Combat class.
The teacher stood with arms crossed and asked the class, "What's the most important thing for survival in battle? Yunyun?"
"Companions! Mutual support increases survival rate!"
A great answer—Zunzun gave it full marks in his heart.
The teacher frowned. "Wrong. Megumin?"
"Firepower! Blow everything up with explosion magic!"
The teacher nodded sagely. "Wrong again."
Then he turned to Zunzun. "You, the Crimson Demon among Crimson Demons—surely you know."
Zunzun answered with confidence: "It's the lines you say before battle. Like 'I'll confess when I come back'—certain death. Or if the enemy says, 'You're the challenger, I'll only use one hand'—also certain death."
"Full marks!" the teacher beamed. "Come get your skill point potion after class."
Zunzun had studied the famous book Lines That Won't Get You Killed, after all.
"Now, everyone pair up and practice your pre-battle lines!"
Zunzun partnered with Arue. She was his favorite to team up with recently. Unlike Megumin or Yunyun, she got it. A quick cue and she'd dive into the bit flawlessly.
He tilted his head arrogantly, looked up at her, and said:
"You're next, Arue."
"Damn it, Zunzun!" she snarled, approaching him slowly.
"Oh~ You still stand even after your allies fell? You didn't flee—so they must've warned you about me… like students scribbling the final answer before the bell."
Arue cracked her knuckles. "I need to get close to punch you."
"Then come closer."
The two stepped toward each other until barely thirty centimeters apart.
Their auras clashed.
Then—
"Ora ora ora ora!"
"Muda muda muda muda!"
They punched each other wildly.
Across the field, Funifura gawked. "Weren't they just supposed to say lines?!"
Dodonka nodded gravely. "They must be fated rivals. They couldn't help themselves."
"There's no such fate among classmates!" Kaikai snapped. "Stop fighting! Stop!"
Of course, they ignored him.
Zunzun held back—his full strength could one-shot a mid-tier demon. But Arue couldn't last long. Soon, she collapsed.
Zunzun taunted, "Heh, is that all? Show me more."
"I lost… Gu, kill me…"
"...?"
"Huh? Isn't that what the book said?"
"No, that's a female knight line."
"Oh… then how about: 'I lost… do what you want with me.'"
She turned her face away again.
Zunzun sweatdropped. She was just reading lines. It wasn't like that.
He helped her up and muttered, "Next time I'll say 'I'm not human anymore' first."
Meanwhile, Megumin and Yunyun also started fighting during their practice. But unlike Zunzun and Arue, they wanted to hit each other.
Yunyun kicked Megumin to avoid being grappled.
But—"Meow!"
From Megumin's shirt, a small sound rang out.
Yunyun froze. "Chomusuke? Why is your cat there!?"
Megumin smirked. "What now? Attack me and hurt your precious companion?"
"…Despicable."
"If it were me, I'd blast my companions with explosion magic. Come on, try to hit me."
"…Villain!" Yunyun cried.
Of course, she couldn't attack.
Everyone around nodded solemnly. Megumin really was the worst.
-End Chapter-
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