Chapter 18 Everyday Life at School
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
There was a wall in front of me.
A magnificent one—solid as a castle rampart.
After waking up, I brushed my teeth and washed my face. Once my childlike features were neat and clean, I pulled a change of clothes from the linen cabinet and ate breakfast. Of course, I didn’t forget to leave a little extra on the table, just in case.
Breakfast never exactly brightened the start of my day. My meal consisted of rations and pickles. When I asked if I could have something other than “health food,” I ended up chewing salty pickles and biscuits as hard as clay. If not for Concern’s reminder that pickles were good for the body, I would’ve spat them out along with my dissatisfaction.
Such treatment stood like a great wall in my everyday life, constantly scratching at me like a splinter. One day, I’d have to climb over it.
”Good morning, young master. The bulbuls are singing so pleasantly today. Shall we head to school?”
”Morning.”
The wall spoke.
No, my mistake. It was Sow.
”Yeah, nice weather today.”
Her chest was so flat that I’d mistaken her for an actual wall. Not that I was holding a grudge over the terrible breakfast, of course.
Thinking such rude thoughts first thing in the morning, I set out for the academy with my bodyguard at my side.
Sow was the leading officer of the Imperial Guard—the most capable among them. Even her walking pace was firm and steady, ticking along like a clock.
She didn’t waste words while we traveled. Quiet by nature, yet when she walked beside me, there was something light about her steps. Maybe it was because only I could make her feel that way. Or maybe it was because part of her body was lighter than usual. (Not that I resented the meal incident.)
Still, she was undeniably beautiful. Her eyes were sharp, but her semi-short bob gave her the air of a young girl. Like a house spirit who’d grown up and picked up a sword—okay, that actually sounded like a horror story.
”Hey, Sow.”
”Yes, young master?”
I found myself wondering—did touching small breasts still feel good? Don’t get me wrong, I don’t dislike small ones. If I had the chance, I’d gladly touch them. And if they happened to peek out unexpectedly, I’d definitely look.
Come to think of it, I did have a free pass.
”Mind if I touch your chest?”
”…? If you wish, but is something bothering you?”
She stopped and turned around. Right, she’d just been discharged from the infirmary—this could count as a medical checkup, maybe.
I reached out and touched her chest as she leaned down slightly.
”Flat, flat… Wow, it’s actually soft!”
”Young master,” she murmured. “If you handle a lady so casually in public, it might hurt your reputation.”
Her linen jinbei puffed up ever so slightly. When I placed my hand on that tiny rise, a gentle warmth pushed back against my palm.
It felt like her chest was saying, I’m right here. I’d been scolded—by her breasts, no less.
Truly, my apologies.
Still, the touch filled me with happiness. I could have stayed like that forever. So you really are a pair of breasts after all, I thought fondly.
And with that, we finally arrived at the academy.
Because the building was Western-style, we kept our shoes on as we walked to class. At the entrance stood a fine mud scraper, and if necessary, the Imperial Guard could wipe the dirt from our boots.
The hallways were wide, so we never felt cramped, but sometimes, by sheer bad luck, I’d end up crossing paths with someone I didn’t like.
Today, that someone was Dora. He appeared from the opposite corridor, and the sight made me groan. Apparently, it was going to be one of those days.
”Hey, you were absent yesterday. Why?”
”…Morning. Nothing serious, just wasn’t feeling well.”
”Hmph. Sure. Maybe you got scared of school, huh? Pathetic. If you don’t like it, you don’t have to come. You talk big, but I bet being surrounded by girls terrified you.”
Dora was the boy who’d given both me and the teacher trouble on the first day—and ever since, he’d made a hobby of picking fights with me.
Now he was even quoting my own words—’pathetic man’—right back at me. Guess he’d been holding a grudge.
”I wasn’t afraid of your Imperial Guard girls,” I replied.
”Oh, is that so?”
He smirked at me, lewd and mocking. Even in the middle of the hallway, surrounded by other students, he had no problem ridiculing me out loud—and no one else seemed to care.
He was taller and more solidly built than most boys in this world. Standing that close, he gave off real intimidation.
He probably thought I was just bluffing.
What an unpleasant start to the morning. I wanted to ignore him and just get to class already.
But he went on, completely ignoring my mood.
”So you’re not scared, huh? Then I guess you don’t have to worry about me sending girls after you. Bold of you, really. Transferring in at this time of year takes some thick skin.”
”Thanks for the compliment—though I couldn’t care less about your mood.”
I glared back at him. He flushed red with anger.
”What did you say, you—!”
He shouted, face twisted with rage.
”So, you’re saying you’re not afraid of women? Then what, that ‘sick day’ of yours was just coincidence? Don’t make me laugh! What a ridiculous bluff!”
”It’s not a bluff. I’m not scared of women—unlike you.”
”You little… You calling me a coward?!”
Our voices rose. Our bodyguards tried to intervene, flustered and uncertain.
But yelling in the hallway was hardly proper behavior for two supposedly dignified young men. We both fell silent, glaring at each other instead.
”I stayed in the dorm yesterday because of some trouble, that’s all,” I said.
”Trouble, huh? I see.”
His grin turned nastier. Something had clicked in his mind.
”Oh, I get it. Someone must’ve pulled a prank on you. That’s rough. My condolences.”
”…What’s that supposed to mean?”
”At this school, it’s not unusual to have enemies. And when that happens, guys like you—without achievements or connections—tend to have a hard time.”
Right… come to think of it, Yukari was his Imperial Guard. So he thought the harassment he’d ordered had made me sick enough to miss class.
”Well then,” I said lightly, “thanks for that. I appreciate you sending me such a wonderful guard.”
”Hey, hey, don’t go blaming me for that.”
”Oh? You mean you’re not responsible?”
”Of course not. Why would I be interested in you?”
He grinned from ear to ear, clearly enjoying himself. His mood had lifted, and he was looking down on me with obvious satisfaction.
”Well then, enjoy your school life! Ha-ha-ha!”
Laughing loudly, he turned on his heel and walked away. Sow and Vocal Slut—my assigned guards—watched him go, their shoulders trembling with frustration. They were clearly upset that I’d just received my first taste of this school’s brand of hazing. But Imperial Guards weren’t allowed to interfere in conversations between men, so there was nothing they could do but stand by.
So, Dora. You’re the one who gave me that lovely little gift, huh?
…Maybe we could actually become friends someday.
Classes passed uneventfully after that. It was already the end of term—assignments done, graduation exams finished—so the lessons were a scattered patchwork of applied knowledge. Having completed the basics, students were free to pursue independent projects or explore subjects they personally found interesting.
I chose “male script” as my independent topic—a study of that decorative, gal-style writing culture.
While I was still unraveling Cult Slut’s moral philosophy back in Kujukuri, the graduation exams here had already concluded. After a bit more studying, I’d be sitting for mine within the next few months.
…Given my situation, they were kind enough to grant me some leeway.
Before I knew it, lunchtime had arrived.
”Hey, I heard what happened. Dora’s been giving you a hard time, right? You okay?”
”You hear fast,” I said.
”Well, he’s been bragging about it nonstop all morning. Even the moles underground probably know by now.”
I was eating beside Tokumasa, the boy who looked like he’d suit a straw hat perfectly. He smiled, half amused, half exasperated.
”I wouldn’t say I’m fine, but at least now I understand how this school does its bullying. Honestly, I could take more of it.”
”Wow, tougher than you look,” he said, laughing.
”No, really. Doesn’t bother me at all.”
”Then that’s good.”
No, truly—it was fine.
I glanced toward Tokumasa’s two bodyguards. They shared his sun-kissed skin, slim builds, and a kind of wild, endearing beauty. Their ears were a bit large and tapered… elves?
No, there were no other races in this world. Their features weren’t that exaggerated—just mysterious. Maybe women from his hometown all looked like that. I couldn’t help wondering.
I half-hoped Tokumasa might sic someone on me, too. But no, he wasn’t that kind of person.
”By the way,” he said, “are you joining the mysticism class this weekend?”
”Oh, I’m interested, but I haven’t decided yet. What’s it actually like?”
I asked him honestly. It was best to hear from someone with firsthand experience.
Every Saturday, the school held a full-day practical class on mysticism.
Mysticism—now that I thought about it—was the field devoted to studying this world’s dungeons. I’d been avoiding it out of sheer laziness, but since I’d transferred here, I couldn’t keep dodging it forever.
”I don’t know much about it,” I admitted. “What do you actually do there?”
Tokumasa’s face lit up as he explained, clearly delighted to share.
”So, you know what a dungeon is, right?”
”Well, I have a rough idea…”
”Of course! You’re a boy, after all.”
He said it kindly, as if to reassure me—like saying don’t worry, it’s normal not to know scary stuff when you’re a girl.
Still, I wondered if the dungeons here were really the same as the ones I’d heard about—labyrinths filled with terrifying monsters, but also ancient treasures.
Turns out, that wasn’t far off.
”Your Imperial Guard has an exploration squad too, right?”
”Yeah, four members.”
”Right. You and your girls go into a nearby beginner-level dungeon together. It’s completely safe—kind of like a guided expedition. It’s actually pretty fun!”
”Really? Doesn’t sound dangerous?”
Apparently, every weekend, upperclassmen headed out to a dungeon near Ichihara for outdoor training. But of course, no one would ever risk a boy’s safety. The dungeon interiors were fully reinforced—paved tunnels where mystical resources were harvested regularly. It was practically a farm.
After graduation, men were forbidden from entering dungeons at all, so this was more of a field trip to observe the work women did there. Like a workplace visit—just to understand their labor.
”It’s not scary at all,” he said. “Honestly, it’s almost disappointing. Once you graduate, you won’t get to go again—it’s a shame. Think of it like a little excursion, and it’s perfect.”
”Really? I always imagined it’d be more dangerous.”
Tokumasa laughed.
A field trip, huh.
Going on a picnic with four big-sister types didn’t sound half bad.
Outdoor group fun—well, that was still just a dream.
”There’s no danger,” he went on, “but plenty of strange stuff. For example… don’t expect raindrops to fall straight to the ground.”
”What? Like zero gravity? That sounds kind of creepy.”
”Ah-ah, no spoilers! But yeah, a cleared dungeon’s like a chestnut without its shell—safe, but still weird. I’m addicted to those places. You’d laugh if I told you it’s my dream to explore my hometown’s dungeon someday?”
”I wouldn’t laugh,” I said. “But everyone else might worry about you.”
Right on cue, the two Imperial Guards behind him turned pale.
From what I gathered, he was a serious mysticism enthusiast. He’d spent his school years obsessing over dungeons instead of tea parties, and even now, his interests leaned entirely that way. Because of that, he had few friends and rarely attended social events—his standing at school was middling at best.
But he didn’t care. When it came to marriage, he only wanted a partner who’d let him have time for his hobbies.
Of course, plenty of other students were interested in mysticism too—it directly affected a man’s rank, after all. The more wealth and tax revenue his Imperial Guards earned from dungeon work, the greater his influence.
Still, men’s fascination with mystical objects tended to be shallow—about how much value they could add when worn, not where they came from. Like someone who loves jewels but couldn’t care less about the miners who dig them up.
”Hmmm…”
Apparently, he’d spent a long time searching for someone who shared his passion—most people found him annoying. And now, he’d finally found me.
It seemed he’d really taken a liking to me—for showing interest in some worthless, fungus-covered metal.
Well, fine. Still, it felt like being singled out by a gadget geek. His speech had picked up a nerdy rhythm, words tumbling out faster and faster.
”So anyway, the dungeon in Tateyama produces lots of edible plant-type mystical objects. My senior keeps feeding me greens soba every day because of it, and honestly, I’m sick of it already—hey, are you listening?”
”Of course. Though I’m more jealous about the soba than the dungeon. Anyway, I’d like to join you one day, but first I have to complete the Oath of Fealty Ritual.”
”Oh, right! You haven’t done that yet, huh? Then no off-campus expeditions for you!”
Exactly.
Related to that, my Imperial Guard wasn’t complete yet—still one evolution short of their final form.
And that wasn’t a metaphor. The active division, the Exploration Squad, had to perform a kind of ritual—one that made them abandon their human selves.
Only after that would they be recognized as full-fledged explorers, allowed to enter dungeons in the outer regions. Local ones didn’t count.
The Oath of Fealty Ritual was when I, the master, awakened the dormant power within my guards and bound their loyalty anew. A sort of divine initiation—like a priestess delivering an oracle.
Whatever the case, it was something only a man could perform.
Once completed, the woman’s physical ability would soar, and she’d gain what was effectively a “skill.”
Yes—an actual skill, like in an RPG. When I first heard about it, I thought it was nonsense. But no—it was real.
The things that made this world feel like a game to me were the gendered rules of chastity, the dungeons and mystical objects, and these strange “skills.”
I hadn’t believed it at first, but if it existed, there was no point denying it.
Even on Earth, half the so-called laws of physics didn’t make sense. To this day I can’t wrap my head around magnets—objects that move without being touched. Some things just aren’t worth overthinking.
I looked at Tokumasa’s white gloves. Those were proof that he’d already completed the Oath of Fealty Ritual. All my classmates had.
Well… I’ll get around to it. Eventually.
If not for my search for Maggot’s medical treatment method, I’d have taken my time and done it back home.
”Besides,” I said lightly, “there’s another hole I’d rather conquer first.”
”Whoa, really? You’ve already got a dungeon in mind? What’s its size? Type? What kind of mystical objects does it produce? Is it near Kujukuri?”
”Sorry—forget it. That was a terrible joke. But maybe I should talk it over with my Imperial Guard, since you’re so enthusiastic.”
”Heh, keeping secrets, huh? Fair enough.”
He shrugged, smiling. Seeing how genuinely he loved dungeons was oddly endearing. He glanced at me, half-jealous, half-delighted.
”Compared to you, I’ve got nothing going on…”
”I don’t know about that,” I said. “But when I finally get to join, it’ll probably be fun. You can tell me all about it then.”
”Deal! I’ll hold you to that!”
Even when my replies turned half-hearted, Tokumasa’s dungeon talk didn’t slow down. I was sure now—he had no ulterior motives. He didn’t want to drag me into danger or anything.
Just two students chatting—one obsessed with mysticism, the other with health and physical education. Not exactly the kind of thing that earned high marks here at school.
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed his bodyguards exchanging looks—half apologetic, half amused. But no, they weren’t embarrassed; they were happy to see their master so lively.
Actually, even my own guards seemed restless, like they were enjoying the atmosphere.
That warm, almost indulgent feeling… Maybe watching two boys get along was their version of eye candy.
Like how girls might enjoy eavesdropping on their princess friends chatting nearby.
”Oh, right,” I said, cutting in. “I still haven’t returned the favor for the mushroom earrings. Sorry, I haven’t had time to prepare anything.”
He waved his hands quickly. “Hey, no rush! The great Mushroom Wall’s gratitude can wait. I’ll just look forward to it, okay? Sorry, I get carried away when I talk about this stuff.”
And just like that, he talked through the entire lunch break. Still, I didn’t mind. It felt nice having someone I could talk to freely again. Though losing eating time was a bit of a problem—after all, school lunch wasn’t ration food!
Then came the afternoon.
The afternoon lesson included physical exercise.
”Look, he’s two laps behind already.”
”Pathetic. Should’ve just skipped class.”
”Man, that’s sad.”
”Is he racing a snail or something?”
”He hasn’t moved since I last looked.”
”Those legs are made of breadsticks!”
Damn it.
We were running middle-distance laps in the schoolyard, and my classmates were tearing into me mercilessly.
Today was endurance day—pure torture in gym clothes, circling the track over and over.
”Let’s call him ‘Melos the Walker!’”
”Hah! The guy who never makes it in time! Selinuntius would get executed waiting for him!”
Naturally, I was dead last. The fifth- and sixth-year classes were combined, and even the younger kids were beating me.
As the weak transfer student, I was easy prey. The ones who’d already finished their laps had nothing better to do than jeer.
It was a full-blown insult festival. Boys in this world were basically gossiping girls—thrilled to mock anyone slower than them.
But I could take it. I was an adult. I wouldn’t lose my temper over grade-school insults. Just background noise.
Of course, the loudest hecklers were Dora and his gang.
”Hey, come on, guys,” one of them said mockingly. “Leave him alone. He’s probably just off his game—new kid and all.”
”Ha! Says the one who made him lose his game!”
”Maybe next time he’ll run even slower. He might just stop altogether!”
”Hahahaha!”
You bastards…!
But sorry, your plan’s going to fail. Because I just remembered something: when I get home and open that dresser drawer, there’ll be that secretary-type beauty waiting for me—ready to do whatever I want.
With that in mind, I could push through anything.
”Hah… hah… Guess you just gave strength to your enemy!” I gasped.
I tried to pick up my pace—
”…Wait, no. That’s not good!”
Oh no. Just picturing it had made me too energized.
I couldn’t run straight anymore.
”Hey, he sat down! Is he crying?”
”Maybe his stomach gave out! Ha-ha-ha!”
”Look, it’s the potato maggot from Kujukuri!”
Damn them. They were saying whatever they pleased, taking their hometown rivalry out on me. And the worst part was, I had no comeback for such childish mockery.
Notes:
• Dora – Antagonistic, older-looking male student with short hair, from an unnamed rural town.
• Yukari – Dora’s imperial guard, the one who hide in MC’s wardrobe. Twintail.
• Tokumasa – Friendly male student from Nokogiriyama, Tateyama Town. Sun-darkened skin, approachable.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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