151 – The Final Bell -1-

8 AM, the final day of the practical exam.

Replenishing nutrients with supplements and glucose candy, he loosened his muscles.

Twirling his ankles to loosen them, Rohan clenched and unclenched his hands, assessing their condition.

‘Mm, I think this should be fine.’

Marcel the instructor had healed the back of his hand, which had been torn by the axe yesterday.

Even though the treatment had been administered quickly after the exam, it was amazing that not even a trace of the foreign feeling of the blade digging in remained.

He could only marvel at the Academy’s financial power in so freely using potions for a student, and Instructor Marcel’s outstanding healing skills.

“Rohan.”

Turning his head, he saw Ichinose.

They had kept their distance during the exam, seeing each other sporadically, but had been too focused to really converse.

Rohan felt it had been a long time since he felt such a soft atmosphere, and a faint smile unconsciously graced his lips.

“How are the exams going?”

“Just one left. Noah too.”

“I figured as much. Same as me.”

From Rohan’s perspective, there was no reason to be surprised. He had expected it from the start.

After all, the two of them were more than capable talents.

“Did you see the Orion Circle yesterday?”

“Why?”

“It was a madhouse, you know? Rohan’s name was everywhere.”

“Figures, I felt eyes on me. Guess I wasn’t imagining things.”

Yesterday, I didn’t even think to check the community app, didn’t feel the urge to gather intel.

Too busy training at Zion’s mansion, plotting and planning.

“We can talk details later. After the exam today… You’re having dinner with those two, right?”

“Oh! How did you know?”

“I see you’re keeping in touch.”

Lately, Zion and Clara have really hit it off with Ichinose. They’ve also become friendly with Noah, who visits the mansion with them, but it’s Ichinose they’re especially close to.

Their conversations never seem to end. I don’t know what they talk about, but the three of them are constantly messaging each other.

From Rohan’s perspective, it just makes him happy.

It’s a kind of relationship he never had, never even imagined. Just watching it unfold is a joy.

“Ichinose has been a great help to them, as you can see. I should treat them to something nice.”

“Heeeh.”

“Ichinose is coming too, right? With Noah.”

“That… if Rohan allows it…”

Watching the tiny-nosed Noah fidget with her sword, Rohan’s lips curved into a deep smile.

“’Allows’ is such a dramatic word, don’t you think? Just come.”

“Okay…! I’ll be there for sure! Thank you…”

Ichinose’s reply is somehow endearing, bordering on coy.

Maybe it’s because of the distance we’ve been maintaining, tantalized by the exams, but it feels… stimulating to Rohan today.

Similar to how he felt watching Zion and Clara after returning from the dungeon.

Rohan’s gaze traces down the girl’s hooded eyes and naturally drifts towards her lips.

““…””

Ichinose, noticing where Rohan’s eyes are headed, held her breath.

Remembering their kiss in the dungeon, Ichinose’s face burned with heat.

A potent current of pressure weighed heavily on the girl’s heart.

─Commencing Day 3 of the Orion Academy Practical Exam.

The announcement was salvation for Ichinose’s racing heart.

Noah, the tiny-nosed one, latched onto the atmosphere-shifting broadcast and took a deep breath.

Rohan rechecked his weapons, then spoke.

“We’re heading the same way anyway. Want to team up?”

“I wish I could… but I want to focus as much as possible while I have the time.”

He couldn’t challenge Jooyeon with his mind so frayed like this. He needed to sharpen it to a razor’s edge.

At Ichinose’s words, that he wanted to find a quiet place to meditate, Rohan nodded in understanding and turned to look for Noah.

‘Still the same.’

The tiger girl was sprawled on the grass, fast asleep. Students bustling around her didn’t seem to bother her.

Judging by the pile of food wrappers next to her, she was aiming for peak condition by eating her fill and then sleeping it off.

Ichinose and Noah were preparing as best they could, each in their own way.

Rohan felt a sense of pride that they both understood that impatience would be of no help.

“You know it’s over if I get a bell first, right?”

“I’ll accept the outcome. But preparation won’t take too long. And… Noah and I challenged Instructor Jooyeon yesterday.”

There was no need to ask about the result.

The sight of Ichinose and Noah doubling down on their preparations was answer enough.

··

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Jooyeon was at leisure.

The swarming students were only there on the first day of the exam.

The second day was quiet.

Some students did come, now and then. But the result was always the same.

They realized, with aching certainty, that it was hopeless and turned their attention to other tests.

And now, the last day.

Jooyeon had a feeling today wouldn’t be boring.

As if to prove the feeling right, a student approached.

‘The troublemaker from Class 1 has arrived.’

Sitting in his chair, Jooyeon smiled with satisfaction and closed his book.

He had been certain Rohan would come.

“Instructor.”

“So. Any progress?”

“I’ve gathered everything but one.”

“Hmph…”

Knowing just how demanding the instructors in charge of the exam could be, Juyeon couldn’t help but be genuinely impressed.

“It’s thanks to your instruction, Instructor.”

“You’re the one who worked hard. You have every right to be proud.”

In truth, Juyeon didn’t believe it was his doing.

The period of instruction had been, at best, a single semester. He had merely pushed him.

‘Still.’

It did feel good, as an instructor, to hear the student say that.

He also felt a little proud, seeing how the student had come from afar and persevered without a word of complaint.

“Rohan. Enough with the pleasantries. You came to take the exam, yes?”

Juyeon flicked the crimson bell hanging from his waist with a finger.

Rohan nodded, setting down his bag.

He had enough between Radiance and his Brand.

Confirming that Rohan had taken a step forward, Juyeon began his explanation.

“I don’t possess the abilities of Instructor Marcel or Instructor Falkenhain. My only specialty is killing monsters.”

“…”

“Therefore, I think a method like that of Instructor Carrot or Instructor Ed would be ideal for me as well. In fact, I haven’t considered any other approach.”

Rohan felt breathless just listening.

He had considered and prepared many things, but he couldn’t be certain that any of it would be effective against Juyeon.

‘I need to eliminate some.’

Time was limited, and so were his mana and stamina.

Selection and concentration. He erased the techniques he thought would be a waste to even try.

“But don’t worry. Even with a mana restriction, the thought of freely engaging a student was deemed excessive. I agree.”

“…”

Juyeon placed his left hand behind his back and extended his right, showing his index finger.

“This is my only offensive weapon, my sword. My legs will be used for nothing other than movement.”

Explanation complete.

The exam began as Juyeon said, “Now, try to take the bell from me.”

Rohan’s gaze locked onto the bell.

Hanging by a single, thin thread, the bell had never seemed so resolute.

“Hooo…”

Rohan exhaled a long breath, pressing the hidden detonator as he always did.

Silence. He pressed it several times, but nothing activated.

There was only one answer.

‘It’s broken.’

Rohan, betraying a hint of unease, drew his sword, Lumina.

Ju-yeon merely quirked the corner of her lips, as if urging him to try harder.

*

— This is my only weapon, my only way to attack, and my sword. My legs are only for moving.

Inside Rohan’s bag rested the communication device.

Sion and Clara confirmed the details of the exam.

“Sion unnie… I’m moving to a new location.”

Clara also knew how to handle a sniper rifle with certainty. She even had a knack for seizing opportunities.

While not quite on Sion’s level, she was a sniper who had completed professional training, worthy of the name.

“Be careful. Use the radio if even the smallest problem arises.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

Clara picked up the case containing her equipment and headed toward another building.

Her movements, as she traversed between the buildings, were light and silent.

Having confirmed that Clara had safely settled into position, Sion picked up her sniper rifle.

First, she checked Rohan’s face through the scope, nearly giddy at the sight.

Then, she took her eye away and, using the binoculars around her neck, scanned the surroundings again.

She identified useful objects and the positions of the buildings.

‘Rohan. This favor will come at a high price.’

Didn’t Rohan himself say he’d grant her wishes as much as possible?

For a man who understood the weight of words to say something like that… one date wouldn’t be the end of it.

“Hehehe…”

Sion swallowed, lost in a risqué fantasy that followed.

Her eagerness for the job flared up. She wiped the saliva that had almost escaped from between her lips and gripped the rifle again.

She cleared her excitement, regained a composed breath.

And then, focused on Ju-yeon through the scope, she took aim.

“!?”

The instant he took aim, Jooyeon flicked his gaze this way.

Sion knew it in his gut.

‘…I’m made.’

A coldness bloomed, and sweat trickled down his back.

Caught before he could even fire. Despite securing a distant position outside the Academy, he’d been discovered just by observing.

He’d thought that male instructor yesterday was quick to notice, too.

Jooyeon was in a whole different league.

His finger, poised on the trigger, froze, stiff as if forbidden to move.