Chapter-07 · EP-104
Episode 104: Whole School Morning Assembly
Today, a whole school morning assembly was to be held, so all the students gathered in the schoolyard.
The morning wind blew through the students lined up on the ground.
Some looked sleepy, others bored. I was one of them.
"Good morning, everyone."
The principal's voice echoed through the loudspeaker.
"I have two important announcements today."
Two? That was unusual.
"First, as you in Class 1-D know, due to circumstances, Professor Majima has left the academy. Currently, Professor Jonouchi from the nurse's office is serving as your homeroom teacher."
Majima. A name I didn't want to remember. It seemed no teacher wanted to be the homeroom teacher for D-Class, so Professor Jonouchi was filling in temporarily.
"However, this has meant that Professor Jonouchi is often away from the nurse's office. Therefore, we will be welcoming a new teacher as the assistant homeroom teacher for D-Class."
A new teacher?
The surrounding students buzzed.
"Let me introduce the new teacher. This is Professor Yumi Kushinada."
A woman stepped up onto the platform.
She had short black hair and a straight, upright posture. She wore a suit but had a youthful appearance. She seemed like a very young woman.
"Professor Kushinada is a graduate of this academy and currently belongs to the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's Special Exploration Unit. She will be with us for a limited time. Please treat her well."
The Self-Defense Forces? That was unusual. Many teachers at the academy came from explorer backgrounds, but having an active-duty JGSDF member come as a teacher was almost unheard of.
Professor Kushinada stood on the platform and began speaking into the microphone.
"Good morning, everyone. I'm Yumi Kushinada. Though it's for a short time, I look forward to working with you."
Her voice was clear and sharp.
At that moment, voices rose from the crowd.
"She's cute…"
"Really beautiful."
"I was expecting someone bulkier, hearing she's in the Self-Defense Forces."
Indeed, contrary to the tough impression, she had refined features.
Professor Kushinada finished her brief greeting and stepped down from the platform.
Then the principal returned to the platform.
"Now, the second announcement."
The principal picked up a document.
"Duke Kujo, the father of Kazuma Kujo from Class 3-A and Hikaru Kujo from Class 1-A, has donated one hundred doses of antidote to the academy."
A murmur of "Ohh" spread across the grounds. One hundred doses of antidote – that was a considerable amount.
"The academy begins exploration of the fourth floor from the second year, and there are monsters with poison there. Recently, Cure Potions have been hard to obtain due to supply shortages, but this should make clearing the fourth floor and beyond easier."
The antidote seemed to have been completed much earlier than expected.
I heard that the drying process, which according to Yamashita-san's method took a week, could now be done in a day using freeze-drying.
However, that method apparently only produced the effect of a Rank 1 Cure Potion, but first they would distribute the Rank 1 equivalent antidote.
Even so, it was enough. A Rank 1 Cure Potion was sufficient for the poison of the Poison Slime on the fourth floor.
"Therefore, I would like to present a certificate of appreciation to Hikaru Kujo-san, who provided the large quantity of antidote. Kujo-san, please come forward."
Hikaru stepped out from the A-Class line.
And – for some reason, she was glaring at me.
Hey, don't glare at me.
Actually, this morning, I had also been called to the staff room with the young lady and heard about this. When she heard about the certificate, Hikaru said, "I haven't done anything for the antidote. If anyone is to receive a certificate, it should be Ichinose-san."
But I just found the antidote herb. The ones making it are Yamashita-san and the Duke's company.
So I declined, saying that the Duke's daughter should receive the certificate in his place.
To be honest, I just didn't want to go up front and be the center of attention.
The young lady still seemed dissatisfied, glaring at me even before she went up on stage.
The principal handed the certificate to Hikaru.
With a dissatisfied expression, she still politely bowed and received it.
Amidst applause, Hikaru stepped down from the platform.
…Without my knowledge, another conversation was taking place among the third-years watching the assembly.
Watching Hikaru at the assembly, Kazuma Kujo turned and spoke to Kenji Yamagata.
"Did you see that, Kenji? It's only been a month since enrollment. Yet receiving a certificate of appreciation in front of the whole school – that's my sister for you."
"Yeah, yeah…"
Yamagata, standing directly behind Kazuma, answered with a look of exasperation.
"But why didn't you receive it? You, who are set to inherit the family, would be more fitting."
"I haven't done anything. Hikaru was the one who brought Father to see the antidote herbs. And the one who discovered the herb and introduced the person who makes the antidote is Hikaru's friend, Ichinose. It's not my achievement."
Kazuma shrugged.
"It seems talented students are gathering around Hikaru-san."
"Ichinose probably recognizes Hikaru's excellence too."
Kazuma said proudly.
Just then, Rena Takamiya, standing behind Yamagata, interjected.
"She doesn't seem to think that way."
"What? Rena, did you talk to Hikaru?"
"She came to the Archery Club yesterday. She said swordsmanship wasn't working out, so she wanted to try archery."
"I see…"
Kazuma's expression became serious.
"I hope she finds a way to make good use of her talent. She's far more talented than someone like me, after all."
"This sister-complex guy…"
Yamagata muttered. Kazuma continued with a serious expression.
"Well, she's been an explorer for less than a month. Many students probably haven't found their aptitude yet, what suits them and what doesn't. From now on, everyone will work hard and find their own way of fighting… Rena, could you pass that on to Hikaru?"
"I already told them exactly the same thing yesterday."
"I see, sorry for the trouble."
"Still, I wonder what Hikaru-san's aptitude is. Her skill is Analysis, which doesn't seem suited for combat."
"Probably Hikaru's aptitude is as a mage. Her academic ability is exceptionally high, and her physical strength is extremely low. Those are characteristics of a mage."
"But she doesn't have a magic skill."
"No."
"Can't your father's influence get her a Skill Orb?"
"Don't say it so easily. Even if one appeared, it would be difficult. Besides, if Hikaru truly has talent as a mage, she'll encounter one eventually."
"The theory that skills are bestowed on those suited for them? But isn't that only for innate skills?"
"No, it's said that Skill Orbs also reach the people who should obtain them. I've never seen a Skill Orb myself, but I believe in that theory."
"I hope so."
The morning assembly ended, and the students returned to their classrooms.