Chapter 50: France United
Time turns to the following days.
The outdoor class schedule has ended, and soon it's the end of April.
It's exam season.
[After the outdoor class, the students return to their normal school life.]
[With the monthly exams approaching, the school enters exam week, all club activities and part-time jobs are suspended, and everyone is buried in study all day long — even in their dreams, they're reviewing lessons.]
[As the exams draw near, the atmosphere in school grows tense, because Chaldea Academy has a strict credit-based grading system — if your grades are poor, you could be transferred to another class or even expelled.]
[At best, failing grades mean retaking exams, losing vacation and part-time work time, and ruining many plans.]
[You think about your summer pairing plan, your grand ambition to work, earn money, and buy a motorcycle to date girls — you swear you absolutely cannot fall here!]
[April 27th, the day before the monthly exam, Homeroom Teacher Finn takes over the usually unimportant Home Economics period to hold a last-minute review session for the students.]
[During this hectic study period, your class welcomes a new member…]
April 27th
The day before the class-versus-class monthly exam.
At the Britain classroom.
"Screeeech——"
Finn-sensei's nails scrape across the blackboard, making a piercing noise that sends chills down everyone's spine.
The students who were dozing off or staring blankly snap awake in an instant.
Eikou immediately flares up.
"Sensei, please, I'm begging you, can you NOT make that sound! Stop scratching the board with your nails!"
"Of course I can, Eikou-kun, Tristan-kun… as long as you two stop exchanging flirtatious glances during class. Tomorrow is the monthly exam, so focus on reviewing and don't drag the entire class down."
"Sensei, it's Tristan who started talking to me first! I don't want anything to do with him." Eikou hurriedly shifts the blame.
"Everyone, focus! Tomorrow we're not facing an ordinary test, but a full-on battle between classes!"
Finn-sensei declares with fiery determination.
"Furthermore, our opponent isn't just any class — it's France United next door. Britain and France are sworn enemies. We can lose to anyone else, but we absolutely cannot lose to France. Let's claim a glorious victory together!"
"What's France United?" Eikou asks.
"Some classes have too few students and get merged. For example, 'Germany' and 'Austria' — both were absorbed into France."
Eikou thinks to himself, Damn it, this is one dangerous combination, bad news on every level!
"Hmph hmph, now you all understand just how dangerous our opponent is, right… The Holy Maiden Jeanne from France, the Twelve Paladins of Charlemagne, and even Valkyrie warrior maidens from the Norse — none of them are easy to deal with."
Finn-sensei suddenly makes a gallant gesture, as if everything is under control.
"But don't worry, I've found you a powerful and reliable ally, someone with strong convictions who abandoned the darkness to follow the light, coming straight from the France class. Come in!"
The heavy sound of footsteps echoes from the classroom door.
A black knightly figure slowly steps into the room.
Clad in an ominous, pitch-black full suit of knight armor, wearing claw-like gauntlets sharp as a beast's talons, the figure is armed from head to toe, only the blood-red gleam in their eyes visible through the helmet slit radiating a murderous aura.
Compared to the students in class, this person seems like they belong in a different world entirely.
"Arrrrrrthur!"
It's none other than Lancelot in his Berserker Spirit Origin!
"Introducing your new classmate — give a big round of applause, everyone."
"Sir Lancelot!" Gawain exclaims in surprise. "Isn't he French? Shouldn't he be transferring to the France class instead?"
Finn-sensei chuckles lightly: "Haha, how could that be? Obviously, he belongs to Britain's class."
Eikou instantly reacts: "Wait a sec! Dual class?!"
"How can you call it dual class…"
Finn puts on a serious face to explain:
"It's called a flexible class! In the France class, he's French, but when he's with Britain, he's a glorious Round Table Knight! I believe both classes are equally important in shaping who he is today — no competition, no superiority of one over the other!"
"???"
"Exams have no borders — no discrimination by age, gender, race, or culture — anyone can participate. This is the simplest way to promote inter-class connections while fostering cultural exchange."
"Wow, now you're preaching harmony, but just a moment ago you were trying to stir up inter-class rivalry! Damn Homeroom Teacher!"
Eikou curses in frustration.
"Hahahaha! With Lancelot's support, our class is like a tiger growing wings!"
Finn completely ignores Eikou's protests, continuing on his own.
"But it seems you're still not fired up enough, so let me sweeten the deal! If anyone manages to claim victory in the upcoming inter-class battle during the monthly exam…
I will grant them the ultimate honor — becoming a member of the Fiona Knights!"
"..."
The entire class falls silent.
That's not even an incentive — that's a rotten carrot.
Far from boosting morale, this is killing it completely!
Eikou thinks to himself: I actually wanted to win at first, but if that's the prize, forget it. I'll just play the loser's role instead.
Besides, he knows full well that it's impossible for him to take first place. Even with a bunch of flashy skills, he still lacks the most crucial thing — a Servant's Noble Phantasm. How could he possibly hope to become the ultimate victor?
"By the way, I'll also request the school to organize this year's field trip in Hawaii." Finn adds.
"OOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHH!!! Summer Event! Swimsuitttttt!"
The class instantly erupts in cheers of excitement.
"See? The so-called bonus reward is always the real prize!"
At that moment, Eikou's phone vibrates inside his desk.
Taking advantage of Finn-sensei's distraction, he sneaks a glance at the message — it's from Morgan.
Her again? There are only a few days left until the date… can't she hold back a little?
Still, Eikou opens the message — then freezes completely. Panicked, he shoves his phone back into the desk drawer, terrified someone might see the contents.
It's a selfie of Morgan wearing the "Dangerous Beast" outfit!
"I heard your midterms are coming. Do your best, and may you achieve a glorious victory."
"If you get first place, I'll wear this underneath on our date."
This… THIS is the ultimate prize for the victor!
Seriously though, Morgan-san… sending me a picture like this… how am I supposed to focus on studying now? You're clearly trying to drain my willpower!