Chapter 14

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In the auditorium that had been opened for lunch, I was eating a sandwich I had bought from a convenience store near the station, having lunch with Yuzi and Hoshizuki-san.

However, I was impressed by the quality of recent convenience store meals. I was amazed that they could provide such good items at these prices.

"Hey, are you listening, Daiki?"

"Huh? Was it about how the egg sandwich is the best at convenience stores?"

"No, that's not it. No one said anything like that."

"Ah, sorry. I wasn't listening."

Yuzi gave me a dispirited look. Well, I'm sorry.

"Ah. We were talking about what we'll be doing in the practical training session after this."

"Oh, that."

"Anyway, in my prediction, it will be either how to deal with monsters or trap removal practice."

Yuzi stated his prediction with a look of exasperation at my reaction. Well, that seems reasonable.

"Is that so? I think it will be a test of basic abilities."

"Basic abilities?"

"Yes. Jumping, leaping, running. If you have the minimum abilities, you can manage even solo exploration to some extent."

Indeed, Hoshizuki-san's prediction also made sense. Dealing with monsters and removing traps can be handled by those who are capable. If we consider working as a team, having the minimum basic abilities would allow for role division.

"But... "

"Then, should I make a different prediction?"

"Is there something?"

"Well... how about warm-up exercises?"

"‘Warm-up exercises?’"

Ah, both of their faces changed to look at me as if I were something ridiculous.

"No, I mean, not the simple warm-ups you do in school PE, but the thorough ones professional athletes do before a game."

For example, the kind that professional baseball players spend over 10 minutes doing on the field before a game.

"Do you think you can suddenly move when attacked by a monster after doing some random warm-ups you learned in school?"

"Well, probably not..."

"Yes, if you think about it, warm-up exercises could be part of the training content."

The two, who had looked exasperated, seemed to understand my intention and nodded in agreement. I'm glad they got it.

After that, we continued with some idle chatter while quickly finishing our lunch.

"Phew, thanks for the meal."

After finishing the convenience store meal, I folded my hands and started cleaning up. It's not much work, just putting the plastic bag and wrapping paper into a small bag.

"What do you want to do? Should we take a break and then change in the locker room?"

After finishing his lunch and cleaning up, Yuzi asked about our plans. I looked around the auditorium and replied to Yuzi.

"There doesn't seem to be much movement, so how about changing first and then taking a break? If we wait, it might get crowded."

"Yes, it would be easier to change before the locker room gets crowded."

After finishing her lunch, Hoshizuki-san agreed with my suggestion, and Yuzi also agreed to change first. Once Hoshizuki-san finished cleaning up, we took our bags and headed to the designated locker room.

The designated locker room was in a building near the practical training field. It was a simple room with folding tables lined up. I placed my bag on a table and took out the school-designated gym uniform and tracksuit. For students, this is the most accessible sportswear. I quickly changed and, with Yuzi, took our bags and left the locker room. While waiting in the hallway with Yuzi, Hoshizuki-san, who had tied her hair into a ponytail, came over in the same tracksuit.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

"No, we just got here. Right, Yuzi?"

"Yeah, we weren't really waiting, so don't worry about it."

It felt like a conversation you'd have at a date meeting point. Well, let's go before the atmosphere gets weird.

I suggested to the two of them to go and check out the A field where the practical training would take place. They agreed without much objection, and we all moved to the field with our bags.

Soon, we could see the artificial turf field and several installations. There were five wooden boxes about the size of dry containers and five pitching machines with screens. They were probably for the practical training, but their purpose was unclear. After looking at the field for a while, the staff were making final adjustments.

"What are those for?"

"Who knows?"

"They'll explain during the training. Look at that."

Hoshizuki-san pointed to a blue tarp and numbered signboards.

"Is that for storing our bags?"

"Maybe, but it looks cheap."

"Well, it's better than putting them directly on the ground, I guess."

Hoshizuki-san reluctantly agreed with a half-closed eye. Well, at least they provided a blue tarp, which is still considerate.

"Since we've checked out the field, why don't we take a tour of the university campus?"

"Sure, why not?"

"Yes, it would be a waste to just hang around here."

"Let's go, then."

We left the field and decided to explore the university campus. As a national university, it had many impressive facilities. The library with its vast collection, the engineering building with real cars and planes on display, and stylish cafes and restaurants were just a few of the many attractive places. Hoshizuki-san and Yuzi even started talking about applying to this university and got some brochures from the office. Of course, I also got some brochures.

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We returned to the field 10 minutes before the practical training started. Many participants had already gathered, so we quickly placed our bags on the blue tarp with the assigned number. The gathered participants were near the podium, so we moved over to join them.

"Hmm, did we take too much time?"

"It's fine. The instructors haven't even gone up to the podium yet."

"Yes, it's still before time, so it's okay."

While chatting idly, a voice came from the podium.

"In five minutes, we will begin the pre-training for the Special Underground Structure Armed Exploration Permit Exam! All participants, please gather where you can see the podium!"

Hearing the announcement, the scattered participants gathered around the podium.

"It's time to start the practical training. I am Instructor Sakamaki, and I will be in charge of this training. Nice to meet you."

With Instructor Sakamaki's greeting, the practical training began. The participants' expressions were a mix of anticipation and anxiety.

"First, the practical training will start with warm-up exercises."

My prediction was correct. Hearing "warm-up exercises," the participants were confused, and the field became noisy.

Instructor Sakamaki made a gesture to calm the noise and began explaining the importance of warm-up exercises.

"Everyone, do you think warm-up exercises are simple? Without proper warm-up, you cannot perform at your best. Moreover, the risk of injury increases significantly without warm-up. For example, you might tear your Achilles tendon when suddenly jumping sideways."

Hearing this, the participants' noise subsided.

"The warm-up exercises I will teach you today are the thorough routines that professional athletes do before practice or games. If you follow these instructions, you can perform at your best and reduce the risk of unexpected injuries. There are many movements, but please follow our instructions carefully. Please spread out on the field so you don't bump into each other."

Following Instructor Sakamaki's instructions, the participants spread out across the field.

We also spread out to avoid bumping into each other and waited for the next instructions.

"Are you all spread out? Let's start the warm-up exercises. First, let's start with the arms..."

Under Instructor Sakamaki's guidance, we performed thorough warm-up exercises for about 10 to 15 minutes.

At first, many of the movements were new and confusing, but the effect was clear. After moving muscles and joints that are usually not used, I felt a light and refreshing sensation that I had never experienced before.

It felt as if I had been carrying a heavy weight before the warm-up, and the difference was significant after the warm-up.

"Alright, that's the end of the warm-up exercises. Next, we will divide the participants into two groups for trap evasion and monster handling practice. This is the practical application of what you learned in the morning lecture. Recall the content and do your best."

Instructor Sakamaki smiled and said something quite harsh. Trap evasion and monster handling are not things you can do just by listening to a lecture.

Ah, I see. The purpose is to make the participants suffer.

"Participants 1 to 200 will be Group A for trap evasion practice. Participants 201 to 387 will be Group B for monster handling practice. After everyone in a group has completed, you will switch. Group A, follow me to the containers. Group B, follow Instructor Kanzaki to the pitching machines."

The participants began moving as instructed by Instructor Sakamaki.

"What will we do in the monster handling practice?"

While being led by the gentle-looking Instructor Kanzaki, Yuzi asked.

"Since we're using pitching machines, it's probably an avoidance training where the balls represent monsters."

"Yes, with the screen, it will likely show monster images while you avoid them."

Hoshizuki-san and I had the same prediction. There's not much else you can do with a pitching machine.

"In other words, it's an avoidance game."

"Probably."

Given the potential for serious injury or even death from a single hit, it's important to train your evasion skills. A bad hit could be fatal.

When Group B gathered, Instructor Kanzaki began explaining the practice.

"Group B, you will be avoiding or knocking down rubber balls launched from the pitching machine."

Instructor Kanzaki continued while squeezing a rubber ball.

"The screen on the pitching machine will show the inside of a dungeon and the appearance of monsters. You will avoid or knock down the rubber balls, which represent attacking monsters. Each participant will face 10 balls. For safety, you will wear a baseball catcher's mask. Please line up in front of the pitching machines."

The participants in Group B lined up in front of the pitching machines, albeit with some hesitation.

"Let's start. The first person in line, please enter the circle."

The first participants in line received the catcher's mask, put it on, and entered a circle about 1 meter in diameter, 5 to 6 meters from the pitching machine.

The screen on the pitching machine activated, showing a dimly lit stone corridor, presumably inside a dungeon. The image moved at a walking pace, as if progressing through the dungeon. When a shadow appeared from the depths of the corridor and filled the screen, the pitching machine launched a rubber ball.

Out of the five participants, only one managed to avoid or knock down the ball. Instructor Kanzaki then paused the video and loudly announced to all participants.

"Four out of five participants were seriously injured or killed."

The participants' murmurs faded away like a receding tide. The heavy silence that followed reminded them of the reality they had tried to forget. The participants who had been hit by the rubber balls looked pale and shaken.

The silence spread, creating an eerie atmosphere.

"This time, it was just a rubber ball that wouldn't cause serious injury, but in the dungeons you will explore as adventurers, a moment's carelessness can lead to serious injury."

Instructor Kanzaki glanced at the silent participants and smiled brightly.

"Everyone, let's put in your best effort for the practical training!"

I was taken aback.

This instructor is definitely enjoying the current situation...

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Warm-up exercises are important, right?