The match between Yukinoshita Yukino and Totsuka Saika rattled the class more than expected—especially those who hadn't bought Gabriel's buff.
One by one, silent and ashamed, they crept over to Gabriel White Tenma, handed over cash, and bought buffs of their own.
Even Yuigahama Yui, Yukino's closest friend, ran over and tossed in a hundred yen without hesitation.
After securing her buff, Yuigahama hurried back to Yukino's side, wearing the gentle smile of someone who clearly felt guilty.
"Yukinon, do you want me to heal you a bit?"
"My healing magic has gotten better lately, you know?"
Yukino stared blankly at her.
Because she saw it.
She saw Yuigahama sprint over to secretly buy a buff the moment her match ended.
That only made her more frustrated.
Everyone bought buffs.
Everyone took shortcuts.
Only she refused—
And then she got pummeled into the ground for it.
Was she wrong?
The thought echoed bitterly.
If she had strength—real strength—she wouldn't need buffs or shortcuts.
She could stand above such things.
She'd thought she had principle.
But perhaps she only had arrogance without power.
Yukino lowered her gaze, reviewing her past choices, her ideals, her words.
They suddenly felt naive.
She preached fairness, preached ethics—
without the strength to back it.
In that moment, she realized she truly had been naive.
...
Yuigahama grew anxious when Yukino remained silent, lost in thought.
"H-Hey, Yukinon…"
"Are you okay?"
Her voice pulled Yukino back to reality.
She met Yuigahama's eyes, saw the concern there, and shook her head gently.
"No. It's nothing."
"I was simply thinking."
"You should get ready. It'll be your turn soon."
With that, Yukino fell silent and quietly used magic to disperse the bruises on her hand.
Yuigahama frowned, but after repeatedly confirming Yukino really was "fine,"
she reluctantly headed back to the lineup—taking several worried glances along the way.
The assessment continued.
Hiratsuka Shizuka's lineup was… interesting.
Gabriel vs. Satanichia
After Satanichia finished delivering an embarrassingly grandiose monologue about her demonic conquest,
Gabriel casually summoned a bow of radiant light—
—and Satanichia instantly surrendered in pure terror.
Izumi, watching from afar, twitched.
Gabriel… were you actually planning to erase that idiot?
One shot from that thing and Satanichia would 100% get purified into dust.
The other matches weren't exactly subtle either.
Asia faced another girl.
With Izumi's gifted staff, it became a complete steamroll.
One-sided domination.
Kato Megumi fought Hayama Hayato.
He didn't even understand what was happening before Megumi's dagger was at his throat.
Toujou Koneko fought Vignette April Tsukinose.
Vigne had decent strength, but couldn't bring herself to fight seriously—
leaving her utterly outmatched.
Finally, Sawamura Spencer Eriri.
Armed with Izumi's magic staff, she summoned an army of writhing thorny vines, binding her opponent in seconds.
Izumi didn't need context.
Those vines were absolutely from one of her ero-doujin works.
Without question.
The girls blessed with Izumi's artifacts didn't just win—
they crushed their opponents.
Gabriel's buff was nothing in comparison.
The entire assessment existed simply to gauge the class's current combat level.
A single match was enough for the instructors to see everything.
When the final match ended, Hiratsuka stepped forward.
"All right. That concludes today's assessment."
"Starting tomorrow, you are officially on summer break."
"This is one of your privileges."
"During break, train your abilities properly. Don't do anything stupid or wander into dangerous areas."
"We don't want to start the next semester missing students."
Everyone responded in perfect unison.
"Yes, ma'am!"
They understood—
this was her own version of concern.
Hiratsuka nodded, satisfied.
"Then—enjoy your summer."
With that, she and Minamiya Natsuki departed.
The students immediately relaxed.
Asia and the others ran straight to Izumi.
Others formed groups, loudly debating where they should hang out during break.
Eriri turned to Izumi, eyes glimmering with anticipation.
"So, what about you? Any plans?"
"Or are you going to stay home all summer like a shut-in?"
Izumi grinned—dangerously.
"No. I've already made plans."
"I'm taking you all to the beach."
"And I'll be giving you intensive training."
"Your current level is pathetic."
"And I refuse to leave it that way."
"Summer is long. It'd be a waste not to use it."
Everyone froze.
Koneko's cat ears twitched.
She looked up at him.
"Can I join?"
Izumi nodded immediately.
"Of course. I'm very interested in seeing you in a swimsuit."
"And if possible, invite Rias and the others too."
"That'd be incredible!"
His voice practically sparkled.
No other males around.
A beach full of beautiful girls.
Perfection.
Kato and Koneko shared a look—
the kind that promised violence.
This guy… he's not planning training.
He's planning a harem beach episode.
Izumi noticed their murderous stares and coughed, straightening his posture.
"Don't look at me like that."
"I'm doing this for your sake."
"Your combat ability is atrocious."
"I'll have Irisviel teach you practical magecraft."
"You'll level up quickly."
"And I'm absolutely not interested in bikinis!"
...
Buddy, you literally just said you were.
Even Asia couldn't hold back.
Izumi-sama, your moral restraint is leaking!
As everyone laughed, argued, and teased—
a lone figure stepped forward.
Yukinoshita Yukino.
She stared straight at Izumi, inhaled deeply, and spoke with total resolve.
"Izumi-san. Please train me."
"No matter the cost."
Izumi blinked.
Yuigahama, behind her, froze.
Yukinon… begging someone?
Did she get replaced by an alien?
No seriously, that's terrifying.
Panicked, Yuigahama rushed forward and began poking, patting, and inspecting Yukino's head like she was checking for possession.