Chapter 2: Naughty Dragon Strike
[There are ten days left until the midterm exams.]
[If anyone fails to score above the grade average, their vacation will be canceled and they will be forced to undergo brutal training in the Land of Shadows.]
"Mochizuki Eikou, you have fallen to the very bottom of the class!"
Finn-sensei held the score sheet full of red marks in his hand, shouting with a pained look,
"You weren't this bad before. In the last practice test you were still tenth in the class—how did you drop to the bottom in just a single month, how could this happen? I am truly disappointed in you. Even Mordred, who just randomly guessed on the multiple-choice questions, scored higher than you!"
"Aiya, I have my own difficulties over here..."
Eikou felt a bit guilty and avoided his gaze.
This past month his mind had been entirely on the Holy Grail War and the mission to save Yu Ji; every day he was either playing Love Sleeping 2 or grinding the mobile game Romance SEikoularity. Where was the time or energy to study?
He had even scribbled answers on this test using High-Speed Divine Words, just to quickly finish and have more time to raise Yu Ji's affection.
Even if he had taken the exam seriously, though he might not have landed at the very bottom, reaching the grade-wide average would still be quite a stretch.
Eikou furrowed his brow in deep seriousness.
This time it was trouble.
The five-day long vacation was absolutely doomed; there was no way he could keep it, he would definitely be dragged off for Scathach-sensei's training!
Suddenly, a crumpled piece of paper was tossed onto his desk.
Eikou followed the direction it came from and saw that it was Mordred sitting to his right.
Mordred wore a carefree grin and gave him a thumbs-up.
"Eikou, we're lifelong kindred spirits!"
[Mordred, who is also a fellow poor student like you, cast you a sympathetic glance.]
[You feel the friendship between the two of you growing stronger...]
[Your Skill 「Lion of Cigarettes C」 has been raised to 「Lion of Cigarettes B」!]
"I don't want to strengthen our bond in a situation like this!"
Eikou complained in frustration.
[Spurred on by this, you decide from today to start studying seriously.]
[You listen attentively to the lessons all day, but discover that you've fallen behind more than half a month, and the current classes are already difficult to keep up with.]
[You find it very hard to understand what the teachers are explaining.]
[Melusine, your desk mate, also often likes to tease you, making it even harder to concentrate.]
[Because of these negative circumstances, even though you study for a whole day, your learning ability hardly improves at all.]
[You try to use 「High-Speed Divine Words」 to solve the questions, but with your severely lacking knowledge base, using this skill is nothing more than writing randomly.]
[And so, time passes until the afternoon...]
...
The clock on the classroom wall slowly ticked toward the end of the afternoon session.
Eikou lay sprawled across his desk, letting out a weary sigh of boredom.
"...Total defeat, I really just want to turn into a cheese bun."
"It's okay. Even if you're a dummy, I still like you," Melusine smiled, patting his head. "Honestly, your silly look is kind of charming."
"Thanks. I hope when Scathach-sensei arrives, she'll say sweet words like that to me too."
After speaking, Eikou turned his head toward the Sun Knight sitting behind him.
"Gawain, could you help me review the material?"
"I'm truly sorry, Sir Eikou..." Gawain shook his head regretfully. "The exam is in a few days and I have to finish the Round Table Club's activity schedule first. If you don't mind, I'll come help you during evening self-study."
"That's fine, I guess..."
"Speaking of which, you're close to all of us, so why haven't you joined the Round Table Club yet?" Gawain asked.
Eikou could only give a bitter smile, thinking to himself: I don't have any time to join club activities, and if I joined the Round Table Club I might get tagged with the trait 「Knights of the Round Table」, making it easy for Morgan to counter me with the Round Table Special Attack effect.
He had no intention of joining any club at all, since he was always pressed for time.
Just then, a die suddenly dropped right in front of him.
[Please perform a Luck check.]
[...]
[Result is B, check successful.]
[Today your luck is very good. The Chaldea Academy has taken note of your current situation. Considering your good cooperative relationship with the academy, they have decided to arrange a special tutoring session for you.]
As soon as this line appeared, Finn-sensei immediately showed up at the classroom door.
"——Eikou-kun, come with me for a bit," Finn said unexpectedly.
"Could it be for tutoring?"
"How did you know?" Finn was a little surprised, then he smiled: "That's right. Pack your bag and follow me."
"Eh, I have to go out with sensei..."
Just as Eikou was packing up to stand, Melusine at the next desk pouted unhappily.
"I wanted you to take me around the school so I could get familiar with the environment."
"Where do you want to go?" he asked casually.
Melusine beamed a sweet smile: "The sports equipment storage, the restroom, the infirmary, the changing room, the grove by the sports field, and even facilities like 'Until You Dry.'"
Why do you want me to take you to those places—those are all spots where strange 'Play' might happen, and that last one isn't even part of the school facilities! Are you still hung up on that love hotel we almost went to last time?!
"Haiya, so it really can't be? Looks like I can only endure the loneliness and wait for my lover to return then. In that case, next I'll wait for you inside your blanket."
The white dragon girl gave a sweet smile.
"My bed is in the boys' dorm—girls aren't allowed to just walk in!" Eikou said helplessly. "Anyway, I'm heading out first."
"Wait, please lower your head a bit," Melusine suddenly said.
"Huh…?"
Eikou didn't really understand, but obediently complied.
He watched the girl's face slowly draw near, her long lashes and beautiful golden eyes right before him, and then…
He felt the soft, sweet, and slightly damp touch of her lips.
Chut!
The dragon girl planted a firm kiss on his cheek.
Caught off guard by the sudden kiss, Eikou's face flushed bright red.
"Y-you, you…" He stammered for a long moment before blurting out, "M-mind your manners a bit!"
"Safe travels," Melusine said with a smiling squint.
Eikou, face burning, grabbed his bag and practically fled the classroom.
This is bad—he absolutely had to find a way to change seats, or sooner or later this adorable naughty dragon would "eat" him alive!