Chapter 36

After it was decided that we would have a joint summer camp with Hyōō Academy, we moved to the president's mansion, while the people from Hyōō Academy went to Ferris's villa.

This was to put down our luggage and change clothes.

"Well, it's about time to go."

After changing from my uniform into a swimsuit, I headed to the assembly hall.

I wore a pair of 'board shorts,' a very common type of swim trunks. The plain fabric was black, and I had a white hoodie casually draped over my shoulders.

In the quiet hall, I recalled the incident from earlier.

(I wonder what happened in the end...)

Of course, what I was worried about was the attack by the mysterious group.

After that—emergency medical teams from the Holy Knights Association arrived and provided first aid to those who were seriously injured. Then, with practiced ease, they restrained all fifty people and swiftly transported them to the association.

The branch chief of the Holy Knights Association in Venelia told Ms. Reia and Ferris, "We will contact you immediately once we have more detailed information."

(...Their target was undoubtedly Reia.)

The word 'princess' that they mentioned a few times.

They targeted Reia not out of personal grudge, but because she is the princess of Vestaria—there's no doubt about that.

(They were probably assassins sent by a country or organization hostile to Reia's homeland, Vestaria...)

I tend to forget because I'm always with her, but Reia is the princess of Vestaria.

The kind of danger that comes with assassination or kidnapping is always close at hand, something far removed from the life of an ordinary person like me.

(I want to be of help to her if I can...)

While thinking about this, I waited for everyone to finish changing, when the door at the back right slowly opened.

"Sorry to keep you waiting..."

"Allen, how do I look?"

There, Reia appeared with her cheeks flushed and a slightly embarrassed look, while Rose looked as dignified as ever.

Seeing the two of them in their swimsuits,

"..."

I couldn't help but catch my breath.

Reia was wearing a 'halterneck' bikini. The white fabric had red frills, a cute design.

Most importantly, the top emphasized her chest... it was very stimulating.

Rose wore a simple black bikini. Around her waist was a black piece of fabric—apparently called a 'pareo.'

The contrast between her beautiful silver hair with a pinkish tint and the black swimsuit was stunning, and her slightly mature appearance was very attractive.

"Well, um... I think they look good..."

I averted my gaze to the upper left and gave my honest opinion.

"R-really? Thank you..."

"Hehe, that's good to hear."

After I gave my opinion, there was a sudden silence.

"..."

"..."

"..."

Reia kept glancing at me, Rose stood there motionless, and I couldn't look directly at their swimsuits.

(I should probably say something to break the awkwardness...)

As I desperately tried to think of a topic,

"Sorry to keep you waiting!"

The door at the back left opened forcefully, and the president and the others, now in their swimsuits, appeared.

"Hey, Allen-kun, how do I look?"

The president was wearing a white bikini with blue trim, and a gray hoodie over it.

The hoodie was fully open, emphasizing her chest... to be honest, she looked surprisingly slim.

"V-very nice, I think."

I looked down and said so, not knowing where to look with so many beautiful women in swimsuits around me.

The president, who noticed my discomfort,

"Eh? What's wrong, Allen-kun?"

She smiled and leaned forward slightly to look at my face.

"President... please stop being mean."

"Hehe, it's payback from last time."

She laughed happily.

(Probably... she's talking about the 'right to command one thing' I used to be a bit mean to her.)

I had completely forgotten about it, but it seems she remembered it well.

"Well, since everyone is here—let's go!"

"Um, where's Ms. Reia?"

"If you're asking about the teacher, she changed a long time ago and went ahead."

"R-really?"

The woman changed faster than me...

"Let's go! Today, we'll defeat Hyōō Academy!"

With that, we headed to the private beach owned by Ferris.

■

After Ms. Reia and Ferris discussed, it was decided that Senren Academy and Hyōō Academy would engage in various competitions.

The first match was a beach volleyball game.

The representatives from Senren Academy were me and Reia.

The representatives from Hyōō Academy were Sido and Cain—strangely, it turned into a freshmen match.

The game was a close battle, with neither side gaining a clear advantage.

"Sure enough, Sido... you have an incredible defensive range."

"Ordinary people like you... stop clinging on and just give up already!"

My teamwork with Reia allowed us to score efficiently.

Sido, with her overwhelming physical abilities, scored points with powerful attacks and blocks. Cain, her partner, focused entirely on receiving and setting.

"Allen, please!"

Reia gave me a perfect set.

"Ha!"

I slammed it just inside the line.

"Damn it..."

"Sure enough, Mr. Allen, that was sharp!"

The score was now 20-19.

We needed just one more point to win.

"Nice Allen! As expected!"

"It's thanks to Reia's perfect set."

As we high-fived,

"...Disgusting. No matter how well ordinary people work together, they're still trash. I'll show you the absolute difference in class!"

The atmosphere around Sido changed.

It was aggressive and menacing, reminiscent of the intense pressure from the Great Five Holy Festival.

"Reia, this is the big moment...!"

"Yes, I'll finish it off!"

Reia took a deep breath and spun the ball in her palm.

"Go...!"

She served a sharp, spinning ball.

However,

"Too easy!"

Sido, with her incredible reaction speed, easily picked up the ball aimed at the corner of the court.

"Set it up."

"Ah!"

Cain, already in position, set up a perfect ball in the center of the court.

"Take this—<Ice Wolf's Magic Ball>!"

Sido's spike was an extremely fast ball that split into four.

"Come on... Allen!"

The ball that slipped past Reia's block,

"Kumoage-ryu—Scales Cloud!"

was perfectly returned by my four consecutive receptions.

"What...!?"

The ball, floating in a curved path, landed deep in the opponent's court.

"21-19! Therefore, Senren Academy wins!"

The Hyōō Academy student who served as the referee announced the result.

"If the ball splits into four, just return all four."

"You trash...!"

Thus, the first match—a two-on-two beach volleyball game—was won by Senren Academy.

"Great job, Allen! Amazing!"

"It's thanks to Reia's teamwork."

"Sure enough, Mr. Allen! A breathtaking reception! This Cain was so moved, I couldn't move a step!"

"Eh, ah, thank you..."

"Who are you cheering for, you damn glasses!"

"Ouch!?"

As we were celebrating,

"Hehe, it seems our students are more excellent this year... right, Ferris?"

"Damn it... next, next! Let's go for 'Beach Flags'!"

The next competition was immediately announced.

Beach Flags—a classic sport where a single flag is placed 20 meters away, and the players, facing away from the flag, lie on their stomachs. At the whistle, they stand up and run to grab the flag.

The first one to grab the flag wins, a very simple rule.

From Senren Academy, I, Rose, and the president were participating.

"Beach Flags... the start is crucial."

"I'm confident in my explosive power!"

"Hehe, I can't afford to lose!"

From Hyōō Academy, Sido, Cain, and a female student council member were participating.

"Hey, don't get in the way!"

"Of course, I understand."

"Go, Sido!"

As everyone lay on their stomachs, the whistle blew.

The moment we stood up and turned around,

"Ha, you're slow, you trash!"

Sido was already running forward.

"Damn, she's fast!?"

Her reaction speed was in a different league...

She easily grabbed the flag,

"Ha ha! You're just not as talented as me, you trash!"

with a wicked smile.

(The speed of her first move after the whistle, her flexible running... she's truly Sido.)

(...This trash is keeping up with my acceleration. Her physical abilities have improved dramatically... Is it because of the influence of 'that monster'? Or is it the result of her relentless training? ...In any case, I can't let my guard down.)

After the Beach Flags competition,

"False start, false start! You were 0.1 seconds early! Everyone, right!?"

"Ah, no, the loser's whining is hard to listen to!"

Ms. Reia and Ferris were, as usual, engaging in a heated exchange.

(They've been like this since their student days... maybe they actually get along well?)

The intense competition between Senren Academy and Hyōō Academy continued, resulting in a 10-10 tie.

Ms. Reia and Ferris wanted to have one more match to decide the winner, but...

"Since this is a joint summer camp, let's settle the score after the summer break at the 'Sword King Festival.'"

The president skillfully redirected their attention to the 'next battle,' resolving the situation.

Thus, we successfully concluded the first day of the joint camp and returned to our respective lodgings.

■

After that, we all had dinner together, chatted, and had a very enjoyable time.

"Phew... it was fun."

After parting ways with everyone and returning to my room, I stretched and glanced at the wall clock.

"It's already eleven... I should probably go to bed."

Staying up too late would affect the following days.

As I was getting ready for bed and about to turn off the lights,

There was a knock on the door.

(At this hour... who could it be?)

"Who is it?"

"It's late, Allen. It's me."

Ms. Reia's stern voice replied.

I immediately opened the door to find her standing there with her arms crossed and a serious expression.

"What's the matter, teacher? At this hour?"

"I need to talk to you about the group that attacked Reia this morning."

She said this with an unusually serious look.

"I'm sorry to bother you at this hour, but can you spare me a moment?"

"...Sure."

It seems the group from this morning had a very troublesome background.

(What a huge hassle... but there's no choice this time...)

Reia is in danger, and if I can do anything to help— I'm determined to do my best.