NOVEL NEXT Chapter 164
Mid-July, in a blazing summer.
The final exams, lasting a full two weeks, have begun.
I have no idea what the content is. There’s only a vague explanation that hints at problems hidden in the midterm notes, the duration, and the starting location, with no other details given.
Apparently, this type of exam is the same for both second and third years. The midterm hides hints, and the final exam is based on them for practical testing.
The duration varies depending on the type of exam. According to past records available in the library, some exams have ended in less than a day, so the one we’re taking this time feels quite long.
Two weeks.
It’s a time when you’ll die if you don’t eat or drink. Therefore, students can be seen carrying food and various necessities to get through those two weeks.
Students struggling with large backpacks.
Those who seem to have brought everything from home, loading their burdens onto something like their familiar, and students who only brought minimal supplies and food.
Most of them are commoners.
Those who obviously look like nobles carry lighter loads. Well, of course, they stuffed everything into their A-Space Pockets.
Of course, there are differences even among those nobles.
From larger backpacks to hand-drawn bags like Silina’s, which take design and performance into account.
Still, there’s a vast difference compared to commoners.
The items they’ve brought will naturally differ in quality—better, more, and more convenient items. On the other hand, commoners can only rely on lower quality.
I’m not boasting about being a Duke’s daughter; I’m just stating a fact. I was a street-dwelling pickpocket 400 years ago, and the memories and emotions from that time linger.
So I don’t want to think about flaunting authority or acting like I’m above others.
I shout that there should be no class differences in the Academy, but I wonder if such things aren’t regulated separately? I didn’t think too deeply about it since I also came with my A-Space Pocket.
I brought enough supplies for three months. Not to mention, I stuffed in the luggage coming from Yurasia, Stella, and Pina too.
And well… I think the Academy must have some thoughts of its own. From what I’ve seen since enrolling, there do seem to be no class differences in the Academy.
Of course, there are probably distinctions between professors and students, but at least it can be said they are minimal.
So everyone must have their reasons.
Not allowing the items brought won’t seem out of place.
That seems likely.
In preparation, I secretly tucked away weapons and potions for emergencies that Yurasia might need. I’m not planning to use them during the exam.
Even without cheating, I will score full marks.
Well, that’s that for now…
“Gailan.”
I called out to Gailan, who was standing with two friends. Gailan, the student who got lost in Adelia’s illusion magic on the day of the entrance exam.
Now, he’s the class representative of our class and currently ranks third in the Academy. First place is Yurasia, second is Stella, and third is Gailan. He’s a brilliant model student.
I waved to him.
“…Uh, huh? Me? Here?”
Gailan is smart, but that clueless manner of speaking hasn’t changed.
“Yeah. It’s you I’m talking about. Isn’t your load heavy?”
“Not… not really— ”
“Don’t lie.”
“Y-you… it’s super heavy! It feels like my body is sinking into the ground…!”
“Give it to me. I’ll put it in mine.”
Gailan’s eyes started darting around, scanning his friends for their reaction.
“You don’t need to worry about your friends; I’ll take their stuff too. Just bring it all over.”
“R-really…? Here?”
“Yeah. Do you think I’ll just steal it? If you’re worried, just carry it yourself. And speak properly.”
“Ugh! No! I didn’t think of that! It’s just… I was worried if it would be a hassle for Eliaernes.”
“Taking things in and out is no hassle. Stop sweating under the blazing sun unnecessarily and hurry up before I change my mind.”
Gailan and his friends exchanged glances, slowly moving toward me.
Watching them, Stella murmured.
“Why do you say that in such a rough way?”
“Isn’t offering help a good thing?”
“Can’t you say it a little nicer? Anyone would think you’re shaking them down.”
“Well, what are they gonna do if they think that?”
“…That’s true, but it still feels bad if others talk behind your back when you’re not around.”
“That might be how it is at your age. Wait until you’ve grown up. You won’t care about those pesky looks or backtalk.”
“You’re the same age as me! Ugh, such a nag.”
Stella pouted.
“…I find that annoying.”
And she mumbled something, but it was drowned out by Gailan and his friends chattering their thanks.
When I put the bags down, I felt light. It was as if I was floating in mid-air. No, I was really floating! Woosh! Control your mana, girl! Careful now, really typical chatter for girls that age.
“Th-thank you so much!”
Standing in the center, Gailan bowed and smiled brightly.
Kids really do look great when they smile.
“Just promise not to stab me in the back when the exam comes.”
“Stab you in the back? Exam? Do you even know what a final exam is, Eliaernes?”
“Of course I don’t. I have no clue, but I guess I can kind of figure it out. Why, care to enlighten me?”
“Umm…? No, no! You’ve given me such a big favor; asking for more would be too… guilt-ridden and unfair, so it’s okay.”
Gailan shook his head, adjusted his glasses, and gently held my hand with both of his.
“Still… what Eliaernes said, I promise to keep! If you’re ever in danger, I’ll help!”
His pinky hooked around mine.
It felt strange.
“I’ll help? You should just focus on passing the exam.”
Feeling an odd itch, I waved my hand.
Following my gesture, the smiling Gailan stepped back.
“Hmm… Your tone is so sassy, but somehow, you’re being oddly nice.”
“Stella. Eliaernes is just shy about it.”
“Hmm… It does seem like what my sister said is right… Wait. Is your face turning red?”
“Were you guys learning martial arts somewhere? Do you think you can beat me in a fight?”
At my words, Pina tilted her head.
[Yurasia is learning swordsmanship, and Stella is studying magic! But do you really have to learn martial arts to beat Eliaernes?]
“Martial arts? Pfff, no, forget it. Just eat this, Pina.”
I gave Pina a d’acquoise.
One d’acquoise shut down Pina’s doubts.
Nom nom nom– Pina found the d’acquoise delicious.
At that moment, the wagon to take us to the exam venue, the Anketin Mountain Range, arrived.
*
Stella boarded a different wagon, separated from our class. But it wasn’t like everyone from my class took the same wagon either.
Each wagon held five students, with two wagons per class, making it four wagons in total for the first years.
Both Signia and Frunt were split into groups of five too. Hence, a staggering number of wagons were parading down the road.
But each was heading in a different direction.
East, West, South, North—every wagon was dispersing toward the Academy’s gates.
Well, I guess we’ll find out why soon enough.
I boarded the wagon with the other four.
[Yes! The beastmen, including myself, don’t typically get nauseous!]
Pina seemed all excited, as if it were just a picnic.
“Good to hear. I don’t get motion sickness on wagons either.”
Yurasia chimed in happily.
“Ugh… I’m so envious… I—ugh, I’m not used to wagons… It’s so hard.”
Gailan was isolated, separated from his two friends.
“You shouldn’t stubbornly hold it in if you feel like throwing up; just tell the coachman.”
Sitting next to me was Silina, wearing a cynical expression as she gazed out the window.
It was the same group of people who wandered through the illusion on the entrance day—not by coincidence. Choosing who to ride with in the wagon was free choice.
Pina and Yurasia clearly didn’t want to separate from me.
Whether it was because Gailan handed me his luggage or because we wandered through illusions together, he stealthily moved towards me as soon as the wagon arrived.
And Silina?
She felt like an outcast. The opposite wagon’s groups had already formed up before she could get on, so she naturally ended up here.
Yet she seemed pretty satisfied with where she ended up.
After all, being friends with me, the only one she might have in class, must feel nice after being bullied.
What a cute girl.
“Young Lady, Young Lady.”
“Yeah?”
“How do you think the exam will go?”
At Yurasia’s question, Gailan and Pina’s eyes sparkled. Silina, who had been gazing out the window, glanced at me as well.
I casually opened my mouth, not thinking much of it.
“They’ll probably drop us off in some deserted place and tell us to survive. After all, the starting location is the Anketin Mountain Range, right? It’s filled with monsters and beasts.”
The three of them tilted their heads in confusion, excluding Silina.
“Survive?”
“Yeah. Why, didn’t the midterms have a lot of content about survival methods from Gebihenum?”
“Um… Isn’t there more about combat methods like dueling or monster hunting? So most of the students are expecting something like that.”
“Whether it’s on a deserted island or in the mountains, if you spend enough time, dueling and monster hunting will naturally occur. Fighting demons is a blend of dueling and monster hunting.”
“You really do know a lot.”
While the three quietly expressed their admiration, Silina, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up.
But her tone was different from the one she used with Gailan.
It was a bit softer and gentler.
A remarkable effort from Silina, who usually carried an ego sky-high.
Also, a way to show her gratitude toward me.
What a cute girl.
“It’s because I read a lot of books.”
“Your speaking skills are impressive, too! It sounds so vivid as if you’ve experienced it yourself.”
“If you read a lot, you get better at speaking.”
Silina clicked her tongue, ending the conversation.
Ever since I brought the Flame Sovereign with me—or maybe even before that—she seems to have an odd imagination about me, but I won’t be answering any of that.
Of course, I won’t slip up during that process either.
“But, young lady.”
“Yeah?”
“You didn’t bring bandages today?”
Yurasia cocked her head, looking at my pale hands.
“I did bring some, but I don’t think I’ll need to wrap them.”
“Do you mean you don’t need them now?”
“Yep. I don’t need that kind of thing anymore.”
It’s unnecessary now.
What I had intended to do with those bandages has already been accomplished.
That night, after the congratulatory party for attaining the 6th Rank, I ‘used’ those bandages.
When I injected mana infused with ideation into the bandages, the image of the location where Luna was came into my mind. It was a place I knew. Thus, I pinpointed Luna’s location.
Luna Pranecia.
Luna, who was my ally and friend.
She’s sealed somewhere in the depths of the Holy Kingdom.