The Academy’s Guide to Useless Students – Chapter 41

41.

The lecture was proceeding smoothly.

I was currently feeling the blood flow from my stomach to my head due to the long theory class.

Man, this is boring as hell.

I had thought that the cadets were nothing but reckless young horses flaunting their excitement, but true to the Academy’s top-tier reputation, the attitude of the A-class students was brimming with enthusiasm.

‘How do I pay attention to this?’

Some of them were taking notes as if they intended to tear the pages apart. I too was straining my ears to blend in here.

What they referred to as “theory” was vastly different from the “math and science” I knew. To put it strictly, it was more profound and detailed than college major courses.

As academy students primarily engaged in dungeons and monsters, the focus of their education revolved around the history and information pertaining to them. I was also enjoying the new perspectives that came from comparing what I knew from games with this new information.

Still…

I could feel my eyelids getting heavier.

Swoosh━━

While half-listening to the instructor’s lecture, I made a last-ditch effort to focus on something else.

For instance, I looked around at the A-class students I would have to deal with and carry until my academy graduation. Honestly, I wasn’t looking forward to it.

It’s more efficient to select only the promising tools and take them along.

I had already sifted through the useful tools. The four heirs of the Duchy were all high-value targets.

Whether by bloodline or connections,

establishing good relationships would definitely be advantageous.

‘Let’s see…’

In that sense, the sturdy guy occupying a back seat stood out the most. Hoffman Umberto, the eldest son of the Umberto family from the southern continent, was my top priority.

He had a rigid personality, but he could be a loyal and dedicated ally, at least to his comrades, so I put him at the top of my selection list.

More than anything, I had been preparing for this moment steadily. It wasn’t intentional, but it looked like it turned out that way.

‘For now, that guy’s a sure bet.’

Thud! Clatter.

I turned my gaze to a girl in the front dropping her writing utensil. She was flusteredly searching for her belongings.

“Here you go.”

“Ah… yes. Thank you.”

I picked it up and handed it to her. Her hair was like the sky, and her cute little eyes were truly lovely.

She was Claribel Krauser, the second daughter of the Krauser family from the four great Duchies.

Naturally, she had high potential as a heroine. And she was treated almost as the uniquely abnormal heroine in this world.

Since she was one of the rare heroines, I planned to approach her with extra caution.

“Ah, you made a mistake in your notes.”

“Excuse me?”

“The weak point of the Octagonal Dragon is indeed the lower part of its tail. But due to randomness, you shouldn’t assume it’s definitive.”

“Y-yes?”

She shot me a wary glance, but I didn’t lie.

I had merely thrown out a little bait.

The Octagonal Dragon is a high-level dungeon monster, so the uncertainty of information is a common factor. That must be why the instructor had phrased it as “the weak point is likely to be~.” Therefore, my correction could have been seen as an absurd claim from her perspective.

“I’ve never made a mistake in my notes.”

“Yes. You haven’t made a mistake, indeed.”

“…Are you implying that there’s an error in the instructor’s information?”

“There’s a nuance to what I said. I merely added an explanation, not a correction.”

“……Hmph.”

Claribel Krauser turned her head with a flick. She must have deemed there was no reason to continue the conversation. From her viewpoint, it must have been quite perplexing. I just wanted to utilize the opportunity without ruining our relationship.

For now, this little trick was sufficient.

“The lecture will conclude with that.”

Somehow, the class came to an end.

That meant it was time for me to move.

Just as I was about to spring into action to approach the eldest son of the Umberto family…

“Yuto, where are you going? You should have lunch with me. Hurry up!”

“Eat by yourself. I have business to attend to.”

“No way! I packed a lunch for today!”

Who even asked?

Looks like I have a perfect homemaker here.

Ellie’s loyalty is over the top.

Who should I shift this burden to?

I spotted Laura sitting in the back.

“Laura. Have lunch with Ellie.”

“What? Why should I…”

Rustle.

“Yeah, that sounds good. Ellie, let’s eat together.”

At the sound of a thunderous clap, Laura changed her tune. Effective tactics, indeed.

“Oh, no! Who are you? Why are you acting so friendly!”

“Shut up and eat. Follow me.”

Shuffling.

Ellie was dragged out of the classroom by Laura. They should get to know each other anyway, so it’s a win-win.

Now, can I finally go do my thing without worries?

Kook.

Someone jabbed me in the back. Turning around, I found Cletta, on the verge of collapse.

“Man… ugh, just take me to the recovery room. I’m still not feeling well…”

“Understood.”

Alright, let’s just help her to the recovery room.

I do have some responsibility for this, after all.

I picked her up and exited the classroom, unknowingly becoming the center of attention among the cadets.

Social circles have been formed to hone the incidental talents of the cadets. There are dozens of such gatherings created with that intention.

“Martial Arts,” “Dance,” “Music,” “Philosophy,” “History,” “Astronomy,” “Physics,” “Chemistry,” “Medicine,” etc.

All of these activities have been carried on in pursuit of leading academic development.

“Chief, you’ve arrived!”

The booming voice of a man echoed through the room.

This was another space that harmonized for a common objective—an assembly of social circles. All members saluted the chief in unison.

“Attention! Everyone ready for the special lunch menu?”

“Yes, sir!”

The members pulled out hefty bottles the size of their arms and raised them high. A golden wave of protein filled the containers.

“Great! Members of the ‘Meat Beauty Society’ pursuing the beauty of the body, cheers!”

“Cheers!”

The club room resonated with their fervor. Chubby guys wearing nothing but tight shorts struck various poses while consuming protein.

Amidst that glorious ritual…

Creeeak━━ the door to the room opened with a rough sound.

“Huh? An outsider? Could it be a new recruit!”

“N-n-newbie!”

“Capture them! All-newbies must be captured!”

Everyone began to leap around like crazy monkeys. They were preparing dishes of various proteins and high-protein chicken breast known for its premium quality, heating them to the right temperature before presenting them on plates.

“Wait a… you, you are?”

The chief’s expression changed drastically upon seeing the outsider. The chief—no, the eldest son of the Umberto family, representing the southern continent; the famed master of martial arts, Hoffman Umberto, gazed at him with a crooked smile.

“I seem to have come to the wrong place. This is a sanctuary based on pure physical combat; it’s not a place for such childish toys!”

Hoffman pointed at Yuto’s sword, raising his voice. His intentions were fired up, heating the atmosphere of the clubroom even more.

With that heat, mirages began to waft up.

Thud━ thud━

Yuto walked forward undeterred by Hoffman’s intimidation. He was stepping right into the tiger’s den.

“I didn’t come here to talk about the pride of a swordsman.”

“What?”

“I too am a human aiming for the ultimate beauty of the physique.”

“That’s funny. A claim without proof is just empty talk!”

“Well then, I’ll show you.”

Yuto stepped into the center.

He began to unfasten his uniform before the members.

Soon, the hidden muscles beneath the ragged fabric revealed themselves.

Gastrocnemius, gluteus maximus, quadriceps, hamstrings, deltoids, latissimus dorsi, trapezius, erector spinae, and more muscles tightly wrapped around one another, pulsing with life.

“Muscles……”

Hoffman spat disbelievingly.

Yuto silently met his gaze.

“Welcome, comrade.”

“It’s an honor, Mr. Hoffman.”

“No, from now on, I’m your chief.”

Yuto and Hoffman both smiled warmly.

“Yes, Chief!”

All the members of the Meat Beauty Society cheered and burst into a toast. Every drop of protein that splashed up was consumed without a trace—gobbling it all up.