308: A New Training Ground

“The time has finally come, Weiss.”

“Lord Weiss, I’ll do anything you ask! Please, use me like a pawn—treat me like your own personal tool!”

“Cynthia, you’re fine, but Lilith—you’re way too wound up. If we want to win this, you need to actually focus on surviving first.”

“U-Understood! Oh, you’re so kind, Lord Weiss! I’ll give it my absolute everything!”

Seeing her strike that usual gutsy pose of hers made me happy, but let’s be real: if we don’t go into this with a literal death wish, we don’t stand a chance of winning.

We were currently standing at our new training location. It was a stretch of wasteland near the country where I’d previously fought Neil. The dust was thick enough to choke on, and massive, craggy pillars of rock towered over the landscape at regular intervals.

Apparently, this was the largest site we’d used to date. They said it would take a good thirty minutes at a full sprint just to get from one end to the other.

The Lowerclassmen and Intermediate-year Students had already changed into their Training Uniforms. Among the juniors, the only ones who looked like they actually intended to win were Belk, Meryl, and maybe a handful of others. I couldn't blame the rest, though. After all, they couldn't even keep up with us, let alone the faculty.

Off to the side, Chloe, Darius, Coco, and Teacher Milk had all gathered together, likely for a preliminary strategy meeting. The sight of the four of them standing in a row and talking... it was a scene that should have been impossible in the Original Story.

At the sight of them, my cheeks softened into a faint smile despite myself. These people were the living legends of Noblesess Oblige—geniuses, masters, the absolute Strongest. I was probably the only person in the world who truly understood just how terrifyingly powerful they were.

“That’s rare,” a voice said. “I didn’t think even you could make a face like that, Weiss.”

“Hah?”

“But I get it. I’m excited too. Teacher Darius, Teacher Milk, Teacher Coco, and Teacher Chloe... it’s daunting, but we have to win.”

Allen was looking unusually fired up. However, there was a strange lack of tension in his posture. Apparently, Teacher Milk had told him he needed to ‘enjoy’ things more.

Hmph. As if a guy like him could actually manage that. But still...

“Don’t lump me in with you,” I snapped, sliding back into my persona. “We’re only in the same camp because it’s a tactical necessity for victory. Just because I’ve borrowed your help a few times, don’t go getting ahead of yourself.”

“...Why do you always have to say it like that?”

“You got a problem with it?”

“I’m just saying, I’ve also—”

“Yes, yes, yes, yes, ye-es! That’s enough out of both of you!”

Cutting in between Allen and me was a woman with vibrant pink hair—Shari. Duke appeared right behind her, looking as massive and well-built as ever.

“Don’t go causing unnecessary trouble before the exam even starts!” she scolded.