Thete autumn season, two months had passed since the second half of first-term had begun.


    We, the students of Royal Academy, were currently out for the outdoor ss.


    The destination of the outdoor sses were different for each grade, along with the location and the details of sses.


    A typical school wouldn''t have been able to achieve a flexible curriculum of this level absolutely, with the hindrance being the budget more than anything else. Well, that was the gulf between a typical school and Royal Academy with the budget and human resources allocated to them.


    The training ce elected for first-years this year was halfway up on the Darre Mountain Range, located in the Viscount Vangyush territory thates within Dorveil region. In short, it was the territory that Godorfun-sensei''s family ruled over.


    While Godorfun-sensei bear the title of ''Von,'' and were effectively the present head of Vangyush family, his constant stay in the royal capital following his extremely busy schedule rendered it impossible for him to govern the territory. Thus the title of viscount has been inherited by his little brother.


    Anyway, it was outdoor training where ssmates would spend the night together.


    We had heard about the general gist of the situation from the seniors of our dorm and while the details varied by year, the ss would be split into several groups and from there, they would contest for better rankings.


    But more than that, the girls and boys would work together for things like setting their outdoor tents and all, so there were going to be lots of chances to sharply close distance with girls with all the chit-chat and giggles.


    Just the mere thought of it caused an exhrating sensation to circte inside me. Atst, the diary of my life had finally turned to the most awaited page of my youth!


    It wasn''t just me, even my otherwise sensible and mature ssmates were showing an upbeat mood as we rode into the magic car train, booked for our trip to the destination. Though of course, neither of them could best me my relentless excitment!


    …Speaking of, I think we would be having the typical love talk as well. I mean, it''s the staple after all, wasn''t it?


    While listening to everyone''s type of girl, maybe I would also pass some valuable advice—some excerpt from ''The Secret to Being a Sessful Man'' if there was someone struggling with their love life.


    At that moment, I was drowning into the blissful moment, my heart surged surging with a fuzzy feeling.


    ◆◆◆


    The camping ground we had arrived at—the grasnd that spreads at the foot of Darre Mountain Range, with red leaves around putting a disy to the peak autumn season—was a picturesque spot.


    A faint patches of snow could already be seen at the peak of steep Darre Mountains. Today''s weather was otherwise perfectly clear. If anything, with pleasant wind swirling, it was just the sweet spot for an excursion.


    Once the hundred Royal Academy''s first year students had lined up ording to their sses, Godorfun-sensei started with his speech.


    "Fuhahaha. To preface, wee to the distant Vangyush Territory. I''m the ss teacher of ss 1-A, and will be in charge of guiding everyone in this year''s outdoor sses."


    Godorfun-sensei''s, too, was showcasing his upbeat mood.


    "ording to the guidelines of Royal Academy, the goal of outdoor sses has always been to speed up the endurance training and inner discipline of students as they work out in the embrace of nature, and to further raise their bond with their fellow ssmates. The curriculum has been based around this topic."


    Hmm-mm, the ssic Royal Academy move. They really have think through things huh.


    "The general gist involves the specific assignment passed to each ss, where you willpete to clear it first. Also, the degree of achievement would also be taken into evaluating the final score.


    Of course, I have properly evaluated everyone''s ability and made it so that it remains a close struggle between all the sses."


    Woahh! So we''re really going with ss battles?! Now it suddenly feels more and more like another world''s school program as a reincarnator!


    I took a quick nce at the faces of ss D and E and they appeared just as excited. With the difficulty adjustment, they must have felt they could have a shot to top out as well.


    "I need not to emphasise it, but the score you earned will also affect your current term''s overall result. In addition, to further fuel thepetition spirit, the academy has prepared a small reward as well.


    The final destination of every ss at the end of their assignment is the Vi of Vangyush family, located at thekeshore of Citing Lake, famed for being a scenic ce. It''s also the Vangyush''s territory''s foremost therapeutic Hot Spring Resort. The outdoor sses will be one week long, so the earlier you clear your assignment, the more you will be able to rx in the vi.


    I''m not fond of much luxury, but let me preface here that this sole resort has one of the best facilities avable. No effort has been spared to build it as magnificently as possible, and it has seven bath houses that draw water from natural hot springs as well as four saunas. I can also boast this facility is first-ss even to wee His Majesty unashamedly here.


    But of course, do remember that vi isn''t that grand so theters would have to make do with the servant''s room, and also thest ss would have to sleep in the hall together."


    "We''re going to win at all costs!!"


    I unwittingly ended up shouting at my loudest voice.


    I don''t really care about thevish room, but...we need to be first if I want to thoroughly enjoy the hot spring.


    As I suddenly ended up raising my fighting spirit, Leo pulled in like a moth, suggesting.


    "Of course, it would be our win. The question is how do you suggest we win. Hmm...sure enough, we should go for crushing win, eh. What do you say, Allen?"


    "You bet! Buckle up for the rough ride, you lot!"


    " "Yes Sir!" "


    Seeing the disy of our fighting spirit, I thought other sses would falter a bit, but I only saw an intense fighting spirit in their expression.


    Then again, they''re still the elites gathered from all over the kingdom. At Leo''s remark of ''Crushing Victory,'' their expressions were enough to convey ''we will make you swallow those words back.''


    Kukuku, but fine with me. It wouldn''t be exciting then!


    ◆◆◆


    "Hahahaha! It seems like everyone''s pumped up enough. So moving on, I believe you all understood it by now, but the nature will be your opponent in this outdoor ss.


    Unlike Royal Academy, where everything is provided, a safe haven to proceed as you like, a slight bad luck or mis-step may put you face-to-face with an ident. The dead have appeared in the past, an unfortunate case of ill-luck, so keep your senses wide open.


    We also don''t have much time, so let''s begin. Rias-sensei would take the exnation from here."


    Once Godorfun-sensei started, Rias-sensei, the ss-teacher of ss E, stepped forward.


    "Each ss will be tackling five different ''scenarios'' respectively. I will now state the first ''scenario'' for ss E.


    Scene - It has been reported that a group of Orcs has made their nest about 50 kilometres in north-northwest direction. The report has also cited the appearance of a General Orc, and should the assistance be dyed to the citizens, the situation risks an outbreak of demon''s disaster! So before the damage can be widespread to nearby regions, mount an attack at the spot, wipe out the group of Orcs and destroy their nest!


    Inspect your equipment from the warehouse on the right rear side, and depart as soon as preparations areplete!"


    ......I see. So they would be confirming how the students were going to tackle the given task.


    On the right rear side, there was a huge tarp tent erected, amassed with items required for camping like tent, harvesting tools etc, or tons of weapon and armament. Sess will likely hinge not just on physical fitness and martial prowess, but also on thinking skills and teamwork.


    No wait, wasn''t this clear cut military exercise?! What happened to the outdoor sses?


    This must have been the doing of Godorfun''s doing, something he would definitely like......


    Ugh, I was getting bad vibes all over.


    Aside from whatever my thoughts were, Rias-sensei added one condition to the situation.


    "The leader of 1st Scenario is Sorio Rijack. The discussion is allowed but we do not concede final decision-making authority or decisions based on majority vote. That''s all."


    ......Wow, now they''d even pulled amand chain on purpose huh. Plus, considering the phrasing ''1st Scenario''s leader...'' means leader would change with each scenario.


    They were really hellbent on putting all sorts of disgusting blockades.


    The responsibility of everyone''s safety, the oue of their strategy etc would be for the Leader to bore. It was definitely going to put a huge pressure on the Leader.


    ......This, too, must have been the idea of Godorfun-sensei.


    The path ahead from here would have no correct answer, nor would it be possible to decide the direction of the event with 51% vs 49% votes. At the end of the day, everything would depend on the leader''s guidance.


    A misstep could topple the entire group easily.


    With the leadership changing hands each time, there would be a slight shift in how the ss will operate for sure. It would further propagate the dissatisfaction between them since the leader wasn''t decided by them.


    Maybe, feeling it beneath them to take orders from someone they always thought was no match for them, someone who''s especially egotistical about this fact might create a blunder that would cost the whole ss.


    Well, this happens all the time in society, so maybe this was quite the suitable theme for an educational institute or to develop one''s temperament.


    Afterwards, ss teachers of other sses took their turn to reveal the scenarios of their respective ss. The difficulty of scenarios increased as they climbed up in ss order.


    "I will now reveal the 1st scenario for ss 1-B!


    Scene - The Barony of Fliguel, adjacent to Viscount Vangyush territory, has detected the sign of impending stampede! Your task is to swiftly join the Dorveil region''s army and support them!


    The convergence ce is Yatoma vige, about 70 kilometres toward the east and then 40 kilometres to the north. The time limit to meet them is 10 PM tomorrow. You have a total of 36 hours.


    Inspect your equipment from the warehouse on the right rear side, and depart as soon as preparations areplete! The leader for 1st scenario is Aris Masculean!"


    "What~? It''s too tough!"


    "Isn''t the jump in level a bit too steep?"


    "It isn''t fair, only we get that tough task!"


    Hearing the condition of 1st scenario, the students of ss B mumbled theirints.


    ording to the simple map passed to us, the 40km turn to the north is almost through the mountain. The distance might beparable to the activity of Hill Road Club, however taking into ount the appearance of monsters midwaypletely overturn the implication.


    The anticipated difficulty level, or in other words, the required timepared to what would be needed if performed by individuals of the same level, is likely 1.5 to nearly twice as long in E ss.


    The leader Aris of ss B pulled in the reign of her ssmates, who had begunining before even making a start.


    Well, she was one of the staff of Hill Road Club, and exceptional in keeping the situation or calm mind in such scenarios.


    And finally, Godorfun-sensei stepped forward and started unravelling the scenario for ss 1-A.


    He still looked like your friendly neighbourhood grandpa, but the impression he exude was an inverse of his ''Godorfun the Buddha'' expression that he had when he gleefully exined about the rewards etc.


    Everyone from ss A was familiar with this look, it was the same look of ''Fiend Geezer'' that would go gung-ho and on our regr practical sses.


    A strain of nervousness crossed across the faces of ss A students.


    At this moment, everyone was unanimously clear we''re going to receive one hell of a mission.