Summer.
For some, it’s the season of “vacation”, where they can rest and relax, while for others, it’s a “semester” filled with continuous study and research.
The special class from the Old School Building initially aimed to tackle a semester of “trials”, but after being cut off at the entrance, they decided to enjoy their vacation instead.
“…Why does everyone seem so down?”
Yurha Silverstar, who had promised a luxurious outing with the Golden Carriage and even told everyone to pick out swimsuits, looked at the group gathered on the appointed day and asked.
Dressed in a dark navy formal suit—different from the Academy uniform—she looked more like a hotelier or a travel guide.
“Well, maybe it’s because a carefree vacation isn’t exactly an option for us.”
I pointed to the magic pad on my wrist.
“It’s not like they needed to treat us this specially just because we’re the special class.”
“That’s… a tracking device, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
What was there to hide? Everyone in the Old School Building’s special class, including myself, was equipped with a bracelet.
Identical to those worn by two of our instructors, it was an artifact that transmitted real-time location information to the Academy staff. If the wearer removed it for more than an hour or if the mana signal was interrupted, Academy personnel would immediately dispatch to track us.
This applied even if we were in the five-star resort managed by Silverstar in the southern region of the Marquisate of Ludvecia.
“The Academy must really care about us.”
“If I said it’s because someone submitted research materials on books from 500 years ago found in the Old Library, would that be too far-fetched?”
“It’s fine. It’s not like it’s a big problem. Besides, everyone here is important to the Academy in one way or another.”
Yunia, Ludmila, Evangeline—each of them held a critical position within the Academy.
Not in the sense of causing trouble, but as individuals the Academy deemed vital to protect.
I, too, had submitted numerous academic materials, such as the infamous Magic Pants, which earned me a positive reputation among the staff.
– Please inform Student Phoenix! This Eugenberg will prepare a special sleeping area in our lab if he ever joins us, and we’ll ensure he can rest anytime! Our summer courses are always open, even for audits!
One professor had even asked Esta and Kadisha to pass along their desperate plea for me to visit their research lab or attend their lectures at least once.
Of course, Kadisha had shut that down. Nonetheless, interest in my work from magic engineering researchers, particularly the Magic Pants, showed no signs of waning.
Which led to this.
“Does that bracelet also transmit live video footage?”
“Yes, it’s configured to constantly capture the surroundings through the magic pad. The recordings are stored with recording magic and sent to the instructors’ devices every hour.”
In short, we were embarking on a resort trip with what was essentially a CCTV strapped to our wrists, not to mention the recordings being stored for posterity.
Far from the secluded environment of the Old School Building, every move we made was visible to others and recorded as video logs.
“Is everyone really this upset just because they can’t wear swimsuits?”
“It’s not just the swimsuits. They’re also sulking because we can’t wear the activity outfits we prepared for the Great Martial Tournament.”
“Oh, why not? Are they embarrassed to show off in public?”
“That’s part of it. Also, the Academy’s been discussing whether we can wear something over those outfits or not.”
I glanced down at Yurha’s attire.
“Senior, you’re wearing your combat attire for the Great Martial Tournament under that suit, aren’t you?”
“Well, yes. It’s kind of like this…”
Swoosh.
“Expressing individuality is encouraged, but precautions should be taken to avoid embarrassing situations, such as undergarments being exposed if outer gear gets damaged or destroyed.”
“That doesn’t mean you need to demonstrate it directly.”
“Oh my, but you like it, don’t you?”
“Well, I do, but the attention it attracts is problematic, so please refrain.”
“Hehehe.”
Yurha smiled and waved at the three people boarding the Golden Carriage.
“Miss Yunia seems extremely jealous of me. Is it because we’re both blonde?”
“Maybe it’s because I get along so well with you, especially on topics like this.”
I pulled out a gold coin from my pocket, casually spinning it between my fingers before handing it to Yurha.
“Oh my, for free?”
“A little service, to ask for your cooperation in keeping things peaceful during the trip. Everyone’s truly sleep-deprived.”
I gestured toward a woman approaching the carriage.
“Especially Instructor Esta. She’s utterly exhausted.”
“…Oh my.”
Yurha was genuinely shocked when Esta appeared, dragging herself along as though she were carrying the weight of the world.
“Don’t tell me you snuck into Instructor Esta’s room last night and kept her awake?”
“Not her room. I borrowed some time at the Old School Building’s library to study academic materials.”
“Ah, I see…”
Yurha nodded as if understanding.
Esta’s appearance resembled that of a university professor who had fallen victim to an overzealous student, unable to rest due to relentless research.
“Instructor Esta, will you be sitting on the coachman’s seat like last time, or inside the carriage?”
“…I think I’ll rest inside the carriage for about three hours.”
Esta replied, her bloodshot eyes pleading for understanding from Yurha.
Her exhaustion was so evident that Yurha instinctively nodded.
“I’ll wake you if anything dangerous arises, but I’ll make sure we move as quietly as possible, avoiding attention. Please, board the carriage, Instructor.”
“Hmm.”
With that, Esta climbed into the carriage.
“Excuse me, Junior Phoenix?”
I found myself under Yurha’s stern gaze.
“Research is good and all, but I’d appreciate it if you didn’t overwork Instructor Esta.”
“Because she’s Senior Yurha’s secret contractor?”
Yurha raised an eyebrow, a sly smile forming on her lips.
“If you did call her a secret contractor, you know that means the secret must be kept, right?”
“Of course. But for this particular matter, Instructor Esta bears more responsibility than I do. Please don’t be too harsh on me.”
“Instructor Esta does?”
“Yes.”
Just before we departed, I elaborated.
“Instructor Esta said something memorable: When your mind is cluttered, physical exertion is the best solution.”
Esta had requested another visit to the Old Library and challenged the Trials of the Founders.
She single-handedly conquered up to the third floor, defeating a thousand A-rank magical beasts and three S-rank bosses along the way, proving her capabilities as an S-rank Sword Master.
From the 4th floor onwards, it was somewhat regrettable that I gave up.
However, she had to stop at the fourth floor, not due to a lack of skill but because of the trial’s unique “quest-clear condition”.
Esdinas of Heaven is a game that mobilizes a party, and the trial on the 4th floor of the Tower of Earth involves each party deactivating devices from opposite sides.
If it were the S-rank Esta, an instructor rivaling her peers, who could single-handedly clear up to the 3rd floor, the challenge might have been possible.
– Hey, interested?
…A sharp question flew my way, but I simply shrugged in response to Instructor Esta.
– Never mind. Honestly, clearing up to the 3rd floor solo is satisfying enough for me.
Instructor Esta is clearly tired right now.
However, she’s also deeply satisfied, exuding confidence that she could face any opponent.
She has simply expended a great deal of mental energy.
After all, she aimed to conquer three floors of the Old Library’s trials in such a short amount of time.
“Let’s get moving, Senior. This time, I’ll take the coachman seat.”
“Sure, but you do realize…”
Yurha pointed outside.
“As always, the special class students from the Old School Building are surrounded by other academy students waiting for a chance.”
A sad but familiar reality.
The Old School Building’s special class is so extraordinary that some academy students refuse to return home during vacations, opting to wait instead.
“If they can win a one-on-one match against a special class student, they might earn a spot in the ‘second special class’ to be organized next semester.”
This reasoning had existed before, but now it’s even more blatant and clear.
“Who started spreading that rumor?”
“Who knows? Perhaps the Board of Directors or whispers among the faculty.”
“Likely the company managing the Old School Building’s furnishings.”
“Oh my, how did you guess?”
“It’s obvious.”
I pointed to the people wearing clothes with the Silverstar ‘Furniture’ emblem going into the back of the Golden Carriage and the Old School Building.
“They’re bringing in furniture for five new rooms. Of course, information would leak. For now—”
“Don’t worry.”
Yurha cut me off, pointing firmly ahead.
“Instructor Kadisha is here, protective barriers have been deployed, and Dean Ederson is overseeing everything. The construction will be completed while you’re away, and all the furniture will be properly arranged. Your rooms won’t be touched.”
While we enjoy our vacation at a resort during the break, the Old School Building will prepare to welcome its new members.
“Go enjoy the swimming pool and gym to your heart’s content. Those exact facilities… will be added to the Old School Building soon enough.”
When summer ends.
Second semester.
Various new facilities will be added to the Old School Building.
“A legitimate place to wear swimsuits will be created. Isn’t that exciting, Junior Phoenix?”
“If not for that, I wouldn’t have stepped outside.”
Second semester.
The Old School Building will have a swimming pool.
