "Alright!" "

Everyone got up on their feet in one breath.

"Hey, hey! How about you first calm down and have some tea? Ah, I see! This must be that old geezer's plan to isolate me again! That damned liar, he really has no shame to say 'You also need to build teamwork' for nothing! You shouldn't take that old geezer's words to heart, his words always have a pitfall!"

"You're a sore loser, you know. There's no way Godorfun-sensei would have known about our movement unless he managed to see Bester's plan. He's not a god, right?"

Kate put an end to the conversation after that and left the ruins after making sure the others had left as well.

Huh, oi, I’m not a god either......