pair:-

　The tense atmosphere had dissipated.

"Okay. Let's get started."

　The homeroom teacher stood in front of the desk and began to speak.

　The homeroom teacher for my class is Tina Kaiser.

　She was once a knight from a country that was renowned for being the strongest, and the moment she entered the class, she realized that me and Otto were on the brink of an explosive confrontation, so she aimed her murderous intent at the two of us, calming the situation down.

　If we had started fighting like that, the teacher would have come to stop Otto and me.

"Okay. Well, this is a pain, so I'll just get my morning HR done quickly."

　Well, it's clear that this teacher doesn't have much of a teaching mentality.

　In the end, she was probably just trying to protect Otto and me from any trouble that might arise.

　Putting myself aside, Otto will likely be crushed without being able to do anything against sensei... I kind of want to try fighting sensei purely without regard for Otto, but now's not the time.

"There's only one thing I have to tell you today. This time it's a bit important, so listen carefully."

　While I was thinking such scary things, the teacher began to give the morning announcements.

"Today, I'm going to talk to you all about the special exam. This will be your first special exam. Make sure you listen carefully to the explanation. Especially Arc-kun, the slacker?"

　Ah, it's that time already.

　It's already been a month since school started... and this is the first special exam for first-year students that doesn't appear in the main game.

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　This is the first of many special exams that will occur throughout school life.

　Well, even though it's an event that didn't appear in the story, as a gamer, I can't help but get excited to be able to touch on a part of it.

　By the way, the reason why it didn't appear in the game is very simple: the main character of the game is a transfer student who joins the school midway through the story. Since the story progresses from the main character's point of view, the exam naturally doesn't appear.

"arc?"

"Ah, yes."

"What the... what's with that half-hearted response? Do it properly, okay? This time it's a class competition. The bonuses for us teachers will be decided based on the class's results. I'm counting on you, do it properly and get first place. And then, with your own hands, you will create a life of luxury for me."

"...Tahaha."

　This teacher really does take her job lightly.

　She was like this in the game too, but in real life she looks even more like a bad person. It's even more dangerous in real life than in the game.

"Well then, let's talk about the special exam. That being said, the exam will be simple. You will go to a forest where monsters roam free and crush your enemies there. That's what the exam will consist of. Quantity and quality. Both of these will be evaluated. And when you go into the forest, you will have to pair up. So, here we go! Let's start deciding the pairs!"

"...Huh?"

　A pair? ...A pair?

　Was that the first test?

　Eh... Was it really a lonely test? I didn't remember much about the contents of the first test.

"Master, let's pair up together."

　As soon as I stopped listening to what the teacher said, Frau called out to me.

"...Ah, Frau."

　That was close.

　Good. I made some contact with Frau yesterday. Being a loner, I was on the verge of drawing the worst possible outcome.

"Yeah, let's team up."

　Feeling relieved by that, I reply to Frau who came to me.

"Oh come on, Princess. Are you sure you want to be such a loner? The exam is important, you know?"

　However, at the same time, Otto appeared to get in the way.

"You should team up with someone really strong.

"Shut up. I trust my eyes."

"Oh? What do you know about that loner?"

"Maybe I'm missing something...?"

"……Huh?"

　It was at a time when Otto and Frau were showing signs of being very tense in front of me.

"Hey, Otto. Do you know?"

　I'll join the conversation too.

　If there's a fight, I want to join in.

"……Huh?"

"The weakest dogs bark the loudest, you know? The exam is just around the corner anyway, so why not settle this then?"

"Ha. What are you babbling about?"

"Hmph."

　By the way, even though I'm barking so enthusiastically, I'm completely out of place here.

　I'm a loner, after all. I feel like, why is the princess suddenly getting along with that guy?

"Can monkeys understand human language?"

"There's no way humans can hear what monkeys are saying."

　Looking from the sidelines, both Otto and I felt that our moves were extremely petty.

　Even so, I continued to talk and pick a fight with Otto.

"Ah! That's right, that's right. The exam is tomorrow. Make sure you prepare properly, okay? Especially those two who are fighting over there. For my bonus, you two need to work hard and do your best. Please let me have a splurge."

"Eh? Tomorrow?"

　In the midst of all this, Otto and I both expressed surprise in unison when the teacher spoke next.