Loop Mob – A Mob’s Interdimensional Travel Caught in a Loop

Chapter 87: Arrival in Arcart

As usual, we aimed for Arcart by air. Normally, the common route is to use the sea route from the south. Currently, the minor skirmishes between nations have settled down, and pirates are being controlled smoothly. But still, nothing can match the speed of flying through the air. Plus, it’s free of charge.

In this world, there are no accurate maps. Our home country, the Kingdom of Lachine, is at the eastern end of this continent, and we followed the south coast to the west. Since Arcart’s capital is a port city, we flew along the coastline. If we push ourselves to the limit, we could fly there in a day, but the dates for the entrance exams and evaluations are fixed. It’s not good to rush. While occasionally stopping in coastal towns, sightseeing, and visiting the adventurer’s guild, we arrived in Arcart after three days.

Here, new enrollments and promotions are in October. I heard about this in late July when I talked to Bruno. Even exchanging a single letter takes days in this world. The school must be in chaos with various administrative procedures now. There’s no way we can make it for October enrollment. We planned to take the transfer exam around December, aiming for the first mid-term exam, and we intended to visit the academy once to greet them and then explore the surrounding dungeons until the designated date.

However…

“We’ve been expecting you, Lord Luca Laquell and Lord Alexi Appel. Your reputation precedes you.”

We were immediately ushered into the reception room at the academy, where the responsible clerk appeared. It seemed our affair during the school festival had become known here. Indeed, there were diplomats from various countries among the guests. Moreover,

“Miss Lizette is also in good health. She will surely be pleased with her younger brother’s study abroad.”

Come to think of it, Lord Luca’s elder sister was also studying at Arcart Academy. However, the atmosphere around Lord Luca has dropped to freezing point.

“As you can see from the documents, I am a commoner who left the earl’s house. Please don’t worry about it.”

“Oh, if I have offended you, I apologize. However, you are still under the protection of Colonel Laquell. We, as a school, cannot treat you the same as a commoner. Please understand. And you too, Lord Alexi.”

“Huh?”

“Hehe. The intelligence agencies of various countries are functioning properly. Of course, our country as well.”

Uh-oh. How much do they know? Come to think of it, this person is of the dark attribute. Outside my field of vision, it says, “Received Panic Fear.” I’m not impressed by trying to entrap with skills. Well, there’s also a level difference, and I’ve equipped all my gear with resistance enchantments.

So, in this way, we were admitted to the academy without any exams or anything. Although we were told the tuition fee was free, we paid it anyway. Our dormitory was assigned a room for two for lower-ranking nobles. Friday, October 10th, 359th year of the Kingdom of Lachine.

We unpacked on Saturday and went out to town on Sunday. Perhaps because Arcart’s capital faces the sea, there are various ethnicities and races here. The public safety seems a bit lacking, but it’s lively nonetheless. Since deciding to study abroad, Lord Luca has been facing various family issues, and it has caused him some complicated feelings. Despite being a long-standing issue lying beneath the surface, seeing Lord Luca excited about his new surroundings is also a source of joy for me.

“Look over there! It’s amazing! I’ve never seen such a big watermelon before!”

“Even at this time of year, having watermelons lined up at the market, truly shows the prowess of a trading nation.”

Just strolling around is enjoyable. It feels like when I first invited Lord Luca to explore the capital of Lachine. For a while, I forgot about the loop and enjoyed the streets of this foreign city.

October 13th, Monday. We both transferred to the second year of middle school and the third year of high school. Both Lord Luca and I are in the S class. Yes. In this academy, regardless of status, students are sorted strictly by academic performance. And what’s remarkable is the scale. Here, as long as you have certain grades and can pay the tuition, you’re allowed to enroll. The tuition fee is also low. It’s like a national university in the capital of Japan. Outstanding students from all over the country gather here. Of course, nobles from within the country have a separate category, and it seems like everyone can enroll if they wish.

Lachine provided education widely tailored to each social stratum by strictly dividing the school by status. Arcart, on the other hand, aims to elevate the level of education by removing social status and introducing competition. It’s not about which one is superior; both approaches have their merits. But as someone who grew up in Lachine, I can’t help but worry about the protection of nobles and royals. And I’ve felt this even in many novels and games. What if a student from that background is carrying a knife and attacks us?

But on the flip side, this means the school is closer to the setting of a game. Maybe this is where the root cause of the loop lies!

“You seem to be having fun, Alexi.”

Lord Luca peeks into my face while eating lunch and lost in thought. He seems to be having a bit of fun too. Since this is a meritocracy, there is no prejudice or discrimination against earth attributes. They even allow students with dark attributes to walk around freely. Though there aren’t many.

In previous loops, only light and dark attribute grimoires were treated as forbidden books and couldn’t be read. However, unlike Lachine, where everything is tightly controlled, Arcart is surprisingly free. Not only light and dark attribute skills but even scouting techniques, which are looked down upon in Lachine, are taught here as regular classes. Classes are just homerooms, arranged according to academic performance upon enrollment (though we were specially placed in the S class), and schedules are built on an individual basis. It’s like a university. Alright, this time I’ll take all the units I want, like archery, pharmacology, summoning, and magic circle studies.

“How was the class observation? Tomorrow is the deadline for applications, but what classes are you planning to take, Lord Luca?”

“Well…”

While the two of us were having lunch and rudely peeking into the class plan syllabus, giggling and giggling, at that moment…

“I found you! Luca Laquell, I’ve been looking for you!”

When we looked up, there was a girl with a pink fluffy bob pointing at us rudely.