With the drama surrounding Negi's final exams finally settled, the closing ceremony for the third term arrived. Once this spring break was over, I'd finally be a third-year middle school student... though, considering my circumstances, that felt a bit late to be worrying about.
"Axel-kun, the ceremony is about to start. We should get moving."
"Hm? Oh, right. I forgot these things always involve long-winded speeches from the faculty."
I let out a weary sigh, and Chizuru reached over to pat my head.
"There, there. Once it's over, it's officially spring break. Do you have any plans for the holidays?"
"Let's see... nothing set in stone, but I'd like to make some headway with that side of things."
"Ah."
Chizuru nodded, immediately understanding that I meant my magical training. Both she and Ayaka had been studying the beginner's grimoire Evangeline gave them, but they were still at the stage where they were lucky if a "Light the Candle" spell actually worked. As for me, I felt like Crimson Flame was about the limit of my current repertoire.
As we lined up outside for the ceremony, I found myself—as usual—stuck at the very front. Height-based ordering was a cruel mistress; being shorter than the Narutaki twins was a special kind of indignity.
"Hey, hey, Axel-kun! When spring break starts, why don't you come hang out with the Walking Club?"
It was Fuka, the younger of the Narutaki twins, whispering from behind me.
"Yeah, yeah! The Walking Club is great! Highly recommended!" her sister added.
"...Doesn't the Walking Club just involve, you know, walking?" I asked skeptically.
"Heh heh heh. Not even close! Competitive walking is an ultra-hardcore sport with its own world championships! Don't tell me a guy like you didn't know that?"
"A 'hardcore sport,' huh? Negi might be gullible enough to buy that, but I'm not."
"Aww, you're no fun."
As I traded barbs with the twins, the ceremony finally got underway. We sat through the typical lecture about staying safe during break, not staying out late, and avoiding trouble, until finally, Headmaster Konoemon took the stage. Negi followed closely behind him.
"Ho-ho-ho! I have an announcement for the student body. As of the new school year, Negi Springfield-sensei will officially join our staff as a member of the English department. Furthermore, he is scheduled to take over as the homeroom teacher for Class 3-A."
The crowd erupted in a mix of applause and stunned murmurs. Under normal circumstances, no one would believe a ten-year-old was a qualified teacher, but here at Mahora, the "Perception Blurring" barriers were in full effect. People just accepted it as a slightly unusual quirk of the school.
Then again, if it weren't for those barriers, I wouldn't be able to stay here either. A foreign transfer student, an academic prodigy, and a test case for a co-ed program? Any one of those would be strange; all three combined should have been a bureaucratic nightmare, yet here I was, accepted without a second thought.
"And so, thanks to everyone in 2-A working so hard on the finals, I've officially been hired! I look forward to working with you all in our third year!"
Back in the classroom after the ceremony, Negi gave a polite, deep bow. I glanced toward the front of the room and saw Ayaka staring at him with a gaze so heated and rapturous it was borderline predatory.
...Is she really going to be okay? It's fine because it's Class 2-A, but I'm genuinely worried she's going to catch a criminal charge one of these days.
While I was lost in thought, the classroom devolved into its usual chaos. Sasaki was brandishing the trophy for the highest class score in the finals. I noticed that Akashi, who usually sat in front of me, was already part of the crowd surrounding Negi.
"Grrrr..."
A low, guttural growl came from beside me. I turned to see Hasegawa clutching her head in her hands.
"You alright?" I asked.
"Huh?! Oh, uh, yeah. It's nothing. Totally fine. Everything is fine."
She sounded like she was trying to convince herself more than me. It was March, after all—maybe it was hay fever?
"Excuse me, Sensei!"
"Yes, Fuka-san?" Negi replied.
"Fumika and I were talking, and we want to throw a 'Congrats on First Place' party for everyone! What do you think?"
Since it was Class 2-A, the response was immediate and unanimous.
"Ooh, that sounds great!"
"Let's do it! Party time!"
"Anyone who's free, meet up at the hill behind the dorms!"
As the excitement peaked, I saw Hasegawa start to tremble again, as if she were desperately suppressing an urge to scream. Negi noticed her distress and walked over.
"Hasegawa-san, is something wrong? Are you feeling a chill?"
"No... I just... I have a stomachache. I'm going home early."
She grabbed her bag and bolted from the room.
"Hasegawa-san! Wait! If your stomach hurts, I have—!"
Thinking of something that might help, Negi chased after her. As I watched them go, Evangeline, sitting nearby, let out a dark chuckle.
"Kukuku... I fear the brat is in over his head when it comes to Hasegawa Chisame."
"Hm? Do you know something?"
"Now, I wonder. She is certainly an ordinary human. Of that, there is no doubt. However... well, let's just call this another trial of his homeroom duties."
According to the status screens I'd seen, her stats were average and she lacked any notable skills. Eva was right about her being "ordinary," but the look on the vampire's face suggested there was more to the story than just numbers.
Before I could dwell on it, a small group approached my desk.
"Come on, Axel-kun. It's party time! You're coming, right?"
"That's right! You'd be a fool to turn down a party with beautiful older girls like us!"
"Honestly, Misa, Sakurako... but the cherry blossoms near the dorms are in full bloom right now. It really is the perfect spot," Natsumi added.
It was the usual cheerleader trio. And right behind them...
"Hey! You girls! Leave the inviting to me!"
"My, my, Ayaka's at it again."
"She means well, though..."
Ayaka arrived in her usual high-energy state, flanked by a weary-looking Chizuru and Natsumi.
On the way back to the dorms, we stocked up on snacks and soda before heading to the hill. A single, massive cherry blossom tree stood at the summit, its petals dancing in the spring breeze. It looked like the kind of place where legends were born.
I looked out toward the center of the academy grounds. From here, you could see a tree so colossal it would make the Guinness World Records look like a joke—the World Tree, the symbol of the Kanto Magic Association. Its formal name: The Divine Tree, Shinboku Bantou. With a monster like that nearby, it was hard for a regular cherry tree to feel "legendary."
"Alright, let's get the snacks ready. Konoka, can you lay out the tarp?"
"You got it~!"
Following Asuna's lead, Konoka spread the sheet. Beside her, Ayase was already helping while sipping on something called "Enchanted Gremlin"—a glowing, neon-green liquid of questionable origin.
—This is a gift from Chao Bao Zi. Please, everyone, help yourselves.—
Yotsuba placed a tray of steamed buns onto the tarp. As the food was laid out, I was surprised to see Evangeline show up. I'd heard from Ayaka and Chizuru that she rarely participated in class events.
"What brought you out here?" I asked.
"Hmph. I realized I forgot to ask you something."
"Me?"
"Yes. Do you have plans for the spring break starting tomorrow?"
"Not particularly. Aside from practicing my magic, that is."
"Good. That works out. Axel, come to my house tomorrow. I want to see exactly how much your magic has improved at my villa."
As Eva made the sudden demand, Chachamaru stood beside her, miming the act of wiping away a tear.
"Ah... to think my Master finally has a friend to play with on the holidays..."
"..."
A vein popped on Evangeline's forehead, but she ignored the robot and kept her eyes on me.
"Well? What do you say?"
"Sure, I don't mind. But Ayaka and Chizuru might want to tag along. Is that okay?"
The two of them had been taking their training surprisingly seriously. If I was going to Eva's place, they were almost certainly going to follow.
"Hmph. As long as they don't get in the way, do as you please."
As we finished talking, Negi finally arrived from the direction of the girls' dorm. But he wasn't alone.
"Hey, Eva. Is it just me, or is Negi being followed by a bunny girl?"
"What a coincidence. I see it too."
But why a bunny girl? In a casino, sure. But on a hill in the middle of a sunny spring afternoon? The sheer visual dissonance was staggering. The rest of Class 2-A felt the same; a crowd immediately formed around the newcomer.
"Oh? Is Axel-kun interested in bunny girls too?"
Akashi walked up to me, a teasing smirk on her face.
"No, it's just... she looks familiar."
"Eh? Axel-kun, you've seen a bunny girl before? ...I guess that's life overseas for you."
"That's not what I mean..."
Had I seen her as a bunny girl? No. But I'd definitely seen her since coming to this world. I ran through the faces of everyone I'd met, skipping the teachers and focusing on the students who hadn't joined the party yet...
"Ah."
I remembered the face of the girl who sat diagonally in front of me.
"Hasegawa?"
"Huh?"
As the name left my lips, Akashi looked toward the bunny girl in confusion. In that exact moment, the "Bunny Girl" outfit suddenly dissolved into cherry blossom petals, leaving the girl—who was indeed Hasegawa—almost entirely exposed.
Before I could see anything, Chachamaru's palm slammed over my eyes, blocking my vision entirely.
"Yeah... someone call the Headmaster."
Negi had clearly triggered his 'Flabbergasted Flower Stripping' sneeze again. I suppose I'd just have to let him deal with the fallout this time.
[Character Status]
Name: Axel Almar
LV: 38 | PP: 625
Melee: 262 | Ranged: 282 | Skill: 272
Defense: 272 | Evade: 302 | Hit: 322
SP: 462
Ace Bonus: SP Boost (Enhances Slime performance via SP)
Growth Type: All-Rounder / Special
Terrain Rank: Air: S | Ground: S | Sea: S | Space: S
Spirit Commands:
Accel, Effort, Focus, Direct Hit, Awaken, Love
Skills:
EXP Up, SP Boost (SP Up Lv.9, SP Regen, Concentration), Telekinesis Lv.10, Attacker, Gunfight Lv.9,
In-fight Lv.9, Morale Limit Break, Geass (Grey), Magic (Fire, Shadow, Summoning).
Kill Count: 376
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