Chapter 8: Shinji-kun and Arjuna-sensei Little Noble Phantasm
"This..."
Eikou stares blankly at the problem on the blackboard.
Just now he had been completely focused on figuring out how to fool everyone, and hadn't heard a single word of the lecture.
What now, he really has no idea how to solve this problem!
"…Hey, Eikou?"
Seeing him stay silent for far too long, Finn can't help but urge him again.
Eikou just stands there stiffly, sweat pouring out like he's bathing in it.
Damn it, and in front of so many people too—being called up and then saying he doesn't know how to do it would be unbelievably embarrassing!
He can even clearly feel the judgmental, killing-intent-filled gaze coming from Scathach.
It's over...
His actions just now were already highly suspicious, and now he can't even answer the question. This will probably leave an extremely bad impression in Scathach's eyes.
At worst, this mistake might make Scathach judge that this class fails to meet standards, and she might directly take over the entire class herself.
And Mochizuki Eikou, you will become a sinner of history because of this!
"!"
He sucks in a sharp breath of cold air, his flustered face looking around frantically.
Is there anyone who can help me answer this question? Please, I'll pay 5 QP!
Whoosh!
At this very moment, Artoria Caster, who is sitting at the same desk, quietly raises her hand.
"Sensei,"
She suddenly speaks, her light-green eyes looking straight at the blackboard with a serious expression.
I–is Boar-chan here to save me?!
Eikou's eyes immediately light up with hope.
Could it be that she noticed his awkward situation and deliberately stepped in to help him out?
Thank you, Boar-chan. At a critical moment, you really are the only one I can rely on!
Then let Artoria answer this question. At the very least, they have to leave a good impression in Scathach's eyes.
"Um, sensei…"
Artoria hesitates for a moment.
Then, with a vacant expression, she says a single sentence.
"I don't remember who I am."
What the hell?!
Not only can she not answer the question in class, she can't even remember who she herself is?!
"Umm, my head still hurts a little…"
Artoria raises her hand to rub her head, as if trying to recall what happened not long ago.
"Just now I saw something like a barbell flying over, and then it suddenly exploded… when I woke up, I didn't have any memories left. I just followed the atmosphere and everyone brought me here, but who exactly am I? Why do I have to sit here and attend class?"
So she was nearby at that time too. Tristan, you bastard, you really don't spare even your own King when screwing people over!
It must have been the explosion that caused her to suffer a concussion and temporarily lose her memory.
"An explosion?"
Scathach coldly cuts in with a question.
Wait, don't keep talking about this topic any further. If this gets dug into, it'll be big trouble.
Eikou immediately panics.
Artoria, meanwhile, is still sunk in her own train of thought, trying to remember her name.
"But subconsciously, I vaguely remember a name, Morgan Wild Boar Witch. Could that be my real name?"
What kind of messed-up name is that, and just what kind of random junk is stored in your subconscious anyway?!
Eikou screams internally.
Boar-chan, after class I'll take you to see a doctor. For now, please stop asking philosophical questions like this.
Whoosh—
From behind comes Scathach's sharp gaze.
Eikou's heart sinks.
This is bad. Shishou seems to be getting angrier and angrier.
If this keeps up, this class really is going to head toward a disastrous ending.
"What should we do, Sir Eikou…"
Just at that moment, Gawain, who is sitting at the desk behind, suddenly speaks in a deep voice.
"It seems I've run into a bit of trouble as well…"
"What is it, Gawain?"
Eikou asks anxiously.
"The Open Class textbook—I lent it to Lancelot from the neighboring class last time, and forgot to get it back."
Gawain says miserably.
Eikou glances at what he's holding in his hand.
It should have been the blue-and-white textbook used for this class, but Gawain is instead temporarily holding a copy of Yuki-onna 2 with a similar cover and layout to fool the eye.
"Then Gawain can just make do with Yuki-onna 2 for now. After all, if you don't look closely, it's hard to tell the difference…"
At this point, Eikou suddenly thinks of something, and rubs his head in frustration.
"But Gawain, you're our model student. Later on, Finn-sensei will definitely call on you to answer a question…"
If Gawain doesn't have the textbook and can't keep up with the lecture progress, then he's basically finished.
Looks like they still need to think of a way to get him a new set of textbooks.
Thinking of that, Eikou cautiously glances toward Roland's desk not far away.
"I remember that in the desk drawer where Roland sits, there should be a spare textbook prepared for the Hero King, right?"
"There is one, but it's too far,"
Tristan reminds him softly. "Scathach-sensei is staring right at us."
"Tch…"
Eikou grits his teeth. "No choice then, we'll treat a dead horse as if it were alive. Anyway, my Curse Arts already got a Great Success, it can be used as cover."
[You plan to take advantage of the moment when Scathach and the other teachers are not paying attention, and secretly retrieve the spare textbook from Roland's seat.]
[Please perform an Agility check.]
[Because you previously achieved Curse Arts Great Success, all of your actions are concealed by Curse Arts.]
[No matter what situation occurs, the teachers will by default be unable to notice your actions.]
"Very good, this time it's a sure thing."
Eikou carefully stretches his hand toward Roland's seat.
A die falls.
[Agility check, Great Failure!]
Another Great Failure?
Eikou's heart immediately turns half-cold. He warily glances toward the back, where Scathach is sitting.
Wait, in this situation, with a Great Failure, could it be that the teachers will ignore the effect of Curse Arts and directly see through his actions?
[You fail to steal Roland's spare textbook.]
[But...]
[You slip, and accidentally strip all the clothes off Arjuna Alter sitting next to you. This time, you really leave him without a single scrap of fabric.]
[However, this victim is completely unaware of your actions.]
Bang!!
Eikou can't hold it in anymore and slams his hand hard on the desk.
Damn it, why is it him again?!
"Sasuga Sir Eikou,"
Gawain praises him. "Your clothes-stripping technique on Arjuna-sensei is getting more and more refined. This time you managed to strip off all of his clothes in a single go."
"What's there to praise about that?"
Eikou snaps irritably.
He turns his head to look at Arjuna Alter sitting behind him listening to the lecture.
Although this Lostbelt King has been stripped completely clean, he is still sitting properly and listening attentively, showing no embarrassment whatsoever about his naked state.
"..."
Eikou rubs his forehead, no longer wanting to care about this matter.
"Forget it, just let Arjuna Alter stay like this. He looks quite comfortable anyway."
He waves his hand. "I'll just casually use Curse Arts to cover him up."
"But does your Curse Arts… work on robots?"
Gawain glances behind him, cold sweat suddenly breaking out.
"What do you mean?"
Eikou asks in confusion, frowning.
Then, Eikou and the Knights of the Round Table all widen their eyes in horror.
They see Shinji-kun, who has been sitting silently in his seat this whole time, as if suddenly sensing something, slowly turn his head toward the completely naked Arjuna Alter.
More precisely—
He is looking toward that 'dangling thing' of his.
Shinji-kun, what are you planning to do to Arjuna-sensei?!
...