I Will Carry as an Academy Veteran

9

“Why is that? Is nobody confident?”

Professor Walnut’s brown eyes swept across the entire classroom.

“Are you all just cowards? It won’t be fun like this. Well, then let’s add more conditions. If anyone lays a hand on me, I’ll end the class immediately.”

Some students flinched.

“For the one who passes as the top scorer, there will be extra points.”

The classroom buzzed.

Reyna next to him also had a bewildered expression.

“Adrian… U-um, what should I do? S-should I also take the challenge?”

Her eyes were spinning around.

“Wait.”

At the same time I spoke, a male student in the classroom suddenly stood up.

“Professor Walnut! I’ll give it a try!”

He dashed towards the platform and began to chant magic.

“【Low-level Water Element Magic: Water Creator】, 【Intermediate Ice Element Magic: Freezing Spear】.”

Oh.

A combination of water and ice.

Not a bad combination at all.

Using the low-level magic Water Creator to block movement and planning to deliver the finishing blow with the intermediate magic Freezing Spear.

This is a combination that newbies in Act 1 often use when recruiting a wizard into their party.

Around the male student running forward, a spear made of water and ice appeared.

“Oh no! Adrian! My score might go to that male student!”

Reyna shouted, her foot tapping nervously.

No, no need to worry about that scenario you have in mind.

“Tsk.”

I closed my eyes and bit my tongue.

Kwaaang─!

The two spells cast by the extra male student exploded.

Flying.

“aaahhh─!”

Of course, the one flying was the unnamed male student.

What professor would allow such a blind attack.

Amidst the swirling smoke in the classroom, a green defensive barrier surrounded Professor Walnut.

Inside it, Professor Walnut was reading a book with intense concentration.

“Huh? A barrier?”

The students started to buzz again.

“That’s… a truly flawless barrier… Did Adrian happen to know about this?”

“Mm.”

“……”

I didn’t offer any response.

Reyna, interpreting the silence as she pleased, soon nodded seriously.

“So, he told us to wait. Um… What should we do if it’s a barrier, which my magic alone can’t easily break…?”

Reyna started to ponder with her chin in her hand.

Indeed, that barrier is incredibly sturdy.

It boasts an extraordinary hardness that requires Reyna, the top student in the Magic Department, to continuously strike it with intermediate magic for roughly three hours to make a dent.

So, what should be done?

At first glance, it may seem like an impossible test, but Selenium Saga never includes quests that players absolutely can’t break.

If you think of this as “physically breaking it,” the lesson becomes even harder to solve.

However, if you understand the manifestation process of magic accurately, there is nothing easier than this.

The method is a bit wicked, but the way to circumvent it is truly disgustingly simple.

But, the method is quite devilish.

Look at Walnut Professor’s hands.

What he’s incessantly reading within the barrier is none other than a “romance novel.”

The sole pastime of 31-year-old confirmed bachelor and wandering wall professor, Wolly Trees Nest.

A book that he barely managed to rescue to read after devouring all romance novels within the academy recently.

How precious it must be.

So, what’s the connection between magic and romance novels, really?

The principles of magic in this world are roughly like this.

To activate magic, you need magical power, but the most crucial thing is the connection with the mind.

In other words, if you lose your mind, magic disappears.

And the book Professor Walnut is reading is a romance novel.

A story unfolding from the encounter of the incurably ill female lead and male lead.

* * *

Over 40 minutes have passed since the lecture began.

Half of the students in the classroom are exhausted and dozing off.

Many students attempted, but all ended in failure, and there was even one who collapsed from magical exhaustion, having exerted so much magical power.

“You haven’t budged at all even though you’ve been watching until now…”

Reyna murmured worriedly.

I, with an unchanged expression, continued to gaze at the lectern.

Walnut remains perfectly focused.

The speed of turning pages is steady, and there is no sign of distraction.

This means he’s truly engrossed in the book.

“…But what is the book that Professor is reading? Is it a research book? A magic book?”

From the depths of her being an honor student, it seems she can’t come to any other conclusion.

Furthermore.

“Extra points.”

Although avoiding expulsion is urgent, with confidence in getting a perfect score even with eyes closed, there’s no need for me to earn extra points.

After a moment of thought, I decided to pass the points to Reyna.

The condition for Reyna’s future “First Awakening” is defeating the Countess Shucross and seizing the position of Chief of the Magic Department.

So, it was better to give this guy extra points and widen the gap from now on.

Important characters should be nurtured in advance for convenience later on.

“Reyna.”

“Adrian, did you finally figure out a way?”

I slowly stood up from my desk.

All the students in the classroom turned to look at me.

Ignoring their gazes, I opened my mouth towards Reyna.

“Do you know how to use a magic to conceal your appearance?”

“I know how, but I’m not perfect. It lasts about 3 minutes.”

“That should be enough. I will turn to the right side of the lectern, you observe the situation from the left. I’ll grant you the extra points.”

“…Really? B-but if it’s extra points, doesn’t Adrian need them too?”

“It’s in place of the apology for not being able to go to the self-study room together.”

I gazed calmly at Reyna.

“Why, can’t it be helped?”

“Oh, no! I can do it, Adrian!”

Reyna clenched her fists tightly, and I nodded.

“Then give it a try.”

I walked slowly towards the podium.

As the students in the classroom held their breath and watched, I approached the area with a barrier.

Professor Walnut was absentmindedly reading a book.

‘It can’t be helped.’

Amid all eyes on me.

Quietly raising my arm, I tapped the wall of the barrier.

Tap──.

“Professor Walitris.”

Fortunately, a response came back.

“What is it? Is the exam too difficult? Did you call me to adjust the difficulty?”

“I have something to say. Could you look this way for a moment?”

“Ha… Just at the right time.”

With a grumble, Professor Walnut closed the book and turned towards me.

You must obediently become the sacrifice for the score…

“Speak up. What do you have to say? I won’t answer about adjusting the difficulty…”

Pointing to the closed book, Professor Walnut spoke.

“The female lead dies at the end.”

The way to break the seemingly unbreakable barrier.

It’s simple.

Just spoil the novel’s content to Professor Walnut in real-time.

While wind barrier magic may be strong against magical and physical attacks, it’s equally vulnerable to mental attacks.

“What is suddenly…?”

“You must be delighted to have found a new treatment method, right? Giving hope and then killing her in the end. If you doubt it, just read the subtitle on page 368.”

“That, that can’t be…”

Professor Walnut started trembling as he flipped the pages.

Flip─

Simultaneously, cracks started forming in the barrier.

“3, 368… Subtitle… ‘She Will Never Return’…!”

“The novel ends on page 350. After that, it’s a postscript written by the protagonist after the female lead’s death. It spans 18 pages.”

Professor Walnut’s hand trembled.

“No. They wouldn’t part like this. They promised to survive!”

“Unfortunately, it’s the truth. Their love didn’t come to fruition, and she didn’t return.”

“Ugh…”

With a thud.

The book that Professor Walnut was halfway through reading fell from his trembling hands.

At the same time, the barrier surrounding him began to crumble like shattered glass.

The murmuring students.

Through that gap.

“Don’t miss it!”

Running like the wind, Reyna grabbed Professor Walnut’s robe hem tightly.

“Professor.”

“…….”

“We succeeded.”

Silence fell upon the classroom.

The students stared at me with dumbfounded expressions.

“……Yes, I know.”

He clicked his tongue, picked up a book, and straightened his robe.

As his finger flicked, the classroom door creaked open.

“……Class is over, go on, kiddos. Reyna von Wolfgang gets extra credit.”

“We did it! Adrian!”

Reyna beamed brightly.

But I couldn’t relax.

Honestly, even I think spoilers are a bit much. But what can you do?

Just before leaving the classroom.

“Adrian.”

Professor Walnut called to me.

“You did great. You broke my barrier more decisively and excellently than any student I’ve ever taught.”

“Thank you, but….”

I didn’t really want compliments with a half-crying face.

“So here’s the thing. Did you really… really die? It’s a lie, right?”

I chuckled and replied.

“Repel Heights doesn’t lie.”

Ignoring the echoing cries, I closed the classroom door and left.

* * *

“…So, he’s a true victor in the end. Quite impressive.”

“Yes, Miss Evnyss triumphed in today’s freshman duel. Though Erhan put up the best fight.”

Dorm room.

Before going to sleep, Kalen and I were sipping on orange juice, exchanging random stories.

To commemorate the first day, the Knight Department had a ceremony and a duel among the same grade students today. That fellow Evnyss defeated them all and claimed victory.

“His eyes were blazing.”

“…….”

Truly a formidable one.

“He even broke the opponent’s sword in half….”

“Mm.”

Who could withstand against a powerhouse with a strength of 20.

However, on the other hand, there was also a sense of relief.

The Knight Department’s story seems to be unfolding properly for now.

Before long, Evnis will allow Erhan to strike, leading him to develop a competitive spirit.

That’s when the game truly begins.

“You?”

“Oh, I did alright, more or less.”

“Are you satisfied with the outcome?”

Calen bit his lip at my words and nodded.

“No, I need more practice.”

“I see.”

Then it was my turn.

Upon hearing about the morning incident, Calen looked at me earnestly.

“Adrian, are you being devilish?”

“….”

Calen shot me a piercing look as I remained tight-lipped.

“To kill one’s feelings. Although the departments differ, Professor Walnut, in the Knight Department, is renowned for being a lover of romance novels. Stepping on the other’s sincerity…”

“But that was the most effective method.”

“Well… I suppose so. In the Knight Department, they teach that in magic love battles, the first thing to do is engage in psychological warfare.”

Calen emptied his juice glass and spoke.

“By the way, what happened at the opening ceremony today was quite something…”

“Hmm?”

“A noble who should have been an example in an official setting tried to attack another noble, even from the same lineage. Wasn’t it you, Adrian, who purposely intervened to stop it?”

“Did you know about that?”

Calen smiled sadly.

“…Nobles like me, who must be cautious everywhere, must not miss such intentions and understand them.”

Sometimes the conversation with him gets a bit heavy.

The etiquette is quite strict.

I poured juice into Calen’s cup.

“Oh, this, I…”

“Stop the excuses and drink. I’m nothing special now anyway.”

“No, please don’t say that.”

He suddenly spoke seriously, which surprised me.

Calen continued to sip his juice and then resumed polishing his sword.

I sat quietly, observing Calen’s sword.

“…The sword.”

The fundamental swordsmanship primer class was just three days away.

It was time to start learning gradually.

As I activated the skill, a spear appeared before my eyes.

＜Will of the White Eye＞ / Growth-type (★★)

A sword forged by the head of the Snow White family wielding a hammer himself.

The love and regret for his daughter are contained within.

The eyes and the well-forged blade of the northern iron do not break easily, as sturdy as the saying of the Snow White family.

Growing alongside the owner, resonating with the ice element.

– When worn, the user’s strength increases by 1.

– When infused with magic, the critical hit chance slightly increases.

– Wear restriction: Strength 12, Willpower 15.

Emotional attachment: This item cannot feel emotions.

…Although it may seem plain now, as a growth-type equipment, the latter half mask options have changed drastically.

By the way, resonating with the ice element.

When I saw that word, something came to mind.

“Kalenn.”

“Yes?”

“Can you teach me swordsmanship?”

Kalenn blinked for a moment.

“Are you talking about swordsmanship? If it’s a few moves…”

“No, not swordsmanship, but ‘attribute sword’.”

Kalenn looked at me with surprise.

Attribute sword… To put it simply, that thing.

Why would that be there?

Swinging a sword with light, lightning, or ice infused in it.

Kalenn hesitated slightly, trying to understand my meaning.

“Well, I can teach you if you want, but whether Adrian from the School of Magic can learn… No, can he even learn at all?”

Smoke rose above Kalenn’s head.

Indeed, Intelligence 9.

Truly a foolish fellow.

“Don’t worry.”

Even if my Stamina is 5, Strength is 3.

There’s always a way for an old-timer, nothing is impossible.