For Far Moon first-years, the biggest hurdle currently is the "Promotion Exam," which unfolds across the vast Hokkaido!
In the original work, the League Food Halberd between the rebel army led by Soma Yukihira and the "Central Culinary Organization" led by Azami Nakiri took place here.
However, this time, thanks to Hoshino Sora's clever and flexible use of Far Moon's rules, Azami Nakiri's conspiracy was destroyed early on, so there was naturally no mention of a League Food Halberd.
Watching the silent reactions of the people around him, Hoshino Sora said nothing, standing still and lost in thought.
Seeing his lack of movement, the people around him fell silent for a moment before returning to their noisy chatter, though their voices were noticeably softer, as if they didn't want him to notice.
Although Hoshino Sora was very popular at Far Moon now, the people around him were mostly strangers, and he exuded an aura that kept people at a distance, so naturally, no social butterflies came over to greet him.
Seeing this, Hoshino Sora couldn't possibly approach them either. He just stood there, looking around, trying to find someone he knew in the crowd.
"Ohayo, long time no see, Erina, Hisako. How have you been during this time?"
After searching for a long time, pacing back and forth, Hoshino Sora's eyes lit up instantly when he saw a familiar figure in the crowd. He then quickened his pace and rushed over.
He naturally put his arms around their soft waists, one for each, and spoke in a teasing tone.
"What are you doing? There are so many people here, aren't you afraid of being embarrassed?"
Suddenly embraced by the waist, Erina Nakiri trembled all over. She was about to deliver a righteous iron fist to the person who had taken liberties with her, but then she realized it was Hoshino Sora.
The clenched fist ultimately did not fall. Instead, she relaxed her body and leaned into him, though her words carried a hint of helplessness.
She was the Academy's Director, after all, and surrounded by students. For the Ten Elite First Seat to come up and embrace the Director's waist, and even not spare her little secretary next to her...
Sure enough, the surrounding students were all gossiping.
Although they didn't dare to openly gawk, while chatting, their gazes would intentionally or unintentionally drift towards Hoshino Sora and the others, their expressions curious.
"What's there to be afraid of? Just because you're the Director doesn't mean you're not my wife, does it? I think you've forgotten me. Tonight, I'll show you how capable I am. Wash up and wait for me."
Hearing Erina Nakiri's words, Hoshino Sora felt a surge of displeasure. Without hesitation, his arm slowly moved downwards. Because they were facing away from the students, the students couldn't see what he was doing.
This made Hoshino Sora even more brazen. Even though Erina Nakiri and Hisako Arato were blushing and extremely shy, he unreservedly did what he wanted.
However, Hoshino Sora had actually reined himself in. Otherwise, Erina and Hisako might not be able to straighten their backs right now, which would greatly damage the dignity of the Academy Director. He wouldn't do such a thing.
"Don't bully Erina-sama!"
Feeling Hoshino Sora's increasingly excessive actions, Hisako said in a low voice, her cheeks flushed as she twisted her body, seemingly resisting, yet also seemingly actively seeking affection.
After all, if he didn't bully Erina, wouldn't he only be able to bully you, Hisako?
"The promotion exam still has a certain degree of difficulty. Is it really okay for you to be so lax?"
Erina Nakiri said with a red face, swatting away Hoshino Sora's mischievous hand behind her. However, she was just teasing, as if even he couldn't pass the promotion exam, then who could?!
"It's fine. If I don't pass, then Erina and Hisako will support me. I'll just be a pretty boy in your boudoir, living a peaceful life."
Hoshino Sora showed no displeasure at Erina Nakiri's 'distrust.' Instead, he put on an expression that suggested he would cling to them if he failed the assessment.
"By the way, do you know the rules of this assessment?"
Hisako asked curiously.
Hoshino Sora had been out for the past month, so it was naturally impossible for him to have time to learn about the promotion assessment. In fact, it was because she had messaged him that he rushed back today.
"I only know that the location is Hokkaido, and it seems like you change locations after completing each task. If you think about it, doesn't it sound a bit like a school trip?"
Hoshino Sora tilted his head slightly, looking up at the sky, and slowly spoke.
Because it was an anime he had watched many years ago, he only had a vague understanding of many of the plots within it.
Simply put, he could only remember the general plot progression, but not what specifically happened in between, except for some particularly memorable events.
"That's right. The promotion exam to enter the second year is, as per tradition, held in Hokkaido every year.
It's very similar to the Hell Camp, but with one difference, which you also mentioned: you change locations after passing each task. Strictly speaking, if there were no cooking assessments, it would be a school trip.
You probably don't know the route very well, but candidates start from the southern tip and move northward step by step, then pass different trials at various locations, because Far Moon Academy dormitories are distributed throughout Hokkaido."
"So, we're going to push through Hokkaido horizontally?"
Hearing Hisako Arato describe the promotion exam, Hoshino Sora stroked his chin in thought. It seemed it would take longer than he had imagined.
"Some areas will have different routes. The final examination location is an isolated island floating in the north.
This year, without a doubt, the theme will still be Hokkaido ingredients. The specific situation should be similar to previous years. Normally, Hoshino-kun will definitely pass smoothly."
Hisako Arato continued to add, her words filled with confidence in Hoshino Sora.
"It's a pity you didn't come to find me in between, otherwise I could have educated you about Hokkaido's ingredients. You haven't been to Hokkaido yet, have you?"
Erina Nakiri said haughtily, a subtle hint of regret in her voice.
"Sorry, the shop business was too busy. Otherwise, I'd wish I could stick by your side every day."
Hoshino Sora naturally heard the dissatisfaction in Erina's voice. After all, leaving them alone in their boudoir for a month, emptiness, loneliness, and coldness were inevitable. He owed them.
"Hmph, I don't want you to come find us anyway.
We have so much to do every day, we're busy to death. Even if you came, we wouldn't have time to entertain you. In fact, we'd find you a nuisance.
Ultimately, why aren't you doing your duties as Ten Elite First Seat? You've dumped everything on me and just ran off without a word. Isn't that a bit too much?!"
"Uh..."
Hearing Erina Nakiri's increasingly sharp accusations, Hoshino Sora awkwardly turned his head away, adopting a 'not listening, not listening, turtle chanting scriptures' demeanor.
Make him deal with those boring documents?
That would be more painful than killing him!
"I'm really fed up with you. If I weren't your wife, I wouldn't help you do this kind of thing. It's doubled my workload for no reason."
Seeing Hoshino Sora's resigned attitude, Erina Nakiri said helplessly. This guy, really... Forget it, who told him he was her man? She'd just spoil him.
"Thank you, wife! Tonight, tonight I'll definitely make it up to you."
"Hmph, I'll be in charge tonight. I'm a bit annoyed just looking at your face right now."
She subtly tugged at the black stockings on her leg. Her plan for the night had been conceived countless times in her mind: how to make Hoshino Sora submit using her black-stockinged feet, which he loved the most.
"You can step on me however you want then!"
Noticing Erina Nakiri's gaze and her subtle, suggestive finger movements, Hoshino Sora excitedly said, his 'shhh-ha, shhh-ha' sounds quite amusing.
"You truly are a complete pervert! You get excited even when you're stepped on. How did I ever fall for someone like you? I must have been blind!"
Seeing Hoshino Sora's reaction, Erina Nakiri felt satisfied while simultaneously mocking him verbally.
Of course, these weren't her true feelings. It was just that the things she was about to do were too embarrassing, and she needed someone to take the blame.
She couldn't possibly say that she wanted it, which was why she made such a request, could she? Wouldn't that make it seem like she was sexually frustrated?!
Hoshino Sora could naturally sense Erina Nakiri's little secret. Her blushing face and her gaze, not knowing where to look, were simply too easy to read!
"To be honest, I don't quite understand Hokkaido's ingredients. If this continues, I'm afraid it will be difficult to pass this promotion exam. Can I come to your room for tutoring every night from now on?"
Looking at Erina Nakiri's face, Hoshino Sora pretended to be worried, his anxious expression and tentative inquiry immediately captivating her.
"Hmph, you're really useless. In that case, I'll grudgingly make some time to tutor you."
Hearing Hoshino Sora's response, Erina Nakiri said with satisfaction, then spoke in a 'mocking' tone.
Seeing this naturally skilled demeanor, Hoshino Sora suspected that it wasn't Azami Nakiri who had corrupted her at all, but rather that Erina Nakiri's true nature was simply like this.
This little girl.
"Yes, yes, yes, then I'll leave it to Erina-sama. This is truly wonderful. If I didn't have Erina-sama by my side, I truly wouldn't know what to do."
Since the other party liked to play this kind of game, he would play along. This was also an excellent way to deepen their relationship, and he would also get his favorite black-stockinged feet.
Hehe, he was so looking forward to the feeling of Erina Nakiri taking off her shoes, looking at him with disdain, and then stepping her feet, which had been cooped up all day, onto his face.
"Alright, pervert, time's almost up. We should get on the bus."
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