Chapter 37

Following Ms. Leia, I was led to her private room.

The room was surprisingly tidy, with no half-undressed clothes in sight.

"Well, let's get straight to it. It's faster to show you the actual thing rather than explain it verbally."

With that, Ms. Leia took a brown envelope from her desk drawer.

The front was labeled "Important Documents."

"What is this...?"

"It's a report from the Holy Knights Association that just came in. There's quite a bit of it, so just skim through it."

"I understand..."

I took out the report from the open brown envelope and began to read.

Incident in the Carlos District of Venelia Island

July 1st, Noon: The interrogation results revealed that the fifty people detained were assassins from the Holy Roneria Empire. The unique weapons seized also confirm this. They were in possession of Spirit Crystals, making it clear that the Holy Roneria Empire has some connection with the Black Organization.

July 1st, Evening: Due to the side effects of the Spirit Crystals, their condition suddenly worsened. The medical team at the Venelia branch could not handle it, so they decided to secretly transfer them to a nearby large hospital.

July 1st, Night: During the transfer, they were attacked by unknown assailants, and all fifty were killed. Their bodies were burned, likely to cover up the information.

"They were... killed...?"

"Yes. Probably assassins from the Holy Roneria Empire or the Black Organization. The skilled Holy Knights who were guarding them during the transfer were all knocked out."

Ms. Leia shrugged and continued.

"Upon investigation of the scene, several suspicious footprints were found near the sea house. It seems a small group was hiding there, separate from those who attacked you."

"A small group...?"

Ms. Leia nodded.

"This incident was undoubtedly a combat experiment using Spirit Crystals. The enemy had two groups: the fifty disposable pawns and a small group to collect the observed data."

"‘Disposable pawns’...? To treat human lives so lightly..."

"The mastermind behind this is inhumane. --Take good care, you too."

With that short warning, Ms. Leia concluded her talk.

"But why only me? Shouldn't Reia, Rose, and the president be informed too?"

"That's because you are... no, it's fine for now."

"...?"

"Well, anyway -- there are various reasons for adults. I judged that it's better to inform you. Of course, this matter must be kept confidential."

"I see... I understand..."

I nodded, though I wasn't entirely convinced. It seemed she wouldn't tell me more even if I asked.

"Still, there's no need to worry too much about the current situation. And when I'm around, you can feel safe. I'm quite skilled, despite appearances."

"Thank you."

I've heard about Ms. Leia's abilities recently. It's very reassuring to hear her say this.

"Well, that's all. I'm sorry for keeping you so late. The training camp continues from tomorrow! Get a good night's sleep and take care of your health!"

"Yes. Good night, Ms. Leia."

"Ah, good night."

With that, I left Ms. Leia's room.

■

After that, for four days, we repeated battles and training -- and today is the final day of the joint summer training camp.

We dragged our tired bodies to Ferris's private beach as usual.

Ms. Leia, Ferris, and the president stood in front of everyone.

"Well, everyone! You've done well to endure this enjoyable yet tough summer training camp!"

"You've all worked really hard, I'm truly impressed."

"So, for the last day -- let's have fun!"

The moment the president said that,

"Yay! We can finally go into the sea!"

"This year was really tough... I'm so relieved to finally be free..."

"Alright! I'm going to play all day today!"

Loud cheers erupted from the students of Senren Academy and Hyoutei Academy.

Everyone was very happy, but...

Honestly, I felt a bit... no, quite disappointed.

(Already over... I wanted to train more with everyone...)

Swinging a sword alone is fun, but it's even more fun with everyone. --It's like eating a meal together.

As I stood there, shoulders slumped,

"Hey, Allen! Can I talk to you for a moment?"

"You're a first-year and you can go against Sido... That's amazing, you!"

"Thank you."

I was surrounded by what seemed to be upperclassmen from Hyoutei Academy.

(This might be a good opportunity.)

I had something I was a bit curious about, so I decided to ask casually.

"By the way, isn't the president of Hyoutei Academy on leave? I haven't seen her once during the training camp..."

"Oh, that. Our president is really bad with heat. She's probably at a northern resort right now."

"And the vice president and secretary too. They're always with the president."

"Really?"

So, the three key members of Hyoutei Academy were absent during this summer training camp.

(I need to try a bit harder to win... if we can't win without them.)

As I was thinking about this,

"Wow, you really have a good body!"

"Amazing! So toned!"

"Eh, ah, what...!?"

The two girls standing on either side of me started touching my abs with great interest. The sensation of their slender fingers on my skin was very ticklish.

Then,

"Hey, Allen is in trouble!"

"Don't touch him so much!"

"Ria, Rose!?"

They grabbed my arms firmly, as if pushing away the upperclassmen from Hyoutei Academy.

"Come on, Allen!"

"Let's go play in the sea."

"Ah, okay."

Thus, I was led to the beach by the two, who seemed a bit moody.

"Yeah... it's really beautiful."

"True, I don't often see such beautiful seas in my country."

"The water is so clear."

Stepping back from the daily battles and training, the sea looked truly beautiful.

"What should we do?"

On the beach, many students were already doing various things.

Some were fishing on the shore.

Others were building sandcastles.

Some were splashing each other in the shallow water.

Everyone was enjoying the last day of the summer training camp to the fullest.

"Um, I thought about it... How about this!"

Ria then took out three deflated inflatable rings she had been carrying.

"...Inflatable rings?"

"Yep! I borrowed them from the president this morning! Let's go for a walk in the wide sea together!"

"The sea breeze will feel great!"

"Sounds like a good idea."

We inflated the rings and slowly entered the sea.

"Wow, it's different from river water!"

It felt like it was gently touching my skin.

"Ah, it's cold!"

"It feels good."

The two, who had experienced the sea several times, seemed to enjoy the cold more than the sensation of the water.

"What kind of pace should we go at?"

"Let's go far out first!"

"Sounds good!"

"Okay, let's do that!"

After that, we rode the inflatable rings and drifted with the waves, chatting about various things.

"---So, my dad, mistaking the letter for a love letter, got really angry and said, 'If you want my daughter, prove you're the strongest in Vesteria!'"

"Haha, that's a bad misunderstanding."

"Ahaha, it's a bit of a sad story."

Talking in a different environment was so enjoyable that I lost track of time.

As we floated,

"I suddenly feel like doing some sword swings."

The desire to swing a sword rose from deep within me.

In this situation where my feet don't touch the ground, what kind of weight shift would be best to release a sharp slash? I really want to do some sword swings to find out.

"Haha, Allen really loves sword swings."

"You're always thinking about swordsmanship."

"Is that so? I feel embarrassed..."

"‘We’re not complimenting you!’"

As we enjoyed ourselves on the inflatable rings,

"Kyaaah!?"

"Ah, no!?"

"Ria, Rose!?"

Suddenly, something rose from the sea, and the two on the inflatable rings were flipped over.

"What the...!?"

What emerged from the sea was...

"---Ha! Today's meal is set!"

"Amazing, Sido! Grabbing fish while swimming!"

It was Sido, holding two fish in his hands, and Kain, praising him.

"Sido, Kain!? Why from the sea!?"

"Ah? ...What's the matter, Allen?"

"Oh, Allen-sama! I'm very sorry for surprising you. We are currently experiencing 'free diving fishing'... It's quite interesting!"

"I see..."

It seems they were just enjoying the sea.

"Come on, you two! Slow down a bit!"

"Were you scared!?"

"Idiots! Speed is key!"

"No, Sido... That's only for catching them. It doesn't matter when surfacing. We were wrong this time, we'll be more careful."

"Tch... You're just being pedantic..."

"I'm very sorry for the disturbance. We'll see you all later."

With that, they returned to the bottom of the sea.

After that, we finished our swim on the inflatable rings and joined the others to play to our heart's content.

■

That evening, we were to have a barbecue with everyone from Hyoutei Academy.

The location was in front of Ferris's villa, and the meeting time was 7 PM.

After playing to our heart's content, we headed to Ferris's villa with the president and others.

"Wow, this is amazing..."

"Wow, it looks delicious!"

"It smells so good!"

Ferris's villa was impressive, but with our empty stomachs, our eyes were drawn to the many ingredients laid out in front of it.

"Welcome, everyone from Senren Academy. Since everything is ready -- let's start the barbecue!"

The moment Ferris said that,

"Yay! Thank you!"

"Ferris-sensei, you're the best! I love you!"

"Meat!"

Cheers erupted from all around.

"Thank you, Ferris-sensei."

"Thank you, Ferris-sensei!"

"I'm grateful!"

We expressed our gratitude and took the mountain of ingredients piled on the central table.

"Is this spot okay?"

"Sure!"

"Got it!"

Finding an empty seat, I sat down,

"Here we go."

"Move a bit closer."

"A, ah..."

For some reason, the two sat on either side of me.

(Normally, one of them would sit in front... but it's fine.)

After laying out the ingredients we had taken, I noticed the fire was already lit.

"Ah, the fire is already on. That's a help."

"Then all we have to do is cook!"

"First, we need to skewer the meat!"

I skewered two pieces of meat, rich with fat, and placed them on the grill.

Ria quickly skewered and grilled a large number of pieces of meat. --She's really good.

Rose had a good balance. She alternated between meat and vegetables and then placed small fish on the grill.

After a minute or two, a mouth-watering aroma rose. It was almost ready to eat.

"Let's dig in."

"Sure! Let's eat!"

"Itadakimasu!"

Just as we were about to take our skewers,

"Hey, you!"

Sido, who had just passed by, snatched the fish skewer Rose was holding.

"Sido?"

"What are you doing all of a sudden!?"

"What?"

As we quickly asked questions,

"Tch... It's a Menorika Sargo."

Sido said this and threw the fish away.

At that moment,

"Menorika Sargo!?"

"Wait, it's poisonous!?"

"Hold on! Everyone, don't eat the fish!"

The crowd became restless.

Menorika Sargo -- a fish with a small amount of paralyzing poison in its body.

"What's going on!?"

"Well, the local fishermen said all the fish were safe..."

"Tch, they did a sloppy job... Bring all the fish here! I'll check them myself!"

He then quickly examined the large number of fish in the cooler.

"Sido is really knowledgeable about fish..."

I muttered, and Kain, who happened to be nearby, spoke up.

"Yes, he's practically a 'fish doctor.' Sido grew up in a very special environment as a child, and his 'survival knowledge' is very extensive. If you had to bring one thing to a deserted island, I'd recommend him."

"I see..."

What kind of environment did he grow up in...? He's a very mysterious person.

"Anyway... the fish seem a bit dangerous, so let's eat the meat."

"Sure, let's do that!"

"Okay, that's a good idea."

We regained our composure and resumed the barbecue.

"---It's delicious!"

"It's really good!"

"The fat... it's so juicy!"

Eating outside always seems to taste better.

As we were enjoying the grilled meat, a large firework bloomed in the night sky.

"It's beautiful..."

"Yeah."

"Really, it's so beautiful."

Red, blue, green -- the colors floating in the black canvas were truly beautiful.

"Hey, Allen, Rose..."

"Hmm, what is it?"

"What?"

"Let's go to the summer training camp together again next year, okay?"

"Sure, we will."

"Of course."

Thus, the joint summer training camp of Senren Academy and Hyoutei Academy, filled with turmoil, came to a safe and successful end.