It was Monday, marking the end of our fun dungeon weekend.

"Today’s finally the big class reshuffle, eh. It’s going to be a thrilling day full of bitter goodbyes and exciting new beginnings."

"A thrilling day?"

During our usual morning walk to school, I pumped my fist with excitement, but Hannah just popped a giant question mark over her head, completely lost.

Come to think of it, Hannah’s Alchemy Department only has one class. A "class reshuffle" wasn't even in her dictionary.

"Yeah, you know? It's sad because friends you’ve shared a class with might get moved, but it's also exciting because you get to meet new classmates and make new friends. It's like the day where parting and encounters entwined. Look around. See how fidgety everyone is?"

"Oh, you're right!"

"Well, it's also true they might be sweating bullets over which class tier they're going to end up in."

This Labyrinth Academy operates on strict meritocracy.

The higher your skill, the lower your class number, ensuring your curriculum matches your abilities.

Normally, this reshuffle only happens once a year when students move up a grade. But thanks to a slew of recent reforms, a mid-year reshuffle was implemented for October, leaving the student body on a pin cushion.

"But most of the seniors appear to be calm. It's only the freshmen looking students who're more nervous, or that's how I feel."

"You have quite discerning eyes, Hannah."

Her observation was half right.

"The whole reason for this reshuffle is the newly introduced «Job Change System» which was primarily utilized by the upperclassmen. The ones who successfully changed into high-ranking Jobs have been pulled out of their current grades to start fresh in the 'New Grade'. In other words, there is now a vacuum among the rankers, and that's an opportunity for low-rankers to move up."

"Huh? Ah, but that means their skills have improved, right?"

"You're right. They're just sliding into the spots vacated by the people above them. But for the lower-classmen, it's still cause for celebration."

"So such things can happen, huh~?"

Hannah didn't quite seem to grasp why getting bumped up by default was something to be happy about.

Fair enough. Even if their class number improved, their relative standing from a broader perspective hadn't changed a bit. It was just a minor boost to confidence. And the proof was---

"Well, it's also a coping mechanism; if they didn't look at it that way, they'd go crazy. Take another look around. Do those upperclassmen really look chill to you?"

"? Ummm—ah. They aren't calm... they're depressed?"

Bingo.

These seniors, who looked calm on the surface as they daydreamed about which class they might get promoted to, were actually the ones who failed to land a high-ranking Job through the Job Change System.

Yep. They're simply trying to escape into fantasy. Stay strong, everyone!

Chatting about these trivial things, Hannah and I soon reached our usual fork in the road.

"Catch you later, Hannah! Things might not change much for you, but do your best out there!"

"Yeah! Do your best with your class placement too, Zephyr!"

"I will."

Though the moment to work my best has already gone past me... I thought, but put up a thumbs up in response to Hannah's support.

After splitting off from Hannah, I headed toward School Building No.3 of «Combat Department». Along the way, I ran into our newest guild members by pure coincidence.

"Ah! If it's not Zephyr!"

"Good morning, Zephyr-san! Running into you first thing in the morning means today will be a wonderful day!"

"Thanks to your guidance, my new Job fits like a glove! As the fellow guildmates starting onward, please keep guiding me!"

They're «Dogkin» Faumina, «Marquis» Katalina, «Knight» Rosetta. Rina's three best friend.

Since their guild interviews, we’d met up a few times under the guise of study sessions. I’d taught them the basics of «Dungeon Activity»—namely, the "Sli-po Marathon"—to help them familiarise in their new Jobs.

Mhm, mhm. Looks like they took their homework seriously. Thanks to the marathon, all of them had already hit Level 6.

I had been worried they might fumble their precious opportunity, and so I had made sure to drill the fundamentals of «Training Manual» into them.

That said, this coincidence encounter didn't just end with them.

"Ah, Zephyr-kun. Good morning~."

"Hm? Oh, Sharon. Good Morning!"

The next one to call out was Sharon, the newly promoted «Princess of Castle». A complete 180 from her previously deflated, depressed state, she was back to her bright, energetic self after I had cheered her up.

After all, there was no second to facing the «Dungeon Activity» with a smile on the face. She held her hand out, so I instinctively met it with a high-five.

"Yaaaay!"

"Yaaaay!"

Seeing this, the other three girls immediately clamored for one too, so I went down the line giving out high-fives.

"O-O-O-Oh goodness! I have made direct physical contact with Zephyrus-san's hand! Is this allowed?!"

"What are you talking about?! Calm down, Katarina. It's just a normal greeting. It's not against the law!"

"I know, but let me have my moment of excitement! I'm so happy."

"You guys sure are full of energy for a class reshuffle day."

None of them looked anxious in the slightest. Does this mean they're confident in their test scores? I wonder how the other new members are doing?

Just as that thought crossed my mind, I noticed one more hand waiting for a high-five.

"I am present as well, Zephyr-san."

"Whoa! Orihime! Morning! Uh... yay?"

"Good morning, Zephyr-sam."

It seemed Orihime had arrived with Sharon.

She gave me a graceful smile and a morning greeting. I gave her a "yay" just in case, but her response was just a perfectly normal, polite "good morning." Wait, no "high-fave" back?

To add, Sharon and Orihime actually knew each other from before. After both of them changed jobs and secured spots in Eden, they supposedly held four-person study groups alongside Mert and Reglam, becoming fast friends in the process.

As I walked with this newly formed five-person squad, my «Intutition» skill suddenly flared up. Oddly enough, my «Super Reflex» skill remained dead silent. A split second later, a small impact hit my waist.

"Bam! Your beloved Elisa-chan has arrived! You're looking mighty fine today as well, Master!"

"Whoa there—"

A beat too late, I realized «Nightmare» Elisa had bumped me from behind. Elisa’s desire for physical contact has seriously leveled up lately. Somehow, between the "Master" honorific and her petite frame, I end up letting her get away with everything.

Being the magnanimous guy I am, I welcomed the ambush.

"—Gya?!" 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Suddenly, a shadow loomed over Elisa and delivered a swift hand chop right to the crown of her head.

"Sister, whatever are you doing in a public place? You need to keep your voice down, and cling to him subtly... like this."

"Eeeh!? You, too, are sticking to Master, Fina-chan?! Why did I even get the chop?!"

The shadow was none other than Fina, Elisa's twin sister and our new «Archangel». And for some reason, while Elisa was busy nursing her head with both hands, Fina smoothly slid in and glued herself to my side.

So that's how it was. What terrifying cuteness! She'd made full use of her small stature, and perfectly clung to me.

Any normal guy in the country would melt into a puddle over this. However, with everyone watching, I weathered the storm with a will of steel. Someone praise me, please?

Ever since we went through the task to clear conditions to manifest their "Demon" and "Angel" category, the physical affection from these twins has been steadily escalating. And to be frank, I’m secretly terrified that a day might come when even my will of steel shatters.

"Good morning, Teacher."

"Morning, Fina."

"Hey! Don't leave me out! Good morning, Master! Greet me too, please!"

"Morning, Elisa. The new hair color really suits you."

"E-Ehehe~"

"Hmph."

To match her «Nightmare» Job, Elisa had recently undergone a makeover.

She had dyed her hair a purplish hue and was wearing red contacts, making her look exactly like the demon girl from the «Plushie of Angel and Demon».

In the game, there were salons where you could change your hairstyle, hair color, and eye color later on. Naturally, this world had them too.

When I commented on her dedication to the demon-girl aesthetic, she boasted, "We're identical twins, so it's way easier to tell I'm Elisa this way, right?"

I had to agree, being able to tell them apart at a glance was certainly a help. Before, I couldn't tell who was who from behind at all. The only time I could differentiate was from their expressions. Fina typically had droopy eyes.

Speaking of Fina, she hadn't changed a thing, keeping her natural blonde hair and blue eyes. And surprisingly, she looked exactly like the Angel from the «Plushie of Angel and Demon» by pure coincidence. Coupled with Elisa's new look, they were spitting images of the stuffed toys.

I'm honestly worried that if I show them to Lulu, she might think her plushies spontaneously anthropomorphized and came to life. Wait a minute... maybe I should introduce them like that? I’m dying to see her reaction!

"Anyway, Fina, how long are you going to keep hugging Master! That's a violation! Switch with me already!"

"I refuse. It is unfair that you were the only one who got your hair complimented, Sister."

"Now there, calm down. Senpais."

Maybe because they look young, they act a bit childish too (?).

I'm used to dealing with Lulu, so I just took it in stride, but the other five girls were staring at my back, wondering what on earth was going on.

For the record, these twins are eighteen years old.

"That's enough, you two~ Did you forget the Fan's Code?"

"Eep!"

"!!"

A voice called out from behind us, startling the twins so badly they instantly detached and scurried around to my front.

I turned my head to see who it was. Standing there was Tomoyo, our new shielder. I threw a greeting over my shoulder.

"Heya, morning, Tomoyo."

"!! Ah, y-y-yes! G-Good morning!"

"You don't need to be so tense, you know."

Her reply was incredibly stiff and flustered for someone who'd just put her seniors in their behaviour. Oh wait, they're 'former' seniors now, I guess. Since they'd be attending New Grade, they would be called New 3rd Grade. That would... make them classmates, no? Or would they still be my seniors?

Well, she's older either way, so if I get confused, I'll just call her "Senior" and call it a day. But that aside, I was curious about "Fan's Code"? I often hear it popping up, albeit the details elude me still. I had even tried inquiring about Yumiki-senpai but she didn't utter a single word about it.

Having the twins finally give me some breathing room, I turned to fully face Tomoyo.

She was a tall girl. Armed with both courage and skill, she fully absorbed my "Training Manual" and grew tremendously. Because we chatted quite a bit during my time as a provisional lecturer, I considered her a pretty close acquaintance, if not a friend.

Usually, she's a natural leader who pulls everyone forward with high energy, but she had this habit of freezing up around me. Was it because I am her teacher? I don't remember her being this nervous during class, though.

Wait—I ran my gaze around, and realised belatedly. Every single of our new recruits had come together in a sheer coincidence.

If there was a fate, then it must be it. Intrigued by the situation, I decided to introduce new members to each other as we walked toward the school building.

Amused by the situation, I decided to introduce the new members to each other as we all walked together toward the school buildings.

The No.3 School Building of «Combat Department 1st Year» and recently organised No.4 School Building of «New Combat Department» were close—no, more precisely, they were practically next to each other, connected by a corridor.