Final Evaluation Joint Practical Training. It was a graded event in the form of a dungeon raid, conducted simultaneously by all first-year students.
Of course, it was a graded event only for the protagonist, Sierra. For me, however, it was not a graded event, but a crucial event for conquering Chris.
'Finally, this day has come….'
For reference, using this event to conquer Chris is not knowledge from the original work. After all, the joint practical training is just a mini-event for Sierra's dungeon exploration and spec-up.
However, in the last 4th playthrough. In that playthrough where I was conquering Chris. I learned that I could definitely conquer Chris with this event. …Of course, I ended up being betrayed.
'But then, isn't it not a definite conquest…?' For a moment, I doubted my decision. But I soon shook my head.
Let's not get distracted by unnecessary thoughts before an important moment. After all, I endured all those difficult trainings for today.
'It was a close call in the last playthrough.' I recalled that moment in the 4th playthrough. A grinding sound.
And then, the moment I realized Chris had even betrayed me also came to mind. Naturally, my molars clenched.
"Emil?" At that moment. Chris, who was beside me, noticed my change and called out to me.
"Are you okay? You don't look good…." "Huh? Oh, it's nothing."
Currently, she and I were heading to the training ground we usually used. The joint practical training was starting in a few days. This was to prepare for it.
"There are so many…." As they approached the training ground, Chris muttered. Many. Just as she said, there were a lot of people in the training ground. It was a place usually only used by Chris and me. But since the joint practical training, which tested combat abilities, was just around the corner, many students had come to the training ground.
And there. Were also the two people who would be with us in this joint practical training.
"Ah, they're here." "..."
Sierra, who spotted Chris and me, smiled and waved at us. And the other person next to Sierra. Edric.
'As expected, I'm going with you for this practical training too, just like last time.' Edric was staring at me intently with an expressionless face that revealed no emotions.
O O O
In the past, during the 4th playthrough. My relationship with Edric wasn't too bad until the joint practical training. It was the same with Malcolm. As long as I didn't become romantically involved with the heroines, they still showed me a favorable image.
'Emil, right? Let's do well in this practical training.' Of course, until the 4th playthrough, I had suffered a lot at the hands of those male protagonists. So, while smiling, I was wary of him internally.
But I didn't give up hope until the end. The result.
'Ugh, h-hmph…! Haa…, ugh…!' Creak, creak, creak. '....'
That guy trapped me. Barely surviving, I faced reality in front of his room.
With that same guy, I was assigned to the same team for this 6th playthrough's joint practical training.
"Then let's decide the formation like this." Edric said so as he folded the map provided by the academy.
"Emil, no problem, right?" And he spoke to me with a faint smile.
"Yeah, I don't mind." I smiled back at Edric and nodded.
'What should I do?' It was the same with Malcolm, but I also held a grudge against Edric. So, even if not exactly the same, I intended to make him pay for his sins to some extent.
Of course, Edric in this 6th playthrough hadn't done anything to me yet.
'Judging by the atmosphere, it seems it's only a matter of time before he does something to me.' Edric was clearly smiling. But a strong sense of wariness emanated from him.
This was unmistakable, as I had felt the same from Malcolm when he was with Mari recently. I don't know why, but Edric was already aware of the relationship between Chris and me. His change, which only began when I became Chris's lover in the 4th playthrough, was already underway.
"Still, our team is strong with Chris! Hehehe, right? Emil." At that moment, Sierra, who was listening to the strategy with us, spoke to me with a bright smile.
I looked at Sierra and replied a little brusquely. "It's not just Chris. I've been training quite hard too."
"Aw~, it's a known fact that Emil is weak, but you're still bluffing." At my words, Sierra laughed playfully and teased me.
'Should I have gone with someone else instead of her?' The reason Sierra was on the same team as me was because I had suggested it to her. The day after I talked to Chris about doing the joint practical training together. After the announcement of the joint practical training, we both decided to find one more team member each. Chris naturally chose Edric. That was the same as in the previous 4th playthrough. However, in my case. Since I didn't have anyone I could bring. I only had two choices. Should I ask Mari, whose current state was precarious? Or should I ask Sierra? Naturally, my choice had to be Sierra. Because entrusting my back to Mari in a dark dungeon was too worrying.
The result. "Hehehe, if you're scared, you can hide behind your noona, you know?" "..."
This time, too, I somehow ended up entangled with Sierra.
"Th-the meeting is over now, isn't it?" At that moment, Chris, who was next to me, pulled me tightly and said that.
"Huh? Is it?" "Uh…."
Sierra spoke, slightly surprised, and Edric replied quietly with a slightly displeased expression.
"Then let's disperse soon. It wouldn't make much sense to try to do anything from now on anyway." Chris quietly held onto my clothes under the wooden table and spoke to the two.
"Shall we then?" "..."
The two agreed to Chris's words, showing different reactions.
"Um…, could I have a moment? Emil." As everyone was preparing to return. Chris, who had been holding my sleeve, carefully spoke to me.
"Oh? Aren't you two going back?" At that moment, Sierra, who had finished packing her things, looked at us and asked.
"Ah…. Training. Today's training hasn't happened yet." I instinctively lied in response. There was no training today. We had decided to rest for a while in preparation for the joint practical training in a few days.
"Is that so? Then I'll see you tomorrow." Fortunately, Sierra nodded without much doubt and returned to the dormitory alone. Edric watched us for a moment before quietly following behind Sierra.
"...What's wrong?" "..."
Once only the two of us were left, I asked Chris. Only then did she release my sleeve.
"Uhm…. Well…." "Hm?" Chris hesitated, reluctant to speak. As if embarrassed, she tightly gripped her arm and fumbled with her words.
'Oh…?' I had seen this kind of appearance before. 'No way…. Now…?' A confession. Yes, Chris was hesitating to speak, like a girl right before a confession.
Gulp.
"Th-this dungeon practical training…." "Ah." Fortunately, it wasn't that.
'Well…. The event hasn't even finished yet, so that makes sense.' Was I too focused on my goal? I got ahead of myself over something trivial.
"Yeah, why the practical training?"
"…You know too. When I go into a dungeon…. So…." "Ah…." I roughly understood what Chris wanted to say. She falls into a panic due to trauma when she enters a dungeon.
"Sierra said she relied on me just now…. But in reality, it feels like I'll just be a burden instead…." "It's certainly a bit difficult." Though that was what I wanted in the first place. It seemed Chris was bothered by her own problem.
"What should I do…? You went to the trouble of suggesting it…." She looked unusually dejected and intimidated, unlike her usual self. As her conquest progressed recently, much of her previous sharpness had disappeared. Even so, it was an unexpected sight.
"Don't worry about anything." "..." I replied to Chris with a smile. Then Chris's eyes widened slightly as she stared at me.
"You're not going in alone this time, are you? So it'll be better than before." "...Will it really be?" "Of course, I'll try my best to keep an eye on you." "..." At my words, Chris's uneasy expression disappeared, and she lowered her head as if nervous.
"Okay…. Then I'll rely on you a little." And then, tightly, she grabbed my sleeve again and said that.
'It's I who should be asking for a favor.' I thought to myself as I looked at Chris. From my perspective, her panic was actually indispensable.
"Then, since we're done, shall we go back now?" "..." Afterward, I tried to return to the dormitory with her.
But then. Squeeze….
'Huh?' Chris's hand, holding my sleeve, gripped it even tighter. Chris, who had just moments ago shyly lowered her head in a warm atmosphere. Now looked at me with the sharp demeanor I had often seen before.
"Um, that's one thing, but." "U-huh?" "...About Sierra. ...Why did you specifically choose her?" "..." It seemed this was the main point. Before, she would have hesitated to ask such a question. But now, Chris was unhesitating.
"Haha…. It's just, well…." "..." It was proof that her conquest was progressing well, but it was still scary. I subtly avoided Chris's sharp gaze.
"B-because I don't have friends. That's why." "..." When I gave a suitable answer, Chris's grip finally loosened from my sleeve.
"Really…?" And then her sharp demeanor faded, and she asked again like a shy girl.
'It's the same with Mari, and now her too…. Why do they all pick on Sierra?' Of course, as the conquest progressed, both of them would develop feelings for me, so I considered jealousy natural. But it felt a little unfair. It wasn't like I particularly wanted to get involved with Sierra.
Still, fortunately, Chris. Accepted my words about not having friends.
O O O
Time passed, and the day of the awaited event arrived. Final Evaluation Joint Practical Training. For it, countless students gathered at the site, equipped with gear provided by the academy.
"…━To explain again, if there is danger, you can break your bracelet as before. So don't be too nervous and make mistakes…." We gathered with our respective team members and listened to the professor's voice explaining the precautions and rules.
Meanwhile, I was conscious of Chris and Edric standing beside me. 'Finally, today….' Once today ends, Chris's conquest will also be concluded for now. And my own revenge against Edric will also be finished.
With the result of the long, long second conquest before my eyes, I clenched my fists. My heart began to pound with anticipation rather than nervousness.
And so. "Then, we will now enter in the designated order━!!" The dungeon-raid type joint practical training began.
"Alright! Let's aim for a good score!" Our team also entered the dungeon according to the order, accompanied by Sierra's energetic cheer.
And a moment later. While conducting the practical training inside the dungeon. "U-ugh…." Edric ended up wetting his pants. In front of Chris and Sierra. And me.