“Class, we are here today in Zone C3-S1 of the Enclosed Forests to conduct a physical exercise. So, I hope that you’ll take this seriously.” Professor Greg Lockheed eyed the students of Class-A-Year-1.

As the head professor of Superhuman Physics and the homeroom of the 4th year’s Class A, Lockheed has been quite a famous figure in the academy.

With his wizened mind, striking features, and gentlemanly behavior, he is said to be the most favorite prof in the academy.

I don’t know about that for sure. Because, at this very moment, I am plenty sure something nasty is about to happen.

In my arms is a cute puppy I don’t know its breed except that it kind of looks like a husky. I don’t care about it, but I did bond with the dog for some time. What I could say for sure is that this pup isn’t that really connected to me as I haven’t even bothered to give it a name.

Similarly, my classmates have dogs on their own. All cute little troubles. From how I see it, they are quite having a lovely relationship. These puppies were given on the first day of our class with Prof Lockheed and were made to care for them.

Professor Lockheed watched all of this detached. “Students, the name of this exercise will be Dog’s Death.”

Immediately, the class went quiet.

I looked at my dumb grey furry dog that slightly resembles a wolf. “Looks like you have to die, bud.” The dog just barked at me with a happy barking sound. I can tell it’s happy... Maybe because I finally looked its way? Or the dog just thought I want to play?

Meh…

“What does that mean? Prof?” Lorie asked fearfully, for she has bonded with her blonde terrier-looking dog quite nicely. It’s an isekai world, so I can’t really claim it’s a terrier.

Prof Lockheed just smiled at Lorie. “The exercise will be until sundown. Depending on how many dog tags you have by the end of the day will reflect on how many points you’ll have.”

The class went into an uproar. Not done with his explanation yet, Prof Lockheed clapped his hands to get the attention of the class. “Class-A of 2nd, 3rd, and 4th years will be participating in this mini-game. Consider it a preliminary version of the final exams.”

With those words, the class went into full panic. The upper years will definitely have a great advantage as they have years of education in their pockets while the first years have but a short month.

What makes it worse is that the upper years have more members and more students! It’s because the academy has a rule of promoting students from the lower class to upper classes in favor of increasing the students of Class-A.

“Calm down, Class…” Prof Lockheed raised his voice in an attempt to call his students’ attention. “I know, this is too much. Usually, Dog’s Death is an exercise exclusive for graduating 4th years. But the academy has to change things up. The professors believe that you shouldn’t know about this, but I am telling you. Because I chose to believe in you.”

Professor Lockheed continued, his voice somber. “The academy is facing an imminent threat and we need your strength.”

A calm silence permeated the class.

“I’ll be waiting here in the camp. Now, go out there and collect your dog tags.” With Prof Lockheed’s words, the class immediately dispersed.

I am doubtful this class will overcome this mini-game. Rather than focusing on collecting dog tags, I’d love to suggest they should prioritize protecting their own. Obviously, I won’t as that is walking astray from my established mob persona.

Pedro walked by my side and whispered. “Hey, boss… Do you want my tag? I’ll keep the dog though…”

Sheesh… what an honest subordinate. Wait, how was that honest? He’s clearly bootlicking me. “Keep your dog, and dog tag. Just be reminded to focus on defense and not show your Special Abilities. We can’t win this exercise anyway.”

Pedro nodded and then disappeared to the thickets.

What should I do?

I look at my dumb puppy about the size of my arm. I can keep him. Worst case scenario, he becomes my food.

With practiced stealth, I roamed the forests by staying low on the ground and cloaking my presence with plant life. It worked mighty fine as I saw Pierre just pass over me without even giving me a second look.

But the dog in my arms have a different thought as it started barking at me. “Shush… shush… Quiet, you stupid dog.”

Pierre who possesses reflexes of brutality first sent invisible hammers on my way. “Who’s there? Cain can smell your fear.”

What? Did you name your puppy Cain?

I easily evaded the telekinetic projectiles Pierre sent on my way. As I roll on the ground, I immediately took my pup’s collar… and without a second thought, threw it in a parabola. Yes, threw. Threw as in the dog with the collar.

People who love furries will definitely hate me for that.

Immediately after that, I picked the opposite direction of where I threw the cute little trouble and returned to my stealthy approach to this annoying exercise. The pups given to us are burdens and at the same time, a comrade.

A lot of things can be learned in the exercise in which the Class-A-Year-1 is absolutely not ready yet. Moreso, if you toss them to lions which represent the sophomores.

I perched on a tree waiting for this to end. Abandoning my charge may seem to be not the right thing to do, but who cares? It was my decision.

Disturbing me from my inner thoughts is Bonbon’s squeaky squirrel voice. “Hey, you there? We need to talk…”

“What is it?” I annoyingly replied. “If it’s about my deal with Executive Leneya, I am on it. You’d be surprised, but Zia is my bitch now.”

Bonbon threw a hardy acorn at me. It hit me on my head squarely, but the pain didn’t register as I made my mutation do so. “Crass language, but bitch, really? That’s not what’s important right now though.”

On my shoulder standing about half a foot is Bonbon in the shape of a squirrel. Finally, Bonbon's mutation is revealed to me— bestial shapeshifting. “This is important. What I am about to tell you will change a lot of things. Moreover, you might not even trust me after this, but for me, I’ve finally made my decision.”

Bonbon then told me the story. It was curiously unbelievable.

The most shocking of all, “I am actually a girl,” is that she’s actually a woman. She butchered that trope.

Oh.

And also, she’s actually a transmigrator like me.