I was called to the academy.
“Did I mess up again~?????”
A sarcastic smile.
Sarcasm is my baseline.
I can confidently say that there’s no entertainment more fun than ruffling people’s feathers.
I have so many reasons for being called out that even counting them on my fingers and toes wouldn’t be enough.
No wonder I’m smiling.
“This time, it’s something else.”
The one speaking coolly is Gort from the arithmetic department.
I’ve already caused more than ten teachers to retire after being beaten down mentally and physically by me.
So now, only people who became teachers based on merit, like Gort or the headmaster, even talk to me anymore.
The losers who got their jobs through connections are too scared to show up in front of me.
It feels insanely good to completely crush someone in a debate, especially in their area of expertise.
And even if they fight back, I’ll still learn something, so it’s a win.
“So, what’s this about?”
I ask.
What else could it be if not another lecture?
“I don’t know the details, but it’s about the mandatory ‘Combat Training.’ Apparently, it’s required, separate from the graduation credits.”
Ah, I see.
Yeah, I remember hearing about that.
In the first semester, they teach military-grade combat magic, the second semester involves outdoor combat training, and the third semester focuses on dungeon exploration.
“So, what exactly are we doing?”
“Don’t ask me, I’m from the arithmetic department. But I heard you’ll be camping outdoors, eating field rations while thinning out monsters like goblins and wolves.”
Ah, got it.
Combat training and getting used to killing living things… basically, camping.
Hmm… I’ve been tired from tinkering with systems lately, so a relaxed camping trip doesn’t sound too bad.
Alright! Let’s go!
♪! ♪!
I show up in an outdoor outfit, humming the theme song from a mountain rescue manga that was turned into a movie.
It’s by Kobuchi and Kuroda.
There are quite a few masterpieces in Japanese music.
“………”
“Wow! You look like you’re having fun, Exus-sama!”
The stares from the majority of students scream “weirdo.”
And there’s Ada, smiling brightly as usual.
The usual scene.
It’s amusing.
“Fufufu… The anime about camping was kind of fun, but the glittery atmosphere made me a bit uncomfortable, so I prefer the mountain rescue manga more.”
“I don’t really understand, but if you’re happy, Exus-sama, then I’m happy too!”
“Ah, I’ll see if I can salvage something from my memories. I’ve been researching time-reversal magic lately, and maybe I can…”
“What are you talking about?”
“It’s from a fascinating book. I’ll let you read it someday.”
“I’m looking forward to it!”
It’s a masterpiece, after all…
Since coming to this world, the value I place on life has become as light as subatomic particles, even lighter than helium, but I still think stories about saving lives are solid entertainment.
Highlighting the “preciousness of life” is a perspective that resonates with many people. It’s a safe bet.
It’s not that I don’t understand others’ feelings, public opinion, or common sense—I just choose to ignore them because it feels good.
In fact, if you want to create something groundbreaking, you need to know the standard form first, right? That’s just how it is.
They say “shu-ha-ri,” after all, right?
…Well, enough about that.
Let’s get on with the camping.
Apparently, when cute girls jump in the opening, it automatically turns into a moe anime, so I have Ada and the others jump.
With that, the ratings are secured! Not that this is being aired anywhere.
But I’ll take some photos, just in case.
I’ll make an album for them.
…Well, the girls are already taking tons of pictures with the magical tablets I gave them.
Just because they’re medieval-era Naropa people doesn’t mean they’re dumb.
Even in Africa, where people live similarly to the medieval era, they can still use tablets and computers, right?
Same thing here.
Though, to be honest, these tablets can only be used for phone calls, chat, photos, and a notepad.
Improving the app selection for these tablets is low-priority, but it’s on my list of tasks.
And on top of that, I’ve got to launch satellites…
Seriously, no matter how many bodies I had, it wouldn’t be enough.
Of course, I’m working within the legal limits of the labor laws. Overworking is out of the question.
Anyway, this time is for relaxation! Time to enjoy camping!
Before heading into the forest, we prepare.
The forest we’re going to is owned by the royal family, managed by caretakers who maintain control over the monster and wildlife populations to some extent.
It’s a harsh place, but much better than the real wilderness in this world.
Unlike Japan, where they can say, “Rabies is scary, so let’s kill all the wolves!”—this world has no such place.
The moment you step away from civilization, you can die in an instant, just like in Earth’s underdeveloped countries.
At least it’s not a freezing country, so that’s a blessing.
Of course, since it’s winter, we’ll need to keep warm… but it’s not cold enough for snow.
At worst, we can huddle in cloaks and sleep together. We won’t die.
Also… based on my detection magic, there seem to be some hidden caretakers scattered around the forest.
With them around, no accidents should happen.
Team assignments.
Naturally, I put Ada, Francis, Yuki, and Grace in my group.
It’s supposed to be six people per group, with sixteen groups total… so we need one more person.
I’ll just grab some random… oh?
“Uh…”
“Drill Lady?”
“It’s Elizabeth!”
Oh right, whatever.
Yes, it’s the princess.
But I have no intention of pandering to such a boring woman…
“Drill” is more than enough of a name.
“Exus-sama, may I join your group?”
“Do whatever you want.”
And with that, I’m not interested.
Do whatever you want.
What matters now is getting ready.
Ada, Francis, Yuki, and Grace are my pets, lovers, and secret society executives, so I’ll spoil them rotten.
Of course, I’ll be firm when needed, but I’ve regained my youth after all. The desire to experience student romance and fun is strong.
Well, I’ve already slept with all of them, though.
Being pampered and flirting with girls is instinctively enjoyable… Whether or not we’ve slept together, it’s just fun to surround myself with beautiful girls. I’m still a man, after all.
Now then.
I prepare an outdoor camping set, just in case.
I’m currently twelve years old and around 168 cm tall.
Since I’m as tall as an adult, I can ride a bike.
So, yesterday I made a magic bike and loaded it with lots of gear.
“Exus-sama, what’s this?”
“A bike.”
A bike…
Though it’s magic-powered.
Rubber tires, a magic-metal frame, and leather seats. Up to this point, it’s just like a bike from Earth, but…
Instead of a large engine, it uses a tiny magic stone, about the size of a fingernail, embedded with magical scripts to convert magic into propulsion.
And in place of an oil tank, there’s a small converter that turns the magic stone’s energy into power. A game console could run off the user’s magic or anti-air magic, but to power a bike-sized machine, I have to liquefy high-magic-content materials like magic stones.
In other words, no cool exhaust sound or gasoline smell—just an eco-friendly, boring vehicle.
To make matters worse, the engine and oil tank are so small that the bike’s frame is practically hollow.
To hide this, I designed the outer shell to resemble a large bike, but it weighs less than 100 kg. It might be lighter than a Super Cub.
So, while I’ve resolved to improve the bike in the future, for now, I gather my supplies…
