Volume 1 Chapter 33 The School Is Bustling With The Pressure Of The Graduation Quest
"It's already winter..." Margrethe murmured as she stared out the window on the third floor of the old dormitory, where Ran and I shared a room. The cracked glass was patched with tape.
"The broadleaf trees in the garden are starting to turn that autumn red."
It was just November. The mornings and evenings already felt sharp with cold. Even sunny Sunday afternoons after lunch couldn't warm the room much—there were gaps everywhere. Ran had found an old blanket and turned it into a cloak, which I still wore now, so it was bearable. Winter was scary, but Margrethe said something would be sent from her family home.
By contrast, Margrethe herself wore an extravagant coat with a fur collar—what she called a heat-generating garment blessed by magic.
"Somehow, it feels lonely," she said softly.
"But autumn leaves are beautiful, aren't they? I like them," Ran replied, placing a cup of hot milk on the table. Steam curled up in the cold air. "Here, the milk's warmed. I added honey, so it smells sweet and delicious."
The fragrant scent of honey spread gently.
"Thanks, Ran."
"Thank you," she said with a small smile.
The three of us sat quietly, sipping the warm milk in the soft, reflective mood of autumn.
"So then..." Margrethe exhaled softly. "Ran, Mobu, what will you do for the New Year's Eve feast?"
"The feast, huh..." I muttered.
The New Year's Eve feast was more like a banquet with entertainment than a simple celebration. It was serious business at the academy, maybe even more important than regular classes. All students had to attend. Everyone gathered to eat, but the real purpose was to declare their standing before the graduation exams in March.
The graduation exam was a real dungeon raid outside the academy. Progress was tracked by magic, and the results decided whether we graduated. Facing real monsters for the first time outside school—it was a harsh trial.
Students could form parties of any size. Some went solo, others with a hundred people, though the bigger the team, the more the exam score was split. Command got confusing, and entering narrow caves became tough. So most teams were a few to about ten people.
"Lately, it's all about New Year's Eve. They say SSS Class is..." Margrethe began, but then she shook her head.
The feast was where you publicly announced your raid party—"I'll challenge the exam with these comrades"—before students and teachers. It was basically a talent show. A brute force party might perform a sword dance with a rare blade. A mage and tank duo might show flashy magic, support spells, or knife throwing to demonstrate defense or vitality. It was entertainment, but also education—watching others gave you clues for your own strategy. Teams could still reorganize after, too, so people scouted strong players during the event.
"Since October, everyone's been restless," Margrethe said, frowning. "Deciding who to team with, thinking someone's skill is underrated and a good recruit... Is Z Class any different?"
The school year started in April, and by September, students' skills were mostly known. From there, the negotiations and strategy talks began. People swapped members between trial parties, gathered intel, and so on.
Graduation dungeons came in many types, with different difficulties. Teams picked ones matching their strengths to maximize points and pass chances. Harder dungeons gave more points but were riskier. Usually, teams included at least one strategist.
"As for Z Class, well, Margrethe... as you might guess," I said.
Most players gave up on passing. They formed big parties, chose the easiest dungeons, and mainly tried to avoid pain. Secret talks like, "I'll join your team if you join mine," or "Let's just peek at the entrance and retreat" were common (I chuckled).
"Not everyone takes it seriously, but it looks fun, right? Clearing it with friends," Ran said, holding her warm cup with both hands and smiling happily. "Because it's about making memories."
Since the summer swim tournament, Z Class had grown closer in a strange way. Though many doubted passing the exam, the class was filled with a sense of enjoyment tackling the challenge together. Serious players aiming to clear it existed too.
"So, what about you two?" Margrethe asked, steering the topic back.
I thought for a moment.
I was sure I'd team up with Ran, but that wasn't enough. More members were needed.
"Don't you think Margrethe's group has plenty of applicants?" I asked.
She had placed fifth in betting odds at the individual tournament earlier, so her skills as a mage were well known.
"Yeah..." she admitted, then glanced at me.
Recruitment was probably in full swing, but I had a feeling Margrethe wasn't ready to accept any offers yet.
"If nothing's decided, why not team up with us?"
"Yeah, that sounds good." Ran's face lit up.
"Hey, let's go into the dungeon together—the three of us, MarMar." She reached out and took Margrethe's hand.
"I suppose so..." she said quietly, staring at me with steady eyes.
"If Mobu really insists, I might join your team," she added.
"All right, it's settled then," I said.
Phew, Margrethe exhaled deeply, maybe a little nervous after all.
"With us, we'll make a pretty good team. The balance are strong, too." Her voice brightened suddenly.
"That's right. RanRan will focus on recovery, I'll handle the magic attacks, and Mobu will be the vanguard tank."
I remained silent. That's what you'd expect, right? I had shown I could blow away Blaze easily during the entrance exam.
But the truth was, I was in trouble. That was just a glitch trick. I only used it because I knew there was an invincibility bug hidden in the mock battle arena. Dungeon battles were a totally different system, completely unrelated.
What I'd reincarnated into was actually a Mob meant to die instantly in the Starting Village. I can't see my own stats, but the ones a vanguard needs—STR, AGI, DEF, VIT—are definitely as weak as a slime. I also lack the special skills that warriors and fighters have as vanguards.
"Incompetent vanguard + Weak DEF mage x 2" — According to the formula, it's an automatic loss. The enemy would rush past us to the rearguard in no time.
I even considered failing the graduation exam on purpose.
My goal was simple: to survive in this world somehow. The school promised food, shelter, and even gave back dorm fees and provided allowances for stable hands. Living here for a few more years wasn't a bad idea.
Failing the exam would mean intentionally dropping out. Unlike Ran and Blaze, who had main-character luck, my lack of skill was obvious.
But that plan didn't work either. If I failed, I wouldn't be called an "honor student." I could stay in school, but I'd lose my scholarship and be forced to pay high tuition next year. I didn't have that kind of money. That would mean the end of my school life—I'd have to drop out.
So, the only options were to pass the exam or drop out. Either way, I'd leave this academy by the end of March.
Graduating was still better for my future. Having a diploma was always more useful than being a dropout, whether in this game world or real life.
"Well, we'll figure out our three-person formation and all that by the graduation exam in March," I said, deciding to leave it vague for now. Maybe I'd come up with a useful bug trick. No need to rush.
"Sounds good." Margrethe smiled. "With Mobu's unique abilities, I'm sure you'll come up with some interesting strategy... I'm looking forward to it."
The bar was set high, but I'd made it this far on my own. I'd manage somehow again—that's the way of a weed, an Instant Death Mob.
"First, let's just think about the New Year's Eve party. What kind of fun things we want to do," I suggested.
"Hmm, well, a common pattern is..."
Margrethe stared at the ceiling for a while, maybe noticing the water stains from leaks as she thought.
"Maybe a skill showcase—magic and physical attacks," she offered.
"That's one way," I said, taking another sip of my lukewarm hot milk. "But I don't really like that. It feels like a contest to one-up each other. It's New Year's Eve—we should just eat, drink, and have fun."
"I agree, but each team gets a fixed stage time..."
Margrethe tilted her head, troubled.
"Will we sing again? Like at the long-distance swimming contest?"
Ran started humming a folk song from the "Do it Ran" team.
"That could be fun. It'd entertain everyone."
"You're thinking like Mobu—focusing on fun, not a competition."
"Swimsuits are a bit out of season, though. Maybe we dress up somehow."
"But wouldn't it just turn into a karaoke contest? Is there anything else?"
I've never really done entertainment with girls before. In my past life, company parties were just endless power harassment and forced drinking games.
"Well, I have an idea," Margrethe said.
"Oh yeah? What is it?"
She smiled happily.
"MarMar's idea will be fun, I'm sure."
"Yeah, RanRan. And it'll probably help me with my future, too."
"Your future?"
"Yes, Mobu..."
She looked at me and Ran closely.
"My path after graduation... or rather, preparation for it."
"Huh. I don't really get it, but Margrethe, you're really thinking this through."
"I am. Graduation will be tough for me."
"I don't understand it fully, but I'll help."
"Me too. We're best friends, after all."
Ran squeezed her hand tightly, and Margrethe returned the grip.
"Yes, RanRan, thank you. You're such a kind person."
Her eyes glistened like she might cry.
"All right, then, let's go with Margrethe's plan."
I placed my hand over theirs.
"So, what exactly are you planning to do?"
"Well..."
Margrethe's explanation went on for a long time.
Notes:
• Margrethe - Female. A new student and sub-heroine character in the game. She is a Mage class with low physical strength. Her appearance is not described in detail, but she is noted to have a pleasant scent. She initially comes off as hostile but warms up to the protagonist, Blaze, over time. She is proud and insists on being addressed with honorifics, reflecting her noble upbringing. She has a strong dislike for men, considering them weak and arrogant. Her relationship with Mobu starts on a tense note, but she eventually shows a more vulnerable side, acknowledging her need to improve her physical strength.
• Ran - Female. An orphan and a close friend of Mobu. She has a gentle appearance. Ran is kind and trusting, often relying on Mobu for guidance. She survives the demon attack by hiding in the secret base with Mobu.
• Blaze - Male. The protagonist of the game, born into the wealthy Rosinore family. He has blond hair and a heroic appearance. Blaze is kind and lacks arrogance despite his status. He is destined to become a hero and defeat the Demon King. His relationship with Mobu and Ran is complex, as they are not part of the main story.
• Starting Village - A small, poor village located in a rural area. It was founded by the Village Head after he cleared the wilderness. The village is now safe from monsters, and Mobu and Ran are considering it as a potential base for survival.
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