Baka to Tesuto to Syokanju:Volume1 The First Question

“Eh---”

“What's wrong?”

“What Yuuji said just now, its the Taika Reform right?”

“You are Year 3 now and you still don't know about this? Shouko you are really stupid.”

“We haven't been taught about that part yet, Yuuji you are too clever.”

“It is very easy to memorize. Just remember 'Accident Free Reform'[1], you will be able to recall it instantly”

“Accident Free?”

“Because the Taika Reform did not have any accident occur, make sure you remember that.”

“OK.”

“It happened in the year 625.”

“All right, I have memorised it.”

“Good, make sure you remember that.”

“Don't worry, I won't forget about it”

---

First Question

Please answer the following question:

When manufacturing frying pan, we use magnesium as the raw material to reduce the weight of the pan, however an accident occurs when it is used in cooking. Describe what happened, and name an alloy that could be used to replace magnesium.

Mizuki Himeji's Answer

“Using flame to heat up magnesium will cause fierce burning reaction; aluminium can be used to replace magnesium”

Teacher's Comment:

Correct. The question asks for alloy, so you can't answer “iron”. Himeji didn't fall for the trick.

Kouta Tsuchiya's Answer

“Because the gas bill is not paid.”

Teacher's Comment:

That is not the main point of this question.

Akihisa Yoshii's Answer

“Alloy made in future can be used (Because it is very hard).”

Teacher's Comment:

Even if it is very hard, you can't find that now right?

---

We are welcoming the arrival of the second spring after we start studying in Fumitsuki Gakuen.

To welcome new students, both sides of the slope that lead to the school building are filled with dazzling flowering cherry blossom. Even though I am not an elegant person who appreciates flowers, I can't stop myself to be attracted by the beautiful scenery before me.

However it is only for a very short period of time.

Now, my mind is filled with the symbol of spring, and it is not cherry blossom. In my mind, it is all about the comrades and the new classroom that will fight with me throughout the year. In another words, it is all about the new class after class division.

“Yoshii, you are late.”

In front of the entrance, a low and strong voice called me. I turn my head and look towards the source of the voice, there is a sports type guy with light dark skin and short hair standing there.

“Ah, iron... no, it's Nishimura sensei[2], good morning!”

“You want to call me iron man just now, right?”

“Ha ha, you are thinking too much.”

“Oh, am I?”

That was close; I nearly call him 'iron man' like what I did before.

By the way, iron man is the nickname that the students gave to Nishimura sensei. The reason he got this nickname is because his hobby is triathlon. Of course, his habit of wearing short sleeves during winter time is also one of the reasons that he got this nickname.

“By the way, a normal person shouldn't be saying 'good morning' in this situation!”

“Ah, I am sorry. Err...Your skin is very dark today as well.”

“What! My skin colour is more important than you being late for school?”

“I see, so you are talking about that. Sorry, I am late.”

“You are really....you never learn your lesson.”

He sighs and mumbles at the same time. According to what he says, it sounds like I usually late for school.

“Sir, I don't usually late for school right?”

Nishimura sensei is our homeroom teacher last year, he should know that I rarely late for school.

“Leave that matter aside for now, take this first.”

He takes an envelope out of a box and hands it over to me. My name, “Akihisa Yoshii”, is written clearly on the envelope.

“Ah, thank you.”

I simply nod and take the envelope.

“But why does the school need to inform the result of class division through this troublesome method? Isn't posting the result in the announcement board much better?”

Handing over the result of class division one by one and carefully putting them into envelopes is really very troublesome.

“Normally that is true. However we are the school that uses the most advanced system in the world, this strange method is part of the system.”

“Oh, I see.”

I simply answer him and try to tear open the envelope. Which class will I be placed into? I start to get a little bit nervous.

The reason of getting nervous is that in the Fumitsuki Gakuen I am studying in, students will be allocated into different classes, from class A to class F, depending on the class division examinations from second year onwards. To put it simply, smart people will study in class A, idiots will study in class F. Therefore, you are able to know how smart a person is depending on the class he or she in. As a man with pride, I cannot be placed into class F.

“Yoshii, to tell you the truth...”

“What?”

The envelope is glued and really hard to open.

“From the result of my observation of you, I have been thinking 'Could it be that Yoshii is an idiot?'.”

“Sir, you are totally wrong with this. If you really think so, you might have 'moron' as your new nickname.”

Not that I am overconfident, although I didn't work very hard, I did pretty well in the class division examination last year. When he sees my result, I believe he will definitely change his opinion.

“When you see my result, you will know that you are wrong.”

“I also hope that I am wrong.”

It is really hard to open; I can only tear the envelope apart.

The envelope opens with a clear tearing sound. I look into the envelope; there is a small piece of paper in it.

So, which class will I go? Is it class D? Or is it class C?

“Yoshii, you should be glad right? My opinion is really correct.”

As I unfold the paper, the content of the paper can be clearly read.

“Akihisa Yoshii... ... ... class F”

“You really are an idiot.”

And so, my sorrowful school life begins.