#6. I’ll Try Something

Time flows quickly. I only realized that once I became an adult.

That process wasn’t much different in this life either.

When I was a child with nothing to do, I thought time passed slowly, and after my head got a little bigger, I felt something sped up.

And now, after entering the university academy, I feel like I’m the only one who has been put on fast forward.

What all this means is that midterm exam season has already arrived.

The academy’s midterm exams! Naturally, things that anyone would think of happen.

You know, things like that. A fierce academic competition where swords clash and magic is exchanged. Even rifts in friendships due to confrontation…

Since this is a fantasy world, most of the cliché events happen.

“Ah, the scope is disgustingly wide.”

Of course, that excludes the Magical Engineering Department. This department doesn’t even do duel exams themselves.

Furthermore, the Magical Engineering Department isn’t the only department excluded from duel exams.

Alchemy Department, Theoretical Department, and so on. In fact, most departments are excluded from duel exams.

In the end, those who clash swords and magic as a direct result are only the Knight Department and the Magic Department.

The truth hidden behind fame is a cruel law. However, that truth provides comfort to someone.

“Still, it’s a relief. At least there won’t be any dueling trials.”

I’d been a little worried. Worried I might somehow get dragged into something like that.

But no.

What I needed now wasn’t a duel, but ‘ferocious grade competition’.

“The exam covers everything I’ve mentioned. I trust you all will come well-prepared.”

Professor Peter’s normally mild smile felt almost warm today.

Even Professor Rachel wouldn’t take me away during midterms, right?

Of course, the exam material was still ridiculously vast, guaranteeing sleepless nights. But even just having less time with *her* felt like I could finally breathe.

Hallelujah! I could finally have some time to myself.

No more constant anxiety about making a mistake.

“Oh, and one more thing.”

Professor Peter paused as he was about to leave the lecture hall.

Seemed like there was something else to announce…

Anything was fine. I could handle it even if he suddenly increased the amount of test material.

Come on, bring it.

“This time, the Magical Engineering Department will also be participating in the dueling trials.”

Ah.

*

“Professor Rachel.”

“Oh, Rain. What is it?”

“I heard that the Magical Engineering Department will be participating in the dueling trials.”

“That’s right. I pushed for it.”

“But why… …What’s the reason?”

“It’s all thanks to you, Rain.”

I laughed inwardly. A hollow laugh, of course.

If I wasn’t standing in front of the professor, I probably would have laughed like some kind of Joker.

No.

Professor.

I’m already struggling with written exams, and now practicals, too?

Then those Knighting Department b*stards should at least have as much writing to do as we do!

“You seem to have something you want to say.”

“It’s nothing.”

I swallowed my frustration and asked a question.

“Question. What am I supposed to *do* out there?”

I wasn’t arguing. It was a genuine question.

The dueling trials weren’t department against department. They drew up a random bracket with all the participating departments.

Which meant our department would be going up against monsters from the Knighting Department and the Magical Department.

Of course, the scores wouldn’t be based on rank, but assessed individually by the professor in charge…

Did this professor not understand the difference between an ordinary student and a Knighting Department student? Whatever we brought, we’d be annihilated in a heartbeat.

“What are *you* supposed to do, you ask?”

“Yes.”

“Why ask something like that?”

“Please, just answer.”

Professor Rachel looked at me with an uncomprehending gaze before finally opening her mouth.

“You can showcase your invention.”

“Excuse me?”

“Everyone will be given the same task. ‘To showcase their invention in a contest of strength’. Think of it as an alternative assignment for my course.”

I tend to favor alternative assignments. Less demanding than exams, less of a burden.

But this case is different.

I’d rather take the exam, who goes out looking to get their ass kicked?

“Why, do you have a complaint?”

“······No, I don’t.”

“Good. I’ll announce the details about the exam later. You can go now.”

I left the lab with no real progress.

No, realizing I was thoroughly screwed, that’s progress of a sort, I suppose.

The moment I was out, I gripped my head and sank down. Someone saw, but I didn’t care. It couldn’t get any worse than this, anyway.

Just why did she make a decision like this? My head ached, unable to fathom her subjective whims.

“I’m busy enough studying for exams, where am I supposed to find the time to invent something······.”

I sat there, listing all my complaints, but nothing would change by doing that.

I let out a deep sigh and stood up.

Dammit.

I have to do something.

.

.

.

Given the circumstances, Professor Rachel’s decision is to see my invention.

Of course, she promised me top marks, but I can’t rely on verbal promises like that. God forbid she be disappointed in me; what kind of repercussions would come my way?

Thus, I am currently in the communal laboratory.

Is this also Professor Rachel’s doing? The lab is equipped with rather excellent facilities. With this, I could make anything.

“Professor, since things have turned out like this, I’ll make sure to do it properly.”

After much deliberation, I resolved to grit my teeth and get it done.

The exam is in exactly two weeks. I’ll invest one of those weeks here.

“During exam period, I’ll just consider myself dead.”

This might even be a good opportunity.

After all, I’m marked goods. No good meaning intended. From the moment the Professor took notice of me, it was already hopeless.

So, am I unable to break free?

No!

If a so-called ‘true genius’ appears, one who surpasses ‘Rain Ortiz,’ the Professor’s attention could be diverted.

With this, I can avoid disappointing the Professor, and if I’m lucky, I can also turn away the burdensome attention that’s pouring down on me.

“······Why am I relying on luck?”

For a fleeting moment, such a question arose.

Come to think of it, I’d heard that those cornered often become strangely optimistic.

“……”

No.

Let’s not think.

It’s easier to abandon the self.

I’m not losing it. Not at all.

“Alright, shall we begin?”

What does it take to capture the attention of a hidden genius?

Immense practicality? The sheer beauty of the tech?

I guarantee you, both are wrong.

What’s needed is precisely…

“System, are you ready?”

[Commencing assistance.]

Style.

Whatever it is, it just has to have style.

*

Two weeks passed like that, and exam period arrived.

I’d finished all the exams quite well, and today was the last day of this hell.

I wake up in the morning and look in the mirror.

No matter how I look, the reflection staring back isn’t quite human.

More like…

…it looks like a grad student.

“That won’t be my future, surely.”

I blink at the mirror. Then, I slapped my cheeks, rather hard.

The *thwack!* cleared my head.

Let’s remember why I’ve become like this.

To escape Professor Rachel.

“Let’s do this.”

I grabbed the bag containing my ‘invention’ and left the dormitory.

Rumor had it that the Academy’s exams were like a festival.

Surprisingly, it was true.

“This place is just another world.”

The duel exams are held on the last day of the period. If you get injured, it’ll interfere with the written exams, so it’s only natural.

Still, I can’t help but think it’s a bit much.

“Hmph…”

To hold all sorts of events and sell all kinds of snacks is a bit over the top.

It hits me again. Having the brain of a Korean citizen in a world with fundamentally different common sense is exhausting.

“Is this a festival or an exam…”

…or a funeral?

Swallowing down the thoughts rising in my head, I entered the trial grounds.

《 Greetings, everyone! The trial will commence shortly. Are you all prepared?! 》

“Waaah!!”

That’s right.

That sound… it’s the sound of ‘spectators’.

The trial grounds resembled a stadium, a structure that allowed you to watch about three arenas at once.

The thought of becoming a clown never even crossed my mind.

And yet, I have to show off my inventions in front of these people…? I truly despise it.

Anyway.

I was informed that the trial time is exactly 10 minutes.

Winning is secondary, my goal is to do everything I can within those 10 minutes. That’s it.

“Where was the waiting room again?”

My bag is too heavy. I just want to sit down somewhere.

“Hey, isn’t that the Arcane Engineering department?”

Looks like someone spotted me.

I have no idea what made them so sure.

“He just *looks* like he’d be tinkering with machines. Don’t you think?”

Son of a b*tch…

Ah, whatever. I don’t want to get involved.

“This school is ridiculous. What are they trying to accomplish by including losers like him in the dueling exam?”

“……”

As I walked away, I thought to myself.

That voice… I definitely memorized it.

“Ah, found it.”

I found the Arcane Engineering waiting room. Forgetting all about the trouble from earlier, I just want to sit down and rest.

I quickly opened the door and went inside.

“……”

There were no seats.

*

《 Now─! Students gathered here, and ladies and gentlemen from the outside world! Thank you for waiting so long! 》

《 The 27th Annual! Lunia Academy’s mid-term exam, and its very flower! The Dueling Trial! Begins! Right! Now! 》

Listening to the overly dramatic host’s speech, I inspected my equipment.

This one’s working fine.

That one’s fine too.

Good, everything is in perfect condition.

The participants had received the tournament brackets in advance. Knowing when they would compete, their reactions to the speech varied.

Of course, most felt fear, or nervousness, or worry.

The important thing is that there were also those who didn’t.

And I was one of them.

I was brimming with discontent.

“First student? Step forward, please.”

Shit.

Why me, the first one?