146 – Past the Routine, The Day of the Exam

“The Orion Academy’s practical final exam is stealing bells from the instructors.”

“““···.”””

A deep bewilderment spread across the students’ eyes. The silence now held a different weight.

Jooyeon, sensing the ever-deepening atmosphere of the classroom, immediately added,

“Of course, if the instructors only evaluated the students under their charge, issues of fairness and discontent could arise. I can’t claim to be a better teacher than the other instructors, but it is a fact that I am the strongest among them. I cannot subject Class 1 to an unfair test.”

Jooyeon’s voice was even. Without swagger or boasting.

It was simply a cold, hard fact, devoid of arrogance. A fact known to everyone.

Even all the instructors together couldn’t defeat Jooyeon.

“Take a look at these.”

The papers placed before Jooyeon fluttered through the air on a current of magic.

They settled onto each student’s desk.

“During the practical exam, the instructors will be moving around their designated positions.”

Jooyeon held the remaining sheet in his hand.

The students focused their attention on the papers.

“As you can see, each instructor holds a bell of a different color, and they have different point values. Even if you don’t acquire a bell, there will be detailed points awarded based on your actions and responses.”

The papers contained the instructors’ photos and locations.

Jooyeon’s bell was red, and obtaining it would grant the highest score.

The inventory showed the Orbs began with a single unit. The odds of anyone actually acquiring one seemed impossibly slim.

“We call it the Orb Scramble, but it’s not just about forced theft. The exam method and content will vary based on the instructor’s discretion, and any instructor who loses or relinquishes their Orb will immediately equip a spare.”

Second was Instructor Carrot.

A rabbit therian, specializing in hand-to-hand combat, with an especially powerful kick, as she herself noted, even drawing a carrot to emphasize the point.

The Orb she possessed was silver. Instructor Carrot could distribute a total of twenty Orbs to the students.

Below her was Instructor Ed.

The same male instructor who oversaw Rohan, Ichinose, and Noah’s placement exams.

His beard was unkempt, and he possessed perpetually sleepy eyes. The air of being bothered by everything about this was palpable.

The Orb he held was silver, carrying the same score and quantity as Instructor Carrot’s.

Instructor Falkenhain.

An instructor specializing in magical defense, with a blue Orb total of one hundred.

The score it carried was lower than Instructors Carrot and Ed’s.

Lastly, Instructor Marcel.

An instructor specializing in emergency care, healing, and detoxification for various situations.

The Orb was yellow, and available in a quantity equal to the number of first-year students. Its score was the lowest of all.

“The exam will be conducted over three days, from 9:00 to 17:00, within the Orion Academy grounds. The instructors will not share student information until the exam’s conclusion. And, no penalties will be assessed for damage to the academy grounds during the exam.”

However, taking this opportunity to maliciously attack other students,

or intentionally causing unnecessary damage to the Academy, would not be tolerated.

“Employ the greatest variety of methods and resources you can muster against the instructors. If an instructor assesses through combat, attack them with the intent to kill without hesitation. Instructors won’t blame students for injuries or death. They will dispassionately assess just how far the students are willing to go.”

Juyeon’s words were not false.

The instructors were prepared to humbly accept it if a student possessed that level of skill.

Of course, that was followed by a reminder that the instructors wouldn’t just stand idly by during the exam.

The students could not conceal their surprise, their eyes wide with shock.

“Monster hunts and confrontations with villains are the same. If you can win and survive, don’t hesitate to use any means or methods within the boundaries of ethics and reason.”

This was not a call to abandon ruthless tactics or merciless action.

It was a warning not to cross the line of humanity.

Do not sell out comrades to criminals or monsters, do not betray and stab allies in the back, like a beast.

It was a warning not to covet the gains acquired by degenerating into a cannibalistic creature consuming its own kind.

“Next, look below. As it is written, you may use the standard issue weapons, or bring your own. The instructors’ responses will change accordingly.”

The remaining, minor score allocations and explanations droned on.

Having cleanly concluded the briefing, Jooyeon surveyed the cadets.

“Alright, if there are any questions, I’ll take them.”

“Instructor! Me! Me!”

Noah, as if she’d been waiting for the moment, waved her hand wildly.

When Jooyeon gave her permission to speak, Noah displayed pure curiosity.

“You said we could use any means necessary… what would you do if I called my dad?”

Noah’s words rendered the cadets speechless, leaving them frozen in place. Jooyeon, however, simply smiled.

The sentiment contained within the question was so unadulterated, how could he not find it amusing?

“Orion Academy strictly prohibits the entry of unauthorized external personnel. If you can resolve that issue, then by all means, proceed.”

“Aha…”

It wasn’t as if the ruler of a nation could barge into the academy under false pretenses, insisting on helping his daughter with her exam.

Noah nodded, appeased.

But Rohan, he dissected and analyzed Jooyeon’s words, continuing to conjure the most elaborate schemes.

“Any other questions?”

Rohan raised his hand.

Jooyeon’s gaze shifted towards Rohan, who sat in the front row.

“I’m curious if it’s acceptable to acquire more than one bell.”

“Of course. Remember, this isn’t an absolute evaluation, but a relative one. Aim to collect all the bells, if you can.”

Given the limited number of bells, only one cadet could ever hope to achieve that.

Yet, the very notion of snatching a bell from Jooyeon defied imagination.

And that was precisely why he wanted to attempt it.

Rohan’s motivation ignited.

‘The very environment where I can exert my full strength against skilled individuals is rare.’

This was a golden opportunity. Effulgence and Branding were permitted, after all.

While the instructors declared they would only take minimal action to subdue the cadets…

From Rohan’s perspective, far from being intimidated, he was even consumed by the desire to face the instructors’ attacks and properly gauge the disparity in their abilities.

“Next question, please.”

Jooyeon addressed each and every query from the Class 1 cadets.

When the questions ceased and silence filled the air, he checked the time.

“That’s the end of the announcements. Prepare for class.”

The moment Jooyeon left the classroom, Class 1 erupted in noise.

*

Orion Academy Final Exams.

Time marched relentlessly toward the day of the written exam, signaling its start.

Looking back, the words ‘already?’ sprung forth unbidden.

For Rohan, these days had been excessively, almost overwhelmingly, happy.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration, not even close, to say he was in danger of drowning in joy.

Ichinose and Noah visited Sion’s mansion often, studying together.

There were also days when Ichinose suggested they study together, and the two of them went to a quiet cafe.

Having time together, just the two of them, seemed to have cast off the awkwardness of their kiss, so Rohan didn’t refuse Ichinose’s invitations.

‘I wish I could live like this forever.’

While preparing for the written exams, he never skipped training.

If anything, he intensified it, instead of easing off.

Driven by his desire, he did his best to not miss out on the happiness of his daily life.

As if following a rotation, each of the girls, one by one, expressed a wish to go somewhere.

Rohan accepted their proposals readily, without much thought.

With Sion, he went furniture shopping for the mansion.

He regretted not being able to capture a photo of Sion’s bewildered expression when an employee asked if they were newlyweds.

It wasn’t often that Sion’s composure broke that much.

He went to an offline gaming event with Clara.

Rohan still remembered the way Clara’s eyes sparkled with excitement, the once timid and withdrawn girl having emerged from her shell.

They bought tons of merchandise and decorated their rooms with it.

‘What extravagance is this?’

For Rohan, the time spent with the girls was incredibly precious.

He was certain that he would have regretted it if he had postponed or brushed aside their suggestions to go somewhere, citing studies or training.

And so Rohan did his best to enjoy every moment, and each day was incredibly satisfying.

And just like that, the day of the written exams arrived.

Once the written exams are over, the practical exams will begin immediately the next day.

Rohan left the dormitories before dawn.

‘I’ve accumulated a debt as vast as a mountain.’

How will I ever repay Ichinose if I score well on this written exam?

It wasn’t just asking questions as before; I received tutelage from her that was practically a private lesson with Noah.

Thanks to her, Rohan’s gotten much closer to those fellas: numbers and formulas.

“…”

Thud. Thud. Thud.

In the early hour before anyone else arrived, Rohan came to Orion Academy.

He folded and stowed the notes he’d been reviewing on the way.

‘Let’s do it.’

His usual routine at this time was heading to the training room for a workout with Ichinose.

But today, his footsteps lead in a different direction. He walks through the vast grounds of Orion Academy.

Rohan’s bag lacked the usual protein supplements and spare clothes. It was filled to the brim with an unknown, heavy object.

Rohan carries the bag.

The instructors started drifting to their positions for the practical exam.