9. Only those who lack confidence in their own abilities need to be in a state of anxiety.
Miss Kephiel, you may be protective, but recently… especially after the engagement ended, have you been a bit too much in your praise of me? In terms of “literary talent,” perhaps I can rely on scripts and experience to strike hard and steady, but in the martial-oriented Rosian Empire, the end-of-term tests at Rublyanka Academy have a “practical” component! How am I supposed to pull off some flashy moves to pass that?
Kephiel didn’t care at all; once she finished praising me, she was done. I felt embarrassed and didn’t have time to ask. After all, once she agreed to my proposal, the decisive Letty wasted no time. In just a day or two, she had already prepared to conduct a “test” for me, Kephiel, and that female student, Leif, who looked down on us for various reasons.
Today, at this moment, in an empty classroom at Rublyanka Academy.
This place had been temporarily cleared and fortified with various barriers and magic to prevent cheating, serving as the examination room for the three of us. The end-of-term tests for third-year students at Rublyanka Academy were back-to-back, and the S-level tests I glanced at were so numerous they made my head spin. So Letty decided to choose one as our “evaluation standard” for the preliminary test, to respond to the earlier doubts raised by student Leif.
Heaven knows how this news spread. Before Kephiel and I had even settled in the classroom, the various ventilated spots outside were already packed with students eager to gossip. Meanwhile, the earlier student, Leif, pushed through the crowd with a stern face!
“Surprised you didn’t run away overnight. Hmph, when you two outsiders fail, don’t blame me for dragging your empire’s reputation through the mud!”
With absolute confidence, Leif sat down at a distance from us.
I sighed inwardly. I wouldn’t mention Kephiel, who was definitely a top student, but did this girl look down on me, who had once fled for a long time and relied on my wits to make a living? But even if I kindly reminded her now, it wouldn’t matter; those students outside had already perked up their ears to listen to our conversation. To them, the clash between the previous project’s winner, Kephiel, and the elite president of the student council was undoubtedly a juicy spectacle.
As for me? I was probably just there to make up the numbers.
The next moment, Letty entered with three muscular old gentlemen from the Rosian Empire’s Design Bureau, whom Kephiel and I had seen before.
“Ahem, this preliminary test is based on questions set by the elders of the Design Bureau. Although it’s a ‘preliminary’ test, failing will still result in disqualification.”
Letty glanced at me, but this was a public setting, so she maintained her usual authority and imposing presence, exuding both coldness and seriousness.
“The chief examiner is personally appointed by His Majesty! The faculty has already implemented all possible measures to prevent cheating, ensuring absolute fairness! Now, distribute the test papers and activate the barriers!”
The test began!
And just as Letty said, this was indeed a fair “test.” Letty didn’t give me any preferential treatment because of our relationship, and I could genuinely feel that my connection with Kephiel had vanished in an instant. Not to mention, in the vast classroom, there were only three examinees, but four examiners, including a feisty little girl holding a firearm. Outside, so many students were crammed in, their gazes fixated on us…
Seemingly sensing the occasion, Leif, sitting not far away, shot us a look that said, “You’ll be embarrassed later!” as she received her test paper, then buried her head in writing. My script appeared as well, proving that this female student wasn’t as “background” as I had imagined.
[Leif ranks among the top students at Rublyanka Academy!]
This was also the Rosian Empire, and for Kephiel, who was “fighting on enemy territory” in every aspect, it would indeed be quite challenging to go head-to-head in this regard, which was precisely why I chose to “participate.”
“What’s wrong, international student? Why aren’t you writing?”
“Old man, I’m meditating.”
My response drew a round of laughter from outside the classroom, including jibes like, “What’s this guy doing here, just messing things up!?” which put Kephiel in a bad mood.
So, naturally, I can’t let Kefir lose face, and I have to make a quick decision to avoid further ridicule! After all…
[Kefir is slightly behind Leyev in the written test!]
[Kefir’s progress in obtaining the fairy is affected!]
The appearance of such a script can only be changed by me!
I didn’t use the script, and I was too lazy to use this slightly “cheating” method. After all, this time, the content of the pre-test paper was not difficult to complete just by relying on my “escape” experience in the Rosia Empire and my knowledge of a cold country similar to the Rosia Empire as a transmigrator.
“How can that filler write so fast? Is he just scribbling?”
“Definitely! What a waste of a spot, Brett!”
“Maybe he’s trying to use this opportunity to get familiar with Kefir and Leyev. Shameless!”
The last one, I even rolled in bed with the goddess in your heart, are you mad?
While writing swiftly, I endured the gossiping voices outside. Then, as Letty raised her gun in frustration, scaring the classroom into silence, and before Kefir could be affected by these gossiping words, I finished the last stroke!
“Emperor Letty, and the three old grandpas, I’m done!”
I left my seat, handed in the test paper, and watched the three muscular old grandpas in the design bureau look at each other, while Letty stared expectantly at the test paper I handed in.
One of the old grandpas stroked his beard and glanced at the other two women: Kefir was still writing furiously, and although Leyev had finished, she was deep in thought, checking her answers.
“Young man, you’re too fast. Don’t you want to check it again? Although it’s a pre-test, this is a crucial moment for your graduation from Lubyanka Academy, after all…”
“No need.”
I still handed in the test paper. After all, the faster I handed it in, the less worried Kefir would be about me. She knows very well that I have the power of “prophecy,” although I didn’t use it this time.
“Checking is like eating status, it’s a sign of insecurity.”
“Oh! This is truly youthful arrogance! It reminds me of our arrogant days as the wild youths of Rosia…”
Alright, stop babbling, hurry up and grade the test paper! But I no longer have to worry about the results, nor about Kefir’s script being affected by Leyev.
[Euklid successfully passed the test, ranking first among the three!]
[Kefir temporarily got rid of Leyev’s entanglement!]
With the script like this, I can finally relax and breathe a sigh of relief. Although I was a bit impulsive and reckless this time…
But isn’t it natural to help your wife?
The April monthly ticket lottery was won by a European reader of Fire Scroll. The Fire Scroll has already been given away, but there is a reader named Kano Ren E Lu Long who might have changed their name, making it impossible to send the gift. If you see this, please join the group and tell me your new name.