Unexpected Exam (2)
Meanwhile, Ifrin in the lounge was locked in a fierce pebble-flicking competition.
The atmosphere was one of utter silence and rapt concentration.
Drent and Roserio, Kreto and Ruina, and even the red-furred Munchkin all held their breath, eyes glued to Ifrin's finger.
Gulp—
The sound of swallowing echoed loudly.
Was her insides frozen solid like thin ice? It felt like it might shatter into pieces at any moment.
An ominous feeling hung in the air.
But wasting time in this nail-biting suspense wouldn't change a thing.
Before the sweat beading on her temple could trickle down, Ifrin yanked her finger back with the most tense expression in the world.
"Hoo...."
This competition was called 'pebble flicking'—a game where you flicked pebbles across a lab table.
No magic or mana interference allowed; pure skill alone determined who sent theirs the farthest.
"...Hup!"
Ifrin tensed and released her index finger like a trigger. The pebble shot off into the distance in an instant.
"Please!"
But a straight line wasn't always best. Falling off the table meant disqualification—straight to last place.
"Please, please...!"
Ifrin clasped her hands together, praying for her pebble's success. She'd even given it the affectionate nickname 'Leafy,' pouring all her love and hopes into it.
And sure enough, the pebble's surface bore a nameplate reading 'Leafy'....
"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!"
"No! Stop! Stop rolling, you bastard!"
As if understanding her heart,
'Leafy' rolled past the previous leader—Roserio's pebble—and came to a stylish stop near the table's very edge.
"Yes! Yessss!"
Ifrin threw both arms up in triumph.
"First place! I'm first! First, first!"
She jumped around cheering, while Roserio roughly tousled her own pink hair.
"Aw, shit. Hey. Take it."
She handed her research notes to Ifrin.
"Here. Congrats, champ."
"Mine won't be much help, but take it anyway."
"Ahem. Here. Yours."
Ruina, Drent, and Kreto followed suit.
"Thanks~!"
Ifrin giggled as she collected the copies of their research.
This had been the wager: 'Research Notes Giveaway.' The loser handed over their work.
"But it wouldn't be fair if only I got stuff. Here—I'll share what I studied with all of you~"
Ifrin distributed her own notes to the four. They accepted without hesitation. Proof of just how tough Deculein's exam was.
"Yeah. Not sure it'll help, though."
"Thanks~"
Ruina smiled brightly and slipped on her coat. Ifrin tilted her head.
"Where you headed?"
"Yeah. We can go outside, right? Time to prep for the project review."
Ruina's words sparked a realization in Ifrin.
"...Ah~ The Chief Policy Director's project inspection?"
"Yep. That's the one. Professors have been swamped with it lately. Hehe. I'll be back soon after it's done."
* * *
The top floor of the Imperial University Tower. The Chairman's office.
I'd just been about to start my Chief Policy Director duties when the Chairman summoned me.
"Oh right! The project inspections start today!"
"Yes. Correct."
"I'm expecting big things! Profits have climbed since Deculein became Chief Policy Director!"
"Not yet. The real gains will start next year."
"Got it! I'll watch from afar! ...Oh, and that exam was hilarious! Another great one from you!"
Adrienne beamed.
"I wanted to try it too! But the mages wouldn't lend me any pebbles! They thought I'd smash them! And I almost did!"
"Is that so."
My talent being 'Manipulation' meant such games were designed with resistance to manipulation in mind.
So, not lending to her was the right call. They wouldn't survive her destruction magic.
"By the way, about the exam—"
"It's not an official one."
"Oh, right. Anyway, hey! Don't interrupt me!"
Adrienne pounded the desk and glared. I nodded faintly.
Fairies hated feeling ignored most of all; I'd been a touch careless. Adrienne toed the line perfectly, though.
"I shall listen."
"...Good! Anyway! About the exam! Are you ready for the final test to become Chairman?!"
Adrienne slid a paper over. It bore the Chairman's official seal.
[Final Mission: Guarding the Extreme North]
"Guarding the Extreme North."
"Yes! Not just any north—the extreme north! Super tough! Two to three months there!"
Her words triggered a quest alert.
Chairman Ascension
◆ Acquire title 'Chairman'
◆ Rare Trait Catalog
"...."
Rare Trait Catalog.
I calmly settled my mind. It was an expected reward, really.
Becoming Chairman was a second-tier achievement in the magical world; a Rare trait was only fitting.
"Why the face~? Scared~? Fair enough! You might even meet a great tiger! A grrrreat tiger~!"
Tiger.
"Have you seen one yourself?"
"Huh? No! I heard Zeit beat one, though!"
Humans on this continent had transcended humanity, but its tigers had transcended those transcendent humans.
In fact, they were born mastering inner arts.
Living in the mountains, they harbored purer mana than humans, with keen intellects and cunning instincts.
Thus, the especially gifted among them—great tigers.
Or those who claimed an entire mountain as their domain—mountain lords.
Known as mountain heroes, even Adrienne couldn't guarantee victory against them.
"If one picks a fight, I'd fight back! Even a great tiger!"
"...Great tigers do not initiate fights with humans. They are like immortals, far beyond us, merely observing."
"Oho~! How do you know?!"
The Chairman waggled her eyebrows slyly. I shrugged.
"...In any case, I accept this mission."
That settled the trait choice.
The Extreme North.
I might truly encounter a perfect match there, and clearing the quest would surely grant another 'Rare Trait Catalog.' Thus, 'Duct Tape'—the one most useful right now in the North.
"Great! Stamped! Confirmed! No take-backs!!"
"Yes. Then I shall attend to my Chief Policy Director duties."
"Okay!"
Adrienne smiled brightly. I turned and boarded the elevator.
"Bye~!"
I nodded to the beaming Adrienne and pulled out the 'Rare Trait Catalog.'
Riiip—! I tore it to select the trait.
Rare Trait: "Duct Tape"
A satisfying acquisition notice.
I felt the trait... the 'tape's' energy filling my body.
* * *
The Imperial University Tower's winter was gradually heating up. Especially from the top down.
Students only had finals to prep for, but the professors were drafting, reviewing, and rehearsing 'project reports' for Deculein.
"...We don't know what questions he'll ask, so make it airtight."
In Professor Rellin's office, he earnestly instructed his assistants and junior professors.
One of his direct junior professors asked,
"Yes. But there are already many teams waiting. When should we schedule?"
Chief Policy Director Deculein's reviews would cover around a hundred teams.
Every ongoing or new project—be it birthing new life or extending old ones—hung on Deculein's decision.
"I'll talk to the Senior Professor and set it up. Don't worry. I'll get you the best slot."
Rellin said it with a subtle hint of 'I'm on Deculein's line.'
"Yes."
His subordinates nodded contentedly. In this tower's hierarchy, your mentor's connections mattered greatly.
Of course, being under Deculein 'directly' was daunting, still reeking of villainy, but an 'indirect line' through a mentor was a golden lifeline.
Rellin scanned them with feigned concern.
"...Work hard. I'd help, but I have the Senior Professor's exam to take."
His expression was gravely stern. His juniors beamed with pride at their mentor's resolve.
"Yes. Good luck, Professor."
Deculein's exam. The tower's biggest event lately.
Project whitepapers were vital, but this exam's prestige was otherworldly.
Ether-ranked Roserio, the Floating Island addict Astal, Grand Army's Kreto, Imperial Palace exclusive mages—talents galore were obsessing over it.
"Right. I'm off."
"Yes."
Rellin strode out like a general to battle.
....
Today, a long line snaked outside the [Chief Policy Director's Office].
Teams of professors here to submit yearly results and seek approval for new projects.
—One more practice run! Our project theme, 'Mana Stone Condensation and Liquefaction'...
—No, expected questions. Gimme the list.
—You all memorized it, right? This is huge. Screw up, and your careers are toast.
With five or six members per professor, the murmurs were constant.
"Hoo... P-Professor! R-Ready, all set~?!"
Allen peeked out the door, then straightened up to ask.
"...You seem to need preparation more."
"Ah, I'm good! How's the exam going?!"
"I do not know."
It wasn't even an exam. I had other plans prepared, and I'd never called it a test, so the real one in four weeks would proceed as scheduled.
Two tests in a row for the students? Tough luck.
"Thirteen teams today?"
"Yes."
Allen handed over the roster and reports—all from the waiting teams.
"Hm."
I scanned them one by one with Understanding and Tycoon Wealth.
Point out flaws if any; critique if useless. But if potential showed, I'd give ample time.
"Good. Send them in one by one."
"Yeees."
Allen opened the office door. The hallway still buzzed.
"First team, come on in!"
The murmurs cut off instantly.
The first team entered.
"Greetings...!"
The lead mage bowed—a face I hadn't seen before.
A cute-faced female mage. Five members: three men, two women.
I asked calmly,
"Name."
"Lumiere rank, 'Marone'! Currently serving as a new professor!"
"...."
Marone.
A decent name in her own right. If Ifrin and Sylvia were five-stars, she was three or four.
"Pleased. Straight to business. Your submitted paper's theme is..."
"'Mana Stone Condensation and Liquefaction'!"
Marone shouted boldly.
Confident, but the report and paper were riddled with holes.
"Good. Questions begin."
"Yes sir!"
"The idea itself is novel."
Liquefying mana stones? Of course novel. On Earth, petroleum displaced coal partly due to liquid vs. solid advantages.
"Ah! Th-thank you, overwhelming gra—"
"However, even liquid resources are inefficient without minimum output."
I drew a ritual formula in the air with mana.
"Behold. Page 9 of your paper, the formula section. Per your calculations and formula, liquefied mana stone max output is 73% of standard."
"Y-yes? We haven't reached concrete conclusions yet. And we think at least 90%."
Marone looked baffled.
"No. See—the calculations proceed thus."
I expanded the formula's computations in mana. Marone and her team blankly followed.
"73%. Even with margin, under 75%."
"Erm... Adjust the formula, and at least 90%—"
"Even 90% is problematic. How do you offset the 10% loss?"
"...That's certain. Transport savings! Shipping 10 tons of mana stone vs. liquefied—"
"Think. Think."
I tapped my temple with a finger.
"Completing this needs at least 500 million elne in funding. It devours mana stones wholesale. Plus, liquefying at mines requires resident mages—who'll burn mana stones as catalysts. Paid handsomely, of course."
"Erm...."
Sweat beaded on Marone's forehead. Her face darkened. Her team's expressions matched.
"Factoring all costs... you need at least 120% output guaranteed."
"One-twenty—"
"Minimum. Plans?"
"Pardon?"
"None, I presume."
"Ah."
"No plans at all."
"Ah."
"Nothing beyond 'yes' and 'ah'?"
Marone and her team looked like they'd hit a massive reef. First time under such pressure, it seemed.
Gulp—gulp—
Even nearby Allen was swallowing hard.
"...My apologies."
Marone bowed. The briefing felt like a failure to her.
"It's our project, yet you know it better than us. Our skills are still—"
"That's not the answer you seek."
I placed my palm on the paper.
"Do you have confidence?"
"...Pardon?"
Marone's eyes widened.
"Confidence to complete this. To achieve over 120% output."
"...."
"If so, I'll fund it myself. The idea's fresh."
Marone clenched her fists. I added,
"And if you join my faction, revisions too—"
"Yessir! I've got it!"
Marone bellowed. A warrior's cry.
"I must do it! I am Lumiere Marone! I stake my name!"
"...."
But I hadn't gotten the key answer, so I twisted my lips silently.
"Good."
I feigned indifference.
"And direct revisions if under me."
"Ah! Really?! Then absolutely!"
Her team—knowing my infamy—gaped in horror, but she cried out resolutely again.
"Only Chief Policy Director Senior Professor Deculein recognizes our research! Even if it kills me, I'll shatter my bones and stake my life—!"
No one else recognized it, huh...
Fitting for the 'first slot.'
More than sacrificial pawns—utter nobodies shoved in first.
They'd leak the interview details the moment they left.
"Good. Pass."
Thud—!
I stamped the report.
"Out."
"Thank you! Thank you!"
Marone bowed repeatedly as she exited.
* * *
"Whoa, me... this is insane."
Ifrin was still obsessed with the pebble.
Nosebleeds multiple times, one faint, but still stuck against the wall.
A wall boxing her in on all sides.
If only she could break through—she'd bash her head endlessly. But it wouldn't yield.
"...I'm dying."
"Not going well?"
The voice made Ifrin stretch her stiff back and turn.
Ruina.
"Yeah... Looks simple, but way too hard. Sniff sniff."
Ifrin set the pebble down.
How did Deculein make it? How did he move it with Telekinesis?
All still mysteries.
"No answer anywhere."
She muttered like a sigh, fiddling with her neck steel. Deculein's gift had become her focus aid, a treasured item.
Like second to her father's bracelet.
Ruina glanced at it.
"Hey, Ifrin. Isn't that Professor Deculein's steel?"
"...Ah. Yeah. It is."
A faint smile touched Ifrin's lips. Ruina eyed her meaningfully.
"How'd you get it? Deculein never gives his stuff away."
"Oh? Second person to say that!"
"His personality's infamous."
Ruina chuckled and sat beside her, leaning in slyly.
"Won't ask why you took it."
"Mm~ No biggie. Just... decided to become his disciple..."
"...Disciple?"
"Yeah."
"He agreed?"
"Yep. If I work hard."
"Wow... Wild. A disciple under Deculein? Thought he'd never take one."
Ruina mused, glancing at Ifrin.
For some reason, a shadow crossed Ifrin's face.
"Yeah... Didn't expect it myself. Never in my wildest..."
Ruina observed her expression, her actions.
Fiddling with the neck steel. Seemingly sad. Emotions rippling complexly.
...No way.
Did this girl know too?
Ruina probed gently.
"Just wondering. Do you know?"
"...Huh?"
Ifrin didn't answer. Just stared at Ruina with undue tension.
Ruina gleaned certainty from that subtle reaction.
"You know."
"Wh-what?"
"That Deculein... doesn't have much time left."
"...!"
Ifrin's eyes flew wide. Ruina reflected in her dilated pupils.
She wore a poignant smile.
"Probably found out first, myself?"
Clang—!
The neck steel hit the desk with a sharp metallic ring.
The item Deculein had given her now resonated with Ifrin's shaking heart....