The Academy’s Guide to Useless Students – Chapter 42

“Hey, transfer student. Your name’s Kiring, right?”

“That’s correct.”

“Wanna grab a bite? Heard you totally flunked the exam, so we’ll treat you!”

“No, thank you. Excuse me.”

Kiring brushed off her classmate’s kindness and left the classroom.

Her mind was swirling with tangled worries.

‘Yuto deceived me.’

It was justified to think so.

Sure enough, while Yuto and that sneaky cat lady had soared up the ranks during the midterm test, she was left behind, flunking out solo.

“…This must be some sort of misunderstanding.”

Kiring shook her head.

Could it be that Yuto had unavoidable reasons? If it was him, someone she admired and acknowledged, surely it must have been for a very significant reason.

Kiring resolved to ask Yuto directly.

“Yuto? He’s probably off carrying that girl Cletta Barriet to the infirmary. But you’re super cute! C-Class? Or maybe…”

“No, thank you. Excuse me.”

Damn cat lady.

Manipulating the object of her admiration like a fool.

What a detestable woman!

Kiring dashed to the infirmary.

But the only one waiting for her was the groaning cat lady.

“Hmm? Who are you? A friend of Lady Cletta?”

“No, she’s my foe!”

“You say that cutely but you sound unique! If you aren’t a friend, please leave. This is a resting area for patients.”

“Ah, got it…”

Kiring left the infirmary and wandered aimlessly. She searched for any place Yuto might be, but with no luck, she just paced frustratedly.

Then, at the end of the hallway, she spotted a man approaching her.

Soon, a scruffy-haired guy came up to her.

“Nice to meet you, Kiring.”

“Who are you?”

“I’m Joseph, a henchman of the Third Class. I’ve come to deliver a message from him today.”

What’s he talking about?

What an annoying guy.

Kiring tried to walk away.

But she couldn’t ignore his next words.

“Single Swordsman, I know the reason you came to the Academy.”

“Excuse me?”

“There’s no point in playing dumb now. The Third Class has seen this commotion and figured out your intentions. You didn’t just drop out of the midterm test; you were expertly deceived.”

Kiring was left speechless by Joseph’s lengthy nonsense. It was so ridiculous she almost didn’t want to respond, but the last part struck home.

“The Third Class knows your aim. Your desire to eliminate the traitor isn’t what you’re really after.”

“Eh?…”

“You’ve been thwarted by that guy Yuto. This time too, your plans were neatly foiled because of him. Your wish to fight strong opponents has ended up in a mess.”

Joseph’s relentless talk had Kiring stepping back. She watched him mention Yuto, but his words were incoherent to her.

Yuto thwarted her plans?

That’s ridiculous!

Nonetheless, Joseph continued his grandstanding.

“The Third Class’s plans nearly went awry because of that Yuto too. That’s a shared point. So I’d like to propose something. How about cooperating? If you take care of Yuto, he’ll actively support your wish to fight strong enemies. It’s not really a proposal for a contract, just discussing a temporary partnership.”

Joseph struck his final blow.

“The Third Class expects great things. He’ll give you plenty of strong adversaries. Isn’t that your goal as well?”

“Uh…”

“I know this is a sudden proposal, and it’s a lot to take in. He has asked to give you ample time.”

Kiring wanted to ask something before this crazy guy left.

“Wait, so your saying Yuto tricked me knowing that I’m a target for ‘Mind Transform’?”

“Isn’t that obvious? That guy Yuto seems to have known about the Mind Transform plan. The situation had to exclude you, a transfer student, to avoid a clash with the transformed subjects. The Third Class hypothesizes that he acted out of that reason.”

Kiring lost track of Joseph’s words halfway through. She was fixated on one harsh truth.

The reason Yuto deceived her.

It was to prevent her from clashing with the transformed subjects.

‘Yuto was worried about me…’

So!

It was bitter that he didn’t trust her abilities, but it felt like a weight lifted off her shoulders.

She was satisfied knowing that Yuto didn’t deceive her for no reason.

“Sorry, but my answer is already decided.”

“Is that so?”

“I’m Yuto’s ally.”

“Ally? That’s quite unexpected. That guy Yuto deceived you.”

“Hah! No way! Yuto’s just worried about me, his ally!”

“……Interesting point. The Third Class hadn’t considered that.”

“Then go and let him know! I’m Yuto’s ally! If he’s planning to eliminate Yuto, he should keep in mind that he’ll have to deal with me too.”

“I am, after all, an infiltrator in the Academy. Are you going to deal with me?”

“Hah, no need for that right now. I definitely want to fight strong opponents. Why not send in some real heavyweights?”

“Truly a unique person. I understand your intentions well. I’ll convey that to the Third Class. Well then…”

With that, Joseph vanished.

Left alone in the hallway, Kiring began to snicker.

An intriguing villain had made an entrance.

Reaffirming her bond with Yuto had made her feel alive.

Everything was pleasantly satisfying for her.

The demon worshippers have a hierarchy.

At the very top, the [First Class]

Only one high-ranking official who’s identity is known solely to the one below him, the ‘Second Class’. This ‘Second Class’ consists of ten elite troops, and their identities are also known only to those with the title ‘Third Class’.

Joseph served the ‘Third Class’.

Arthur Floyd.

Currently posing as an Academy instructor. Joseph approached the Single Swordsman to convey his word. Contrary to expectations, he didn’t appear strong, but it was clear he was someone beyond the typical understanding.

“Now, I just need to deliver this to a person named Yuto.”

Joseph had two missions. Having completed one, only the contact with Yuto remained. He’d recently received intel about Yuto submitting an ‘Application to Join the Socialite Circle’. Joseph struggled to uncover that application to trace his whereabouts.

“Must be around here.”

However, Joseph had no choice but to stop right in front of the room. Typically, social circles display their entity’s name prominently as a formality, sometimes displaying a nameplate or decorative entrance.

“What the…?”

Joseph repeatedly confirmed the crudely engraved sign that read ‘Sixmi Club’.

He had absolutely no idea what their main activity was.

He scrutinized the ‘door’ that seemed like an entrance.

It didn’t look like a doorknob.
It wasn’t sliding either.
There was a tall chair jutting out oddly from the center.

“Oh, so it has a name.”

The door had a title.

Joseph carefully read the lettering.

“Lat… Pul… Down Machine? What’s this?”

There was also a friendly explanation.

[Sit on the device, holding the handles wider than your shoulders.]

​

[Minimize the involvement of the biceps and pull the bar sharply to your chest.]

​

[After holding for about a second, it opens.]

A baffling door with an overly helpful description.

Joseph felt conflicted.

His instincts screamed that it wasn’t a good idea to open this door.

“I’ll put the contact with him off for now.”

Just as he tried to leave, the door suddenly creaked—

and something massive burst out from the dungeon.

“Hmm? An outsider at the door…?”

Joseph, peering past the outstretched door, spotted the individual he was targeting.

Yuto’s well-toned back muscles gleamed.