The next day, Tuesday.
The much-anticipated first day of team lessons for the first-year students at Elinia Academy.
The team lessons started right from the first period in the morning.
Because of this, the carriage to the Hero Department was packed full.
"Ugh, it really starts today. I thought it wouldn't be a big deal, but... I'm kind of nervous."
"Me too... I don't want to seem too anxious, though. Deep breaths, deep breaths."
"Huh? What's that necklace you're wearing? Haven't seen it before."
"Hehehe, Dad bought it for me after I got into a team."
"...Jealous, born with a silver spoon."
"Hey, it's not like that. Think of it as an early birthday present."
Meanwhile, Theo, sitting in his usual spot on the diagonal back right, was running battle simulations in his head.
'I'm unusually focused today.'
Perhaps because the results of his analysis on Isabella were positive, the usual chatter of the students felt like Mozart's Turkish March.
While he continued with his battle simulations.
"Good morning, Theo."
"Ah, hello. Good morning, Theo...!"
Irene and Alphs boarded and sat next to him.
"Hehe, Theo, you look great today as well."
Seria boarded and sat to the right of Alphs.
"Hello, Theo... Um, you're wearing Odius Eau de Toilette today?"
Finally, Alice boarded and took the seat to the right of Seria.
The five of them gathered in the back seats of the carriage and chatted away.
The conversation usually involved Seria or Alice initiating a topic, with Irene actively sharing her opinion.
Alphs played the role of reacting with comments like, "Wow, really?" while Theo only spoke up when directly addressed.
'Fortunately, they seem to get along well.'
Maybe because of the team match against the elite orc yesterday and the training they did together.
Theo thought this while keeping an ear open.
They were chatting away without causing any commotion, so there was no need for him to actively participate in the conversation.
It wasn't to give the other passengers an image of being reticent...
'Anyway, we stand out too much.'
He could feel the other passengers blatantly staring at them.
"Wow... Look at them. They all have artifacts."
"Hey, that bracelet Irene is wearing... I've seen it in the artifact catalog at the library. It has a shield function..."
"...Must be really expensive."
"Hey, Alphs seems to have more than one artifact, right? Look at the gambeson, greaves, and belt design. All three look similar."
"Sigh... She probably got them all from Theo. Life is so unfair."
"Damn luck."
Theo's team arrived at the Hero Department stop.
At the stop, there was an unfamiliar sign.
[Today's team lesson for first-year students will be held at the 'Dome Stadium' within the Hero Department. Students are requested to proceed directly to the 'Dome Stadium.']
The 'Dome Stadium' was the venue where the practical sparring evaluations of the Hero Department had been conducted at the beginning of the semester.
It was an ultra-luxurious building capable of accommodating up to 30,000 people and equipped with various convenience systems like heating and cooling, making it an extravagantly luxurious place for just a thousand students.
Alice tilted her head in confusion.
"The Dome Stadium... Has the format changed this year? A second-year senior told me they had their first team lesson at the training ground."
"What's the problem? Let's just go."
After answering her question, Theo immediately headed towards the direction of the Dome Stadium.
The Aides followed him without hesitation.
It didn't take long for us to arrive at the Dome Stadium.
"Wow... Almost everyone is already here. I see a lot of familiar faces."
Irene, who was beside me, looked around and commented.
As she said, the Dome Stadium was filled with students.
After all, the total number of first-year students at Elinia Academy was about 3,000.
Although this number included students from departments less favored to be Aides, such as the Alchemy, Management, and Exploration Departments, the thousand or so students gathered here could be considered elite.
Anyway, seeing figures who appeared to be professors and instructors emerging in the back of the stadium, it seemed we arrived just in time.
"The lesson is about to start. Everyone, follow me."
After making sure Alphs, who seemed overwhelmed by the presence of so many students, was alright, I moved to the front.
Other students, noticing the professors and instructors, also moved forward.
Soon, Senior Professor Rok appeared.
It was supposed to be Mari's turn to teach the first period today.
Rok, accompanied by about twenty instructors, stood in front of the students.
Surrounded by the strictly disciplined instructors, Rok appeared even sharper than usual.
He took a magic microphone provided by an instructor and climbed onto the platform.
"Good to see everyone."
─Good morning, Professor!
The students responded with strict discipline.
Under normal circumstances, such a scene would have brought a faint smile to Rok's face, but he continued with a sharp expression.
"Recently, Elinia Academy faced its first-ever armed invasion by external forces since its establishment. You all must be aware of it."
─......
"Fortunately, thanks to the outstanding efforts of students Theo and Piel, and Guardian Knight Claire, the damage was minimal. But it was purely luck. The academy is no longer a safe place. In other words, you all must be prepared for any situation and know how to protect yourselves."
─......
The students looked up at Rok with solemn faces, silently absorbing his words.
Originally, Professor Rok was known to be sharp and difficult to approach, but today, his voice and expression were even stronger.
Like a sharp knife.
"So, although today is your first team lesson, it will be conducted almost like a real battle. I warn you in advance. Those who are taking this lightly should leave the stadium right now. It won't affect your grades."
Of course, no one left.
They just watched Rok silently, holding their breath.
Finally, Rok allowed a faint smile to appear on his face.
"Then, I'll proceed under the assumption that everyone is participating. Today's lesson is about dealing with a small number of armed invaders."
Rok glanced briefly behind him before continuing.
"For today's lesson, we have invited a special instructor. Keep in mind that he doesn't go easy on students due to his nature. Now, let them enter."
As Rok finished speaking, six figures appeared from the back of the stadium.
They were faces I knew all too well.
Indeed, everyone here recognized these figures.
The students began to murmur.
"They say he's Professor Rok's favorite pupil... Guess it's true."
"Are you crazy... Why is he here!"
Enjoying the murmurs, a man with brown curly hair, short in stature but well-built, stood before the students.
He took the microphone from Rok and stepped onto the stage.
"Hello~ I'm Teacher Oliver."
It was Oliver from Ataraxia and Hailey.
Oliver spoke cheerfully with a smile, but the students looked at him with mixed feelings.
Everyone knew that the man on the stage was one of the most notorious eccentrics in the hero industry.
Oliver looked down at the students and twisted his lips.
"Wow, look at this mess."
He turned to look at Rok.
"Hey, Rok. You begged me to come despite my busy schedule, and this is what I find? Their eyes look like those of defeated soldiers."
"Professor."
"Anyway, Professor Rok. You know I'm a valuable person. I'm almost volunteering here, but there has to be some fun in beating these kids. It's no fun if they're shaking in their boots before we even start."
"What I always emphasized to you, Oliver, is that the only way to know what's long and short is to measure it."
Saying so, Rok turned his gaze towards me.
...No, he was looking directly at me.
"Oh, there he is. Our cheeky junior. Hello, our handsome junior! I read about you. Swept the top of both the Knight and Magic Departments, didn't you? This senior is expecting a lot from you."
Oliver also looked at me and waved his hand.
All eyes in the venue were now on me.
Zap─
The pain of [Twisted Noble's Dignity] surged intensely.
It seems that even the original owner of this body, who liked being the center of attention, found this level of focus hard to bear.
Shortly after, Rok spoke.
"Let me repeat once more, this Oliver here doesn't go easy just because his opponents are students. Be prepared for a few broken bones."
─......
"The rules are simple. Survive for 3 minutes against Oliver's team by any means necessary. We'll proceed with 10 teams at a time, that is, 50 students in each round. Try your best to make it through."
With that, Rok displayed the list of combined teams and their order on a screen.
