Midterm Exam, Start

<Willem Barrow POV Side>

“It is surprising. For Father, who is always busy, to request an inspection of the academy.”

My daughter Olivia, sitting in the chair next to me, says with sarcasm mixed in.

—This is the viewing venue for nobles prepared by the Royal Academy.

A large magic projection screen is set up in front, allowing the gathered nobles to watch the progress of the exam.

Naturally, there are figures of nobles other than us around.

“I am a patron of the Royal Academy. I should have at least the right to inspect. Speaking of which, what about your Ministry of Magic work?”

“Oh my, finding promising individuals early on is also splendid work for the Ministry of Magic. It just so happened that the role came around to me.”

Hmph, she talks big.

She surely persuaded her superiors with some random reason and participated half-forcibly, didn’t she?

Good grief… participating in the inspection using Ministry connections when she wasn’t even called or invited.

She is shrewd, for a daughter of mine.

“So? Could you answer my first question?”

“Why I came to inspect the Midterm Exam? …It was Joshua.”

“Eh?”

“He invited me. ‘I definitely want you to see our battle,’ he said.”

…It was sudden.

Joshua came to visit me and said it.

“Baron Alban Odrant is absolutely not the “Lowest, Worst Baron”.”

“As a member of the Ryduan House—as one who draws the blood of knights, I will fight him fair and square, and upon winning, I will receive Lady Letitia.”

“Duke Willem Barrow… I want you to judge both myself and Baron Odrant with your own eyes.”

It was—it was too unexpected a proposal.

When I heard it from Joshua’s mouth, I almost held my head from a headache.

However… his eyes were serious.

And I think his face looked somewhat more masculine than when we arranged the engagement with Letitia.

Joshua Ryduan… what on earth happened to you?

What did you see?

In that “Lowest, Worst Baron”—

“Ahem, now then everyone, thank you for waiting! We will now begin the Midterm Exam between Class C and Class F of ‘Magdala Familia Royal Academy’!”

A female teacher stands in front of the magic projection screen and declares the start of the Midterm Exam.

If I recall, her name was Paula Velvet.

She is the homeroom teacher of Class F.

“The content of the exam is ‘Flag Defense’, meaning victory or defeat is decided by seizing or defending the flag within the time limit! By the way, the Offense is Class C, and the Defense is Class F!”

When she explains, a map image suddenly projects onto the magic projection screen.

It appears to be a map indicating the entire dungeon, and one can see it is vast with intricate paths.

“The exam will take place inside a dungeon prepared by the academy, and the flag is set up in the Ancient Settlement Ruins area in the center of the dungeon! This place is wide and has multiple entry routes, so both the Offense and Defense will require tactics and coordination! Please look forward to seeing how the two classes fight!”

Teacher Paula speaks happily in a very crisp manner.

Hearing that, Olivia hums a small “Hmm,”

“An interesting event. Though the fact that the result is obvious makes it boring.”

“Hoh, you are saying which side will win?”

“It is decided. Class F, to which my sister Letitia and her husband Baron Alban Odrant belong.”

…My sister and her husband—is it.

She must be saying it on purpose.

Even though those two are destined to separate.

“…Impossible. Joshua is in Class C. I cannot imagine him, excellent in both literary and military arts and excelling in leadership, losing.”

“You are right. If Class F only had either Letitia or Baron Odrant, Joshua would surely win.”

Olivia agrees slightly, but in the next moment, shows a smile of composure,

“However… if those two are together, they will absolutely not lose. Class F will win this exam 100%.”

“…That sounds like a line a villain in a play would use.”

“Fufu, then isn’t it all the more perfect for those children right now?”

Smart-aleck phrasing…

Well, fine.

The result will be known if we just watch the magic projection screen.

Why Joshua and Olivia take the side of the “Lowest, Worst Baron”—I shall judge it thoroughly.

“Now then, let’s take a look at both classes before the exam starts! First, Class C!”

The image on the magic projection screen switches, showing the students of Class C.

Every single one of them looks fully motivated.

It seems they are well-organized too.

Especially from Joshua, who stands with arms crossed and eyes closed, I can sense tremendous concentration even through the screen.

Going to win for real—

It’s as if that spirit and dominance are being transmitted.

“Continuing on—here is Class F!”

The image switches in succession.

And, seeing the scene reflected on the magic projection screen—

“────Wha… t……!?”

I lost my words.

No, not just me.

Olivia sitting next to me and the surrounding nobles all have their mouths gaping open uniformly.

The thing reflected on the magic projection screen, was—

“ALBAN x LETITIA COUPLE IS THE BEST!”

The figure of a student waving a banner with those words written largely.

Furthermore,

“Al x Letty Support Squad”

“The Ideal Couple Is Here”

“Oppose Divorce! Recognize the Two!”

“Don’t Forgive Selfish Political Marriages!”

Students holding signboards written with such things, wearing headbands, surrounding Baron Odrant and Letitia.

“Are you watching, Duke Willem Barrow! We of Class F resolutely oppose the divorce of Baron Odrant and Lady Letitia!”

“Recognize Al x Letty…! Protest… Protest…!”

“Th-The two of them are a wonderful couple…! Please, r-recognize theeeem!”

“King is the best! Baron Alban Odrant is the best! I’ll do anything for Baron Odrant!”

“Ahaha, good vibes Leo-cchi☆ Come on come on, wave the banner more, wave it♪”

—A protest movement unfolding on the other side of the magic projection screen.

A fierce protest with tremendous momentum.

Just like a demonstration or strike caused by radical commoners.

All the students, especially the women, are appealing to us with expressions of menacing intensity.

This is clearly a message directed at me.

However, Letitia herself covers her face with both hands, unable to look this way.

Surely, or rather undoubtedly, she is embarrassed.

Conversely, Baron Odrant is acting dignified.

“…What… are they doing…? Those children…?”

Olivia is stunned, her open mouth unable to close, and a stir begins to rise from the surrounding nobles.

…Perhaps I should not have come to inspect after all?

“Wow~, both classes are fully motivated! Then, with this—I declare the start of the Midterm Exam!”

However, as if to say she doesn’t care about my inner thoughts, Teacher Paula declares the start of the exam.

Immediately after, the students of Class C began running on the other side of the magic projection screen.

▲ ▲ ▲

Simultaneous with the declaration of the Midterm Exam’s start, a figure heads straight for the Ancient Settlement Ruins area where the flag is set.

Anthony Geroman, possessor of a belligerent personality even within Class C.

“Hyahaha! Class F is just a gathering of small fry anyway! I’ll finish this quick!”

Carrying his sword on his shoulder, Anthony charges alone.

He snorts “Hmph!” as if mocking them.

“Still, why did our King choose Class F as an opponent? A class led by the ‘Lowest, Worst Baron’ and a fallen young lady… just dealing with them feels like the stink of trash will rub off on me… Oops, it’s bad to speak ill of Letitia Barrow now, right.”

Born a noble, Anthony looked down on Alban and Letitia terribly in his heart.

Of course, he naturally wouldn’t voice that in front of his own King, Joshua.

He has been told that Letitia will marry Joshua, after all.

Above all, because he knows Joshua’s strength, he doesn’t say clumsy things.

Even so, Anthony, who took the rumors and bad reputation of Alban and the others as truth, looked down on them inwardly, and was even starting to mock Joshua who got engaged to Letitia.

“Joshua has strange tastes too. Well, Letitia Barrow has a good face, so maybe he intends to keep her as a mistress—oops.”

—A figure appears in front of Anthony, who was moving at full speed.

Instantly understanding it was someone from Class F, Anthony readies his sword.

“Heheh, who’s the first prey!? That guy Rowen, or that guy Leonil!? Well, whoever! Become rust on my swo—!”

—Slash.

“—Eh?”

It was a mere instant event.

Anthony’s body is cut in two, and due to the effect of the magic circle cast on the dungeon, he instantly becomes unable to move.

In other words, treated as “Death.”

“As I thought, just as Letitia said. A sacrificial pawn charged in from the front.”

The person who cut down Anthony says so and flicks his sword—hyun.

Yes—Class F’s King, Alban Odrant.

“W-Why… Why is the King, you, in a place like thiiiiis…!?”

“No point explaining to small fry. Just think about it while you freeze there.”

Alban grins as he says that,

“Noow then… Just as Letitia planned, shall I go on a rampage as a rover?”

▲ ▲ ▲

“…Okay, good. Everyone listen well. I will explain the strategy now.”

—Before the start of the Midterm Exam ‘Flag Defense’.

Letitia spreads the dungeon map and shows it to everyone.

By the way, this map was finally handed to us just before the exam.

Class C is probably the same.

In other words, we students taking the exam know almost nothing about this dungeon.

Does the academy want to see how we deal with sudden battles in an unfamiliar place—is that it?

But too bad.

Letitia is extremely good at this kind of situation.

So the strategy planning for the Midterm Exam is basically left to her.

Letitia begins speaking to the members of Class F immediately.

“We of Class F are the Defense—the side protecting the flag, but we must not cluster near the flag. Let’s actively go on the offensive.”

“Oh my, why is that? Why don’t we all guard around the flag and beat the octopus out of anyone who comes near in turn?”

Ester states a perfectly reasonable opinion.

Well, it’s not unreasonable to think that.

Replacing “Flag Defense” with “Base Defense” makes it easy to understand, but base capture battles are generally said to favor the defending side.

To attack a strongly defended position, the attacking side needs to prepare several times the military force of the defending side.

In that case, harden the defense of the flag and don’t move from there—?

If all of Class F beats up anyone who approaches appropriately, isn’t it our win—?

—One might think that, but the intelligent Letitia understands well.

That that is a foolish plan.

“No, I think that is difficult. The Ancient Settlement Ruins area where the flag is placed is a rather wide urban area, so there are many blind spots and a danger of a chaotic battle. If they create a diversion after disrupting our coordination, they’ll seize the flag in the blink of an eye by striking a gap.”

“Umm… in other words, what does that mean???”

“She’s saying that with a small number like ten people, the risk of holding the castle is greater.”

Ivan adds a supplement for Ester, who can’t quite catch up with the understanding.

He seems to have easily grasped what Letitia wants to say.

“Besides, we have no advantage in knowledge of the terrain, and we aren’t prepared for defense beforehand. Then we should avoid combat in the urban area as much as possible. Right, Lady Letitia?”

“Yes, just as Ivan says. Therefore, I think we should leave only one person for the defense of the flag, and the remaining nine should move to intercept—Look at this.”

Letitia points to the vicinity of the Ancient Settlement Ruins area drawn on the map.

“At a glance, this dungeon seems complicated and intricate, but there are only four routes in total to enter the central Ancient Settlement Ruins area. One is a wide frontal route, and this shouldn’t be used for anything other than a diversion.”

“Ehh, why do you think so~?☆ Joshua the dummy might lead Class C and charge straight in, you know?♣”

Laki asks wonderingly.

Letitia smoothly lifts her hand from the map.

“…I don’t think he would do something like pushing with brute force. He will surely obsess over a victory in a perfect form that anyone would think is beautiful.”

“Perfect form of victory?♦”

“Under equal conditions, keeping his army’s damage to a minimum, and yet giving the enemy absolutely no advantage… A victory in the form of such a trample, I suppose.”

She explains strictly factually.

Then, pausing for a breath,

“Joshua intends to dedicate an ‘Absolute Victory One-Sided Game‘ to me—no, to Father, Willem Barrow… I think that is what he is thinking.”

—At those words, everyone goes silent.

Talk about persuasive power.

Or rather, he’s definitely thinking that.

It’s that high-pride Joshua.

Well… thinking I’ll completely crush the opponent is something I share too.

“To win smartly, Joshua will definitely detour through the dungeon to aim for the flag. Therefore, my strategy is—”

Pointing at the map, Letitia conveys the strategy content to everyone factually.

And when she finishes explaining everything,

“—I think this will work best, but what do you think, Alban?”

“What are you saying Letitia, no need to ask formally, is there? —It’s the best.”

▲ ▲ ▲

<Joshua Ryduan POV Side>

“Anthony Geroman-kun, Dead! Class C remaining: eight!”

—Paula-sensei’s voice echoes throughout the dungeon.

It seems Anthony was taken out.

Since Class C had one dropout when I became King, the members total nine.

But, just now one is missing, becoming eight.

Compared to Class F which selected a King without losing a single person, this creates a two-person difference.

Numerically, we are at a disadvantage.

However—

“You’ve got a look that says ‘just as planned’, Joshua.”

Martin, who was by my side, speaks to me with a smile.

In this Midterm Exam, he acts as my adjutant.

“Yeah, sorry to Anthony, but I had him exit early.”

“That guy doesn’t listen, and despite being an idiot he totally underestimated Class F. He’s just a hindrance even as an ally, so making him a sacrificial pawn was the correct answer.”

“I prefer you call it a diversion. In fact, thanks to him, I understood Class F’s movements somewhat.”

I look down at the dungeon map.

Right now, only Martin and I remain at the Offense start point.

The remaining six have already commenced action.

Against ten Defense members, six Offense members.

We have to face almost double the number, but I judged that six is sufficient.

I don’t intend to underestimate Class F, but—I will show Duke Willem Barrow, who is inspecting this exam, a perfect victory.

I decided so.

“Yeah, the skill required to insta-kill Anthony is limited. According to gathered info, the guy called Leonil seems strong, so probably—”

“No.”

Staring at the map, I interrupt Martin’s words.

“…The one who defeated Anthony is Baron Odrant. He is moving.”

“H-Hah? Baron Odrant is Class F’s King, isn’t he? Normally you’d camp near the flag and not move…”

“This is just my conjecture but… Class F isn’t guarding the flag.”

“What…!?”

“No, to be precise, they likely left one person to guard the flag, and the rest moved to intercept us. They must have realized that the risk is lower than doing a defensive battle in the Ancient Settlement Ruins area.”

“…Seriously? There’s someone in Class F who can think up tactics to that extent…?”

“Hmph, there is. At least one person.”

No… perhaps it might be two.

Because they trust each other, Baron Odrant could go out to the front lines.

Honestly, I’m envious.

A relationship where they can trust each other that much.

But… precisely because of that relationship, there are many things I can understand.

“And one more thing… The fact that Baron Odrant is moving to intercept means, conversely, I can guess the one person guarding the flag.”

I curl up the map,

“The person he most does not want to hurt, and who simultaneously likely functions as Class F’s command tower—Letitia Barrow.”

▲ ▲ ▲

“Geez… My boss is seriously a damn hard slave driver.”

A figure of a man takes a large detour through the dungeon, heading toward the Ancient Settlement Ruins area.

Carol Pahuins, whose trademarks are regent hair, a large scar around his eyes, and a villainous face that makes him look like nothing but a murderer.

He is also one of the Class C members.

While grumbling with his mouth, Carol was trying to fulfill Joshua’s instructions perfectly.

“Well, I ain’t a snot-nosed brat like Anthony. I’ll just slam a ‘Kamikaze Charge’ into Class F’s flank real quick, and snatch that flag!”

“—Oh my, do you think I will let you ‘Honorable Kamikaze Honorable Charge’ so easily?”

“Haaahn…?”

Carol, who had been running at full speed, stops his feet.

And—showing herself in front of him is a girl with vertical drill blonde curls.

“What a pity. From here on, I, Ester Appleberry, won’t let you advance a single step.”

Gracefully spreading her folding fan to hide her mouth, the young lady sends a provocative gaze—

Ester, the Naniwa Brawler that Class F boasts of, stood blocking Carol’s way.

“…Oi, oi oi oi oi oi oi oi oi oi, of all things, a ‘Lady’?”

Carol clicks his tongue, “Tch!“

“I’ve decided I don’t ‘War’ with ‘Ladies’, and I don’t hit ’em. I’ll let you go, so scram, dammit!”

“My ‘Classmate Buddy’s’ married life is on the line here. If I withdraw here, my ‘Maidenhood would be ruined’… as they say.”

Ester snaps her fan shut and directs a fearless smile at Carol.

“…If you don’t want to ‘War’ that much, shall I make you feel absolutely like ‘Doing It’?”

“Whaddya say…?”

“Do you know? The weaker the guy in a ‘Crushing Match One-on-One’, the more he barks before the fight… or so they say.”

—Snap!

The moment Ester says that, a vein pops on Carol’s forehead.

“Any ‘Brat’ can just ‘Threaten Bluff’. Don’t get scared now, come at me quickly—you cowardly ‘Piece of Trash’.”

“I’ll…….. ‘MURDER’ YOU!!!”

“Ufufu, ‘Nice to meet you (lets fight)’.”