57 minutes and 37 seconds. I checked the watch on my wrist and let out a long sigh of relief.
I wasn’t the only one; Yuji and Hiiragi-san were doing the same. As we basked in the feeling of success, Genya-san rose from his chair and approached us.
"Good work. It seems you managed to descend within the time limit."
"Yes. It was down to the wire, but we made it somehow," Yuji replied, his face etched with exhaustion. This session had been legitimately grueling; unlike Phase 1, we hadn't cleared the objective with any room to spare.
I never imagined that an assault coordinated with traps would be this difficult to fend off...
"Even if it was close, a pass is a pass. Ririka, how did they look during the escort?"
"I didn't see any major issues. From here on, it's just a matter of gaining experience. I believe they'll be able to navigate these challenges more smoothly once they've built up their intuition."
"I see. In that case, can I assume they have the basics down?"
"Yes. Detecting and avoiding traps, reacting to infiltrators... I believe they’ve acquired the fundamental skills required for protection. Since they already have experience as explorers, they were very quick to absorb the concepts once I provided the know-how."
Genya-san nodded with satisfaction at Ririka-san's report. Then, he turned back to us.
"Well then, it should be fine to move on to the applied stage. Next time, we shall begin Phase 3 of your training."
"Phase 3... already?"
"Indeed. Phase 1 and Phase 2 were training sessions aimed solely at acquiring basic skills. If that weren't the case, I wouldn't have made you use the same path for the round trip to the summit."
Genya-san gave us a bright smile as he spoke. Was it just my imagination, or did that smile look a bit sinister?
But Genya-san was exactly right. The fact that we used the same path for both Phase 1 and Phase 2 was a major reason why we were able to clear both tasks so quickly. If we had climbed a different path every time, we wouldn't have been able to easily spot the subtle signs of a set trap or predict where an attacker might be lying in wait.
"In Phase 3, I will set up checkpoints all over the mountain. You will visit those points, collect the arrival markers placed at each location, and return within the time limit. You are free to decide which route you take between the points. Of course, the mountain will be filled with many traps and infiltrators looking for any opportunity to strike."
"..."
Being allowed to freely choose our route meant it would be nearly impossible to discern patterns in where traps were set or predict the hiding spots of infiltrators.
As the reality of that settled in, the color drained from our faces.
"That said, we won't be starting that training immediately," Genya-san said with a wry chuckle, noticing our pale complexions.
Considering how Genya-san and his family had prioritized our training up until now, I wondered what he meant by not starting immediately.
"...Has some unavoidable protection work come up on your end?"
"No. On our end, we wouldn't mind starting right away, but considering your circumstances, that won't do, will it?"
"...Eh?"
Our circumstances?...Wait, oh! He means the midterm exams starting at the end of the week!
We all averted our eyes from Genya-san with sheepish expressions. Beside him, I felt Ririka-san let out a soft, amused giggle.
"Should I take that reaction to mean you're fully prepared, or should I be worried that you're planning to cram everything in at the last minute? Well, your primary duty as students is your studies. It would be best to avoid putting you through training that is mentally taxing—even if you can handle it physically—right before your exams. It would be a pity if our training caused your academic performance to suffer."
"Um... thank you for your consideration?"
"I heard about your exam period from Juzo. Starting tomorrow, training will be on hiatus until the end of your exams. Good luck on the tests."
"Y-Yes!"
Wait, why does Juzo-san know the dates of our exams? I thought Yuji might have told him, but looking at Yuji's bewildered expression, that didn't seem to be the case. Where did the information leak from?
While we tilted our heads in confusion, Genya-san provided the answer.
"You look curious as to how Juzo knew your schedule."
"Eh, ah, yes. I hadn't told my grandfather the dates yet...?"
"Juzo said he heard it from Kokonoe-kun's sister and her friend, who have become his newest disciples."
Ah, I see. It leaked to Juzo-san through Mika...
It made sense. Mika and Saori-chan had been training with Juzo-san every day after school lately. She probably mentioned it as a casual topic of conversation.
"Well, that’s why Juzo knew. You must be tired from the constant training, but make sure you study hard so you don't end up with any failing grades."
"Yes!"
We responded energetically to Genya-san's encouragement. While I was confident I wouldn't fail, getting top marks would be a challenge. However, considering future developments, it was probably best to aim for grades that were at least above average.
In that case, maybe I should look over Mika's studies, since she spends her after-school hours immersed in training just like us... Should I hold a study group?
Just as I was about to consult Yuji and Hiiragi-san about it, I noticed Ririka-san looking a bit wistful as she watched us responding to Genya-san's encouragement.
I wondered what was wrong, and then it hit me.
"Come to think of it, Ririka-san, is everything okay with your school? You've been spending all your time helping us..."
I asked about her situation with a slightly apologetic expression. If Ririka-san had already returned to her classes, then accompanying us in our training every day would have been a massive burden.
"Oh, it's fine. Currently, I'm on a leave of absence from school. I actually have quite a bit of free time on my hands until the reinstatement procedures are finished."
"Do reinstatement procedures really take that long?"
I had the impression she could go back almost immediately after submitting a request.
"In my case, the situation is a bit unique... so the paperwork takes time. It looks like it will be a bit longer before I receive permission to return."
Ririka-san gave a vague, complicated smile.
Now that I thought about it, Ririka-san had officially taken a leave of absence because she had lost her limbs and eyes. Normally, it wouldn't be strange for someone to simply drop out in such a case. Yet here she was, trying to return after claiming her lost limbs and eyes had regenerated. In a country that values protocol and precedent as much as Japan, it was only natural that the school board would be hesitant to grant permission for something so medically impossible.
"Therefore, I won't be taking the exams this time. Everyone, please do your best on your tests."
"Ah, yes. I'll do my best."
With an expression I couldn't quite put into words, I simply promised her I would work hard.
Really, what is the right way to respond in a situation like that...?
After finishing training and being driven home by Muroi-san, I found that Mika had already returned from her session with Juzo-san. She was in a state that had become common lately: lounging lazily on the sofa in rough clothes, staring at nothing.
"I'm home."
"Welcome back, Onii-chan."
Mika remained slumped on the sofa, only tilting her head to acknowledge me.
"Mika, fix your posture. That’s unseemly."
"Ehh, who cares? I'm tired from training, so at least let me relax in comfortable clothes while I'm at home."
"Sigh."
I could understand the feeling, but for a girl of her age, that response was a bit much. Letting out a sigh, I walked past her and spoke to Mom, who was in the kitchen preparing dinner.
"I'm home."
"Oh, welcome back, Daiki. What's wrong? You look exhausted... was the training that tough?"
"No, I'm not that tired from the training itself. It's just Mika's attitude..."
"Ah, that. She won't listen no matter how many times I scold her. Honestly, she's a high school girl now, she should have more self-respect... sigh."
Mom seemed equally troubled by Mika's behavior, putting a hand to her forehead and shaking her head. While watching Mom let out that sigh, I asked about the one family member who wasn't in the living room.
"By the way, Mom, where's Dad? Is he not back yet?"
"No. He sent a message saying he has some overtime today. He said it'll be late, so we should go ahead and eat without him."
"I see. Then I'll go take a shower first. There's enough time before dinner for that, right?"
"Yes, that's fine. I'll finish getting dinner ready while you're in the bath. Be quick about it."
"Roger."
I gave Mom a light wave as I left the living room, dropped my bag in my room, and headed to the bathroom. After finishing my shower in about ten minutes, I changed into my loungewear and headed back to the living room.
The table was already lined with large platters of food; my timing was perfect.
"Oh, that was fast."
"Well, yeah."
Thanks to my Cleansing skill, a bath wasn't strictly necessary for getting clean, but I still wanted to soak in warm water at least once a day for relaxation.
"It'll be ready any second, so go ahead and sit down."
"Okay."
"Mika! You too, get off the sofa and sit at the table already!"
"...Okaay."
Mika sat down at the table a moment after I did, so I decided to make some conversation until dinner started.
"You look pretty sluggish. Was training that hard?"
"Compared to when we first started, my body's gotten used to it, so it's not that bad... but..."
"But?"
"When I think about the midterm exams starting at the end of the week, well, you know."
"Ah, I see..."
"Lately, all we've done after school is train with Juzo-san, and I'm too tired to study properly at night. It feels like I'm doing everything halfway..."
It seemed Mika was mentally drained from the looming tests.
"Are you worried about the exams?"
"Yeah. I'm keeping up with the classes, but when it comes to the actual tests, I'm a bit nervous... What about you, Onii-chan? You and the others are doing the same amount of training, right? Aren't you worried about the tests?"
"If you're asking if I'm worried, of course I am. But I've been listening seriously in class to make sure I understand the material, and I've been doing a bit of prep and review every day. Getting top marks might be hard, but I can at least hit the average."
When I answered honestly, Mika stared at me with a resentful glare.
Hey, what did I do?
"...Ugh, Onii-chan, that's so unfair."
"Unfair? I'll have you know, I only do the bare minimum of studying."
Unless it's right before a test, I've really only done the bare minimum since starting high school. Even I don't quite understand why my current method works so well.
Is it a hidden benefit of the level ups?
"But how can you say for sure that you'll get average marks with just that?"
"Because test questions basically only cover what was taught in class, right?"
If you understand the class content, you can hit the average... or rather, I actually did. For last year's finals and end-of-year exams, I was able to get average marks even though I barely did any specific exam prep.
However, no matter what I said, Mika's resentful gaze didn't soften. Sigh... fine.
"...If you want, should we hold a study group? We can invite Yuji, Hiiragi-san, and Saori-chan too."
"Eh!?"
"We can at least teach first-year material. Fortunately, our training is on an exam break starting tomorrow. Hasn't Juzo-san said anything to you?"
Since he told Genya-san about our schedule, it wouldn't be strange if he gave Mika and Saori a break too.
"Eh? Ah, yeah. He told us our training is on break starting tomorrow until the tests are over."
Thought so.
"In that case, we can definitely do a study group... What do you think?"
"What do I think...?"
"If we're going to do it, I need to send out messages now to see if everyone's okay with it. So, you in?"
"...Yeah, I'm in."
Mika dropped the resentment, her eyes now bright with motivation.
"Alright. Then I'll send out the messages..."
"But do that after you're done with dinner."
"? Mom?"
Just as I was about to pull out my phone, Mom intervened. She was carrying a tray with steaming bowls of soup and rice.
"It's ready. Let's eat while it's warm."
"Ah, right."
Mom placed the bowls in front of us and sat down. Mika and I followed her lead, and after the "Itadakimasu" signal, we began our meal.
Dad was absent, but we had a pleasant meal together. After dinner, I sent invitations for a study group to Yuji and Hiiragi-san, while Mika messaged Saori-chan. Everyone was on board, and the study group was officially set. We decided to meet at Yuji's house the following day to begin our preparations.