The Former Swordmaster Who Pretends to Be the Worst, and the Schoolโs Top-Ranked Chairmanโs Daughter Whoโs Way Too Sweet in Public, Itโs a Real Problem
โHey, did you hear? Agatsuma san and that underachiever showed up late togetherโฆโ
โโฆHuh? If the underachiever was late, fine, but why Agatsuma san too?โ
โNo idea. Apparently they ran here together.โ
โYou know, that sounds just likeโโ
โฆTotally failed.
After that, Rika and I both passed out cold.
If my mom hadn’t come to check on us, we definitely would’ve missed the morning classes. Luckily, we should be able to make it to the joint class starting in the second period, but getting called to the faculty room during lunch break was a certainty.
โโฆAnd now, weird rumors are spreading.โ
My classmates’ stares pierced me like needles.
Me, the underachiever, and Rika, the top student and unattainable beauty, had both rushed through the school gate together. It was probably inevitable rumors would start, but hearing them whispered behind our backs felt awful.
Even as I thought that, while I was preparing for the next classโ
โHeheโฆ Yeah, rumors are flying.โ
โDidn’t I tell you not to talk to me randomly at school?โ
โIt’s a bit late for that now. Everyone knows we’re childhood friends anyway.โ
โEven so, it’s weird for you too, right?โ
โNot really?โ
โโฆWhat are you so happy about? You should be annoyed.โ
That childhood friend approached me, looking somehow pleased.ใ
I froze for a split second, looked away from her smile, and sighed, shoulders slumping slightly. When Rika puffed out her cheeks in displeasure, I hurriedly changed the subject.
โSpeaking of which, I heard we have a joint class for second period today. What’s that about?โ
โIt’s a beginner’s dungeon for magic practice!โ
That explanation was why she couldn’t be late, she said, pouting.
I brushed off my childhood friend’s complaint while thinking. โAh, I see. So that’s why she, from a different class, came all the way to my classroom to meet me.
Rika and I were in the same grade, but our classrooms were different due to the gap in our grades.
She was in the class for the so-called promising students, while mineโฆ well, needless to say.
โBut really, you didn’t need to rush over for something like that, did you?โ
โEven if it’s Kusunoki san as the teacher?โ
โUghโฆ That guy?โ
I couldn’t help but feel disheartened by the information Rika gave me.
Kusunoki was our homeroom teacher for our grade.
But he had a bit of a problemโฆ
โThat Kusunoki guy is just so nitpicky and full of complaintsโฆโ
He practically made it his hobby to nitpick at students and make snide remarks. Because of this, the students secretly called him โSticky Substanceโ.
He probably knew it himself, but he showed absolutely no sign of changing.
Still, if Kusunoki was involved, it would be best to move quickly.
โLet’s just go, then.โ
โโฆYeah!โ
When I said that, Rika nodded with a beaming smile.
โ
โWellโฆ this dungeon is certified by the government as safe and beginner-friendly, butโโ
โStudents were gathered in front of the dungeon entrance.
In front of them, a small, thin, bespectacled man of early middle ageโTeacher Kusunokiโwas speaking. But few students were listening seriously. After all, the dungeon they were entering for today’s class was practically a training ground.
The Japanese government certification essentially meant it was approved as educational material.
Only slimes appeared, so accidents were virtually impossible.
โUghโฆ Do we really need to do this together?โ
โThis only counts as training for the lowest-ranked students, right?โ
The students voicing particular dissatisfaction with this lesson were those from the top-tier classes.
Indeed, for them, it was undoubtedly boring and easy.
I felt the same way, relaxing my shoulders slightly.
โAlright then, everyone, proceed inside carefully and avoid injury!โ
โYes, sir!โ
Kusunoki finished speaking, and the students entered the dungeon one by one.
Our class was last to step inside, and as the student with the lowest grades, I entered at the very backโbut thenโฆ
โHuh?โ
In that instant, I sensed something off.
A truly subtle distortion or misalignment, perhaps? It was hard to put into words, but the flow of magic felt faster than I’d imaginedโฆ
โWell, maybe it’s just my imaginationโฆโ
After considering it that far, I decided to think that.
And so, I started jogging slightly to catch up with my classmates ahead.
Maiban