General 20.1

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Chapter 20.1. After School At The Family Restaurant With Classmates

After finishing their first practical training in the practice forest and waiting at the goal, classmates, stained with red paint bullets, crawled back one after another.

"They said it was just orienteering..."

"Their methods are dirty..."

"Even though it's a Soul Armor exercise, why resort to primitive traps..."

While complaining, the classmates were amazed as they looked at me Hinoura-san, the only pair not hit by the bullets.

"As expected of the top student."

Hinoura-san, who was talking to a classmate-like girl, looked somewhat guilty.

"Alright, has everyone reached the goal? Then let me explain the purpose of this exercise."

Hayami-san began her lively explanation in front of everyone.

Since they had just been thoroughly beaten, everyone listened with dissatisfaction.

"Everyone must have thought this. Why do we have to get dirty and embarrassed like this when we came to this academy to improve our soul equipment abilities?"

Some averted their eyes from Hayami-san, feeling hit.

"However, Soul Armor users are still human after all. And on the battlefield, people die very easily. In my officer school, 30% of my classmates were promoted to two ranks at their first assignment."

The term "promotion by two ranks" here was different from the advancement at the Soul Armor Academy, and even students not affiliated with military factions understood what it meant. 

Silence fell among the students.

"That's why you shouldn't just focus on improving your Soul Armor abilities. While you're at this academy, be greedy and learn many things. Because ultimately, it will help save your own life."

"..." "..." "..."

"With that, the exercise is over. A special detergent is available in the shower room, so use it to wash off the dirt. Dismissed!"

Following Hayami-san's command, everyone rushed to the shower room.

As a result, only Hinoura-san and I remained, not needing to go to the shower room.

"Hey... Kamiya..."

"Hmm? What is it?"

Hinoura-san asked me a question in a somewhat hesitant tone.

"Are you... experienced in actual combat?"

"Why do you think that?"

"Well, you instantly saw through the traps, and your response afterward was perfect."

"Well, I guess I've naturally been exposed to it since childhood."

Considering the times I traversed the jungle while traveling from one battlefield to another. I wasn't lying.

"Is there some trick? I've learned about it in theory, but it's not something you can do spontaneously in that situation."

"Well, I always review and prepare for classes properly."

That was a lie. I mostly slept during classes since I already knew most of the material.

"That day, after losing in the duel, I searched through the middle school mock exam top scorers list. I couldn't find Kamiya's name... But with this combat ability... who are you..."

"Oh! That's right! Today is the long-awaited payday!"

Since the conversation seemed to be heading in a dangerous direction, I changed the subject.

"Don't suddenly raise your voice like that. It's startling."

Hinoura-san frowned.

"Because you know. Today is payday!"

I forced myself to act excited.

Students of the Special Mission Soul Armor Academy, being treated according to military ranks, hold positions as special civil servants despite being students. Therefore, they receive salaries.

Well, I wasn't really interested in a payday. After traveling to various battlefields, when I returned to Japan and checked my bank passbook for the first time, there was quite a bit of money saved up, enough to make a small withdrawal.

Five years' worth of salary had accumulated almost untouched, so it was only natural.

"Oh, right. This is the first salary, huh."

Hinoura-san expressed her thoughts as she tapped away on her smartphone.

"Huh? Hinoura-san, how did you figure out the amount so quickly?"

"Hm? Because I have the app of the bank where my salary account is on my phone, so I just checked it."

"Seriously?! You can do that with a smartphone?"

"These days, only old people go to the bank to update their passbooks."

Ugh. Even though I came out unscathed from the duel, to received damage from Hinoura-san in such an unexpected situation.

I see. This smartphone isn't just for communication. 

I really didn't understand this thing at all.

When I took out my smartphone, it looked like it was crying.

"Hinoura-san. Since today is payday, does that mean club activities and student council activities are suspended after school?"

"W-Well, yeah."

"Can you hang out with me after school for a bit? Teach me about smartphones."

"W-Why would I do something like that with you?"

"Please! You're the only one I can rely on, Hinoura-san!"

If I asked Mina or Hayami-san, they'd probably demand some favor in return.

"O-Only me..."

"Please!"

"A-Alright, fine."

I pleaded desperately and managed to secure an after-school appointment with Hinoura-san.

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