That afternoon, Kazuma turned in the final test paper of the mock exam and stretched with a groan.
While collecting papers for the teacher, the class rep asked offhandedly, "How did it feel?"
"Horrible. I'm probably looking at a C rating this time," Kazuma replied with a helpless shrug, paying no attention to the glance Yamada Yōichi shot his way.
Thanks to some last-minute cramming, Kazuma felt like he'd done okay in Japanese literature.
For a few questions, he even managed to use tricks he'd learned back in his previous life when tackling language arts tests.
But history… was a disaster. He'd been winging it on half the questions, relying on vague memories from playing Koei games like Nobunaga's Ambition, Taikō Risshiden, and Nioh.
And of course, some bits from taiga dramas.
World history had gone slightly better. The questions this time happened to fall within the range of topics Kazuma knew—especially the section on French history between the storming of the Bastille and the Battle of Waterloo. That was right in his wheelhouse.
All because he loved playing Total War: Napoleon.
Outside of that era, though, his knowledge of European history only went back as far as the 1066 Battle of Stamford Bridge—because that was the starting point of Crusader Kings II, which he'd adored in his previous life. That game had sparked his interest in that particular slice of history.
As the saying goes: "Interest is the best teacher."
Unfortunately, games alone weren't enough to make up for Kazuma's poor memory for historical details. So history might've ended up even worse than Japanese.
The class rep didn't look surprised. "After studying with you in person, I figured you'd probably land a C. The key this time is seeing how well you scored in math and English—your strong subjects. If the mock exam organizers suggest adjusting your target schools based on your scores, then there's still hope."
In these kinds of mock exams, you didn't just get a "pass likelihood rating" based on your declared target school. Depending on your performance, the organizers might also recommend adjusting your targets.
But not everyone received those recommendations.
For one, if they handed out too many and students failed after following them, it would hurt the organizers' credibility.
And frankly, for many students, no amount of target adjusting would help. Japan wasn't like modern China with expanded university admissions—here, getting into a "real" university was genuinely tough.
"But that's not what you told me before the test," Kazuma said, raising an eyebrow.
"That was to keep up your morale. We'll know for sure next week. For now… you've finished the exam. Relax a little. No study session today. And don't you have to show up at the kendo club?"
Kazuma nodded. "Yeah, gotta make an appearance. We've got a practice match the day after tomorrow. I'm confident about winning the anchor match, but in team matches, it's not like I can carry the whole team alone."
He still wanted to experience the national tournament—might run into strong opponents and gain some valuable experience points.
And if he didn't make it into Todai… well, he'd have to rely on martial skill to protect the girls. So he needed to keep both options sharp.
Plus, from his past life's experience prepping for college entrance exams, grinding nonstop wasn't as effective as pacing yourself and balancing rest with study.
Didn't some great thinker say that people who don't know how to rest don't know how to work?
Granted, that line had since been twisted into an excuse for slacking off—but the core principle wasn't wrong.
The class rep gave him a small smile. "Then enjoy yourself today. When I get home, I'll make you a new notebook for memorizing history points. You'll be doubling your review load soon."
"Here we go again," Kazuma muttered, scratching his head. Looked like he'd be getting a steady stream of pocket study books from her going forward.
Just then, Yamada Yōichi strolled over. "What's this? Our class star didn't do so well? Did I hear you say 'C rating' just now, or am I imagining things?"
The class rep shot Yamada a glance. "You'd better start thinking about how you're going to explain yourself to your little clique when the scores come out. You guys talk so loud that the whole class knows you've been bragging about being a shoo-in for first place."
"You—! Hmph. We'll see." Yamada glared at Kazuma again, muttering under his breath, "Riding on girls' coattails. Pathetic."
Kazuma glanced up at Yamada's head—no BUFFs to be seen—then calmly said, "So if even I, the 'pathetic one,' outscore you in math and English, what does that make you? Pathetic among the pathetic?"
"You—! Hmph! Math was super hard this time—I bet you won't do better than me."
Kazuma couldn't help laughing—genuinely.
Exactly because it was hard, I know I'll beat you. Ever heard of a guy named Ge Jun? He made some of the toughest math exams in my past life. I've tangled with problems way harder than this.
And I held my own with them—well, through their exam papers anyway.
Seeing Kazuma's sudden, inexplicable grin, Yamada visibly shuddered.
With a scowl, he stalked off to rejoin his clique.
The class rep looked curiously at Kazuma. "You seem pretty confident in math this time? The problems really were tough—I wasn't sure of some myself."
Kazuma quoted something his old math teacher used to say before exams: "Difficulty isn't the issue. When the test is hard, it's hard for everyone. That's when you can really pull ahead—every extra question you solve can put you ahead of thousands."
The class rep immediately pointed out a flaw. "Given the number of examinees here, probably not thousands per question."
True enough—Japan was smaller, with fewer students.
Shouldering her bag, she said, "Well then, I'm heading out. Enjoy your kendo."
Kazuma watched her leave, then noticed Mikako waiting just outside the classroom.
Catching his eye, Mikako bounced in cheerfully. "How'd it go?"
"Probably a C rating."
"Thought so…" Mikako sighed.
So even the girls had been expecting a C from him.
No helping it—his Japanese was truly awful.
"Come on, let's go smack some people around at the kendo club to blow off steam," Mikako grinned.
"Hold it—don't make me sound like some delinquent."
"I wasn't! You're the kendo club's acting instructor and coach, aren't you? You've got every right to smack us around during sparring."
Kazuma noticed a few classmates whispering and thought, There goes my reputation again.
Especially since it was Mikako saying it. Given her looks and figure, her words could easily be misinterpreted as… suggestive.
Grabbing Kazuma's hand, Mikako chirped, "Let's go!"
Kazuma thought about it, then let it go. His reputation wasn't great in class anyway. Yamada's clique had been spreading rumors about him nonstop.
One of these days, Kazuma thought, I'll score higher than Yamada on a mock exam—and when that day comes, I'll make sure to humiliate him in front of everyone.
He had no doubt that day wasn't far off.
Even if his Japanese and history were still a complete mess.
That, perhaps, was the confidence of a Lone Dragon.
(End of Chapter)