Around the time Mika and the others were likely taking their Armed Exploration Permit exam, we were standing before Genya-san. He sat in a folding chair as we handed him the eight arrival markers we had collected while traversing the mountain within the time limit. Even now, we remained on high alert, handing them over with the utmost caution.
"Hmm, it appears you have them all. Ririka, how many times were they hit?"
"None," she replied.
"I see. In that case... you have cleared the Phase 3 training."
Phew... it was finally over.
Upon hearing Genya-san’s declaration of success, we finally lowered our guard and exhaled deep sighs of relief. This Phase 3 training had been a relentless series of unpredictable events. It had been designed specifically to exploit the gaps in our thinking—moments where we fell victim to fixed assumptions, thinking things like, Surely they wouldn't go that far. It had started with reckless, crude charges, followed by the shelling of checkpoints, crossfire coming from every direction, and finally, Muroi-san’s surprise attack at the very end, just as we had relaxed before the goal. It was an exercise meant to test our ability to respond to sudden, chaotic situations.
Thanks to those tactics, we had been plagued by paranoia throughout the entire ordeal.
"Muroi-kun, give the order for everyone on the mountain to withdraw."
"Yes, sir."
Genya-san stood up and began issuing instructions to Muroi-san, who was standing by.
"Also, regarding the retrieval of the traps we installed..."
"I will instruct the men to collect the ones that are easy to remove. I'll arrange for the large-scale traps to be retrieved at a later date. Will that be acceptable?"
"Yes, that will do."
With Genya-san’s approval, Muroi-san gave a slight bow and immediately began radioing the disciples hidden in the mountain.
Wait, what? They were actually retrieving them?
"Genya-san, are you collecting the traps?" Yuji asked, tilting his head in confusion.
"Hm? Oh, I won't be using traps for the next phase of training."
"...I see."
I didn't know why, but the idea of training without traps felt even more ominous than everything we had faced so far.
As we harbored a vague sense of dread, Genya-san began explaining the schedule for the next phase.
"Now then, for the next training I’m assigning you... the nature of it will be a bit different from what you've done until now."
"A different nature?"
"Yes. For the next phase, I've prepared replicas of the weapons Juzo told me you usually use. You will be training with those."
"Eh? Does that mean we won't have to wear these?" Yuji asked, a hint of joy creeping into his voice as he pinched the vest equipped with the electric shock device.
"Indeed. The role of those vests ended with this session. You won't be using them in the next phase."
"I see..."
A faint, restrained smile of delight spread across Yuji’s face. Hiiragi-san and I likely shared the same expression. If there was one thing we all agreed on, it was that we were sick and tired of being blasted with electricity.
Ignoring our reaction, Genya-san continued his explanation.
"As for your next training, just like before, you will be required to clear the objective while protecting Ririka. Naturally, the location will be right here."
"Genya-san, you mean we're still using this mountain even after the traps are gone?" Yuji asked, still puzzled.
"Yes."
Genya-san confirmed it casually.
Training on the mountain with the traps removed... did that mean the difficulty was actually going down? No, that was impossible. Knowing Genya-san, there was no way he would give us such an easy task.
The explanation that followed proved my hunch correct.
"Now then. The next phase... is actually the final training I have for you."
"The final...?"
"Yes. If you successfully clear the next phase, I will have taught you essentially everything I can. You learned basic techniques in Phase 1 and Phase 2. In Phase 3, I taught you how to apply them in various situations. After this, you will have to find your own way through experience."
So that was why he had used such a wide variety of dirty tricks.
But if that was the case, what exactly were we doing for Phase 4?
"In the next training... Phase 4, you will learn that there is always someone better."
"Someone better...?"
"Yes. You were more quick-witted and capable than I expected. You have certainly gained a wealth of combat experience in the dungeons. Once I gave you a little push, you absorbed my lessons like a dry sponge. That is precisely why you must learn what lies above you."
Learning what lies "above"... I suppose he wanted to make sure we didn't get ahead of ourselves.
Now that he mentioned it, we had been progressing through Genya-san’s training quite smoothly, despite the constant struggle. Even including the break for midterms, it hadn't even been a month since we started. If we tried to claim we weren't getting a little cocky, no one would believe us.
"The content of the Phase 4 training is the same as Phase 1: reach the summit, take the arrival marker, and return. The time limit is one hour. And as I said, there are no traps."
"Um... Genya-san? Are you really sure about those conditions?" Yuji asked with a skeptical look. Hiiragi-san and I didn't say it aloud, but we were thinking the exact same thing.
"Of course, if that were all, your current selves would clear it with ease. Therefore... I've asked these three to serve as your opponents."
"Them?"
"He means us."
While we were still trying to figure out what Genya-san meant, a voice suddenly called out from behind us. Reflexively, we shifted into a formation to protect Ririka-san as we looked toward the source.
Standing there, looking completely at ease, were three people—two men and a woman. I hadn't sensed their presence at all until the moment they spoke.
"Oh, not bad. Failing to notice our approach was a mistake, but moving instantly to protect Lady Ririka was well done. Wouldn't you say?"
"I suppose. Their movement was decent enough—their movement, at least."
"Haha, you lot. It's cruel to expect that much from the youngsters right off the bat. They're undergoing training specifically to learn those things, after all."
As we stood there on high alert, they casually evaluated our reactions.
There were two men who looked to be about Morito-san’s age and one beautiful woman of indeterminate age. Who were they?
"You three, I’m glad you could make it. But let’s end the teasing there."
"Yes, Master," they replied in unison.
At Genya-san’s sharp command, the three of them straightened their posture and gave a slight bow. Ririka-san had also nodded to them just now. Since they called Genya-san "Master," I assumed these three were also his disciples.
"Allow me to introduce them," Genya-san said, walking over to the trio.
First was the well-built man with short, cropped hair.
"This is Fumiya Kato-kun, who serves as a dojo instructor here."
"Nice to meet ya," Fumiya-san said, raising his right hand in a casual greeting. We responded with a polite nod.
Next, Genya-san introduced the woman standing beside him.
"She also serves as an instructor, Asuka Fuwa-kun."
"Pleasure to meet you," Asuka-san said, smiling at us.
For a moment, Yuji and I were nearly captivated by that smile, but we snapped out of it when we felt a sharp, frosty aura radiating from Hiiragi-san and Ririka-san. We hurriedly bowed back, and I wouldn't soon forget the wry smile Asuka-san gave us then.
Genya-san let out a short sigh at our pathetic display before introducing the final person.
"Kenji Uesugi-kun. He, like the other two, serves as an instructor."
"Regards."
Kenji-san was a cool-looking older man with long hair tied back and a bit of stubble that suited him perfectly. I found myself thinking he’d look incredibly natural with a cigarette in his mouth as I bowed to him.
"So, in the next training session, they will be your opponents. You must clear the conditions I mentioned while facing the three of them. That is the final task I have for you."
Genya-san smiled at us.
At the very end, he had thrown a truly outrageous challenge our way. If we couldn't sense their presence at all in an open space like this, how were we supposed to deal with them in a mountain full of cover? It seemed impossible.
As we clutched our heads, already imagining ourselves being utterly defeated, Genya-san offered a bit more information.
"Naturally, I understand that outsmarting them would be difficult for you right now, so they will be holding back during the training. The goal of this exercise is for you to feel with your own skin that there is always someone better."
"..."
I wasn't sure if we should feel relieved or not. Even if they held back, the difference in skill was glaringly obvious. When I glanced at the three instructors, I saw them observing us with interest.
"Don't worry. We've been watching your training from the sidelines, so I know how much to hold back," Fumiya-san said.
"Yes. We have a general grasp of your skill levels, so there's no need to worry," Asuka-san added.
"Well, that’s how it is. Good luck trying to clear it," Kenji-san finished.
To be honest, I felt nothing but anxiety.
Wait, when exactly were they watching our training? We had been moving around the mountains the entire time. As if reading my mind, Genya-san gave us the answer.
"They took turns following you after you entered the mountain. They were also the ones grading your performance. Didn't you notice?"
"No... not at all."
Wait, seriously? I hadn't felt the slightest hint that someone was tailing us. We stared at the three instructors in disbelief, and they simply smiled back as if it were nothing. It was a sobering realization. We were once again painfully reminded of the massive gap in our abilities.
"In any case, starting next time, you will be facing them. Let them put you through your paces; I'm sure it will be a good experience."
"Yes, sir..." we replied, our voices lacking any real energy.
"Kato-san, Fuwa-san, Uesugi-san... we look forward to working with you!" we said, bowing deeply to the three instructors.
"Yeah!"
"You're the ones who saved Lady Ririka, after all. I'm going to work you to the bone, so look forward to it."
"I'll handle my end properly. You lot just work hard."
The three instructors gave responses that were actually quite reassuring. It seemed that while they would hold back, they wouldn't be taking it easy on us. I suppose that was a good thing.
Once the introductions were over, we finished the day's session and headed home.
Exhausted both mentally and physically, I returned to find Mika and Mother talking in the living room. Mika didn't sound depressed at all. Did that mean the Armed Exploration Permit exam had gone well?
I stepped into the entryway, took a breath to compose myself, and opened the living room door.
"I'm home."
"Welcome back, Onii-chan!"
"Welcome home."
The two of them stopped their conversation and looked toward me. Just as I’d heard, Mika didn't look gloomy at all. I set my bags down, sat on the sofa, and spoke to her.
"Mika, how was the exam today?"
"The exam? Oh, yeah! The training really paid off—it went perfectly!"
Well, if she’s been training with Juzo-san every day, she shouldn't have much trouble with an exam of that level—traps notwithstanding.
"I see. And how about the academic portion?"
"Ugh...!"
"What's with the 'ugh'?"
The moment I brought up the academics, her expression soured.
"I-It’s fine! I filled in all the blanks!"
"Filled in all the blanks? It's a multiple-choice test, isn't it...?"
Filling in every bubble isn't exactly a boast.
"I checked my answers with Saori-chan, and I got about half of them right, so I think I'll be fine!"
"Half, huh..."
I squinted at her, and she quickly looked away, trying to maintain her composure.
Half... that was a pretty borderline score. Since the result is likely a combination of the academic and practical portions, maybe she could squeak by if her practical scores were high enough.
"Sigh... You two, that’s enough."
Mother, who had been watching our exchange, let out a sigh and stepped in to mediate.
"Mika, could you help me with dinner?"
"Yeah, okay!"
Mika hopped off the sofa and retreated toward the kitchen as if escaping a crime scene.
"Daiki, we're getting dinner ready, so you go take a bath."
"Okay..."
Mother ushered me out of the living room before I could say anything else.
For now, I’ll just put my stuff away and hit the bath.