Baka to Tesuto to Syokanju:Volume10 The Second Question

The Second Question

Please answer the following question:

Please state what the Prince Shoutoku did in the years 603 and 604 respectively.

Himeji Mizuki’s answer:

‘In Year 603, Prince Shoutoku created the Twelve Level Cap and Rank System. In Year 604, Prince Shoutoku created the Seventeen-article Constitution’.

Teacher’s comment:

That’s right. Please memorize the sequence of events during these few years, including the sending of diplomats

Shimada Minami’s answer:

‘Year 603, Prince Shoutoku ate. Year 604, Prince Shoutoku had a good sleep.’

Teacher’s comment:

I’m not referring to daily activities that don’t need thinking.

Tsuchiya Kouta’s answer:

‘In Year 603, Prince Shoutoku got married. In Year 604, Prince Shoutoku went crazy.’

Teacher’s comment:

What happened to the prince during that year?

As I prepare to leave the classroom and head for the area I’m in charge of,

I glance over at Himeji-san to check on her, since I haven’t had the chance to talk to her recently.

“…It’s alright, we’ll definitely win, we’ll definitely win…”

She feels different from usual, and that worries me.

—And now

Right now, I’m standing on the linkway controlling the battle, and I turn over to Minami to check on her.

“…It’s alright, I just need to stay with Aki and get that book before that foreign student meets him. I just need to bring him away from Aki. I just need to stay with Aki and not let him move on his own…”

She obviously looks different from usual, and that worries me a lot.

“Aki!”

“Ye, yes! May I know what you want, Minami-san?”

“I’ll definitely live and won’t die in battle. Is this alright?”

“Un, of course it’s alright.”

“Everything will be over if I lose my freedom once I’m brought to the remedial room, so I’ll definitely fight hard. Okay?”

“Un, you’re very reliable.”

“Also, if it really can’t be helped, I’ll bring you over to the remedial room too. Is that alright?”

“Wait a second, Minami. That’s not good at all.”

I’m really worried over what happened to Himeji-san and Minami…

As I ponder about this,

“Yoshii! The guys from A class are here!”

Sugawa-kun’s words interrupt my thoughts.

“Let’s go, Aki!”

“Okay!”

Minami was rather weird just now, but now changed expressions completely. She just said a lot of ridiculous words, but she has no doubt about letting our class win. Alright! Time for me to get into the mood and get into the action!

“Everyone, don’t forget the mission Yuuji asked us to do!”

“ROGER THAT!”

This is the linkway that connects the new and old school buildings. Our duel between F class and A class will begin here.

“SUMMON!”

The two A class students standing at the front carry out their summons. There’re 5 A class students standing behind, perhaps because they’re trying to investigate the situation for a while.

Since the opponent is that relaxed…we’ll take them down before retreating!

“Katou-kun, Kondou-kun, please!”

““Okay! Summon!!””

Our side sends out two people as well as Katou-kun and Satou-kun carry out their summons

A class and F class both summon two summoned beasts as we face off in the middle of the linkway.

A class, Kurimoto Raita, Maths 239 points & A class, Youta Nana, Maths 243 points.

Vs

F class, Katou Takashi, Maths 91 points & F class, Kondou Yoshimune, Maths 84 points

Both sides subjects and scores are shown. As expected of A class, their grades are higher than any class rep we faced in the past. If it were a frontal fight, we’ll definitely lose.

Katou-kun and Kondou-kun’s summoned beasts are leading off as they raise their weapons over their heads. The straightforward attacks are blocked by the opponent’s wielding weapons.

Both sides clash with each other, and then—

“““Summon!!”””

Another 4 F class comrades summon.

Katou-kun and Kondou-kun who led the charge are rather specialized in maths.

Then, as for the latter 4—

F class, Udou Sumiyoshi, Maths 58 points and F class, Endou Kensuke, Maths 70 points.

And F class, Hotsuta Kiichi, Maths 87 points and F class, Manaka Tatsuo, Maths 64 points.

As one can see, their scores are rather scattered, and maths isn’t their best subject.

However, this group isn’t just randomly created. They’re formed through factors other than scores and best subjects.

“Long-ranged weapons group, attack!”

“““OHHHHH!!!”””

Udou-kun and the rest who’re sortied raise their weapons and charge towards the enemy in a row.

Their common point is that their summoned beasts weapons have length. These four are weapon wielders of longspears or rods, weapons with large attack range.

“How’s that po…!?”

Our side’s actions cause the opponent to widen their eyes in shock. To them, we may seem rather reckless.

It’s not easy to control a summoned beast as its size is not of the same proportions as our bodies, and the power is greatly different from a human. We have to line up 4 summoned beasts in a row on the narrow linkway, side by side before attacking the opponent in front of them, but this in practice is a lot harder than described. Ordinary people would have crashed into their allies, have varying attack speeds, or stab our spears into our partners’ backs.

But if it’s us, we can definitely do it. Our F class has experienced countless summoning wars and went through all sorts of battles. To us, this isn’t something that’s impossible for us to do.

A class, Kurimoto Raita, Maths 73 points & A class, Youta Nana, Maths 179 points.

The opponents fighting our 2 F class vanguards took stabs directly from the front.

““How’s that po…””

The two people from A class give regretful looks.

After seeing this, Kondou-kun shows a devious smile.

“Don’t look down on us F class!”

F class, Kondou Yoshimune, Maths 26 points.

Kondou-kun brags about the victory as his back has a buddy’s spear stabbed into the back…I better remain silent about this.

“Can’t be helped! Switch—“

The hurt opponents intends to sub themselves out with another member, but why would we let them do so?

“I’m counting on you Minami, please attack with Katou-kun! Kondou-kun, retreat. Hurry up and replenish your points!”

“Understood. Summon!”

“Don’t you dare run away!”

““Ku…!””

“Eh? Why must I replenish my points?”

3 out of 4 attacks hit the opponents when it’s so hard to control the summoned beasts, so this strategy sorta worked out. Now, we just need to deal the finishing blow.

A class, Kurimoto Raita, Maths 73 points

Vs

F class, Shimada Minami, Maths 161 points.

Minami immediately closes in on the opponent that’s slowed down by the attack. Once the points drop, our side will have the advantage due to experience, so it’s impossible for our side to lose.

“Hu, hurry up and cover Kurimoto-kun! Summon!”

The other people from A class start to panic. It seems that they feel it’s not the time to sit back and observe after taking such a vicious attack. In that case, our class has something else!

“Saitou-kun, Tanaka-kun!”

““Summon!””

I add in the numbers and send in Saitou-kun and Tanaka-kun who’re better at maths. At this moment, the 4 people raising their long weapons back off for summoned beasts’ spacing. Not a lot of classes can do such an organized movement. This is a strong point of our F class.

“IF YOU’RE SENDING IN SO MANY PEOPLE, WE HAVE PEOPLE HERE TOO!”

Someone from A class shouted.

If the other members from the opposing class take part, there will be 7, while we’re left with 4 because our participants backed off. In such a difference in numbers, it’s obvious that A class is better.

However, that’s not the case.

“Damn it!”

“I won’t lose!”

Minami beats Kurimoto-kun from A class and retreats while the other three form a line. Now, the opponent will definitely form a line and fight back. The key here is the width of the corridor. If we line up side by side, a squad of 4 will be the maximum. In other words, 3 people from the opponent’s side will be unable fight. No, Minami just finished off one opponent, so 2 out of 6 can’t fight.

“Wai—watch it…!”

“Tha, that’s dangerous!”

“Damn it, move aside there!”

The people from A class start scolding each other. It seems they’re unable to move freely.

Our side is using a packed formation, and actually, the opponent should be making good use of their high marks and let someone launch a powerful attack. Our strength alone can’t stop this force.

However, our opponent is already fuming over our pre-emptive attack, so they’re sending all their forces. However, they’re unable to deal decisive blows because they might hit each other.

On the other hand, our side’s situation—

“YOU BASTARD! YOU JUST ATTACKED ME, DIDN’T YOU!”

“SHUT UP! IT DOESN’T MATTER WHETHER YOU’RE HIT OR NOT SINCE WE HIT THE ENEMY! YOUR SACRIFICE IS NOTHING!”

“SAYING SUCH STUFF!? YOU’RE THE ONE WHO STABBED KONDOU IN THE BACK!”

And just like that, our side will continue to attack even though we’ll hurt our comrades. These guys were attacking Yuuji and me with all they got even though we were in a war against C class.

The smart A class people should understand such logic, but being able to understand mentally is completely different from being able to do so physically.

While the opponent is confused, we skillfully use the narrow space to battle, and will occasionally attack with the support of the long-ranged weapons.

In the initial skirmish, our F class may have gotten the advantage.

“Keep it up. Be careful not to mess up the formation.”

“““Roger that.”””

I set up the people with higher scores (amongst us) at the front, and let those with wider attack range support from the back. This cautious and impregnable tactic wore down on their forces.

“Calm down and retreat back to the classroom first.”

The A class girls start to retreat in order to regroup. The opponent’s retreating…what should I do? Should I deliberately press on and pursue them?

At the current stage, we’ll reach the new building after a few more steps. Once we continue to move on, we’ll be able to seal off the new building’s stairs, and this will be a great chance to seal off the enemy’s movements.

As I wonder about this, Minami walks to me and whispers,

“Aki, the order the opponent gave just now was a little suspicious.”

“Eh? How?”

“Some of them glanced at the stairs when they said they’re retreating.”

If it’s the stairs…I don’t think they’re checking the path to retreat back to A class, but them deliberately glancing over there shows that there’s something over there.

“An ambush…?”

“Most likely.”

They probably planned some counterstrategy here. It’s thanks to Minami reminding me that I can notice it, and this will affect the situation greatly.

“Thanks for noticing that, Minami.”

“I, I’m not losing concentration in the summoning war! It’s just that I’m very wary of the surroundings because I feel that someone may come by here!”

Minami definitely did contribute something, so why is she panicking for some reason?

“Then, what should we do, Aki? Do we stop here?”

“Uu…has Kinoshita-san appeared in the opposing base?”

“Not for now.”

Based on Yuuji’s deduction, Kinoshita-san will normally appear at the scene and direct them, but up till now, she hasn’t stepped onto the main battlefield. In other words, she may be hiding somewhere.

“Alright, keep chasing. Minami, Sugawa-kun, Yokomizo-kun and—4 people with higher marks will form one team and standby on the left side.”

“You want us to take on the opponent?”

“Un, I intend to finish the other mission Yuuji gave me.”

Revealed ambush forces aren’t scary at all. I want to beat the hiding Kinoshita-san at this point!

“Yeah, let’s try and make sure the advantage’s on our side! We have to hurry up and finish this war even if it’s a second earlier…!”

The voice with intense emotions in it rings in my ears. Minami’s momentum today isn’t to be underestimated. What’s with her?

“I’ll explain the plan to Sugawa and the rest.”

Minami again returns to the frontlines and gets into standby beside the stairs. Sugawa-kun and Yokomizo-kun then follow her. Alright, let’s move!

“EVERYONE! PURSUE THEM! CHARGE RIGHT IN!”

“““ALRIGHT!!!”””

The reliable calls echo back as my comrades charge forward.

In contrast, A class learnt their lesson due to the attack just now, so they aren’t resisting that much as they gingerly retreat back. A class retreats while F class pursues on, and this is not a common sense.

Also, as the battlefield moves to the stairs, expected voices can be heard from the left.

“““Summon”””

Alright—right on target!

“I’ll leave it to you, Minami!”

“Okay!”

The opponent appears from the stairs, and Minami and the rest immediately attacks them.

The opponent was charging in for an ambush, but we shocked them back.

“…Not bad, Yoshii-kun. To think that you can realize this.”

Kinoshita-san’s voice, which sounded like Hideyoshi, came from the stairs as she intended to ambush us from the side. There’s only 3 people over there, so we can win if it’s just this number of people!

“Yozawa-kun, Negishi-kun, Himuro-kun, go over to Kinoshita-san! We’ll beat her here!”

““”Understood!”””

Kinoshita-san has 6 people against her, including Minami, Sugawa-kun, and I have another 6 in front of me. It’s not easy to break through here, so we’ll take the win here!

“…Retreat.”

Kinoshita-san gives the order. As if we’ll let you!

“Everyone, pursue on. We must finish her off here.”

I give the order from the back of the squad in order to finish Yuuji’s given mission, and let everyone chase down the escaping Kinoshita-san.

The moment I did this, Kinoshita-san mutters from the stairs.

“Oh? You’re chasing after me?”

Her voice still remains calm even though she’s being cornered. Hold…on…? I think I have a bad feeling about this…

“—Rep really understands Sakamoto-kun really well.”

““”Summon!”””

““”—!?”””

Calls can be heard from the opposite direction, and everyone in F class widen their eyes in shock. The other side is…B class? What’s going on!?

A class, Tokito Masahiro, Maths 265 points

Vs

F class, Himuro Tadashi, Maths, 6 points.

A class, Hanaoka Rei, Maths 243 points

Vs

F class, Nomura Ippei, DEAD

The attacks that came from behind cause several comrades on our side to have their points reduced or endure the tragic fate of dying in battle.