Classmate wa Isekai de Yuusha ni Natta kedo, Ore dake Gendai Nihon ni Okizari ni Narimashita - Chapter 111

Chapter 111: The Cultural Festival Has Begun, Part 3

"Hey, what's going on with the guy inside!?"

"We've got to call a teacher—now!!"

Faced with the bizarre phenomenon, the surrounding students quickly descend into panic.

(Tch... This is turning into a real hassle.)

If I put all the students here to sleep using the drones' Recognition Inhibition Magic, it might only make the situation worse. But if we leave things as they are, someone might end up entering that strange space.

(...Not sure how long it'll hold, but let's give it a try.)

I activate Water Magic and build a wall, modeled after the surrounding structures, to block the gate leading to the abnormal space. Then I glance over at Kyori.

"...For now, I've sealed off the entrance so no one else can go in. But I don't know how long it'll hold. Let’s step outside and figure out our next move."

"Understood. Let's leave the school building before the confusion spreads."

We exchange hushed words and head for the school gate—but—

"What the hell!? What's going on!?"

"Why can't we get out!?"

"This fog is creepy..."

"Calm down! Everyone, head toward the gym for now—!"

Students and teachers are crowded at the school gate, all in a similar state of panic.

The reason is obvious the moment you see the scene outside the school and the bizarre phenomena that occur when students try to leave the premises.

A thick fog now blankets everything, to the point where not even nearby buildings are visible. Just a while ago when I was waiting in line for a hot dog, the weather was perfectly clear. For the weather to change this drastically in such a short time isn’t natural.

And what's even more unnatural—

"Damn it! Why do I end up back here again!?"

Students trying to leave come stumbling back, looking utterly exhausted.

It seems this dense fog has some abnormal property that forcibly returns anyone who tries to leave.

(This is... like the barrier that trapped us during the school trip.)

If that’s the case, trying to escape using Teleportation Magic would be dangerous...

"...Shu-kun. I think we can talk calmly in the courtyard—hardly anyone knows about it."

As I'm trying to decide what to do, Kyori offers a suggestion.

She's right—very few people know about that place, and with everyone panicking and heading outside, it should be perfect for a private conversation.

"...Got it. Let’s talk things through there."

Whispering, we slip away during the chaos and head toward the courtyard.

---

This school’s courtyard is tucked away in a somewhat secluded part of campus.

Due to building renovations and the construction of new clubrooms, even some teachers aren’t aware of its existence. Because of that, it’s not included in cleaning rotations and is often used as a discreet meeting spot by a select group of students.

When I first heard about it from Rentarou shortly after we became friends, I doubted it. Thought he was pulling my leg. But now, half a year after enrolling, I know it was true.

"All students and faculty, please proceed to the gymnasium immediately! I repeat, all students and faculty—"

The announcement echoes over the school's speaker system.

But from the courtyard, we can't see any students or staff heading toward the gym.

Still, we can’t afford to be careless. Just to be sure, I deploy drones with Recognition Inhibition Magic to cloak our presence before speaking.

"...No good. All communication with the outside world is completely cut off."

"Even with the puppet?"

"Yeah. And the drones I set up near the building have gone silent too."

(Guess I’ll have to rebuild them later... That’s gonna be a pain.)

Assuming we can get back, that is...

"Looks like Alicia isn't in the school either. That means we’re probably the only ones who can handle this."

"I see... This is going to be difficult, isn't it..."

Difficult is an understatement.

Unlike the school trip incident, this involves over a hundred students and faculty. If a monster appears again, I don't know if we can protect everyone.

Worse, this situation is only going to deteriorate from here.

In other words, we need to quickly identify the source of this abnormality—and deal with it.

I load the scout drone data into my head and consider our next move.

"The first place to check is the haunted house. A quick scan of the school shows that’s the only location exhibiting other unusual phenomena besides the fog. Plus, there seem to be people still trapped inside."

"Understood. Then let’s hurry over there."

"...Yeah, let’s go."

Kyori immediately begins preparing to move.

Honestly, I’m uneasy about bringing her into that bizarre space where anything could happen. She has no obligation to be involved and should be somewhere safe.

But on the other hand, with things as unpredictable as they are, there might not be any safe place left.

In that case, staying together is safer than splitting up.

"Alright, let’s go."

"Yes!"

Once we’re ready, I activate Recognition Inhibition Magic and leave the courtyard.

---

"Hey! Quit pushing!"

"Why... Why is this happening!?"

"I can’t take it anymore..."

"Hurry up and move!!"

As expected, the school is in utter chaos. Students are panicking, pushing toward the gym to escape.

I grab Kyori’s hand, activate Body Enhancement, and leap toward the stairs using a wall kick, rushing straight to the second floor where the haunted house exhibit is located.

After confirming the hallway is empty, I turn to Kyori.

"You okay? Not hurt or anything?"

"Y-Yes, I’m fine."

"Good. Then let's keep going."

Judging by appearance, the strange space hasn’t changed since we last saw it.

(Water Magic.)

I create a new scout drone and send it through the gate—but the moment it enters, all signals are lost.

(Yep. We’ll have to go in ourselves.)

Just as I brace myself and start to call out to Kyori—

“Zuuuunn…”

"!?"

Suddenly the entire school building shakes violently, nearly knocking me over.

That’s no normal earthquake. Something is happening again.

Looking around, I see the gate and nearby structures quivering—like something is trying to push out from inside.

(Is something trying to break through the water wall and emerge from that space?)

"Kyori, be ready—we might be fighting in a moment."

"R-Right!"

Kyori pulls out a charm and nods firmly.

Good. Then here we go.

"If anything feels off, don’t hesitate—run immediately."

I tell her this, then dispel the wall sealing the gate and dive headlong into the strange space.

"……aaaAAAAAAAAAA!!!"

The next moment, a massive, flesh-colored object falls toward us.

"Tch—!?"

I catch it using Body Enhancement, then pull Kyori close and jump back to gain distance.

"Shu-kun! Are you okay!?"

"Y-Yeah. I’m fine. But..."

I raise multiple Water Magic shields and scan our surroundings.

We’re in a dark classroom, stretched out like a nightmare version of the haunted house. Oversized desks, chairs, and a blackboard tower over us.

At the center stands a towering female doll-like figure, around 5 meters tall, with long hair down to her feet and six extra arms growing from her back. Even with her bangs covering her eyes, the red glow piercing through them locks onto us.

"Somebody… help…"

"It hurts... It hurts so much..."

The six arms are gripping terrified students—likely those trapped inside the haunted house—who are crying out in pain.

(A hostage situation... This just got even more complicated.)

I conjure water blades and scout/distractor drones, then take a combat stance—ready for the battle ahead.

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