Chapter 75 – Even Heroes Must Face Exams

“Everyone has finals starting tomorrow, yeah? Hehehe! Do your best, everyone! You know what happens if you get a low score, right?!”

“Gyaaack!!”

“Those who bombed the midterms, be careful. Another bad score and you’ll be on academic probation, got it?”

“Kheu-euk!”

The demons that crossed the Gate and invaded this world were utterly eradicated. Two of them even defected to the Empire’s side.

But, that’s it. Nothing changes. Gates still form in places without Sealstones.

And when those maws open, countless monsters pour out, just as they always have.

It’s only that the demons can’t cross. In order to gain energy, even a little at a time, this calamity never ceases.

Therefore, the duty of the Ability Users is ongoing. Accordingly, the cradle that nurtures future Ability Users continues to produce screams today.

“No, really! Why! Why must we! Aren’t we just supposed to be good at fighting monsters?! Why do we have to take exams in everything from mathematics to engineering, political science, history, imperial law, literature, the Imperial language, even poetry!”

“Why don’t you stop screaming and study for the exam already?”

“If I keep screaming, maybe someone will come and do it for me?”

“Keep screaming like that and a lightning bolt will probably strike you right in the head.”

The cries of the students echoed from every corner of the cradle. Mostly lamentations about the exams.

Deus, watching the scene, felt a strange sense of gratitude for the appearance of the demons.

He was almost ashamed to admit it, but he himself was never much for studying.

Especially certain subjects, with which he had absolutely nothing to do. He would rather go to the gym and work out during those times.

So much so that he’d rather spar with the old geezer than study.

At least the midterms were cancelled because of all the incidents that had occurred in the last few months. There were even students who hoped that there would be no exams at all this semester.

But once everything was settled, the topic of exams began to resurface, and eventually, the finals were upon them.

“Ehhh? What happens if you don’t take the finals?”

He tentatively asked the question, and Tiamat gave him a look as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

“You’ll get academic probation, right? Skipping the midterms and not taking the finals would be a disaster!”

“B-but, I am a hero of the Empire, you know. Shouldn’t I be excused from the exams?”

There’s this saying that heroes don’t study, so I wonder if that applies here?

I’ve saved the Empire from demons countless times. The Empire ought to acknowledge that merit and save me from the exams, shouldn’t they?

At this logic, Tiamat chuckled and patted Deus on the shoulder.

She probably thought this young man was just joking because he was stressed about the exam.

“Don’t worry! This teacher was the same at first, but eventually, I passed everything! It’s not difficult! Just memorize everything! Isn’t that easier than fighting a demon?”

“I think I’d rather fight demons.”

“Come on. It’s really not *that* bad, is it?!”

It is that bad. It’s just that you don’t understand, Teacher.

I clutched my head and groaned, and Tiamat, losing her smile, spoke again.

“The lecture was a little boring, wasn’t it? And you didn’t want to take the exam either. Then just do alright on the theory exam. You can make up the rest of the points with practicals. Deus can more than get away with that, anyway!”

“Wouldn’t it be faster to just give me points for demon-slaying?”

“Hehehe! You think they’d allow that?! Nothing else matters, but there can be no exceptions when it comes to exams!”

This meant, inescapably, that I had to study for the exam.

I couldn’t just pick answers randomly, so I at least had to look at the basics.

Eventually, Deus picked up his textbooks (they looked like pocket notebooks in his hands) and headed for the library, which he’d only admired from afar until now.

The inside was already packed with students preparing for finals. Judging by their expressions, everyone felt the same way.

Death to exams. Exams, I hate you. Can’t the world end on exam day? Augh. Augh! I really, really hate studying!

“Haaa.”

Oh, I want to exercise. Oh. I want to catch monsters. Ohhh! I just want to fight demons!

Barely managing to calm the boiling blood in my veins, Deus reached out to pull a chair.

—*Crack!*

“….”

I must have used too much force. I’d been using all my patience on exam study, so I forgot to control my strength.

Thanks to that, the chair, made of solid wood, turned into a pile of splinters in an instant, tumbling to the floor.

I wondered if I was going to get in trouble again, and looked around. But because finals were right around the corner, no one was surprised or paying attention.

Everyone just had their heads buried in their books, muttering, ‘Death to exams. Death to exams. Heehee!’

‘Good thing. Much better than being kicked out as soon as I arrive.’

Studying really is bad for you. Going outside, rolling around, sweating – that’s a hundred times more useful.

I should be fighting monsters, but why am I fighting exams? To forget this frustrating reality, I reluctantly opened the book and, making sure it wouldn’t close again, applied a little pressure—

—*Creeeak!*

“…?”

Hearing an unpleasant noise, I slowly lifted the book. A crack had appeared on the solid wood desk!

At least the desk hadn’t split in half, but it looked like it really might happen if I wasn’t careful.

“Hmm.”

Guess I’m not supposed to study. Deus immediately turned around and left the library.

And a little while later, the desk, unable to hold on any longer, let out a loud *Snap!* and split in two.

*

“JoJo. I’m having such a hard time these days.”

—*Meow*

“Fighting demons would be better than this. This is really not something a person should have to do.”

—*Myaaow*

JoJo looked at Deus as if he were pathetic. It was as if he was saying, ‘Wouldn’t a real person not be able to fight demons?’

He stared at me for a moment, then started grooming himself. With such leisurely movements.

“Jerk. You’re not even pretending to listen, are you.”

After all I’ve done for you. I guess I’ll have to reduce your daily Churu supply. Just as I was thinking that, I heard someone behind me and turned around.

“Ah. Deus.”

“Welcome, Yrisia. Studying for finals going well?”

“Um… Yeah, I think so. I need to work hard.”

“Lucky you. I just can’t seem to get along with studying.”

“S-should I help you?”

Helping wouldn’t really change much. Yrisia herself must be busy.

So, politely refusing, he watches Jojo, who is grooming himself diligently again.

“Oh, right, Deus! Now that I think about it! I’ve been so busy I’m only just mentioning it now!”

“Hm?”

“Jojo, you know. He really, really hates water?”

Uh oh? Him? Why does he hate water? As Deus wore a puzzled look, Yrisia also looked perplexed.

“When I tried to give him a bath, he made a huge fuss, trying to escape. I caught him a few times, but he resisted so much… I thought he might really get hurt, so I just wiped him down with a wet towel.”

“Really? No way. When I bathe him, he’s the gentlest kitty in the world?”

—Nyaang.

As if understanding their conversation, Jojo finishes grooming with a short cry.

“Well… anyway, thanks for your hard work. Washing Jojo, and working hard lately, too.”

“I’ll work even harder! So, can’t Deus watch over me now? I’ve really been working hard!”

“I was already thinking of calling you along with Luciel-sunbae and the President to confirm. Don’t worry.”

He hadn’t yet explained about the club to Yrisia. So, after he told her what he was thinking, the first thing she said was:

“Then when do we go?”

Not long ago, she had been filled with so much fear. She’s changed quite a bit.

When he asked why, Yrisia answered as if it was obvious and continued.

“Deus said it, didn’t he? Courage isn’t the absence of fear, but overcoming it. So, I’ll keep overcoming it. For my mother, who believed in me, and for Deus, who believes in me. I’ll overcome, overcome, and overcome again, hoping to one day be like Deus.”

Undergoing tremendous training. Fighting monsters. Even crossing the gate into hell.

All of it was just part of the process. Her admiration had become her goal, and for that, she was ready to change even more than she already had. Yrisia clenched both fists and said it like that.

Deus couldn’t help but smile at her admirable demeanor.

—Nyaaang.

At that sight, Jojo, who was sitting quietly beside them, made a slightly strange cry.

Humans are so complicated! What’s so great about that guy anyway!

*

“Deus-nim.”

A few days before the final exams, Jarvis abruptly called Deus.

He was radiating the feeling that he was plotting something.

“What is it, suddenly?”

“Actually, regarding you saving Astaroth, I have a gift prepared as a token of my gratitude.”

“I don’t really like receiving bribes.”

“You’ll think differently once you hear it. I guarantee it.”

Just what was he going to say, summoning him privately?

Deus, crossing his arms and giving off an oppressive aura…

“Uh.”

The forcefulness of that first word vanished with the next.

“It really turned out that way?”

“Yes. I put in a good word, so Deus-nim will oversee all the Cradle’s practical training exams. That means you only need to get an average score on the theory test.”

“….”

Deus stared at Jarvis for a long moment before blurting out, almost involuntarily:

“Ever think of sticking a jewel on your forehead?”